Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-13

Of last year. Could you give me the
date when Repro was arrested"
II could tell you roughly by the pay
list" the manager answered. YES"
he continued, after some turning over
Of pages. "he was paid last on May 90"
THANK you," said Holmes. ~ don't
think that I need intrudc upon your
time and patience any more" With
last word Of caution that he should say
nothing as to our researches we turned
our faces westward once more.
The afternoon was far advanced be-
fore we were able TO snatch a hastv
luncheon at restaurant A news bill
at the entrance announced: "Kensing-
ton Outrage. Murder by a Mailman"
and the contents Of the paper showed
that Mr. Horace Harker had got his
account into print after all. Two col
umns were occupied with highly SEN
satlonal and howery rendering Of the
whole incident. Holmes propped It
against the cruet stand and read It
while he ate. Once or twice he
chuckled.
"'rhis Ia MI right, Watson" said he.
"Iisten to this: IT Is satisfactory to
know that there ran be no difference
of opinion upon this case. since Mr..
Lestradc, one Of the most experienced
members Of the official force. and Mr..
Sherlock Holmes, the we'll known con-
sulting expert, have each come to the
conclusion that the grotesque series of
Incidents. which have ended in SO tragic
a fashion. arise from lunacy rather
than from deliberate crime. No ex-
PLANTATION save mental alteration can
cover the facts The press. Watson,
Is most valuable institution. IL you
only know how to use 1t. And now. IL
you have quite finished, we will bark
back to Kensington and see what the
manager Of Harding Bros. has to say
on the matter"
The founder of that great emporium
proved to be brisk. crisp little per-
son. very dapper and quick. with
clear head and ready tongue.
"Yes. sir, have already read the
account in the evening papers. Mr.
Horace Harker ia a customer OF ours
We supplied him with the bust some
months ago. We ordered three busts
Of that sort from Geldcr e. Co. Of
Stepney. They are all sold now. To
whom? Oh. dare say by consulting
our sales book we could very easily tell
you. Yes. we have the entries here
One to Mr.. Harker. you see. and one
to Mr.. Josiah Brown OF I.aburnum
lodge, Laburnum Vale. Chiswick. and
one to Mr.. Sandeford OF Lower Grove
road, Reading. No, have never seen
this face which you show me in the
photograph. You would hardly forget
it. would you. sir for I've seldom seen
an uglier. Have we any Italians on
the staff? Yes. sir. We have several
among our workpeople and cleaners.
dare say they might get a peep Mt
that sales book IL they wanted to.
There is no particular reason for keep
ing a watch upon that book. Well.
we'll, it's very strange business. and
hope that you will let me know II
anything comes OF your inquiries"
Holmes had taken several notes dur,
ing Mr.. Hardngs evidence. and
could see that he was thoroughly sat.
isfied by the turn which affairs were
taking. He made EO remark, however,
snve that unless we hurried we should
be late for our appointment with Le-
strnde. Sure enough, when we reach
ed Baker street the detective was al
ready there. and we found him pacing
up and down In q fever OF impatience
His look Of Importance showed that his
days work had not been in vain.
"Well:" he asked. what luck, Mr..
Holmes:"
I'VE have had a very busy day and
not entirely a wasted one" my friend
explained. 1--WE have seen both the re.
taiers and also the wholesale manu-
facturers. can trace each of the
| busts now from the beginning"
1.-The busts." cried I.estrade. well
well. you have your own methods, Mr.
Sherlock Holmes, and 1t is not for me
to say word against them. hut
think I have done a better days work
than you. l have identified the dead
man"
"You don't say sO?"
"And found cause for the crime"
Splendid"
eve have an inspector who makes a
speciality OF Saffron Hill and the Ital
ian quarter. We'll, this dead man had
some Catholic emblem round his neck
and that, along with his color. made me
think he was from the south. Inspect
or Hill knew him the moment he
caught sight Of him. His name Is Pie
tro Venucci. from Naples. and he is one
of the greatest cutthroats in London
He Is connected with the Malta. which
as you know. is secret political soce
ty. enforcing its DEGREES by murder
Now, you see how the affair begins tc
clear up. The other fellow Is probably
an Italian also and a member OF thu
Malta. He has broken the rules II
some fashion. Pietro is set upon his
track. Probably the photograph WI
found In his pocket is the man himself
SO that he may not knife the wronf
person. lie dogs the fellow. he sees
him enter house. he waits outside FOL
him. and In the scutfie he receives his
own death wound. How is that. Mr.
Sherlock Holmes?"
Holmes clnpped his hands approving
~.
Excellent. Iestrnde. excellent" III
cried. But I didn't quite follow YOU
| explanation Of the destruction of thu