Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-01

would ct the facts"
II could very easily give you half a
dozcn." said Holmes. Here, for ex-
ample, Is very possible and even
probable one. l make you a free pres
ent of it. The older man is showing
documents which are OF evident value.
A passing tramp sees them through the
window, the blind of which is only half
down. Exit the solicitor. Enter the
tramp. lie seizes stick, which he
observes there, kills Oldacre and de-
parts after burning the body"
"Why should the tramp burn the
body?'
For the matter OF that, why should
McFarlane:"
ITO hide some evidence"
POSSIBLY the tramp wanted to hide
that any murder ut all had been COM
mitted."
"And why did the tramp take moth
ing?" "
Because they were papers that he
could not negotiate"
Lestrade shook his head. though it
seemed to me that his manner was
less absolutely assured than before.
well, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, you
may look for your tramp, and while
you are finding him we will hold on to
our man. The future will show which
is right. Just notice this point, Mr..
Holmes--ttat so far as we know none
Of the papers were removed and that
the prisoner Is the one man in the
world who had no reason for removing
them, since he was heir at law and
would come into them in any case"
My friend seemed struck by this re-
mark.
II don't mean to deny that the evil
dence Is In some ways very strongly In
favor Of your theory" said he. Il only
wish to point out that there are other
theories possible. AS you say. the flu
ture will decide. Good morning! I
dare say that in the course Of the day
shall drop in at Norwood and see how
you are getting on"
When the detective departed my
friend rose and made his preparation
for the days work with the alert air
Of man who has congenial task be-
fore him.
my first movement, Watson" said
he ms he hustled into his frock coat
must, as l said, be in the direction of
Blackheath."
"And why not NAgwood?"
Because we have In this case one
singular incident coming close to the
heels of another singular incident. The
police are making the mistake Of con.
centrating their attention upon the
second because 1t happens to be the
one which is actually criminal. But
1t Is evident to me that the logical
way to approach the case Is upon
the first incident--the curious will. SO
suddenly made and to so unexpect.
! ed an heir. 1t may do something to
simplify what followed. No, my dear
fellow, don't think you can help me.
There Is no prospect Of danger, or l
should not dream of stirring out with.
| out you. l trust that when l see you
In the evening I will be able to report
that l have been able to do something
for this unfortunate youngster who has
thrown himself upon my protection"
II was late when my friend returned.
and could see by glance at his bag
gard and anxious face that the high
hopes with which he had started had
; not been fulfilled. For an hour he
droned away upon his violin. endeavor-
ing to soothe bis own rufiied spirits. At
last he hsng down the instrument and
plunged into detailed account Of his
misadventures.
ITS all going wrong. Watson-all a.
wrong as 1t can 60. kept bold face
before Lestrade. but, upon my soul.
believe that for once the fellow Ia on
tue right track and we are on the
wrong. All my instincts are one way,
and all the facts are the other. and
much fear that British juries have not
yet attained that pitch Of intelligence
when they will give the preference to
my theories over Lestrades facts"
did you 60 to Blackheath?"
Eyes, Watson, went there, and
found very quickly that the late la
mented Oldacre was a pretty consid-
cradle BLACKBOARD. The father was
away In search OF his son. The mother
was at h0lne-a little. fluffy, blue eyed
person. in q trsmor Of fear and indig'