The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-05-10


throat, and choking sob cut short the
sentence.
"The date?" asked Holmes, opening
his notebook.
she disappeared upon the Sd of De-
cember, 1s7S-nearly ten years ago."
His luggage?"
"Remained at the hotel. There was
nothing in it to suggest a clew-some
books, and a considerable number of
curiosities from the Andaman islands.
He had been one of the officers in
charge of the convict guard there"
Had he any friends in town?"
''Only one that we know of-Maj.
Sholto, of his own regiment, the Thir-
ty-fourth Bombay infantry. The ma
jor had retired some little time before,
and lived at Upper Norwood. We com
municated with him, of course, but he
did not even know that his brother Of
fcer was in England"
a singular case" remarked Holmes.
81 have not yet described to you the
most singular part. About six years
ago-to be exact, upon the 4th of May,
1sS2-an advertisement appeared in the
Times asking for the address of Miss
Mary Morstan, and stating that it
would be to her advantage to come for
ward. There was no name or address
appended. had at that time just en-
tered the family of Mrs Cecil Forester
in the capacity of governess. By her
advice l published my address in the
advertisement column. The same day
there arrived through the post small
cardboard box addressed to me, which
found to contain very large and lus-
trous pearl. No word of writing was
inclosed. Since then, every year, upon
the same date, there has always ap-
peared similar box, containing a sim
liar pearl, without any clew as to the
sender. They have been pronounced
by an expert to be of rare variety and
of considerable value. You can see for
yourselves that they are very hand
some" She opened fat box as she
spoke, and showed NE six of the finest
pearls that had ever seen.
Your statement is most interest
ing" said Sherlock Holmes. Has any
thing else occurred to you?"
Yes, and no later than to-day. That
is why have come to YOU. This morn
ing l received this letter, which you
will perhaps read for yourself"
Thank you," said Holmes. "The
envelope, too, please. Postmark, Lon
don, S. w; date, july. Hum! Mans
thumbmark on, corner-probably post
man. Best quality paper. Envelopes
at sixpence a packet. Particular man
in his stationery. No address. BE at
the third pillar from the left outside
the Lyceum theater tonight at seven
o'clock. If you are distrustful, bring
two friends. You are a wronged wom-
an, and shall have justice. Do not
bring police. If you do, all will be in
vain. Your unknown friend Well,
really, this is very pretty little mys-
terry. What do you intend to do, Miss
Morstan?"
THAT is exactly what want to ask
you"
Then we shall most certainly go.
You and and-yes, why, DR.. Watson
is the very man. Your correspondent
says two friends. He and 1 have
worked together before"
But would he Gomez" she asked,
with something appealing in her voice
and expression.
81 should be proud and happy"
said I, fervently, IF 1 can be of any
service"
You are both very kind" she an
swered. 81 have led a retired life, and
have no friends whom could appeal
to. III am here at six it will do, sup
pose?"
You must not be later" said
Holmes. There is one other point.
Is this handwriting the same as that
upon the pearl-box addresses"
Il have them here" she answered,
producing half dozen pieces of paper.
You are certainly model client.
You have the correct intuition. Let
US see, now" He spread out the paper
upon the table, and gave little darting
glances from one to the other. ''They
are disguised hands, except the letter."
he said, presently, but there can be no
question as to the authorship. See how
the irrepressible Greek will break
out, and see the twirl on the final 6.
They are undoubtedly by the same per-
son. / should not like to suggest false
hopes, Miss Morstan, but is there any
resemblance between this hand and
that of your father?"
Nothing could be more unlike"
81 expected to hear you say so. We
shall look out for you, then, at six.
Pray allow me to keep the papers. /
may look into the matter before then.
1t Is only half-past three. Au revoir,
then"
'Au revoir," said our visitor, and,
with bright, kindly glance from one
to the other of US, she replaced her
pearl box in her bosom and hurried
away. Standing at the window, 1
watched her walking briskly down the
street, until the gray turban and white
feather were but speck in the somber
crowd.
What very attractive woman!" l
exclaimed, turning to my companion.
He had Lit his pipe again, and was
leaning back with dropping eyelids-
is she?" he said, languidly. 81 did not
observe"
You really are an automaton-a cal
culating machine" cried. There is
something positively inhunan in you
at times"
He smiled gently. "It is of the first
Importance" he said, mot to allow
your Judgment to be biased by per-
sonal qualities. A client is to me mere