Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-02-09
CHAPTER Ill

I confess that I was considerably
startled by this fresh proof of the
practical nature of my companions
theories. My respect for his powers OF
ANALYSIS increased wondrously. There
still remained some lurking suspicion
in my mind, however. that the whole
thing was a prearranged episode. in
tended to dazzle me, though what
earthly object he could have in taking
me in was past my comprehension.
Wren looked at him he had finished
reading the note and his eyes had as
sumed the vacant, lack-luster express
sion which showed mental abstraction.
''How in the world did you deduce
that?" asked.
"Deduce what?' said he, petulantly.
"Why, that he was retired ser.
geant of marines"
Il have no time for trifes," he re.
Piled. brusquely. Then, with smile:
Excuse my rudeness. You broke the
thread of my thoughts; but perhaps ii
is as well. So you actually were not
able to see that that man was SER
geant of marines?"
mo, indeed"
s'Tt was easier to know it than to ex-
plain why I know it. II you were
asked to prove that two and two made
four, you might find some difficulty,
and yet you are quite sure of the fact.
Even across the street could see a
great blue anchor tattooed on the back
of the fellows hand. That smacked of
the sea. He had military carriage,
however, and regulation side-whiskers.
There we have the marine. He was a
man with some amount of self-impor-
tance and 4 certain air of command.
You must have observed the way in
which he held his head and swung his
cane. A steady, respectable, middle
aged man, too, on the face of him-all
facts which led me to believe that he
had been a sergeant"
Wonderfully l ejaculated.
Commonplace" said Holmes,
though thought from his expression
that he was pleased at my evident sur
prise and admiration. 81 said just
now that there were no criminals. 1t
appears that | am wrong-look at
this!' He threw me over the note
which the commissionaire had brought.
''Why," l cried, as / cast my eye
over it, ''this is terribler'
'It does seem to be little out of
the common" he remarked, calmly.
Would you mind reading it to me
aloud?"
This is the letter which / read to
him:
my DEAR Mr.. SHERLOCK HOLMES: There
has n had bnsipnSg during the night Z
Lauriston gardens, OF the Brixton road. Our
man on the beat saw light there about two In
the morning, and, as the house was an
empty one, suspected that something was
amiss. He found the door open, and
IN the front room, which Is bare of
furniture, discovered the body Of a gentleman.
well dressed and having cards in his pocket
bearing the name OF 'Enoch J. Drebber, Cleve-
land, O., U. s A There had been no rob
berry, nor is there any evidence as to how the
man met his death There are marks OF blood
in the room, but there is no wound upon his
person. We are at loss as TO how he came
into the empty house; indeed, the whole affair
IS q puzzler II you can come round to the
house any time before twelve, you will find me
there have left every thing in statu quo until
] hear from you II you are unable to come
shall give you fuller details and would esteem
It great kindness II you would favor me with
your opinion
'Yours faithfully. TOBIAS GREGsoN"
"Gregson is the smartest of the Scot
land Yarders," my friend remarked;
che and Lestrade are the pick of bad
lot. They are both quick and ener-
getic. but conventional-shoc SO.
They have their knives into one
another, too. They are as jealous as a
pair of professional beauties. There
will be some fun over this case If they
l. he
l was amazed at the calm way in
which he rippled on. Surely there is
not moment to be lost" ] cried.
"Shall go and order you cab?"
81 am not sure about whether shall
go. | am the most incurably lazy
devil that ever stood in shoe leather
that is, when the fit is on me, for can
be spry enough at times"
"Why, it is just such n chance as you
have been longing for"
my dear fellow, what does II mat
ter to me? Supposing I unravel the
whole matter, you may be sure that
Gregson, Lestrade 81 Co. will pocket
all the credit. That comes of being an
unofficial parsonage"
But he begs you to help him."
"Yes. He knows that | am his SUI
perior, and acknowledges it to me;
but he would cut his tongue out before
he would own it to any third person.
However, we may as well go and have
look shall work 1t out on my own
hook. may have laugh at them, II
have nothing else. Come onl"
He hustled on his overcoat, and
hustled about In a way that showed
that an energetic fit had superseded
the apathetic one.
"Get your hat" he said.