The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-03
DR.. JOSEPH BELL.

We had come to point where q mar
row grassy path struck of from the ROAD
steep, houlder-sprinkled hill lay upon
the right which had In bygone days been
cut into a granite quarry. The face which
was turned towards us formed a dark
cliff, with ferns and brambles growing Ia
its inches. From over distant rise
there floated a gray plume OF smoke.
brings us to NIerripit House. said he.
Perhaps you will spare an hour that
you to my sister
by Sir Henrys side. But then remem-
oered the pile of papers and bills with
was certain that I could not help him
with those. And Holmes had expressly
said that I should study the neighbors
invitation and we turned together down
the path.
IT is a wonderful place. the moor
ing downs, long. green rollers. with crests
OF Jagged granite foamIng up into fan
tastic snrses You never, tire OF the
| moor You cannot think the wonderful
secrets which it contains. 1t is so vast.
and SO barren. and so mysterious
! You know it Well Them
| Il have only been here two years. The
| residents would call me a new conner
| We came shortly after Sir Charles setc
lied Ent my tastes led me sa,, to espler
| should think that there are few men
who know il better than I do"
| rs ii so hard to know?
! VERY hard. You see. for example. this
| great plain to the north here. with the
queer hills breaking out of it, Do YOU
| observe anything remarkable about
| that?''
ct would be rare place for a gall
'sYou would naturally think so and the
| thought has cost several their lives before
! now. You notice those bright green
| rest
Stapleton laughed
| to man or beast. Only yesterday I saw
one of the moor ponies wander into it.
He never came out I saw his head for
| quite long time cfaning out of the bog
hole. but it sucked him down at last.
Even in dry seasons it is a danger to
cross it, hut after these autumn rains
| it is an awful place. And yet can ind
my way to the very heart of i and re-
| turn alive BY George. there is another
| of those miserable ponies."
| Something brown was rolling and toss-a
| ing among the green sedges. Then a
| long. agonized. Evr!thing neck. shot up
wards and a dreadful cry echoed over
| the moor. 1t turned me cold with horror
but my companions nerves seemed to be
stronger than mine.
him. Two in two days. and many more.
! perhaps. for they get in the way of going
! there in the dry weather. and never know
! its clutch. It's bad place. the great
| Grimpen Mire.
| And YOU say you can penetrate it?'
Eyes. there are one or two paths which
a very active man can take. have
! found them out.
But why should you wish to go into
so horrible a place.?
well. you see the hills beyond? They
are really islands. cut off on al! sides by
! the impossible mire, which has crawled
round them in the course of years That
| is where the rare plants and the butter
flies are if you have the wit to reach
! them.
II shall try my luck some day"
He looked at me with a surprised face.
For Gods sake put, such an idea out
would be upon my head assure you
| that there would not be the least chance
of your coming back alive. It is only
| by remembering certain complex land
| marks that I am able TO do it,
| .Halloa'' 1 cried What is that?''
| long. low moan indescribably sad
| swept over the moor. 1t filled the whola
| air. and yet it was impossible to say
| whence it came From dull murmur
| it sweIled into a deep roar. and then SANK
| back into a melancholy. throbbing mur-
! rner once again. Stapleton looked at me
with curious expression in his face.
Queer place. the moor." said he.
But what is it?
1.-THE peasants say it is the Hound OF
+ the Baskervilles calling for It's prey. I've
| quite so loud.
I looked round, with chill of fear in
my heart at the huge swelling plain.
| notified with the green patches of r,ishes
save a pair of ravens. which croaked
| loudly from a tor behind us.
(To Be Continued)