The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

at was torn out CT the dead mans
hand Why was Some one so anxious
TO get possession OF IT. Because 1t In
eliminated him. And what would he do
with IT? Thrust 1t Into his pocket, most
likely, never noticing that corner Of
1t had been left In tine grip of the
corpse, If We could get the rest Of that
sheet it Is obvious that we should have
gone long way toward solving the
mystery"
Yes. but how can we get at the criTai-
nars pocket before we catch the crinli-
nai?''
Wen. well. it was worth thinking
over. Then there is another obvious
point. The note was sent to William.
The man who wrote 1t could not have
taken 1t; otherwise, of course, he nj ght
have delivered his own message by word
of mouth Who brought the note. TIN?
Or did 1t come through the post to?
81 have made Inquiries said the In
specter. William resolved a letter by
the afternoon post yesterday. The en-
veiepe was destroyed By him.,
Excellent" cried Holmes. eIapping
the inspector on the back. You've seen
the postman. It is a pleasure to worg.
with you. Well, here is the lodge, and
IL you will come up, Colonel. will
show you the scene OF the crime
X x
We passed the pretty cottage where
the murdered man had lived. and
walked up an oak-lined avenue to the
fine old Queen anne house, which bears
the date Of Malplaquet upon the Intel
of the door. Holmes and the inspector
led US round 1t until we came 10 the
,R,,y- 80. g-rf. Esv a
stretch Of garden from the hedge which
lines the road. A constable was stand
ing at the kitchen door.
Throw the door open. officer" said
Holmes Now. 1t was on those stairs
that young Mr.. Cunningham stoosi and
saw the two men struggling just where
we are. Old Mr.. Cunningham was at
that window-the second on the left
and he saw the fellow get away just
to the left OF that bush. Sc die the
son. They are both sure OF IL OH &C
count Of the bush. Then Mr. Alec ran
out and kneit beside the wounded man.
The ground is very hard. you see, and
there are no marks TO guide us. AS
| he sEalze two men carne down the gar
den path, from round the angle OF the
house. The one was an elderly man,
with q strong. deep-iined. heavy.eyed
/ face; the other a dashing young fellow.
whose bright, smiling expression and
snowy dress were In strange contrast
with the bushes which he'd brought Us
| there.
| sstill at it. then ?'' said he rs Holmes
/ II thought you Londeners were never
at fault. Yon don't seem to be SO very
! quick. after all"
''Ah, you must give US d little time. :
said Holmes. -humoredly.
You'll want it, said young Alec
| Cunningham. Why. don't see that
| we have any clue at all"
There's only one answered the Ia
spector I'VE thought tnat If We could
only find Good heavens, Mr.. Holmes
| what is the matter2..
My poor friends face had suddenly
tassunaed the most dreadful expression
! His eyes rolled upward, his features
] wEdthed in. agony. and with a sup
pressed grean he dropped on his face
| upon the ground. Horrifed at the sud
! denness and severity of the attack. w=
1 carried him into the kitchen, where h
t Jay back in a large chair and breathet
heavily for some minutes. Finally
with a silamefaced apology for HI
Watson would tell you that I hay
only Just recovered from a severe Ill
| ness he explained. II am liable Il
those sudden nervous attacks
Shall L send you home in my trap?'
asked old Cunningham.
We'll. since l am here. there IS on
point on which l should like 10 feel sure
We can very easily verify IT,
What was it?''
'fWel1, it seems TO me that IL is Jus
possible that the arrival of this poo
fellow William was not before. but af
ter, the entrance OF the burglar int
the house You appear to take it 70
granted that, although the door wa
forced. the robber never got in
Il fancy that is quite obvious sal
Mr.. Cunningham. graveIy. why, m
son Alec had not yet gone TO bed, an
he would certainly have heard anyon
moving about
Where was he sitting?''
''I was smoking In nay dressing room.
Which window is that?''
The last on the left, next my faith
ers''
Both of your lamps were lit. Q
course?"
1'Undoubtedly.''
There are some very singular point
here" said Holmes, smiling. rs It NJ
extraordinary that a hurglaF-and bun
glar who had had some previous expe
rience-should deliberately break into
house at a time when he could see froI
the lights that two OF the family wer
; still afoot?"
He must have been cool hand.
Well, of course. If The case were nc
d an odd one We should not have bee
2 driven to ask you for an explanation
: said young Mr.. Alec. but as 20 you
IDEAS that the man had robbed tn
house before William tackled him.
think 1t a most absurd notion Wouidn
r we have found the place disarranget
n and missed the things which he Ia
n taken?"
I y "
ut depends on what the things were,
said Holmes. You must remembe
that we are dealing with burglar VIII
is a very peculiar fellow. and who al
pears TO work on lines OF his owl
: Look. for example. at the queer lot