Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-07-17

had been used on that tragic night. In
the window was sumptuous writing
desk, and every detail Of the apart
ment, the pictures the rugs and the
hangings, all pointed to taste which
was luxurious to the verge Of effemi-
macy. A
strade.
Holmes nodded.
Our French friends seem to have
touched the spot this time. No doubt
It's just as they say. She knocked at
the door-surprise visit l guess. for he
kept his life in water tight compart-
ments-he let her in, couldn't keep her
in the street She told him how she
had traced him, reproached him; one
thing led to another, and then with that
dagger SO handy the end soon came.
1t wasn't all done IN an instant, though,
for these chairs were all swept over
yonder, and he had one In his hnnd as
II he had tried to hold her off with It..
We've got 1t all clear as IL we had seen
It."
Holmes rpised his eyebrows.
"And yet you have sent for me?"
"Ah, yes, that's another matter; a
mere trifie. but the sort Of thing you
take an interest in-queer, you know.
and what you might call freakish. 1t
has nothing to do with the main fact
can't have, on the face Of It."
"What is it, then?'
"Well, you know, after a crime Of
this sort we are very careful to keep
things in their position. Nothing has
been moved. Officer in charge here day
and night. This morning. as the man
was buried and the investigation over
so far as this room is Commemorative
thought we could tidy up bit. This
carpet--you see. 1t Is not fastened
down, only just laid there. We had
occasion to raise 1t. We found
YES? You found
Holmes face grew tense with anx-
iety.
well, I'm sure you would never
guess in a hundred years what we did
find. You see that stain on the car
pet? Well, great deal must have
soaked through, must it not?"
Undoubtedly it must"
"Wel, you will be surprised to hear
that there is no stain on the white
woodwork to correspond
mo stain! But there must
Eyes, SO you would say But the fact
remains that there isn't
He took the corner Of the carpet In
his hand, and, turning it over, he show
ed that it was indeed as he said.
But the underside is as stained as
the upper. 1t must have left a mark"
Lestrade chuckled with delight at
having puzzled the famous expert.
"Now, I'll show you the explanation.
There is a second stain, but it does not
correspond with the other. See for
yourself AS he spoke he turned over
another portion Of the carpet, and
there, sure enough, was great Grim
son spill upon the square white facing
OF the old fashioned floor. what do
you make Of that Mr.. Holmes?"
why, it is simple enough. The two
stains did correspond, but the carpet
has been turned round. AS it was
square and unfastened 1t was easily
done"
1.-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 1t over
this way. But what want to know is,
who shifted the carpet, and why?'
could see from Holmes rigid face
that he was vibrating with inward ex-
element
Look here, Lestrade," said he, "has
that constable in the passage been in
charge Of the place all the time?"
YES he has"
"Well, take my advice. Examine him
carefully. Don't do it before US. Well
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 be dared to admit people and leave
them alone In this room. Don't ask
him IL he has done it. Take it for
granted. Tell him you know some one
has been here. Press him. Tell him
that full confession is his only chance
of forgiveness. Do exactly what tell
your
by George, If he knows I'll have it
out of himw cried Lestrade. He darted
into the hall, and few moments later
his bullying voice sounded from the
back room.
"Now, Watson, now" cried Holmes
with frenzied eagerness. All the de-
moniacal force Of the man masked be-
hind that listless manner burst out in
a paroxysrn 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 side
ways as he dug his nails into tie edge
Of 1t. 1t hinged back like the lid Of a
box. A small black cavity opened be-
meath It. Holmes plunged his eager
hand into it and drew 1t out with a
bitter snarl OF anger and disappoint-
m3nt. 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 leaning languidly against the
mantelpiece. resigned and patient, Ell
LeaYoring to conceal bis irrepressibIe