The Delta independent., 1895-07-17
TO be Continued u. our nc.rt i.s.e.)

lodge, taking the old khitmutgar and
Williams with me. Yesterday, how
ever, l learned that an event Of eX'
treme Importance has occurred. The
treasure has been discovered. l in.
stantly communicated with Miss Nor
stan, and it on1t remains for US to drive
out to Norwood and demand our share.
1 explained my views last night to
Brother Bartholomew; SO we shall be
expected, if not welcome, visitors"
Mr.. Thaddeus Sholto ceased, and sat
twitching on his luxurious settec. We
all remained silent, with our thoughts
upon the new development which the
mysterious business had taken. Holmes
was the first to spring to his feet,
You have done we'll. sir, from first
to last, said he. ut is possible that
we may be able to make you some
small return by throwing some light
upon that which is still dark to you.
But, as Miss Morstan remarked just
now, it is late, and we had best put the
matter through without delay"
Our new acquaintance very delib-
eratcly coilcd up the tube of his
hookah, and produced from behind a
curtain very long bcfroggcd top coat
with Astrakhan collars and cuffs. This
he buttoned tightly up, in spite of the
extreme closcness of the night, and
finished his attire by putting on rab-
bit-skin cap with hanging lappcts
which covered the ears, so that no part
Of him was visible save his mobile and
peaky face. MY health is somewhat
fragile," he remarked, as he led the
way down the passage. II am COM
pelled to be q valetudinarian."
Our cab was awaiting us outside, and
our programme was evidently prear-
ranged, for the driver started off at
once at rapid pace. Thaddcus Sholto
talked incessantly, in n voice which rose
high above the rattle of the wheels.
bartholomew is clever fellow"
said he. 'IIow do you think he found
out where the treasure was? He had
come to the conclusion that it was
somewhere indoors; so he worked out
all the cubic space of the house and
made measurements everywhere, SO
that not one inch should be unaccount-
ed for. Among other things, he found
that the height of the building was
seventy-four feet, but on adding to-
gether the heights of all the separate
rooms, and making every allowance
for the space between, which he as
certnined by borings. he could not
bring the total to more than seventy
feet. There were four feet unaccount-
ed for. These could only be at the top
of the building. He koclsed u hole,
therefore. in the lath-and-plaster cell
ing OF the highest room, and there,
sure enough, he came upon another
little garret above it, which had been
sealed up and was known to no one.
In the center stood the trcasurc-chest,
resting upon two rafters. lie lowered
it through the h Die, and there 1t lies
He computes the value of the jewels ut
not less than half million sterling"
AT the mention of this gigantic sum
we all stared at one another opcn-cyed.
Miss Morstan, could we secure her
rights, would change from needy
governess to the richest heircss in Eng
land. Surely it was the place of
loyal friend to rejoice at such news;
yet am ashamed to say that selfish
ness took me by the soul, and that my
heart turned as heavy as lead within
me. stammcrcd out some few halt
ing words of congratulation, and then
sat downcust, with my head dropped,
deaf to the babble of our new ac-
quaintance. He was clearly con-
firmcd dhypochondriac, and was dream
lily conscious that he was pouring forth
intcrminable trains of symptoms, and
imploring informa tion as to the COM
position and action of innumcrable
quack nostrums, some of which he bore
about in leather ease in his pocket. I
trust he may not remember any Of the
answers which l gave him that night.
Holmes declares that he overheard me
caution him against the great danger
OF taking more than two drops of cas-.
tor oil, while I recommended strych-
nine in large doses us a scdativc. How
ever that may be, / was certainly re-
lieved when our cab pulled up with a
jerk and the coachman sprang down
to open the door.
This, Miss Morstan, is Pondicherry
lodge" said Mr.. Thaddeus Sholto, as
he handed her out.
CHAPTER v.
THE TRAGEDY OF PoSDIcHERRY LODGE
1t was nearly eleven o'clock when we
reached this final stage of our nights
adventures. We had left the damp fog
OF the great city behind us, and the
night was fairly fine. A warm wind
blew from the westward, and heavy
clouds moved slowly across the sky,
with half moon peeping occasionally
through the riffs 1t was clear enough
to see for some distance, but Thaddcus
Sholto took down one of the dc-lamps
from the carriage to give us better
light upon our way.
Pondicherry lodge stood in its owl
grounds, and was girt round with !
very high stone wall topped with
broken glass. A single narrow iron
clamped door formed the only means
OF entrance. On this our guide knocked
with peculiar postman-lile rat-tat.
k.IXha 10 Ahoex.0.,