Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-14

ing dark eyes which lurked In deep hollows under overhung and tuft- ed brows. His hair and beard were white save the latter was cautiously stained with yellow around his mouth. A cigarette glowed amid the tangle of white hair, and the air of the room was fetid with stale tobacco smoke. As he held out his hand to Holmes I perceived that it was also stained with yellow nicotine.
 "A smoker, MT. Holmes?' said he. speaking in well chosen English, with a curious little mincing accent. Pray take cigarette. And you, sir? can recommend them. for have them espe- cially prepared by Ionides of Alexan- dria. He sends me thousand at a time, and grieve to say that have to arrange for a fresh supply every fort night. Bad. sir. very bad. but an old man has few pleasures. Tobacco and my work-that is all that is left to me"
 Holmes had lit cigarette and was shooting little darting glances all over the room.
 Tobacco and my work, but now on- ly tobacco" the old man exclaimed. Alas. what a fatal interruption. Who could have foreseen such a terrible ca- tastrephe? So estimable young man. I assure you that after few months training he was an admirable assist ant. What do you think of the matter, Mir Holmes:"
 Il have not yet made up my mind"
 T shall indeed be indebted to you if you can throw a light where all is so dark to us. To poor bookworm and invalid like myself such blow is para lyzing. seem to have lost the faculty of thought. But you are a man of ac- tion-you are a man of affairs. It is part of the everyday routine of your life. You can preserve your balance in every emergency. We are fortunate indeed in having you at our side" Holmes was pacing up and down one side of the room while the old professor was talking. I observed that he was smoking with extraordinary rapidity. It was evident that he shared our hosts liking for the fresh Alexandrian ciga- rettes.
 Yes. sir, it is a crushing blow" said the old man. That is my magnum opus-the pile of papers on the side ta- ble wonder. It is my analysis of the documents found in the Coptic monas- teries of Syria and Egypt. work which will cut deep at the very founda- ton of revealed religion. With my en- feebled health I do not know whether shall ever be able to complete it, now that my assistant has been taken from me. Dear me. Mir. Holmes, why, you are even a quicker smoker than I am myself"
 Holmes smiled
 .'I am connoisseur." said be, talk ing another cigarette from the box, his fourth. and lighting it from the stub of that which he had finished. T will not trouble you with any lengthy cross examination, Professor Coram, since I gather that you were in bed at the time of the crime and could know noth- ing about it. would only ask this: What do you imagine that this poor fellow meant by his last words, The professor-it was sheT"
 The professor shook his head.
 Susan is a country girl" said he. "and you know the incredible stupidity of that class. I fancy that the poor fellow murmured some incoherent. de lirious words and that she twisted them into this meaningless message"
 "I see You have no explanation yourself of the tragedyf"
 Possibly an accident. possibly-I only breathe 1t among ourselves-a sui eide. Young men have their hidden troublesome affair of the heart. per haps. which we have never known. IL is more probable supposition than murder
 But the eyeglassy"
 ',Ah. I am only student. a man of dreams. I cannot explain the practical things of life. But still we are aware. my friend. that love gages may take strange shapes. By all means take an- other cigarette. It is pleasure to see any one appreciate them so. A fan. d glove. glasses-who knows what ar ticle may be carried as a token or treasured when a man puts an end tn his life: This gentleman speaks of Soo.a.a,a fr, .ha grace. hut asrar oil g- is easy to be mistaken on such a point. As to the knife. it might well be thrown far from the unfortunate man as be fell IL is possible that speak as a child. but to me il seems that WiIloughby Smith has met his fate by his own hand"
 Holmes seemed struck by the theory thus put forward. and he continued to walk up and down for some time. lost in thought and consuming cigarette after cigarette.
 Tell me. Professor Coram.- he said at last. what Is in that cupboard in the bureausr
 Nothing that would help a thief family papers. letters from my poor wife. diplomas of universities which have done me honor. Here Is the key You can look for yourself"
 Holmes picked up the key and look. cd at fl for an instant: then be handed it back.
 NO: I hardly think that it would help me said be. T should prefer 10 % quietly down 10 your garden and turn the whole matter over in ny head There is something 10 be said for the theory of suicide which you