Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-18

with SDdSm OIL NltITlfntHt.
There are really some very unique feat
ures about this case. Watson" said he. Il
think il Is time now that We took our friend
Lestrade into our confidence. He has had
his little smile at our expense, and perhaps
We may do as much by him, if my reading
of this problem proves to be correct. Yes.
yes. | think | see how We should ap-
proach it,"
The Scotland Yard Inspector still
writing in the parlor when Holmes inter-
rupted him.
Il understood that you were writing a
report of this case said he
so | am" G.
Don't you think it may he a little pre-
mature? 1 can't help thinking that your
evidence is not complete.
Lestrade knew my friend too vel TO ds-
regard his words He laid down his pen
and looked curiously at llm.
What do you mean. Mr.. Holiness?
"Only that there is an important witness
whom you have not seen"
Can you produce him."
Il think | can
Then do SO"
Il will do my best. How many constables
have you?"
There are three within call"
Excellent" said Holmes May L ask
il they are all large, able-bodied men, with
powerful voices?"
Il have not doubt they are. though fali
to see what their voices have to do with it.
Perhaps / can help you to see that ana
one or two other things as WE'LL said
Holmes. kindly summon your men, and
/ will try
Five minutes later, three policemen mad
assembled in the hall.
III the clubhouse you will find Il consid-
erably quantity of straw said Holmes. Il
will ask YOU to carry in two bundles of it.
/ think 1t Will be of the greatest assistance
in producing the witness whom / require.
Thank you very much. l believe you have
SOM matches in your pocket. Watson.
Now, Mr.. Lestrade l will ask you all to
accompany to the top landing.
AS | have said, there was a broad corri-
dor there, which ran outside three empty
bedrooms. At one end of the corridor we
were all marshalled by Sherlock Holmes.
the constables grnning and I-estrade star
ing at my friend with amaZement. expecta-
ton and deriSion chasing each other across
his features. Holmes stood before US with
the air of a Conjurer who is performing a
trick.
Would you kindly send one Of your
constables for two buckets of water? Put
the straw on the floor here, free from the
wall on either side. Now / think that we
are all ready"
Lestrade's face began to grow red and
angry.
Il don't know whether you are playing
game with us. Mr. Sherlock Holmes said
he. If you know anything, you can sure
ly say it without all this tomfoolery.
4 assure you. my good Lestrade. that /
have an excellent reason for everything
that 1 do. You may possibly remember
that you chaffed me a little, some hours
ago, when the sun seemed on your side of
the heGge, so you must not grudge me
little pomp and ceremony now. Might L
ask you, Watson. TO open that window,
and then to put match to the edge Of
the straw
l did so. and driven by the draught, a
coil of gray smoke swirled down the cor
ridor while the dry straw cracked and
famed.
Now we must see If we can find this
witness for you, Lestrade. Might l ask
you all to join in the cry of Fire.? Now.
then: one. two, three"
'Frei" we all yelled.
Thank you. l will trouble you once
again"
Fire.
Just once more, gentlemen, and all TO-
Fire. The shout must have rung over
Norwood.
1t had hardly died away when an amaz-
ing thing happened. a door suddenly flew
open out of what appeared to be solid wall
n the end of the corridor, and little.
wizened man darted out of It, like rabbit
out of its burrow.
Capital said Holmes, calmly. Wat
son. bucket of water over the straw.
That will do Lestrade. allow me to pre-
sent you with your principal missing wit
ness, Mr. Jonas Oldacre.'
The detective stared at the newcomer
with blank amazement. The latter was
blinking in the bright light of the corridor,
and peeriSg at US and at the snolderi2g
fire. 1t was odous face-crafty vicious,
malignant. with shifty, hight gray eyes and
white iashes.
What's this. then?' said Lestrade at
last. What have you been doing all this
time eh?"
OIdacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking
back from the furious red face of the an
cry detective.
II have doEe no harm"
mo harm? You have done your best TO
get an innocent man hanged If it wasn't
for this gentleman here, l am not sure that
you would not have succeeded"
The wretched creature began to whimper.
IN sir II only practical
joke
ooh, joke, was it? You won't find the
laugh on your SIDE, 1 promise you Take
him down, and keep him in the sitting room
until | come Mr. Holmes" he continued.
when they haG gone. Il could not SPEAK
before the constables, but l don't MUD
saying. in the presence of DIR. Watson, that
this is the brightest thing that you have
done yet though it is a mystery to me
how you did IT. You have saved an inno-
cent mans life and you have prevented
very grave scandal. which would nave
ruined my reputation in the Force
Holmes smiled and clapped Lestraae
upon the shoulder.
Instead Of being ruined, my good sir.
has been enormously enhanced. Just
make few alterations in that
report which YOU were writing, and they
viii understand how hard il is to throw
dust in the eyes Of Inspector Lestrade.'
And you don't want your name to ap-
pearl
Not at all. The Work IS It's own re-
ward. Perhaps ] shall get the credit also
at some distant day. when l permit my
Jealous historian TO lay out his foolscap
once more-eh. Watson? Well. now, let us
see where this rat has been lurking"
\ lath-aEd plaster partition had been run
across the passage six feet from the end,
with a door cunn!ngly concealed in it. 1t
was lit within by Sits under the caves. 4
few articles OF furniture and a supply OF
food and water We're within together with
q number o: books and papers
There's the advantage of being a build
err" said Holmes, as came out. He
was able TO fix up his own little hiding place
without any Confederate-save of course,
thai precious housekeeper of his, whom /
should lose no time in adding TO your bag.
Lestrade."
III take your advice. But how did you
know Of this place, Mr. Holmes ?"
Il made up my mind thar the fellow was
in hiding in the house. When l paced one
corridor and found it six feet shorter than
the corresponding one below 1t was pretty
clear where he was. / thought he had not
the nerve TO lie quiet before an alarm of
fire. We could. of course have gone in
and taken him. but it amused me TO make
him reveal himself. besides. l owed you
little mystification, Lcstrade. for your
chan in the morning
We'll sir. YOU certainly got equal with
me that. But how in the world did YOU
hy no in