Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-02-16

lined by sordid dwellings. We picked
our way among groups of dirty chill
dren and through lines of discolored
linen until we came to No. 40, the
door of which was decorated with a
small slip of brass, on which the name
Rance was engraved. On inquiry we
found that the constable was in bed,
and we were shown into little front
parlor, to await his coming.
He appeared presently, looking a lit
| tie irritable at being disturbed in his
slumbers. II made my report at the
Office" he said.
J Holmes took half-sovereign from
his pocket, and played with it pensively.
"We thought that we should like to
hear it all from your own lips" he said.
81 shall be most happy to tell you
anything l can," the constable an
swered, with his eyes upon the little
golden disk.
''Just let us hear it all in your own
way, as it occurred"
Rance sat down on the horse-hair
sofa and knitted his brows. as though
determined not to omit anything in his
narrative.
''Ill tell it ye from the beginning"
he said. my time is from ten at night
to six in the morning. At eleven there
was fight at the White Hart; but, bar
that, all was quiet enough on the beat
At one o'clock it began to rain, and I
met Harry Murcher-him who has the
Holland Grove beat-and we stood to-
gether at the corner of Henrietta
street a-talkin'. Presently - maybe
nbout two, or little after-I thought
I would take look round, and see
that all was right down the Brix-
ton road. 1t was precious dirty and
lonely Not q soul did meet all the
way down, though cab or two went
past me. was a-strollin' down,
thinkin' between ourselves how un-
common handy a four of gin hot would
be, when suddenly CLINT of light
caught my eye in the window of that
same house. Now, knew that them
two houses in Lauriston gardens was
empty on account of him that owns
them, who won't have the drains seed
to, though the very last tenant what
lived in one of them died o. typhoid
fever / was knocked all in heap,
therefore, at seeing q light in the win
dow, and suspected as something was
wrong. When got to the door"
"You stopped, and then walked back
to the garden gate" my companion in
terrupted. What did you do that for?"
Rance gave a violent jump, and
stared at Sherlock Holmes with the ut
most amazement upon his features.
"Why, that's true, sir" he said;
though how you came to know it,
Heaven only knowsl Ye see, when /
got up to the door, it was so still and
30 lonesome that thought I'd be none
the worse for some one with me.
aiD't afeared Of anything on this side
of the grave; but thought that maybe
1t was him that died o. the typhoid in
specting the drains what killed him.
The thought gave me kind o turn,
and walked back to the gate to see IL
/ could see Murcher's lantern. but there
wasn't no sign of him nor of anyone
else"
"There was no one in the street?"
Not hvin' soul, sir, nor as much as
dog. Then pulled myself together
and went back and pushed the door
open. All was quiet inside, so went
into the room where the light was
a-burnin'. There was a candle 1ickerin'
on the mantle-piece-a red wax one
and by its light saw"
Eyes, know all that you saw. You
walked round the room several times,
and you knelt down by the body, and
then you walked through and tried the
kitchen door, and then"
John Rance sprang to his feet with
frightened face and suspicion in his
eyes. where was you hid to see all
that?" he cried. at seems to me that
you knows a deal more than you
should"
Holmes laughed, and threw his card
across the table to the constable.
Don't get arresting me for the muir
der" he said. 81 am one of the hounds
and not the wolf; Mr.. Grcgson or Mr..
Lestrade will answer for that. Go on.
though. What did you do next?"
Rance resumed his seat. without,
however, losing his mystified express
sion. II went back to the gate and
sounded my whistle. That brought
Murcher and two more to the spot
WIS inc bJTecb empty Incn(
well, it was, as far as anybody that
could be of any good goes"
What do you mean?'
The constables features broadened
into grin. 1--WE seen many n drunk
chap in my time" he said, but never
anyone so cryin' drunk as that cove.
He was at the gate when came out,
a-leanin' up ag'n the railin's and
a-singin' at the pitch of his lungs
about Columbine's new-fanglcd ban
ner, or some such stuff. lie couldn't
stand, far less help"
"What sort of man was hep asked
Sherlock Holmes.
John Rance appeared to be some
what irritated at this depression. HE
was an uncommon drunk sort o. man."
he said. He'd ha' found hisself In tho
station II we hadn't been so took up"
'His face-his dress-didn't you no.
tice them2'' Holmes broke in. impa-
ticntly
~ should think | did notice them,
seeing that had TO prop him up-me
and Murcher between us. He was a
long chap, with red face, the lower
part mufiled round"
THAT will do" cried Holmes. What
became of him?"
''We'd enough TO do without loolsin'
after him." the policeman said, in an
aggrieved voice. "Ill wager he found
his way home all right"
"Ilow was he drcssed?"
"a brown overcoat."
Had he a whip In his hand?"
IA whip-no"
"Hc must have left IL behind" NUT
tered my companion. You didn't hap
pen 10 see or hear a cab after that?"
"No"
There's a half sovereign for YOU"
my companion said, standing up and
taking his hat II am afraid, Rance,
that you win never rise in the force.
That head Of yours should be for use
as well as ornament. You might have
gained your sergeant's stripes last
night. The man whom you held In
your hands Is the man who holds the
clew OF this mystery, and whom we
are seeking. There is no use OF argu-
ing about IL now; / tell You that it Is
80. Come along, doctor"
We started of for the cab together.
leaving our informant incrcdulous, but
obviously uncomfortable.
"rhc laundering fooll'' Holmes said,
bitterly, as we drove back TO our lodg-
ings. Just TO think Of his having
such an incompatible bit Of good luck,