The Delta independent., 1895-07-17
twinkiinc. distrustfui eyes.

twinliling, distrustful eyes.
THAT you, Mr.. ThaddeusP But who
are the others? had no orders about
them from my master"
No, McAIurdo? You surprise me! I
told my brother last night that I
should bring some friends
HE hain't 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:
Thnddeus Sho1to looked about him in
pcrplcxed and helpless manner.
This is too bad of you, McMurdo!" he
said. ''lf l guarantee them, that is
enough for you. There is the young
lady, too. She cannot wait on the pub
lie road ut this hour"
Every sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus," said the
porter, ineNorably. Folk may be
friends o. yours, and yet no friends O.
the masters. He pays me we'll TO do
my duty, and my duty I'll do. don't
know none o. your friends"
"Oh, yes, you do, McAIurdo," 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 ut Ali
sons rooms on the night Of your bcne-
fit four wears back?"
Not Mr.. Sherlock Holiness" roarcd
the prize fighter. Goods TRUTH how
could have mistools you? If instead
o standin' there SO quiet you had just
stepped up and given me that cross hit
of yours under the jaw, Id ha' known
you without n question. All, you're
one that has wasted your gifts. You
have! You might have aimed high, il
you had joined the fancy"
"iou see, Watson, if all else fails me
I have still one of the scientific profess
sions open to me-" said Holmes, laugh
ing. Our friend won't keep us out in
the cold now, am sure"
I'm you come, sir, in you come-you
and your friends" he answered. Very
sorry. Mr.. Thaddeus, but orders nre
very strict. Had to be certain of your
friends before let them in."
Inside, II gravel path wound through
dcsolate grounds to huge clump of n
house, square and prosnic, all plunged
in shadow save where moonbcam
S u
garret window. The vast size of the
building, withits gloom and it's dcathly
silence, struck chill to the heart
Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed i'll Mt
ease, and the lantern quivcrcd and rat
tied in his hand.
II cannot understand it." he said.
There must be some mistake. 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 it."
DOCS he always guard the premises
in this way?" asked Holmes.
"Ycs; he hns followed my fathers
custom. He was the favorite son, you
know, and sometimes think that nv
father may have told him more than
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, I
think"
None" said Holmes. "But I see
the CLINT of n light in that little win
dow beside the door,"
'Ah, that is the housekcepcr's room.
That is where old Mrs. Bernstone sits.
She can tell us all about IL. But per-
haps you would not mind waiting here
for Il minute or two, for II we all go in
together, and she has no word Of our
coming. she may be alarmed. but
hush! What Is thnt?"
lie held up the lantern, and his hand
shook until the circles Of light fliclsercd
and wavcrcd all round us. Miss Nor
stan seized my wrist, and we all stood
with humping hearts, straining our
ears. From the great black house there
sounded through the silent night the
saddcst and most pitiful of sounds
the shrill, broken whimpering Of q
frightened woman.
1T is Mrs. Bcrnstone." said Sholto.
'Shc is the only woman IN the house.
Wait here. ] shall be back in a mo
ment." lie hurried for the door, and
knocked in his peculiar way. We
could see tall old woman admit him
and sway with pleasure ut the very
sight of him.
''Oh. MIR. Thnddeus. sir, am so glad
you have come! ! am so glad yo,i
have come, MIR. Thaddeus, sir!" We
heard her reiterated rcjoicings until
the door was closed ard her voice died
away into muffied monotone.
Our guide had left us the lantern.
Holmes swung IL slowly round, and
pcercd keenly ut the house, and at the