The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-19

1t was not very long before my friends
prediction was fulfilled. A fortnight went
by, during which | frequently found nv
thoughts turning in her direction and
wondering what strange side alley OF
human experience this lonely woman had
strayed into. The unusual salary. the
curious condition. the ligh. duties. all
pointed 10 something abnormal. though
whether fad or a plot, or whether the
man were phiIanthropist or 4 villain. il
was quite beyond nay powers 20 determine
As to Holmes L observed that he sat lre-
quently for half an hour with knitted
brows and an distracted ali. but he
swept the matter away with a wave Of his
hand when / mentioned it. data Data
Data!" he cried, impatiently, Il can't
make bricks without clayH and yet he
would wind up by muttering that no sis
ter of his should ever have accepted such
q situation.
The telegram which we eventually re-
ceived came late one night, just as / was
thinking of turning in and Holmes was
sitting down 10 one Of those ali-night
chemical researches which be frequently
INDUCED in. when | would leave him
stopping over q retort and test tube at
night and find him IN the same position
when | came down to breakfast in the
morning. He opened the yellow envelope,
and then glancing at the message, threw il
across TO me.
Just look up the trains in Bradshaw"
said he, and turned back 70 his chemical
studies.
The summons was a brief and urgent
one: please be at the Black Swan hotel
al Winchester at midday tomorrow" il
said. do come. am at my wits end.
Hunter"
"Wil you come with me?" asked
Holmes, glancing up.
Il should wish to-"
Just look it up, then.
There is train at $50" said |, glanc-
ing over my Bradshaw. 1T is due at Win
chester al II 30"
That Will do very nicely. Then. per-
haps, had better postpone my analysis
OF the acetones. as We may need to De at
our best in the morning"
BY II O'Clock the next day we were well
on our way to the old English capital.
Holmes had been buried in the morning
papers all the way down, but after We had
passed the Hampshire border ne threw
them down and began TO admire the seem
cry. 1t was an ideal spring day. light
blue SKY tiecked with little heecy, white
clouds drifting across from west TO east.
The sun was shining very brightly and
yet there was an exhilarating nip in the
air which set an edge 10 4 mans energy.
All over the country side. away to the
rolling hills around Aldershot. the little
red and gray roofs Of the farm s,eadings
peeped out from amidst the light green
OF the new foliage
Are they not fresh and beautiful ?' 1
cried, with all the enthusiasm of man
fresh from the fogs OF Baker street.
But Holmes shook his head grayely.
Do you know. Watson, said he, that
II IS one of the curses OF mind like mine
that must look al everything with refer
ence 10 my own special subject. You look
at these scattered houses and you are i'm
pressed BY their beauty. | look at them.
and the only thought which comes 70 me is
a feeling Of their isolation, and of the I'M
punI;y with which crime may be COM
/ mit;ed there"
Good heavens | cried. who would
associate crime with these dear old home
steads -
They always fill me with 8 certain hor-
! ror. Its my belief, Watson, founded upon
my experience. that the lowest and vilest
alleys IN London do not present more
! dreadful record of sin than does the smil-
ing and beautiful countryside.
You horrify mei'
But the reason is very obvious. The
I pressure of public opinion can do in the
/ town what the law cannot accom- plish.
/ There Is no lane so vile that the scream Of
/ tortured child or the thud Of dram karQ's
/ blow does not beget sympathy and indiCna-
( tIon among the nelghbors, ana then the
/ whole machinery Of justice - ever 50 close
/ that a word Of complaint can SET il going
( and there Is but 4 step between the crime
and the dock Bat look st these lonely
( houses, each in its fields. filled for the most
! part with poor ignorant folk. who know
/ little OF the law. Think Of the deeds Of
( hellish cruelty. the hidden wickedness
/ which may so on, year in, year out. in
/ such places. and none the wiser. Had
( this lady who appeals 10 Us for help gone
| 10 live In Winchester l should never have
| had fear for her. IL j. the i've miles of
country which MAKES the danger. sill.