The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-14

For reasons which will Immediately ap-
pear, 1 omit Mr.. Higgins account of the
events leading up TO the advertisement,
as irrelevant.
When he had finished Holmes Enclosed
his eyelids and brought together the tips
of his long fingers.
Your statement Is singularly lucid"
he remarked. But as an error at this
stage might prove serious let us recapit-
ulate. The object, you say. was lost three
days ago by one of your children. but
you have been unable to discover by
which one of them. or what the object It
self was. You remember, Watson. my
saying that this case was sure to develop
a bizarre interest. Now. Mr.. Higgins, let
me ask you one question. How came 1t
to your knowledge that any object at all
had been LOST"
ION entering my study the morning be-
fore last" replied Higgins. II found upon
my table this sentence: I have lost SOM
thin The last word lacked the e. and
the g.
Holmes eye cleaned did you rec
ognize the handwritinS"
81 did not"
WHY"
Because the words were formed by
putting together some letter blocks which
were given to the children last Christ
mas"
This is of immense Importance" said
Holmes, making a note upon his shirt
cuff. did you preserve the document"
IT am sorry to say that Charlotte. my
negro housemaid. removed 1t In my alb
sence."
Hum! But you have the blocks? I
think we shall manage. VIII you oblige
me by calling the children
"All OF them?''
by all means. Watson'-he bent to-
wards me, caught my pith helmet from
knn ~ Anb yxrht I'll In
the yard. "As you go down to pick II up,
Watson" he added. take a look under
meath the veranda-it is always well to
make sure that one has not been over
heard" Knowing his methods. I did as
he suggested. and reported the coast
clear.
Holmes now stretched out his long legs
SO that they completely covered the
breadth of the veranda. The seven children
appeared in the order OF their ages, from
a gawky girl OF %, with sandy hair and
an ifl-fitting riding habit. to little miss
OF 10, with yellow hair, a sore thumb, and
her frock unbuttoned behind. Ordinary
DISCUSSES were. superhuous for Holmes:
but familiar though I was of his power
OF utterly changing his appearance by
mere force OF will. was hardly prepared
for the amazing alteration In his physical
aspect which he now affected. It hardly
seemed possible that the short fat, bald
nose, heavy gold earrings. and strong
smell OF musk who now sat In his chair
was really my lean and ascetic friend. In
fact, / was on the point OF exclaiming.
why. what has become of Holiness"
When. recollecting his dislike 10 being in
terrupted, I restrained myself and re-
mained motionless.
The children were required TO pass In
single file from the door at the western
end OF the veranda TO that at the east
ern. All OF them did this without mis-
hap. until IL came TO the turn OF the
youngest, who. In lifting her left foot to
step over Holmes legs. accidentally put
II through a rent in the hem of her froek
and stumbled. Holmes instantly shot out
long arm and caught her at the same
time recovering his natural appearance.
Your name is Lucettina,'' he said with
intense energy. ut ix marked in indel-
ihle ink on the top corner OF your pima
fore. You are In the habit OF riding a
horse astride in the pasture: here are the
filaments Of the horse blanket on both
sides OF your petticoat. You have a dog
eleven inches hight was IFS teeth that
tore this rent In your skirt. You"