Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-11-21

piles in the corners or were stacked all
round at the base of the cases. The
bed was in the center of the room, and
in it, propped up with pillows, was the
owner of the house. l have seldom
seen more remarkable looking person.
1t was gaunt, aquiline face which
was turned toward us, with pierc-
ing dark eyes which lurked in deep
hollows under overhung and tuft-
ed brows. His hair and beard were
white save the latter was curlously
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 l
perceived that 1t was also stained with
yellow nicotine.
"a smoker, Mr.. Holmesg said he,
speaking in well chosen English, with
/, a curious little mincing accent "Pray
take cigarette. And you, sir? I can
recommend them, for have them espe-
cially prepared by Ionides Of Alexan-
dria. He sends me a thousand at q
time, and grieve to say that have to
arrange for 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 a cigarette and was
shooting little darting glances all over
the room.
Tobacco and my work, but now on
~ tobacco" the old man exclaimed.
"Alas, what fatal Interruption! Who
could have foreseen such terrible ca
tastrophe? So estimable young mani
I assure you that after few months
training he was an admirable assist
ant. What do you think of the matter,
Mr.. Holmes2"
II have not yet made up my mind"
IT shall indeed be indebted to you Il
you can throw light where all Is so
dark to us. To poor bookworm and
invalid like myself such blow Is para
lying. seem to have lost the faculty
Of thought. But you are man Of &C.
tion-you are 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.
1t was evident that he shared our hosts
liking for the fresh Alexandrian ciga-
rettes.
eyes, sir, it is crushing blow" said
the old man. 'That is my magnum
opus-the pile of papers on the side ia
BILE yonder. 1t is my analysis Of the
documents found in the Coptic monas-
teries of Syria and Egypt, a work
| which will cut deep at the very founda-
tion Of revealed religion. With my en-
feebled health I do not know whether
| shall ever be able to complete 1t, now
that my assistant has been taken from
me. Dear me, Mr.. Holmes, why, you
are even a quicker smoker than am
| myself"
| Holmes smiled.
81 am connoisseur," said he, TAX
ing another cigarette from the box. his
fourth, and lighting it from the stub
Of that which he had finished 81 will
not trouble you with any lengthy cross
examination, Professor Coram, since
gather that you were in bed at the
time of the crime and could know moth
ing about it. would only ask this
What do you imagine that this poo
| fellow meant by his last words, 'Th,
| professor-it was sheY'
The professor shook his head.
Susan is a country girl" said he
"and you know the incredible stupidit.
| Of that class. fancy that the poo