Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-26

We had harG.y alfghted at North
Walsham and mentioned the name of
our destination when the station mas
ter hurried toward us. II suppose that
you are the detectives from London?''
said he.
A look of annoyance passed over
Holmes face.
What makes you think such a
thing?"
Because Inspector Martin from
Norwich has just passed through. But
maybe you are the surgeons. She's not
dead, or wasn't by last accounts. You
may be in time to save her yet, though
it be for the gallows.'
Holmes brow was dark with anxiety.
eve are going to Riding Thorpe Man
or" said he. 'but we have heard moth
ing of what has passed there"
Its terrible business" said the
station master. "They are shot, both
Mr.. Hilton Cubitt and his wife. She
shot him and then herself, so the sery-
SPARED Of. Dear, dear, one Of the old
est families in the county Of Norfolk
and one Of the most honored.'
Without word Holmes hurried to q
carriage, and during the long seven
mile drive he never opened his mouth.
Seldom have seen him so utterly de-
spondent He had been uneasy during
all our journey from town, and I had
observed that he had turned over the
morning papers with anxious attention,
but now this sudden realization of his
worst fears left him in a blank melan-
choly. He leaned back in his seat, lost
in gloomy speculation. Yet there was
much around to interest lis. for we
were passing through as singular a
countryside as any in England. where
a few scattered cottages represented
the population Of today. while on ev-
cry hand enormous square lowered
churches bristled up from the fat,
green landscape and told Of the glory
and prosperity of old East Anglia. At
last the violet rim of the German
ocean appeared over tho green edge Of
the Norfolk coast, and the driver point
ed with his whip to two old brick and
timber gables which projected from a
grove Of trees. That's Riding Thorpe
Manor" said he
AS we drove up to the porticoed front
door 1 observed in front of it, beside the
tennis lawn. the black tool house and
the pedestaled sundial with which we
had such strange associations. A dap
per little man, with quick, alert
manner and wa1ed mustache, had
just descended from high dogcart.
He introduced himself as Inspector
Martin of the Norfolk constabulary,
and he was considerably astonished
when he heard the name Of my COM
panion.t
"Why, Mr.. Holmes, the crime was
only committed at this morning. How
could you hear Of it in London and get
to the spot as soon as To-
81 anticipated it. came in the hope
of preventing it."
"Then you must have important evil
dence of which we are ignorant, for
they were said to be most united
COUPLE"
81 have only the evidence of the dane
ing men, said Holmes 81 will ex-
plain the matter to you later. Mean
while, since it is too late to prevent this
tragedy. l am very anxious that
should use the knowledge which I pos
sess in order to insure that justice be
done. Will you associate me in your
investigation or will you prefer that /
should act Independently
II should be proud to feel that we
were acting together, Mr.. Holiness"
said the inspector earnestly.
''In that case I should be glad to hear
the evidence and to examine the prem
Uses without an instant of unnecessary
delay
Inspector Martin had tie good sense
to allow my friend to do things in his
own fashion and contented himself
with carefully noting the results. The
local surgeon, an old, white haired
man, had just come down from Mrs.
Hilton Cubitt's room. ard he reported
that her injuries were serious, but not
necessarily fatal. The bullet had
passed through the front of her brain,
and it would probably be some time be
fore she could regain consciousness.
On the question of whether she had
been shot or had shot herself he would
not venture to express any decided
opinion Certainly the bullet had been
discharged at very close quarters.
There was only the one pistol found in
the room, two barrels Of which had
been emptied. Mr.. Hilton Cubitt had
been shot through the heart. 1t was
conceivable that he had shot
her and then himself OF that she had
been the criminal, for tie revolver lay
upon the floor midway between them.
''Has he been moved q asked Holmes.
Eve have moved nothing except the
lady. We could not leave her lying
wounded upon the floor
How long have you been here, doc
tori"
Since o'clock"
ANY one else?''
Eyes, the constable here"
And you have touched nothing?"
Nothing"
''You have acted with great discre-
ton Who sent for youis'
THE housemaid, Saunders"
.Was it she who gave the alarm !"
"she and Mrs. King. the coax