Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-18

! taSleS puSnSQ up 'Ou ~ nl- LOteAS-o;
and his lean, dark face turned towards
the window and twisted into the same
distortion Of terror which had marked
/ the features Of his dead sister. His
/ limbs were convulsed and his fingers
coatorted, as though he had died in
very paroxysm of fear. He was fully
clothed, though there were signs that
/ his dressing had been done in hur-
ny. We had already learned that his
bed had been slept in, and that the
tragic end had come to him in the
early morning.
One realized the red.hot energy
which underlay Holmes phlegmatic
exterior when l saw the sudden
change which came over him from the
moment that he entered the fatal
apartment. In an instant he was tense
and alert, his eyes shining, his face
set, his limbs quiyering with an eager
activity. He was out on the lawn, in
through the window, round the room,
and up into the bedroom, for all the
world like dashing foXhound draw
ing cover. In the bedroom he made
a rapid cast around, and ended by
throwing open the window, which ap-
peared to give him some fresh cause
for excitement, for he leaned out OF II
with loud CALCULATIONS OF interest and
delight. Then he rushed down the
stair, out through the open window,
threw himself upon his face on the
, lawn, Sprans up and into the room
once more, all with the energy of the
hunter who Is at the very heels OF his
quarry. The lamp, which was an Or
binary standard, he examined with
minute care, making certain measure
ments upon its bowl. He carefully
scrutini2ed with his lens the tale
shield which covered the top or the
chimney, and scraped off some ashes
which adhered to its upper surface,
putting some Of them into an enVe-
lupe, which he placed in his pocket
book. Finally, just al tie doctor ana
the official police put in an appear
auce, he beckoned TO the vicar and
We all three went out upon the lawn.
Il am glad to say that my !nresti-
CATION has not been entirely barren,
he remarked II cannot remain TO
discuss the matter with the police,
but ! should be exceedingly obliged.
Mr.. Roundhay, If you would give the
Inspector my compliments and direct
his attention to the bedroom window
and to the sitting-room lamp. Each is
suggestive, and together they are al
most conclusive. If the police would
desire further information ] Shall be
happy to See any OF them al the cot
tage. And now, Watson, think that
perhaps We shall be better employed
elsewhere
II may be that the police resented
the intrusion Of an amateur, or that
they imagined themselves to be upon
some hopeful line Of investigation;
but it is certain that we heard Moth
ing from them for the next two days.
you will remember, Watson said
Holmes one afternoon, that there is
a single common point Of resemblance
in the varying reports which have
rcached Us. This concerns tho effect
Of the atmosphere OF lie rCOm IN each
case upon those who have first en-.
tered ii. You viii recOllect that Nor.
timer Tregennis, in describing the
episode Of his last visit 10 his broth.
ers house, remarked that the doctor
Oh entering the room fell into chair?
You had forgotten? Well, | can an
swer for II that it was so. Now, you
will remember also that Mrs. Porter,
the housckeeper, told lis that she her
self tainted upon entering the room
and had afterwards opened the win
dow. In the second case-that OF Nor
timer Tregennis himself-you cannot
have forgotten the horrible stufllneSs
OF the room when we arrived, though
the servant had thrown open the win
dow. That servant, I found upon in
curry, was so III that she had gone
10 her bed. You will admit, Watson,
that these facts are very suggestive.
III each case there is evidence Of u
poisonous atmosphere. In each case.
also, there is combustion going on in
the room-in the one case Il fire, in
the other a lamp. The fire was need
ed. but the lamp was lit-as a com
parison of the oil consumed will show
long after it was broad daylight.
Why? Surely because there is some
connection between three things--thc
burning. the stuffy atmosphere, and,
finally, the madness or death Of those
unfortunate people. That is clear, is
it not?"
ut would appear so.''
AT least we may accept 1t as 9.
working hypothesis. We will suppose,
then. that something was burned III
each case which produced an atmos-
phere causing strange toxic effects.
Very good. III the first instance-that
OF the Tregennis famlly-this sub
stance was placed in the fire. Now.
the window was shut, but the fire
would naturally carry fumes to some
~,