The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-24

our expense, and perhaps we Amay dc
as much by him If my reading Of this
problem proves to be correct. iYes. YES
l think see how we should lapproacl
it,"
The Scotland Yard detective was still
writing in the parlor when Holmes in.
terrupted him.
4 II understood that you wire writing
a report Of this case" said BE-.
so l am"
Don't you thlnk II may be a little
premature? ! can't help thinking than
your evidence is not complcte."
Lestrade knew my friefid too wen to
disregard his words. Heilaid Down his
pen and looked curiousl1 at him.
What do you mean. Mr. Hclmesg"
only that there IS an important wit.
ness whom you have not seen"
Can you produce himY
Il think / can"
"Then do So"
Il will do my best How many CON
stables have your"
There are three within call"
Excellent" said Holmes. MAY 1
ask If they are all large. ablebodied
men with powerful voicesg"
Il have no doubt they are. though :
fail to see what their voices have 10 do
with It,"
Perhaps / can help you TO see that
and one or two other things as we'll"
said Holmes. Kindly summon your
men, and ] will try"
Five pafu1fao iafor ts,.,,o ....ft........ 49,.
had assembled in the han.
"In the outhouse you win and a con
siderable quantity ol straw" said
Holmes. Il will ask you to carry in
two bundles Of It. think it viii be
Of the greatest assistance In producing
the witness whom l require Thank
you very much. / believe you have
some matches in your pocket Watson.
Now Mr.. Lestrade, ! will ask you all
TO accompany me to the top landing"
AS l have said, there was broad
corridor there, which ran outside three
empty bedrooms. At one end Of the
corridor we were all marshaled by
Sherlock Holmes, the constables grin.
ming and Lestrade staring at my friend
with amazement, expectation and derE
sion chasing each other across.his fea-
lures. Holmes stood before us with
the air OF a conjureF who is perform
ing a trick.
Would you kindly send one Of your
constables for two buckets Of water?
Put the straw on the floor here, free
from the wall on either side. Now /
think that we are all ready"
Lestrade's face had begun 70 grow
red and angry.
II don't know whether you are play
ing a game with US, Mr.. sherlock
Holmes" said he. III you know any
thing you can surely say ii wllhout all
this tomfOolery."
Il assure you, my good Lestrade.
that l have an excellent reason for
everything that ! do. You may possl-
bly, remember that you chaned me a
little some hours ago when the sun
seemed ON your side Of the hedge, so
you must not grudge me q little pomp
and ceremony now Might / ask you,
Watson, to open that window end then
to put a match to the edge OF the
strawT
l did so, and, driven by the draft,
coil OF gray smoke swirled down the
corridor, while the dry straw cracked
aud damed.
Now we must see II we can find thb
witness for you, Lestrade. Might
ask you al q 'oin ia the cry Of 'FireY
Now, then--one, tlT0, snree"
Fire. we all yelled
ffIhunI ~ 4
again"
"Fireg'
Just once more, gentlemen. and all
together"
"Flrer The shout must have runs
over Norwood.
II had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened A door sud-
denly few open out Of what appeared
TO be solid wall at the end OF the cor
ridor and a little wizened man darted
out Of It like a rabbit out Of its bur
row.
"Capitalw said Holmes calmly.
Watson a bucket Of water over Tie
straw That will do! Lestrade. allow
me 10 present you with your principal
missing witness, Mr.. Jonas Oldacre"
The detective stared at the newcOm-
er with blank amazement Fhe latter
was blinking IN the bright light Of the
corridor and peering al us and az the
smoldering fire II was an odlous
face-crafty. vicious. malignant with
shifty light gray eyes and white
lashes
whats this, thenT' said L.estrade al
last what have you been doing all
this time. ehf"
Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh. shrink
ing back from the furious red face Of
the angry detective.
Il have done no harm"
mo harm7 You have done your best
10 get an nocent man hanged. II II
wasn't bis gentleman here / ana
not sure iA4l you would not have sue
seeded"
The wretehed creature began to
whimper
Il am sure, sir, it was only my puc-
tical ioke'
"Oh. q Joke was IN You won't End
the laugh on your side. / promise you
Take him down aud keep him IA the
sitting room until come Mr. Holmes"
be- eontinsed VIXEN they had gone. Il
could not speak before the coustables
but don't mind saying 10 the presence
of Dr. watson that this Is the brightest
thing that yon have done yet. though Il
r. a rrrafll.v ~ ma how van .IfI lf Won