The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-27
BY a. CONAN DOYLE.


fred from inside tne room. 4 snouio
like 70 see Mrs. King the cook, again.
You said, Mrs King, that you were
awakened by a loud explosion, When
you said that did you mean that it
seemed to you to be louder than the
second OneT'
''well. sir, II wakened me from my
sleep, and so It is hard to Judge But
II did seem very loud"
you don't think that It might have
been two shots fred almost at the same
instantT
Il am sure couldn't say, sir"
Il believe that it was undoubtedly
so. l rather think, Inspector Martin,
that we have now exhausted all that
this room can teach us. If you will
kindly step round with me, we shall
see what fresh evidence the garden has
to offer"
A flower bed extended up to the
study window, and we all broke into
an exclamation as we approached t.
The flowers were trampled down, and
the soft soil was imprinted all over
with footmarks Large, masculine feet
they We're, with peculiarly long, sharp
toes. Holmes hunted about among the
grass and leaves like a retriever after
wounded bird. Then, with cry OF
satisfaction, he bent forward and pick
ed up little brazen cylinder.
Il thought so" said he. The re-
volver had an ejector, and here is the
third cartridge really think. In
spector Martin, that our ease is almost
complete"
The country inspectors face had
shown his intense amazement at the
rapid and masterful progress ofIIolmes'
investigation. At first he had shown
some disposition to assert his own posi-
ton, but now he was overcome with
admiration and ready to follow with
out question wherever Holmes led.
"Whom do you suspectT" he asked.
'1'll go into that later. There are
several points in this problem which
have not been able to explain to you
yet. Now that have got so far
had best proceed on my own lines and
then clear the whole matter up once
and for all"
"Just as you wish, Mr.. Holmes. so
long as we get our man"
Il have no desire to make mysteries.
but it is impossible at the moment OF
action TO enter into long and complex
explanations. have the threads OF
this affair all in my hand Even If
this lady should never recover con-
sciousness we can still reconstruct the
events Of last night and insure that
justice be done. First OF ALL wish 10
know whether there is any inn in this
neighborhood known as ElrigesT
The servants were cross questioned,
but none Of them had heard OF such
place. The stable boy threw light up
on the matter by remembering that
farmer Of that name lived some miles
on in the direction OF East Ruston.
'Is it lonely farmT
VERY lonely, sir"
Perhaps they have not heard yet Of
all that happened here during the
night?"
Maybe not, sir"
Holmes thought for a little. and then
a curious smile played over his face.
Saddle a horse, my lad" said he. Il
shall wish you TO take note TO FL
RIGGS farm"
He took from his pocket the various
slips Of the dancing men. With these In
fronG OF him he worked for some time
at the study table Finally he handed
a note to the boy, with directions to
put II into the hands Of the person TO
whom II was addressed, and especially
to answer no questions Of any sort
which might be put to him. l saw the
outside OF the note. addressed In strag-
Cling. irregular characters, very unlike
Holmes usual precise hand It was
consigned to Mr.. Abe Slaney, Elri.,e's
farm, East Ruston, Norfolk
Il think, Inspector" Holmes remark,
ed, that you would do we'll 10 tele-
graph for an escort, as, II my calcula-
tons prove to be correct, you may have
a particularly dangerous prisoner TO
convey to the county Jail The boy
who takes this note could no doubt for
ward your telegram. II there Is an aft
ernoon train TO town, Watson, / think
we should do we'll TO take Il, as / have
q chemical analysis Of some interest TO
finish. and this investigation draws rap
ly to a close"
When the youth had been dispatched
with the note Sherlock Holmes gaye
his instructions 70 the servants. II any
visitor were to call, asking for Mrs.
Hilton Cubitt, no Information should
be given as TO her condition, but he was
to be shown at once into the drawing
room. He impressed these points upon
them with the utmost earnestness. /
Finally he led the way into the draw
ing room, with the remark that the
business was now out Of our hands and
that we must while away the time as
best we might until we could see what
was in store for U.S. The doctor had de
parted 10 his patients. ana only the In
spector and myself remained.
Il think that ] can help you 10 pass
an hour In an interesting and profit
able manner" said Holmes, drawing
his chair rp TO the table and spreading
out in trout OF him the various papers
upon which We're recorded the antics
Of the dancing men. "As TO you. friend
Watson, / owe you every atoneinent
for having allowed your natural curl
osity to remain 50 long unsatished
To you, inspector, the whole incident
may appeal as a remarkable prOfes-
sional study / must tell you, frst OF
all, the interesting circumstances con
nected with the previous consultations