Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-07-05
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

Holmes held each separate shard to the
light but in no way did it differ from any
other shattered piece of plaster. He had
just completed his examination when the
hall lights flew up. the door opened, and
the owner of the house, a joval, rotund
| figure in shirt and trousers. presented
himself
Mr. Josiah Brown. l suppose?' said
Holiness
Yes. sir; and you. no doubt, arc MIR.
Sherlock Holmes? 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-
velopments Well. i am very glad to see
that YOU have got the rascal. hope. gem
tlemen. that you will come III and have
some refreshment."
| However, Iestradc was anxious to ge.
his man into safe quarters. so within a
few minutes our cab had been summoned
and we We're all four upon our way to
London. Not word would our captive
say, but he slared at us from the shadow
Of his matted hair, and once. when my
hand seemed within his reach, he snapped
at 1t like {; hungry wolf. We stayed long
enough at the police station to learn that
IL search of his clothing revealed nothing
knife, the handle of which bore copious
traces of recent blood.
That's all right said I.cstrade. as sc
parted. "liill knows all these gentry. and
he will give a name to him You'll find
| that my theory of the Malta will work out
! all right But I'm sure am exceedingly
obliged 10 YOU MIR. Holmes for the work
manlikc Wal. in which you laid hands upon
| him. don't quite understand it all yet"
II fear Ii is rather too late am hour for
Explanations. said Holmes Besides.
there ar, one or two details which are not
| finished off, and 1t is one of those cases
which arc worth working out to the Very
end. III YOU will come round once more
10 my rooms at O'Clock tomorrow. i
think shah be able to show you that
even HOW YOU have not graspcd the entire
meaning of this business. which presents
some features which make II absolutely
original in the history of crime. If ever
| parmt YOU To chronicle amy more OF my
little problems, Watson. j foresee that you
will ehliNcn your pages by an account of
the singular adventure of the Napolconic
busts'
When We met again next evening. Les
trade was furnished with much informa-
tion concerning our prisoner. His name, 1t
appeared, was Bcppo, second name UNI
known. He was d well-known ne'er-do-
we'll among the Italian colony. He had
once been Il skillful sculptor and had
earned an honest living, but he had taken
to evil courses and had twice already been
in saol-once for petty theft and once,
as We had already heard. for stabbng a
fellow countryman. He could talk Eng
lish 10 rfectly we'll His reasons for de-
stroying the busts We're still unknown, and
nc refused to answer amy questions upon
the subject but the police had discovered
that these same busts might very well
have been made by his own hands, since
he was engaged in this class of work at
the establishment of Geldcr d Co. To all
this information. much OF which we al
ready knew. Holmes listened with polite
attention hut i. who knew him SO Well.
could clearly see that his thoughts were
| elsewhere and detected Il mixture of
mingled uncasiness and expectation be-
1 Meath that mask which he was Won't to
! assume Al last he started in his chair
I and his eyes frightened. There had beer
il ring mt the bell. y minute later We
I heard steps upon the stairs, and an eli
derby red-faccd man with griZzled side
whiskers was ushered in. In his right
hand he carried an old-fashloned carpet
bag. which he placed upon the table
lis MIR Sherlock Holmes here
My friend bowed and smiled. mir.
/ Sandcford of Reading, ! suppose" said
he.
"Yes, sir fear chat am little late.
but the trains were awkward. You wrote
to me about d bust that is in my posses
sion''
"I1xactly.'
II have your letter here You said. Il
desire to possess copy of Devines Ma
poleon. and am prepared TO pay You ten
pounds for the one which is IN your pos
session Is hat right"
Certainly"
II was Very much surprised at your let
ter for could rot imagine how You
knew that owned such IA thing"
! "Of course you must have been sur
priscd but the explanation is very Sim
Pile. MIR. Harding. of Harding Brothers.
said that they had sold you thor last
copy and he gave mo your address"
.Oh. that was it. was it? Did he toll
you what paid for i,?
I NO, he did not
We'll | am an honest man. though not
/ q Very rich one. j only gave fifteen shili-
ings for the bust. and | think YOU ough,
to know that before take ten pounds
from yot
II am sure Tie scruple does you honor
Mr.. Sandefo:d. l:ut | hav.: named thai
price. so ! intend to stick tn it,"
Well 1t is very handsome of you MIR
4 Holmes. 1 brought the bust up with me
/ as you asked me 10 do Here it IS" He
opened his bag, and at las: we saw placed
upon our table Il complete Specimen OF
] that bust which we had already seen more
than once in fragments.
Holmes took a paper from his pocket
! and laid r-n-poLnd note upon the table
tYom will kindly sign that paper, Mr.