Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-08-05
CHAPTER. v-(Cont1neud)


believe that it is, this man would
rather risk anything than lose this ring.
According to my notion he dropped it
while STOPPING over Drebber'S body,
and did not miss it at the time. After
leaving the house he discovered his loss
and hurried back, but found the police
already in possession, owing to his own
folly in leaving the candle burning.
He had to pretend to be drunk in order
to allay the suspicious which might
have been aroused by his appearance
at the gate. Now, put yourself in that
mans place. On thinking the matter,
over, it must have occurred to him that
it was possible that he had lost the ring
in the road after leaving the house.
What would he do then? He would Gag
erly look out for the evening papers,
in the hope Of seeing it among the arti-
cles found. His eyes, of course, would
light upon this. He would be overjOy-
ed. Why should he fear trap? There
would be no reason in his eyes why
the finding Of the ring should be con-
nected with the murder. He would
come. He will come. You shall see
him within an hour"
"And then?' I asked.
''Oh, you can leave me to deal with
him then. Have you any armsw
II have my old service revolver and a
few cartridges"
''You had better clean and load it.
He will be desperate man, and though
/ shall take him unawares, it is as
well toabes ready for anything"
went - my bedroom and followed
his Gsivice. When / returned with the
pistol my table had been cleared, and
Holmes was engaged in his favOrite Oc-
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 is the correct one"
''And that is?' / 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
frighten him by looking at him too
hard"
ut is s o'clock now," 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 [ 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
shoulders when this little broWn-back-
ed volume was struck off,"
"Who is the printer?'
philippe de Croy, whoever he may
have been. On the f1y-leaf, in very
faded ink, is written 'EX libris Glliol-
mi Whyte.' / wonder who William
Whyte was. Some pragmatical seven
teenth century lawyer, l 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 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
a 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 Cne 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 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 a courtesy, she
stood blinking at us with her bleared
eyes and fumbling in her pocket with
nervous, shal1y fingers. I glanced at
my companion and his face assumed
SIch diSconSOlate expression that it
was all J. could do to keep my coun-
tenance
The old crone drew out an evening
paper, and pointed to our advertise
ment Its this as has brought me,
good gentlemen" she said dropping an
other courtesy; "a gold wedding ring in
the BriXtOn Road. 1t belongs to my
girl Sally, as was married only this
time twelve-months, which her hus-
band is steward aboard q Union beat,
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
rs that her ring?" I asked.
'The Lord be thanked" cried the
old woman; Sally will be glad Wo-
man this night. That's the ring"
And what may your address be-" I
inquired, taking up Il pencil
mo. Is Duncan street, Hourdsditch.
A weary way from here"
''The Brixton road does not lie be-
tween any circus and Houndsditch, y
said Sherlock Holmes.
The old woman faced round and look
ed keenly at him from her little red
trimmed eyes. The gentleman asked
me for my address" she said sally
lives in lodgings at No. 3 May1ield
place, Pecllham,"
And your name is-?"
MY name is SaTyer-hers is Dennis,
which Tom7Dennis married her-and a
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 Tire women and what with
liquor shops"