St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1895-08-17

brought this up, and if this splinter be
poisonous Thaddeus may as well have
made murderous use of it as any other
man. The card is some hocus-pocus-
blind, as like as not. The only ques-
ton is, how did he depart? All, OF
course, here is a hole in the roof. y
With great activity, considering his
bulk, he sprang up the steps and
squeezed through into the garret, and
Immediately afterwards we heard his
exulting voice proclaiming that he had
found the trap-door.
'1He can find something" remarked
Holmes, Struggling his shoulders. "He
has occasional glimmerings of reason.
II NY pas des sots 81 incommodes que
ceux qui ont de lespriti.
You see!'' said Athelney Jones, re-
appearing down the steps again.
Facts are better than mere theories,
after all My view of the case is con-
firmed There is a trap-door commu-
nicating with the roof, and it is partly
open"
s'It was who opened it."
'0h, indeed! You did notice 1T,
then2" He seemed little crestfallen
at the discovery. "Well, whoever no.
ticed it, it shows how our gentleman
got away. Tnspector!'
''Yes, SIR from the passage.
"AsS Mr.. Sholto to step this way
Mr.. Sholto, it is my duty to inform you
that anything which you may say will
be used against you. arrest you in
the queens name as being concerned
in the death of your brother"
''There, now! Didn't tell you?"
cried the poor little man, throwing out
his hands and looking from one to the
other of us.
Don't trouble yourself about it, Mr.
Sholto," said Holmes. 81 think that
can engage to clear you of the charge" 7"
Don't promise too much, Mr.. Theo-
rist-don't promise too much!" snapped
the detective. "You may find ita hard
er matter than you think
Not only will I clear him, Mr..
Jones, but will make you a free pres
ent of the name and description of one
of the two people who were in this
room last night. His name, have
every reason to believe, is Jonathan
Small. He is poorly-educated man,
small, active, with his right leg off
and wearing a wooden stump which is
worn away upon the inner side. His
left boot has a coarse, square-toed sole,
with an iron band round the heel. He
is middle-aged man, much sunburned,
and has been a convict. These few in
dications may be of some assistance to
you, coupled with the fact that there
is good deal Of skin missing from the
palm of his hand. The other man"
''Ah! the other man?" asked Athel-
ney Jones, in sneering voice. but inn
pressed none the less, as could easily
see, by the precision of the others
SIS rather curious person." said
Sherlock Holmes, turning upon his heel
II hope before long to be able to intro
luce you to the pair Of them. A word
with you, Watson"
He led me out to the head of the
stair. This unexpected occurrence"
he said, "has caused us rather to lose
sight of the, original purpose of our
Journey"
ST have just been thinking so," an
,wered. s'It is not right that Miss
Morstan should remain in this stricken
louse.''
mo. You must escort her home.
She lives with Mrs Cecil Forester in
Lower Camberwell; SO it is not very
AR. will wait for you here if you
will drive out again. Or perhaps you
ire too tired?''
by no means. don't think could |
est until know more of this fantastic |
business. have seen something of |
he rough side of life, but T give you
ny word that this quick succession of |
trange surprises tonight has shaken
ny nerve completely. l should like,
however, to see the matter through |
With you, now that / have got SO far
"Your presence will be of great serv-
ce to me-" he answered. "We shall
work. the case out Independently and
cave this fellow Jones to exult over
my mare's-nest which he may choose
o construct. When you have dropped
diss Morstan wish you to go on to
70. Pinchin lane, down near the wa
er's edge at Lambeth. The third
louse on the right-hand side is bird
tuffer's; Sherman is the name. You
viii see weasel holding young rab-
it in the window. Knock old Sher-
ian up and tell him, with my compli-
rents, that want Toby at once. You
,ill bring Toby back in the cab with
ou."
"A dog, suppose
'.Yes-a queer mongrel, with most
mazing power of scent. I would
ather have Toby's help than that
f the whole detective force of
,ondon."
81 shall bring him, then, said L 1T
one now. ought to be back before
hree, If / can get fresh horse.
And T." said Holmes, shall see
hat / can learn from Mrs Bernstone,
nd from the Indian servant, who, Mr..
haddeus tells me, sleeps in the next
arret. Then shall study the great
ones's methods and listen to his not
20 delicate sarcasms sWir sind ge-
'ohnt dass die Menschen verhohnen
as sic nicht verstehen.' Goethe is al
'ays pithy."
CHAPTER VII i
THE EPISODE OF THE BARREL.
The police had brought a cab with