The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-08
CHAPTER V.

n TRAGEDY OF PONDICHERRY LODGE.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock when we
reached this final stage of our nights
adventures. We had left the damp fog
of the great city behind US, and the
night vas fairly fine. A warm wind
blew from the westward, and heavy
clouds moved slowly across the sky,
with half a moon peeping occasionally
through the riffs. 1t was clear enough
to see for some distance, but Thaddeus
Sholto took down one of the side-lamps
from the carriage. to give US a better
light upon u way.
Pondicherry lodge stood in its own
grounds, and vas girt round with a
very high stone wall topped with
broken glass a single narrow IRON
clamped door formed the only means
of entrance. On this our guide knocked
with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat-
"Who is there?" cried a gruf voice
from within.
1T is I, McMurdo. You surely know
my knock by this time"
There was q grumbling sound and a
clanking and Earring of keys. The
door swung heavily back, and a short,
deep-chested man stood in the opening
with the yellow light of the lantern
shining upon his protruded face and
twinkling, distrustful eyes.
That you, Mr.. Thaddeus? But who
are the others? I had nc orders about
them from my master"
No, McMurdo? You surprise me! |
told my brother last night that |
should bring some friends"
"He hain.t been out O. his room to-
day, Mr.. Thaddeus. and have no or
ders. You know very we'll that I must
stick to regulations. can let you in,
but your friends they must just stop
where they are"
This was an unexpected obstacle.
Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in
a perplexed and helpless manner
This is too Dad Of you, McMurdo." he
said. "lf I guarantee them, that is
enough for you. There is the young
lady, too. She cannot wait on the pub
TIC ROAD dL ILLS uOuT.
Very sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus." said the
porter, inexorably. Folk may be
friends O yours. and yet no friends @
the masters. He pays NE well to do
my duty, and my duty III do. don't
know none . your friends"
"Oh, yes, you do, McMurdo," cried
Sherlock Holmes. genially. II don't
think you can have forgotten me.
Don't you remember the amateur who
fought three rounds with you at ALI
sons rooms on the night of your bene-
fit four years back?'
mot Mr.. Sherlock Holiness" reared
the prize fighter. Gods truth! how
could / have mistook you? If instead
O. standin' there so quiet you had just
stepped up and given me that cross hit
of yours under the jaw, I'd ha' known
you without a question. All. you're
one that has wasted your gifts, you
have, You might have aimed high, If
you had joined the fancy
"You see, Watson. if all else fails me
I have still one of the scientific profess
slOnS open to me" SAID holmes, laugh
ing. Our friend won't keep us out in
the cold now, I am sure
In you come, sir, in you come-you
and your friends" he answered Very
sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus, but orders are
very strict. Had to be certain Of your
friends befoce l let them in"
Inside. a gravel path wound through
desolate grounds to a huge clump OF 4
house. square and prosaic, all plunged
In shadow save where a moonbeam
struck one corncr and glinmered in s.
garnet window. The vast size of the
building. wirhits gloom and its deathly
silence. struck a chill to the heart.
Even Thaddcus Sholto seemed i'll al