The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-05-31

Il can see that You are not satisfied"
oh, yes, my dear Watson. I am per-
fectiy satisfied. At the same time. Stan
ley Hopkins methods DO not
themselves to me. l am disappointed in
Stanley Hopkins. I had hoped for better
things from him. One should always look
for a possible alternative. and provide
against It. 1t is the first rule OF criminal
investigations"
"What then. is the alternativc?'
Tho line of Investigation which 7 have
myself been pursuing. 1t may give us
nothing. l cannot tell. But at least I
shall follow it TO the end"
Several letters were waiting for Holmes
at Baker street. He snatchcd one of them
up. opened It. and burst out into a tri-
umphant chuclle of laughter.
"ENCcllcnt, Watsoni The alternative de-
velops. Have YOU telegraph forms? Just
write n couple of messages for me: sum-
nor, Shipping Agent, Ratcliff Highway.
Send three men on. to arrive ten tonlor-
row morning Basil That's my name in
those parts. The other is: "Tnspector
Stanley Hopkins, 46. Lord street, Rrixton.
Come breakfast tomorrow at $50. I'M
portant. Wire II unable to comc.-Sher-
lock Holiness There. Watson, this in
fernal case has haunted me for ten days.
I hereby Danish it completely from my
presence. Tomorrow, l trust, that We
shall hear the last of 1t forever"
Sharp at the hour named Inspector
Stanley Hopkins appeared, and We sat
down together to the excellent breakfast
which Mrs. Hudson had prepared. The
young detective was in high spirits at his
success.
You really think tina your solution
must be correGto' asked Holmes.
y could not imagine a more complete
case"
III did not seem to me conclusive"
You aston:sh me. Mr.. Holmes. What
moro could one ask for"
Does YOU explanation cover every
point"
Undoubtedly. find that young Nell
gan arrived at the BrambRtye hotel on the
very day of the crime. He came on the
prcrense of playing golf. His room was
on the ground floor. and Ire could get out
when he liked. That very night he went
down to Woo6man's Lee. saw Peter Carey
at the hui. quarreIcd with him, and killed
him with the harpoon. Then, Mortified by
what he had done. Re fed out of the h1t.
dropping the notebook which he had
brought with him IN order TO question
Peter Carey about these different securi-
tics. You may have observed that some
OF them were marked with ticks. and the
otrlers-the great majority-were not.
Those which are licked have been traced
on the London market, but the others, pre-
surnably, were still In the possession OF
Carey, and young Neligan, according to-
his own account. was anxious to recover
them in orGer to do the right thing by his
fathers creditors. After his flight he did
not dare to approach the hut again for
| some time. but at last he forced himself
to do so in order to obtain the
which he needed. Surely that is all simple
and obvious
Holmes smiled and shook his head.
ut seems to me to have only one draw
back. Hopkins, and thar is that 1t is in
trinsically impossible. Fave you tried to
! drive q harmon tbro1n-In n ho5vo Mo-
Tut, tut. my dear sir, You must really pay
attention to these details. My friend
Watson could tell yoE that I spent a
whole morning in hat exercise. TT is no
easy matter. and requires a strong and
practiced arm. But this blow was derfv-
cred with such violence that the head OF
the Weapon sank deep into the wall. De
you imagine that this anaemic youth was
capable of so frightful an assault? Is he
the'man who hobnobped in rum and water
with Black Peter in the dead OF the n.ght?.
Was it his profile that was seen on the
blind two nights before? No, no, hopkins
1t is another and more formidable person
for whom we must seek"
The detectives face had GROWN longer
and longer during Holmes speech. His
hopes and his ambitions were all crum-
bling about him. But he would not ADAM
don his position without a struggle.
You can't deny that Neligan was pres
ent that nighS. Mr.. Holmes. The book
will prove that. I fancy that I have evil
dence enough to satisfy a jury, even IL
you are able to pick a hole In it. Besides,
Mr.. Holmes I have laid my hand upon
my man. AS to this terrible person Of
yours, where is hep"
II rather fancy that he is on the STAIR
said Holmes, serenely. II think, Wat
son, that you would do well to put that
revolver where you can reach It," He
rose and laid a written paper upon a side
table. Now we are ready said he.
There had been some talking in grnff
voices outside, and now Mrs. Hudson
opened the door to say that there were
three men inqu.ring for Captain Basil.
Show them in one by one," said
Holmes.
The first who entered was a little rib
ston-pippin of a man. with ruddy cheeks
and fluffy white side-whiskers. Holmes
had Drawn a letter from his pocket.
What name?" he asked.
James Lancaster"
Il am sorry, Lancaster, but the berth
Is full. Here is half a sovereign for your
trouble. Just step into this room, and
walt there for a few minutes"
The second man was a long, dried-up
creature. with lank hair and sallow
checks. His name was Hugh Pattlns. He
also received his dismissal. his half-soy-
reelgn, and the order to wait.
The third applicant was a man of re-
markable appearance. A fierce bull dog
face was framed IN a tangle of hair and
beard, and two bold, dark eyes cleaned
behind the cover of thick, tufted, overhung
1 eyebrows. He saluted and stood sailor
fashion, turning his cap round in his
hands.
.R reaa n' Cairns, asked homes
"H~arpooner?"
Yes sir. Twenty-six voyages"
Dundee, / suppose?"