The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-07


There can be 10 doubt about the mat
ter They meet. they write. there is
complete understanding between them.
Now, this puts a very powerful "eapoh
into our hands. If I could only use 1t
to detach his Wife
His wife,"
II am giving you some information now
in return for all that you have given me-
The lady who has passed here as MISS
Stapleton is in reality his wife.
Good heavens, Holmes! Are you sure
of what you say? How could he have
permitted Sir Henry to fall in love with
herr"
Sir Henry's falling in love could do
no harm to any one except Sir Henry
He took particular care that Sir Henry
did not make love to her. as you have
yourself observed. l repeat that the lady
is his wife and not his sister
'But why this elaborate decepton?
Because he foresaw that she would be
very much moro useful to him in the
character of a free woman.
All my unspoken instincts my vague
suspicious, suddenly took shape and CEN
tired upon the naturalist In that i'm
passige colourneSS man. with his straw
hat and his butterf1y-net. I seemed to
see something terribe-a creature of in
finite patience and craft. with a smiling
face and a murGerouS heart.
at is he. theft. who is our cnemy-it
is he who logged us in London?"
SO I read the riddle.
and the warning-it must have come
from her,'
Exactly.
The shape Of some monstrous villainy,
half seen, half guessed. doomed through
the darkness winch had Girt me so long
But are You sure Of this Holmes?
Il l-,1ou ba &c
his wife,
Because he so far forgot himself as to
tell you true piece of autobiography
upon the occasion when he first met you,
and 1 daresay he has many a time re-
GREETED it since. He was once a school
master in the North of Esgland. Now.
there is no one more easy to trace than
a schoolmaster. There arc scholastic
agencies by which one may identify any
man who has been in the profession A
little investigation showed me that
school had come to grief under atrocious
circumstances. and that the man who had
owned 1.-THE name was differentiated
disappeared with his wife. The descrip4
tons agreed When / learned that the
missing man was devoted to entomology
the identification was complete
The darkness was rising. but much was
still hidden by the shadows
If this woman is in truth his wife
where does Mrs. Laura Lyons come in %
I asked
THAT is one of the points uron which
your own researches have shed a light
Your interview with the lady has clear
ed the situation very much ! did not
know about a projected divorce between
herself and her husband. In that case.
regarding Staplcton as an unmarried
man, she counted no doubt upon becoming
his wife,
And when she is undeccMed?"
Why. then we may find the lady of
service. 1t must be our first duty to
see hcr-both Of us-to-morrow. Don't
You think. Watson, that YOU arc away
from Your charge rather long? Your
place should be at Baskerville Hail.
The last red streaks had faded away in
the west and night had settled upon the
moor. \ few faint stars were gleam-
ing in violet sky.
one last question, Holmes I said. as
/ rose. Surely there is no need of secrecy
between you and me. What is the mean
ing of it all? What is he after?''
Holiness voice sank as he answered.
TT is murder, Watson-refined. cold
blooded. deliberate murder. Do not ask
me for particulars. MY nets are closing
upon him. even as his are upon Sir Hen
~, and with your help he is already
'iiiiiOs't o. iiAs i'iSi Htle us DuL one
danger which can threaten us. 1t is that
he should strike before we are ready to
do so. Another day-two at the most
and have my case complete but until
then guard your charge as closely as
ever a fond mother watched her ailing
child. Your mission to-day has justified
itself. and yet | could almost wish that
you had not left his side-Hark.''
a terrible scream-a prolonged yell of
horror and anguish burst out Of the 81
lence of the moor. That frightful cry
turned the blood to ice in my veins.
oh my God.'I gasped. What is It?