Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-26

is quite certain that the thief or
thieves we're we'll acquainted with the
house, for Mr.. Jones wcll-known
technical knowledge and his powers
of minute observation have en-
ablcd him to prove conclusivo6 that
the miscrcants could not have entered
by the door or by the window. but must
have made their way across the roof of
the building. and so through trap
door into a room which communicated
with that in which the body was found.
This fact, which has been very clearly
made out, proves conchsivclv that il
was no erchaphazard burglary. The
prompt and energetic action of the Off
GERS of the law shows the great adVnn-
tage of the presence on such occasions
of single vigorous and masteNul
mind. We cannot but think that it
supplies an argument to those who
would wish to see our detectives more
dccentraized. and brought into closer
and more effective touch with the
cases which it is their duty to invcsti-
gate"
isn't it gorgeous" said Holmes,
grinning over his coffee cup. what
do you think of it?'
81 think that we have had a close
shave ourselves of being arrested for
the crime"
$50 do I. wouldn't answer for our
safety now. ifhe should happen to have
another of his attacks of"encrgv."
At this moment there was loud
ring at the bell, and could hear Mrs.
Hudson. our landlady, raising her
voice in wall of xpostulation and dis
may.
by heaven. Holiness" said, half
rising, 81 believe that they are really
after us"
mo, it's not quite SO bad as that. 1t
is the unofficial force-the Baker street
irregulars."
AS he spoke, there came Il swift pat.
tcring of naked feet upon the stairs,
clatter of high voices, and in rushed
a dozen dirty and ragged little street.
Arabs. There was some show of disci.
pline among them, despite their IN.
multuons cnt<Y. for they instantly
drew up in line and stood facing us
with eXpectant faces One of their
number, taller and older than the 9th
ers, stood forward with an air of lounr
ing superiority which was very funny
in such a disreputabe little scarecrOw
"Got your message, sir" said he,
"and brought EN- on sharp. Three bot
and tanner for tickets"
'Hicrc You ape" said Holmes. pro
ducinr some silver. In future the,
can report TO you, Virgins, and you tC
me. cannot have the house invaded
~ this way However, it Is just as wei
hat you should al hear the instruc
ons. want to find the whcrea bout
"A steam launch called the Aurora
Nvner Mordccai Smith, black with tive
ed streays, funnel black with a white
and. She is down the river some
where want one boy to be at Nor
decai Smiths landing-stagc opposit.
Millhank to say If the boat comes back
81 must divide 1t ont among your
ewes and do both banks thoroughly
Let me know the moment you hav,
news. Is that all cear?"
Yves. Euv'nor," said Virgins.
THE old scale of pay. and a ruinc;
TO the boy who finds the boat Here.
"A day in advance. Now Off you got
lie handed them ii shilling each, anc
away they huzled down the stairs. anc
saw them a moment later streaming
down the street.
"If the launch is above water they
will find her." >aid Holiness as he rose
from the table and lit his pipe. They
can 60 everywhere, see everything
overhear everyone, expect to hear
before evening that they have spotted
her. In the meanwhile. we can d.
nothing bat await results. We canno,
pick up ID: .roken trail until we tine
either the AUsra or Mr.. Mordccai
SMITH.
~loby could eat these scraps, dare
say Are you going to bed, Holiness"
NO; am not tired. | have a cur<
Gus constitution | never rcGcmhcr
feeling tired 10y work. though idleness
eXhausts me completely | am going
10 smoke and to think over this queer
business - which my far client has
introduced us. II ever man had an
easy task, this Of ours ought to he.
Woodcn'lcgr~ men are not so com.
mon, but the other man must, should
think, he absolutely unique"
That other man AGAIN.
Il have no wish To make n mystery
of him-to you, anyway. Ku, vcu
must have formed your own opinion.
Now, do consider the data. Dmnutivc
footmarks, toes never fcttercd by
boots, naked feet, stone-hcaded wooden
mace, great agility, small poisoupc
darts, Whxt do you make of all thi>?''
~ >avagc!' ! exclaimed "ivrhaps
one Of those Indians who were the as