Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-08-15

place one lay ready TO his hand. Yet,
on the other hand, had myself seen
the evidence. and had heard the rea-
Sons for his deductions When 1 looked
back on the long chain of curious cir
cumstances, many of them trivial in
themselves, but all tending L the same
direction, / could not disguise from
myself chat even if Holmes explana-
ton were incorrect the trua theory
must be equally outre and startling.
At three o'clock in the afternoon
there was loud peal at the bell, an
authoritative voice in the hall, and, to
ny surprise, no less person than Mr..
Athelney Jones was shown up to me.
Very different was he, however, from
the brusque and masterful professor Of
common sense who had taken over the
case SO confidently at Upper Norwood.
His expression was downcast, and his
bearing meek and even apologize.
Good day, sir; good day." said he.
''Mr. Sherlock Holmes is out, 1 under
stand"
Eyes, and / cannot be sure when he
will be back. But perhaps you would
care to wait. Take that chair and try
one of these cigars
Thank you; / don't mind if do, :"
said he, hopping his face with red
bandanna handkerchief
And a whisky-and-soda?"
Well, half glass. 1t is very hot
for the time of year; and / have had a
good deal to worry and try me. You
know my theory about this Norwood
case?''
Il remember that you expressed
one"
We'll, have been obliged to recon
slider it. l had nv net drawn tightly
round Mr.. Sholto, sir, when pop he went
through hole in the middle of it. He
was able to prove an alibi which could
not be shaken. From the time that he
left his brothers room he was never
| out of sight of some one or other. So
it could not be he who climbed over
roofs and through trap-doors- It's a
very dark case, and my professional
credit is at stake. should be very glad
of a little assistance"
I'VE all need help sometimes" said 1.
s'Your friend, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes,
is a wonderful man, SIR" said he, in a
husky and confidential voice. Hes a
| man who is not to be beat. have
known that young man go into a good
| many cases, but l never saw the case
vet that he could not throw a light
| upon. He is irregular in his methods,
and little quick, perhaps, in jumping
at theories. b"t, on the whole. think
| he would have made most promising
| officer, and don't care who knows it.
| have had wire from him this morn
| ing, by which l understand that he has
! got some clew to this Sholto business.
Here is his message"
He took the telegram out of his
| pocket, and handed it to me. 1t was
dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.
| go to Baker street at once" it said.
| eff have not returned, wait for me.
| am close on the track of the Sholto
gang. You can come with US tonight
if you want to be in at the finish"
This sounds well. He has evidently
picked up the scent again." said /.
''Ah, then he has been at fault too,
exclaimed Jones, with evident satisfac
| ton. Even the best of us are thrown
| off sometimes. OF course this may
| prove to be false alarm; but it is my
| duty as an officer of the law to allow
| no chance to slip. But there is some
| one at the door. Perhaps this is he"
A heavy step was heard ascending
| the stairs. with a great wheeling and
rafting as from man who was sorely
put to it for breath. Once or twice he
stopped, as though the climb was too
much for him, but at last he made his
way to our door and entered His ap-
pearance corresponded to the sounds
| which we had heard. He was an aged
| man, clad in seafaring garb, with an
! old peajacket buttoned up to his
| throat. His back was bowed, his knees
| were shaky, and his breathing was
| painfully asthmatic. As he leaned
upon thick oaken cudgel his shout
ders heaved in the effort to draw air
! into his lungs. He had a colored scarf
round his chin, and could see little OF
his face save a pair of keen dark eyes,
overhung by bushy white brows, and
long gray side-whislxers. Altogether