The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-08-11

THE
it's just as they say. She knocked at
the door-surprise visit, guess, for he
kept his life in water tight compart-
ments-he let her in, couldn't keep her
in the street. She told him how she
had traced him, reproached him; one
thing led to another, and then with that
dagger so handy the end soon came.
1t wasn't all done in an instant, though,
for these chairs were all swept over
yonder, and he had one in his hand as
if he had tried to hold her off with it.
We've got it all clear as if we had seen
it,"
Holmes raised his eyebrows.
And yet you have sent for me?"
"Ah, yes, that's another matter;
mere trif1e. but the sort of thing you
take an interest in-queer, you know,
and what you might call freakish. 1t
has nothing to do with the main fact
can't have, on the face of it."
What is it, them"
We'll, you know, after a crime of
this sort we are very careful to keep
things in their position. Nothing has
been moved. Officer in charge here day
and night. This morning, as the man
was buried and the investigation over
so far as this room is Commemorative
thought we could tidy up a bit. This
carpet-you see, it is not fastened
down, only just laid there. We hao
occasion to raise it, We found
Yes? You found
Holmes face grew tense with anx-
iety.
We'll, I'm sure you would never
guess in 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 show
ed that ii was indeed as he said.
| But the underside is as stained as
the upper. 1t must have left mark"
Lestrade chucllled with delight at
having puzzled the famous expert.
'Now. I'll show you the explanation.
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 a great Grim
son spill upon the square white facing
of the old fashioned floor What do
| you make of that, Mr. Holiness
"Why. it is simple enough. The two
stains did correspond, but 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 must have been turned round.
That's clear enough for the stains lie
above each other-if you lay it over
this way. But what want to know is,
who shifted the carpet, and why?'
l could see from Holmes rigid face
that he was vibrating with inward ex-
element.
Look here, Lestrade." said he. "has
that constable in the passage been in
charge of the place all the time?"
Eyes, 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 people and leave
them alone in this room. Don't ask
him if he has done it. Take it for
granted. Tell him you know some one
has been here. Press him. Tell him
that a full confession is his only chance
of forgiveness. Do exactly what | tell
your
"By George, if he knows I'll have it
out of him. cried Lestrade. He darted
into the hall, and few moments later
his bullying voice sounded from the
back room.
"Now, Watson, noww cried Holmes
with frenzieG eagerness. All the de-
moniacal force of the man masked be-
hind that listless manner burst out in
a paroxysm of energy He tore the
drugget from the floor and in an in
slant was down on his hands and
knees clawing at each of the squares
Of wood beneath il. 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 be
meath it. Holmes plunged his eager
hand into it and drew it out with a
bitter snarl of anger and disappoint'
ment. 1t was empty.
"Quck, Watson, quick! Get it back
again" The wooden lid was replaced
and the drugget had only just beer
drawn straight when Lestrades voice
was heard in the passage. He found
Holmes leaning languidly against the
mantelpieee, resigned and patient, en-
deavoring to conceal his irrepressiblt
yawns.
"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 II
here, MACPHERSON. Let these gentle
men hear of your most inexcusablt
conduct"
The big constable, very hot and pen
itent sided into the room.
81 meant no harm. sir I'm sure The