The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-29

reaction after the successive excite
ments of the night. was limp ana
weary. befogged in mind and fatigued
IN body. had not the professional en-
thusiasm which carried my companion
on. nor could l look at the matter as
mere abstract intellectual problem. As
far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto
went, had heard little good Of him,
and could feel no intense antipathy to
his murderers. The treasure, however,
was different matter. That, or part
of it, belonged rightfully to Miss
Morstao While there was a chance
of recovering it. I was ready to
devote my life to the one object.
True. if ! found it, it would prob
ably put her forever beyond my
reach. Yet it would be a petty and
selfish love which would be Influenced
by such a thought as that. If Holmes
| could work to find the criminals, had
tenfold stronger reason to urge me
on to find the treasure.
A bath at Baker street and COM
plete change reshened me up wonder
fully. When l came down to our room
found the breakfast laid and Holmes
pouring out the coffee.
'Here it is" said he, laughing and
pointing to an open newspaper. THE
energetic Jones and the ubiquitous re-
porter have fixed it up between them.
But you have had enough of the case.
Better have your ham and eggs first"
took the paper from him and read
the short notice, which was headed:
''Mysterious Business at Upper Nor
wood"
about twelve o'clock last night"
said the Standard, "Mr. Bartholomew
Sholto, of Pondicherry lodge, Upper
Norwood, was found dead in his room
under circumstances which point TO
foul play. AS far as we can learn, no
actual traces of violence were found
upon M1 Sholto's person, but
valuable collection Of Indian gems
which the deceased gentleman had
inherited from his father has
been carried off. The discovery
was first made by Mr.. Sherlock Holmes
and Dr.. Watson, who had called at the
house with Mr.. Thaddeus Shalto,
brother of the deceased. By a singular
piece Of good fortune Mr.. Athelney
Jones, the well-known member OF the
detective police force, happened to be
at the Norwood police station, and
was on the ground within half an hour
of the first alarm. His trained and ex-
perienced faculties were at once direct
ed towards the detection Of the Grim
inals. with the gratifying result that
the brother, Thaddeus Sholto, has al
ready been arrested, together with the
housekceper. Mrs Bernstone, an II
dian butler named Lal Rao, anu por-
ter, or gatekeeper, named McAlurdo. 1t
is quite certain that the thief or
thieves were we'll acquainted with the
house. for Mr. Jones well-known
technical knowledge and his powers
of minute observation have en-
abled him to prove conclusively that
the miscreants could not have entered
by the door or by the window, butmust
have made their way across the roof of
the building, and so through trap
door into a room which communicated
with that in which the body was found
This fact. which has been very clearly
made out. proves conclusively that it
was 40 mere haphazard burglary. The
prompt and energetic action of the OFF,
GERS of the law shows the great advan-
tage of the presence on such occasions
of single vigorous and masterful
mind. We cannot but think that it
supplies an argument to those who
would wish to see cur detectives more
decentralized. and brought into closer
and more effective touch with the
cases which It is their duty to investi-
gate"
Isn't it gorgeous said Holmes,
grinning over his coffee cup. What
do you think of it?''
II think that we have had close
shave ourselves of being arrested Ior
the crlme''
so do I. wouldn't answer for our
safety ro-v, ifhe should happen to have
anothc. of his attacks of energy.
At this moment there was lou,.
ring at the bell, AID l could rear Mrs.
Hudson. our landlady. raising her
voice in I. w@il 81 expostuiatioE a:ld dis
may.
by hc&ven. Holiness" I said. half
rising. i believe that they are really:
after Us.
No its not quite SO bad as that. it
is tie unofficial force-the Baker street
irrcgnlars.
AS hc spoke there came a swift pat
tcring Of naked feet upon the stairs. a
clatter Of high voices. and in rushed
dozen dirty and ragged little street
Arabs. There vas some show Of disci-
pline among them. despite their tu-
.nultuons entry, Cor they instantly
drew up IN lire and stood facing us
with expcctant faces. One Of their
number. taller and older than the 9th
e1.s. stood forward with an air Of lorng
ing superiority "hicil was very funny
IN s,ilch y Ciisreputablc little scarecrow-
Got Your n..aSaGe sir, said he,