Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-09-11

And what does II mean now thar
you have found it," asked Gregson, In
a deprecatory tone.
Mean? Why, It means that the
writer was going to put the female
name Rachel, but was disturbed before
he or she had time to finish. You mark
my words, when this case comes TO be
cleared up you'll find that a woman
named Rachel has something to do
with it. It's all very we'll for you to
laugh, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes. You may
be very smart and clever. but the old
hound is the best, when all is said and
DONE"
81 really beg your pardon" said my
companion. who had ruflied the little
mans temper by bursting into an ex-
plosion of laughter. You certainly
have the credit of being the first Of us
to find out and, as you say, 1t bears
every mark of having been written by
the other participant in last nights
mystery. | have not had time to eX-
anime this room yet, but with your
permission shall do so now."
As he spoke he whipped tape meas
ure and a large, round, magnifying
glass from his pocket.
So engrossed was he with his occu-
patton that he appeared to have for
gotten our presence, for he chartered
away to himself under his breath the
whole time, keeping up a running fire
of eXclamations, groans. whistles and
little cries suggestive of encourage
ment and of hope.
As | watched him I was irresistibly
reminded of a pure-blooded, we'll
trained fox hound as it dashes back
ward and forward through the covert,
whining in its eagerness, until 1t comes
across the lost scent.
For twenty minutes or more he con-
| tinued his researches, measuring with
the most exact care the distance be-
/ tween marks which were entirely In
visible to me, and occasionally apply
| ing his tape to the walls in an equally
| incomprehensible manner.
! In one place he gathered very care
| fully little pile of gray dust from the
/ floor. and packed it away in an enYel-
! ope. Finally he examined with his glass
| the word upon the wall going over ev-
cry letter of it with the most minute
exactness.
This done, he appeared to be salts
!
glass in his pocket.
"They say that genius is an infinite
capacity for taking pains" he re-
marked, with a smile. ITS very
bad definition, but it does apply to de-
/ tective work"
! Gregson and Lestrade had watched
| the maneuvers of their amateur COM
panion with considerable curiosity and
some contempt.
! They evidently failed to appreciate
the fact, which had begun to realize,
that Sherlock Holmes smallest actions
were all directed toward some definite
and practical end.
What do you think Of it, sir?" they
both asked.
1T would be robbing you of the cred
it of the case If | was to presume TO
help you" remarked my friend You
are doing so we'll now that it would be
pity for any one to interfere" There
was a world of sarcasm in his voice as
he spoke. IF you will let me know
how your Investigations CO." he con-
tinued, 81 shall be happy to give you
any help l can. In the meantime,
should like to speak to the constable
who found the body. Can you give me
his name and address,"
John Rance" he said. "He is off
duty now. You will find him at 46
Audley Court, Kensington Park Gate"
Holmes took note of the address.
Come along, doctor" he said; 1--WE
shall go and look him up. I'll tell you
one thing which may help you in the
case" he continued, turning to the two
detectives. There has been murder
done. and the murderer was a man.
He was more than six feet high, was
in the prime of life, had small feet for
his height, wore coarse, square-toed
boots, and smoked a Trichinopoly
cigar. He came here with his victim
in a four-wheeled cab, which was
drawn by horse with three old shoes
and one new one on his off foreleg. In
all probability the murderer had a for
id face, and the finger nails of his
right hand We're remarkably long.
These are only a few indications, but
they may assist you"
LestraIc and Gregson looked at each
other with an incredulous smile.
"If this man was murdered how was
it done?" asked the former.
Poison" said Sherlock Holmes,
curtly, and strobe off. zone other
thing, Lestrade," he added, turning
round at the door; 'Rache is the
German for revenge so don't lose
your time looking for Miss Rachel"
With which Parthian shot he walked
away leaving the two rivals open
mouthed behind him.
ITO he conunued)