The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-12-03

vet perceive the goal which we would
reach. / understood clearly that Holmes
expected this grotesque criminal 70
make an attC.1pt upon the two remain
ing busts. one OF which. remembered
was at Chiswick. No doubt the object
OF our journey was to catch him in the
very act, and I could not but admire
the cunning with which my friend had
inserted q wrong clew IN the evening
paper. so as to give the fellow the idea
that he could continue his scheme with
impunity. I was not surprised when
Holmes suggested that I should take
my revolver with me. he had himself
picked up the loaded hunting crop,
which was his favOrite weapon.
A four wheeler was at the door at IL,
and in it we drove to a SPOT at the
other side OF HammersnstHl bridge.
Here the cabman was directed to wait.
A short walk brought US TO a secluded
road fringed with pleasant houses,
each standing in its own grounds. In
the light Of a street lamp we read
"Laburnum villa" upon the gatepOst
Of one Of them. The occupants had ev-
identity retired to rest. for all was
dark save for q fanlight over the hall
door. which shed q single blurred cir
Gle on 10 the garden path. The wood
en- fence which separated the grounds
from the road threw a dense black
shadow upon the inner side, and here
# was that we crOuched.
Il fear that you'll have a long wal"
Holmes whispered. I'VE may thank
our stars that it is not raining. I
don't think we can even venture to
smoke to pass the time. However, it's
a two to one chance that we get some
thing to pay US for our trouble"
It proved, however, that our vigil
was not to be so long as Holmes had
led rs to fear, and 1t ended ip a very
sudden and singular fashioR. In an
instant, without the least sound to
warn us Of his coming, the garden
gate swung open, and a 1.-THE, dark
figure, as swift and active as an ape,
rushed up the garden path. We saw
It whislz past the light thrown from
over the door and disappear against
the black shadow OF the house. There
was a long pause, during which we
held our breath, and then a very gen.
tie creaking sound came TO our ears.
The window was being opened. The
noise ceased, and again there was
long silence The fellow was making
bis way into the house. We saw the
sudden fash Of a dark lantern inside
the room. What he sought was evil
IDENTIFY not there, for again we saw the
fash through another blind and then
through another.
Let US get to the open window.
We viii nab him as he climbs out"
Lesuade whispered.
But before we could move the man
had emerged again. AS he came out
into the gllmmerlng patch Of light we
saw that he carried something white
under his arm. He looked stealthily
al round him. The silence Of the de-
serted street reassured him. Turning
his back upon us, he laid down bis bur
den, and the next instant there was the
sound Of a sharp tap, followed by g
clatter and rattle. The man was SO
intent upon what he was doing that be
never heard our steps as we sto.e
across the grass plot. With the bOpn&
Of a tiger, Holmes was on his back
and an instant later Lestrade an6
had him by either wrist and the hand
cuffs had been fastened. As we turn
ed him over / saw a hideOus. sall0w
face, with writing, furious features,
glazing up at Us, and knew that It
was indeed the man Of the photograph
whom we had secured.
But it was not our prisoner to whom
Holmes was giving his attention.
Squatted on the doorstep, he was en-
gagged in most carefully examining that
which the man had brought from the
house. 1t was a bust Of Napoleon, Ike
the one which we had seen that morn
ing, and it had been broken into similar
fragments. Carefully Holmes held each
separate shard to the light, but in no
way did It differ from any other shat
tered piece Of plaster. he had just
completed his examination when the
hall nights few up. the door opened and
the owner Of the house, a jovial, rotund
figure ia shirt and trousers. presented
himself
"Mr. Josiah Brown. I supposeT' said
Holmes.
Eyes, sir; and you, no doubt, are Mr.
Sherlock HolmesP had the note
which you sent by the express messen-
ger, and 1 did exactly what you told
me We locked every door on the in
side and awaited Developments. Wen,
Pm very glad that you have got the ras-
cal / hope, gentlemen, that you viii
come in and have some refreshment"
However. Lestrade was anxious TO
get his man into safe quarters. so
within a few minutes our cab had
been summoned and we were all four
upon our way to London. Not a word
would our captive say. but he glared
at rs from the shadow OF bis matted
hair, and once when my hand was
within his reach he snapped az II IKE
a hungry wolf. We stayed long enough
/ at the police station TO learn hat y
search OF his clothing revealed nothing
I save a few shillings and a long sheath
knife, the handle OF which bore Co
( pi0us traces OF recent blood.
That's all right, said Lestrade as
+ we parted. "Hnl knows all these gen