The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-07

OWN nedrtn smoking laSC pipe anu
nodding over novel, for my days
work had been an exhausting one. My
wife had already gone upstairs and the
sound of the locking of the hall door
some time before told me that the ser
wants had also retired / had risen from
my seat and was knocking out the ashes
of my pipe, when I suddenly heard the
clang of the bell.
| looked at the clock. 1t was quar-
ter = u. This could not be visitor
at so late an hour. A patient, evident
ly, and possibly an all-night sitting.
With wry face I went out into the
hall and opened the door. To my as
constituent it was Sherlock Holmes who
stood upon my step.
HAh, Watson,' said he, s"I hoped
that l might not be too late to catch
you.''
my dear fellow, pray come in.'
"You look surprised, and no wonderl
Relieved, too, I fancy! Hum! You
still s2,oke Tie Arcadia mixture of your
bachelor days then! There's no mis-
taking that fluffy ash upon your coat.
It's easy to tell that you have been
accustomed to wear a uniform, Wat
son. You'll never pass as a pure-bred
civilian as long as you keep that habit
of carrying your handkerchief in your
sleeve. Could you put me UP tonight?'
"With pleasure.'
''You told me that you had bachelor
quarters for one, and l see that you
have no gentleman visitor at present.
Your hatstand proclaims as much
ct shall be delighted if you will
stay
"Thank you. I'll fill the vacant peg
then. Sorry to see that you we had the
British workman in the house. He's Il
token Of evil. Not the drains, I
hope7'
"No, the gas
"Ah! he has left two nail-marks
from his boot upon your linoleum just
where the light strikes it. No, thank
you, I had some supper at Waterloo,
but I'll just smoke pipe with you
with PLEASURE
I handed him my pouch, and he seat
ed himself opposite to ME and smoked
for some time in silence. / was well
aware that nothing but business of i'm
portance would have brought him to
me at such an hour, so I waited pa
tiently until he should come round to it.
81 see that you are professionally
rather busy Just now,' said he, glanc-
ing very keenly across at me.
eyes, I've had a busy day. l an
swered. CIT may seem very foolish in
your eyes, I added, "but really I
don t know how you deduced it..
Holmes chuckled to himself.
~ have the advantage of knowing
your habits, my dear Watson,' said he
"When your round is short one you
walk, and when it is long one you
use hanson. AS [ perceived that
your boots, altho used, are by no means
dirty, 1 cannot doubt that you are al
present busy enough to Justify the han
som.'
excellent! I cried.
Elementary said he. cit is one
of those instances where the reasonel
can produce an effect which seems re
markable to his neighbor, because the
latter has missed the one little point
which is the basis Of the deduc ton
for the effect Of some of these little
sketches Of yours, which is en-
tirely meretricious, depending a.
it does upon your retaining IL
your own hands some factors il
the problem which are never impaired
to the reader. Now, at present I am il
the position of these same readers, TO
hold in this hand several threads o
one of the strangest cases which eve
perplexed a mans brain, and yet
lack the one or two which are needfu
to complete my theory. But III hav
them, Watson, I'll have them!' Hi
eyes kindled and slight flush spran
into his thin cheeks. For an instant tn
veil had lifted upon his keen, intens
nature, but for an instant only. Whe
I glanced again his face had resume
that red-Indian composure which ha
made so many regard him as a machin
rather than man.
sThe problem presents features {
INTEREST," said he. II may even sa
exceptional features of interest. I hay
already looked into the matter, an
have come, as I think, within sight {
my solution. If you could accompan
me in that last step you mi ght be {
considerable service to me.'
81 should be delighted"
"Could you go as far as Aldersh,
tomorrow?' "A -
II have no doubt jackson wou]
take my practice .... .
f'Very good. I want to start by tt
lilo from Waterloo
''That would give me time.''
"Then, if you are not too sleepy,
will give you a sketch Of what has ha
pened, and Of what remains to
done.'
81 was sleepy before you came.
am quite wakeful now.
IT will compress the story as far
may be done without emitting anythil
vital to the case It is conceivable tn
you may even have read some accou
of the matter. 1t is the supposed MI
der Of Colonel Barclay of the Roy
ii MINISTERS, at Aldershot, which am
vestigating.'
have heard nothing Of it,
1T has not excited much attenti
aycar,t loool1Iy Tbo foo4c ora ~,