The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-14

drive up to the door, but got down near
the gate of the avenue The wagonette
was paid off and ordered to return to
Cooulhe Tracey forthwith. while we
started to walk to Merritt House.
Are Tou armed Lestrade?"
The detective smiled
AS long as 1 have my trousers I have
a hip-pcckst. and as long as 1 have my
h:p-pocket | have something in it,
Good. My friend. and I are also ready
for emergencies
You're mighty close about this affair.
Mr. Homes. What's the game now2''
"a waiting same
NJ word. 1t does not seem very
cheerful place. said the detective with
a shiver. glancing round him at The
gloomy slopes of the hill and at TIA
huge lake CT fog which lay over the Grim
pen Mire. Il see the lights OF a house
ahead of us
That is Merripit House and the end of
our journey. I must request you to
walk on tiptoe and not to talk above a
whisper
We moved cautiously along the track
as if we We're bound fer the house, but
Holmes halted us when we were about
two hundred yards from it.
This will do" said he. These rocks
upon the right make an admirable
SCREEN
I'VE are to wait here?"
Yes, we shall make our little ambush
here. Get into this hollow. Lestrade.
YOU have been inside the house. have
you not Watson? Can you tell the pN-
sition of the rooms? What are thoia
latticed windows at this end" g
Il think they are the kitchen windows
And the one beyond. which shines so
bright1y?''
THAT is certainly Hhe dIning-room."
1.-THE blinds are UP. You know the
lie of the land best. Creep forward
but for heavens sake don't let them
know that they are watched,''
l tiptoed down the path and stopped
behind the low wall which surrounded
the stunted orchard. Creeping in Its
shadow I reached a point whence I could
look straight through the uncurtained
window
There were only two men in the room.
Sir Henry and Stapleton. They sat
with their profiles towards me on either
side of the round table. Both of them
We're smoking cigars. and coffee and
wine We're in front of them. Stapieton
was talking with animation, but the
baronet looked pale and distract. Per-
haps the thought of that lonely walk
across the ill-omened moor was weigh
ing heavily upon his mind.
AS I watched them Stapleton rose and
left the room. while Sir Henry filed
his glass again and leaned back IN his
chair. putting at his cigar. I heat D
the creak of a door and the crisp sound
of boots upon gravel. The steps passed
along the path on the other side of the
T SDlsjpcr
over. I saw the naturalist pause at the
door of an clubhouse In the corner of
the orchard. A key turned in n lock,
and as he passed in there was curious
scuffIing noise from within. He was
only a minute or so inside. and then l
heard the key turn once more and he
passed me and re-entered the house. 7
saw him rejoin his guest. and I crept
quietly back to where my companions
were waiting to tell them what I had
seen.
..You say, Watson. that the lady is not
there?" Holmes asked, when 1 had fin
ished my report.
NO"
Where can she be, then, since there
IS no light in any other room except
the Kitchen?
II cannot think where she isl
L nave SdlO lHdI over Tic great NrIliil-
pen NIire there hung dense. white fog.
It was drifting slowly in our direction
and banked itself up like n wall ION
that side of us, low. but thick and well
defined. The moon shone on it. and it
looked like a great shimmering ice
field. with the heads OF the
distant tors as rocks borne uron its sur
face Holmes face was turned toward it.
and he muttered impatently as he watch
ed its sluggish drift.
Its moving toward US, Watson.
rs that scrinus?
.'Very serious, indeed-the ono thing
upon earth which could have disarranged
MY piaEs. He cant be very long, now. 1t
is already 10 O'Clock. Our Success and
even his life may depend upon his coming
out before the fog is over the path.
The night was ciea- and fine above US.
The stars shonc cold and bright. while
a half-moon bathed the whole scene in
soft uncertain light. Before us lay the
dark bulk of the house, its serratad roof
and bristlug chinlueys hard outlined
against the silrerspansIed sky. Broad
bars of golden light from the lower win