Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-08-28
A STUDY IN SCARLET.
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eY a. CONAN DOYLE.

him then. Have you any arms7"
Il have my old service revolver and
few cartridges"
"You had better clean II and load II.
He will be desperate man. and though
I shall take him unawares Il is as well
10 be ready for anything"
went TO my bedroom and followed
his advice. When ! returned with the
pistol the table had been cleared, and
Holmes was engaged In his fnvoritc
occupation of scraping upon his vlc-
lin.
''Tho plot thickena." he said, az en-.
tered. Il have just had an answer 20
my American telegram. My view Of
the case Is the correct one"
"And that isG" ! asked, eagerly.
MY fiddle would be the better for
new strings" he remarked. Put your
pistol In your pocket. When the fel.
low comes. speak 70 him In an ordinary
way. Leave the rest 10 me. Don't
trighten him by looking at him too
hard"
IT Is 8 o'clock now" said. glancing
at my watch.
Yes; he VIII probably be here In
few minutes. Open the door slightly.
That will do. Now put the key on the
Inside. Thank you! This ls a queer
old book picked up at a stall yester.
day-'De Jure inter Gentes'-pub.
lished in Latin at Lelge In the Low.
lands In lG42. Charles head was stiII
Arm on his shoulders when this little
brown.backed volume was struck on"
who ls the printer"
Philippe de croy, whoever he may
have been. On the fy-leaf, In very
faded Ink, Ia written 'Ex libria Guliol-
mi Whyte." wonder who William
Whyte was? Some pragmatlcal sew
cnteenth century lawyer. presume.
His writing has n legal twist about II.
Here comes our man, think"
As he spoke there was sharp ring
at the bell. Sherlock Holmes rose
softly and moved his chair in the d.
rection Of the door.
We heard the servant pass along the
hall, and the sharp click OF the latch
as she opened II.
docs Doctor wason live here?"
asked a clear but rather harsh voice.
We could not hear the servants re-
ply, but the door closed. and some one
began to ascen~ the steps.
The football was an uncertain and
shufiiing one. A look of surprise passed
over the face OF my companion as he
listened to II.
II came slowly along the passage,
and there was feeble tap at the door.
Come I'M" cried.
At my summons. instead OF the man
OF violence whom we expected. a very
old and wrinkled woman hobbled into
the apartment,
She appeared to be daxxled by the
sudden blaze OF liRht, and after drop
ping courtesy, she stood blinking at
Us with her bleared eyes and fumbiIng
In her pocket with nervous. shaky IN.
gers.
Iglaineed | at my comparison. and his
face had assumed such q disconsolate
expression that II was all could do
to keep my c0untenance.
The old crone drew out an evening
paper, and pointed at our advertise.
ment.
ITS this as has brought me, good
gentlemen" she said. dropping another
courtesy; "a gold wedding ring In the
Brixton road. II belongs to my girl,
Sally. as was married only this time
twelVemonth, which her husband Is
steward aboard a Union boat, and
what he'd say II he come 'ome and
found her without her ring Is more
than | can think he being short
enough at the best o. times, but more
especially when he has the drink. II
II pleasea you, she went to the circus
last night along with"
'Is that her ring?" I asked.
"The Lord be thanked" cried the
old woman. sally will be a glad
woman this night. That's the ring"
"And what may your address be?"
inquired, taking up a pencil.
"1S Duncan street, Houndsditch. A
weary way from here"
"The Rrlxton road does not lie be-
tween any circus and Houndsditch,"
said Sherlock Holmes, sharply.
The old woman faced around and
looked keenly at him from her little
.red-rlmmed eyes.
"The gentleman asked me for my al.
Dress" she said. Sally lives In lOdg.
ings at 3 Mayfeld place, Peckham."
And your name is"
MY name is Sawyer-hers Is Den.
mis-, which Tom Dennis married her
and smart, clean lad, too, as long as
he's at sea, and no steward In the
company more thought Of; but when
on shore. what with the women and
what with liquor shops"
Here Is your ring. Mrs. Sawyer"
interrupted in obedience to q sign from
my companion; "It clearly belongs to
your daughter. and am glad to be
able to restore 1t to the rightful
owner"
With many mumbled blessings and
protestations OF gratitude, the old
crone packed 1t away In her pocket,
and shufiied OF down the stairs.
Sherlock Holmes sprang to his feet
the moment she was gone and rushed
into his room.
He returned In few seconds en-
veloped In an ulster and a cravat.
"Ill follow her." he said, hurriedly;
"she must be an accomplice, and will
lead me to him. Wait up for me-"
The hall door had hardly slammed
behind our visitor before Holmes had
descended the stair.
Looking through the window, could
see her walking feebly along the other
side, while her pursuer dogged her
some little distance behind.
Either his whole theory is incor,
rect" thought to myself, "or else
he will be led now to the heart of the
mystery"
There was no need for him to ask
me to wait up for him, for felt that
sleep was impossible until heard the
result of his adventure.
It was close upon nine when he set
out. had no idea how long he might
be, but | sat stolidly pufing at my
pipe and skipping over the paRes Of