Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-08-14
A STUDY IN SCARLET.
CHAPTER III-contInued.
BY a. CONAN DOYLE.

omened and minatory look. II was one
OF four. which stood back some little
way from the street, two being occu.
pied and two empty.
The latter looked out with three
tiers Of vacant, melancholy windows.
which we're blank and droary, save
that here and there ITO Let" card
had developed like cataract upon
the blearod panes.
A ANAL garden aprlnkled over with
q scattered eruption OF aickly plants
separated each OF these houses from
the street. and was traversed by n mar
row pathway. yellowIsh In color, and
consisting apparently OF mixture OF
clay aud gravel.
The whole place was very sloppy
from the rain which had fallen through
the night. The garden was bounded
by three-foOt brick wall with q
fringe OF wood rails upon the top. and
against this wall was leaning stal.
wart police constable. surrounded by
q small knot of ioafers, who craned
their necks and strained their eyes in
the vain hope of catching some glimpse
OF the proceedings within.
had imagined that Sherlock
Holmes would at once have hurried
into the house and plunged into a
study OF the mystery.
Nothing appeared TO be further from
his intention. With an air OF non.
chalanco, which under the circum
stances seemed to me TO border upon
affectation. he iounged up and down
the pavement. and gaxed yacantly At
the ground. the Sky. the opposite
houses and the line of railings.
Having finished his scrutiny. he pro-
ceedly slowly down the path. or rather
down the fringe Of grass which tianked
the path. keeping his eyes riveted upon
the ground.
Twice he stopped and once saw
him smile and heard him utter an ex'
clamation OF satisfaction, There were
many marks of footsteps upon the vet.
clayey soil. but since the police had
been coming and going over Il was
unable 10 see how my companion could
hope to learn anything from II.
Still, had had such extraordinary
evidence OF the quickness OF his per.
ceptive faculties that had no doubt
he could see great deal which was
hidden from me.
At the door of the house we we're
met by a tall, whlte-faced, haxen.haired
man. with n notebook In his hand. who
rushed forward and wrung my CON-
panion's hand with effusion.
''It is indeed kind OF you to come, "
he said. II have had everything left
untouched"
Except that" my friend answered.
pointing TO the pathway. IF herd
OF buiiaioes had passed along. there
could not be a greater mess. No doubt.
however, you had drawn your own con-
ciusions, Gregson, before you permit
ted this"
IL have had so much to do inside
the house" the detective said. evas'
lively. my colleague. Mr.. Lestrade, Is
here. had relied upon him to look
after this"
Holmes glanced at mo and raised
his eyebrows sardonically.
with two such men as yourself
and Lestrade upon the ground. there
will not be much for third party to
to find out" he said.
Gregson rubbed his hands In self
satisfied way.
"T think we have done all that can
be done" he answered. TITS a queer
case, though. and | knew your taste
for such things"
"You did not come here In cab?'
asked Sherlock Holmes.
NO sir"
Nor Lestrade?"
mo. sir"
"Then let us 20 and look at the
room"
With which Inconsequent remark he
strobe on into the house. followed by
Gregson. whose features expressed his
establishment.
Holmes walked in and followed
him with that subdued feeling at my
heart which the presence OF death IN
spires.
It was a large. square room, lookini
all the larger for the absence Of al
furniture.
Opposite the door was q showy fire
place. On one corner Of this was stucl
the stump of q red wax candle.
The solitary window was so dirty
that the light was hazy and uncertain
giving dull gray tinge to everything
which was intensified by the thicl
layer of dust which coated the whole
apartment.
All these details observed after
ward. At present my attention wal
centered upon the single grim. mo
tionless figure which lay stretched
upon the boards, with vacant, sight
less eyes staring up at the discoloreC
ceiling.
Il was that of a man about forty
three or forty-four years OF age, mid
dle-sized, broad shouldered, with crisp
curling black hair. and short, stubb!
beard.
His hands were clenched and hi
arms thrown abroad, while his lowe
limbs were interlocked as though hi
death struggle had been grievouI
one.
On his rigid face there stood an ex
pression Of horror, and, as 1t seemet
to me, of hatred, such as have neve
seen upon human features.
Tnis malignant and terrible contoT
ton. combined with the low forehead
blunt nose, and prognathous jaw, CAV
the dead man singularly simious ant
ape-like appearance, which was In
creased by his writhing, unnatural pos
ture.
Lestrade, lean and ferret-like a.
ever, was standing by the doorway an'
greeted my companion and myself.
"This case will make stir, sir" h
remarked. "It beats anything l hav'
seen, and am no chicken"
"There is no clew," said Gregson.
"None at ALL" chimed in Lestrade.
Sherlock Holmes approached tn
body and kneeling down, examined |
intently.