The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-24

Put on your hat, Watson, and we will
stroll dswn together to Westminster"
1t was my first visit TO the scene Of
the crime-a high. dingy. narrow chest
ed house, prlm. formal and solid, like
tie century which gave it birth. Le-
strade's bulldog features gazed out at
us from the front window, and he
greeted. us warmly whom a big consta-
bic had opened the door and let us in.
! The room into which we were shown
was that In which the crime had been
committed, but no trace of II now re-
manned save an ugly, irregular stain
upon the carpet This carpet was a
small square drugget in the center Of
the room. surrounded by broad ex-
panse OF beautiful, old fashioned wood
flooring in square blocks highly polish
cd. over the breplace was a magnif-
cent trophy Of weapons, one Of which
had been used on Aiat tragic night In
the window was a sumptuous writing
desk, and every detail of the apart
ment. the pictures, the rugs and the
hnngings, all pointed to a taste which
was luxurious to the verge OF effeml
macy.
"seen the Paris newsg" asked Le-
strade
Holmes nodded.
"Our French friends seem to have
touched the spot this time. No doubt
It's just as they say. She knocked at
the door surprise visit, / guess, for he
kept his life In water tight compart-
/ ha Iof - ln,.
IN the street She told him how she
had traced him, repraached him; one
! thing led to another, and then with that
dagger So handy the end soon came.
II wasn't all done In an instant, though.
/ fer these chairs were all swept over
yonder, and he had one in his hand rs
II he had tried to hold her OFF with IL.
We've got it'all clear as IL we had seen
! IT,"
| Holmes raised his eyebrows.
"And yet you have sent for me?'
"Ah. yes, that's another matter;
mere trife, but the sort Of thing you
/ take an interest ln-queer, you know.
and what you might call freakish 1t
has nothing to do with the main fact
can't have, on the face OF IT,"
'What Is IL, tben?"
"Well, you know, after a crime of
this sort we are vsry careful to keep
things in their pos don. Nothing has
been movsd. Oficer in charge here day
and night. This morning, as the man
was buried and the investigation over
so far as this room is concerned
thought we could tidy up bit This
carpet-you see, It is not fastened
down. only just laid there. We had
occasion to raise Il. We found
Yes? You found
Holmes face grew tense with anx-
iety.
"Well, I'm sure you would never
guess in a hundred years what we did
find. You see that stain on the car
pet? Well. great deal must have
soaked through, must It notT'
Undoubtedly it must"
well you win be surprised TO hear
that there is no stain on the white
woodwork to correspond"
mo stalnl But there must
Eyes, so you would say. But the fact
remains that there isn't"
He took the corner OF the carpet IN
his hand. and. turning It over. he show
ed that it was indeed as he said.
"But the underside is as stained as
the Upper. II must have left mark"
Lestrade chuckled with delight at
having puzzled the famous expert.
Now, III show you the explanation.
There is a second stain, but it does not
correspond with the other. See for
yourself" AS he spoke he turned over
another portion OF the carpet. and
there, sure enough. was a great Grim
son spill upon the square white facing
OF the old fashioned floor What do
you make Of that. Mr.. Holmes?"
why, 1t is simple enough. The two
stains did correspond. but the carpet
has been turned round. AS Il was
square and unfastened It was easily
done"
''The official police don't need you.
Mr.. Holmes. 70 tell them that the car
pet must have been turned round.
That's clear enough. for the stains lie
above each other II you lay IL over
this way. But what I want 70 know is,
who shifted the carpet, and whyT
/ could see from Holmes rigid face
that he was vibrating with inward ex-
citernent
Look here. Lestrade," said he. "has
that constable in the passage been in
charge of the place an the timer
Eyes. he has"
well take my advice Examine him
carefully. Don't do II before as. Wen
wait here. You take him into the back
room. You'll be more likely 10 get a
confession out Of him alone ASK him
( how he dared to admit people and leave
them alone In this room. Don't ash
him II he has done il. Take il foi
granted. Tell him you know some one
has been here Press him. Tell him
that full confession is his only chance
OF forgiveness. DO exactly what | tel
your
by George. n he knows III have Il
out OF himr' cried I.estrade. He darted
into the hall. and few moments latel
his bullying voice sounded from th'
back room.
Now, Watson, noww cried Holmes
with frenzied eeRerness. All the De
mOniaeas force OF the man masked be
hind that listless manner burst out 81
3 paroxysm OF energy. He tore thu
drugget from the floor and in an In
stant was down on his hands and
knees clawing at each OF the squares
OF wood beneath H. One turned side