Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-02-21
CHAPTER Ill

CbAPIER Ill.
I confess that l was considerably
startled by this fresh proof of the prac-
tical nature of my companion theories.
My respect for his powers Of analysis in
creased wondrously. There still remain
ed some lurking suspicion in my mind,
however, that the whole thing was a
prearranged episode, intended to dazzle
me, though what earthly object he could
have in taking me i'll was past my COM
prehension. When looked at him, he
had finished reading the note, and his
eyes had assumed the vacant, laokluster
expression which showed mental alb
Straction.
"How in the world did you deduce
that?" 1 asked.
"Deduce what?" said he petulantly.
"Why, that he was retired sergeant
of marines. -
~ have no time for trifles," " he re-
piled brusquely; then, with a smile:
Excuse my rudeness. You broke the
thread of my thoughts, but perhaps it is
as we'll. So you actually were not able
to see that that man was a sergeant of
marines?"
''No, indeed"
"It was easier to know it than to ex-
plain why I know it. If you were asked
to prove that two and two make four.
you might find SOME difficulty, and yet
you are quite sure Of the fact Even
across the street could see great blue
anchor tattooed on the back of the fell
lows hand. That smacked of the sea.
He had a military carriage, how
ever, and regulation side whiskers.
There we have the marine. He was a
man with some amount of self impor-
tance and a certain air of command.
You must have observed the way in
which he held his head and swung his
cane, steady, respectable, middle aged
man, too, on the face of him, all facts
which led me to believe that he had been
sergeant. p"
"Wonderfulp' / calculated.
Commonplace, said Holmes, though
I thought from his expression that he
was pleased at my evident surprise and
admiration. 81 said just now that there
were no criminals. 1t tappears that am
wrong. Look at this!" He threw me
over the note which the commissionnaire
had brought.
"Why," cried as I cast my eye over
it, "this is terribleW
"It does seem to be little out of the
common, he remarked calmly. would
you mind reading it to me aloud?"
This is the letter which Tread to him:
MYDEAR MR.. SHERLOCK HoLMEs-There has
been bad business during the night at Lau-
riston Gardens, off the Brixton road. Our man
on the beat saw light there about 2 in the
morning, and as the house was an empty one
suspected something amiss He found the door
open and in the front room, which is bare of
furniture, discovered the body of gentleman,
well dressed and having cards in his pocket
bearing the name of "Enoch ]. Drebber Cleve
land, Ohio, U. S. A" There had been no rob
berry, nor is there any evidence as to how the
man met his death. There are marks Of blood
in the room, but there is no wound upon his
pesson. We are at a loss as to how he came into
the empty house. Indeed the whole affair is a
puzzler. If you can come round to the house
any time before H. you will find me there.
have left everything in statu quo until hear
from you. II you are unable to come, l shall
give you fuller details and would esteem it n
great kindness if you would favor me with
your opinion. Yours faithfully,
TOBIAS GREGsoN
"Gregson is the smartest Of the Scot
land Yarders," my friend remarked.
"He and Lestrade are the pick of bad
lot. They are both quick and energetic,
but conventional, shockingly SO. They
have their knives into one another too.
They are as jealous as pair of profess
sional beauties. There will be some fun
over this case if they are both put upon
the scent.
was amazed at the calm way in
which he rippled on. Surely there is
not a moment to be lost, cried
"Shall go and order you cab?'
II am not sure about whether shall
CO. am the most incurably lazy devil
that ever stood in shoe leather-that is,
when the fit is on me- for l can be spry
enough at times.
why, it is just such chance as you
have been longing for"
my dear fellow, what does it mat
ter to me? Supposing | unravel the
whole matter, you may be sure that
Gregson, Lestrade & Co. will pocket all
the credit That comes of being an un-
official parsonage.
"Bnt he begs you to help him."
"Yes. He knows that am his supe.
rior and acknowledges it to me, but he
would cut his tongue out before he would
| own it to any third parsoa- However.
As.