The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-09
Shylock Homes. His Posthumous Memoirs
By John Kendrick Bangs.
Copyright, 1903, by John kendrlck Bangs.

the depths of tall antique clock stand
ing in the corner of the office.
Nobody seems to know replied
James "TIe don't know, and 1 don't
know, and"
81 will see him. said the voice from
the depths of the clock, whereupon the
door of the ancient time piece opened, and
LIE Coo stepped out. 1 recognized him
at once by the tense look of his right
eye. as well as by the short sharp. ner-
vous method Of enunciation which he af-
fected.
What can do fer you to-day. sir?''
he asked. closing his left eye wholly, and
staring me coldly in the face with his
right slamming- the door of the clock
violently behind him.
! Il wish to be IDENTIFIED said I sim
ply. You see I am sufferer from APP
hasia, and 1 cannot recall my name, al
| though know perfectly well who l am
Hum said lie Goa, scratching his q
right eye. "Aphasia, eh? Weller
James, bring me an atlas he added,
turning quickly to the clerk at his side.
| + must confess 1 could not penetrate
| the mystery of the atlas, but I held my
peace. $50
"Aphasia" LIE Coz repeated, as James
retired, and then he muttered, That's
new to me-"
LIE Coz turned over the leaves of the
atlas hastily, peering anxiously at num-
| Der of the maps, and then ran his fingers
! slowly down the vertical columns of that
part of the index which was devoted to
/ the letter A.
You say you are sufferer from
Aphasia?' he asked in moment, spar
ring for time.
That's the situation said l. watch
ing his finer with an eager interest.
Perhaps I can help you" he said a
trifle embarrassed, as he failed to take
note of anything like Aphasia in the list
of printed names, but you will have to
help me a little. We detectives. you know.
sir, are after all merely another kind OF
doctor. We must rely somewhat upon
what our clients tell US. Now frankly, al
though in my youth I was acquainted with
all portions Of the civilized globe. I never
in all my experience heard OF Aphasia.
I've heard of Africa, and l know my Asia
as well as the next man, but the com
posite-that perpleXeS me. Where is this
new continent which is unknown to me-
and from what city or part Of Aphasia
do you Gomez
Why" began, '.Aphasia, M. LIE
Coq- a~Ess. las-.-. ..a-
you see,'' he interrupted genially. If
We knew the precise place in Aphasia
, where you are best known, by writing to
your friends there and describing your
personality we. could soon ascertain.
Exactly. Nj. LIE Cog said /. depressing
with difficulty my desire to smile. But
you see Aphasia is not a continent, but
) disorder
James" said NJ. lie Coz, sharply. take
away this atlas and bring me the diction-
airy. You must excuse my clerk. my dear
4 SIR he added apologetically, 'he is
trfe dull You see. we have so many
n cases, so varied. so complex. that we cam
n not always, offhand, rise to an occasion.
That James should have brought me an
d atlas instead Of the far more useful die
k tionary. Is not wholly inexcusable. consid
: ering the unexpected quality of your prop
e osition. AS matter of fact" he whis-
o pered confdentially in my ear. Il knew
e the moment I saw you through the key
hole Of the clock that you We're suffering
f from aphaSia, but I wanted to give that
boy a lesson. He has no initiative, and
|. merely carries out orders. Had he really
o / been interested in his work. he would
f have corrected me, as I wished him to,
e and brought me vocabulary instead of
a map.
e ri quite understand your position" said
/, dryly but a frSt-class detective, NJ.
h LIE Coq-does he leave matters to clerk.
: or does he attend to the whole business
d hinlself?"
d The latter always; but we are so busy
we must occasionally leave some things to
y subordinate lie Coo replied magnifi-
Gently. My method has always been to
e deal with the question in the large. But
to return to your own case, you are some-
a body?"
st 1--WE tried to be- said I.
Are you conceited?' he demanded,
ID suddenly.
Very said I.
I Whom do you admire most in life?''
W he queried.
George Washington replied Off
hand.
LIE Coo looked a trifie disa ppointed and
y then he laughed
fod he -x>il-o n
admire themselves most. I had hoped te
m surprise you into hurting out your OWE