The San Francisco call., 1905-03-12

the hall yesterday. And now, wat Z,
son, let US have littie slrOiA io9
the sunshine
with a confused brain, but with
heart into which some warmth OF nope
was returning, / accompanied my
friend in a walk round the gdfusl.
Holmes took each face OF the nouse
in turn. and examined 1t with great
interast He then led the way inside.
ap7. went over the whole building from
baSer,ent 10 attic Most or the rooms
.vvara unfurnished. but none the les
Holmes inspected them all mihutsly. -.
Finally on the top corrldor' Wnlcn a. AZ
outside three untenanted DsuloOlIs' -. ae
again was seized with a 'spasm Oh
merriment.
aTbere are really some very UNIQUE
features about this case, watson saio
he. 81 think II Is time now tndl We
took orr friend Lestrade into our con-
fidence He has had his little sInile
at our expense. and perhaps we meg -
do as much by him, II my reaulnS -
this problem proves to De coIr1d se,,1d an
yes, think l see now We
proach it, z+i1I
The Scotland Yard inspector was sun
writing In tie parlor when Holmes IN
terrupted him. -,+,,,s
.I understand that you are "rl'iiie
a report of this case" SAID ne.
-
Don't you think 1t may be little
nremature? can't help thinking tnat
your evidence is not complete.
Lestrade knew my friend 100 wei
to disregard his words. He lald doWA
his pen and looked curtously at nli,is ais
What do you mean. Mr. Hoimes
"Only that there is an important
witness whom you have not SEEN
Can you produce him
II think / can"
Then do So"
''I will do my best. How many
constables have you?" 49,,
There are three within CALL.
Excellent" said Holmes. May l
ask If they are all large, able-Dodleo
men with powerful voices? ?"
'I have no doubt they are, though
fail to see what their voices have TO DO
with it,
Perhaps I can help you to see that
and one or two other things as well,
said Holmes. kindly summon your
men and I will try"
Five minutes later three policemen
had assembled In the hall.
Tn the outhouse you will md a
considerable quantity OF straw said
, Holmes. II will ask you TO carry IN
two bundles of 1t. ] think 1t will be
of the greatest assistance in producing
the witness whom I require. Thank
you very much. / believe you have
some matches in your pocket, Wat
son. Now, Mr.. LeStrade. Will ask
you all to accompany me to the top
landing.''
AS I have said, there was broad
corridor, which ran outside three
empty bedrooms. At one end of the
corridor we were all marshaled by
Sherlock Holmes the constables grim
ming and LeStrade staring at my
friend with amazement. expectation
and derision chasing each other
across his features Holmes stood
before us with the air of a conjurer
who is performing trick.
Would you kindly send one or your
constables for two buckets of water?
Put the straw on the floor here, free
from the wall on either side. Now I
think that we are all ready"
Lestrade's face had begun TO grow
REQ and angry.
II don't know whether you are play
ing a game with us. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes" said he. IF you know any
thing, you can surely say it without
all this tomfoolery.'
Il assure you, my good Lestrade.
that 1 have an excellent reason for
everything that i do. You may pos
Sibly remember that you chafed me
a little, some hours ago, when the sun
seemed on your side of the hedge, so
you must not grudge me q little pomp
and ceremony now. Might ask you,
Watson, to open that window, and then
TO put a match to the edge of the
straw?"
1 did so, and driven by the draught,
a coil OF gray smoke swirled down the
corridor. while the dry straw crackled
and famed.
Now we must see il we can find this
witness for you. Lestrade. Might i
ask you all to join in the cry OF Fire
Now. then. one, two, three"
.'Firel we all yelled.
Thank you. I will trouble you once
again.
''Firei'
Just once more. gentlemen. and all
together"
SF.re." The shout must have rung
over Norwood.
1t had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened. A door sud-
denly flew open out of what appeared