The Delta independent., 1895-08-21
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T. 1t was long day. Every time that
a knock came to the door, or sharp
step passed in the street, l imagined
that it was either Holmes returning or
an answer to his advertisement.
tried to read, but my thoughts would
wander off to our strange quest and to
the ill-assorted and villainous pair
whom we were pursuing. Could
there be, wondered, some radi-
cal flaw in my companions reason:
ing? Might he be suffering from
some huge self-deception? Was it not
possible that his nimble and specu-
lative mind had built up this wild
theory upon faulty premises? ! had
never known him to be wrong; and yet
the keenest reasoner may occasionally
be deceived. He was likely, l thought.
to fall into error through the over,
refinement of his logic-his preference
Sor a subtle ard bizarre explanation
when plainef and more common!,
place one lay ready to his hand. YETI
on the other hand, l had myself seen
the evidence, and l had heard the rea-
sons for his deductions. When l looked
back on the long chain Of curious cir
cumstances, many of them trivial in
themselves, but all tending in the same
direction. could not disguise from
myself that even if Holmes explana
tion were incorrect the true theory
must be equally outrc and startling.
At three o'clock in the afternoon
there was loud peal at the bell, an
authoritative voice in the hall, and, to
my surprise, no less a person than Mr..
Athclney Jones was shown up to me.
Very different was he, however, from
the brusqnc and mnsterful professor OF
common sense who had taken over the
ease SO confidently at Upper Norwood.
His expression was downcast, and his
bearing meek and even apologetic.
Good day, sir; good day." said he.
MIR. Sherlock Holmes is out, under
stand"
"Ycs, and cannot be sure when he
will be back. But perhaps you would
care to wait. Take that chair and try
one OF these cigars" !,
Thank you; don't mind if do"
said he, mopping his face with red
bandanna handkerchief. s,..sa
'And whisky-and-soda?"
well, half glass. 1t is very hot
for the time of year; and have had
good deal to worry and try me. You
know my theory about this Norwood
case?"
II remember that you expressed
one"
well, have been obliged to recon-
slider it. had my net drawn tightly
round Mr.. Sholto, sir, when pop he went
through hole in the middle of it. lie
was able to prove an alibi which could
not he shaken. From the time that he
left his brothers room he was never
put Of sight Of some one or other. So
it could not be he who climbed over
roofs and through trap-doors. It's
very dark case, and my professional
credit is at stake. I should be very glad
Of little assistance"
I'VE all need help sometimes" said I.
Your friend, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes,
is q wonderful man, SIR" said he, in a
husky and confidential voice. "He's a
man who is not to be beat. l have
known that young man go into good
many cases, but l never saw the case
yet that he could not throw q light
upon. He is irregular in his methods,
and little quick, perhaps, in jumping;
at theories, but, on the whole, think
he would have made q most promising
officer, and don't care who knows it.
have had n wire from him this morn
ing, by which understand that he has,
got some clew to this Sholto business
Here is his message"
He took the telegram out Of his
Nd =
dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.
''Go to Baker street at once" it said.
''If have not returned, wait for me.
am close on the track of the Sholto
gang. You can come with us tonight
If you want to be in at the finish"
This sounds we'll He has evidently
picked up the scent again." said !.
"Ah, then he has been at fault too"
exclaimed Jones, with evident satisfac-
tion. Even the best of us are thrown
off sometimes. OF course this may
prove to be q false alarm; but it is my
duty as an officer of the law to allow
no chance to slip. But there is some
one at the door. Perhaps this is he"
heavy step was heard ascending
the stairs, with a great wheeling and
rattling as from a man who was sorely
put to it for breath. Once or twice he
stopped, as though the climb was too
much for him, but at last he made his
way to our door and entered. His ap-
pearance corresponded to the sounds
which we had heard. He was an aged
man, clad in seafaring garb, with an
old peajaclset buttoned up to his
throat. His back was bowed, his knees
were shaky, and his breathing was
painfully asthmntic. AS he leaned
upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoul-
ders heaved in the effort to draw air
into his lungs. He had a colered scarf
round his chin, and could see little OF
his face save a,pair Of keen dark eyes,
overhung by hushy white brows, and
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