The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-10-26

and nerve. IL was TO take her at n dis
advantage 20 obtrude love upon her at
such time. Worse, still, she was
rich. II Holmes researches we're sue
cessful she would be an heircss- Was
II fair. was II honorable. that half
pay surgeon should take such advan-
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 thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure interviewed like an
impossible barrier between as.
II was nearly two o'clock when we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrester's. The
servants had retired hours agc, 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, a middlc-aged,
graceful woman, and II gave me JOY to
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the others waist and how mothcrly
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 OK my errand, and prom
Used faithfully TO call and report any
progress which we might make with
the case. AS we drove away stole .
glance back. and / still seem TO see
that little group on the step, the two
graceful, ciinging figures, the half
opened door, the hall light shining
through stained glass, the barometer,
and the bright stair rods. Ii was sooth-
ing TO catch even that passing glimpse
of tranquil English home in the midst
of the wild, dark business which had
absorbed us.
And the moro thought OF what had
happened. the wilder and darker 1t
grew. reviewed the whole cxtrnor-
binary 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, 70 n deeper and far more tragic
mystery. The Indian treasure. the
curious plan found among Morstan's
baggage, the strange scene at Maj
Sholto's death, the rediscovery Of the
treasure Immediately followed by the
murder of the discovercr. the very sim
gnlar Accomplishments 60 the crime, the
footsteps, tho remarkable weapons, the
words upon the card, corresponding
with those upon Capt. Morstan's chart
here indeed was a labyrinth in which
man less singularly endowed than my
fellow ledger might well despair OF
ever finding the clcw.
Pinchin lane was o row OF shabby
two-storied brick houses in the lower
quarter Of Lambeth. had 10 knock
for some time at No. 3 before could
make any impression. At last, how
ever, there was the CLINT of a candle
behind the blind, and a face looked out
at the upper window.
''Go on, you drunken vagabond,r snid
the face. ''If you kick up any more
row I'll open the kennels and let out
forty-three dogs upon YOU"
IF you'll let one out it's just what I
have come for. said /.
"Go ont" yelled the voice. $50 help
me gracious, have a wiper in this bag,
an III drop 1t on you're cad il you
don't hook It,"
But want dogi" I cried
~ won't be argued with" shouted
Mr.. Sherman. "Now stand clear; for
when | saw three down rnes the
wiper"
Mr. Sherlock Holmes" began, but
the words had a most magical effect.
for the window instantly slammed
down, and within a minute the door
was unbarrcd and open. Mr.. Sherman
was lanlSy, lean old man, with stoop-
ing shoulders, stringy neck and blue
tinted glasses.
"a friend Of Mr.. Sherlock Is always
welcome" said he. "Step in, sir. Keep
clear Of the badgers for he bites All,
naughty, naughty, would yon take n
nip at the gentleman" This TO stoat
which thrust its wicked head and red
eyes between the bars OF its cage.
Don't mind that, sir; it's only slow
worm. IL hain't got no fangs, so
gives II the run o.. the room, for II
keeps the beetles down. You must not
mind my bcin' just a little short wi
you at first, for Pm guyed at by the
children, and there's many n one just
comes down this lane 20 knock nae up.
What was it that MIR. Sherlock Holmes
wanted, sir?"
''Iie wanted dog OF yours"
"Ahl that would be Toby"
"Ycs, Toby was the name.p
"roby lives at No. 2 on the left
here" lie moved slowly forward with
his candle among the queer animal
family which he had gathered round
him. In the uncertain, shadowy light
could sec dimly that there were
glnncing, glimmcfing eyes pccping
down az as from every Granny ana
corner. Even the raftcrs above our
heads were lined 10y solemn fowls, who
lazily shifted their weight from one
leg to the other as our voices dis
turI.nI thar als..ul..~a