The Delta independent., 1895-07-31
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eyes between the bars of its cage.
Don't mind that, sir; it's only Il slow
worm. 1t hain't got no fangs. ST.
gives it. the run o the room. for it
Keep. the beetles down. iou muS; not
mind my bcin' just little short wi
you nj first. for I'm guycd at by the
children. and there's many Il one just
comes down this lane to knock ne up.
What WIS il that Mr. Sherlock Holmes
wanted, sir:' -
lie wanted aog Of yours"
"hh, that would be Toby"
Yes, Toby WAS the name"
Toby lives at No. : on the left
here" lie moved slowly forward with
his candle among the queer animal
family which he had gathered roun1
him. In the uncertain, shadowy light
| could see dimly that there were
glurcing, Elimmering eyes pcepins
down at us from aTery Granny atfd
corner. Even thc rnftcrs abovc our
heads were lined by solemn fnwls. who
lazily shifted their weight from one
leg to the other rs our voices dis
turbcd their slumbcrs.
Toby proved to be an ugly. long
haired. lup-eared creature. half span
color, with very clumsy waddling
gait. 1t accepted. after snric hcsita
tion, Il lump of sugar which the old
naturalist handed to me. and, having
thus sealed an alliance. it followed me
to the cab, and made no difficulties
about accompanying me. 1t had just
struck three OF, the palace clock when
J found myself back once more II. Pom
dichcrry lodge. The cX-prizc-fr hter
McMur.lo had, ! found. been arrested
as an accessory, and both he and Mr..
Sholto had been marched off to the
station. Two constablcs guarded the
narrow gate, but they allowed me to
pass with the dog on my mentioning
the detectives name.
Holmes was standing on the door
ntcp. with his hands in his pockets,
smoking his pipe.
'hh, you have him there" said he.
Good dog. then! Athclncy Jones has
gone. We have had an immense dis
play of energy since you left. lie has
arrested not only friend ThaG;lcus, but
the gatckccpcr. the honsc!Se.pcr. and
the Indian servant. We have the place
to ourselves. but for Il sergeantupstairs.
Leave the dog here, and come up"
We tied Toby to the hall table, and
rcasccntscd tie stairs. The room was
as we had left it, save that Il sheet had
been drapcd over the central figure. A
wcary-looi.ing police sergeant reclined
in the corner.
Lend me your oulls-cyc. sergeant"
said my companion. "Now tie this bit
of card round my neck, so rs to hang it
in front of me. Thank you. Now
must laicls OF my boots and stockings!
Just you carry them down with you,
Watson. / am going 10 do n little
climbing. And dip my handkerchief
into the crcosotc. That will do. Now
come Plp into the garrct with INC for n
moment
We clambcrcd up through the hole.
Holmes turned his light once more
upon the footsteps in the dust.
Il wish you particularly to notice
these footmarks," he said. "Do you OBJ
serve anything noteworthy about
thcm?'
They belong" said, 'to a child or
small woman"
apart from their size though. Is
there anything clsc?"
They appear to be much us other
footiuaris.'
Not Mt all. Look lscrc This IS the
print Of Il right foot in the dust. Now
| make one with my naked foot beside
it. What is the chief diTcrcncc?"
''Yorr tees are all crampcd together.
The ether print has each toe distinctly
dividcd.r
Quite SO. That il the point. Bcur
that in mind Now, would you kindly
step over to the flap window and smell
tie edge of the woodwork? shall
stay over here. as have this handker-
chief in my hand"
did as he directed. and was in
stantly conscious OF strong tarry
smell.
That is where he put his foot in get
ting out. If you can trace him. should
think that Toby will have no difficulty.
Now run downstairs, loose the dog,
and look out for Blondin"
BY the time that ! got out into the
grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the
roof and ! could sec him like an enor.
nous glow-worin, crawling very slowly
along the ridge. lost sight OF him
behind Il stack of chimncys, but he
presently rcarpcarcd, and then van
ishcd once more upon tho orpositc side.
When | made my way round there
found him seated at one OF the ccrncr
caves, 4
THAT you, Watson?'' he cried.
Yes"
This is the place. What is that
black thing down thcre?" ~.---
~ water-barrck"
TOP on it?' ,.e,..rrsy-ss,.s 80.
'Yes." = '-slsf
NO sign of a ladder?'
No"
'Confound the fellow. It's a most
brcak-pcc!s place. ought TO be able
to come down where he could climb
up. The watcrpipc feels pretty firm
Here goes, anyhow"
There was II scuiiling of the feet,
and the lantern began to come steadily
down the side of the wall. Then with