The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-26
L was some time before the health
of my friend. Nj. Sherlock Holmes.

recovered from the strain caused
by his immense eXertions in the spring
Of 'S1. The whole question of the
Observation-Disclosures Company and of
the colossal schemes of Baron Mauper-
tuis are too recent in the minds of the
public, and are too intimately con-
cerned with politics and finance to be
fitting subjects for his series of
sketches. They led, however, in an in
direct fashion to a singular and COM
pick problem which gave my friend an
opportunity of demonstrating the value
of a fresh weapon among he many
with which he waged his lifelong bat
tie against crime.
On referring to my notes l see that
it was upon the 14th of April that |
received a telegram from Lyons which
informed me that Holmes was lying i'll
in the Hotel Dulong. Within twenty
four hours 1 was in his sick room, and
was relieved to find that there was
nothing formidable in his symptoms.
Even his iron constitution, however,
had broken down under the strain of an
investigation which had extended over
two months, during which period he
a never worked less han fifteen
hours a day, and had more than once,
as he assured me, kept to his task for
five days at a stretch. Even the trium-
plant issue of his labors could not save
him from reaction after SO terrible an
exertion, and at a time when Europe
was ringing with his name, and when
his room was literally ankle-deep with
consratulatory kilograms, l found him
a prey to the blacklist depression. Even
the knowledge that he had succeeded
where the police of three countries had
fasI-1 --1 4I,ot Ina 1o1 Iofttfaaa n ~ xnroH
at every point the most accomplished
swindler in Europe, was insufficient to
rouse him from his nervous prostra-
ton.
Three days later we were back in
Baker street together, but it was evil
lent hat my friend would be much
the better for a change, and the
thought of a week of springtime in the
country was full of attractions to me
also. My old friend, Colonel Hayter,
who had come under my professional
care in ~Afghanistan, had now taken a
house near Reigate in Surrey, and had
frequently asked me to come down to
him upon a visit. On the last occasion
he had remarked that if my friend
would only come with me he would
be glad to extend his hospitality to him
also. A little diplomacy was needed,
but when Holmes understood that the
establishment was a bachelor one, and
that he would be allowed the fullest
freedom. he fell in with my plans and
a weeHS after our return from Lyons
we we're under the colonies roof. Hay
ter was8R fine old soldier who had seen
much of the world. and he soon found,
as 1 hail expected, that Holmes and he
had much in ommon
On the evening of our arrival we
were sitting in the colonel's gun-room
after dinner, Holmes stretched upon
the sofa, while Hayter and I looked
over his little armory of Eastern a
ons.
by the way" said he suddenly, II
think I'll take one of these pistols up-
stairs with me in case we have an
alarm"
IAN alarm!" said I.
Yes, we've had a scare in this part
lately. Old Acton, who is one of our
county magnates. had his house broken
into last Monday. No great damage
DONE. but the fellows are stiIl at large"
mo clue?" asked Holmes, cooking his
eye at the colonel.
None as yet. But the affair Is a
petty one, one of our little country
crimes, which must seem too small for
your attention, Mr.. Holmes, after this
great international affair"
Holmes waved away the compliment,
though his smile showed that it had
pleased him.
"Was there any feature Of INTEREST,""
"T fancy not. The thieves ransacked
the library and got very little for their
pains. The whole place was turned
upside down, drawers burst open, and
presses ransacked, with the result that
an odd volume of Pope's Homer two
plated candlesticks, al ivory letter.
weight, a small "a barometer, and
a hall of Irvine are all that have van
ished.'
What an extraordinary assortment
I exclaimed.
"Oh, the fellows evidently grabbed
hold of everything they could get"
Holmes grunted from the sofa.
1.-THE county police ought to make
something of that" said he; "why, 1t
is surely obvious that
But 1 held up a warning finger.
"You are here for a rest, my dear
fellow. For Heavens sake don't get
started on a new problem when your
nerves are all in shreds."
Holmes shrugged his shoulders with
a glance of comic resignation towards
the colonel, and the talk drifted away
Into less dangerous channels.
1t was destined, however, that all my
professional caution should be wasted,
for next morning the problem obtruded
itself upon us in such a way that it was
impossible to ignore 1t, and our country
visit took a turn which neither of us
could have anticipated. We We're at
breakfast when the c%oloners butler
rushed in with all his propriety shaken
out of him.
"Have you heard the news, SIR" he
gasped. "At the Cunningham's, sir"
'Burglary!' cried the colonel, with
his coffee-cup in midair.
"Murder!'
The colonel whistled. "By Jove."
said he. who's killed, then? The j.
p. or his son?'
.'Neither, sir. It was William the
%coachman. Shot through the heart, sir,
and never spoke again.
''yVho shot him. them
1.-THE burglar. sir. He was off like a
shot and got clean away. He'd Just
broke in9at the pantry window when
William came on him and met his end
e. -