New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10

| him. Do you feel equal TO il ~ -
Yes, shall not feel easy until have toio lily
Then my servant will call cab, and / shall
be with you in an instant rlsnrH nd i i
explained the matter shortly TO my wic' anu III
| five minutes was inside hanson. driving Win
! my new acquaintance to Iaker-st ,....ai.
Sherlock Holmes was, ms ] eNpec'eu' IoulelI7
about his sifting-room in his drcssng-gown, read
| ing the agony column of The mes ana
smoking his before breakfast pipe. when was com
posed Of all the plugs and dottcs ielt from me-
smokes Of the day before. all carefully drled ana
collected on the corner Of the maniciplccc ne
received us in his quietly genial fashion ordered
a hearty meal. When it was concluded
he settled cur new, acquointance upon INC
sofa, placed pillow beneath ms hCad ,oo ana "i
1t is easy to see that your experience has been
no common enc, Mr. lIathcrlcy,' said he; Pray
lie down there and make yourself absolutely az
home Tell ms what YOU can but stop when YOU
stimuant.'
felt another man since the doctor bandaGcd, me;
and | thinl; that your breakfast has completed
the cure. shall take up little of your vaInapc
time as possible, so shall start at once upon my
peculiar experiences"
Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary,
hcavy-lidded expression which Vcllcd ms kceIi
and eager nature, while sat opposite TO HIM, ana
we listened in silence 10 the strange STORY VIII"
our visitor detailed TO Us.
"You must know said he, that am an or
phan and bachelor, residing alone in lodglh9s
in London BY profession am hNdlluIo
engineer and have had considerable experience
Of my worl; during the sever wears that | Wa
aDprenticcd to Vcnncr & NlathcsOn, the we'll
known firm of Greenwich Two years ago. nav
ing served my time. and having also come INTO Il
fair sum of money through my poor lather 9'a.u,
| determined to start in business for myself ana
took professional chambers in victoria,St FL.
81 suppose that every one finds hlE hrsI ll1 re-
pendent start in business drcary experience. 10
Inc il has been exceptionally So During two
years | have had three consul atons ard one small
Job and that is absolutely ali that my profession
has me
twenty-seycn pounds ten. Every day, from =
in the morning until in the afternoon !
waited in my little den, until AT laSt my II arr
began TO sink. AMI came to believe that should
never have any practice nj all.
Yesterday, however, just a. was thinking oil
leaving the Office my clerk entered TO say there
was gentleman waiting who wished to sc me
upon business. He brought up card, too, WIN
the name If Colonel Lystander Stark engraved
upon il. Close at his heels came the Col onel nm
self a man rather over the middle size hut OF an
exceeding thnncsS | do not think that have
ever seen so thin man. lils whole lace ,naII
cncd away into nose AMI chin, and tie skin Of MS
checks was drawn quite tense over his outsiand-
ing boGes Yet this evacuation seemed TO oe MS
natural habit and due TO no disease, for his eye
was bright his step brisk. and bis bearing assured
lie was plainly but neatly dressed, and his age,
should Judge. would Ire nearer forty than Thirty
"'Mr I.atherlcy % said he with sometlng OF
German accent. You have been recommended T.
me. Mr.. llathcrley. as being man who is not only
proficient in his profession, but IS also discreet
and capable Of pres ryinc secret.
womb at ench an address. Nav | ask who it
was who gave me 50 good character asked
We'll perhaps it is letter that. should rot
tell YOU that just ut th, moment. have II from
the SINE source that you are both an orphan ana
a bachelor. and are RESIDING alone in London
Tint is quite correct answered, but you
will excuse me if say that cannot see now al
this bears upon my professional qualifications.
| understood that it was on professional matter
that you wished 10 speak to me "
"'Undoubtcdly 50. But yGu will find that all
| say is really to the point. ! have a professional
commission for You. but absolute secrecy is quite
essential-ahsoute secrecy. YOU understand, ana
of We may expect that more from man
who is alone than from one who lives IN the bosom
Of his family.
IF promisr to keep secret said I, YOU may
absolutely depend upon my doing So
lie looked very bard at me az | spoke and II
seemed to me that / had never seen 50 suspicious
"" You do promi.e; then ?' said he at last.
absolute and complete silence, before, durnc.
and after? No reference to the matter at all,
either in word or writing "
Il have already given you my word.
Very good. lie suddenly sprang up, and
darling like lightning across the room he flung
open the door. The passage outside was empty.
That's al right said he coming back. ]
know that clerks are sometimes curious as 70 their
drew mp his chair very close TO mine, ana began
10 stare at me again with tie same qucstionns
and thoughtful look
a feeling Of repulsion and Of something akin
TO fear had begun to rise within me at the strange
antics Of this hcshles, man Even my dread #
losing a client could not : rain ne from shown
my impotence.
Il beg that YOU will state your business. sir'
said | my time is Of value Heaven forgive ire
for that last sentence, hut the words came 10 my
"'IIow would fifty guineas for nights work
suit you " he asked.
Most admirably
AZ say NIGHTS work, but an hours would he
nearer the marx. simply want Your opinion
about a hydraulic. stamping machre which has
got ont Of gear If You show rs what is wrong
We shall soon set il right ourselves What do
you think OF such commission rs that"
Tie work appears TO be lieht, ani the pay
muniiccnt.'
Precisely 80. We shall want you to come
to.n il, by the g, last train
ITO Fyford. in Rerkshire !, is little place
near the borders Of OXlordshirc. and within s'von
miles Of Rcadine. There is a train from Padding
IL -
Very good
81 shall come down in a carriage to meet you
There j. n drive, then"
Yes, our little place is quit out i'm the country
1t is a good seven miles from Eyford Station
Then We cau hardly ect there before midnight.
suppose there wonld be ~ change Of tram back.
| should be compelled to stop Tie night
Yes. We could easily give You - sh1kcdOwn
"'lha; is very awkward Could / not come
at some more convenient hour"
We have Judged it lest That YOU should come
late. IT IS to recompcnse you for any inconvcn-
lencc that We are paynl 10 YOU, young and I'M
known man, fee which would buy an opinion
from the very hcada Of Your profession. stu,
Of course if Won would like 10 draw out Of the
business, there j. plenty Of tide 10 do So
Il thought Of the fifty guincas. and Of how very
n.c1ul thcy wOul De to me Not at all said !, /
shall DE very happy TO accommodate myself 10
your wishes. | should Ike. however 10 under
stand little more clearly what II is that YOU wish
me 10 do
"'Quitc so. 1t is very natural that the pledge
OF secrecy which we have cXactcd from YOU shout
have aroused your curiosity. have no wish T.
commit you TO anything without your having it
lutely safe from cavcsdropPers?
"'EntrcY'
Then the matter stands thus. You are prob
ably aware that fullcrs earth is a valuable
product, and that it is only found in one or two
places in England"