The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-05-25

his name is a small thing. however,
compared with the power oflaying our
hands upon him. This l expect very
shortly to do. l have good hopes of
managing it through my own arrange
ments; but it is thing which needs
delicate handling, for we have
a shrewd and desperate man to
deal with, who is supported, as
1 have had occasion to prove, by an
other who is as clever as himself. As
long as this man has no idea that any
one can have a clew there is some
chance of securing him; but if he had
the slightest suspicion he would
change his name and vanish in an in
slant among the four million inhabit-
ants of this great city. Without mean
ing to hurt any of your feelings, 1 am
bound to say that 1 consider these men
to be more than match for the official
force. and that is why have not asked
your assistance. If 1 fail 1 shall of
course incur all the blame due to this
omission; but that am prepared for.
At present 1 am ready to promise that
the instant 1 can communicate with
you without endangering my own COM
binations / shall do So"
Gregson and Lestrade seemed to be
far from satisfied by this assurance
or by the depreciating allusion to the
detective police. The former had
flushed up to the roots of his f1axen
hair, while the others beady eyes
glistened with curiosity and resent
ment. Neither of them had time to
speak, however. before there was a tap
at the door and the spokesman of the
street Arabs, young Virgins, intro
duced his insignificant aud unsavory
person.
please, sir" he said, touching his
forelock, Il have the cab downstairs"
Good boy" said Holmes, blandly.
"Why don't you introduce this pattern
at Scotland Yard?" he continued, TAX
ing a pair of steel handouts from
drawer. "See how beautifully the
spring works. They fasten in an in
slant"
''The old pattern is good enough"
remarked Lestrade, IF we can find the
man to put them on"
very good, very good, said Holmes,
smiling. THE cabman may as well
help me with my boxes. Just ask him
TO step up, Virgins"
was surprised to find my companion
speaking as though he were about to
set out on a journey, since he had not
said anything to me about it. There
was a small portmanteau in the room,
.-1 chic he r,r,11aA on1 70
strap. He was busily engaged at it
when the cabman entered the room.
Just give me a helpwith this buckle,
cabman," he said, kneeling over his
task, and never turning his head.
The fellow came forward with a
somewhat sullen, defiant air, and put
down his hands to assist. At that in
slant there was sharp click, the jang-
ling of metal, and Sherlock Holmes
sprang to his feet again
Gentlemen" he cried, with flashing
eyes, ''let me introduce You to Mr..
jefferson Hope, the murderer of Enoch
Drebber and Joseph Stangerson-"
The whole thing occurred in a mo-
,nent-so quickly that 1 had no time to
realize it. l have a vivid recollection
of that instant, of Holmes triumphant
expression and the ring of his voice, of
the claimants dazed. savage face, as he
glared at the glitteriDg handouts,
winch had appeared as il by magic
upon his wrists. For second or two
we might have been a group OF statues.
Then with IN inarticulate roar of fury,
the prisoner wrenehed himself free
from Holmes grasp, and hurled him
self through the window. Woodwork
and glass gave way before him; but
before he got quite through, Gregson,
Lestrade and Holmes sprang upon
him like so many stag-hounds.
lie was dragged back into the
room, and then commenced a ter
rifle conflict. So powerful and SO
derce was he, that the four of US were