The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19

q can hardly think that
 you would find many de- cent citizens to agree with you,' answered.
 .sWell, well, I must not be selfish" said he, with smile, as he pushed back his chair from the breakfast table 'The community is certainly the gainer, and no one the loser, save the poor out-of-work specialist, whose occupation has gone. With that man in the field, one's morning paper pre- sented infinite possibilities. Often 1t was only the smallest trace, Watson, the faintest indication, and yet it was enough to tell me that the great ma lignant brain was there, as the gentlest tremors of the web remind one of the foul spider which turks in the center. Petty thefts, wanton as- saults. purposeless outrage-to the man who held the clue all could be worked into one connected whole. To the scientific student of the higher criminal world, no capital in Europe offered the advantages which Lon don then possessed. But now. He shrugged his shoulders in humorous depracation of the state of things which he had himself done so much to produce.
 At the time of which I speak, Holmes had been back for some months, and I at his request had sold my practice and returned to share the old quarters in Baker street. A young doctor, named Werner, had purchased my small Kensington practice, and given with astonishingly little demur the highest price that I ventured to ask-an incident which only explained itself some years later, when l found that. 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 so uneventful as he had stated, for I find, on looking over my notes, that this period includes the case of the papers of ex-President Murillo. and also the shocking affair of the Dutch steamship Friesland which so nearly cost us both our lives. His cold and proud nature was always averse, however, from anything in the shape of public applause, and he bound me in the most stringent terms to say no further word of himself, his methods, or his successes-a pro- hibition which. as I have explained, has only now been removed.
 MT. Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in his chair after his whimsical protest and was unfolding his morn ing paper in leisurely fashion, when our attention was arrested by a tre- mendous ring at the bell, followed i'm mediately by hollow drumming sound as if some one were beating on the outer door with his fist As 1t opened there came tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered up the stair. and an instant later a wild-eyed and frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitating, burst into the room. He looked from one to the other of us. and under our gaze of inquiry he became conscious that some apology was needed for
 
 I'm sorry. MT. Holmes." he cried ..You mustn't blame me. I am nearly mad. MT. Holmes, am the unhappy John Hector McFarlane."
 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, MT. McFarlane," said he, pushing his case across. q am sure that, with your symptoms, my friend Dr. Watson here would prescribe a sedative. The weather has been so very warm these last few days. Now, if you feel little more compoA ed, should be glad if you would sit down in that chair, and tell us very slowly and quietly who you are. and what it Is that you want. You mentioned your name, as If should recognize it. but I assure you that, beyond the obvious facts that you are bachelor, solicitor, Free mason, and an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you"
 Familiar as I was with my friends methods, 1t was not difficult for me to follow ms ueuuctfOns, ana to OD- serve the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of legal papers, the watch charm, and the breathing which had prompted them Our client, however, stared in amazement.
 "Yes, I am all that, MT. Holmes; and, in addition, am the most un- fortunate man at this moment in Lon don. For Heavens sake, don't aban- don me, MT. Holmes! If they come to arrest me before have finished my story, make them give me time. so that I may tell you the whole truth. could go to gaol happy if I knew that you were working for me outside"
 Arrest you,'' said Holmes. This is really most grati-most interest ing. On what charge do you expect to be arrested?'
 "Upon the charge of murdering Mir. Jonas Oldacre. of Lower Norwood.'
 My comparion's expressive face showed a sympathy which was not, I am afraid, entirely unmixed with satisfaction.
 Dear me-" said he. ''it was only fhis moment at breakfast that l was