The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-08-30

cases has found it's way into your col
lection, and / must admit, Watson, that
you have some power of selection,
which atones for much which ! de-
plore in your narratives. Your fatal
habit of looking at everything from the
scientific exercise has ruined what
might nave been an Instructive and
even classical series of demonstrations.
You slur over work Of the utmost
finesse n 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?' I said, with some bitterness.
II will. my dear Watson, I will. At
present | am, as you know, fairly busy,
but I 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 ppears to be a case Of MUIR
der"
You think this Sir Eustace is dead,
then?"
IT 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 lay caused
him to send for 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, e. b. mono-
gram, coat-of-arms, picturesque adj
dress. I think that friend Hopkins will
live up to his reputation, anG that we
shall have an interesting morning.
The crime was committed before
twelve last night"
"How can you possibly tell?'
NV an inSnactiOn of the trains and
by reckoning the time. The local po-
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 a fair
nights work. Well, here we are at
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
face 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. pillared in front after the fash
ion Of Palladio. The central part was
evidently of great age, and shrouded in
ivy, but the large windows showed that
modern changes had been carried out,
and one wing of the house appeared to
be entirely new. The youthful figure
and alert, eager face Of Inspector STAN
ley Hopkins confronted us in the open
doorway.
I'm very glad you have come, Mr..
Holmes. And you too, Dr.. Watson.
But, indeed, if I had had my time over
again, l should not have troubled you,
for since the lady has come to herself,
she has given so clear an account of
the affair that there is not much left
for us to do. You remember that Lew
isham gang of burglars?'
what, the three Randalls ~
Exactly; the father and two sons.
It's their work. 1 nave not a doubt of
it: They did a job at Sydenham a fort
night ago, and were seen and described.
SO near, but it is they, beyond all
doubt. It's a hanging matter this
time
Sir Eustace is dead, then?"
Yes, his heaG was knocked in with
his own poker"
Sir Eustace B-ackenstall, the driver
tells me-
"Exactly-one of the richest men in
Kent-Lady Brackenstall is in the
morning room. Poor lady. she has had
a most dreadful experience. She
seemed half dead when I saw her first
| think you had best see her, and heal
her account of the facts. Then we will
examine the dining room together
Lady Brackenstall was no ordinary
person. Seldom have I seen so grace
full a figure, so wonlanly a presence
and SO beautiful a face. She was a
blonde, golden haired, blue eyed, and
would no doubt have had the perfec,
complexion which goes with such color
ing had not her recent experience left
her drawn and haggard. Her suffer
ings were physical as we'll as mental
for over one eye rose a hideous, plum
colored swelling, which her maid, a tall
auStere Woman was bathing assidu-
ously with vinegar and water. The
lady lay back exhausted upon q couch
but her quick, obServant gaze, as we
entered the room, and the alert expires.
sion of her beautiful features, showed
that neither her wits nor her courage
had been shaken by her terrible ex.
| perlahce. She was enveloped in a loost
dressing gown of blue and silver, but {
black sequin covered dinner dress was
hung upon the couch beside her.
Il have told you all that happened
Mr.. Hopkins" she said, YEARLY, ''coult
| you not repeat it for me? Well, if 70,
think i; necessary, l will tell thest
t gentlemen what occurred. Have they
been in the dining room yet?"
Il thought they had better hear you:
%ladyship's story first"
Il shall be glad when you can ar
dISe matters. 1t is horrible to me t
think of him still lying there" Sh'
~shuddered and buried her face in he
5 hands. AS she did SO, the loose cow
fell back from her forearms. Holme
uttered an exclamation.
You have other injuries, madam
What is this?" Two vivid red spot
stood out on one of the white, roun,
+; limbs. She hastily covered it.
1T is nothing. 1t has no connection
with this hldeous business tonight. |
= You and your friend will sit down,
I Will tell you all 1 can.
> II am the wife of Sir Eustace Brack
! enstau. l nave been married about
l year l suppose thai it is 40 use m
! attempting to conceal that our MAJ
4 rage has not been a happy one. l fea
! that all u neighbors would tell yo
. that, even if l wei" to attempt to den
0 it. Perhaps - ;5ult may be part
mine. | was erought up in the freel
. less conventional atmosphere of Sout
u Australia, and his English life, wit
q It's prophecies and its pTimness, is nc
| 2onsehial to me. But the main rea
son lies in the one fact, which is no
a torlous TO every one, and that is tina
+: Sir Eustace was a confirmed drunkart
10 pc with such a man for an hour i
unpleasant. Can you imagine what
e means for Il sensitive and '~high-spirite
e woman to be tied to him for day an
: night! 1t is a sacriiege, a crime,
/ " ! n ~ ~ - III ~ ~ L -I