The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-19

| tuaH tndC OF MS Stepdaughter, DuC was as |
plainly furnished A camp bed, small wooden |
shelf full of books. mostly of technical char
acter, an armchair beside the bed, plain |
wooden chair against the wall, round table,
and large iron safe were the principal things
which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly
round and examined each and all of them with
keenest interest
What's In here?'' he asked, tapping the
safe.
My stepfather's business papers,
| oh, you have seen inside, them"
1T was full of papers,"
There isn't cat in it, for example, r.
| mo. Whar strange idea.
| We'll, look at this" He took I'D small
saucer of milk which stood the top of it.
NO; we don't keep a cat. But there is a
cheeah and q baboon."
4 All yes, of course. Well cheetah Ia just
big cat and yet saucer of milk does not
4 60 very far in satisfying Its wants, l dare say.
inere Is one point which I should wish to de
wooden chair, and examined the seat Of it with
the greatest attention.
''Thank you. That is quite settled said he,
rising and putting his lens in his pocket "Hel-
10! Here is something Interestingly"
The object which had caught his eye was a
small doglash hung on one corner of the bed The
lash, however was curled upon itself and tied
so as to make loop of whipcord.
What do you make Of that, WatsonT
ITS common enough lash. But I don't
know why it should be tied,
!, That Is not quite SO common, Is it.? Ah,s me,
It's wicked world, and when clever
turns his brains to crime it is the worst of all.
think 1 have seen enough now, Miss Stoner,
and with your permission shall walk out upon
the lawn" .-s..'4
had never seen my friends face grim
his brow so dark when we turned from the
scene of this investigation. We had walked sew
eral times up and down the lawn, neither Miss
Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his
e thoughts before he reused himself from his rev
erie. str.- F., tf..
! "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he.
that you should absolutely follow my advice in
every respect ~. .
81 shall most certainly do So" 90.
I 1.-The matter is too serious for any hesitation
Your life may depend upon your compliance"
: II assure you that am in your hands,
I'm the first place, both my friend and I
must spend the night in your rooms"
i Both Miss Stoner and gazed at him in aston
ishnlent.
:. Eyes, it must be So Let me explain. 1
e believe that that is the village inn there
"Yes, that is the Crown"
. ''Vefy good. Your windows would be visible
r from there % 49, ..-. ~,
"Certainly.'
. ''You must confne yourself to your room, on
t pretense of a headache, when your stepfather
e comes back. Then when you hear him retire
for the night you must open the shutters of your
e window, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as
a signal to US and then withdraw quietly with
e the which you used TO occupy. have no
doubt that in spite of the repairs, you could
l. manage there for one night"
"Oh, yes, easily
THE rest you will leave In our hands"
n "But what will you do?' ..s.. e.
N 1--WE shall spend the night in your room. and
we shall Investigate the cause Of this noise which
ID has disturbed YOU
A. .'I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already
If made up your mind" said Miss stoner, laying
IL her hand upon my companions sleeve.
perhaps have"
y, ''Then for PHYS sake tell me what was thu
7e cause of my sisters DEATH. 49,. 49,.
= 81 should prefer to have clearer proofs before
ID speak1;' -. ~
~ "You can at least tell me whether my OWL
N thought is correct, and If she died from some
"a sudden fright .nAIu 80 - --.~>--.@--st~
an "No, do not think so. I think that there wa!
A. probably some more tange cause And now Miss
in Soner, we must leave you, for If DR.. RoylOtt re
* turned and saw us our journey would be in vain
in Goodbye and be brave, for if you will do wha
m have told you you may rest assured that WI
as shall soon drive away the dangers that threatel
I'd YOU"
ne Sherlock Holmes and had no difficulty il
re engaging a bedroom and sitting room at thu
Mt Crown inn They the upper floor, ant
i'd from cur window We could command a view O
til the avenue gate and of the Inhabited wing o.
In DR.. Grimesby -Roylott drive past his huge form
to looming up beside the little figure Of the lat
in who drove him. The boy had some slight diff
fculty in undong the heavy iron gates and w,
in heard the hoarse Of the Doctors voice AM
saw the fury with which he shook his cinchet
d. lists at him. The trap drove on, and few
~ minutes later we sudden light spring III
y among the trees as the lamp was lit in one o.
IN the sitting rooms.
EDO you know. Watson said Holmes, as we
pr sat together in the gathering darkness ~ havt
or really some scrupes to taking you tonight
re There is a distinct element of danger"
"Can be of assistance ~ o.
or Your presence might be invaluable"
: i "Then shall certainly GOMEZ .-.
t. ut is very kind of you.'' ...
e. 'You speak of danger. You have eYidentl,
to seen more in these rooms than was visible K
" me-"
y "Ne, but fancy that may have deduced {
NJ little more. I imagine that you saw all that
AZ did,"
II ~ saw nothing remarkable save the bellrope
Sc and what purpose that could answer 1 confess il
no. more than I can imagine
ly You the ventilator, too?"
q i eyes, but I do not think that 1t is such
" very unusual thing to have small opening be
70 tween two rooms 1t was so small that RAJ
re could hardly pass thru"
Va II knew that should find a ventiator befor.
ever we came to Stoke Moran
.d my dear Holmes!" ?
d ooh, yes did. You remember in her state
r. ment she said that her big sister could smell
in DR.. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course, that sug
IN gested at that there must be communica
Id small one, it would have been remarked upo,
Id at the coroners inquiry. ! deduced ventila
70 tor"
-. ''But what harm can there be in that?"
nm "Well, there is at least curious coincidenc
Sc of dates, A ventilator is made, a cord is hun;
s, and lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Does no
We that strike your
We 81 cannot as yet see any connection
he Did you observe anything very peculiar abou
ID that at, bed'"
es ut was clamped to the floor. Did you eve
nd see bed fastened like that beforeF
nd Il cannot say that 1 have.
III 1.-THE lady could not move her bed. 1t mus
always be in the relative position to tn
yentiator and to the rope-for we may call IT
IL since 1t was clearly rever meant for a bell
10 pull'
- Holmes" l cried, 81 seem to see Gimly VIVA
you are limiting at. We are only just tn time t
- prevent subtle and horrible crime
Of Subtle enough and horrible enough. When :
doctor does go wrong he Is the first of criminals
| He has nerve and he has knowledge. Paine
), profession. This strikes even deeper. bu
so think, Watson, that we shall be able to strik
or deeper still But We shall have horrors enough
to before the night is over; for goodness sake lie
is us have quiet pipe, and turn our minds for
I'd few hours to something more cheerful
~ About 8 o'clock the light among the tree
an was extingushed and all was dark In the direc
~ ton of the manor house. Two hours passe
ba slowly away, and then suddenly, just at tn
in stroke Of II single bright light shone on
nd right in front of us.
II. 'That is our signal" said Holmes, springin
to his feet. SIT comes from the middle win
dow"
AS we passed out he exchanged few word
"a with the landlord explaining that we wer
W. going late visit to an acquaintance an
there. moment later we were out on the dar
az road a chill wind blowing In our faces, an
one yellow light twinkling in front of us thr
az the gloom to guide on our sober Grand
There was little difficulty in entering tn
- grounds, for unrepaired breaches capped In tn
az old park wall. Making our way among the tree
Ia We reached the lawn, crossed 1t, and were abou
AZ to enter thru the window, when out from
" clump of laurel bushes there darted what SCENE
l. to be a hideous and distorted child, who tire,
n ~x,S&t. yr,~fl |. lI.N-