The Delta independent., 1895-07-24

man in gray suit strode heavily into
the room. He was rcd-faccd, burly and
plethoric, with n pair of very small
twinliling eyes which looked kecnly
out from behind swollen and puffy
pouches. He was closely followed by
an inspector in uniform, and by the
still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto.
Here's n busincss!' he cried in Il
mutiled husky voice. Here's n pretty
business! But who are all these? Why.
the house seems to be as full as rub-
bit-wnrrcn."
Il think you very much recoIlect me.
Mr.. Athelney JONES' said Holmes,
quietly.
''Why, of course l dol" he wheezed.
ITS Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the theo-
rist Remember you! I'll never forget
how you lcctured us all on causes and
infercnces and elects in the Bishop
gate jewel casc. It's true you set us on
the right track; but you'll own now
that it was more by good luck than
good guidance"
at was n piece of very simple rea.
soning."
''Oh, come, now, come. Never be
w oNu DuI "llsit II all
this? Bad business! Bad business!
Stern facts herc-no room for theories.
How lucky that happened 20 be out at
Norwood over another case was at
the station when the message arrived.
What d'you think the man died OFF,
''oh. this is hardly a case for me to
theorize over" said Holmes, dryly.
No, no. Still, we can't deny that
you hit the nail on the head sometimes.
Dear me. Door locked. understand.
Jewels worth half million missing.
How was the Window
Fastened; but there are steps OF
the sill"
"Wcll, well. if it was fastened the
steps could have nothing to do with
the matter. That's common sense.
Man might have died in fit; but then
the jewels are missing. la! have
theory. These flashes come upon me
at times. Just step outside, sergeant,
and you, Mr.. Sholto. Your friend can
remain. What do you think of this,
Holmes? Sholto was, on his own con-
fcssion, with his brother last night
The brother died in Il fit, on which
Sholto walked off with the treasure.
lows that?''
''On which the dead man very con-
sidcratcly got UP and locked the door
on the inside"
'.llun. There's flaw there. Let
us apply common sense TO the matter.
This Tbnddcus Sholto was with his
brother; there was quarrel; so much
we know. The brother is dead and the
jewels are gone. SO much also we
know. No one saw the brother from
the time Thaddeus left him. His bed
had not been slept in. Thaddcus is
evidently in II most disturbed state of
mind. His appearance is-wcll, not at
tractivc. You see that l am weaving
my web round Thaddcus. The net be-
gins to close upon him"
You arc not quite in possession of
the facts yet" said Holmes. This
splinter of wood, which | have every
reason to believe to be poisoned. was
in the mnn's scalp where you still see
the mark; this card, inscribed us you
see it, was on the table; and beside 1t
lay this rather curious stonc-hcadcd
instrument. How does all that fit INTO
your thcory?'
Confirms it in every respect" said
the fat detective, pompously. House
is full of Indian curiosities. Thaddcus
brought this up, and IL this splinter be
poisonous Thaddcus may as well have
made murdcrous use of it us any other
man. The card is some hocus-pocus-
n blind, rs like rs not. The only qucs-
tion is, how did he depart? All, OF
course, here is n hole in the roof
With great activity, considering his
bulk, he sprapg up the steps and
squeezed through into the garrct. and
Immediately afterwards we heard his
exultiug voice proclaining that he had
found the trap-door.