The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-17

understood that you are a person who
gives advice in difficult cases.
But now, Mr.. Inspector, 1 understand
from what you said when I entered the
room that you can carry the story on
and that some tragedy has occurred.
can assure you that every word I say Is
the truth, and that outside of what
have told you know absolutely nothing
about the fate OF this man. My only de-
sire is to help the law in every possible
way"
II am sure Of 1t. Mr.. Scott Eccles; !
am sure of it," said Inspector Gregson
in a very amiable tone. 81 am bound
to say that everything which you have
said agrees very closely with the facts
as they have come to our notice. For
example. there was that note which ar
rived during dinner. Did you chance
to observe what became OF it?"
Eyes, l did. Garcia rolled It up and
threw 1t into the fire."
What do you say to that. Mr.
Baynes?"
The country detective was a stout
puffy. red man, whose face was only
redeemed from grossness by two ex-
traordinarily bright eyes. almost hid
den behind the heavy creases of cheek
and brow. With a slow smile he drew
a folded and dlscolored scrap Of paper
from his pocket.
1T was a dog CRATE. Mr.. Holmes, and
he overpitched it. picked this out
unburned from the back of it,"
Holmes smiled his appreciation.
you must have examined the house
very carefully to find single pellet
of paper"
81 did. Mr.. Holmes. It's my way.
Shall I read II. Mr.. Gregson?'
The Londoner nodded.
THE note Is written upon ordinary
cream laid paper without watermark
1t is a quarter sheet. The paper is cut
off in two ships with short bladed
scissors. 1t has been folded over three
times and sealed with purple wax. put
on hurredly and pressed down with
some fiat. oval object. 1t Is addressed
to Mr.. Garcia, Wisteria Lodge. II says:
Our own colors, green and white
Green open, white shut. Main stair:
First corridor. seventh right green
baize. God speed. D. 1t Is a womans
writing, done with a sharp pointed pen,
but the address Is either done with an
other pen or by some one else. 1t is
thicker and holder, as you See
"a very remarkable. note" said
Holmes. glancing 1t over. II must
compliment you. Mr.. Baynes upon your
attention to detail in your explanation
Of IT.. a few trifng points might be
added. The oval seal is undoubtedly q
plain sleeve link-what else Is Of such
"A shape? The scissors were bent nail
scissors. Short as the two ships are
~ lot ha fs,h,
curve in each.''
The country detective chuckled.
II thought I had squeezed all the
juice out of It, but I see there was a
little over" he said. I'm bound to say
that l make nothing of the note excep,
| that there was something on hand, and
that n woman, as usual, was at the bot.
tom of It,"
Mr.. Scott Eccles had fidgeted in his
seat during this conversation.
II am glad you found the note. since
1t corroborates my story" said he
But | beg to point out that I have not
yet heard what has happened to Mr.
| Garcia, nor what has become of his
household"
"As to Garcia" said Gregson, "that
is easily answered. He was found dead
tnlS morning upon ONSnOtt common
nearly a mile from his home. His head
had been smashed to pulp by heavy
blows of a sandbag or some such in
strument, which had crushed rather
than wounded. 1t is a lonely corner
and there is no house within a quarter
Of a mile of the spot. He had appar-
emily been struck down first from be-
hind, but his assailant had gone on
beating him long after he was dead
1t was a most furious assault. There
are no footsteps nor any clue to the
criminals"
"Robbed?"
mo. there was no attempt at rob-
berry"
This is very painful-very painful
and TERRIBLE" said Mr.. Scott Eccles, in
"A querulous voice: "but 1t Is really I'M
commonly hard upon me. had moth
ing to do with my host going off upon
nocturnal excursion and meeting so
sad an end. How do I come to be mixed
up with the case?"
Every simply. sir" Inspector Baynes
answered. THE only document found
in the pocket Of the deceased was a let
ter from you saying that you would
be with him on the night Of his death.
1t was the envelope of this letter which