Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-10-25
By CONAN DOYLE.

l shall take him unawares. it. is as
we'll to be ready for anything"
l went to my bedroom and followed
his advice. When returned with the
pistol my table had been cleared, and
Holmes was engaged in his favorite &C.
cupation of scraping upon his violin.
The plot thickens." he said, as en-
tered: Il have Just had an answer to
my American telegram. My view Of
the case 10 the correct one"
And that isl" asked eagerly.
MY fiddle would be the better for
new strings" he remarked. Put your
pistol in your pocket. When the fellow
comes speak to him in an ordinary
| way. Leave the rest to me. Don't
brighten him by looking ut him too
hard"
1T is o'clock now" 1 said, glancing
at my watch.
Eyes. He will probably be here in a
few minutes. Open the door slightly.
That will do. Now put the key on the
inside. Thank you: This is queer old
book l picked up at the stall yesterday
DE Jure inter Gentes'-published in
Latin at Liege in the Lowlands, in 1912
Charles's head was still firm on his
ell volume was struck Off"
Who is the printer
Philippe de Croy. whoever he may
have been. On the fly-leaf in very
faded ink, is written. 'Ex libris Guliol-
mi Whyte.' l wonder who William
Whyte was. Some pragmatical seven
teenth century lawyer, suppose. His
writing has legal twist about it.
Here comes our man, think"
AS. he spoke there was sharp ring
ut the bell. Sherlock Holmes rose
softly, and moved his chair in the di-
rection of the door, We heard the SER
want pass along the hall. and the sharp
click of the latch as he opened it.
Does DR.. Watson live here?" asked
clear but rather harsh voice. We
could not hear the servants reply, but
the door closed. and some one began
to ascend the stairs. The football was
an uncertain and shutting one A look
of surprise passed over the face of my
companion as he listened to it, 1t came
slowly along the passage and there was
a feeble tap at the door.
Come in" cried.
AT my summons, instead of the mai
Of violence whom we expected. very
old and wrinkled woman hobbled into.
the apartment. She appeared to be-
dazzled by the sudden blaze of light,
and, after dropping courtesy, she
stood blinking at us with her bleared
eyes and fumbling in her pocket with
nervous. shaky fingers. 1 glanced at
my companion and his face assumed
such disconsolate expression that it
was all could do to keep my coun-
tenance
The old crone drew out an evening
paper. and pointed to our advertise
ment. Its this rs has brought me,
good gentlemen" she said, dropping an
other courtesy; "a gold wedding ring in
the Brixton Road 1t belongs to Inv
girl Sally. rs was married only this
time twelve-months. which her hus-,
band is steward aboard a Union boat.
and what he'd say if come 'ome and
found her without her ring is more
than can think. he being short enough
at the best O times, but more espec-
tally when he has the drink. If it
please you. she went to the circus last
night along with
lis that her ring?" asked
The Lord be thanked" cried the
old woman; Sally will be a glad wo-
man this night. That's the ring"
And what MAY your address be?"
inquired, ticking up pencil
No. Ii Duncan street, Houndslitch.
A weary way from here"
1.-The Brixton road does not lie be-
tween any circus and Houndsditch,"
said Sherlock Holmes
The old woman faced round and look
ed kecnly at him from her little red
trimmed eyes. 1.-The gentleman asked
me for MY address," she said sally
lives in lodgings at No. 3 Mayfield
place, Peckham."
"And your name is---?"
my name is Sawyer-hers is Dennis,
which Tom Dennis married her-and i
smart, clean lad, too, as long as he's
at sea, and no steward in the company
more thought of; but when on shore,
what with the women and what with
liquor shops"
Here is your ring, Mrs. Sawyer" I
interrupted, in obedience to a sign from
my companions; 1T clearly belongs to
your daughter; and [ am glad to be able
to restore it to the rightfnl owner"
With many mumbicd blessings and
protestations Of gratitude, the old crone
packed 1t away in her pocket and
shutiird off down the stairs. Sherlock
Holmes sprang to his feet the moment
she was gone and rushed into his room.
He returned in Il few seconds envelOp-
ed in an ulster and cravat. I'M
follow her." he said, hurriedly; ''she
must be- an accomplice. and will lead
me to him. Wait up for me- The
hall door had hardly slammed behind
our visitor before Holmes had descend.
ed the stair. Looking through the win
dow, l could see her walking feebly
along the other side, while her pursuer
dogged her some little distance behind
EITHER his whole theory ia incorrect -
l thought to myself. 'or else he will
he led now to the heart of the mys
terry There was no need for him to
ask me to wait up for him, for felt
that sleep was impossible until heard
| the result of his adventure.
1t was close upon when he set out
had no idea how long he might be
but l sat stolidly putting ut my pipe
and skipping over the pages Of Henr
Murger's Vie de Boheme" Ter
O'Clock passed. and ] heard the foot
steps Of the maid us they battered Of
to bed. Eleven. and the more stately
q n