The Daily News observed that crime being political one The despotism and hatred of Liberalism which animated the Continental Governments had had the effect of driving to our shores number of men made excellent citizens were they not soured recollection of all had undergone men stringent code of honour, any infringement of punished by death Every effort the secretary, Stangerson, and to ascertain some particulars habits deceased great step gained discovery address house at which he had boarded -- result entirely due acuteness and energy of Mr Gregson of Scotland Yard

Sherlock Holmes and these notices over together at breakfast, appeared to afford him considerable amusement

" you that, whatever happened, Lestrade and Gregson sure to score "

"That depends on how it turns out "

"Oh, bless you, it doesn't matter least man is caught, on account exertions; if he escapes, exertions It's heads I win and tails you lose Whatever , followers `Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire '"

"What on earth ? " I cried, for moment there came the pattering of many steps hall and stairs, accompanied by audible expressions of disgust part landlady

"It's the Baker Street division detective police force," said my companion, gravely; and as he spoke there rushed room half dozen dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that ever I clapped eyes on

"'Tention ! " cried Holmes, in sharp tone, six dirty little scoundrels stood in line like disreputable statuettes "In future you shall send up Wiggins alone to report, rest of wait street found it, Wiggins ? "

"No, sir, we hain't," said youths

"I hardly expected keep on until Here are your wages {13} He handed each shilling "Now, off you go, and come back with better report "

He waved his hand, scampered away downstairs like rats, and we heard their shrill voices next moment street

"There's more work got out of one little beggars than out of dozen force," Holmes remarked "The mere sight of an official-looking person seals men's lips These youngsters, however, go everywhere and hear everything as sharp as needles, too; all is organisation "

" Brixton case that employing them ? " I asked

"Yes; point which to ascertain merely matter Hullo ! going to hear some news now with vengeance ! Gregson coming down the road with beatitude written upon every feature face Bound , Yes, stopping There ! "

violent peal bell, and in few seconds the fair-haired detective came up the stairs, three steps , and burst into our sitting-room

"My dear fellow," he cried, wringing Holmes' unresponsive hand, "congratulate me ! the whole thing as clear as day "

shade of anxiety seemed to cross my companion's expressive face

" that right track ? " he asked

"The right track ! Why, sir, the man under lock and key "

" name is ? "

"Arthur Charpentier, sub-lieutenant in Her Majesty's navy," cried Gregson, pompously, rubbing his fat hands and inflating his chest

Sherlock Holmes gave sigh of relief, and relaxed into smile

"Take seat, and try cigars," " anxious how you managed it Will some whiskey and water ? "

"I don't mind if ," the detective answered "The tremendous exertions which I through have worn me out Not bodily exertion, you understand, strain mind appreciate that, Mr Sherlock Holmes, for both brain-workers "

" me honour," said Holmes, gravely " hear how you arrived most gratifying result "

The detective seated himself arm-chair, and puffed complacently at his cigar Then suddenly he slapped his thigh in paroxysm of amusement

"The fun of ," he cried, "that that fool Lestrade, who thinks himself so smart, has gone off wrong track altogether secretary Stangerson, who had no more crime babe unborn that he has caught him "

The idea tickled Gregson that he laughed until he choked

"And how did you get your clue ? "

"Ah, I'll tell you all , Doctor Watson, strictly between ourselves The first difficulty which we had to contend with finding American's antecedents Some people waited until their advertisements were answered, or until parties came forward and volunteered information Tobias Gregson's way of going to work You remember the hat beside the dead man ? "

"Yes," said Holmes; "by John Underwood and Sons, 129, Camberwell Road "

Gregson looked quite crest-fallen

"I had no idea that you noticed that," " been there ? "

"No "

"Ha ! " cried Gregson, in relieved voice; " never neglect chance, however small it may seem "

"To great mind, nothing is little," remarked Holmes, sententiously

"Well, I went to Underwood, and asked him if he had sold hat size and description He looked over his books, and came at once He had sent the hat to Mr Drebber, residing at Charpentier's Boarding Establishment, Torquay Terrace Thus I got at his address "

"Smart -- very smart ! " murmured Sherlock Holmes

"I next called upon Madame Charpentier," continued the detective " her very pale and distressed Her daughter was room, too -- an uncommonly fine girl , too; she was looking red eyes and her lips trembled as I spoke to her That didn't escape my notice I began to smell rat the feeling, Mr Sherlock Holmes, come right scent -- kind of thrill in your nerves ` heard mysterious death of your late boarder Mr Enoch J Drebber, of Cleveland ? ' I asked

"The mother nodded She didn't seem able out word The daughter burst into tears more than ever people knew something matter

"`At what o'clock did Mr Drebber leave your house train ? ' I asked

"`At eight o'clock,' she said, gulping in her throat down her agitation `His secretary, Mr Stangerson, said that there were two trains -- one at 9 15 and one at 11 to catch the first {14}

"`And the last which you saw of him ? '

"A terrible change came over the woman's face as I asked the question Her features turned perfectly livid some seconds before get out the single word `Yes' -- and when it did come in husky unnatural tone

" silence for moment, and then the daughter spoke in calm clear voice

"`No good can ever come of falsehood, mother,' she said ` be frank gentleman see Mr Drebber again '

"`God forgive you ! ' cried Madame Charpentier, throwing up her hands and sinking back in her chair ` murdered your brother '

"`Arthur would rather that we spoke the truth,' the girl answered firmly

"`You had best tell me all now,' `Half-confidences are worse than none Besides, know of it '