Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-22

I
its contortion, and his head encircled
by a chastity crimson halo OF blood,
lying in q broad wet circle upon the
white woodwork. His knees were
drawn up, his hands thrown out IN
agony, 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 pole-axed OK before that
terrific blow. Beside his right hand
most formidable horn-handled, two
edged dagger lay upon the floor, and
near it 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 II DacK-
wards and forwards across the VIM
dow-panes. Then he peered into the
darkness, blew the candle out, and
threw it on the floor.
81 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 fat while you were waiting
downstairs" said he, at last. Did
YOU observe them Closely"
Yes, did"
WAS there a fellow about thirty,
black-bearded. dark. of middle size?'
Yes; he was the last 70 pass me-"
THAT is your man. l fancy. | can
give you his description, and we have
very excellent outline Of his foot
mark. That should be enough. for
you"
Not much, Mr.. Holmes, among the
millions OF London"
perhaps not. That is why
thought il best to summon this lady
TO your aid"
We all turned round at the words.
There, framed in the doorway. was a
tall-.and beautiful woman-the mys'
ferrous ledger OF Bloomsbury. Slowly
she advanced, her face pale and
drawn with a 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. "Oh, Dio mic, you have killed
him." Then I 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 ordinations pour
! ing from her lips. 1t was terrible and
amazing 10 see such woman so con-
yulsed with JOY at such a sight. Sud
denly she stopped and gazed at US all
with questioning stare.
:, But YOU! You are police, are you
not? You have killed Giuseppe Cor
gano. Is it not sc?"
1--WE are police. madam"
She looked round into the shadows
Of the room.
"But where, then, is GennaroW she
asked. "He is my husband, Gennaro
Lucca. am Emilia Lucca, and we
are both from New York. Where is
Gennaro? He called me this moment
from this window, and l ran with al!
my speed"
ut was who called" said Holmes.
"You! How could you CALI"
"Your cipher was not difficult,
madam. Your presence here was de-
sirable. / knew that l had only to
fash 'Vienr and you would surely
come"
The beautiful Italian looked with
awe at my companion.
~ do not understand how you know
these things. she said. Giuseppe
Gorgiano-how did he" She paused.
and then suddenly her face lit up
Win pTluS dHu uSliSHl. -NS" = W.
It! My Gennaro! My splendid, beau
tiful Gennaro, who has guarded me
safe from all harm, he did it, with his
own strong hand he killed the mon
ster! Oh, Gennaro. how wonderful
you are! What woman could ever be
worthy Of such a man." 10.
We'll, Mrs. Lucca." said the prosaic
Gregson, laying his hand upon the
Iady's sleeve with as little sentiment
as If she were a Noting Hill hooli-
gan, 81 am not very clear yet who you
are or what you are; but you've said
enough to make 1t clear that We shall
want you at the Yard" 81
Zone moment, Gregson, saio
Holmes. 81 rather fancy that this LADY
may be as anxious TO give US lnfor-
nation as We can be to get it. You
understand, madam, that your nus
band will be arrested and tried Tor
the death Of the man who lies before
us? What you say may be used IN
evidence. But II you think that he
has acted from motives which are not