Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-01
ing map of London and a photograph.

ing map of London and photograph.
Here 1t is
It was evidently taken by a snapshot
from a small camera 1t represented an
alert. sharp-featured simian man, with
thick eyebrows and very peculiar projec-
ton of the lower part of the face, like the
muzzle of baboon.
And what became of the bust?' asked
Holmes, after a careful study of this pic
ture.
I'VE had news of it just before you came.
1t has been found in the front garden of an
empty house in Campden House road. 1t
was broken into fragments am going
round now to see it. VIII you Gomez
Certainly. l must just take one look
round" He examined the carpet and the
window. THE fellow had either very long
legs or was a most active man, SAID ne.
with an area beneath, 1t was no mean feat
to reach that window ledge and open that
window. Getting back was comparatively
simple Are you coming with US to see the
remains of your bust Mr.. Harker?"
The disconsolate journalist had seated
himself al a writing table.
II must try and make something of 1t,
said he, though l have no doubt that the
first editions of the evening papers are out
already with full details. It's like my luck!
You remember when the stand fell at Don
caster? Well. / was the only Journalist IN
the stand, and my journal the only one that
had no account of it, for l was too shaken
to write it. And now I'll be'too late with d
murder done on my own doorstep.
AS left the room, we heard ms pen
travelling shrilly over the foolseap.
The spot where the fragments of the bust
had been found was only few hundred
yards away. For the first time our eyes
rested upon this presentment of the great
emperor, which seemed to raise such frantlc
and destructive hatred in the mind or the
unknown. 1t lay scattered. in splintered
shards. upon the grass. Holmes picked up
several of them and examined them care
fully. l was convinced from his intent
face and his purposeful manner, that at
last he upon a clue.
''Well?" asked Lestrade.
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
I'VE have long way to go yet, said he
And .yet-and yet-well, we have some
suggestive facts to act upon. The possess
sion of this trifing bust was worth more,
in the eyes Of this strange criminal, than a
human life. That is one point. Then there
is the singular fact that he did not break 1t
in the house. or Immediately outside the
house, if to break it was his sole object
He was ratified and hustled by meeting
this other fellow. He hardly knew what he
was doing
well, that's likely enough. But wish to
call your attention very particularly to the
position of this house in the garden OF
which the bust destroyed
Lestrade looked about him.
TT was an empty house, and so he knew
that he would not be disturbed in the gar
den.'
Yes, but there is another empty house
farther up the street which he must have
cid he not break it there, since it is EVIL
dent that every yard that he carried 1t In.
creased the risk of some one meeting hlmI
81 give it up said Lestrade.
Holmes pointed to the street lamp above
our heads.
He could see what he was doing here,
and he could not there. That was his
reason"
by Jove! that's true said the detective.
Now that 1 come to think of it, DR.. Barni-
cots bust was broken not far from his red
lamp. Well, Mr.. Holmes, what are we to
do with that fact?'
ITO remember ito docket it. We may
come on something later which will bear
upon 1t. What steps do you propose TO
take now, Lestrade?'
THE most practical way of getting at 1t,
In my opinion is to identify the dead man.
There should be no difficulty about that
When we have found who he is and who
his associates are, we should have good
start in learning what he was doing In Pitt
him and killed him on the doorstep of Mr.. |
Horace Harker. Don't you think so2'
mo doubt; and yet it is not quite the
way in which 1 should approach the CASE
What would you do, then?'
"Oh, you must not let me influence you |
in any way. l suggest that you go on your |
line and l on mine. We can compare notes |
afterward, and each will supplement the !
other"
Very good" said Lestrade.
'If you are going back to Pitt street you
might see Mr.. Horace Harker. Tell him
from me that 1 have quite made up my
mind, and that it is certain that danger |
Gus homicidal lunatic, with Napoleonic delu-
sions was in his house last night. 1t will |
be useful for his article"
Lestrade stared.
you don't seriously believe that?'
Holmes smiled
Don't L? Well, perhaps 1 don't. But L |
am sure that 1t will interest Mr. Horace |
Harker and the subscribers of the Central