The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-19

1hat6 my name III lnOst parts, AAS
other Is: Inspector Stanley Hopkins,
46. Lord Street, Brixton. Come break
fast tomorrow at nine-thirty I'm
portant. Wire If unable to come
Sherlock Holmes There. Watson, this
Internal case has haunted me for ten
days. l hereby Danish 1t completely
from my presence. Tomorrow, I trust
that we shall hear the last of 1t for
ever"
Sharp at the hour named Inspector
Stanley Hopkins appeared. and We sat
down together to the excellent break
fast which Mrs. Hudson had prepared.
The young detective was in high
spirits at his success.
you really think that your solution
must be correct?" asked Holmes.
81 could not imagine a more COM
plete case"
"It did not seem to me conclusive"
you astoni.-eA me, Mr. Holmes.
What more could one ask for?"
Does your explanation cover every
point?"
Undoubtedly 7 find that young
Neligan arrived at the Brambletye Ho-
tel on the very day of the crime. He
came on the pretense of playing golf.
His room was on the ground-aoor.
and he could get out when he liked.
That very night he went down to
Woodlands Lee. saw Peter Carey at
the hut uuarrelled with him, and
killed him with the harpoon. Then,
Mortified by what he had done. he fled
out of the hut. dropping the note
book which he had brought with him
in order to question Peter Carey about
these different securities. You may
have observed that some of them were
marked with ticks. and the others
the great majorty-were not. Those
the London market. but the others,
presumably, were still in the posses
sion of Carey. and young Neligar. ac-
cordlng to his own account. was anx-
ious to recover them in order to do the
right thing by his fathers creditors.
After his flight he did not dare to ap-
proach the hut again for some time,
but at last he forced himself to do so
in order to obtain the information he
needed Surely that Is all simple and
obvious2"
Holmes smiled and shook his head.
1T seems to me to have only one
drawback. Hopkins. and that is that 1t
is intrinsically impossible. Have you
tried to drive a harpoon through
body? No? Tut. tut, my dear sir, you
must really pay attention to these de-
tails My friend Watson could tell you
that ] spent a whole morning in that
uuires a strong and practiced arm
But this blow was delivered with such
violence that the head of the weapon
sank deep Into the wall. Do you i'm
agine that this anaemie youth was ca
pable Of so frightful an ASSAULT Is
he the man who hobnobbed in rum and
water with Black Peter in the dead of
night? Was it his profile that was
seen on the blind two nights before?
No. no. Hopkins. 1t is another and
more formidable person for whom we
must seek
The detectives face had grown long
err and longer during Holmes speech.
His hopes and his ambitions were all
crumblng about him. But he would
not abandon his position without
struggle
you can't 1eny that Neligaf was
present that night Mr.. Holmes. The
book will prove that l fancy that
have evidence enough to satisfy jury
even If you are able to pick hole in
It, Besides. Mr. Holmes I have laid
my hand upon the man. As to this
terrible person of yours where Is hep
II rather fancy that he is on the
stair" said Holmes, serenely. It think
Watson, that you would do we'll to
put that revolver where you can reach
It," He rose and laid a written paper
upon a side-table Now are
ready" said he.
There had been some talking in gruff
voices outside, and now Mrs Hudson
opened the door to say that there were
three men inquiring for Captain Basil.
"Show them in one by one, said
Holmes.
The first WHO entered was a little
ribston-pippin of a man. with ruddy
cheeks and fluffy white side-whiskers.
Holmes had drawn a letter from his
pocket.
''what name?" he asked.
James Lancaster"
IT am sorry Lancaster. but the berth
Is full. Here Is half a sovereign for
your trouble Just step into this room,
and wait there for a few minutes
The second man was long dryed-up
creature, with lank hair and sallow
cheeks. His r..me was Hugh Pattins.
He also received his dismissal. his half
sovereign. and the order to wait.
The third applicant was a man of re-
markable appearance. A fierce bull
dog face was framed in a tangle of
hair and beard. dark eyes cleaned be-
hind the cove. of thick. tufted, over
hung eyebrows He saluted and stood
sailor-fashion, turning his cap round
In his hands.
your name?" asked Holmes.
Patrick Cairns"
'Harpooner?'
Eyes, sir. Twenty-six voyages"
Dundee. SUPPOSE
Yes, sir"
"And ready to start with an explor-
ing ship"
YES sir"
what wages?'
Eight pounds a month";"
could you start at once?"
'As soon as I get my kit"
Have you your papers?"
Eyes, SIR He took sheaf of worn
and greasy forms from his pocket.
Holmes glanced over them and return
ed them.
you are just the man want said
he. Here's the agreement on the side
table. If you sign 1t the whole matter
will be settled
The seaman lurched across the room
and took up the pen.
''Shall I sign here?" he asked, stoop-
| ing over the table,
Holmes leaned over his shoulder and
passed both hands over his neck.
This will do said he.
heard a click of steel and a below
| like an enraged bull. The next instant
| Holmes and the seaman were rolling on
| the ground together. He was man of
such gigantic strength that. even with
| the handouts which Holmes had so
deftly fastened upon his wrists, he
would have quickly overpowered my
friend had Hopkins and | not rushed
| TO his rescue Only when | pressed
| the cold muzzle of the revolver to his
| temple did he at last understand that
resistance was in vain. We dashed his
ankles with cord. and rose breathless
f~1,,, tha struggle