The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-19

tHS AAtAtf MI IlOlLleS I1oWeNcFs
that's past praying for now. Yes,
there were several objects in the room
which called for special attention. One
was the harpoon with which the deed
was committed. It had been snatched
down from a rack on the wall. Two
others remained --.ere, and there was
vacant place for the third On the
stock was engraved IS. Sea Unicorn,
Dundee This seemed to establish
that the crime had been done In a
moment of fury, and that the muir
derer had seized the first weapon
which came in his way. 4Ae fact
that the crime was committed at two
in the morning, and yet Peter Carey
was fun dressed, suggested that he
he had an appointment w.. the muir
derer. which is borne out by the fact
that bottle of rum and two dirty
glasses stood upon the table"
Yes" said Holmes I think that
both references are permissible. Was
there any other spirit but rum in the
room?"
yes, there was a tan. contain
ing brandy and whisky on the sea-
chest. 1t is of no Importance to us.
however, since the decantres were
full, and it Therefore had not been
used"
For ali that, its presence had some
significance" said Holmes. "Howver
let us hear more about the objects
which do seem to you to bear upon the
case"
There was this tobacco pouch upon
the table"
What part of table p
1T lay in the middle. 1t was of
coarse sealskin-the straignt-haired
skin. with leather thong to bind 1t.
Inside was p. c. on the flap. There
was half an ounce of strong ships
tobacco in It,"
Excellent " hat more?"
Stanley Hopkins drew from his pock
ct a drab covered note book The out
side was rough and worn, the leaves
dlscolored. Or the first page were
written the initials -. II. N" and the
date 1883" Holmes laid it on the
table and examined it in his minute
way, while Hopkins and 1 gazed over
each shoulder. On the second page
were the printed letters &C. p. r. and
then came several sheets of numbers.
Another heading was Argentine"
another "san Paulo,' each with
pages of signs and figures after it.
What do you make of these?"
asked Holmes.
"They appear to be lists of stock
exchange securities. l thought that
j. II. N. were the initials of a
broker. and that &C. p. r. may have
been his client"
Try Canadian Pacific Railway"
said Holmes.
Stanley Hopkins swore b-Iween his
teeth, and struck his thigh with his
clenched fist.
What fool have been!" he cried.
"Of course It. is as you say. Then j.
II. N are the only initials we have
to solve. l have already examined the
old Stock Exchange lists, and l can
find no one in 1888 either in the house
or among the outside brokers, whose
Initials correspond with these. Yet l
feel that the clue is the most import
ant one that 1 hold. You will admit,
Mr.. Holiness that there is possibility
that these initials are those of the sec
ond person who was present-in other
words. of the murderer. l would also
urge that the Introduction into the case
of a document relating to large
masses of valuable securities gives us
for the first time some indication of
a motive for the crime"
Sherlock Holmes face showed that
he was thoroughly taken aback by
this new development.
II must aunt both your points"
said he. II confess that .--.s note
book which did not appear at the in
quest, modifes any views which /
may have formed. L had come to
theory of the crime in which I can
find no place for this. Have you en-
deavored to trace any of the securities
here mentioned"
Inquiries are now being made at the
offices. hut | fear lat the complete
register of the stockholders of these
South American concerns is in South
America. and .-Iat some weeks must
elapse before we can trace the shares"
Holmes had been examining the
cover of the Notebook Wit his mag
nifying lens.
Surely there is some discoloration
here he said.
YES. sir, 1t Is a blood STAIN told
you that / picked the book off the
floor.'N
Was tie blood stain above or be-
low?''
ION the side next the boards
(which proves, OF course that the
book was. dropped after the crime was
committed"
Exactly, Mr.. Holmes. I appreci-
ated that point. and l conjectured that
1t was dropped by the murderer in his
hurried flight. 1t lay near the door"
II suppose that none of these secur-
tiles have been found among the prop
erty of the dead MANI
mo. sir
Have you any reason to suspect
robbery?'
mo. sir. Nothing seemed to have
been touched"
Dear me, it is certainly very in
teresting case. Then there was a
knife, was there not?"
"a sheath knife. still in is sheath.
1t lay at the feet of the dead man.
Mrs Carey has idendfie. it as being
her husbands property"
Holmes was lost in thought for some
time.
Well" saio he. at last, Il suppose
shall have to come out and have a
look at It,"
Stanley Hopkins gave ! cry OF joy.
Thank you, sir. That will indeed.
be a weight off my mind"
Holmes shok his finger at the in
spector.
at would have been an easier task
a week ago" said he. But even now
my visit may not be entirely fruit