Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-08-12
CHAPTER vI-(Continuedo

These youngsters however go every
where and hear everything. They are
as sharp as needles, too; all they want
is organization"
rs it on this Brixton case that you
are employing them?" / asked
eyes; there is a point which. wish
to ascertain. 1t is merely matter OF
time. Hullo! We are going to hear
some news now with vengeance! Here
is Gregson coming down the road with
beatitude written upon every feature
of his face Bound for us, | know.
Yes, he is stopping. There he ISL
There was violent peal at the bell,
and in a few seconds the fair-halred
detective came up the stairs, three
steps at time, and burst into our
Sitting-room.
"My dear fellow" he cried, wringing
Holiness unresponsive hand, con
graduate me! / have made the whole
thing as clear as day"
A shade af anxiety seemed to me to
pass over my companions face.
do you mean that you are on the
right track?'
'"The right track! Why, sir, we have
the man under lock and key"
"And his name is"
"Arthur Charpentier, a sub-lieutenant
IN her majesty's navy" cried Gregson.
pompously, rubbing his fat hands ana
Initiating his chest.
Sherlock Holmes gave sigh OF RELIEF
and relaxed into smile.
'Take a seat and try one Of those CT
gars," he said 1--WE are anxious to
know how you have managed it, Will
you have some whisky and water"
II don't mind if do" the detective
answered. 1.-THE tremendous eXertions
which I have gone through during the
last day or two have worn me out.
Not so much bodily eXertion, you I'M
-derstand, as the strain upon the mind.
You will appreciate that. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes, for we are both brain-WOrk-
,ers'
"You do me too much honor" said
Holmes gravely. LET us hear how
YOU arrived at this most gratifying re-
suit"
The detective seated himself in the
armchair and puffed complacently at
his cigar; then suddenly, he slapped his
thigh in a paroXysm of amusement.
'"The fun of it is" he cried, that
that fool Lestrade. who thinks HIM
self so smart has gone off on the wrong
scent altogether. He is after the sec
rotary, Stangerson, who had no more
to do with the crime than q babe I'm
born. I have no doubt that he has
caught him by this time"
The idea tickled Gregson so much
that he laughed until he checked.
"And how did you get your clew"
"Ah, I'll tell you all about it. OF
course, Dr. Watson, this is strictly be-
tween ourselves. The first difficulty
which we had to contend with was the
finding of his American antecedents
Some people would have waited until
their advertisements were answered,
or until parties came forward and vol
unteered information. This is not To
bias Gregson's way of going to work
You remember the hat beside the dead
manY
yes" said Holmes; Shy John Under
wood g. Sons, No. 100 CamberWen
road"
Gregson looked quite crest fallen.
81 had no idea that you noticed that"
he said. ''Have you been therew
"No."
"Ha! cried Gregson, in relieved
voice; "you should never neglect
chance, however small it may SEEM"
"Weh went to Underwood and ask
ed him if he had sold hat of that size
and description. He looked over the
books and came on it at once. He had
sent the hat to Mr. Drebber, residing
ct CharDentier's boarding establish
ment, Torquay terrace. Thus | got his
address"
"Smart-very smartv' murmured
Sherlock Holmes.
81 next called upon Nine. Charpen-
tier continued the detective. Il
found her very pale and distressed.
Her daughter was in the room, too
an uncommonly fine girl she is, too;
she was looking red about the eyes,
and her lips trembled as I spoke to
her. That didn't escape my notice.
began TO smell rat. You know the
feeling, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, when
you come upon the right scent-a kind
of thrill in your nerves. Have you
heard Of the mysterious death of your
late boarder, Mr.. Enoch j. Drebber, Of
ClevelandY' l asked.
The mother nodded. She didn't seem
able to get out word. The daughter
burst into tears. l felt more than ever
that these people knew something
about the matter.
" At what o'clock did Mr.. Drebber
leave your house for the train?" / ask
ed.
AT s O'clock she said, gulping in
her throat to keep down her agitation.
His secretary, Mr.. Stangerson, said
there were two trainS-one at 9,15 and
one at II. He was to catch the first
F" And was that the last which you
saw of him?'
A terrible change came over the wo-
mans face as l asked the question.
Her features turned perfectedly livid.
1t was some seconds before she could
get out the single word, Yes'-and
when it did come it was in a husky,
unnatural voice.
There was a silence for moment
and then the daughter spoke in calm
clear voice.
/" No good can ever come of false
hood, mother she said. Let us De
frank with this gentleman. We did
see Mr.. Drebber again
" God forgive your cried Nine: Char
pentier. throwing UP her hands and
oh al isaF7 q