Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-09-06

Holmes. Il fancy that everyone of hi:
cases has found its way into our col
lection. and l must admit. Watson. tina
you have some power of selection
which atoneS for much which | de-
plore in your narratives. Your fata
habit of looking at everything from the
point of view of Il story instead of as &
scientific exercise has ruined wha,
might have been an instructive and
even classical series of demonstrations
You slur over work of the utmost
iinesse and delicacy. in order To dwell
upon sensational details which may eX-
cite. but cannot possibly instruct, the
reader"
why do you not write them YOUR
SELF | said. with some bitterness.
Il will. my dear Watson. l VIII. AT
present l am. is YOU know. fairly busy,
but l propose to devote my declining
Years to the composition of a text book
which shall focus the whole art of de-
lection into one volume. Our present
research appears to be Il case of muir
der"
You think this Sir Eustace is dead,
them"
Il should say so. Hopkins writing
shows considerable agitation. and he
gather there has been violence. and
that the body Is left for our inspection.
A mere suicide would not have caused
MN to send Cor me. AS to the release
of the lady. it would appear that she
has been locked in her room during the
tragedy. We are moving in high life.
Watson. cracking paper, =. b. mono
gram, coat-of-arms, picturesque adj
dress. L think that friend Hopkins will
live up TO his reputation, and that we
snail have an interesting morning.
The crime was committed before
twelve last night"
How can you possibly tell?"
10y an inspection of the trains. and
by reckoning The time. The local DO
lice had to be called in. they had to
communicate with Scotland Yard, Hop
kins had to go out. and he in turn had
to send for me. All that makes n fair
nights work. Well, here we are at
Chiselhurst station. II we shall soon
set our doubts at rest"
a drive of a couple of miles through
narrow country lanes brought us to a
park gate. which was opened for us by
an old lodge keeper. whose haggard
lace bore the reflection of some great
disaster. The avenue ran through a
noble park. between lines of ancient
elms. and ended in a low, Widespread
house, p~iilared in front after the fash
ion OF Palladio. The central part was
evidently of great age. II roude in
= ''N VIZ 81 - - III l11l
modern changes had been carried out.
and wing of the house appeared to
be entirely new The youthful figure
ana alert. eager face of Inspector Stan
ley HOPKINS confronted US in the open
doorway.
I'm very glad you have come. Mr..
And YOU too. DR.. Watson.
!'ut. indeed, if l had had my time over
again. | should not have troubled Won.
since the i1dv hDc ~, e., 1,o.,.tc
she has given so clear an of
the affair that there is not much left
Tor us to do. You remember tina Lew
isham gang of burslars?'
What. the three Randalls?
Exactly: the father and two sons.
It's their work. | have not a doubt of
IT, They did a job at Svdenham a fort
night ego. and were seen and described.
Rather cool TO do another so soon and
50 ear. bat it is they, beyond all
doubt. It's a hanging matter this
Sir i.nstace is dead. them"
"lcs. his heaa WAS Knocked in with
his own poker
Sir I.ustace B~rackenstall. the driver
tells me-
"~EXactly-one OF the richest men in
Brackenstall is in the
morning room. Poor lady. She las had
a most dreadful experience. She
seemed half dead when ] saw her first.
lhink You had best see her. and hear
her account of the facts. Then we Will
eNamin the dining room together
Lady Brac!ienstall was no ordinary
Seldom have | seen so grace
full n figure. so womanly Il presence.
and so beautiful a face. She was a
blonde. golden haired. blue eyed. and
would no doubt have had the perfect
complexion which goes with such color
hai not her recent experience left
her drawn and haggard. Her suffer
we.e physical as we'll as mental.
colored swelling. which her maid, n tail.
austere woman. was bathing assidu-
with vinegar and water. The
lay back exhausted upon % ouch.
but her quick, observant gaze. as we
entered the room. and the alert expires
sion Of her beautiful features, showed
neither her wits nor her courage
had been shaker by her terrible eS-
Ierletice. She was envelopcd in a loose
iresslng gown of blue and silver. but a
hack sequin covered dinner dress was
hung upon h couch beside her.
II have told o all that happened.
Mr.. Hopkins" she said. YEARLY, could
not repeat it for me" Well. If you
think ii necessary, will tell these
gentlemen what occurred. Have they
been IN the dining room yet?"
Il thought they had better hear vo,r
story first"
Il shall be glad when you can ar
range matters. IT is horrible to me to
think of him still lying there" She
s~huddered and buried her face in her
hands. As u did so, the loose gown
back from her %forearTns. Holmes
uttered an exclamation.
You have other injuries, madami
What is this?" Two vivid red srots
stood GU on n of the white, round
limbs. She hastily covered it.
IT is nothing. 1t has no connection
WITH TINS hideous business tonight. If
You ana :"ur friend Will sit down. /
VIII tell you all / can.
i am the wife of Sir Eustace Rrack-
enstall. i have been married about -
year suppose that it is 40 use my
attempting to conceal that our mar
rage has not been "A i:appy one. | fear
lAat all our n~eiShbors would tell Won
mat. even If i Wet" TO attempt to DENY
IT, Perhaps - Cult may be partly
nine. l was nrodsllt up in the freer.
less conventional atmosphere of South
and this English life. with
us pfoprleties and its puimness. is not
1oilSenlal to me. But the main .ea-
son hes IN the n fact, which is mo-
'ofiol;' 10 every one. and that is that
81 fustace was Il confirmed drunEara.
10 pc WITH such a man for an hour is
UNPLEASANT Can YOU imagine what it.
means Tor II sensitive ANA high i.., 81
woman 10 be tied to him Tor. 50 i and
iight: 1t Is a sacrilege. ii crime. a
TO hold that rich n MARRIAGE