The San Francisco call., 1905-05-28

stains did correspond. but the carpet
has been turned round As 1T was
square and unfastened 1t was easily
done"
The official police don't need you.
Mr. Holmes. to tell them that the car
pet must have been turned round
That's clear enough. for the stains lie
above each other-if you lay it over
this way. But what want to know is.
who shifted the carpet. and why?'
I could see from Holiness rigid face
that he was vibrating with inward ex-
citement.
Look here. Lestrade." said he. "has
that constable in the passage been in
charge of the place all the time?'
Yes, he has.
We'll, take my advice. Examine him
carefully Don't do 1t before US. Wen
wait here. You take him into the back
room You'll be more likely TO get a
confession out of him alone Ask him
how he dared to admit people and leave
them alone in this room Don't ask
him If he has done 1t. Take ii for
has been here. Press him. Tell him
that a full confession is his only
chance of forgiveness. Do exactly what
I tell your
by George, II he knows I'll have IT
out of him. cried Lestrade. He darted
into the hall and few moments later
his bullying voice sounded from the
back room
Now. Watson. noww cried Holmes,
with frenzied eagerness. All the de-
moniacal force OF the man masked be-
hind that listless manner burst out In
a paroxysm OF energy. He tore the
drugget from the floor and IN an In
slant was down on his hands and knees
clawing at each Of the squares Of wood
beneath it One turned sideways as ne
dug his nails into the edge OF It IL
hinged back like the lid OF a box. A
small black cavity opened beneath It.
Holmes plunged his eager hand into It
and drew 1t out with a bitter snarl OF
anger and disappointment. 1t was
empty.
"Quick, Watson. quick! Get it back
again. The wooden lid was replaced
and the drugget had only just been drawn
straight when Lestrade's voice was heard
in the passage. He found Holmes lean
ing languidly against the mantelpiece, re-
signed and patient. endeavoring to con-
ceal his irrepressible yawns.
Sorry to keep you waiting, MI
Holmes. 1 can see that you are bored
to death with the whole affair. Well, he
has confessed. all right. Come In here
Macpherson. Let these gentlemen hear OF
your most inexcusable conduct"
he DlS COuS (dDlG NcTy 1lOl dA0 RNAiA7
tent. sidled into the room.
II meant no harm, sir, I'm sure. The
young woman came to-the door last even
ing-mistook the house, she did, And
then We got talking It's lonesome, wher
you're on duty here all day
"WelI, what happened them"
''She wanted TO see where the crime
was done-had read about IL in the
papers, she said. She was a very re-
spectacle, well-spoken young woman
sir, and I saw no harm in letting hei
have peep. When she saw that marx
on the carpet. down she dropped on the
foor, and lay as If she were dead. I raT
TO the back and got some water, but
could not bring her to- Then l went
round the corner to the Ivy Plant fol
some brandy and by the time / hat
brought it back the young woman hae
recovered and was on-ashamed of her
self, l daresay, and dared not face me-
How about moving that drugget7".
We'll, sir. It was bit rumpled, GER
tainly. when I came back. You see. sh'
fell on it and 1t lies on polished foo
with nothing to keep it in place.
Strengthened 1t out afterward-'
It's a lesson to you that you can't de
ceive me, Constable MACPHERSON saiC
Lestrade with dignity. mo doubt yot
thought that your breach OF duty eoulC
never be discovered and yet mer'
glance at that drugget was enough t,
convince me that some one had been ad
mitted to the room. It's lucky for you
my man, that nothing is missing, or yo,
would find yourself In Queer street I'm
sorry to have called you down over sucl
petty business. Mr.. Holmes, but
thought the point of the second stail
not corresponding with the first wouIt
interest you
Certainly. IL was most interesting. Ha.
this woman only been here once. con
stable?''