Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-06-17

corridor, while the dry straw cracked
and famed.
'.Now we must see if we can find this
witness for you, Lestrade. Might
ask you all to join in the cry of 'Fire?'
Now, then-one, two, three!"
"Firev' we all yelled.
'Thank you. I will trouble You once
again"
''Firev'
"Just once more, gentlemen, and all
together"
"Firey' The shout must have rung
over Norwood.
/ 1t had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened. A door sud
denly flew open out of what appeared
to be solid wall at the end of the cor
ridor and little wizened man darted
out Of it like a rabbit out of it's bur-
row.
! "Capitalv' said Holmes calmly.
"Watson, a bucket Of water over the
straw. That will do! Lestrade, allow
me to present you with your principal
missing witness, Mr.. Jonas Oldacre.''
The detective stared at the newcom-
er with blank amazement. The latter
was blinking in the bright light Of the
corridor and peering at us and at the
smoldering fire. 1t was an odious
face crafty, vicious, malignant, with
shifty, light gray eyes and white
lashes. 4,.s%t--.- ssff S'""-'1s's>eH'
"What's this, then?' said Lestrade at
last. what have you been doing all
this time, eh?"
Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrink
ing back from the furious red face Of
the angry detective.
81 have done no HARM"
mo harm? You have done your best
TO get an innocent man hanged. If it
wasn't for this gentleman here 1 am
not sure that you would not have sue
ceeded."
The wretched creature began to
| whimper
81 am sure, sir, it was only my prac-
teal joke
"Oh, joke, was it? You won't find
the laugh on your side, l promise you.
Take him down and keep him in the
sitting room until come. Mr.. Holiness"
he continued when they had gone, IT
could not speak before the constabEes,
! but I don't mind saying in the presence
of DR.. Watson that this is the brightest
thing that you have done yet, though it
is mystery to me how you did it. You
have saved an innocent mans life, and
you have prevented a very grave scan
dial, which would have ruined my repu-
tation in the force"
Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade
upon the shoulder
Instead of being ruined, my good
sir, you will find that your reputation
has been enormously enhanced. Just
make a few alterations in that report
which you were writing and they will
understand how hard it is to throw
dust in the eyes of Inspector Lestrade."
''And you don't want your name to
appear?"
''Not at ALL The work is it's own re-
ward. Perhaps [ shall get the credit
also at some distant day, when per-
NIT my Jealous historian to lay out his
foolscap once more-eh, Watson? Well
now, let us see where this rat has been
lurking"
A lath and plaster partition had been
run across the passage six feet from
the end, with door cunningly conceal
ed in it. 1t was lit within by Sits IN
der the caves. A few articles of furni-
ture and supply of food and water
Of books and papers.
"Therefs the advantage of being a
builder" said Holmes as we came out
"He was able to fix up his own little
hiding place without any confederate
save. of course, that precious house
time in adding to your bag, Lestrade."
9TH take your advice. But how did
you know of this place, Mr.. Holmes?"
II made up my mind that the fellow
was in hiding in the house. When
paced one corridor and found it six
feet shorter than the corresponding
one below it was pretty clear where
he was. 1 thought he had not the nerve
to lie quiet before an alarm of fire. We
could, Of course, have gone in and tax
en- him, but it amused me to make him
reveal himself. Besides, owed you
little mystiication, Lestrade, for your
chaff in the morning."
''Well, sir, you certainly got equal
with me on that. But how in the world
did you know that he was in the house
at all?''
'"The thumb mark, Lestrade You
said it was final, and so it was in a
very different sense. l knew it had
not been there the day before. l pay
good deal Of attention to matters Of
detail, as you may have observed, and
had examined the hall and was sure
that the wall was clear. Therefore it
had been put on during the night"
But how?
'Very simply. When those packets
were sealed up Jonas Oldacre got Nc
Farlane to secure one of the seals by
putting his thumb upon the soft wax.
1t would be done SO quickly and so
4,,u Ir- 4Io4