Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-05


 have been. On the fly leaf in very faded ink is written, 'Ex libris Guliolmi Whyte. l wonder who William Whyte was. Some pragmatical seventeenth cen tury lawyer, suppose His writing has a legal twist about it Here comes our man, think.
 As he spoke there was sharp ring at the bell Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair in the direction of the door. We heard the servant pass along the hall and the sharp click of the latch as she opened it.
 Does Dr. Watson live here?" asked a clear but rather sharp voice. We could not hear the servants reply, but the door closed, and some one began to ascend the stairs The footfall was an uncertain and shuffling one A look of surprise passed over the face of my com. panion as he listened to it. It came slowly along the passage, and there was a feeble tap at the door.
 Come in!' 1 cried
 At my summons, instead of the man of violence whom we expected, a 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 Blink ing at us with her bleared eyes and fum- bling in her pocket with nervous, shaky fingers. glanced at my companion, | and his face had assumed such dis. consulate expression that it was all could do to keep my countenance. The old Crone drew out an evening paper and pointed at our advertisement. It's this as has brought me, good gen tlemen, she said, dropping another courtesy A gold wedding ring in the Brixton road It belongs to my girl Sally, IS was married only this time twelvemonth, which her husband is steward aboard Union boat, and what he'd say if he come 'Ome and found her without her ring is more ttan can think, he being short enough at the best O times. but more especially when he has the drink If it please you. she went to the circus last night along with Is that her ring?' 1 asked
 Tho Lord bc thankedl" cried the old woman. Sally will be a glad woman this night That's the ring"
 And what may your address be?" inquired, taking up pencil.
 
 Thirteen Duncan street, Hounds | ditch. weary way from here.
 ''The Brixton road does not lie be- tween any circus and Houndsditch, |" said Sherlock Holmes sharply.
 The old woman faced round and look ed keenly at him from her little red rim med eyes. The gentleman asked for my address, she said Sally lives in lodgings at Mayfeld place, Peckham. ''
 And your name is''-
 My name is Sawyer Hers is Den his, which Tom F nlt;S married her, and smart, clean l2d. ruo as long as he's at sea, and no steward in the com pany more thought cf but when on shore, what wita tlr women and what with liquor sh" -
 ''Hor, i, y,u: ;l.., Nrs Sawyer" l interrupted VI 03 ii ,:.,. to sign from my compal!;rn '';' ir&rlv belongs to your daug!:t' Z. :, :' , :. glad 10 be able to restore it tn t,, ! ,:,tynl owner.
 With may :.:.. blessings and protcstatiOns If :. -. ,,,. It. old crono packed it away i:I!.tt ...:j.n. q shu1fied of down the si.,i:- >:,rlrck Holmes sprang to his feet t.'s l"oment she was gone and rushed into lis room. He re- turned in few seconds envcloped in an ulster and Cravat "In follow her, '' he said hurrie,ily She must be an ac. complice and will lead ne to him. Wait up for me. The hall door had hardly slammed behind our visitor before Holmes had descended the stair Look. | ing through the window, l could see hel walking fecHly along the other side. while hor pursuer doSgcd her some lit tie distance behind. Either his whole theory is incorrect, thought to my self, 'or else he will be led now to the heart of the mystery There was nc need for him to ask me to wait up fol him, for I felt that sleep was impossi ble until heard the result of his ad venture.
 It was close upon when he set out had no idea how long he might be- but sat stolidly puffing at my pipe anc skipping over the pages of Henri Mur gers ''Nic dc Boheme. " Ten o'clock passed. and I heard the footsteps of thu maids as they battered of to bed. Eleven and the more stately tread of the land lady passed my door bound for the same destination. It was close upon 12 be fore heard tho sharp sound of his latcl key. The instant he entered saw by his face that he had not been successful Amusement and chagrin seemed to b, struggling for the mastery, until tht former suddenly carried the day. ant he burst into a hearty laugh.
 II wouldn't have the Scotland Yard CTS know it for tho worldT' he cried dropping into his chair "Ihave chaffeC them so much that they would neve have let mo hear the end of it. cal afford to laugh, because I know that will be even with them in the long run.
 What is it then?' I asked
 'Oh, I don't mind telling stor, against myself. That creature had gon a little way when she began to limp ant show every sign of being footsore. Pres entity sho came to a halt and hailed four wheeler which was passing Iman aged to be close to her so as to hear tn address, but l need not have been s anxious, for she sang it out loud enougl to be heard at the other side of tn street, Drive to IS Duncan street Houndsditchr she cried. This begal to look genuine, I thought, and havin seen her safely inside perched mysel behind. That's an art which every de tective should bO an expert at Well away we rattled and never drew reil until we reached the street in question hoped of before We came to the doc and strolled down the street in an easy lounging way saw the cab pull up The driver jumped down. and I say him open the door and stand expectant l ly. Nothing came out though. Whe l reached him, he was groping abou frantically i'll the empty cab and givin vent to tho finest assorted collection c oaths that ever listened to There wa no sign or trace of his passenger. and fear it will be some time before he get