The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-25
cHAPTER III.

NJ tnat l was considerably
III startled by this fresh proof Of the
practical nature of my onpan
ions theories. My respect for his pow-
ers of analysis increased wondrously.
There still remained some lurking sus-
picion in my mind, however, that the
whole thing was a prearranged cpl
sode, intended to dazzle me-, though
what earthly object he could have In
taking me In was past my comprehen-
sion. When l looked at him he had
finished reading the note, and his eyes
had assumed the vacant, lack-lustres
expression which showed mental
straction.
How in the world did you deduces
that?" I asked.
"Deduce what?" said he. peulantly.
"Why, that he was a retired sergeant
of Marines
ST have no time for trihes," no re-
piled, b~rusquely; then, with a smile.
Excuse my rudeness. You broke the
thread of my thoughts; but perhaps IL
is as well. So you actually were not
able to see that that man was q SER
geant of marines?"
mo. indeed"
ut was easier to know It than to K
plain why l know It. If you wera
hAkO = BICfC IAlit w oAto LWo lla42 81
four, you might find some difficulty.
and yet you are quite sure of the facts
Even across the street I could see al
great blue anchor tattooed on the back
Of the fellows hand. That smacked of
the sea. He had a military carriage,
however, and regulation side whiskers.
There we have the marine. He was a
man with some amount of self-im-
portance and a certain air of command.
You must AVE observed the way In
which he held his head and swung his
cane. A steady, respectable, middle
aged man. too. on the face of him-all
facts which led me to believe that has
had been a sergeant"
Wonderful" I calculated.
Commonplace" said Holmes, though
I thought from his expression that his
was pleased at my evident surprise and
admiration. 81 said Just now that there
were no criminals. 1t appears that i
I'm ~wrong-look at this!" He threw
me over the note which the commis-
s~ionaire had brought.
d why I cried. as I cast my eye
over II, this is terriblel"
1T does seem to be a little out of the
common he remarked. calmly. Would
you mind reading 1t to me aloud?"
This Is the letter which I read to
him:
MY Dear Mr.. Sherlock Holmes
There has been q bad business during
the night at 8 Lauriston Gardens, off
the Brixton road. Our man on the
beat saw a light there about two In the
morning, and as the house was an
empty one, suspected that something
was amiss. He found the door open,
and in the front room. which is bare Of
furniture, discovered the body OF q
gentleman, well dressed. and having
cards In his pocket bearing the name
of noel J. Drebber. Cleveland, Ohio.
U. S. A There had been no robbery.
nor Is there any evidence as to how
the man met his death. There are
marks OF blood in the room. but there
is no wound Upon his person. We are
at q loss as to how he came into the
cmtpy house; indeed. the whole affair
is a puzzler. If you can come round to
the house any time before twelve, you
will find me there. I have left every
thing in statu quo until I hear from
you. If you are unable to come I shai
give you fuller details, and would
esteem 1t a great kindness II you would
favor me with your opinion. Yours
faithfully. TOBIAS ERICSSON"
"Gregson is the smartest of the Scott
land Yarders." my friend remarked;
she and Lestrade are the pick OF a bad
lot. They are both quick and energetic,
but conventionai-shocdngly so. They
have their knives into each other. too
They are as jealous as a pair Of pro-
fessional beauties. There VIII be some
fun over this case if they are both put
upon the scent
I was amazed at the calm way In
which he rippled on.
"Surely there is not n moment to De
lost 1 cried; shall I go n order you
a cab?"
IT am not sure about whether I shall
go. 1 am the most ineurably lazy devil
that ever stood in shoe leather-that
is. when the fit is on me, for 1 can be
spry enough at times"
"Why, it is just such a chance as
you nave been longing for
My dear fellow. what does IT matter
to me? %Supposlng I unravel the whols
matter, you may be sure that Gregson.
Lestrade & CO. viii pocket all the
credit. That OF being an unofii-
cial parsonage"
But he begs YOU 70 help him.
Eyes. He knows that / am his SUI
perior. and acknowledges It to me: but
he would cut his tongue out before he
would own II 10 any JnlfA person HOW
ever, We may as we'll go ana have a
look. l shall work it OUT on my own
hook | may have a laugh AT them. IL
] nave nothing else. Come onu'
He hustled on his overcoat. and
hustled about In a way that showed
that an energetic fit had superseded
the apathetic no.
Get u hat" he said
you wish me TO Gomez
Eyes. If you have nothing better 20
do"
A minute later we were both In a
hanson, driving furiously for the Brix-
ton road.
1t was a foggy. cloudy morning.. and
a dun-colored veil hung over the
house-tops. looking ike the reelection
of the m~ud-colered streets beneath.
My companion was in the best OF
spirits, and prattled away about Gre
mona fddles. and the difference be-
tween a Stradivarius and an AmatI.
As for myself, l was silent. for the dull
weather and the melancholy business
upon which we were engaged depressed