Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-08

he had been there. You We're not aware of
any hurrying feet on the stair as you en-
tered the outer door,
mo, l can't say L was"
''Well he wrote so furiously that he broke
his pencil, and had, as you observe, to
sharpen it again. This is OF interest, Wat
son. The pencil was not an ordinary one.
1t above the usual size. with a soft
lead. the outer color was dark blue, the
makers name was printed in silver letter
ing. and the piece remaining is only about
an inch and half long. Look for such a
pencil, Mr. Soames. and you have got your
man. When L add that he possesses
large and very blunt knife, you have an
additional aid
Mr. Soames was somewhat overwhelmed
by this flood of information. Il can fol-
low the other points" said he, but really,
in this matter of the length
Holmes held out small chip with the let
ters mn and a space of clear wood after
them.
You see?"
NO, 1 fear that even now"
Watson, 1 have always done you an in
justice. There are others. What could this
mn be? 1t is at the end of word. You
are aware that Johann Faber is the most
common makers name. Is 1t not clear
that there is just as much of the pencil left
as usually follows the JOHANNA" He held
the small table sideways to the electric
light. II was hoping that If the paper on
which he wrote was thin, some trace of it
might come through upon this polished sur
face. No, L see nothing. 1 don't think
there is anything more to be learned here.
Now for the central table. This small pei
let is, l presume, the black, doughty mass
you spoke of. Roughly pyramidal in shape
and followed out, L perceive. AS you say,
there appear to be grains of sawdust in it..
Dear me, this is very interesting. And the
cut-a positive tear, l see. 1t began with
a thin scratch and ended in Jagged hole.
l am much indebted to you for directing
my attention to this c8se Mr.. SoameS
Where does that door lead to-"
ITO my bed room"
"Have you been in it since your adven-
ture?"
mo, I came straight away for you"
Il should like to have a glance round.
What charming, old-fashioned room!
Perhaps you will kindly wait minute, I'M
til 1 have examined the floor. No, 1 see
nothing. What about this curtain? You
hang your clothes behind it. If anyone
were forced to conceal himself In this room
he must do 1t there, since the bed is too
low and the wardrobe too shallow. No one
there, l suppose?'
AS Holmes drew the curtain was aware,
from some little rigidity and alertness of
his attitude, that he was prepared for an
emergency. AS a matter of fact, the drawn
curtain disclosed nothing but three or four
suits of clothes hanging from line of pegs.
Holmes turned away, and stopped suddenly
to the floor.
"Halloa! What's this?" said he
1t was a small pyramid of black, putty
like stuff, exactly like the one upon the
his open palm in the glare of the electric
light.
your visitor seems to have left traces
in your bed room as well as in your
sitting room, Mr.. Soames."
"What could he have wanted there?"
Il think it is clear enough. You came
back by an unexpected way, and so he
had no warning until you were at the
very door What could he do? He caught
up everything which would betray him, and
he rushed into your bed room to conceal
himself"
Good gracious, Mr.. Holmes, do you mean
to tell me that, all the time | was talking
to Bannister in this room, we had the man
prisoner if we had only known it?
80 | read it,
surely there is another alternative Mr..
Holmes. l don't know whether you OBJ
served my bed room Window"
'Lattice-paned, lead framework, three
separate windows, one swinging on hinge
and large enough to admit a man.
Exactly. And it looks out on an angle