The Press., 1895-02-21
tcontinned.l
tcontinued.l 4 STUDY IN SCARLET
PART ONE.
By A. CONAN DOYLE.

Betng reprint ,ffUm tte "reminiscences
 of John H. Watson, fl. D., late of ths
 Grmy medical depa1tmeRt-I
 As he spoke he whipped tape meas ure and large, round magnifying glass from his pocket. With these imple- ments he trotted noiselessly about the room, sometimes stopping, occasion ally kneeling and once lying fiat upon his face. So engrossed was he with his occupation that he appeared to have forgotten our presence, for he chattered away to himself under his breath the whole time, keeping up running fire of exclamations, groans, whistles and little cries suggestive of encouragement and of hope. As watched him was irresistibly reminded of pure blooded, we'll trained foxhound as it dashes back ward and forward through the covert, whining in its eagerness, until 1t comes across the lost scent For 20 minutes or more he continued his researches, meas uring with the most exact care the dis tance between marks which were en- tirely invisible to me and occasionally applying his tape to the walls in an equally incomprehensible manner. In one place he gathered very carefully a little pile of gray dust from the floor and packed it away in an envelope. Finally he examined with his glass the word upon tho wall, going over every letter of it with the most minute ex- actness. This done, he appeared to be satisfied, for he replaced his tape and his glass in his pocket.
 "They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains, he remark ed, with smile. Its very bad deti- nition, but it does apply to detective work. ''
 Gregson and Lestrade had watched the maneuvers of their amateur cOm- panion with considerable curiosity and some contempt. They evidently failed to appreciate the fact, which had be- gun to realize, that Sherlock Holmes smallest actions were all directed to- ward some definite and practical end
 "What do you think of it, sir?' they both asked.
 ''It would be robbing you of the credit of the case if I was to presume to help you, ," remarked my friend. "You are doing so we'll now that it would be a pity for any one to interfere '' There was world of sarcasm ill his voice as he spoke If you will let me know how your investigations go," ho con- tinued, "I shall be happy to give you any help I can. In the meantime l should like to speak to the constable who found the body. Can you give me his name and address?'
 Lestrade glanced at his notebook. ''John Rance,' he said. "He is off duty now. You will find him at 46 Audley court, Remington Park Gate ''
 Holmes took a note of the address.
 "Come along, doctor,' he said. ''We shall go and look him up. I'll tell you one thing which may help you ill the case," he continued, turning to the two detectives. ''There has been murder done, and the murderer was man. He was moro than 6 feet high, was ill the prime of life, had small feet for his height, wore coarse, square toed boots and smoked Trichinopoly cigar. He came here with his victim in a four wheeled cab, which was drawn by . horse with three old shoes and one new one on his off fore leg. In all probabil- ity tho lnurslerer had florid face, and the 1nHlir nails of ais. igak hand were remarkably long. Theae arc only few Indications, but they may assist syou. <
 Lestrade and Gregson glanced at each other with an incredulous smile
 If this man was murdered, how was 1 if donnP51 aclrod thu forn1n1s
 Poison, said Sherlock Holmes curt. 1 ly and strode off. One other thing, Lestrade, " he added, turning around al the door. 7" 'Rache' is the German fo1 1 revenge, so don't lose your time look ing for Miss Rachel. "
 With which Parthian shot he walked away, leaving the two, rivals open mouthed behind him.