Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-07-20

1HS SCOlldIu 1uTu ueleCClVe was SClll
writing in the parlor when Holmes in
terrupted him.
II understood that you were writing
a report of this case" said he.
$50 l am"
Don't you think it may be n little
premature? l can't help thinking that
your evidence Is not complete"
Lestrade knew my friend too we'll to
disregard his words. He laid down his
pen and looked %curiously at him.
What do you mean, Mr.. Holmes?"
Only that there Is an important wit
ness whom you have not seem"
Can you produce himT"
II think I can"
"Then do So"
Il will do my best. How many con-
stables have your"
"There are three within call"
Excellent" said Holmes. "May l
ask if they are all large, ablebodied
men with powerful voices?"
Il have no doubt they are, though l
fail to see what their voices have to do
with it"
Perhaps 1 can help you to see that
and n or two other things as WE'LL"
said Holmes. Kindly summon your
men, and I will try"
Five minutes later three policemen
had assembled in the hall.
I'm the clubhouse you will find a con-
siderable quantity of straw" said
Holmes. 81 will ask you to carry in
two bundles of it. l think it will be
Of the greatest assistance in producing
the witness whom 1 require. Thank
you very much. I believe you have
some matches in your pocket, Watson.
Now, Mr.. Lestrade, I will ask you all
to accompany me to the top landing"
AS 1 have said, there was a broad
corridor there, which ran outside three
empty bedrooms. At n end of the
corridor we were all marshaled by
Sherlock Holmes, the constables grin
ming and Lestrade staring at my friend
with amazement, expectation and deri-
sion chasing each other across his fea-
lures. Holmes stood before us with
the air Of a conjurer who is perform
ing a trick.
would you kindly send one of your
conStables for two buckets Of water?
Put the straw on the floor here, free
from the wall on either side. Now I
think that we are all ready"
Lestade's face had begun to grow
red and angry.
Il don't know whether you are play
ing a game with us, Mr.. Sherlock
Holiness" said he. "If you know any
thing you can surely say it without all
this tomfoolery."
Il assure you, my good Lestrade,
that l have an excellent reason for
everything that I do. You may. posi-
bly, remember that you chaffed me a
little some hours ago when the sun
seemed on your side Of the hedge, so
you must not grudge me a little pomp
and ceremony now. Might 1 ask you,
Watson, to open that window and then
to put a match to the edge of the
straw?"
l did So, and, driven by the draft,
a coil Of gray smoke swirled down the
corridor, while the dry straw cracked
and famed.
Nov we must see if we can find this
witness for you, Lestrade. Might l
ask you all to join in the cry Of Fire?
Now, hen-one, two, three!!"
Fire" we all yelled.
Thank you. I will trouble you once
again."
"Fire!v'
"Just once more, gentlemen, and all
together"
"Fire!!' The shout must have rung
over Norwood.
1t had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened. A door sud-
denly flew open out of what appeared
to be solid wall at the end of the cor
ridor and a little wiZened man darted
out Of it like a rabbit out Of it's bur-
row.
"Capitalv!' said Holmes calmly.
watson, q bucket Of water over the
straw. That will do! Lestrade, allow
me to present you with your principal
missing witness, Mr.. Jonas Oldacre."
The detective stared at the newcom-
er with blank amazement. The latter
was blinking in the bright light Of the
corridor and peering at us and at the
smoldering fire. 1t was an odious
face-crafty, vicious, malignant, with
shifty. light gray eyes and white
lashes.
whats this, them said Lestrade at
last. What have you been doing all
this time, eh?"
Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrink
ing back from the furious red face of
the angry detective.
81 have done no harm"
emo harm? You have done your best
10 get an innocent man hanged. If 1t
wasn't for this gentleman here l am
not sure that you would not have Sue
ceeded."
The wretched creature began to
whimper.
Il am sure, sir, it was only my prac-
teal joke"
"Oh, a joke, was 1t? You won't find
the laugh on your side, 1 promise you.
Take him down and keep him In the
sitting o until l come. Mr.. Holmes"
he continued when thav had 1,na at