The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-01

in the capacity of governess. BY her
advice 1 published my address in the
advertisement column The same day
there arrived through the post a small
cardboard box addressed to me, which
l found to contain a very large and lus-
trous pearl. No word Of writing was
inclosed. Since then, every year, upon
the same date, there has always ap-
peared a similar box, containing a SIM
liar pearl, without any clew as to the
sender. They have been pronounced
by an expert-to be of a rare variety and
of considerable value. You can see for
yourselves that they are very hand
some" She opened a fat box as she
spoke, and showed me six of the finest
pearls that l had v e seen.
"Your statement is most interest
ing" said Sherlock Holmes. Has any
thing else occurred to you
Eyes, and no later than to-day. That
is why I have come to you. This morn
ing I received this letter, which you
will perhaps read for yourself"
s'Thank you," said Holmes 'The
envelope, too, please. Postmark, Lon
don, S. w; date, July Z. Hum! Mans
thumbmark on corner-probably post
man. Best quality paper. Envelopes
at sixpence a packet. Particular man
in his stationery. No address. BE at
the third pillar from the left outside
the Lyceum theater tonight at seven
o'clock. If you are distrustful, bring
two friends. You are a wronged wom-
an, and shall have justice. Do not
bring police. If you do, all will be in
vain. Your unknown friend Well,
really, this is q very pretty little mys-
terry. What do you intend to do, Miss
Morstan"
That is exactly what I want to ask
YOU"
Then we shall most certainly go.
You and I and-yes, why, DR.. Watson
is the very man. Your correspondent
says two friends. He and I have
worked together before"
But would he Gomez" she asked,
with something appealing in her voice
and expression.
81 should be proud and happy"
said I, fervently, IF I can be of any
service"
You are both very kind" she an
swered. 81 have led a retired life, and
have no friends whom I could appeal
to. I'll am here at six it will do, I sup
pose?"
"You must not be later" said
Holmes. There is one other point
Is this handwriting the same as that
upon the pearl-box addresses"
II have them here" she answered,
producing half a dozen pieces of paper.
You are certainly a model client:
You have the correct intuition. Let
us see, now" He spread out the paper
upon the table, and gave little darting
glances from one to the other. They
are disguised hands, except the letter."
he said, presently, "but there can be no
question as to the authorship. See how
the irrepressible Greek e will break
out, and see the twirl on the final 6.
They are undoubtedly by the same per-
son. ! should not like to suggest false
hopes, Miss Morstan, but is there any
resemblance between this hand and
that of your father?"
Nothing could be more unlike"
Il expected to hear you say so. We
shall look out for you, then, at six.
Pray allow me to keep the papers. l
may look into the matter before then.
1t is only half-past three. Au %revoir,
then"
"Au %revoir," said our visitor, and.
with a bright, kindly glance from d
to the other of US, she replaced her
pearl box in her bosom and hurried
away. Standing at the window, I
watched her walking briskly down the
street, until the gray turban and white
feather were but a speck in the somber
crowd.
"What a very attractive woman I
exclaimed, turning to my companion.
He had lit his pipe again, and was
leaning back with dropping eyclids.
is she?~ he said, languidly. II did not
observe.
You really are IN automaton-a cal
culating machine."I cried. There IS
something positively inhuraan in you
at times.
He smiled gently. st is Of the first
Importance" he said. not to allow
your judgment TO be biased by per
sonaluualities A ciient is 70 mea mere
unit-a factor in a problem. The emo
tional qualities are antagonistic to clear
reasoning. assure you that the most
winning woman ever knew was
hanged for poisoning three little chill
dren for their insurance money. and
the most rcpellcnt man OF my acquaint-
n c is a philanthropist who has spent
nearly a quarter of a million upon the
London poor