Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-07-13

@yBI city since the death of
the late lamented Pro-
fessor Moriarty."
II can hardly think that you would
find many decent citizens to agree with
you," 1 answered.
"Well, well, l must not be selfish
said be, with a smile as he pushed back
his chair from the breakfast table.
+'The community is certainly the gain
er and no n the loser save the poor
out Of work specialist, whose occupa-
ton has gone. With that man in the
field ones morning paper presented in
finite possibilities. Often it was only
the smallest trace, Watson, the faint
est" indication. and yet it was enough
brain was there, as the gentlest ire
mors Of the edges Of the web remind
one of the foul spider which turks in the
center. Petty thefts, wanton assaults,
p~urposeless outrage-to the man who
held the clew all could be worked
into n connected whole. To the sci
entiic student of the higher criminal
world no capital in Europe offered the
advantages which London then pos
sessed. But now He shrugged his
shoulders in humorous depreciation of
the state of things which he had hir1-
self done so much to produce.
At the time Of which 1 speak, Holmes
had been back for some months, and
/ at his request had sold my practice
and returned to share the old quarters
in Baker street. A young doctor NAM
ed Werner had purchased my small
Kensington practice and given with
astonishingly little demur the highest
price that l ventured to asian Incl
dent which only explained itself some
time later when I found that Werner
was a distant relation of Holmes and
that it was my friend who had really
found the money.
Our months of partnership had not
been so uneventful as he had stated,
for l find on looking over my notes that
this period includes the case of the
papers of eX-President Murillo. and al
so the shocking affair Of the Dutch
steamship Friesland, which SO nearly
cost US both our lives. His cold and
proud nature was always averse. how
ever, to anything in the shape of public
applause, and he bound me in the most
stringent terms to say no further word
of himself, his methods or his sue
cesses-a prohibition which, as l have
explained, has only now been removed.
Mr.. Sherlock Holmes was leaning back
in his chair after his whimsical protest
and was unfolding his morning paper
in a leisurely fashion when our atten.
ton was arrested by a tremendous
ring at the bell, followed Immediately
by a hollow drumming sound, as if
some n were beating on the outer
door with his fist. AS it opened there
came a tumultuous rush into the hall
rapid feet clattered up the stair and
an instant later a wild eyed and fran
tic young man, pale, disheveled and
palpitating, burst into the room. He
looked from one to the other of US, and
under u gaze Of inquiry he became
conscious that some apology was need
ed for this unceremonious entry.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Holiness" he cried
"You mustn't blame me. I am nearly
mad. Mr.. Holmes, 1 am the unhappy
John Hector McFarlane."
BE made the announcement as if the
name alone would explain both his
visit and it's manner, but I could SEE
by my companions unresponsive face
that it meant no more to him than t.
me.
"Have a cigarette, Mr.. McFarlane,'
said he, pushing his case across. 50
am sure that with your symptoms my
friend DR.. Watson here would pre-
scribe a sedative. The weather has
been SO very warm these last few
days. Now, if you feel a little more
composed / should be glad if you would
sit down in that chair and tell us very
slowly and quietly who you are an6
what it is that o want. You men
GQped- your name as If l should recog.
ME 1t, but I assure you that beyond
The obvious facts that you are a bach.
elor,> a solicitor, a Freemason and an
asthmatlc I know nothing whatever
about you"
Familiar as l was with my friends
methods, it was not difficult for me to
follow his deductions and to observe
the %untidiness Of attire, the sheaf OF
legal papers, the watch charm and the
breathing which had prompted them
Our client, however, stared in amaze.
ment.
"Tes, I am all that, Mr.. Holmes, and
In addition l am the most unfortunate
man at this moment in London. Fol
heavens sake, don't abandon me, Mr.
Holmes! If they come to arrest me be-
fore I have finished my story make
them give me time so that I may tel
you the whole truth. / could go tc
jail happy If / knew that you were
working for me outside"