The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-09

two bundles of it. l thing it will be
OF the greatest assistance in producing
the witness whom l require. Thank
you very much. I believe you nave
some matches in your pocket. Watson.
Now. Mr.. Lestrade. l will ask you all
AS AVE said. there was a
broad corridor there. which al
At one end Of the corridor We
were all m~arshalled by Sherlock
Holmes, the constabies grinning and
Lestrade staring at my friend with
a-mazement, expectation. n derision
chasing each other across his feat
ures. Holmes stood before us with the
air of a c%onjurer who Is performing 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 wa on either side. Now 1
think that we are all ready"
Lestrade's face had begun to grow
red and angry.
II don't know whether you are play
Ing a game with US. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes" said he. "If You know any
thing. you can surely say it without all
this tomfoolery."
II assure you, my good Lestrade.
that l nave an excellent reason for
everything that I dc You may pos
sibly remember that you chaffed me a
little. some hours 60, when the sun
seemed on your side OF the hedge, so
you must not grudge me q little pomp
and ceremony now. Might I ask you,
Watson. to open that window. and then
to put a match to the edge of the
straw
I did so, and driven by the draught,
a coil Of grey smoke swirled down the
corridor, while the dry straw cracked
and famed.
witness for you, Lestrade. Might l
ask o all to join In the cry of Fire.
Now. then; one. two, three"
"Fire!" we all yelled.
Thank you. I will trouble you oncs
again"
.'Just once more, gentlemen, and all
together
"Fire!" The shout must have rung
rel Norwood.
1t had hardly died away when an
amazing thing happened. A door sud-
to be solid wall at the end Of the cor
ridor, and a little. wfzened man darted
out Of it. like a rabbit out of it's bur-
row
Capital" said Holmes. calmly.
Watson. a bucket of water over the
oSA iiot WI NO. ASSlIdue, dlIOM
me to present you with your principal
missing witness. Mr.. Jonas Oldacre."
The detective stared at the new
conner with blank amazement. The
latter was blinking in the bright light
Of the corridor, and peering at us and
GUS faee-crafty, vicious. malignant,
with shifty, light grey eyes and white
lashes.
What's this, theno" said Lestrade at
last. v have you been doing all.
this time, eh?"
oldacre .gaven an uneasy laugh,
shrinking back from the furious red
face of the angry detective.
Il have done no HARM"
N harm? You have done your best
to get an innocent man hanged. If 1t
wasn't for this gentleman here. 1 I'M
not sure that you would not have sue
ceeded."
The wretched creature began to
whimper.
II am sure. sir. 1t was only my prac-
tical joke"
oh! a joke. was 1T? You won't find
the laugh on your side. I promise YOU.
Take him down, and keep him in the
sitting room until I come. Mr. Holiness"
he continued. when they had gone, II
could not speak before the constables.
but I don't mind saying. in the pres
ence of DIR. Watson, that this is the
brightes: thing that you have lone yet,
though 1T Is Il mystery to me how you.
did 1t. You have saved an innocent
mans life, and you rave prevented a
very grave scandal. which would have
ruined my reputation in the force"
Holmes smiled, and clapped Lestrade
the shoulder.
Instead of being ruined, my good
SIR, you Will find that your reputation
has been enormously enhanced. Just
make a few alterations in that report
,yra -AI
understand how hard 1t is t. throw
dust in the eyes of Inspector Les
trade"
And you dent want your name TO
appear::"
Not at all. ~hc work is its own re-
ward. Perhaps l shall get the credit
also at some distant day, when l per-
NIT my jealous historian to lay out his
foolscap once more-eh. Watson? Well.
now. let Us see where his rat a been
lurking"
A la,h-and1laster partition had
been run across the passage six feet
from the end. with the door cunningly
concealed in it. 1t was lit within by
Sits under the caves A few articles
of furniture and a supply of food and
water We're within, together with a
OF books and papers.
There's the advantage of being a
builder" said Holmes, as we came out.
He was able to fix UP his own little
hiding place without any confederate
save. of course. that precious house,
keeper of his. whom 1 should lose no
time n adding to your bag. Lestrade."
"Iil take your advice. but how did
you know of this place, MI. Holmes?"
II made UP my mind hat the fellow
in hiding in the house. When 1
paced ore corridor and found 1t six feet
ahcrte. than the corresponding one be-
SA