The citizen., 1905-07-07

L
of hast year Could You give me the
date when BeppO was arreStedF'
Il could tell you roughly by the pay
list" the manager answered Eyes"
he continued. after some turning over
of pages. "he was paid last on May 90"
"Thank YOU" said Holmes. Il don't
think that | need intrude upon your
time and patience any more" With
last word of caution that he should say
4 nothing as TO our researches we turned
our faces westward once more.
The afternoon was far advanced be-
fore we were able to snatch a hasty
luncheon at a restaurant. \ news bill
at the entrance announced: "Kensing-
ton Outrage. Murder by Madman,"
and the contents of the paper showed
that Mr.. Horace Harker had got his
4 account into print after all. Two col
q umnS were occupied with highly sen
q sational and fowery rendering of the
whole incident Holmes propped it
against the cruet stand and read it
while he ate. Once or twice he
chuckled.
"ThiS is all right, Watson" said he.
"Listen to this: 1t is satisfactory to
know that there can be no difference
sof opinion upon this case. since Mr..
$Iestrade, one of the most experienced
SlnemherS of the official force. and Mr.
Sherlock Holmes, the well known con-
suting expert. have each come to the
conclusion that the grotesque series of
incidents. which have ended in so tragic
b fashion. arise from lunacy rather
Than from deliberate crime. No eX-
planation save mental alteration can
e0ver the facts The press, Watson,
Is a most valuable institution. if you
only know how to it. And now, if
You have quite finished. we will hark
Back to Kensington and see what the
manager of Harding Bros. has to say
0n the matter"
The founder of that great emporium
proved to be a brisk, crisp little per-
sOn, very dapper and quick. with a
dear head and Il ready tongue.
Yes sir, | have already read the
account in the evening papers. Mr..
Horace Harker is Il customer of ours.
We supplied him with the bust some
months ago. We ordered three busts
Of that sort from Gelder & Co. of
Stepney They are all sold now. To
whom? Oh, | dare say by consulting
our sales book we could very easily tell
you. Yes, we have the entries here.
One to Mr. Harker you see, and one
to Mr.. Josiah Brown of Laburnum
lodge, Laburnum Vale Chiswick, and
one to Mr. Sandeford of Lower Grove
road, Reading No, | have never seen
this face which you show me in the
photograph You would hardly forget
ik. would you. sir for I've seldom seen
an uglier Have we any Italians on
the staff? Yes, sir; we have several
amOng our workpeople and cleaners.
I hare say they might get Il peep at
thai sales book if they wanted to.
Ihere is no particular reason for keep
ing Il watch upon that book. Well,
we'll it's very strange business, and
hppc that you will let me know if
anything comes of your inquiries"
Homes had taken several notes dur
ing Mr. HarGing's evidence, and
could see that he was thoroughly sat
isfed by the turn which affairs were
taking. He made 70 remark. however,
save that unless we hurried we should
be late for our appointment with Le-
strade. Sure enough, when we reach
ed Baker street the detective was al
ready there. and we found him pacing
mp and down in a fever of impatience.
His look of Importance showed that his
days work had not been in vain
*Kell?" he asked What luck. Mr..
Holmes?'
t'Ne have had very busy day and
not Entirely wasted one" my friend
exDIpined I'VE have seen both the re-
taiIers and also the wholesale manu-
faclnrers. | can trace each of the
busts now from the beginning"
TIC busts!" cried Lestrade. "Well,
WELL you have your own methods, Mr..
J sherlock Holmes, and it is not for me
20 4ay word against them, but l
: think have done better days work
than you. l have identified the dead
, mani
'tou don't say SOP"
and found a cause for the crime"
HSplendidw
va have an inspector who makes
INN Of Saffron Hill and the Ital-
H Qnarter. Well, this dead man had
cne Catholic emblem round his neck,
na hat, along with his color, made me
H|A6 he was from the south Inspect
i'll knew him the moment he
NHHt sight of him. His name is Pie
NEenucci, from Naples, and he is one
me greatest cutthroats in London.
) e Is connected with the Mafia, which,
" YqQ know, is a secret political socie-
Enforcing its DEGREES by murder.
oW, You see how the affair begins to
eaf pp. The other fellow is probably
lian also and a member of the
aN4 He has broken the rules in
nl'R fashion. Pietro is set upon his
\ nt2 Probably the photograph we
~ .I'# IN his pocket is the man himself,
tNat he may not knife the wrong
nsNn He dogs the fellow, he sees
en- Ter house, he waits outside for
= And in the scuflle he receives his
IN aeath wound. How is that, Mr..
IN .IQfk Holmes?'
Iii ''nn es capped his hands approving
I'll fellent, Lestrade. eXcellentr' be
But | didn't quite follow your
III ton of the destruction of the