Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-05-14
NUMBER 20.

coarse plastering. Across this bare
space there was scrawled In blood red
letters single word, "Rache. 7"
"What do you think Of thatT cried
the detective with the air OF a Snowman
exhibiting his show. This was over
looked because il was in the darkest
corner of the room, and no one thought
of looking there. The murderer has
written it with his or her own blood.
See this smear where IL has trickled
down the WALL That disposes Of the
idea of suicide anyhow. Why was that
corner chosen 10 write IL on? will tell
you See that candle on the mantel-
piece. IL was it at the time, and II 10
was liz this corner would be the bright
est instead Of tho darkest portion Of the
wall "
And what does IL mean. now that
You have found ity" Asked Gregson In
deprecatory voice
Mean Why. IL means that the writer
was going 10 put the female name Rs-
chol. hat was disturbed before he or she
bad time % anish You mark my words.
when this ca~e comes 90 b. cleared up
yon will find that a woman named Rs-
chol has something O. do with 70 It's
all very we'll for you O. laugh, Mr. shsr.
lock Holms- You may b. very smart
and clever. ba, the oh bound l. the h.ast
WHEN all is said and done
4 rssliy heg yuur pariou. " aid my
/ coutanion. who hai rufiied tbs little
mans tsmpar ~ bursting into aB etplo-
sion q laughter You certainly have
the credit - h.ing the drsi q a. b hnd
Z this out. Ani. o. yua ssy. "a bars every
marx q hating ben written ~ the
other participant in ias, nights mys.
try have nof had time o. examine
this roan ~ bat vith your p.rmission
.hall a. - now
A. b. spoke he whipped q tape meas
ure AMI iarge. rouni magnifying glass
froIa his pcket With these imp!e-
uselts b., truft.si noi-slcssly about tho
rom. souscamo- stopping occa-ion-
/ ally knocling and oBco lying hat upon
bis fsca - ongros-cd Wa be with his
Ocupa,ion that b. appeared 70 have
forgotten our presence. for he chartered
away 20 himself under his breath the
whole time. keeping up a running hre
u ordinations, grOans, whistles and
little cries suggestive of encouragement
and q hope A. l watched him ! was
irresistibly reminded Of pure bloOded.
well trained fOXhound as IL dashes back.
ward and forward through the covert
whining in its eagerness, until IL comes
across the lost scent For 20 minutes or
moro he continued his researches, meas
uring with tho most exact care the dis
tance between marks which were en-
tirely invisible to me and occasionally
applying his tape TO the walls III an
equally incomprehensible manner. In
ono place he gathered very carefully
little pilo Of gray dust from the floor
and packed it away in an envelope.
Finally he examined with his glass tL1
word upon the wall, going over every
letter Of 10 with the most minute eN-
actness. This done. ho appeared to be
satisfied, for he replaced his tape and
| his glt-' III MS pocket
~ say that genius is an infinite
capacity for taking pains, " he remark.
ed. with smile. IT'S very bad def
milton, but it does apply to detective
work. -
Grogson aud 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 10 realize. that Sherlock Holmes
smallest actions were all directed to-
ward some definite and practical end.
What do you think Of 1t. sir!' they
both asked.
1T would be robbing you Of the credit
Of the case if was to presume TO help
you. remarked my friend You are
doing so well now that it would be
pity for any one to interfere. There
was world Of sarcasm in his voice as
he spoke IF you will let me know
how your Investigations go, he con-
tinued, Il shall be happy TO give you
any help can. In the meantime /
should like to speak to the constable
who found the body. Can you give mo
his name and address,
Lestrade glanced at his notebook.
John Rance, he said. "He is OIL
duty now. You will find him at 40
Audley court, Remington Park Gate "
Holmes took n note Of the address.
Come along, doctor, he said I'VE
shall 90 and look him up III tell you
one thing which may help you in the
case, he continued. turning to the two
detectives There has been murder
| done, and the murderer was man. he
was more than feet high, was in 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 III four
wheeled cab, which was drawn by
horse with three old shoes and one new
one on his of fore leg. In all probabil-
ity the murderer had fiorid face, and
the finger nails Of his right hand were
remarkably long. These are only few
indications, but they may assist you.
Lestrade and Gregson glanced at each
other with an incredulous smile.
If this man was murdered, how was
it doneg" asked the former.
Poison, said Sherlock Holmes curt
ly and strobe off. "One other thing.
Lestrade. he added. turning around at
! the door. :" Rache' is the German for
revenge, SO don't lose your time look
ing for Miss Rachel.
With which Parthian shot he walked
away, leaving the two rivals oper
mouthed behind him.
fro BE CONTINUED