davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

indicate the same thing. I have no
doubt at all that a family nannerism
can be traced in these two specimens
of writing. / am only, of course. giving
you the leading results now of my exam
nation OF the paper. There We're TWEEN
ty-three other deductions which would
De OK more interest to experts than 10
you They all tend to deepen the i'm
preston upon my mind that the Gun
nlnghams, rather and son, had written
this letter,
Having got SO far, my next step was
OF course, to examine into the details
of the crime. and to see how far they
would help rs. l went up to the house
with the inspector. and saw all that was
to be seen. The wound upon the dead
man was. as ! was able to determine
with absolute confidence, fired from a
revolver at the distance of something
over four yards. There was no powder
bIackening On the clothes Evidently
therefore, Alec Cunningham had lied
when he said that the two men were
struggling when the shot was fired.
Again. both father and son agreed as to
| the place where the man escaped into
the soad. At that point, however, as it
happens, there is broadish ditch,
moist at the bottom sAs there were
no indications of boot marks about this
ditch, [ was absolutely sure not only
that the Cunninghams had again lied.
but that there had never been any I'M
known man upon the scene at all
And now I have to consider the mo-
tive OF this singular crime. To get at
this. / endeavored first of all to solve
the reason of the original burglary "a
Mr.. Acton's. I understood, from some
| thing which the colonel told US, that
| lawsuit had been going on between
you, Mr.. Acton. and the Cunninghams.
OF course. it instantly occurred 10 me
that they had broken into your library
with the intention of getting at some
document which might be OF Importance
] in the case"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

lating her strange tale. ''It seems that
[ am foolish in my happiness. l am old
now, but I could look at John this morn
ing in the door. and it seemed but a
few days since he went away Years
makes q great difference in looks. but
only IN looks I believe my heart is just
the same. I am just as happy as in my
girlhood.''
romance her earnestness and enthusiasm
were almost girlish.
I remember it as of yesterday. John
was jealous, and often when / knew he
was coming I would do things he could
not understand TO test his love for me.
would enjoy his anger; he seemed so
big, so courageous; and when I would
explain he would soften and tell me how
jealous he was. How, then, he would
beg of me not TO treat him like that.
l was young, I believed nothing could
drive my lover from me, and [ made
the mistake which separated us so
long.
MY brother had come home from the
war but a few months. and he had
written to a friend in the East to come
and visit US. He came, and fer nearly
a month lived at our house with my
brother. /, of course, met him often,
and we enjoyed many rides together
and sometimes went to dances John
was at work near Battle Creek at that
time. and came TO see me but once a
my brothers friend was his rival /
loved John. The other amused ne
though I did not admit If, and We had
many quarreis over the stranger.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
? WAS on night duty at the time the |

r WAS on night duty at the time the
incident to which I refer occurred.
There were no serious cases at the
hospital that week, and when the
patient was brought in / gave her my
entire attention. She was carried TO 4.
private ward. strapped to a stretcher.
and convulsed with violent paroxysms
Hydrophobia cases were quite rare in
our days work but 1t required little
experience with the malady to see that
the yoiing woman was past help and
near death.
After about half an hour she quieted
down and gradually became normal
Ny knowledge OF the disease warned me
that this was the lucid interval that
preceded the end. Accordingly I reused
the girl from the semt-eoascious condi-
ton TO which she had been reduced by
the violence of her struggles, and as
gently as possible LET her know that she
was in a critical condition.
She received the information with
more composure than 1 had expected.
and after a moments thought expressed
wish TO see q man whose name and
address she gave me. We were able to
communicate with him over the tele-
phone, and in a very short time he
reached the hospital. 1t seems that he
did not have the slightest idea that the
young woman was seriously i'll Her
family had informed him and others
that she was III with a fever, and had
not permitted it to be known that she
had been bitten by an Infatuated animal.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

Precisely so,'' said Mr.. Acton.
There can be no possible doubt as to
their intentions. I have the clearest
claim upon half of their estate. and
If they could have found a single paper
which, fortunately, was in the strong
box of my solicitors-they would I'M
doubtedly have crippled our ease
There you are" said Holmes, smil-
ing. at was a dangerous, reckless at
tempt. in which 1 seem to trace the in
fuenee of young Alec. Having found
nothing. they tried to Gtvert suspicion
by making it appear to he an ordinary
burglary, TO which end they carried off
whatever they could lay their hands
upon. That is all clear enough, but
there was much that was still obscure
What I wanted above al was to get the
missing part of that note [ was GER
tain that Alec had torn il out of the dead
mans hand, and almost certain that he
must have thrust it into the pocket of
his dressing gown Where else could
he have put it? The only question was
whether il was stDI there 1t was worth
an effort TO find out. and for that object
we ali went up TO the mouse.
The Cunninghams Joined US. as you
doubtless remember. outside the kttch-
en- door 1t was, or course, of the very
first Importance that they should not
be reminded of the existence Of this
paper. otherwise they would naturally
destroy it without delay. The Inspector
was about to tell them the Importance
which we attached to It when. by the
lucl1iest chance In the world, I tumble6
down IA sort of fit ana so changed
the conversation.
Good heavens!" cried the colonel
laughing. do you mean to say all our
sympathy was wasted and your fit al
imposture?"
Speaking professionally, Ii was adj
nirably done, cried I. locking hi
amazement at this man who was for
ever confounding me with some new
phase Of his astuteness.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
CONTINUED From Second Page.)

nances. The older man seemed numbed
and dazed. with a heavy, sullen express
sion upon his stronglY-marked face. The
son. on the other hand, had dropped all
that jaunty dashing style which had
characterized him, and the feroeity Of
a dangerous wild beast cleaned in his
dark eyes and distorted his handsome
features, The inspector said nothing,
but. stepping to the door, he blew his
whistle Two of his constabIes came
at the call.
II have no alternative. MIR. Cunning
ham, said he. az trust that this may
all prove 20 be an absurd mistake, but
you can see that-Ah would you?
Drop it!1 He struck out with his hand.
and q revolver which the younger man
was in the act OF cooking clattered down
upon the floor.
keep that" said Holmes, quietly
putting his foot upon it; you will find
it useful at the trial. But this is what
we really wanted" He held up little
erumpled piece of paper.
1.-The remainder of the Sheet" cried
the inspector.
Precisely
And where was it,
Where I was sure il must be. I'll
make the whole matter clear to you
presently. l think. colonel, that you
and Watson might return now. and /
will be with you again In an hour at
the furthest. The inspector and I must
have a word with the prisoners, but you
VIII certainly see me back at luncheon
time"
Sherlock Holmes was as good as his
word. for about l o'clock he rejoined
us in the coloneis snoking-room. He
was accompanied by little elderly
gentleman, who was introduced to ne
as the Mr. Acton whose house had been
the scene of the original burglary.
81 wished Mr.. Acton 10 DC present
while / demonstrated this small matter
to you. said Holmes. for IL is natural
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
Young Surgeon Braves Danger.

A young assistant surgeon, a recenr
graduate from medical school and an
exceptionally fine young fellow, was
standing at the head of the cot. He saw
the mans action and its effect on our
patient As said. it moved me deeply.
Apparently he was more affected than
myself. His face flushed and I could
see that he condemned the man for his
fear-although he knew as well as /
that it was more than justified
He came forward 10 the side OF the
cot, and took the girls hand il both OF
his She was sobbing softly, and l
watched her face closely. fearing that
she would become hysteFical, and then
violent. My young assistant stood look
ing down at her for few minutes, and
spoke TO her in a low tone. did not hear
what he said, but the next moment he
leaned over the cot and kissed the dying
girl.
4 look of relief passed over her face.
It came from a Tightening of her load OF
misery. She felt that at least one per-
son was not afraid of her, and the
thought seemed to comfort her.
My assistant Strengthened up and huE-
ried out of the room. He was more
deeply affected than he cared to show.
Afterwards I was glad he left. The girl
died in less than an hour, and her death
need not be described. But after the in
cident at her bedside, was very thank
ful that the youngster did not see the
e.2d.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

ct is an art which is often useful"
said he. when 1 recovered I mana ed.
by a device which had perhaps some
little merit of ingenuity. 20 get old
Cunningham 10 write the word twelve
so that 1 might compare it with the
twelve upon the paper.
''Oh, what an ass 1 have beenr' I ex-
claimed.
81 could see that you were commss-
Grating ME over my Weakness said
Holmes. laughing. Il was sorry to
cause you the sympathetic pain which
/ know that you felt. We then went up
stairs together, and. having entered
the room and seen the dressing gown
hanging up behind the door. I con-
trived. by upsetting a table. to engage
their attention for the moment, and
slipped back TO examine the pockets.
had hardly got the paper, however,
which was, as 1 had expected, in one
OF them-when the two Cunninghans
were on me, and would l verify be-
lieve, have murdered me then and there
but for your prompt and friendly aid.
AS it is. 1 feel that young mans grip
on my throat now, and the father has
twisted my wrist round IN the effort
TO get the paper out OF my hand They
saw that must know all about 1t, you
see. and the sudden change from alb
solute security TO complete zesnair
made them perfectly desperate.
Il had little talk with old Cunning
ham afterward as 10 the motive of the
crime, He was tractable enough. though
his son was a perfect demon ready to
blow out his own or anybody else 3
brains if he could have got 10 his re-
volver, When Cunningham sapg that the
case against him was so strong he lost
all heart and made a clean breast OF
everything. It seems that William had
| secretly followed his two masters on
the night when they made their raid
upon Mr., Actons. and having thus GOT
! 2continued on Page Five. This seetionl,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

hand in 1t. Now, of the two men, it is
clear that the one who wrote the s'at'
and to was the ringleader."
How do you get at that?"
we might deduce Il from the mere
character of the one hand as compared
with the other. But we have more as
sured reasons than that for supposif e
1t. II you examine this scrap with atteu-
ton you will come 10 the conclusion
that the man with the stronger hand
wrote all his words first, leaving blanks
for the other to fill up. These blanks
were rot alwaTs sufficient, and you can
see that the second man had q squeeze
10 1T his quarter in between the at
and the to-, showing that the latter
were already written The man who
wrote all his words first is undoubtedly
the man who p.anasd the AFFAIR
"EXcellent!'' cried mir. Acton
but very superficial" saia Holmes
we come now, however, to a point
which is of importance. You may not
be aware that the deduction of a mans
age from his writing is one which has
been brought to considerable accuracy
by experts. III normal cases one car
| place man in his true decade with toll
cradle confidence. I say normal cases
because il-health and physical weak
| ness reproduce the signs of old age
even when the invalid is a youth. II
this case. looking at the bold. strong
hand of the one, and the rather broken.
backed appearance OF the other, which
| still retains It's legibility although the
! rs have began tn lose their crossing
| we can say rtIat The one was a young
man, and the ctner was advanced ir
years without being positively decrepit >
| ''Excellent!' cried Mr., Acton again.
| There is a further point, however
which is subtier and Of greater interest
| There Is something in common between
| these hands. They belong 10 men who
| are blood-relatives. 1t may be mos
obvious to you In the Greek es, but tc
! me there are many small points which
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

that be should take a keen interest in
the details. l am afraid, my dear colo
mel, that you must regret the hour that
you took in such a stormy petrel as [
am"
on the contrary answered the colo~
mel warmly, 81 consider it the greatest
privilege to have been permitted TO
study your methods of working. l con-
TESS that they quite surpass my expec-
tatfons, and that I am utterly unable
TO account for your result. 1 have not
yet seen the vestige OF a clue"
Il am afraid that my explanation may
disillusion you, but 1t has always been
my habit TO hide none OF my methods,
either from my friend Watson or from
anyone who might take an intelligent
interest IN them. But, first, as ] am
rather shaken by the knocking aboul
which / had IN the dressing room, i
think that shall help myself to a dash
OF your brandy, colonel. My strength
has been rather tried OF late"
II trust you had no more of those
nervous attacks
Sherlock Holmes laughed heartily
| I'VE win come TO that in it's turn.
said he. az VIII lay an account of the
/ case before you IN its due order, show.
! ing you the various points which guided
me In my decision. Pray interrupt me
If there is any inference which is not
| perfectly clear to you.
'It is Of the highest Importance in the
art OF detection to be able to recognize
| out Of d number of facts, which are in.
| cidenta1 and which vital. Otherwise YOU
| energy and attention must be dissipateo
| instead OF being concentrated. Now, n
| this case there was not the slightest
doubt in my mind from the first thai
| the key Of the whole matter must be
looked for in the scrap os paper in tbs
dead mans hand
Before going into this. would draw
| your attention to the fact that IL AIeC
/ Cunningham's narrative was correct
and If the assailant. after shooting
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
The Last Love Conference.

zone Sunday John came, and after
we had quarreled ard made up as
usual he asked me to set day for our
wedding. We talked and planned that
night until he missed his train and had
to walk to Battle Creek. nearly twelve
miles 1T was at this time he gave
me that fatefuI ring. I kissed and
promised. to go riding no more That
was our last lovers conference until
he returned after forty years.
"One day during the week following
L accepted an invitation from my
brothers friend to go boat riding on
Spring Lake. within a few minutes
walk Of fathers farm. We had been
rowing around the edge for nearly an
hour. when nay companion tossed q
turtle into the boat at my feet with
the oar. I picked the turtle up and be-
gan TO pet It. Then in a spirit of mis-
chief l took my ring from my finger
and placed 1t cser the head of the fI1r-
tie AS 1 held it up to show him what
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
!" DIRTY years ago, IN 1855. John
- Martin, then a constructing en-
! gineer on the Grand Trunk rail-

" DIRTY years ago, IN 1865. John
- Martin, then a constructing en-
gineer on the Grand Trunk rail
road, and Freda Olmstead, the
belle OF Augusta. Mich. were betrothed,
and as a pledge John placed upon her
finger a gold ring. Almost Immediately
no went away on an inspection tour.
In his absence Miss Olmstead went for
& boat ride with young man on a
neighboring lake. While they were out
they caught a small turtle, and the girl
sportiveiy pulled off her enga cement
ring and slipped it over its head. A
moment later the turtle slid from her
hand into the water and disappeared.
When Martin returned and learned
OF the incident his jealousy was aroused
He doubted her story AS a result the
engagement was broken off. and Martin
returned TO Germany, his native land.
Last spring one OF a fishing PARTY on
the lake captured a turtle and found a
diamond ring encirciing its neck. It
was the ring that Miss Olnstead had
lost. She communicated the circum-
stances OF its recovery to Martin, who
had remained unmarried, and as a hap
by sequel they were married last Thurs
day.
This is the letter that Miss Olmstead,
now an elderly woman. addressed to
Martin after recovering the ring
Augusta. Mich. Nov. 8, 1904
To Dear John: Though it has taken
our Father many years 10 work out the
hate in our lives. yet I never lost faith
that some day l could prove how you
misiudged me. l can return your ring.
II seems; strange, but 1t is true. I have
1t, and it was taken off the reck of the
turtle, where 1 told you [ had placed II
50 many years ago We have grown old.
Maybe you have children-young men,
ylaag ladies. IF you have, tell them the
story when you read this letter. 1t
seems almost like q dream, but it is
so true. The ring was found by some
boys who were fishing. and when
read of it in the paper, I knew II was
mine. / knew If I could get IL I could
convince YOU. My prayer has been
answered. I am happy
MISS FREDA OLMSTEAD.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
Outstretehed Arm Refused.

He hurried to her bedside and she
stretched her arms to him. i moment
more ard she would havc been in his
embrace But I felt the necessity of eau
ton and touched him on the arm with
a muttered warning, The touch recalled
70 him what [ had said about the risk
ne would take IL he exposed himself
recklessly. He hesitated
The girl saw my action and its effect
on her lover. She realized in a fash
what it meant. I have never seen such
a quick change of expression as that
which flashed over her face One mo-
ment her face was lit with love and joy
the next and it had changed to hope
less misery and something of horror.
She realized in that moment that the
man she had consented to marry and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

were afraid that I might lose it, SO I
killed II and took the ring from the neck.
Here 1t is" showing her finger; ut
was placed there by my husband when
we were married.
'I have never been any further away
from my home than Kalamazoo or Bat
tie Creek Last summer was the first
time / ever rode on an electric car. ]
always believed that John would return.
I did not know when I wrote but that he
might be dead. or per-aps married. ]
prayed that this might not be SO, and
my prayers have all been answered.
do not care where We go now. I will
go to Germany. or anywhere in the
world. I suffered for my mistake. and ]
only hope that I may enjoy the remain
ing years"
Miss Olmstead was a girl of sixteen
when she was betrothed. Mrs. John Mar
tin will be f1fty-six years old on April 81
The Bridegroom is a well-preserved
man of seyenty-one.
After leaving the home of his sweet
heart in 1865 Martin returned to Battle
Creek cashed his time check on the
Crank Trunk railway and went TO Mon
treal, and later sailed for home He had
never forgotten Miss Olmstead, though
he had pledged himself to never trust
another. He says he did not delay day
after he received her letter, but started
at once for America
THE meeting of the lovers was
strangely pathetic" relates the sister
Of the bride. when Mr.. Martin drove
up to the door Freda gave Httl,
cry and rushed past US to meet tht
apparent stranger. We thought some
thing was wrong to see our sister, whC
never talked, running to meet anyone
We thought her brain was turned. W.
did not know the story. She never tolt
| 1t to us
1--WE shall spend every hour of tn,
| remainder Of our lives together" con
| cluded Mrs. Martin. II do not know
| my husbands plans, nor do I care
! When he drove up to the door I knew
| he had come 10 make me his wife
knew that the good Father had hear.
my prayer and al swered it. I know
| shall be happy" With this the coupl
left the room L. prepare for the journe.
back to the home of the bridegroom
| where Martin will settle up his essat
and they will "eturn to America.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

William KirWan, had instantly fed,
then 1t obviously could not be he who
tore the paper from the dead mans
hand. But If it WAS not he, it must
have been Alec Cunningham himself
for by the time that the old man had
descended several servants were upon
the scene. The point is z. simple one,
but the inspector had overlooked 1t be-
cause he had started with the suppo-
sition that these county masnates had
had nothing to do with the matter.
Now, 1 make a point of never having
any prejudices. and of following docilely
wherever fact may lead me. and so. in
the very first stage OF the investiga-
ton, found myself looking little
askance at the part which had been
played by Mr.. Alec Cunningham.
"And now | made a very careful ex-
animation of the corner Of paper which
the inspector had submitted to us. 1t
was at once clear to me that it formed
part of q very remarkable document.
Here 1t is. Do you not now observe
Aomethfng very suggestive about it?"
''It has a very irregular look" said the
colonel.
my dear SIR" cried Holmes, there
cannot be the least doubt in the world
| that it has been written by two persons
doing alternate words. When I draw
| your attention to the strong is of at
and to. and ask you To compare them
with the weak ones Of quarter and
Twelve you will instantly recognize
The fact. A very brief analysis of these
| four words would enable you to say with
the utmost confidence that the learn
and the maybe are written in the
stronger hand and the what IN tn;
weaker
"By Jove, it's as clear as day." criee
| the colonel. why on earth should two
men write letter III such a fashion,"
obviously the business was a bat
one. and one of the men who distrusted
| the other was determined that, whatever
| was done, each should have an equa
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

I had done the turtle dug It's claws
into my hand and I dropped it into the
lake.
"I cannot tell you my horror. I knew
John would not believe my story. and /
knew I must tell him all the circum-
stances. I did not sleep any that night.
could think only OF Johns coming and
what ne would say. 1 knew that If told
him a lie I must pledge tire man l now
detested TO help me. AMI / could not do
that Every day until johns return l
walked the banks of the lake in the fool
ish hope of finding that turtle.
Sunday came and I went TO the sta
ton to meet John. He YVES so glad to
see me there, yet / could not speak.
Finally, after he had urged me to tell
him what had gone wrong, / told the
story.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

whom she loved with all her heart, was
afraid Of her-that she was cut off from
humanity and regarded as an object OF
danger. She was nearing death-arsd
it was to be the death of dangerous
animal surrounded by q circle of fearful
on-Iookers.
The man could not be blamed for hesi-
tating / had warned him most impress
sively that he would run terrible risk
by coming too near the dying girl, and
l had expressly forbidden him TO kiss
her And yet when I saw the look OF
misery that came over her face. l re-
GREETED my warning She closed her
eyes and motioned him TO stand back