The Delta independent., 1895-08-21

W
He looked about him in the slow me.
thodical fashion of old age.
'Is Mr.. Sherlock Holmes here?" said
he.
'.No; but I am acting for him. You
can tell me any message you have for
him."
'.It was to him himself was to tell
it," said he.
but tell you that am acting for
him. Was it about Mordccai Smiths
boat?''
YES knows well where it is An
knows where the men he is after are.
An knows where the treasure is. I
knows all aboutit." :!
'Then tell me, and I shall let him
know" !
ut was to him I was to tell it," he
repeated, with the petulant obstinacy
of n very old man. t
"Wcll, you must wait for him."
"No, no; amt goin' to lose whole
day to please no one. If Mr.~Holmes
ain't here. then Mr.. Holmes must find
it all out for himself. l don't care
about the look of either of you, and I
won't tell word" !,
He shuffled towards the door, but
"Wait bit, my FRIEND" said he'
"You have important information, and
you must not walk off. We shall keep
you, whether you like or not, until our
friend returns" 81
The old man made a little run to:
wards the door, but, us Athclney Jones
put his broad back up against it, he
recognized the uselessness of resistance.
HN,, ~ l.. -
cried, stamping his stick. II come here
to see gentleman, and you two, who
I never saw in my life, seize me and
treat me in this fashion, 4
you will be none the worse" said
1--WE shall recompcnse you for the loss
of your time. Sit over here on the
sofa. and You will not have long to
wait" -as.- II
. lie came across sullenly enough, and
seated himself with his face resting on
his hands. Jones and l resumed our
cigars and our talk. Suddenly, how.
ever, Holmes voice broke in upon us.
II think that you might offer me
cigar, too" he said.
We both started in our chairs. There
was Holmes sitting close to us with an
air of quiet amusement.
"IIolmes!' I exclaimed. "You here.
But where is the old man?"
Here is the old man." said he. hold
ing out heap of white hair. Here
he is-wig, whiskcrs, eyebrows, and
all. 1 thought my disguise was stty
good, but hardly expected that it
would stand that test
"Ah, you rogue!' cried Jones, highly
delighted. "You would have made an
actor, and rare one. You had the
proper workhouse cough, and those
weak legs of yours are worth ten
pound a week. thought 1 knew the
CLINT of your eye, though. You didn't
get away from us SO easily, you Sec"
81 have been working in that get-up
all day. said he, lighting his cigar.
You see, good many Of the criminal
classes begin to know me-especially
since our friend here took to publish
ing some of my cases; so I can only 90
on the warpath under some simple dis
guise like this You got my wire?"
'Yes; that was what brought me
here"
"How has your case prospered~
''It has all come to nothing. have
had to release two of my prisoners, and
there is no evidence against the other
two"
''Never mind. We'shall give you two
others in the place of them. But you
must put yourself under my orders.
You are welcome to all the official
credit, but you must act on the lines
that point out. Is that agreed?"
Entirely, If you will help me to the
men,"
well, then, in the first place shall
want afast police-boat-a steam launch
to be at the Westminster Stairs at
seven o'clock"
THAT is easily managed. There is
always one about there; but can step
across the road and telephone to make
sure"
''Then shall want two stanch men,
in case of resistance"
There will be two or three in the
boat. What else?"
When we secure the men we shall
get the treasure. think that it would
be pleasure to my friend here to take
the box round to the young lady to
whom half Of it rightfully belongs
Let her be the first to open it. Eh,
Watson?"
"It would be . great pleasure to
me-"
"Rather an irregular proceeding"
said Jones, shaking his head. How
ever, the whole thing is irregular, and
suppose we must wink Mt it. The
treasure must afterwards be handed
over to the authorities until after the
official investigation"
Certainly. That is easily managed
One other point. ! should like much
to have n few details about this matter
from the lips Of Jonathan Small him,
self. You know like to work the de
tail of my cases out. There is no oh
lection to my having an unofficial IL
tervicw with him either here in nj
rooms or elsewhere, as long us he is
ficiently guarded?"