The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-07

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Holmes face grew tense with ankle
"WelI, I'm sure you would never
guess in a hundred years what we did
find. You see that stain on the car
pet? Well "a great deal must have
soaked through, must it not?"
Undoubtedly it must"
"Well, you will be surprised to hear
that there is no stain on the white
Woodwork to correspond"
mo stain! But there must
yes so you would say But the
fact remains that there isn't"
He took the corner of the carpet in
his hand, and, turning it over, he
showed that it was indeed as he said.
But the under side is as stained as
the upper. 1t must have left a mark"
Lestrade chuckled with delight at
having puzzled the famous expert.
"NoW, I'll show you the eXplana-
ton. There is a second stain, but it
does not correspond with the other
See for yourself" AS he spoke he
turned over another portion of the
carpet, and there, sure enough, was Il
great crimson spill upon the square
white facing of the old-fashioncd
floor what do you make of that
Mr.. Holiness"
"Why, it is simple enough. The
carpet has been turned round. As it
was square and unfastened it was
easily done.
THE official police don't need you,
Mr. Holmes, TO tell them that the car
pet has, been turned round. That's
clear enough, for the stains lie above
each other-if you lay it over this
way But what l want to know u.s.
who shifted the carpet. and why ?"
/ could see from Holmes rigid face
that he was vibrating with inward
excitement.
Look here Lestrade,' said he, has
that constable in the passage been in
charge of the place all the time?"
yes he has
"Well take my advice Examine
him carefully. Don't do it before us
Wen wait here. You take him into
the back room. You'll be more likely
to get a confession out Of him alone.
Ask him how he dared to admit peO-
pie and leave them alone in this room.
Don't ask him if he has done il. Take
it for granted Tell him you know
some one has been here. Press him
Tell him that q full confession is his
only chance Of forgiveness. DO exact
~ what | tell your
"By George if he knows I'll have it
out OF him!" cried Lcstrade. He dart
cd into the hail. and a few moments
later his bullying voice sounded from
the back room.
Nov. Watson, now!' cried Holmes
with frenzied cagCrncss. All the de-
monacal force of the man masked be
hind that listIess manner burst out in
a paroxysm Of energy. He tore the
drugget from the floor, and i'm an in
slant was down On his hands and
knees clawing at each of the squares
of wood beneath it. one turned side
ways as he dug his nails into the edge
Of it. 1t hinged back like the lid of
a box. A small black cavity opened
beneath it. Holmes plunged his
eager hand into it, and drew it out
with Il bitter snarl of anger and dis
appointment. 1t was empty.
Quick, Watson, quick! Get it back
again. The wooden lid was replaced.
and the drugget had only just been
drawn straight when Lestrade's voice
was heard in the passage. He found
Holmes leaning languidly against the
mantclpicCe, resigned and patient en-
deaVouring to conceal his irrepressible
yawrs.
Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr..
Holmes. ] can see that you are bored
To death With the whole affair. Well,
he has confessed, all right. Come in
here Macpherson. Let these gentle
men hear Of your most ipeXcusa be
conduct
The big constable, very hct and
pcnitent, sided into the room.
II meant no harm, sir I'm sure.
The young woman came to the door
last evening mistook the house, she
cid. And then We got talking. It's
lonesome, when you're on duty here
all day"
"Well, what happened then?"
"Shc wanted TO see where the crime
was done-had read about it in TIE
papers. she said. She'Was a very re-
spectacle. well-spoken young woman,
sir, and L saw no harm in letting her