Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-03-07

my AutIlOah bcAOSAolu. ny Wow "a ehO
case is the correct one"
"And that is?" I asked eagerly.
"My fiddle would be the better for
new strings" he remarked. "Put your
pistol In your pocket. When the fell
low comes, speak to him in an ordinary
way. Leave the rest to me. Don't
frighten him by looking at him too
hard"
"It is 8 o'clock now," 1 said, glanc-
ing at my watch.
"Yes. He will probably be here in
a few minutes Open the door slightly.
That will do Now put tho key on the
inside. Thank you. This is queer
old book / picked up at stall yesterday.
DE Jure Inter Gentes,' published in
Latin at Liege in the Lowlands in 1642.
Charles head was still firm on his shoul-
ders when this little brown backed vol
ume was struck off. 4"
"Who is the printer"
philippe de Croy, whoever he may
have been. On the fly leaf in very faded
ink is written, 'Ex libris Guliolmi
Whyte. 1 wonder who William Whyte
was. Some pragmatical seventeenth CEN
tury lawyer, suppose. His writing has
legal twist about it. Here comes our
man, thinS." ;"
AS he spoke there was sharp ring at
the bell. Cherlock 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
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 football was an
uncertain and shuff1ing one. A look Of
surprise passed over the face of my COM
panion as he listened to it. 1t came
slowly along the passage, and there was
a feeble tap at the door.
Come i, % cried.
At my summons, instead of the man
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 blink
ing at us with her bleared eyes and fun
bling in her pocket with nervous, shaky
fingers. l glanced at my companion,
and his face had assumed such dis
consulate expression that it was all l
could do to keep my countenance
The old crone drew out an evening
paper and pointed at our advertisement.
"It's this ss has brought me, good gen.
tlemen," she said, dropping another
courtesy. "a gold wedding ring in the
Brixton road. Tt belongs to my girl
Sally, as 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 he1
without her ring is more than l can
think, ho being short enough at the best
O. times, but more especially when he
has the drink. If it please ", she went
to the circus last night along WITH
"Is that her ring?" asked.
1.-THE Lord be thanked" cried the ole
woman. sally will be glad woman
this night That's the ring"
"And what may your address be-"
inquired, taking up pencil.
Thirteen Duncan street, Hounds
ditch. A weary way from hers''
1.-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 fol
my address," she said. "Sally lives il
lodgings at 8 Maytield place, Peckham.
"And your name isl
"My name is Sawyer. Hers is Den
mis-, which Tom Dennis married her,
and smart, clean lad, too, as long as
he's at sea, and no steward in the COM
pany more thought of, but when on
shore, what with the women and what
with liquor shops"-
"Here is your ring, Mrs. Sawyer"
interrupted in obedience to sign from
my companion. "It clearly belongs tc
your daughter, and I am glad to be able
TO restore it to the rightful owner
With many mumbled blessings and
protestations of gratitude the old crone
packed it away in her pocket and shuffled
off down the stairs. Sherlock Holmes
sprang to his feet the moment she was
gone and rushed into his room. He re-
turned in few seconds enveloped in an
ulster and Gravat. "I'll follow her, .
he said hurriedly. "She must be All ac
complice and will lead meto him. Wait
up for me-" The hall door had hardly
tslammed behind our visitor before
Holmes had descended the stair Look
. ling through the window, I could see hel
Ewalking feebly along the other side
while her pursusr dogged her some Tit
l tie distance behind. "Either his whole
theory is incorrect" ! thought to my
self, 'or else he will be led now to TIN
heart of the mystery. There was mt
need for him to- ask me to wait up to
him, for l felt that sleep was impossi
BILE until I heard the result of his ad
vsnture.
It was close upon when he set out
had no idea how long he might be
but sat stolidly putting at my pipe ant
skipping over the pages of Henri Muir
GERS "Vie de Boheme." Ten o'olocl
passed, and heard the footsteps; of tn
maids as they pattered off to bed. Eleven
> and the more stately tread Of the land
, lady passed my door bound for the sam
a destination. 1t was close upon 12 be
q fore heard the sharp sound Of his late
$ kay. The instant he entered 1 saw b
I his face that he had not boen successful
q Amusement and ehagrin seemed to b
a struggling for the mastery, until tn
4 former suddenly carried the day, an
v he burst into hearty laugh.
q .'I wouldn't have the Scotland Yard
ARC l,no,., IL for tho unrldl,I he CRIED