The Delta independent., 1895-07-31
CHAPTER VII.
THE EPISODE OF TIE BARREL.

LilIliis III LhlS cSctTttu hiss
Morstan back to her home. After the
angelic fashion Of women, she had
borne trouble with calm face as long
as there was some one weaker than her
self to support, and had found her
bright and placid by the side of the
frightened housskccpcr. In the cab,
however, she first turned faint. and
then burst into passion of weeping
SO sorcly had she been tried by the
adventures of the night. She has told
me since that she though: me cold and
distant upon that Journey She little
guessed the struggle within my breast,
or the effort of sclf-rcstraint which
held me back. My sympathies and my
love went out to her. even as
my hand had IN the garden. ! felt
that years of the convcntionnlities of
life could not teach me to know her
sweet, brave nature as had this one
day of strange experiences. Yet there
were two thoughts which sealed the
words of affection upon my lips. She
was weak and helpless. shaken in mind
and nerve. 1t was to take her at dis
advantage to obtrudc love upon her at
such 4 time. Worse, still, she was
rich. Ii Holmes researches were sue
cessful she would be an heircss. Was
it fair, was it honorn BILE, that n half
pay surgeon should take such advan-
tagc of an intimacy which chance had
brought about? Might she not lool,
upon me as n mere vulgar fortune
seeker? 1 could not bear to risk that
such thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure interviewed like an
impossible barrier between us.
1t was nearly two o'clock when we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrcster's. The
servants had retired hours ago, but
Mrs. Forester had been SO Interested
by the strange message which Miss
Morstan had received that she had sat
up in the hope of her return. She
opened the door herself, u middlc-agcd,
graceful woman, and it gave me joy to
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the others waist and how mo;herly
was the voice in which she greeted her
She was clearly no mere paid depend
ent. but an honorcd friend. ! was in
troduccd, and Mrs. Forester earnestly
begged me to step in and to tell her our
adventures. I explained. however, the
Importance of my crrand, and prom
ised faithfully to call and report any
progress which we might make with
the case. As we drove away l stole
glance back, and l still seem to see
that little group on the step. the two
graceful, clinging figures, the half
opened door, the hall light shining
through stained glass, the barometer,
and the bright stair rods. 1t was sooth-
ing to catch even that passing glimpse
of tranquil English home in the midst
of the wild, dark business which had
absorbed us.
And the more thought of what had
happened, the wilder and darker it
grew. l. reviewed the whole cxtraor-
dinary sequence of events as / ratified
on through the silent gas-lit streets.
There was the original problem; that
at least was pretty clear now. The
death of Capt. Morstan, the sending of
the pearls, the advertisement. the let
ter VIC had had light upon all those
events. They had only led us, how
ever, to deeper and far more tragic
mystery. The Indian treasure, the
curious plan found among Morstan's
baggage, the strange scene at Maj
Sholto's death, the rcdiscovcry of the
treasure Immediately followed by the
murder of the discovcrcr, the very sim
gular raccompaniEcnts to the crime, the
footsteps, the remarkable weapons. tho
words upon the card, corresponding
with those upon Capt. Morstan's chart
here indeed was n labyrinth in which
q man less singularly endowed than my
fellow lodger might well despair of
ever finding the clcw.
Pinchin lane was row of shabby
two-storied brick houses in the lower
quarter of Lambeth. I had to knock
for some time ut No. before ] could
make any impression. At last, how
ever, there was the CLINT of candle
behind the blind, and face looked out
nt the upper window
60 on, you drunken vagabond," said
the face. 'lf you kick up any morc
row III open the kennels and let out
forty-thrcc dogs upon you"
''If you'll let one out it's just what
have come for" said I.
'Go on" yelled the voice. $50 help
me gracious, have wiper in this bag,
an I'll drop it on you're cad if you
don't hook it,
but want n dog!' cried.
II won't bc argued With" shouted
Mr.. Sherman. Now stand clear; for
when | say three down goes the
wiper
MIR. Sherlock Holiness began, but
the words bad most magical effect,
for the window instantly slammed
down, and within Il minute the door
was unbarrcd and open. MIR. Sherman
was II lanlsy, lean old man, with stoop-
ing shoulders, n stringy neck and blue
tinted glasses.
"a friend of Mr. Sherlock is always
welcome, said he. step in, sir. Keep
clear of the badger; for lie bites All.
naughty, naughty, would you take
nip at the gentleman?" This to stoat