Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-23

49,. -xss-..-.-..
whipped out his lens and tape meas
ure, and hurried about the room on his
knees, measuring, comparing, examin-
ing, with his long thin nose only a few
inches from the planlxs, and his beady
eyes cleaning and deep-set like those
of n bird. So swift, silent and furtive
were his movements, like those Of a
trained bloodhound picking out a
scent, that could not but think what
terrible criminal he would have
made had he turned his energy and
sagacity against the law, instead of ex-
erting them in its defense. As he
hunted about, he kept muttering to
himself, and finally he broke out into
load crow of delight.
I'VE are certainly in luck" said he.
I'VE ought TO have very little trouble
now. Number One has had the misfor-
tune to tread in the creosote. You can
see the outline of the edge of his small
foot here at the side of this evil-smell-
ing mess. The carboy has been cracked,
you see, and the stuff has leaked out. A"
what then?" asked.
why, we have got him, that's all. ~
said he. IL know a dog that would
follow that scent to the worlds end
III pack can track trailed herring
across shire, how far can a spe cially-
trained hound follow SO pungent a
smell as this? 1t sounds like a sum in
the rule of three. The answer should
give us the But hallool here are the
accredited representatives of the law. :"
Heavy steps and the. clamor of loud
voices were audible from below, and
the hall door shut with loud crash.
Before they come" said Holmes,
Just put your hand here on this poor
fellows arm, and here on his leg. What
do you feel?"
The muscles are as hard as a board. :"
! answered.
Quite so. They are in a state of ex-
IRENE contraction, far exceeding the
usual rlPor mortis. Coupled with this
distortion of the face, this Hippocratic
smile, or 'risus sardonicus,' as the old
writers called it, what conclusion would
1t suggest TO your mind?"
Death from some powerful veceta-
BILE alkaloid," | answered-.'sone
strychnine-like substance which would
produce tetanus."
That was the idea which occurred
to me the instant | saw the drawn
muscles of the face. On getting into
the room / at once looked for the
means by which the poison had entered
the system AS you saw, discovered
thorn which had been driven or shot
with no great force into the scalp
You observe that the part struck was
that which would be turned towards
the hole in the ceiling if the man were
erect in his chair. Now examine this
thorn"
| took it up gingeriy and heidi it in
the light of the lantern. 1t was lono
sharp and black, with glazed look
near the point as though some gummv
substance had dried upon it. The
blunt end had been trimmed and
rounded off with a knife.
is this an English thorn?'' he asked.
NO, it certainly is not"
With all these data you should be
aole TO draw some just inference. But
mere are the regulars; so the auxiliary
forces may beat retreat"
As he spoke, the steps which had
been coming nearer sounded loudly on
the passage, and very stout. portlv
sly sun SIIOuc IcdVllV INTO
the room. He was red-faced, burlv and
piethoric' with pair of very small
twinkling eyes which looked keenlv
out from behind swollen and puffy
pouches. He was closely followed bv
an inspector in uniform, and by the
stlll palpitating Thaddeus Sholto.
Here's business!' he cried, in a
mutfied husky voice. Here's a pretty
business! But who are all these? Whv.
the house seems to be as full as a rab.
u think you very much recollect me.
Mr.. Athelney JONES'" said Holmes,
quietly.
Why, of course / dor he wheezed.
Its MIR. Sherlock Holmes, the theo-
rlst. Remember you! I'll never forget
now you lectured us all on causes and
inferences and effects in the Bishop