Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-05-08
CHAPTER ".

lodge" said Mr.. Thaddeus Sholto, as
he handed her out.
CHAPTER "
THE TRAGEDY OF PONDICHERRY 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 Thaddeus
Sllolto took down one of the side-lamps
from the carriage to give us a better
light upon our way.
Pondicherry lodge stood in its own
grounds, and was GRIT round with a
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.
'sWho is there?" cried gruff voice
from within.
'.It is l, McMurdo. You surely know
my knock by this time"
There was a grrm bling sound and a
clanking and jarring of keys. The
door swung heavily back, and q short,
decp-chested man stood in the opening
with the yellow light of the lantern
shining upon his protruded face and
twinkling, distrustful eyes.
To,,4
are the others? had no orders about
them from my MASTER
mo, McMurdo? You surprise me! I
told my brother last night that I
should bring some friends
He hain't been out o. his room to-
day, Mr.. Thaddcus, and have no or
ders. You know very well that must
stick to regulations. lean let you in.
but your friends they must just stop
where they are"
This was an unexpected obstacle.
Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in
a perplexed and helpless manner
This is too bad of you, McMurdo!" he
said. 'slf l guarantee them, that is
enough for you. There is the young
1SIt wv. OI1C C1buAoI TdAC O1 l1lC pun
lie road at this hour"
Every sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus,' said the
porter, inexorably. ''Folk may be
friends O yours, and yet no friends O.
the masters. He pays me we'll to do
my duty, and my duty I'll do. I don't
know none O your friends"
''Oh, yes, you do, McMurdo," cried
Sherlock Holmes, genially. II don't
think you can have forgotten me.
Don't you remember the amateur who
fought three rounds with you at Ali
sons rooms on the night of your bene-
fit four wears back?'
'sNot Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" roared
the prize fighter. Goods truth! how
could | have mistools you4 If instead
O. standin' there so quiet you had just
stepped up and given me that cross hit
Of yours under the jaw, I'd ha' known
you without q question. All, you're
one that has wasted your gifts, you
have! You might have aimed high, if
you had joined the fancy"
''You see, Watson, if all else fails me
have still one of the scientific profess
sions open to me" said Holmes, laugh
ng "Our friend won't keep us out in
The cold now, am sure"
in you come, sir, in you come-you
md your friends" he answered. Every
sorry, Mr.. Thaddeus, but orders are
-ery strict. Had to be certain of your
friends before i let them in.
Inside, a gravel path wound through
lesolate grounds to huge clump of
louse, square and prosaic, all plunged
n shadow save where moonbeam
struck one corner and glimmered in a
,arret window. The vast size of the
with it's gloom and its deathly
ilencc, struck a chill to the heart.
even Thaddeus Sholto seemed i'll at
ase, and the lantern quivered and rat
led in his hand.
Il cannot understand it," he said.
There must be some mistake. dis
inctly told Bartholomew that we
hould be here, and yet there is no
light in his window. / do not know
What to make of it,
docs he always guard the premises
n this way?' asked Holmes.
Eyes; he has followed nv fathers
ustom. He was the favorite son, You
NOW, and sometimes think that my
ather may have told him more than
lie ever told me. That is Barthol-
news window up there where the
noonshine strikes. It is quite bright.
nut there is no light from within, /
hinlz."
None said Holmes. ''But l see
he CLINT Of u light in that little win
ow beside the door" !