The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-31

cred from the strain caused by his I'M
= mense exertions in the spring of 'S7.
The whole question of the Netherland,,
schemes OF, Baron Maupertuis, are too
recent in the minds of the public, and
are too intimately concerned with pol
itics and finance to be fitting subjects
for this series of sketches. They led,
however, in an indirect fashion to.
singular and complex problem which
gave my friend an opportunity of dem
onstrating the value Of a fresh weapon
among the many with which he waged
his lifelong battle against crime.
On referring to my notes l see that
1t was upon the 14th of April that l
eFmsd tes f Ho f0 H Iyens wRlGh
in the Hotel Dulong. Within twenty,
four hours I was in his sickroom and
was relieved to find that there was
nothing formidable in his symptoms.
Even his iron constitution, however, had
broken down 4nder the strain 4Hn6 Of an IN
two months, during which period he
had never worked less than fifteen hours
"a day. and had more than once, as he
assured me, kept to his task for five
DAYS at a stretch. Even the triumphant
issue Of his labors could not save him
from reaction after so terrible an exer-
ton, and at time when Europe was
room was literally ankle-deep with con-
gratuatory kilograms I found him a
prev to the blacklist depression. Even
the knowledge that he had sue
ceeded where the police of three
countries had failed, and that he had
accomplished swindler in Europe, was
insufficient to rouse him from his nerv-
Gus prostration.
Three days later we were back in
Baker street together; but it was eyl-
dent that my friend would be much the
better for a change. and the thought OF
q week of spring time in the country
was full of attractions to me also. My
old friend, Colorel Hayter, who had
come under my professional care In
Afghanstan, had now taken a house
near Reigate in Surrey, and had ire
quently asked me to come down to him
upon visit, On the las, occasion he
only come with me he would be glad to
extend his hospitality to him also. A
little diplomacy was needed, but when
Holmes understood that the establish
ment was bachelor one. and that he
Touid, be allowed the fullest freedom
after our return from Lyons we were
under the colonel s roof. Hayter was
a fine old soldier who had seen much OF
the world, and he soon found, as | haC
expected, that Holmes and he had much
in common.
On the evening of our arrival WE
were sitting in the colonel's gunroom
after dinner, Holmes stretched upon the
sofa, while Hayter and I looked over his
little armory of eastern weapons.
''By the way said he suddenly, 81
think ] II take one of these pistols up
stairs with me in case we have an
alarm.
can alarm!" said I. ~N
eyes; we've had a scare in this part
lately. Old Acton, who is one Of ou1
county magnates, had his house broker
into last Monday. No great damage
done, but the fellows are still at large
'tNo clue?' asked Holmes, cockins
his eve at the colonel.
"None as yet. But the affair is /;
petty one, one of our little country
crimes, which must seem too small TO
your attention, Mr.. Holmes, after thi
great international affair."
Holmes waved away the compliment
tho his smile showed that it had pleased
him.
"Was there any feature of INTEREST,"? =
81 fancy not. The thieves ransacket
the library and got very little for thei
pains. The whole place was turned up
side down, drawers burst open, am
presses ransacked, with the result tina
an odd volume of Pope's Homer tw
plated candlesticks, an ivory letter
weight, small oak barometer, and
ball Of Irvine are all that have van
ECsed.''
ssy What an extraordinary assert
~ ~ y / exclaimed.
~ N. the fellows evidently grabbe
LEI = of everything they could get.'
see lines grunted from the sofa.
NEW, thing of that,7 said he; why,
ISL; rely obvious that---''>,ss. T. e.,
less less t [ held up warning finger
S25 on are here for rest, my dear fe
the For Heaven s sake don It &c
zooMFes are all in shreds. - ,
AN els dimes shrugged his shoulders with
90 ace of comic resi- gra ton towards tn
id5nel, and the talk drifted away int
AIS dangerous channels.
hit was destined, however, that all m
cc.0fessional caution should be waste,
GEt next morning the problem obtrude
VI elf upon us in such way that it WE
opossible to ignore it, and our count1
lsit took turn which neither of I
GT.uld have anticipated. We were
teakfast when the colonel's butte
lshed in with all his propriety shake
gut of him.
S"Have you heard the news, sira'' /
"Burglary!'' cried the colonel, wit
slis coffee cup in midair.
"Murder!"
The colonel whistled. s'By Jove!
said he. "Who's killed, then7 The
p. or his son'?'
FNeither, sir. 1t was William, tt
coachman. Shot thru the heart, 81
and never spoke again.
"Who shot him, then9'' .l
"The burglar, sir. He was off like
shot and got clean away. He'd iu
broke in at the pantry window whe
William CAME on him and met his Ell
in saving his master s property
'What time?' - - ...
cit was last night. sir, somewhe
about 1872
All, then, Wen step over afte
ward,' said the colonel, coolly settli1
down to his breakfast again. Tt s
baddish business,' he added when tt
butler had gone; "he's our leadi1
man about here. is old Cunningham, al
: very decent fellow too. He'll be c.
up over this. for the man has been
his service for years and was goo
servant It's evidently the same v
.lalns who broke into Acton So
;, nd stole that very singular cole
ton" said Holmes, thoughtfully.
r < Precisely" -,.ra.. =.
e." Hum! 1t may prove the simple
matter in the world, but all the same
first glance this is just a little curior
~ is it not? A gang of burglars acti1