Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-02-15
NIAPTER N


 It was nearly Il Q clock whom We reached this final stage of our night adventures. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us and tho night was fairly fine. A warm wind blcw from the westward, and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky, with half moon pecping occasional ly through tho rifts. It was clear enough to sec for some distance, but Thaddcus Sholto took down onc of tho side lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our way.
 PondichCtry Ledge stood in its own grounds and was Eirt round with very high stone wall topped with broken glass, A single narrow iron clampcd door formed tho only means of entrance. On this our guide knocked with peculiar rostman- like rattat.
 Who is thcrr?" cried n gruff voico from within.
 It is I, McMurtlo You surely know my knock by this time
 There was a Grumhling sound and a clanking and iarring of keys. The door swung heavily hack, and n short, deep chcsted man stood in the opening, with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his prUtrudcd facc and twinkling. distrustful eyes.
 That you. Mr. Thaddcusg But who I from tho master"
 No, McMurdo' You surprise me! told my brother last night that I should bring some friends"
 He hain' t been cut O his room today, MT. Thaddeus, and have no orders, You know very well that I must suck to roSu- latlons. can let you in, but your friends they must just stop where they are"
 This was an unexpected obstacle. Thad- deus Sholto looked about him in Q per plexed and helpless manner. This is too bad of you. McMurdol" he said. If I guarantee them, that is enough for you. There Is the young lady too. She cannot wait in the public road at this hour"
 Very sorry. Mir Thaddeus." said tho porter incxorably. Folk may be friends O yours and yet no friends O the mas tors. He pays me well to do my duty, and my duty I'll do. don't know none O yorr friends"
 "Oh, yes, you do, McMurdo," cried Sherlock Holmes genially. T don't think you can have forgotten me. Don't you re- member the amateur who fought three rounds with you Ut Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?" Not Mir. Sherlock Holmesr' roared the prizeflghter Gods truth, how could have mistook you! If instead O standin
 
 and given me that cross hit O yours under the jaw I'd ha' known you without a question. An, you're one that has wasted your gifts, you have! You might havO aimed high if you had joined tho fancy" You see, Watson. If all else fails me. have still one of the scientific professions open to me-" said Holmes, laughing Our friend won't keep us out in tho cold now, am sure"
 Tn you come, sir, in you come, you and your friends, he answered. Very | sorry, Mir. Thaddeus, but orders are very strict. Had to be certain of your friends before let them in"
 Inside . gravel path wound through desolase grounds to a hugo clump of a house, square and prosaic, all plunged in | shadow save whera a moonbeam struck one corner snd Rlimmered in a garrett | window. Tho vast size of the building, | with Its gloom and its deathly silence, struck a chili to the heart. Eyon Thad- | deus Sholto seemed i'll at ease, and the lantern quiyGred and rattled in his hand.
 II cannot understand It." he said. 'There must Do some mistake. I dis tinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here, and yet there is no light in his window. do not know what to make of 1t.
 Docs he always guard the promises in this wayf' asked Holmes.
 "Yes, he has followed my fathers GUS tom. He was the favorite son, you know, and sometimes think that my father may have told him moro than he over told me. That Is Bartholomew's window up the moonshi' It is