The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-05-07

* Il -"
The Red Steps Pointed Toward Us.
struck match, and lit the detectives
lantern. As did so, and as the flick
er steadied into a flame. we all gave
gasp of surprise. On the deal
boards Of the carpetless floor there
was outlined fresh track Of blood.
The red steps pointed towards US, and
led away from an inner room, the
door Of which was closed. Gregson
flung it open and held his light full
blaze In front Of him, whilst we all
peered eagerly over his shoulders.
In the middle of the floor of the
empty room was huddled the figure of
an enormous man, his clean-shaven,
rwarthy face grotesquely horrible In
Its contortion, and his head encircled
by a CHASTITY crimson halo Of blood,
lying in broad wet circle upon the
white woodwork. His knees were
drawn up, his hands thrown out in
pgony, and from the center Of his
broad, brown, upturned throat there
projected the white haft of knife
driven blade-deep into his body. Giant
as he was, the man must have gone
DOWN like a pole-axed OK before that
terrific blow. Beside his right hand
, most formidable horn-handled, two
edged dagger lay upon the floor, and
pear it a black kid glove.
by George! It's Black Gorgiano
himself!" cried the American detect.
I've. Some one has got ahead Of us
this time."'
Here is the candle in the window,
Mr.. Holiness" said Gregson. "Why,
whatever are you doing?"
Holmes had stepped across, had lit
the candle, and was passing it back
wards and forwards across the win
dow.panes. Then he peered into the
darkness, blew the candle out, and
threw it on the floor.
IT rather think that will be helpful"
said he. He came over and stood in
deep thought, while the two profess
SIGNALS were examining the body.
you say that three people came out
from the fiat while you were waiting
downstairs" said he, at last. did
you observe them closely?"
Eyes, did, 49,
"Woo fhoro Ro110v,
black-b bearded, dark, of middle size?"
"Yes; he was the last to pass me- -
THAT is your man, fancy. I can
give you his description, and We have
q very excellent outline Of his foot
mark. That should be enough for
you." ,~
mot much, Mr.. Holmes, among the
millions of London"
perhaps not. That is why
thought it best to summon this lady
to your aid" 49,.
We all turned round at the words.
There, framed in the doorway, was I
tall and beautiful woman-the mys-
ferrous ledger Of Bloomsbury. Slowly
she advanced, her face pale and
drawn with frightful apprehension,
her eyes fixed and staring, her terri
fed gaze riveted upon the dark figure
on the floor. -.
"You have killed him!" she NUT
tered. ooh, Dio milo, you have killed
him!" Then heard sudden sharp
Intake Of her breath, and she sprang
into the air with cry of joy. Round
and round the room she danced, her
hands clapping, her dark eyes gleam-
Ing with delighted wonder, and thou.
sand pretty Italian EXPLANATIONS pour.
ing from her lips. It was terrible and
amazing to. see such a woman so con.
vulsed with Joy at such sight. Sud-
denly she stopped and gazed at US all
with a questioning stare.
"But you! You are police, are you
not? You have killed Giuseppo Co
siano. Is it not so7"
I'VE are police, madam"
She looked round into the shadows
Of the room.
"But where. then, is Gennaro?" shl
asked. HE is my husband, Gennaro
Lucca. I am Emilia Lucca, and VI
are both from New York. Where ID
Gennaro? He called me this moment
from this window, and I ran with all
my speed"
1T was I who called" said Holmes.
"You! How GOULD you CALF"
"Your cipher was not dimcult
madam. Your presence here was de.
sirable. I knew that I had only ia
fash 'Veni' and you would surely
come {.
The beautiful italian looked with
awe at my companion.
Il do not understand how you know
these things, she said. Giuseppe
Gorgiano-how did he" She paused,
and then suddenly her face lit ~
with pride and delight. Now ] see
It! My Gennaro! Ny splendid. beau.
tiful Gennaro, who has guarded me
safe from all harm, he did it. with HID
own strong hand he killed the mon,
ster! Oh. Gennaro. how wonderful
you are! What woman could ever Be
worthy Of such q mani"
Well, Mrs. Lucca," said the prosaic
Gregson, laying his hand upon the
lady's sleeve with as little sentiment
as Il she were q Noting Hill hooli
gan, Il am not very clear yet who you
are or what you are; but you've said
enough to make 1t clear that We shall
x,r,,, :,