The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-16
Mr.. Homes FoiIs a Conspiracy and Gain.

Mr. Homes FoiIs Conspiracy and Gains
- ,~f..s@y.E;5 Fortune.
: Hardly had got myself settled at the
hotel, when in response to the announce
ment Of my arrival callers in large num-
bers besieged my doors. Some Of them
were on mere social courtesies bent, others
came to consult Iqe professionally. First
among the latter was gentleman in a
gorgeous costume of silver who drove up
In a curious little wagon that looked for
all the world like circus cart and drawn
by a handsome pair of swans of remark
able action. happened to be looking out
of my window at the moment Of his COM
ing, at the ever varying scene OF activity
in the street below. and while there was
much else that interested me in the
throngs of passersby, nothing quite like
this had yet greeted my eye.
Il judge from his tow head and his
equipage,'' said to myself, that this
person is Lohengrin, though it may be it
is only the delivery wagon of an alert bird
fancier. If it really is Lohengrin, Won
der what he is AFTER
I had not long to wait to find out. for
a knock sounded upon my, door, and in
response to my immediate Come in" the
hotel buttons entered, bearing a card upon
a silver tray. f5'.2 :2eG5-.0r-s
'"This gentleman wants to see you i'm
medfately, said he; handing me card
and standing at attention like the well
bred imp he was. It was handsomely en-
graved, and bore the simple name, 10
hengrin,'' upon It, while in the lowe,
corner was his address, 1.-THE Walhalla
Club i:'C@2r
Show him up said I, and the boy de-
parted. why should Lohengrin call or
me?" thinking about it, '4'rn not musical
In few moments the boy returned, ano
in his train walked the knightly person
had seen upon the street a moment before
He carried a package in his hand, which
he fingered nervously.
MIR. Shylock Homes?" he asked, as
rose to greet him.
1.-THE same, at your service replied
cycling him keenly, for I could tell at once
from his deep bass voice that he was al
imposter, despite his rich garments ant
eccentric equipage. Herr Lohengrin,
! believe
Precisely he rejoined, his voice quay.
ering, 'but-how did YOU know?''
Your card stated the fact I replied
amused by his manner. and resolved t.
watch him closely, lest he turn out to b,
| a sneak-thief. He smiled complacentl!
| at me as much as to say that after all
was an easy mark, little rocking that
was in no wise deceived by his preten
sions. 1T is a simple means of identified
! tion," I added, resolved to lull him int,
a sense of security. ''You see, III the frs
place you drive UP in an operate vehicle
In the second place you wear the gar
ments and the hirsute of Lohengrin, an,
in the third place you send up card re
vealing your identity. The three incident
| taken together form a chain Of proof b.
which could not fail to be convinced.
You are wonderful man, Mr.. Shy
lock Homes" he said. Gan you Sc
| through a brick WALTZ
| mo, SIR said !.
'"Then how do YOU know that I drov
up in an operate vehicle?" he demanded
simplicity ITSELF 1 explained. Il wa
looking out Of the window and saw YOU
'.Marvellous!' he said. After all. you
system then is not complex, but -
Essentially sirnplicitas." said l. 'T
what may 1 attribute the honor of thi
call?"
II need assistance in rather delieat
matter he e, piled, holding up the pack
age Significantly. and 1 noticed that hi
hand trembled violently as he did so. .
| have in this package a number Of gem
of priceless value that cannot afford
lose, and yet, paradoxical as 1t may seen
to keep them must lose them. Do yo
understands
"Not quite" said I. understanding per
fectly well all the time, but desiring t
gain few moments to reason out tn
! case The mans real face, to different
ate it from his assumed one, was familia
to me, but could not quite place it. II
| was not Lohengrin-that was clear fror
his voice alone, but it was rather VIII
he really was than who he was not that
needed to know. "You see. have jus
arrived after a strenuous experience, an
my powers Of penetration are somewha
impaired"
Naturally said he. drily--so drily tina
the word seemed cutting. It was as
Moriarity, or some other rival in my pro
fession had slapped me in tn eface.
was not aware that any experience. how
ever strenuous, could impair the penetra
{ ton of Mr. Shylock Homes. yet" he hast
ened to add, cautiously, I might hay
i known that even the best of us are some
1 times not up to the requirements of a
I, emergent situation "
4 ."rhank YOU said l, noting. however