The Delta independent., 1895-08-14
CHAPTER TX.

A BREAK IN THE CHAIN.
1t was late in the afternoon before
woke, strengthened and refreshed.
Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly us
had left him, save that he had laid
aside his violin and was deep in Il book.
lie looked across at me rs stirred. and
noticed that his face was dark and
troubled.
"Tou have slept soundly," he said.
II feared that our talk would wake
you"
81 heard nothing answered. ''Iave
you had fresh news, them"
unfortunately, no. confess that 1
am surprised and disappointed. ex-
pcctcd something definite by this time.
Virgins has just been up to report.
He says that no trace can be found of
the launch. 1t is a provoking check,
for every hour is of Importance"
"Can l do anything? am perfectly
fresh now, and quite ready for another
nights outing"
NO; we can do nothing. We can
only wait. If we go ourselves, the mes
sage might come in our absence, and
delay he caused. You can do what you
will, but must temnin on guard"
Then I shall run over to Gambler
we'll and call upon Mrs. Cecil Forester.
She asked me to, yesterday"
''On Mrs. Cecil Forester" asked
Holmes, with the twinkle of smile in
his eyes.
"Well, OF course, on Miss Morstan
too. They were anxious to hear what
happened"
81 would not tell them too much"
said holmes. Women are never to be
entirely trusted-not the best of them"
did not pause to argue over this
atrocious sentiment. ~ shall be back
in an hour or two" remarked.
'.All right! Good luck! But. l say,
if you "rc crossing the river you may
as well return Toby, for ! don't think
it is at all likely that we shall have
any use for him now"
took our mongrcl accordingly, and
left him. together with n half sovereign
at the old naturalist's in Pinchin lane.
at Cambcrwell found Miss Morstan. n
little weary after her nights adven-
lures, but very eager to hear the news.
Mrs Forester. too was full of curios-
ity. told them all that we had done,
supprcssing. however. the more dread
full parts of the tragedy. Thus, al
though spoke of Mr.. Sholto's death,
said nothing of the exact manner and
method of it. With all my omissions,
however, there was enough to startle
and amaze them. ,
ut is n rOmnncc!' cried Mrs. Forres-
ter. 'An injured lady, half million
in treasure, n black cannibal and a
wooden-legged rufiian. They take the
place of the conventional dragon or
wicked earl"
And two knight-errants to the, res
cue" added Miss Morstan, with
bright glance at me.
why. Mary. your fortune depends
upon the issue of this search. l don't
think that you are nearly excited
enough. just imagine what it must
be to be so rich and to have the world
at your fcet!'
1t sent a thrill of joy to my heart to
notice that she showed no sign of Ella
she gave a toss of her proud head, as
though the matter were one in which
she took small interest.
ut is for Mr.. Thaddeus Sholto that
am anxious" she said. Nothing else
is of any consequences; but ! think
that he has behaved most kindly and
hohpiaOy IhIouSuput. IL 10 OuI uuIy
to clear him of this dreadful and un-
founded charge"
1t was evening before left Gambler
well, and quite dark by the time I
reached home. My companions book
and pipe lay by his chair, but he had
Disappeared I looked about in the
hope of seeing note, but there wns
none.
~ suppose that Mr.. Sherlock Holmes
has gone out" said to Mrs Hudson rs
she came up to lower the blinds.
'No, sir. lie has gone to his room,
sir. Do you know, sir sinking her
voice into an impressive whisper, II am
afraid for his health?"
why so, Mrs. IIudson?'
'Wcll, he's that strange, sir. After
you was gone he walked and he
walked, up and down, and up and
down, until was weary Of the sound
Of his footstcp. Then l heard him
talking to himself and muttcring, and
every time the bell rang out he came
on the stair-hcad with: What is that,
Mrs. Hudson? And now he has
slammed of to his room, but I can hear
him walking away the same as ever. I
hope he's not going to he ill, sir. l
ventured to say something to him about
cooling medicine, but In turned on me,
sir, with such n look that | don't know
how ever got out of the room"
II don't think that you have any
cause to be uneasy, Mrs Hudson" !
answered. ~ have seen him like this
before. lie has some small matter up
on his mind which makes him restless. y
tried to speak lightly to our worthy
landlady. but was myself somewhat
uneasy when, through the long night.
still from time tn time heard the dull
sound OF his tread, and knew how his