Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-01-05

|
wrench"
DO you mean to insinuate'-com-
menced Mr.. Binks, with some show OF
warmth.
'If you please, Mr. B:nks," suaFely
remarked Serlock, 81 ins.nuate nothing,
and remember the case is entirely in my
: hands"
Our examination soon ended, and an
hour later we were in Colmes' room.
well, what do you make of it, Bat
SOM" said Serlock, as he filed his pipe.
The clearer it gets to me the more
confused l am" replied.
Exactly. Your usual method, Bat
son. Now, to me the whole mystery s
| as clear as mud"
you have a clew, them"
"Clew Heavens, man, that house
just bristled with clews; the whole mat
| ter is solved. The chicken feathers
then the new hymnals"-
But" l interrupted, what have the
hymnals to do with it?"
What almost screamed Colmes.
"Batson, verify don't believe you would
tumble if you were showed off the E.ffel
tower. The minister never called there
before, else Binks would have supplied
himself with religious literature sooner.
He places his religious journal and new
hymnal in conspicuous place IN order
that the minister Will think he and Mrs.
B.nks very devout But, Batson," said
Serlock, impress.vely, why was it the
minister's first visit occurred just after
Binks bought his diamond? Why did
he not visit him on the Fourth of July,
| st. Patrick's Day, or have waited until
New Years? No He waited until
Binks had the diamond: When he went
there B:nks had MS diamond. When he
left Binks hadn't his diamond. Is it clear
now, Batson?"
Yes but do you think a minister
could be guilty of such thing?"
why not; you know, doctor, as a
student of psychology that nature COM
mits rare things. Now, for example, a
man may be v.rtuous and moral, yet
N his nature there may be an innate
tendency to steal or commit a crime
strangely at variance with his character.
But We will do him the justice to be-
lieve the tendency in this case due TO
kleptomania Now, | have looked up his
record" With this COlmes rushed to
his library, took down from his CYCLIC
ped:a Of personal history the volume
marked m and soon his Ions, nervous,
fingers were running rapidly through
the pages. Presently he stopped, then
said: Il find his grandfather left Eng
land suddenly. That is significant Do
you know why, Batson?"
Indeed | do not" | replied.
We'll" said SerlOck, 1T was because
he wanted to come to America. | notice
also that he has a grand aunt who was
a victim of sOmnambulism, a chronic
sleep walker. | also observe that his
father was q member of the Legislature.
Do you notice the morbid tendency
heredity. Batson?"
Il do, most clearly" | said.
And, remarked Colmes. closing the
volume regarding himself | even find
that when he entered the ministry he
took the holy orders, and only last weeE
he took the sacrament. These may be
small things, yet taey have their IN
tluence. l want to tell you, Batson, that
the same reason that prompted a thief
to steal is the same that prompts a
minister"
and what is that" I asked
Il VIII tell you, but don't put these
one horse detectives on to it," He cross
ed the room and whispered in his ear.
'The reason. Batson. that any thief
steals thing is because-remember be
cause heA wants It. Otherwise there
would be no theft"
True. very true. but now. Serlock.
tell me how you propose to proceed
against Rev Matthias?"
Very simple, Bats0n. ! shall employ
my usual method of dropping him
note asking him to call here tomorrow
at o'clock, bringing the diamond with
him. | would not hum'iate the man by
holding him up TO public disgrace. and
more, Batson, | understand the women
OF his congregation are going to give
him a surprise party the night after
Christmas and think Of the agony and
torture the man must suffer. No. I
muset not be cruel" I saw Colmes was
tired and as | turned to leave, ne sad:
remember, Batson. tomorrow at g."
Nine o'clock next day found me 2
Serlock Colmes' room. We had no more
than exchanged views on the matter
when the door opened and in walked
large, notwithstanding gentleman of
clerical mould. He bowed. and address
ing Serlock, said: Mr. Colmes. | be-
lieve?"
Serlock nodded.
My name, Mr.. Colmes. is Matthias
called at the request Of a rather idiotic
and almost incomprehens:ble note. Of
which you are the author, | believe"
With this he extended the note to Ser
lock with the remark, you wrote that
SUPPOSE"
Yes, said Serlock, and. Mr.
Matthias. you may as well make a clean
breast of the whole affair"
ST." SAID Matthias. DO YOU know
that | was the stroke in our college
crew and took the first prizes in athletic
games?"
Il cannot see how that figures in the
case said Colmes, dryly
You can't" Numbered Matthias
We'll, | will show YOU. propose 10
punish your head"
Before Serlock could defend himself.
he seized him and began to violently
hit his head against the door. I truly
pitled Serlock. and while trying TO es-
cape by the window for scarcely knew
what Matthias might do while in such
violent temper-we heard loud rapping
al the door. Matthias released his hold
on Serlock who fell back Imp into a
chair
The door opened and there stood Mr..
Binks beaming with delight, holding the
lost diamond between his thumb and
finger.
We found it! We found ~ he ex-
claimed The new nurse found !.