The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-17

she was cleaning cut Sir Cnarless study
It had never been touched since his death
and she found the ashes OF a burned letter
in the back OF the CRATE. The greater part
slip. the end Of a page. hung together. and
the writing could still be read. though t
was gray on a black ground. 1t seemed to
Us TO be a postscript at the end OF the let
ter. and said: Please, please. az you are a
gentleman. burn this letter. and be at the
gate by 10 o'clock Beneath II were signed
the initials l. l."
Have you got that siipT"
NO. sir: II crumbIed all te bits after We
moved IT."
'Hsa Sir Charles received any other let
tiers In the same w-itirg?"
We'll. sir, l took no particular notice Of
his letters. I should not have noticed this
one only Il happened TO come alone"
And you have TO idea who I. l. is7'
NO. sir. No more than you have. But I
expect II we could lay our hands upon that
lady We should know more about Sir
Charles's death"
Il cannot understand. Barrymore. how
you came to conceal this important infor-
nation"
We'll. sir, It was Immediately after that
our own trouble came to Us. And then
again, sir. We were both Of us very fond OF
Sir Charles. as We well might be, consid-
ering all that he has done for US. To rake
this up couldn't help our poor master. and
It's well to go carefully when there's 4 lady
In the case. Even the best OF US"
You thought It might inJure his reputa-
tion?'
We'll. sir. I thought no good wouid come
Of It. But now you have been kind 10 Is.
and I feel as II 1t would be treating you
unfairly not to tell you all that 1 know
about the matter"
Very good, barrymore; you can 60"
When the butler had left US Sir Henry
turned to me. wei, Watson, what do
you think OF this new Light
ut seems to leave the darkness rather
blacker than before"
so I think. But II We can only trace L
L. It should clear up the whole business.
We have gained that much. We know that
there is some one who has the facts. x we
can only find her. What do you think we
should dor
Let Holmes know all about It at once.
1t Will give him the clue for which he has
been seeking. I am much mistaken II II
does not rot bring him down"
! l went at once to my room and Grew up
my report OF the mornings conversation for
! Holmes. II was evident TO me that he had
! been very busy Of late. for the notes which
| ! had from Baker street were few and
short, with no comments upon the informa-
ton which had supplied, and hardly any
reference to my mission No doubt his
| Matchmaking case IS absorbing all his facul-
ties. And yet this new factor must surely
| arrest his attention and renew his interest
l wish that he were here
October 17th.-AIl day to-day the rain
| poured down. rustIins on the Ivy and drip
ping from the caves. I thought OF the con-
Itct out upon the bleak. cold. shelterless
moor. Poor devil! Whatever his crimes.
he has suffered something to atone for
them. And then 1 thought Of that other
{ ore-the face in the cab. the figure against
the moon. Was he also out in that deluSs
! the unseen watcher. the man Of darkness?
In the evening 1 put on my waterproof and
waikef far uTon the soiden moor. fun or
dark imas.r:uEs. the rain beating upon ny
face arl the wir9 vhisis;ng about my ears.
God helm those who wander into the great
mire now. FOR even the firm uplands are