The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-05-24

door swung heavily back. and 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? ! had no orders about
them from my MASTER
NO, MclIurdo? You surprise me!
told my brother last night that
should bring some friends"
He haint been out o. his room to
day, Mr.. Thaddeus. and / have no or
ders. You know very well that 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
perplexed and helpless manner
This is too bad of you, McMurdo!' he
said. ''lf 1 guarantee them, that is
enough for you. There is the young
lady, too. She cannot wait on the pub.
lie road at this hour"
Very sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus," said the
porter, inexorably. Folk may be
friends o yours. and yet no friends o
the masters He pays me well to dc
my duty, and my duty I'll do. don't
know none o your friends"
''Oh, yes, you do, McMurdo." cried
Sherlock Holmes. genially. Il 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 bele'
fit four wears back?"
Not Mr.. Sherlock Holiness roareC
the prize fighter Gods truth, how
could l have mistooll you? If instead
o. standin' there 50 quiet you had just
stepped up and given me that cross hit
of yours under the jaw. Id ha' known
you without a question. All. You're
one that has wasted your gifts. you
have. You might have aimed high. il
you had Joined the fancy"
You see, Watson. if all else fails me
have still one of the scientific profes
sions open to me-" said Holmes. laugh
ing. Our friend won't keep Us ont in
the cold now. am sure
I'm you come. sir, in you come-yor
and your friends" ne answered Very
sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus, but orders art
very strict. Had to be certain OF your
friends before let them in"
Inside. a gravel path wound through
desolate grounds to huge clump OF I
house, square and prosaic, all plunged
in shadow save where a moonbeau
struck one corner and glimmered in a
garnet window. The vast size of the
building, with Its gloom and its deathly
silence, struck a chill to the heart
Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed i'll al
ease, and the lantern quivered and rat
tied in his hand.
Il cannot understand il" he said
There must be some mistake. | dis
tinctly told Bartholomew that we
should be here. and yet there is nc
light in his window. I do not know
what to make of it.
Does he always guard the premise
in this way?" asked Holmes.
Yes; he has followed my father,
custom. He was the favorite son. YOU
know. and | sometimes think that my
father may have told him more thar
he ever told me. That is Barthol
omew's window up there where the
moonshine strikes. II is quite bright
but there is no light from within,
think
None said Holmes. But I Sc,
the CLINT of a light in that little win
dow beside the door
'Ah, that is the housekeeper's room
That is where old Mrs. Bernstone sits
She can tell us all about it. But per
haps you would not mind waiting her,
for a minute or two, for if we all go il
together. and she has no word of oul
coming. she may be alarmed. Blu
hush. What is that?''
He held up the lantern. and his HAND
shook until the circles OF light tiicl1ereC
and wavered all round US. Miss Nor
stan seized my wrist, and we all stooC
with humping hearts. straining ou
ears. From the great black house Their,
sounded through the silent night tn,
saddest and most pitiful of sounds
the shrill, broken whimpering of I
frightened woman.
1T is Mrs. Bernstone." said Sholto
''She is the only woman IN the house
Wait here. I shall be back in a mo
ment" He hurried for the door, an,
knocked in his peculiar way. w
could see tall old woman admit hin
and sway with pleasure at the yer.
sight of him.
''Oh. Mr.. Thaddeus. sir, am so gla,
you have come. I am so glad yol
have come. Mr.. Thaddeus, sir" W
heard her reiterated rejoicings unit
the door was closed and her voice die,
away into n muffied monotone.
Our guide had left US the lantern
| Holmes swung it slowly round, an,
/ peered keenly at the house. and at tn