Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-05-21
ar Is = o'olook now."I said. elanc.

q few minutes. Open the door slightly
That will do. Now put the key on tn,
inside. Thank You. This Is queel
old book picked up at a stall yesterday
De Jure Inter Gentes, published il
Latin Mt Liege I'm the Lowlands in 1912
Charles head was still firm ON his shoul
ders when this little brown backed vol
ume was struck of.
"Who is the printer"
philippe dc Croy, whoever he may
/ have been. On the fly leaf in very fadet
ink is written, Ex libris Guliolm
Whyte. wonder who William Whyto
was. Some pragmatical seventeenth cen
tury lawyer, suppose His writing haS
o legal twist about 1t. Here comes oui
man, think. F."
As he spoke there was sharp ring al
the bell. Sherlock Holmes rose softly
and moved his chair in the direction Of
the door We heard the servant pas
along the hall and the sharp click Of thC
latch as s-she opened it.
docs DR.. Watson live here?" asked
clear but rather sharp voice. We
could not hear the servants reply, but
the door closed, and some one begsn tC
ascend tho stairs The football was al
uncertain and shuffiing one. A look oi
surprise passed over the face Of my COM
.panion az he listened to it. IL came
slowly along the passage, and there was
feeble tap mt the door.
"Come in! / cried.
At my summons, instead OF the man
Of violence whom we expected, very
old and wrinkled woman hobbled into
the apartment She appeared 10 be
dazzled by the sudden blaze Of light, and
after dropping courtesy she stood blink
ing at Us with her bleared eyes and fun
bling In her pocket with nervous, shaliy
fingers. / glanced at my companion,
and his face had assumed such dis
sonsolate expression that it was all l
could do to keep my countenanco.
The old crone drew out an evening
paper and pointed at our advertisement
ITS this as has brought me, good gen
tlemen." she said, dropping another
courtesy. "A gold wedding ring in the
Brixton road II belongs TO my girl
Sally. as was married only this time
twelyemonth, which her husband IS
steward aboard u Union boat, and what
he'd say if he come 'ome and fo-::l tcr
without her ring is moro thca | can
think, he being short enough az the l7st
O. times. but more especially when lie
has the drink. Ifit please you, s,.l went
to the circus IL / LIGHT along w.,A"-
"Is that her rim 2" ] asked.
THE Lord be thaakodr' cried the Old
woman. sally will 10 a Gl@d wo;a@n
this night. That's tho rim"
"And what may your address ber"
inquired, taking up pencil.
Thirteen Duncan street, EouHds-
ditch. A wear way from hero
1.-The Brixtpn road does not lie be-
tween any circus and Houndsditch, ="
said Sherlock Holmes sharply.
The old woman faced round and look
ed keenly at him from her little red rim
med eyes The gentleman asked for
my address" she said Sally lives in
lodgings at Mayfiold place, Peckham. "
And your name is
"My name il Sawyer. Hers is Den
mis-, which Tom Dennis married her,
and smart, clean lad, too, as long as
he's at sea, and no steward in the com.
pany more thought OF, but when on
shore, what with the women and what
with liquor shops
Here is your ring. Mrs. Sawyer, /
interrupted in obedience to sign from
my companion. 1T clearly belongs to
your daughter, and am glad TO be able
TO restore it to the rightful owner "
With many mumbled blessings and
protestations OF gratitude the old cronc
packed it away in her pocket and shufiied
on down the stairs. Sherlock Holmes
sprang to his feet the moment she was
gone and rushed into his room. He re-
turned in few seconds enveloped in All
ulster and n cravat. I'm follow her,
he said hurriedly. "She must be al ac-
compice and will lead me to him. Wait
up for me- The ball door had hardly
slammed behind our visitor before
Holmes had descended the stair. Look
ing through the window, could see her
walking feebly along the other side,
while her pursuer logged her some lit
tie distance behind. Either his whole
theory is incorrect, thought TO my
self, "or else he will be led now to the
heart Of the mystery. There was no
need for him TO ask me to wait up for
him, for / felt that sleep was impossi-
BILE until l heard the result OF his ad-
venture.
1t was close upon " hen he set out.
had 10 idea how long he might be.
but sat stolidly putting at my pipe and
skipping over the pages OF Henri Muir
gers "vie do Boheme." " Ten O'Clock
passed, and | heard the footsteps Of the
maids as they battered off to bed. Eleven,
and the more stately tread Of the land
lady passed my door bound for the same
destination. 1t was close upon IL be-
fore heard the sharp sound Of his latch
key. Tho instant he entered saw by
his face that he had not been successful.
Amusement ard chagrin seemed ID ic
struggling for the mastery. until the
former suddenly carried tho day, I'D
he burst into hearty laugh.
II wouldn't have tho Scotland Yard
ers know it for the worldr' he cried,
dropping into his chair. "Ihave chafted
them so much that they would never
have let r,e hear the end Of it. ! can
afford to laugh, because l know that
will be even with them In the long run.
"What is it then:" a Eed.
"Oh, l don't mind telling story
against myself That creature had gone
a little way when she began TO limp and
show every sign of being footsore. Pres
emily she came to halt and hailed a
four wheeler which was passing. Imam
aged to be close to her so as to hear the
address, but / need not have been so
anxious, for she sang it out loud enough
to be heard at the other side of the
street, Drive to 13 Duncan street,
Houndsditch! she cried. This began
to look genuine, l thought, and having
seen her safely inside I perched myself
behind. That's an art which every de-
tective should be an expert at. Well,
away we ratified and never drew rein
until we reached the street in question.
I hoped of before we came to the door
and strolled down the street in an easy,
lounging way. l saw the cab pull up.
The driver jumped down, and l saw
him open the door and stand expectant-
". Nothing came out though. Whom
I raached him he waa 0rnninQ about