Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-20

was as plainly furnished. A campbell, a
small wooden shelf full of books, mostly
OF technical character, an arm chair
beside the bed. a plain wooden chair against
the wall, a round table and a large iron
safe were the principal things which met
the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and
examined each and all. of them with the
keenest interest.
whats in hereT' ne asked, tapping the
safe.
MY stepfather's business papers
"Oh! you have seen inside, them
"Only once, some years ago. l remember
that 1t was full OF papers"
There isn't cat In 1t, for exampleT
mo. What strange ideal"
well, look at this" He took up a small
saucer of milk which stood on the top of It.
mo; we don't keep a cat. But there is a
cheetah and baboon."
"Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is
just a big cat, and yet a saucer Of milk
does not go very far in satisfying its wants,
1 dare say. There is one point which I
should wish to determine. He squatted
down in front of the wooden chair, and
examined the seat of 1t with the greatest
attention.
THANK you That is quite settled" said
he, rising and putting his lens in his pocket.
"Hello" here is something Interestingly
The object which had caught his eye was
a small dog-lash hung on one corner of the
bed. The lash, however, was curled upon
itself, and tied 80 as to make loop Of
whip-cord.
What do you make OF that, WatsonY'
IT'S a common enough lash. But don't
know why 1t should be tied"
THAT is not quite so common, is it7 All
me! it's a wicked world, and when a clever
man turns his brains to crime It is the
worst Of all. 1 think that 1 have seen
enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your
permission we shall walk out upon the
lawn"
had never seen my friends face 50 grim
or his brow so dark as It was w1en we
turned from the scene of this investigation.
We had walked several times up and down
the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself
liking to break in upon his thoughts before
he reused himself from his reverie
1T is very essential, Miss Stoner." said
he, that you should absolutely follow my
advice in every respect"
II shall most certainly do So"
THE matter is too serious for any hesita-
ton. Your life may depend upon your
compliance"
81 assure you that am in your hands"
must spend the night in your room"
Both Miss stoner and I gazed at him in
astonishment.
Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I
believe that that is the village inn over
thereY"
Eyes, that is the Crown"
Very good. Your windows would be
visible from there?"
Certainly"
You must confne yourself to your ROOM
on pretense OF a headache. when your step
father comes back. Then when you hear
him retire for the night you must open the
shutters OF your window. undo the hasp,
put your lamp there as signal to us and
then withdraw quietly with everything
which you are likely to want into the room
which you used to occupy, have no doubt
that, in spite OF the repairs. you could man
age there for one night"
"Oh, yes. easily"
1.-THE rest you will leave in our hands"
But what will you do?"
I'VE shall spend the night in your room,
and we shall investigate the cause OF this
noise which has disturbed YOU"
II believe. Mr.. Holmes. that you have al
ready made up your mind" said Miss
stoner. laying her hand upon my com
panion's sleeve
Perhaps have"
Then for PHYS sake tell me what was
the cause OF my sisetr's death"
II should prefer 20 have clearer proofs
before / speak"
you can at least tell whether my own
thought Is correct, and II she died from
some sudden fright"
mo / do not think so. l think that
there was probably more tangible cause.
And now, Miss Stoner, We must leave you
for II DR.. Royiott returned and saw US
our journey would be in vain Good bye
and be brave, for II you VIII do what I