The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-07-05
BY A. N Y

ter and rattle. The man was 80 intcn,
upon he was doing that he never
heard our steps as we stole across the
grass plot. with the bound OF n tiger
Holmes was on his back. and an instan,
later Lcstrade and I had him by either
wrist. and the handouts had been fas-
tened. As we turned him over I saw a
hideous. sallow face. with writing. fur
ious features, glaring up ut US. and ]
knew that IL was indeed the nan OF the
photograph whom we had secured.
Bat IL was not our prisoner TO whom
Holmes was giving his attention. Squattcd
on the doorstep. he was engaged In most
careful examining that which the man
had brought from tho house. IL was a
bust OF Napoleon. like the ono which we
had sec that morning. and Il had been
broken into similar fragments. Carefully
Holmes held each separate shard TO the
light but IN no way did u differ from any
other shattered piece OF plaster. lie had
just completed his examination when the
hall lights new up. the door opened. and
the owner OF the house. a jovial. rotund
figure In shirt and trousers. presented
himself.
Mr.. Josiah Brown. / suppoScT' .aid
Holmes,
Yes. sir: and you, no doubt. are Mr..
Sherlock Holmes2 I had the note which
you sent by the express messenger. and ]
did exactly what you told me. We locked
every door on the inside and awaited de-
vclopmcnts. Well. am very glad TO see
that you IA got the rascal. l hope. gen.
tlcmen. that you will como In and have
some rcfrcshmcnt."
However. Lcstradc was anxious 10 get
his man Into safe quarters. so within n
few minutes our cab had been summoned
and We were all four upon our way 20
London. Not n word would our captive
say. hut he glarcd at US from the shadow
II his matted hair. and nee. when my
hand seemed within his reach, he snapped
nj IL like n hungry wolf. We stayed long
enough nj the police station TO learn that
a search OF his clothing revealed nothing
save a few shillings and a long sheath
knife. the handle OF which bore copious
traces OF recent blood.
That's all right" said Lcstradc. as We
parted. "Hiil knows all these gentry. and
he will give n name TO him. You'll md
that my theory Of the Mafa will work out
all right. But I'm sure I am exceedingly
Obliged to you. Mr.. Holmes. for the work
manllkc way In which you laid hand upon
him. I don't quite understand u all yet"
Il fear II L. rather too late an hour for
explanations said Holmes. Resides.
Their" arc one or two details which are not
finished OF. and II IL one OF those cases
which are worth working out 10 the very
end. IL you will come round once more
TO my rooms at o o'clock tomorrow, i
think I shall be able TO show you that
even now you nave not Eraspcd the entire
meaning OF this business. which presents
some features which make" Il absolutely
original In the history OF crime. II ever
i permit yoI TO chronicle any more OF my
little problems. Watson. l forcSce that you
will cnllvcn your pages by an account OF
the singular adventure Of the Napolconic
busis."
When We met again nest evening. Les
trade was furnished with much informa-
ton concerning our prisoner. His name, II
appeared. was Bcppo. second name un-
known He was "a ~wcll-known ne'er-do-
well anon. the Italian colony. lie had
once been a skillful sculptor and had
earned an honest livins. but he had taken
90 evil courses and had twice already been
In gaol-oncc for n petty theft. and once.
as We had already heard, for stahbing a
fellow couT.ryman. lie could talk Eng
lish perfectly we'll. His reasons for de-
stroying the busts were still unknown, and
he refused to answer any questions upon
the subject. but the police had discovered
hat there same busts nigh; very well
have been made by his WI hands, since
he was engaged In this class OF work AZ
tho establishment OF Gcldcr A Co. To all
this Information. much Of which We al
ready knew. Holmc1 listened with polite
attention. but I. who knew him 80 well,
could clearly sec that his thoughts were
elsewhere, and I detected a mixture OF
mingled uncAsincSs and expectation be-
meath that mask which he was wont TO
assume. Al last nc started In his chair.
and his eyes frightened. There had been
A ring at the bell. \ minute later We
heard steps upon the stairs, and an ell
derby. rcd-faccd man with griZzlcd side
whiskcrs was ushcred In. In his right
hand he carried an old-fashioncd carpet
bag, which he placed upon the table.
lis Mr.. Sherlock Holmes hcrc?'
My friend bowed and smiled. ''Mr.
Sandcford. OF Reading. I suppose" said
ne.
"Ycs. sir. g that am II little. late.
but the trains were awkward. You wrote
TO mo about a bust hat Is In my posses
sion
Exactly"
~ have your letter here. You raid. i
desire TO possess n copy % Devinc's Ma
poleon. and am prepared to pay you ten
pounds for the one which Is IN your pos
session II that rIght7"
Certainly"
II was very much ShrprIscd nj your let
ter. for I could not imagine how you
knew that I owned such a thing"
"Of course o must have been sur
priscd. but the explanation IL very sim
pie. Mr.. Harding. OF Harding Brothers.
aid that they had sold you their last
copy. and he gave me your address"
"Oh. that was "a, was Il? Did he tell
you what I paid for IT,"
mo. he did not"
We'll. I am an honest man. though not
n very rich one. I only gave fifteen shili-
ings for the bust. and I think you ought
to know that before I take ten pounds
from you."
II am sure the acruplc docs you honor.
Mr.. Sandeford. But I have named that
price. so I intend TO stick To IT,"
well. IL II very handsome OF you. Mr..
Holmes. I brought the bust up with me.
as you asked me To do. Here II s." He
opened his bag. and az last We saw placed
upon our table "A complete specimen of
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