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A STUDY IN SCARLET lly Sir A. Con an l>oyle. I'HAPTKK III. The IiAur|ston Gardens .Mystery. 1 confess that I was considerably startled by this fresh proof of the practical nature of my companion's theories. My respect for his powers of analysis increased wondrously. There still remained some lurking suspicion in my mind, however, that the whole thing was a pre-arranged episode, intended to dazzle me, though what earthly object he could have In taking me in was past my comprehension. When I looked at him he had finished reading the note, and his eyes had assumed the vacant, lack-luster expression which showed mental abstraction. "How in the world did you deduce that?" I asked. "Deduce what?" said lie, petulently. "Why, that he was a retired sergeant of marines." "I have no time for trifles," he replied, brusquely; then, with a smile, "Excuse my rudeness. You broke the thread of my thoughts; but perhaps it is as well. So you actually were not able to see that that man was a sergeant of marines?" "No, indeed." "It was easier to know it than to explain why 1 know it. If you were asked to prove that two and two made four, you might find some difficulty, and yet you are quite sure of the fact. Even across the street I could see a great blue anchor tattooed on the back of the fellow's hand. That smacked of the sea. He had a military carriage, however, and regulation aide-whiskers. There we have the marine. He was a man with some amount of self-importance and a certain air of command. You must have observed the way in which he held his head and swung his cane. A steady, respectable, middle-aged man, too, on the face of him?all facts which led me to believe that he had been a sergeant." "Wonderful!" I ejaculated. "Commonplace," said Holmes, that he was pleased at my evident surprise and admiration. "I said just now that there were no criminals. It appears that I am wrong?look at this!" lie threw me over the note which the commissionaire had 'brought. "Why," I cried, as I cast my eyo over it, "this is terrible!" "It does seem to be a little out of the common," he remarked, calmly. "Would you mind reading it to me aloud?" This is the letter which I read to him: *AMy Dear i.Mr. Sherlock Holmes: "There has been a bad business during the night at 3 Lauriston Gardents, off the Brixton Road. Our man ou the beat saw a light there about two In the morning, and, as the house was an empty one, suspected that eoraething was amiss. He found the r% r\r* rvnni\ n ?> /I 1 ?? f ? A vi vy vy k KJ J / U I I | CI 11 1.1 ill (11(3 1 1 OI1L IOOIll, which is bare of furniture, discovered tlie body of a gentleman, well dressed, and having cards in his pocket bearing the name of 'Bnoch J. Drebber, Cleveland, Ohio, IT. S. A.' There had been no robbery, nor is there any evidence as to how the man met his death. There are marks of blood in the room, but there is no wound upon his person. We are at a loss as to how ho came into the empty house; indeed, the whole affair is a puzzler. If you can come road to the house any time before twelve, you will find me there. I have left 'in statu quo' until 1 hear from you. If you are unable to cornel I shall give you fuller details, and would esteem it <i great kindness if you would favor me with your opinion. Yours faithfully, "Tobias Gregson." "Gregson is the smartest of the Scotland Yarders," my friend remarked; "he and Lestrade are the pick of a bad lot. They are both quick and energetic, but conventional ?shockingly so. They have their knives into each other, too. They are as jealous as a pair of professional beauties. There will be some fun over this case if they are both put upon the scent." I was amazed at the calm way in which he rippled on. "Surely there is not a moment to be lost," I cried; "shall I go and order you a cab?" "I am not sure about whether I shall go. I am the most incurably ; lazy devil that ever stood in shoeleather?that is, when the fit is on me, for I can be spry enough at times." "Why, it is just such a chance as you have heen longing for " "My dear fellow, what does it matter to me? Supposing 1 unravel the whole matter you may ho sure that Gregson, Lestrade & Co. will pocket all the credit. That comes of being an unofficial personage." "Hut he begs you to help him." "Yes. Ho knows that I am his superior, and acknowledges it to me; but he would cut his tongue out before he would own it to any third person. However, we may as well go and have a look. 1 shall work it out 011 my own hook. I may have a laugh at them, if I havo nothing else. Come on!" He hustled on his overcoat, and f bustled about In a way that showed < that an energetic lit had superseded the apathetic one. I "(let your hat." he said. i "You wish me to come?" 1 "Yes, if you have nothing better to do." A minute later we were both in a hansom, driving furiously for the Hrixton Road. It. was a foggy, cloudy morning, and a dun-colered veil hung over the house-tops, looking like the reflection of the mud-colored streets beneath. My companion was in the best ot spirits, and prattled away about Cremona gddles, and the difference between a Stradivarius and an mnnH As for myself, 1 was silent, for the dull weather and the melancholy bus Iness upon which we were engaged depressed my spirits. "You don't seem to give much thought to the matter in hand," 1 said at last, interrupting Holmes' musical disquisition. "No data yet," he answered. "It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment." "You will have your data soon," 1 were still a hundred yards or so from the house, if I am not mistaken." "So it is. Stop, driver, stop!" We remarked, pointing with my finger; "this is the Brxiton Road, and that is It, but he insisted upon our alighting and wo finished our journey upon foot. No. ?, Lauriston Hardens wore an ill-omened and minatory look. It was one of fo,<r which stood back some little way from the street, two being occupied and two empty. The latter looked out with three tiers of vacant, melancholy windows, which were blank and dreary, save that here and there a "To Let" card had developed like a cataract upon the bleared panes. A small garden sprinkled over with a scattered eruption of sickly plants separated each of these houses from the street, and was traversed by a narrow pathway, yellowish in color, and consisting apparently of a mixture of clay and gravel. The whole place was very sloppy from the rain which had fallen through the night. The garden was bounded by a three-foot brick wall, with a fringe of wood rails upon the top, and against this wall was loaning a stalwart police constable, surrounded by a small knot of loafers. W'bn rmnorl fhnir iionl/o on a v..v/i> MVVIkO (4 II VI Oil (I 1 lll'll thoir eyes in (he vain hope of catching some glimpse of the proceedings within. I had imagined that Sherlock Holmes would at once have hurried into the house and plunged into a study of the mystery. Nothing appeared to he further from his intention. With an air of nonchalance which, under the circumstances, seemed to me to border upon affectation, he lounged up and down the pavement, and gazed vacantly at the ground, the sky, the opposite houses, and the line of railings. Having finished his scrutiny, he proceeded slowly down the path, or, rather, down the fringe of grass which flanked the path, keeping his eyes riveted upon the ground. Twice he stopped, and once I saw him smile and heard him utter an exclamation of satisfaction. There were many marks of footsteps upon the wet, clayey soil, but since the police had been coming and going over it I was unable to see how my companion could hope to learn anything from it. Still, 1 had had such extraordinary evidence of the quickness of his perceptive faculties that I had no doubt that he could see a great deal which was hidden from me. ( At the door of the house we were met by a tall, white-faced, flaxenhaired man, with a note-book in his hand, who mshort fnrw#ni o?wi , . " l?? >? ""'I ? ? my companion's hand with effusion. "It is indeed kind of you to come," he said; "I have had everything left untouched." "Except that!" my friend answered, pointing to the pathway. "If a herd of buffaloes had passed along there could not be a greater mess. No doubt, however, you had drawn your own conclusions, Gregson, before you permitted this." "I have had so much to do inside the house," the detective said evasively. "My colleague, Mr. Lestradc, is here. I had relied upon him to look after this." Holmes glanced at me, and raised his eyesbrows sardonically. "With two such men as yourself and I/estrade upon the ground, there will not be much for a third party to find out," he said. Gregson rubbed his hands in a selfsatisfied way. "I think we have (lone all that can be done," he answered; "it's a queer case, though, and I knew your taste for such things." "You did not come here in a cab?" "No, sir." "Nor Lestrade?" "No, sir." "Then let us go and look at the room." With this inconsequent remark he strode on into the house, followed by Grogson, whose features expressed his astonishment. A short passage, hare-planked and dusty, led to the kitchen and offices. Two doors opened out of it to the left ! and to the right. One of these had 1 obviously been closed for many 1 weeks. The other belonged to the dining-room, which was the apartment in which the mysterious affair ^ had occurred. Holmes walked In, 1 and I followed him with that subdued { feeling at my heart which the pres- 1 !*nce of death inspires. It was a large, square room, looking all the larged for the absence oi nil furniture. A vulgar, flaring paper adorned the walls, but it was blotched in places with wildew, and here and there great strips had become detached and hung down, exposing the yellow plaster beneath. Opposite the door was a showy fireplace, surmounted by a mantelpiece of imitation white marble. On one corner of this was stuck the stump of a red wax candle. The solitary window was so dirty that the light was hazy and uncertain, giving a dullgray tinge to everything, which was intensified by the thick layer of dust which coated the whole apartment. All those details I observed afterward. At present my attention was centered upon the single grim, motionless figure which lay stretched upon the boards, with vacant, sightless eyes staring up at the discolored ceiling. It was that of a man about forty-three or forty-four years of age, middle-sized, broad-shouldered, with crisp, curling black hair, and a short, stubby heard. He was dressed in a heavy broadcloth frock-coat and waistcoat, with light-colored trousers and immaculate collar and cuffs. A top-hat, well brushed and trim, was placed upon the floor beside him. His hands were clinched and his arms thrown abroad, while his lower limbs were interlocked, as though his death-struggle had been a grievous one. On his rigid face there stood an expression of horror, and, as it seemed to me, of hatred, such as I have never seen upon human features. This malignant and terrible contortion. combined with the low forehead, blunt nose, and prognathous jaw, gave the dead man a singularly simious and ape-like appearance, which was increased by his writhing, unnatural posture. 1 have seen death in many forms, hut never has it appeared to me in a more fearsome aspect than in that dark, grimy apartment, which looked out upon one of the main arteries of suburban London. Lestrade, lean and ferret-like as ever, was standing by the doorway, and greeted my companion and myself. "This case will make a stir, sir," he remarked. "It beats anything I have seeji, and 1 am no chicken." "There is no clew," said Clregson. "None at all," chimed in Lestrade. Sherlock Holmes approached the body, and, kneeling down, examined it intently. "You are sure that there is no wound?" he asked, pointing to numerous gouts and splashes of blood which lay all around. "Positive!" cried .both detectives. htLAM ^r ~ ~ Ai.f- * * * i ucii, v?i ^uui?e, in 1 js uioou Delongs to a second individual?presumably the murderer, if murder has been committed. It reminds me of the circumstances attendant on the death of Van Jansen in Utrecht, in the year '3 4. Do you remember the case, Gregson?" "No, sir." "Read it up?you really should. There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before." As he spoke bis nimble fingers were flying here, there, aid everywhere, feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the same far-away expression which 1 have already remarked upon. So swiftly was the examination made that one would hardly have guessed the minuteness with which it was conducted. Finally he sniffed the dead man's lips, and then glanced at the soles of his patent-leather boots. "He has not been moved at all?" he asked. "No more than was necessary for the purpose of our examination." "You can take him to the mortuary now," he said. "There is nothing more to be learned." Gregson had a stretcher and four men at hand. At his call they entered the room, and the stranger was lifted and carried out. As they raised his a ring tinkled down and rolled across the floor. Lestrade grabbed it up and stared at it with mystified eyes. "There's been a woman here," he cried. "It's a woman's wedding ring." He held it out as he spoke upon the palm of his hand. We all gathered round him and erazAri nt it Tho-a could be no doubt that that circle of plain gold had once adorned the finger of a bride. "This complicates matters," said Oregson. "Heaven knows, they were complicated enough before!" "You're sure it doesn't simplify them?" observed Holmes. "There's nothing to be learned by staring at it. What did you find in his pockets?" "We have it all here," said Gregson, pointing to a litter of objects upon one of the bottom steps of the stairs. "A gold watch, No. 97,163, by Barraud, of London; gold Albert chain, very heavy and solid; gold ring, with Masonic device; gold pin, bulldog's head, with rubies as eyes; Russian-leather card-case, with cards of Enoch J. Drebber, of Cleveland, corresponding with the E. J. I), upon the linen; no purse, hut loose money to the extent of seven pounds thirteen; pocket edition of Boccaccio's 'Decameron', with name of Joseph Stangerson upon the fly-leaf; two letters, one addressed to E. J. Drebber and one to Joseph Stangerson." "At what address?" i "American Exchange, Strand; to ; i)o left till called for. They are both 1 from the Gulon Steamship Company, i and refer to the sailing of their boats t 'rom Liverpool. It is clear that this i JSIl Your I and loved ones should be pi aches and pains by always 1 NOAH'S LINIMENT?the NOAH'S LINIMENT is i external application. Absoli made in a modern laboratory as a physician's prescription. , NOAH'S LINIMENT do. / a mmnnii ? ^*1.- 1? iMi.ivuiu, mvuilUI, lldj' liici, UC Noah's la an excellent remedy for rhr backache, neuralgia, strains. spr and aide, aore feet, etc. Peuet rubbing. NOAH'S LINIMENT is on< throat, coughs, colda, colic and sugar will usually relieve thet toothache there ia nothing bettei applied externally. Look for Noah's Ark?trad* ago; beware of substitutes. NOAH'S LINIMENT is sold the cities and out in the country $1.00 a bottle. Send for booklf Noah Remedy Co., Inc., R1 unfortunate man was about to return to New York." "Have you made any inquiries as to this man Stangerson?" "I did it at once, sir," said Clregson. "I have had advertisements sent to all the newspapers, and one of my men lias gone to the American Exchange, but he has not returned yet." "Have you sent to Cleveland?" "We telegraphed this morning." "How did you word your inquiries?" "We simply detailed the circumstances, and said that we should be glad of any information which could help us." "You did not ask for particulars on any point which appeared to you to be crucial?" "I asked about Stangerson." "Nothing else? Is there no circumstance on which this whole case appears to hinge? Will you not telegraph again?" "I have said Ifll I hnve to c?v ! said Gregson, in an offended voice. Sherlock Holmes chuckled to himself, and appeared to ho about to make some remark, when Lestrade, who had been in the front room while we were holding this conversation in the hall, reappeared upon the scene, rubbing his hands in a pompous and self-satisfied manner. "iMr, Gregson," he said, "I have just made a discovery of the highest importance, and one which would have been overlooked lisd I not made a careful examination ct the walls." The little man's eyes sparkled as he spoke, and he was evidently in a state of suppresses exultation at having scored a point against his colleague. 'Come here," he said, bustling back into the room, the atmosphere of which felt cleaner since the removal of its ghastly inmate. "Now, stand there!" He struck a match on his boot and held it up against the wall. "Look at that!" he said thiumphantly. I have remarked that the paper had fallen away in parts. In this particular corner of the room a large piece had peeled off, leaving a yellow square of coarse plastering. Across this bare space there was scrawled in blood-red letters a single word: RACHE. "What do you think of that?" cried the detective, with the air of a showman exhibiting his show. "This was overiooKea .because it was in the darkest corner of the room and no one thought of looking there. The murder has written it with his or her one blood. See this smear where it has trickled down the wall! That disposes of the idea of suicide, anyhow. Why was that cornor chosen to write it on? I tell you. See that candle on the mantlepiece? It was lightened at the time, and if it was lighted this corner would be the brightest instead of the darkest portion of the wall." "And does it mean, now that you havo found it?" asked Gregson. "Mean? Why, it means that the writer was going to put the female name Rachel, but was disturbeed before he or she had time to finish. You mark my words, when this case comes to be cleard up you will find that a womam named Rachel has some thing to do with it It's all very well for you to laugh, Mr. Sherlock Homes. You may be very smart and clever, but the old hound is the best, when all is said and done." To be continued) Hobble Skirt Causes Fall. A tight skirt is said to be responsible for fatal injuries to Helen Lindner, of Cincinnati. Miss Lindner tripped as she stepped from a car, ind fell head foremost into the gutter, striking on the curbstone apd picturing her skull. Home otected from the every-daj i laving on hand a bottle of Best Pain Remedy, fur internal uses as well as for Jtely pure and clean to use, and compounded as carefully es not contain any chloroform, nzinL or poisonous dru^s. Liniment lumatlsm, lameness, stiff Joints, ains, cuts, bruises, pains in chest rates and requires very little 9 of the best remedies for sore cramps. A few drops on a Little le troubles immediately. For '?a little on cotton in cavity and >-mark?on every genuine packby all dealers In medicines in 7, in three sizos, at 25c, 50c and its and testimonials, chino nd, Va. Has since 1894 given "Thorough influences at the lowest posslbl RESULT: It is to-day with its Its student body of 413, and its plf THE LEADING TRAINING I $150 payB all charges for the yeai heat, laundry, medical attention, j; except music and elocution. For REV*THOS. ROSSER BLAGS I WOFFORD COLLEGE HENRY X. SX A REAL COLLEGE WITH II SHIP AND CHARACTER. L SECTION OF UPPER SOUTH SOUTH OF ASH EVILLE, TH THE BLUE RIDGE, HEALTH FULL COURSES, AMPLE FA HALL, GYMNASIUM, ATHLE RIES. EXPENSES MODERA TEMBER 17. WRITE FOR C WOFFORD FITTING SCI SITUATED ON WOFFORD CO EQUIPMENT. TWO MODER ROOM BUILDING. FIVE TE TII7 DORMITORIES, TNSURI AND HEARTY CO-OPERATI n. o*;iiuv;u Willi II lli 11 kSTA I MOSPHERE. TWO HUNDRE | PENSES FOR TIIE YEAR, $1 $ A. W. HOR' t 8PAIIT1 I What A St THE BEST SCHOOL ADVANT Orangebur ORANGEBURG COIiLEGE H OP NEARLY TWENTY EXP COURSES IN BUSINESS, LIT BRANCHES. EXPENSES I/O OF ITS CLASS IN THE STAT W. W. RT Orange I I ! Blows Off His Head. While a half dozen workmen loo ed on, John Aho, a farm hand Grand Rapids, placed a stick of dyn mite on his head and lighted a fiu His head was blown in fragment He loft a note imploring his friem to express no regret at his act. Florence Magistrate Fined. H. E. Brown, notary public of I? flngham, near Florence, was fln< $25 for marrying a young woman u der fourteen years of age. / " r*r lUniMitlMi u4 Hcurmlck, ?"I have l>?cn using Noah's Liniment for mors than a year, and find It the heat 1 have evor tried for rheumatism, neuralgia and sill aches and pains of any kind."? Mrs. A. M. Doyle, Richmond, Va. For Cold* aud lluamrnrsa? "Noah's Liniment quickly relieves colds and hoarseness, and I have carried a bottle with me for years I - * U ?? VI/ T RnslnM \JL 4 1 ill uaveiiiiK. ???? . ? son, N C. & For Itavkache and Ntluf ? "1 have used Noah's Liniment for backache and BtifT Joints and pains, and find It to be the best liniment X ever used."?-Mrs. Sal lie Young, lOdgar, Va. For I'a In Following Clilll*.?"My little girl was suffering With chills, and for the pain following I us<<J Noah's LI n Line nt, and it gave Instant relief."?^ ii. Greenwood, itichrnond, V?. For Sore Fffi.?"Suffering for a month with rheumatism In my ankle, Instep and toes, 1 commenced to use Noah's Liniment, and my foot has Improved wonderfully, vjid nan now walk with . i > little Inconvenience"?C, A. James, Portsmouth, Va. For Pain in the Hark.? **I suffered dreadfully fpr ten years with Calng In back. Less than half a ottle of Noah's Idnlnwnt mads k perfect cure."?Mrs, J. U, tUIMngw ley, Point Has tarn, Va. ^ JBBft* | iii^aU^LjJLyiJJJJLiCI instruction under positively Christian In rrwt.M faculty of 33, ft boarding patronage of 303, int worth J160,(XX) SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN VIRGINIA *, including tabic tx>ard, room; lights, steam )hysical culture, and tuition in all subject* catalogue and application blank address, . REEVES, B. A., Principal.0 LSTONE. V/ . SPARTANBURG, S. C. ^ YI)KU, President. IGII STANDARDS OF SCHOLAR- ; OCATED IN THE HIGH PIEDMONT | ] CAROLINA, SIXTY-NINE MILES ' IRTY MILES FROM THE CREST OF } ..! CONDITIONS UNSURPASSED, j i CILITIES, LIBRARY, SCIENCE TIC GROUNDS, NEW* DORMITOTE. NEXT SESSION OPENS SEP- ; ATA LOG UE. h H00LSPARTANBURG S. C I I-.LEGE CAMPUS. SPLENDID I N DORMITORIES AND CLASS J ACIIERS AND MATRON LIVE IN |.:j NG A HOME-LIKE INFLUENCE | ON OF STUDIES AND FACULTY. NDARDS AND CLEAN MORAL AT- I I) STUDENTS LAST YEAR. EX- i 8 2. FO RCATALOGUE ADDRESS M TON, Head Master. j ANBURO, S. C. I udent Wants 1 AGES FOR THE LEAST MONEY. g College Has I AS GOOD EQUIPMENT, FACULTY u EHTS, HEALTHFUL LOCATION, ERARY, MUSIC AND NORMAL 1 WER THAN ANY OTHER SCHOOL jg E. SEND FOR CATALOGUE. | ^ERS, Pres., I burg, S. C. I Nail Victim in Packing Pox. k- After robbing David Friedman, of of Cleveland, of $171, two masked roba bers marched him into the basement ie. and nailed him in a packing box. ts. They explained they didn't want him ds to spread the alarm to soon. #_??? Killed by Cave-In. At Bonnettsvillo, a negro lost his ;f- life Monday, when a gravel pit caved 3d in. He was digging under a cliff n- which had been loosened by dynamite.