Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06

deal must have soaked through must 1t
| not?"
Undoubtedly it must"
We'll, you will be surprised to hear that
there Is no stain on the white woodwork
| to correspond"
NO stain! But there must"
Yes, SO you would say. But the fact
remains that there isn't"
He took the corner of the carpet in his
hand and turning 1t over, he showed that
| 1t was indeed as he said
But the underside is as stained as the
upper 1t must have left a mark"
Lestrade chuckled with delight at having
puzzled the famous expert.
Now. I'll show you the explanation
There is a second stain, but it does not
correspond with the other See for your
SELF AS he spoke he turned over another
portion of the carpet, and there sure
enough, was great crimson spill upon the
square white facing of the old-fashioned
moor What do you make of that, Mr.
Holiness"
why. 1t is simple enough. The two
stains did correspond. but the carpet has
been turned around. As 1t was square and
unfastened it was easily done"
The official police don't need you. Mr.
Holmes. to tell them that the Garnet must
have been turned round That's clear
enough. for the stains lie above each other
If you lay 1t over this way But what
want to know is. who shifted the carpet,
and why?'
1 could see from Holmes rigid face that
he was vibrating with inward excitement
Look here, Lestrade," said he has that
constable in the passage been in charge of
the place all the timer?
Yes he has"
We'll. take my advice Examine him
carefully. Don't do 1t before u.s. Wen
wait here. You take him into the back
room. You'll be more likely to get a CON
fession out Of him alone Ask him how he
dared to admit people and leave them alone
In this room Don't ask him If he has done
1t. Take it for granted. Tell him you
know some one has been here Press him
Tell him that a full confession is his only
chance of forgiveness. Do exactly what /
tell you"
BY George. If he knows I'll have it out
of him. cried Lestrade. He darted into
the hail and few moments later his bully
ing voice sounded from the back room.
NOW, Watson, now!' cried Holmes with
frenzied eagerness. All the demoniacaI
force OF the man masked behind that list
less manner burst out in a paroxvsr1 of
energy. He tore the drugget from the floor
and in an instant was down on his hands
and knees, clawing at each of the squares
OF wood beneath it. One turned sideways
as he dug his nails into the edge of II II
hinged back like the lid of a box A small
ssiack cavity opened beneath it. Holmes
plunged his eager hand into it and drew it
out with bitter snafl of anger and disap-
pointment. 1t empty.
Quick. Watson quick! Get it back
AGAIN. The wooden lid was replaced. and
tiiC III dSSSb Idu OHiS just Deen drawn
straight when Lestrade's voice was heard
in the passage. He found Holmes leaning
languidly against the mantelpiece resigned
and patient, endeavoring to conceal his ir-
repressible yawns.
Sorry to keep you waiting Mr. uo,r,as
/ can see that you are bored to death with
the whole affair. Well, he has confessed
all right Come in here. Macpherson Let
cusable conduct"
The big constable. very hot and penitent
sided into the room.
I meant no harm. sir. I'm sure The
young woman came to the door last even
ing-mistook the house. she did And then
we got talking. It's lonesome when you're
on duty here all day."
well, what happened then%'
she wanted to see where the crime was
done-had read about IL in the papers she
said she was very respectable we'll
spoken young woman, sir, and l saw no
harm in letting her have a peep WHEN
she saw that mark on the carpet down she
dropped on the floor, and lay as If she were
dead ran to the back and got some
water, but l could not bring her to. Then
l went round the corner to the ivy plant
for some brandy, and by the time 7 had
brought 1t back the young woman had re-
covered and was ofr-ashamed of herself. I
daresay, and dared not face me-"
How about moving that drugget?"
We'll sir, 1t was a bit rumpled certainly
when came back. You see, she fell on ii
and 1t lies on a polished floor with nothing
~ heeP ~ Al pace. Strengthened Ii out
afterward."
IT'S lesson to you that you can't de-
ceive me, Constable MACPHERSON" said Lee
strade with dignity. mo doubt you
thought that your breach of duty could
never be discovered. and yet a mere glance
at that drugget was enough to convince
me that some one had been admitted to the
room It's lucky for you, my man. that
nothing Is missing. or you would find your
self in Queer street. I'm sorry to have
called you down over such petty business.
Mr.. Holmes. but thought the point of the
second stain not corresponding with the
first would interest YOU
Certainly, 1t was most interesting. Has
this woman only had been here once, con-
stable?"
Yes, sir, only onceT
who was she?"
Don't know the name. sir. Was answer
ing an advertisement about typewriting,
and came to the wrong number-very pleas
ant. genteei young woman. sir"
Tall? Handsome!"