Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-08-15
CHAPTER TX
A BEEA KIN THE CHAIN.

It was late in the afternoon before
woke, strengthened and refreshed.
Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as
had left him, save that he had laid
aside his violin and was deep in a book.
He looked across at ne as stirred, and
/ noticed that his face was dark and
troubled.
"You have slept soundly," he said.
Il feared that our talk would wake
you"
Il heard nothing" answered. "Have
you had fresh news. then?''
UNFORTUNATELY, no. confess that I
am. surprised and disappointed. ex-
pected something definite by this time.
Virgins has just been up TO report.
He says that no trace can be found of
the launch. 1t is provoking check,
for every hour is of Importance"
Can 1 do anything? l am perfectly
fresh now, and quite ready for another
nights outing"
mo; we can do nothing. We can
only wait. If we go ourselves, the mes
sage might come in our absence. and
delay be caused. You can do what you
will, but must remain on guard"
Then I shall run over to Gambler
well and call upon Mrs. Cecil Forester.
She asked me to, yesterday"
ION Mrs. Cecil Forester" asked
Holmes, with the twinkle OF smile in
his eyes.
"Well, of course, on Miss Morstan
too. They were anxious to hear what
happened"
81 would not tell them too much, -
70 1>o
entirely trusted-not the best of them"
1 did not pause to argue over this
atrocious sentiment. Il shall be back
in an hour or two," l remarked.
,''All right! Good luck! But. say,
if you are crossing the river you may
as well return Toby, for don't think
it is at all likely that we shall have
any use for him now"
took our mongrel accordingly, and
left him, together with a half sovereign,
at the old natura lists in Pinchin lane.
At Camberwen found Miss Morstan a
little weary after her nights adven-
lures, but very eager to hear the news.
Mrs. Forrester.t too, was full of curios-
ity. / told them all that we had done,
suppressing, however, the more dread
full parts of the tragedy. Thus, al
though I spoke of Mr.. Sholto's death, I
said nothing of the exact manner and
method of it. With all my omissions,
however, there was enough to startle
and amaze them.
at is romancer' cried Mrs. Forces
ter. IAN injured lady, half a million
in treasure, black cannibal and a
wooden-legged rufian. They take the
- 1--orr
wicked earl"
And two knight-errants to the res
cue," added Miss Morstan, with a
bright glance at me.
why, Mary, your fortune depends
upon the issue of this search. / don't
think that you are nearly excited
enough. Just imagine what it must
be to be so rich and to have the world
at your feet."
It.sent thrill of joy to my heart to
notice that she showed no sign of ella
ton at the prospect. On the contrary,
she gave toss of her proud head. as
though the matter were one in which
she took small interest.
1T is for Mr. Thaddeus Sholso that
am anxious" she said. Nothing else
is of any consequence; but ! think
that he has behaved most kindly and
honorably throughout. 1t is our duty
to clear him of this dreadful and un-
founded charge"
1t was evening before left Gambler
well. and quite dark by the time
reached home. My companions book
and pipe lay by his chair. but he had
disappeared. l looked about in the
80
none.
~ suppose that Mr.. Sherlock Holmes
has gone out" said to Mrs Hudson as
she came up to lower the blinds.
.'No, sir. He has gone to his room,
sir. Do you know, sir" sinking her
voice into an impressive whisper, Il am
afraid for his health?"
why so, Mrs. Hudson?'
well, he's that strange. sir. After
You was gone he walked and he
walked, up and down. and up and
down, until was weary of the sound
of his footstep. Then I heard him
talking to himself and nuttering, and
every time the bell rang out he came
on the stair-head with: What is that,
Mrs. Hudson?' And now he has
slammed off to his room. but l can hear
him walking away the same as ever. I
hope he's not going to bc ill. sir. l
ventured to say something to him about
cooling medicine. but he turned on me,
sir. with such look that don't know
how l ever got out OF the room"
Il cont think that you have any
cause to be uneasy, Mrs. Hudson l
answered. II have seen hira like this
before. He has some small matter up
on his mind which makes HIM restless"
tried to speak lightly to our worthy
landlady, but was myself somewhat
uneasy when, through the long night,
still from time to time heard the dull
sound of his tread, and knew how his
keen spirit was chatting against this
involuntary inaction.
At breakfast time he looked worn
and haggard, with a little heck OF
feverish color upon either cheek.