Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-08


that he could lay his hands on at the mo-
ment"
Very possibly. How about these pa
persr
Three Of them are receipted hay dealers
accounts. One Of them Is a letter Of in
structions from Colonel Ross. This other
IL a milliners account for eS7 Is shillings,
made out by Madame Lesurier Of Bond
street, TO william Derbyshire. Mrs. straker
4 tells us that Derbyshire was a friend Of
' her husbands, and that occasionally his
letters were addressed here"
Madame Derbyshlre had somewhat ex-
pensive tastes" remarked Holmes glanc-
ing down the account. twenty-five
guineas is rather heavy for a single cos
tune However, there appears to be noth-
ing more to learn, and we may now go
down to tho scene Of the crime"
As we emerged from the sitting room a
woman. who had been waiting in the pas
sage, took a step forward and laid her
hand upon the inspectors sleeve. Her
face was hagga,d and thin and eager
stamped with re print of recent horror.
Have you got them7 Have you found
them?" she painted.
mo. Mrs. straker. But Mr.. Holmes here
has come from London 70 help us. and we
shall do all that is possible"
Surely met you in Plymouth at a gar
den party some little time ago, Mrs.
Straker?' said Holmes.
mo, sir; you are mistaken"
Dear me! Why, I could have sworn to
II. You wore a costume Of dove-colored
silk with ostrich feather trimming"
Il never had such a dress, sir" an
swered the lady.
"Ah, that quite settles IT," said Holmes.
And with an apology he followed the in
ba
moor took us TO the hollow in which the
body had been found At the brink of II
was the furze bush upon which the coat
had been hung.
There was no wind that night, I I'M
derstand," said Holmes.
None; but very heavy rain.
I'm that case the overcoat was not
blown against the furze bushes, but placed
there"
Yes, IL was laid across the bush"
you all me with interest. 1 perceive
that the ground has been tramped UP
good deal. No doubt many feet have been
here since Monday night"
"a piece Of mating has been laid here
at the side, and we have all stood upon
that"
Excellent"
I'm this bag I have one OF the boots
which Straker wore, one of Fltzroy simp-
son 5 shoeS ana cast horseshoe or silver
/. Blaze"
4 MY dear Inspector you surpass your
self" Holmes took the bag and descend
\ ing into the hollow. he pushed the mating
into a more central position. Then stretch
ing himself upon his face and leaning his
chin upon his hands, he made a careful
study of the trampled mud in front OF him.
"Hullo!" said he. SUDDENLY. whats
this?' 1t was a wax vesta half burned
.NaN. a.
looked at FIRST like a little chip of wood.
Il cannot think how came to overlook
it, said the inspector, with expression
of annoyance.
1T was invisible, buried In the mud
only saw It because was looking for it,"
WHAT You expected to md III"
81 thought 1t not unlikely"
He took the boots from the bag and
compared the impression OF each of them
with marks upon the ground. Then he
clamored up to the rim of the hollow and
crawled, about among the ferns and bushes.
IL am afraid there are no more tracks"
said the inspector. 81 have examined the
ground very carefully for 100 yards In each
direction"
Indeed" said Holmes, rising 'T should
not have the impertinence 10 do II again
after what you say. But should like TO
have a little walk over the moor before it
tomorrow. and think that shall put this
horseshoe in my pocket for luck"
Col. Ross, who had shown some signs of
impotence at my companions quiet and
Systematic method of work, glanced at his
watch. II wish you would come back with
me. Inspector" said he. There are several
points on which ] should like your advice
and especially as to whether we do not
owe 1t to the public to remove our horse S
name from the entries for the cup"
Certainly not" cried Holmes with de-
cision. II should let the name stand"
The colonel bowed, II am very glad To
have had your opinion, SIR" said he. "You
will find US at poor strakers house when
you have finished your walk and we can
drive together into Tavistock,"
He turned back with the inspector. while
Holmes and walked slowly across the
moor. The sun was beginning TO sink be-
hind the stable OF Mapleton, and the long
~ sloping plain In front of us was tinged
z with gold. deepening into rich. rudy
browns where the faded ferns and brambles
caught the evening light. But the glories
OF the landscape were all wasted upon my
companion, who was sunk in the deepest
thought.
tits this way. Watson" said he at last
We may leave the question OF who killed
John Straker for the instant and conhnC
ourselves to nnding out what has becom'
OF the horse. Now, supposng that he broke
away during or after the tragedy, where
could he have gone 20? The horse is
very gregarious creature. II left to himself
his instincts would have been either to re-
turn to Kings Pyland or go over 10 Maple
ton. Why should he run wild upon thu
moor? He would surely have been seen by
now. And why should gypsies kidnap him
These people always clear out when they
hear of trouble, for they do not wish to b,
pestered by the police. They could MOI
hope to sell such a horse. They would ruI
a great risk and gain nothing by takinI
him Surely that is clear"
where is he then7?''
II have always said that he must hay,
gone 10 Kings Pyland or TO Mapleton II,
is not at Kings Pyland. Therefore he q
at Mapleton. Let us take that as a work
Ing hypothesis and see what it leads US 10
This part OF the moor, the inspector re
marked. is very hard and dry. But It fall
away toward Mapleton and you can SCI
from here that there is long hollow owe
yonder. which must have been very wet OF
Monday night. II our supposltion is cor
rect. then the horse must have crossed that
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