The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-03


 honor my head by putting 1t on a level with his own,' said Sherlock Holmes. laughing T think that l shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all this cross-questioning I had formed my conclusions as to the case before our client came Into the room'
 My dear Holmes!'
 q have notes of several similar cases. though none, as I remarked before, which were quite as prompt My whole examination served to turn my conjec- ture into a certainty. Circumstantial evil dence Is occasionally very convincing. as when you find a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreaus example"
 But I have heard all that you have heard"
 without. however the knowledge of pre-existing cases which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back and some thing on very much the same lines at Munich the year after the Franco-Prus sian war. It is one of these cases--bllt. hello, here is Lestradel Good afternoon, Lestradei You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard. and there are cigars in the box"
 The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he car ried black canvas bag in his hand. With short greeting he seated himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him.
 Whats up, then?" asked Holmes, with twinkle in. his eye. You look dissatis- fed"
 And I feel dissatisfied. It Is this in- fernal St. Simon marriage case. can make neither head nor tail of the bus iness"
 Really! You surprise me-"
 Who ever heard of such a mixed af- fair? Every clue seems to slip through my fingers. l have been at work upon 1t all day'
 And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes, laying his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket
 Yes, have been dragging the Serpen- tine"
 Tn heavens name, what for?"
 Tn search of the body of Lady St. Si- mon"
 Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily.
 Have you dragged the basin of Trafal- gar Square fountain?" he asked.
 'Why? What do you mean?"
 Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the one as in the other"
 Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. q suppose you know all about it." he snarled.
 Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up."
 "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the matter?
 ''I think it very unlikely"
 ''Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke and tumbled on to the floor a wedding dress of water ed silk, pair of white satin shoes and a brides wreath and veil, all discolored and soaked in water. ."There," said he, put ting a new wedding ring upon the tor Of the pile. There is little nut fol you to crack, Master Holmes"
 ''Oh, indeed!'' said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. You dragged them from the SerpentineT
 NO. They were found floating near the margin by park-keeper They have beer identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that if the clothes were there tho body would not be far off,
 By the same brilliant reasoning every mans body is to be found in the neigh borhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive at through thlsT
 At some evidence duplicating Flora Millar in the disappearance"
 'I am afraid that you will find 1t diff ficult."
 Are you indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I am afraid Holmes, that you are not very practica with your deductions and your differences You have made two blunders in as many minutes. This dress does duplicate Miss Flora Millar.'
 And how?"
 ''In the dress is pocket. In the pocket Is a card-case. In the card-case Is note And here is the very note" Ht slapped 1t down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this You will see me when all is ready. Come at once. F. H M." Now my theory all along has beer that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she. with con her disappearance. Here, signed with hei initials, is the very note which was nc doubt quietly slipped Into her hand at tn, door and which lured her within theil reach"
 Every good, Lestrade," said Holmes laughing. You really are very fine in. deed. Let me see it." He took up tho paper in a listless way, but his attention instantly became riyeted, and he gave 6 little cry of satisfaction. This is indeed important" said he.
 Hal you find it so?'
 Extremely so. I congratulate youi warmly"
 Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. What" he shrieked ''you're looking at the wrong side"
 "On the contrary, this is the right side"
 "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil over here"
 And over here is what appears to be the fragment of 8 hotel bill, which inter ests me deeply"
 There's nothing in It. looked at 1t be. fore" said Lestrade. " Oct, f. rooms s. breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s lunch 2s 6d, glass sherry, 3d." I see nothing ir that
 ''Very likely not. It is most important all the same. As to the note, 1t Is impor. tant also, or at least the initials are so I congratulate you again.
 i've wasted time enough" said Les trade, rising. T believe in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day, MT. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the matter first" He gathered up the gar ments thrust them into the bag and made for the door.
 Just one hint to you, Lestrade, " drawled Holmes. before his rival van ished. T will tell you the true solution of the matter Lady St. Simon is myth. There is not, and there never has been any such person."
 Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, tapped his fore head three times, shook his head solemn ly, and hurried away.
 He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose and put on his overcoat. There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor work" he remarked, ESQ I think, Watson that must leave you to your papers for a lit- tle."
 It was after 5 o'clock when Sherlock Holmest left me. but l had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived z