The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-25
PART ONE.

From the point of view of the GRIM
inal expert" said Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes, London has become a sing
ularly un;nteresting city since the
death of the late lamented Professor
Moriarty."
81 can hardly think that you would
find many decent citizens to agree
with you" l answered.
well, we'll, must not be selfish"
said he, with a smile, as he pushed
back his chair from the breakfast
table. This community is certainly
the gamer, and no one the loser, save
the poor out-of-work specialist, whose
occupation has gone. With that man
in the field, ones morning paper pre-
sented infinite possibilities. Often it
was only the smallest trace, Watson,
the faintest indication, and yet it was
enough to tell me that the great
malignant brain was there, as the
gentlest tremors of the edges of the
web remind one of the foul spider
which turks in the center. Petty
thefts,s wanton assaults, purposeless
outrage-to the man who held the clue
all could be worked into one connected
whole. To the scientific student Of the
Europe offered the advantages which
London then possessed. But now"
He shrugged his shoulders in humor-
GUS depreciation of the state of things
which he had himself done so much
10 produce.
At the time of which I speak,
Holmes had been back for some
months, and at his request had sold
my practice and returned to share the
old quarters in Baker street. A young
doctor, named Werner, had purchased
my small Kensington practice. and
given with astonishingly little demur
the highest price that / ventured to
asian incident which only explained
itself some years later, when l found
that Werner was distant relation of
Holmes, and that it was my friend
who had really found the money.
Our months of partnership had not
been so uneventful as he had stated,
for / find, on looking over my notes,
that this period includes the case Of
the papers Of ex-President Murillo and
also the shocking affair of the Dutch
steamship Friesland, which so nearly
cost us both our lives His cold and
proud nature was always averse, how
ever, from anything in the shape of
public applause, and he bound me in
the most stringent terms to say no
further word of himself, his methods,
or his successes-a prohibition which,
as l have explained, has only now
been removed.
Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, was leaning
back in his chair after his whimsical
protest, and was unfolding mis- morn
ing paper in leisurely fashion, when
our attention was arrested by ire
mendous ring at the bell, followed i'm
mediately by hollow drumming
sound, as if someone were beating on
the outer door with his fist. AS it
opened there came tumultuous rush
into the hall, rapid feet clattered up
the stair, and an instant later a wild
eyed and frantic young man. pale, dis
hevelled, and palpitating, burst into
the room. lie looked from one to the
other of us, and under our gaze of in
quiry, he became conscious that some
apology was needed for this uncere-
monious entry.
I'm sorry. Mr. Holmes" he cried
You mustn't blame me. 1 am nearly
mad. Mr.. Holmes, l am the unhappy
John Hector McFarlane"
He made the announcement as if the
name alone would explain both his
visit and its manner, but ! could see,
by my companions unresponsive face,
that it meant no more to him than to
me.
Have a cigarette. Mr.. McFarlane,"
said he, pushing his case across. 81
am sure that with your symptoms, my
friend, DR.. Watson, here would pre-
scribe sedatiye. The weather has
been so very warm these last few
days. Now. if you feel a little more
composed l should be glad if you
would sit down in that chair, and tell
us very slowly and quietly who you
are. and what it is that you want
You mentioned your name, as if /
should recognize it, but / assure you
that, beyond the obvious facts that you
are bachelor, solicitor, a Free