The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-26
SHERLOCK'S RIVAL.

have read-Who haSn't2-the ex-
ploits of Sherlock Holmes. I have also
been examined by an authority OH
bumps, who positively declared that
Nature had literally endowed me with
those organs whereby man analyses,
compares, deducts. When that infor-
nation was conveyed to me I did not
go off and brag that I and Sherlock
had strong points in common. No,
kept the knowledge to myself, brooded
over it, and when I packed up my traps
and went for my annual to the briny
1 took it with me and brooded over it
there.
One sultry afternoon, with my back
against a boulder and my feet few
strides from the sea, was meditating
over the very thing, when my atten-
ton was attracted by a coble which
was trawling along shore [ watched it
with languid interest, and when 1t was
beached and the net hauled to land
went to have a look at the catch.
In the net were fish and something
else, and the something else interested
me more than the fish. 1t was a large
stone with a piece of rope attached to
it. It had torn and tangled the net con-
siderably. When they had exhausted
their vocabulary of abuse asked what
it waists original use. The answer
got was neither civil nor enlightening.
The fishermen left the stone near the
waters edge. Presently dog came
along and shifted at it, and at the
in almost the identical spot where
body lay that morning when fetched
out of the sea.
/ had seen that body brought to land,
had noted the look on the face of the
man who brought it, had thought at
the time that the tragic circumstances
accounted for the look. But now, in
some occult way, that dogs sniff1ng at
the stone conjured up in my brain
eruesOne images, which, aSsOciating
themselves with that look, produced in
me a thought that made me shudder
went to have another look at the
stone; I examined it very carefully.
It was an oblong block of gray sand
stone One side was covered with
dark blue satin, and where the rope
passed round it 1t was slightly notched
to afford the rope a better grip. At it's
free end the piece of rope was noosed,
and embedded in the moose part was
piece of grayish white substance.
Taking a small magnifying glass from
nv pocket [ examined this grayish-
white substance infinitely Great
Scott" exclaimed, this is epidermis-
human epidermis-with a portion of the
I signalled a beach-loafer and re-
quested him to convey the stone to my
lodgings.
Alone in my room with that grue
some object I felt that crisis in my
life had arrived. A voice seemed to be
saying to me: This way. please, to the
Temple of Fame"
Mrs Cummins, my landlady, was able
to supply me with some important par
ticulars respecting two men connected
with bathing fatality-their vocationS
their relationship to each other, and
important items respecting a young wo-
man, with regard to whom a bit of good
natured rivalry was supposed to have
existed between them.
After tea I hired boat and went up
10 70 the fr00fa of n
wharf.
At one time this wharf had been con-
nected with some chemical works, and
the stone work along the front was COW
cred with the blue stain. This stain
was identical with the stain on the
stone in my possession. An aperture
showed where some stones had been
removed.
Proceeding in this way, in the course
of a few days I had conclusive proof
that the so-called bathing fatality was
a deliberate act of murder. the perpe
traitor of which was no other than the
man who had brought the body to land
and had received commentator for
bravery. They were rivals for the love
of the same woman. One of them,
while assuming to treat the matter
lightly, natures a plan to get rid of
his rival. In the ocean bed, not far
from shore, he places his diabolical ar
rangenent-a stone with a noOsed rope.
Having located in some way its exact
position. he lures his victim to join him
in a battle. and proposes the dive from
the boat In the gray green depths one
clutches at the other, and a grim strug-
gle ensues. But the novice is no match
for the fiend who grapples with him.
With the aid of the sinker he holds him
down and when power of resistance is
gone. slips the moose over his foot sub
seuuently recovering the body and
bringing it ashore.
Contemplating these results of my
Investigation. I allowed myself-but
only for a moment-to be carried away
bv a feeling of exultation. Sherlock
Holmes" I exclaimed, look to thy
laurels."
It now became a very pressing ques-
ton with me as to how I was going to
act.
An idea struck me and decided me to
keep the police out till the great coup
had been made. I remembered that
there were many recorded instances of
criminals who. being suddenly con-
fronted with some instrument or evil
dence of their crime had. in the uncon-
trollable terror of the moment, betray
I arranged with Mrs. Cumrnins to