Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-08

flash through another blind and then through another.
 Let us get to the open window. We will nab him as he climbs out" Lestrade whispered.
 But before we could move the man had emerged again. As he came out into the glimmering patch of light we saw that he carried something white under his arm. He looked stealthily all round him. The silence of the de- serted street reassured him. Turning his back upon. us, he laid down his bur den. and the next instant there was the sound of a sharp tap, followed by g clatter and rattle. The man was so intent upon what he was doing that he never heard our steps as we stole across the grass plot. With the bound of tiger. Holmes was on his back. and an instant later Lestrade and l had him by either wrist and the hand cuffs had been fastened. As we turn ed him over I saw hideous, sallow face, with writhing, furious features, glaring up at us, and I knew that 1t was indeed the man of the photograph whom we had secured.
 But it was not our prisoner to whom Holmes was giving his attention. Squatted on the doorstep. he was en- gagged in most carefully examining that which the man had brought from the house. It was bust of Napoleon, like the one which we had seen that morn ing, and 1t had been broken into similar fragments. Carefully Holmes held each separate shard to the light, but in no way did 1t differ from any other shat tered piece of plaster. He had just completed his examination when the hall lights flew up. the door opened and the owner of the house, jovial, rotund figure in shirt and trousers, presented himself.
 MT. Josiah Brown, I supposeT said Holmes.
 Yes. sir; and you, no doubt, are MT. Sherlock Holmes? I had the note which you sent by the express messen- ger, and I did exactly what you told me. We locked every door on the in- side and awaited developments. Well, I'm very glad that you have got the ras- cal. I hope, gentlemen, that you will come in and have some refreshment."
 However, Lestrade was anxious to get his man into safe quarters, so within few minutes our cab had been summoned and we were all four upon our way to London. Not word would our captive say, but he glared at us from the shadow of his matted hair, and once when my hand was within his reach he snapped at it like a hungry wolf. We stayed long enough at the police station to learn that search of his clothing revealed nothing save few shillings and long sheath knife, the handle of which bore CO pious traces of recent blood.
 That's all right" said Lestrade as we parted. Hill knows all these gen. try, and he will give a name to him. You'll find that my theory of the Mafia will work out all right. But I'm sure I am exceedingly obliged to you, Mir. Holmes, for the workmanlike way in which you laid hands upon him. I don't quite understand it all yet"
 "I fear 1t is rather too late an hour for explanations" said Holmes. Be sides. there are one or two details which are not finished of, and it is one of those cases which are worth working out to the very end. If you will come round once more to my rooms at 6 o'clock tomorrow I think l shall be able to show you that even now you have not grasped the entire meaning of this business. which pre- sents some features which make it absolutely original in the history of crime. If ever permit you to chron- icle any more of my little problems, Watson. I foresee that you will enliv- en your pages by an account of the singular adventure of the Napoleonic busts."