Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-08-15

ample, is very possible and even
probable one. / make you a free pres
ent of it. The older man is showing
documents which are of evident value.
A passing tramp sees them through the
window, the blind Of which is only half
down. Exit the solicitor. Enter the
tramp. He seizes a stick, which he
observes there, kills Oldacre and de-
parts after burning the body"
why should the tramp burn the
body2"
For the matter Of that, why should
McFarlane7"
ITO hide some evidence"
Possibly the tramp wanted to hide
that any murder at all had been COM
mitted."
"And why did the tramp take moth
ing7"
Because they were papers that he
could not negotiate"
/ Lestrade shook his head, though it
| seemed to me that his manner was
less absolutely assured than before.
"Well, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, you
may look for your tramp, and while
you are finding him we will hold on to
our man. The future will show which
is right. Just notice this point, Mr..
Holmes-that SO far as we know none
Of the papers were removed and that
| the prisoner is the one man in the
world who had no reason for removing
them, since he was heir at law and
would come into them in any case"
My friend seemed struck by this re-
mark.
II don't mean to deny that the evil
dence Is in some ways very strongly in
favor Of your theory" said he. only
wish to point out that there are other
theories possible. AZ you say, the fu-
ture will decide. Good morningl I
dare say that In the course Of the day
I shall drop In at Norwood and see how
you are getting on"
| When the detective departed my
| friend rose and made his preparations
for the days work with the alert air
T Of man who has congenial task be-
/ fore him.
| HAy AI5t AOtSuSAS, W1toOAs bQA0
he as he hustled into his frock coat,
"must, as said, be in the direction Of
Blackheath."
"And why not Norwood3"
Because we have in this case one
singular incident coming close to the
heels Of another singular incident. The
police are making the mistake Of con-
centrating their attention upon the
second because 1t happens to be the
one which Is actually criminal. But
1t is evident to me that the logical
way to approach the case is upon
the first incident-the curious will, SO
suddenly made and to 80 unexpect-
ed an heir. 1t may do something to
simplify what followed. No, my dear
fellow, don't think you can help me-.
There Is no prospect Of danger, or /
should not dream of stirring out with
out you l trust that when I see you
In the evening VIII be able to report
that have been able to do something
for this unfortunate youngster who has
thrown himself upon my protection"
II was late when my friend returned,
and could see by glance at his bag
gard and anxious face that the high
hopes with which he had started had
! not been fulfilled. For an hour he
droned away upon his violin, endeavor
Ing to soothe his own ruffled spirits. Al
last he flung down the instrument and
plunged into detailed account Of his
misadventures.
cts all going wrong, Watson-all as
wrong as 1t can go. I kept bold face
before Lestrade, but, upon my soul,
believe that for once the fellow Is on
the right track and we are on the
wrong. All my instincts are one way
and all the facts are the other, and
much fear that British turies have no,
yet attained that pitch Of intelligence
when they will give the preference tc
my theories over Lestrade's facts.''
ibid you go to Blackheath? "
eyes, Watson, I went there, and
found very quickly that the late la
mented Oldacre was pretty consid
cradle BLACKBOARD. The father was
away In search of his son. The mother
was at home-a little. fluffy, blue eyed
person, in a tremor Of fear and indig
nation. OF course she would not admit
even the possibility of his guilt. Blu
Rhe would not express either surpris,
or regret over the fate Of Oldacre. o.
the contrary, she spoke Of him witt
such bitterness that she was uncon
: sciously considerably Strengthening tn
: case Of the police, for, of course, If he
son had heard her speak Of the man Il
this fashion it would predispose hin
toward hatred and violence. He wa
more like malignant and cunning ap
than human being said she. and b
always was, ever ainee he was youn
man.
eYou knew him at that timeY said
Yes, knew him well; in fact, b
:. was an old sutton Of mine. Thank hea,
en- that had the sense to turn ava
from him and to marry q better,
= poorer, man, I was engaged to hin
: Mr.. Holmes, when heard shockin
: story OF how he had turned cat loof
: In an aviary, and was SO horrlfied ,
: his brutal cruelty that I would hay
= nothing more to do with him, She run
mayed In bureau; and presently 81
: produced a photograph Of woma
! shamefully defaced and mutilated Wi
= knife. THAT is my own photograph
: she said He sent 1t to me in tn,
= state, With his curse, upon my weddir
. morning
u "Well, said /, at least he has fo
: given you now, since he has left all b
!, property to your son.
!. Neither my son nor want an
y thing from Jonas Oldanra doad