Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-08-19

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Lay all around.
'Positive!"- cried both detectives.
Then of course this blood belongs
to a second individual-presumab
the murderer, if murder has been com
mitted. 1t reminds me of the circum
stances attending On the death of Van
Jansen, in Utrecht, in the year "a. Dc
you remember the case, Gregson?"
mo, SIR
Read it up-you really should
There is nothing new under the sun
1t has all been done before"
| AS he spoke his nimble fingers were
flying here, there and everywhere
feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, exam
lining, while his eyes wore the same
far away expression which I have al
ready remarked upon.
So swiftly was the examination made
that one would hardly have guessed
the minuteneSs with which it was con-
Quoted. Finally, he shifted the dead
mans lips and then glanced at the
soles of his patent leather boots.
I HE has not been moved at all?" he
asked.
mo more than was necessary for
the purpose of our examination"
You can take him to the mortuary
now," he said. There is nothing more
to be learned"
Gregson had a stretcher and four
men at hand. At his call they entered
the room, and the stranger was lifted
and carried out.
AS they raised him a ring tingled
down and rolled across the floor. Le-
strade grabbed it up and stared at it
with mystified eyes.
There's been a woman here" he
cried. 'It's a woman's wedding ring"
He held it out as he spoke upon the
palm of his hand. We all gathered
round him and gazed at it. There
could be no doubt that that circle of
plain gold had once adorned the finger
of a bride.
''This complicates matters" said
Gregson. Heaven knows, they were
complicated enough before!"
You're sure it doesn't simplify
them?" observed Holmes. ''Theres
nothing to be learned by staring at it.
What did you find in his pockets?"
1--WE have it all here" said Greg
son, pointing to litter of objects upon
one of the bottom steps of the stairs.
"a gold watch, No. 81, ,163, by Barraud,
of London. Gold Albert chain, very
heavy and solid. Gold ring, with Ma
sonic device. Gold pin-bulldog's
head, with rubies as eyes. Russian
leather card casec with cards of Enoch
J. Drebber, of Cleveland, correspond
ing with the E. J. D. upon the linen.
No purse, but loose money to the ex-
tent of seven pounds thirteen. Pock-
ct edition of Boccaccio's 'Decameron,'
with name of Joseph Stangerson upon
the fly leaf. Two letters-one address
ed to E. J. Drebber and one to Joseph
Stangerson."
cat what addresS?"
American Exchange, Strand-to be
left till called for. They are both from
the Guion Steamship Company, and
refer to the sailing of their boats from
Liverpool. 1t is clear that this unfor-
tunate man was about to return to New
York.
Have you made any inquiries as to
this man Stangerson?"
81 did 1T at once" said Gregson. "I
have had advertisements sent to all the
newspapers, and one of my men has
gone to the American Exchange, but
he has not returned yet"
Have you sent to Cleveland?"
"We telegraphed this morning"
How did you word your inquiries?"
1--WE simply detailed the circum-
stances. and said that we should be
glad of any information which could
help u.s."
"You did not ask for particulars on
any point which appeared to you to be
crucial?"
Il asked about Stangerson."
Nothing else? Is there no circum-
pears to hinge? Will you not tele-
graph again?"
81 have said all have to say" said
Gregson, in an offended voice.
Sherlock Holmes chuckled to him
self, and appeared to be about to make
some remark, when Lestrade, who had
been in the front room while we were
holding this conversation in the hall. |
upon the scene, rubbing his
hands in pompous and well-satisfed
"Mr. Gregson," he said, 'I have just
made a discovery of the highest i'm
portance, and one which would have
been overlooked had not made care
ful examination of the walls"
The little mans eyes sparkled as he
spoke, and he was evidently in a state |
scored a point against his colleague.
Come here" he said, bustling back |
nto the room, the atmosphere of which |
'elt cleaner since the removal of its |
chastity inmate.
"Now, stand there!"
He struck a match on his boot and |
held it up against the wall.
Look at that" he said triumphant
y.
1 have remarked that the paper had
alien away in parts. In this particu-
ar corner of the room large piece
lad peeled off, leaving yellow square
If coarse plastering.
Across this bare space there was
;crawled in blood-red letters a single |
word:
RACHE.
What do you think of that?" cried
he detective, with the air of show
nan exhibiting his show. This was
because it was in the dark
,st corner of the room, and no one
hought of looking there. The muir
lerer has written it with his or her own
blood. See this smear where it has