Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-03-28
CHAPTER VII


THE EPISODE or THE BARREL.
The police had brought cab with
them, and in this | escorted Miss
Morstan back to her home. After the
angelic fashion of women. she had
borne trouble with a calm face as long
as there was some one weaker than her
self to support, and / had found her
bright and placid by the side OF the
frightened housekeeper. In the cab,
however, she first turned faint, and
then burst into passion Of weeping
so sorely had she been tried by the
adventures Of the night. She has told
me since that she thought me cold and
distant upon that journey. She little
guessed the struggle within my breast,
or the effort Of self-restraint which
held me back. My sympathies and my
love went out to her, even as
nv hand had IN the garden. ! felt
that wears Of the conventiOnallties CT
life could not teach me to know her
sweet, brave nature as had this one
day Of strange experiences. Yet there
were two thoughts which sealed the
words of affection upon my lips. She
was weak and helpless. shaken in mind
and nerve 1t was to take her at dis
advantage to obtrude love upon her at
such a time. Worse, still, she was
rich If Holmes researches We're sue
cessful she would be an heiress. Was
it fair, was il honorable. that half
pay surgeon should take such adyan-
tage of an intimacy which chance had
brought about? Might she not look
upon me as a mere vulgar fortune
seeker? ! could not bear to risk that
such a thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure intervened like an
impossible barrier between us.
1t was nearly two o'clock when we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrester's. The
servants had retired hours ago, but
Mrs. Forester had been so interested
by the strange message which Miss
Morstan had received that she had sat
up in the hope of her return. She
opened the door herself, middle-aged,
graceful woman, and it gave me JOY TO
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the others waist and how motherly
was the voice in which she greeted her.
She was clearly no mere paid depend
ent, but an honored friend. was in
troduced, and Mrs. Forester earnestly
begged me TO step in and TO tell her our
adventures. | explained, however, the
Importance of my errand, and prom
ised faithfully to call and report any
progress which we might make with
the case. As we drove away | stole a
glance back, and ! still seem to see
that little group on the step, the two
graceful, clinging figures, the half
opened door, the hall light shining
through stained glass, the barometer,
and the bright stair rods. 1t was sooth-
ing to catch even that passing glimpse
OF a tranquil English home in the midst
of the wild, dark business which had
absorbed US.
And the more | thought Of what had
happened, the wilder and darker it
grew | reviewed the whole cxtraor-
dinary sequence of events as ratified
on through the silent gas-lit streets.
There was the original problem; that
at least was pretty clear now. The
death Of Capt. Morstan, the sending Of
the pearls, the advertisement, the let
ter we had had light upon all those
events. They had only led US, how
ever, TO a deeper and far more tragic
mystery. The Indian treasure, the
curious plan found among Morstan's
baggage, the strange scene at Maj.
Sholtos death, the rediscovcry Of the
treasure immediately followed by the
murder Of the discoverer, the very sin
gular accompaniments to the crime, the
footsteps, the remarkable weapons, the
words upon the curd, corresponding
with those upon Capt. Morstan's chart
here indeed was a labyrinth in which
a man less 8ingularlv endowed than my
fellow lodger might well despair OF
ever finding the clew.
Pinchin lane was a row Of shabby
two-storied brick houses in the lower
quarter Of Lambeth. had TO knocb
for some time at No. before coulc
make any impression. At last, how
ever. there was the CLINT Of Il candle
behind the blind, and face looked out
at the upper window
go on, you drunken vagabond," said
the face. IF you kick up any more
row I'll open the kennels and let out
forty-three dogs upon you"
IF you'n let one out it's just what !
have come for, :" said l.
SEQ onl" yelled the voice. $50 help
me gracious, have wiper in this bag
an ri drop il on you're cad if you
don't hook il"
But want dogl" cried.
81 won't be argued within shouted
Mr. Sherman. "Now stand clear; foi
when | say three down goes the
wiper"
Mr. Sherlock Holmes" | began, but
the words had most magical effect,
for the window instantly slammed
down, and within minute the door
was unbarrcd and open. Mr.. Sherman
was lanlsy, lean old man, with stoop.
ing shoulders, a stringy neck and blue
tinted glasses.
~ friend Of Mr.. Sherlock is always
welcome, 3" said he. step in, sir. Keep
clear Of the badger; for he bites. All,
naughty, naughty, would yon take a