The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-26


20 rom the point of view Of
RI the criminal expert" said
Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
-. London has become a
smgu.arly uninterestins
50 fgS city since the death of
the late mmented Pro
fesSor Morarty.'
Il can hardly think that you would
find many decent citizens to agree with
you" I answered
We'll well. must not be selfish"
said he. with smile as he pushed back
his chair fl1m the breakfast table.
The community is certainly the gain
er and no one The loser save the poor
out of work specialist. whose occupa-
ton has gone. With that nan 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
TO tell me that the great malignant
brain was there as the gentlcst ire
mors of the edges Of the web remind
one of the foul spider which turks in the
center. Petty theftS, want2n assaults,
purposeless eutragc-to the man who
held the clew all could be worked
into one connected whole To the sci
entifc 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 him
self done so much to produce
At the time Of which speak. Holmes
had been back for some months. and
I at his request had sold NY practice
and returned TO share the old quarters
in Baker street \ young doctor nam
ed Werner had purchased nay small
KenSinston practice and given with
astoniShingly little demur the highest
price that | ventUred to asian incl
dent which only explained itself some
time later when l found tIal 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 50 uneyentful rs he had stated.
for l find on looking over my notes that
this period includes the ease Of the
papers OF eX President MWillo. and al
so the shocking affair of the Dutch
steamship Friesland, which 50 nearly
cost US both our lives His cold and
proud nature was always averse. how
ever, TO anything ia the shape Of pubic
applause. and he boGnd me in the most
stringent terms 10 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 tremendous
ring at the bell. followed Immediately
by a hollow drumming sound, as if
some one were beating on the outer
door with his fist As it opened there
came a tumu.tuouS rush into the hall,
rapid feet clattered up the stair and
an instant later wild eyed and fran
tic young man, pale, dlsaeyeled and
looked from one TO the other of US, and
under our gaze Of inquiry he became
conscious that some apology was need
ed for this unceremonious entry.
I'm sorry. Mr. Holmes" he cried.
"You mustn't b.ame me. I am nearly
mad. Mr. Holmes. l am the unhappy
John Hector McFarlaue,"
He made the announcement as if the
name alone would explain both his
visit and its manner. but I could see
by my companions unreSponsive face
that it meant no more to him than to
me
Have a cigarette. MIR. McFarlane,"
said he. pushing his case across. y
am sure that with your symptoms my
friend DR.. Watson here would pre-
scribe n 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 worm
sit down in that chair and tell us very