The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-22
The Sign of
1.-The Four.
CHAPTER WI.

The EPISODE OF TIE BARREL.
= The police had brought & cab with
them, and in this I escorted Miss
Morstan back to her home. After the
angelic fashion Ct women, she had
borne trouble with calm face as long
rs there was some one weaker than her
self to support, and had found he-
bright and placid BY the side of the
frightened housekeeper. In the cab,
however, she first turned faint, and
then burst into passion Of weeping
so sorely had she been tried by the
adventures Of the night. She has told
me since that she thought me cold and
distant upon that journey. She little
guessed the struggle within my breast,
or the effort Of self-restrairt which
held me back. Ny sympathies and my
love went out to her, even as
my hand had ID the garden. felt
that years Of the conventionslities ct
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. It was to take her at a dis
advantage to obtrude love upon her at
such time. Worse, still, she was
rich. If Holmes researches were sue.
cessful she would be an heiress- Was
it fair, was it honorable. that a half
pay surgeon should take such advan-
tage of an intimacy which chance had
brought about: Night she not look
upon me as mere vulgar fortune
seeker? Icould not bear to risk that
such a thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure interyened like an
impossible barrier between us
It was nearly two o'clock xhen we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrester'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, middle-aged,
graceful woman, and it gave me Joy to
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the others waist and how motherly
was the voice in which she greeted her.
She was clearly no mere paid depend
= ent, but an honored friend was in
troduced, and Mrs. Forester earnestly
begged me to step IN and to tell her our
adventures. Iexplained, however, the
Importance Of my errand, and prom
ised faithfully to call and report any
progress which we might make with
. the case. AS we drove away stole
glance back, and still seem to see
that little group on the step, the two
graceful, clinging figures, the half
opened door, the hall light shiuing
through stained glass, the barometer,
and the bright stair rods It was sooth-
ing to catch even that passing glimpse
OF a 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. I reviewed the whole extraor-
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
Pterwe had had light upon all those
events They had only led US, how
ever, to a 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 rediscovery Of the
treasure Immediately followed by the
murder of the discoverer, the very sin
oular accompaniment to the crime, the
footsteps, the remarka bic weapons, the
words upon the card, corresponding
With those upon Capt. Morstan's chart
here indeed was q labyrinth in which
q man less singulariy endowed than my
fellow lodger might well despair OF
ever finding the clew.
Pinchin lane was a row Of shabby
tvo-storied brick houses IN the lower
quarter of Lambeth. | had to knock
for some time at No. 3 before ! could
make any impression. At last, how
ever, there was the CLINT OF candle
behind the blind, and face looked out
at the upper window
$50 on, you drunken vagabond, said
the face. 'If you kick up any more
row I'll open the kennels and let out
fortv-three dogs upon you"
IF you'll let one out it's just what
have come for said /
go on yelled the voice. SO help
me gracious, have wiper in this bag
90, IN drop it on you're cad If you
don't hook it.
' .But l want dog" I cried.
81 won't be argued with shouted
Mr.. Sherman. 'Now stand clear; for
chen say three, down goes the
wiper"