Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-24

''He had nothing on save his trous-
ers and shirt.
Thank YOU. We have certainly been
favored with extraordinary luck during this
inquiry, and it will be entirely our own
fault if we do not succeed in clearing the
matter up With your permission, Mr..
Holder. l shall now continue my investi-
cations outside"
Ee went alone, at his own request, for he
explained that any unnecessary footmarks
might make his task more difficult For an
hour or more he was at work, returning at
last with his feet heavy with snow and his
features as Inscrutable as ever.
Il think that 1 have seen now all that
there is to see, Mr.. Holder" said he. "I
can serve you best by returning to my
rooms"
''But the gems, Mr.. Holmea Where are
they?"
Il cannot tell"
The banker wrung his hands 'T shall
never see them again. he cried, land my
son? You give me hopes"
"Ny opinion l. in no way altered"
Then, for Gods sake what was this dark
business which was acted in my house last
night?'
''If you can call upon me at my Baker
street rooms tomorrow morning between
and 10 I shall be happy to do what can to
make it clearer. l understand that you
give me carte blanche TO act for you, pro-
vided only that L get back the gems and
that you place no limit on the sum may
draw?"
q would give my fortune to have them
back"
"'YerT good. shall look into the matter
between this and then. Goodby. 1t is
just possible that l NAV have to come over
here again before evening"
1t was obvious to me that nv compauion's
mind was now made up abou. the case, al
though what his conclusions were was more
than I could dimly imagine. Several times
during out homeward journey 1 endeavored
to sound him upon the point, but he always
glided away to some other topic, until at
last l gave it over in despair. 1t was not
yet ) when We found ourselves in our room
once more. He hurried to his chamber and
was down again in a few minutes dressed as
common loater. With his collar turned
up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and
his worn boots, he was perfect sample of
the class.
81 think that this should do" said he,
Flancing into the glass above the fireplace.
81 only wish that you could come with me,
Watson, but 1 fear that it won't do. may
be on the trail in this matter, or I may be
following a will O. the wisp, but shall
soon know which it is. hope that may
be back in a few hours" He cut slice of
beef from the joint upon the sideboard,
sandwiched it between two rounds of bread,
and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket
he started off upon his expedition.
/ had Just finished nv tea when he re-
turned, evidently in excellent spirits,
swinging an cid elastic-sided boot in his
hand. He chucked it down into q corner
and helped himself TO a cup of tea
81 only looked in as passed." said he
Il am going right on
"Oh, to the other side Of the West End.
It NAV be some time before get back.
Don't wait up for me in case should be
late"
"How are you getting on?"
"Oh, so So Nothing to complain Of 1
have been out to Streatham since saw you
last, but did not call at the house. 1t is
very sweet little problem, and would not
have missed it for good deal. However, /
must not sit gossiping here, but must get
those disreputable clothes off and return to
nv highly respectable self"
1 could see BY his manner that he had
stronger reasons for satisfaction than his
words alone would imply. His eyes
twinkled and there was even touch of
color upon his sallow cheeks. He hastened
upstairs and few minutes later heard
the slam of the hall door, which told me
that he was off once more upon his congo
nial hunt.
waited until midnight, but there was no
bign of his return, so retired to my room.
1t was no uncommon thing for him to be
away for days and nights on end when he
was hot upon scent, SO that his lateness
caused me no surprise. do not know at
what hour be came in, but when 1 came
down to breakfast in the morning there he
was, with cup of coffee in one hand and
the paper in the other, as fresh and trim as
possible.
you will excuse my beginning without
you, Watson" said be, but you remember
that our client has rather an early appoint-
ment this morning"
"Whv, it is after 9 now," answered, 81
thould not be surprised if that were he.
thought heard ring"