The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-31

".7AERE CANNOT BE THE LEAST
been h beh5ving very queer and he is
self, - said 1. II have usually found
that there was method in his madness. -
"Some folk might say there was mad
ness in his method,' muttered the in
spector. "But he s all on fire to start,
colonel 92t SO we had best go out if you are
We found Holmes pacing up and
down in the field, his chin sunk upon his
| breast, and his hands thrust into his
trousers pockets.
"The matter grows in interest, " said
he. "Watson, your country trip has
been distinct success. I have had a
charming morning. ..
"You have been up to the scene Of
the crime, understand, said the col
onel.
eyes; the inspector and I have made
quite a little Reconnaissance together
| "Any success?" 1.
! "Well, we have seen some very in
teresting things. I'll tell you what we
did as we walk. First of all, we saw the
| body of this unfortunate man. He
certainly I'd died from revolver wound
"Had you doubted it, then9'
"Oh, it as we'll to test everything
Our inspection was not wasted. We then
had an Interview with Mr.. Cunningham
and his son, who were able to point out
the exact spot where the murderer had
broken thru the garden hedge in his
flight: That was Of great interest. -
"Naturally.' .a1fLEA. L..
"Then we had a look at this poor
fellow 8 mother. We could get no in.
formation from her, however, as she is
very old and feeble. - ,-... ..
! "And what is the result Of your in.
|vestigations ~ ,-...-.. . :. z.>
very peculiar one. Perhaps our visit
now may do something to make it less
obscure. !: / think that we are both
agreed, Inspector, that the fragment OF
as it does, the very hour of his deatf
written upon it, is Of extreme import
ance: " 49, : = 4.rr ! 49,. ..g: r =
1T should give a. clue, Mr.. oHlmes.'
cit does give a clue. Whoever wrote
that note was the man, who brought
| William Kirwan out; of his bed at thai
sheet of paper9N =. ; -. T., 49,. ~.
" 81 examined the ground carefully il
the hope of finding it" said the in
? spector. ~ l.,.t
J cit was torn out of the dead man 3
hand. Why was some one so anxiou.
| to- get possession of it, Because it in
eliminated him. And what would h,
> do with it? Thrust. it into his pocket
most likely, never noticing that corne
> of it had been left in the grip of tn,
: corpse. If we could get the rest O.
that sheet it is obvious that we SHOULD
the mystery.' ....... ~.
eyes; but how can we get at tn
criminal?' ''',A ~
o mWell 1--we well, it was worth thinking i!
lpoint. The note was sent to William
The man who wrote it could not hav
taken it; otherwise, of course, he Nigh
have delivered his own message by wor
thenq Or did it come thru the post?
81 have made inquiries" said tn
inspector. civilian received a lette
: by the afternoon post yesterday. III
envelope was destroyed by him.
. "Excellent!' cried Holmes, clappin
the Inspector on the back. "You'v
: seen the postman. It is a pleasure t
J, work with you. Well, here is tn
t lodge, and if you will come up, colone
e l will show you, the scene of the crime.
!, We passed the pretty cottage wher
:. the murdered man had lived, an
n walked up an oak-lined avenue to tn
:, fine old Queen Anne house, which bear
J the date Of Malplaquet upon tn
Intel of the door. Holmes and the II
y spector led us round it until we cam
n to the side gate, which is separated b
!, a stretch Of garden from the hedg
$ which lines the road. A constable We
IS STANDING at tho 1Sitohon 1oor
: Throw the door open, Officer sal
eI Holmes Now, it was on those stail
3 that young Mr.. Cunningham stood an
saw the two men struggling just whe1
$, we are: Old Mr.. Cunningham was
f that window-the second on the left
n an !, he e. saw tie fellow get away just
e They are both sure Of it on account {
It the bush. Then Mr.. Alec ran out an
It knelt beside the wounded man. TT
is ground is very hard, you see, and the1
d are. no marks to guide us" AS /
t. spoke two men came down the garde
IS path, from 11 round the angle Of tt
It with a strong, deep--lined, heavy EYE
is face; the other dashing young felloy
whose bright, smiling expression an
/ snowy dress were in strange contra
e with the business which had brougl
is us there.
le Still at it, then?' he said [
e, Holmes. II thought you Londone
n were never at fault. You don It see
h to be so very quick, after all -
le All, you must give us a lit
II time said Holmes, good humoredly
You II want it, said young Ali
e Cunningham. Why, I dom see tn,
we have any clue at all -
n There's only one, answered the i
lie spector. We thought that If we cou
Sc only find Good heavens, Mr.. Holme
what is the matterq''
My poor friend IS face had sudden
lis ewes nc rolled s upward ward his sA featnp
s. writhed in agony, and with. SUI
N pressed groan he dropped on his IA,
ot upon the ground. Mortified at the SUI
1r don aasA and .rauaritu ff tln att eal. !,