Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-08-18

SO L am.
Don't you think it may be a little
premature? 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 him?"
II think cam
"Then do So"
II will do my best. How many con.
stables have you|
"There are three within CALL"
EXCELLENT said Holmes. MAY I
ask If they are all large. ablebodied
men with powerful voices7"
II have no doubt they are, though I
fall to see what their voices have to do
with It,"
perhaps I can help you to see that
and one or two other things as WELL"
said Holmes. Kindly summon your
men, and will try"
Five minutes later three policemen
"In the clubhouse you will find a con-
siderable quantity Of straw" said
Holmes. II will ask you to carry in
two bundles Of It, think it will be
Of the greatest assistance In producing
the witness whom I require. Thank
you very much. believe you have
some matches in your pocket, Watson.
Now, Mr.. Lestrade, win ask you all
to accompany me to the top landing"
As I have said, there was broad
corridor there, which ran outside three
empty bedrooms. At one 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 derl-
sion chasing each other across his fea-
lures. Holmes stood before us with
the air Of conjurer who Is perform
ing trick.
Would you kindly send one Of your
constables for two buckets Of water2
Put the straw on the floor here, free
from the wall on either side. Now I
think that we are all ready"
Lestrade's face had begun to Rrow
red and angry.
Il don't know whether you are play
ing game with US, Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes" said he. III you know any
thing you can surely say It without all
this tomfoolery."
Il assure you, my good Lestrade,
that I have an excellent reason for
everything that I do. You may posi-
bly, remember that you chaned me
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 ask you,
Watson, to open that window and then
to put match to the edge Of the
srawT'
did so, and, driven By the draft,
a coil Of gray smoke swi1led down the
corridor, while the dry straw cracked
and famed.
"Now we must see II we can ind this
witness for you, Lesrade. Might /
ask you all to join In the CRY Of sTtrsf
Now, then-one, two, threep'
"Eirep' we all yelled.
Thank you. will trouble you once
again."
"B1rep'
Gust once more. gentlemen, and all
together"
"Eirep The shout must have rung
over Norwood.
It had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened. A door sud-
denly few open out Of what appeared
to be solid wall at the end Of the cor
ridor and a little wizened man darted
out Of 1t like rabbit out Of its bur.
row.
"Capitalv' said Holmes calmly.
watson, 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
bmoldering fire. It was an odious
face-crafty, vicious, malignant, with
shifty, light gray eyes and white
lashes.
whats this, thenY said Lestade 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.
II have done no HARM"
"No harm? You have done your best
to get an innocent man hanged. II It
wasn't for this gentleman here I am
not sure that you would not have sue
ceeded."
The wretched creature began to
whimper.
II am sure. sir, 1t was only my prac-
teal Joke"
ooh, Joke, was 1T You won't ind
the laugh on your side, promise you.
Take him down and keep him In the
sitting room until come. Mr.. Holmes"
he continued when they had gone. IT
could not speak before the constabies,
but don't mind saying in the presence
Of DIR. Watson that this is the brightest
thing that you have done yet, though it
is mystery to me how you did 1t. You
have saved an innocent mans life, and
you have prevented very grave scan:
dial, which would have ruined my repu-
tation in the force"
Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade
upon the shoulder.
Instead of being ruined, my good
sir, you will find that your reputation
has been enormously enhanced. Just
make few alterations In that report
which you were writing and they will
understand how hard 1t Is to throw
dust in the eyes Of Inspector Lestrade.: