Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-24
Runs? No doubt YOU thought me fanci-

guns? No doubt you thought me fanci- ful. I knew exactly what 1 was do ing, for I knew of the existence of this remarkable gun. and knew also that one of the best shots in the world would be behind 1t: When we were in Switzerland he followed us with Mori- arty, and it was undoubtedly he who gave me that evil five minutes on the Reichenbach ledge.
 You may think that I read the pa- pers with some attention during my so- journ in France, on the lookout for any chance of laying him by the heels. So long as he was free in London my life would really not have been worth liv- ing. Night and day the shadow would have been over me and sooner or later his chance must have come. What could do? I could not shoot him at sight or should myself be in the dock. There was no use appealing to magis- trate They cannot interfere on the strength of what would appear to them to be a wild suspicion. So could do nothing. But I watched the criminal news, knowing that sooner or later I should get him. Then came the death of this Ronald Adair. My chance had come at last Knowing what I did. was it not certain that Colonel Moran had done 1t? He had played cards with the lad: he had followed him home from the club: he had shot him through the open window. There was not . doubt of it. The bullets alone are enough to put his head in a moose.
 'T came over at once I was seen by the sentinel. who would. knew. direct the coloners attention to my presence. He could not fail to connect my sudden return with his crime and to be terribly alarmed. I was sure he would make an attempt to get me out of the wsy at once and would bring round his mur- derous weapon for that purpose. I left him an excellent mark in the window. and, having warned the police that they might be needed-by the way. watson, you spotted their presence in tha. doorway with unerring accuracy I took up what seemed to me to he . judicicus post for observation, never dreaming that he would choose the same spot for his attack. Now. my dear Watson. does anything remain for me to explainr
 "Yes," said I. You have not made 1t quite clear what was Colonel MoFan's motive in numbering the Hon. Ronald Adair?"
 "Ah. my dear Watson. there we come into those realms of conjecture where the most logical mind may be at fault. Each may form his own hypothesis up- on the present evidence. and yours is as likely to be correct as mine"
 You have formed one. then"
 .T think that it is not difficult to ex- plain the facts. It came out in evidence that Colonel Moran and young Adair had between them won . considerable amount of money. Now. Moran un- doubtedly played foul. Of that have long been aware. believe that on the day of the murder Adair had discov. cred that Moran was cheating. Very likely be had spoken to him privately and had threatened to expose him un. less he voluntarily resigned his mem beship of the club and promised not to play cards again. It is unlikely that youngster like Adair would at once make . hidcous scandal by exposing we'll known man 60 much older than himself. Probably he acted ae ! sug. gest. The exclusion from bis clubs would mean ruin to Moran. who lived by his III gotten csrd gains. He there fore murdered Adair. who at the time was endeavoring 10 work out how much money he should himself return. since be could not profit by his part ner's foul play. He locked the door lest the ladies should surprise bim and in sist upon knowing what he was doing with these names and coins. VIII it passr
 T have no doubt that you have hit upon the truth"
 -It will be verified or disproved al the trial. Meanwhile. come what may. Colonel Moran will trouble us no more. The famous air gun of von Herder will embellish the Scotland Yard museum. and once again Mir. Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life 10 examining tho<e interesting little problems which the compiler life of London % plensf f,rrfx nresenfx~