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

, responsibility from my shoulders.
Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted
by the sound of running, feet behind me
and by a voice which called mo by name.
I turned expecting to see DR.. Mortimer.
but to nay surprise 1t was q stranger who
was prusuing me He was small. slim,
CleanrShaVen prim-faced man, haXen-
haired and lean-jawed, between thirty
and forty years of age, dressed in a grey
suit and wearing a straw hat. a TIN box
for botanical SPECIMENS hung over his
shoulder and he carried green butterfly
net in one of his hands
You will, I am sure. excuse my pre-
sumption. Dr. Watson" said he. as he
came painting up to where stood. Here
on the moor we are homely folk and do
not wait for formal introductions. {ou
may possibly have heard my name from
cur mutual friend. Mortimer. I am Sta
| pleton, of Merripit House
Your net and box would have told me
as much" said I. for I knew that Mr..
| Stapleton was a naturalist. But how did
you know me?
II have been calling on Mortimer. and
| he pointed you out to me from the win
| dow of his surgery as you passed. AS eur
| road lay the same way, thought that
| would overtake you and introduce myself
| I trust that Sir Henry is none the worse
| for his journey?
He is very well, thank you"
I'VE were all rather afraid that after
! the sad death of Sir Charles. the new
baronet mught refuse to live here. 1t is
asking much of a wealthy man to come
| down and bury himself in a. place of this
kind. but need not tell you that it means
very great deal to the countryside
Sir Henry has. suppose. no supersti-
tious fears in the matter? %
II do not think that it is likely.
''Of course you know the legend of the
| fend dog which haunts the famiH?''
Il ave heard it.
TT is extraordinary how credulouS the
peasants are about here. Any number of
them are ready to swear that they hare
seen such a. Great ure upon the moor. He
| spoke with a smile, but seemed to read in
| his eyes that he took the matter more Sc
| riously. THE story took a great hold
| upon the Imagination of Sir Charles. and
! l have no doubt that it led to his tragic
end
But howe"
His nerves We're so worked up that the
e peu eAEu luS!u1 sop EUe 10 eouersedde
| fatal effect upon his diseased heart
1 fancy that he really did see something
of the kind upon that last night in the
Yew Alley. I feared that some disaster
might occur, for I was very fond of the
old man. and 1 knew that his heart was
How did you know that?''
My friend Mortimer told me-
You think. then. that some dog pur.
| sued Sir Charles, and that he died of
! fright in consequences!
| Have you any better explanations
Il have not come to any conclusion
| HAS Mr. Sherlock fIomeS?
The words took away my breath for an
| instant. but a glance at the placid race
| and steadfast eyes of my companion
| showed that no surprise was intended
TT is useless for us to pretend that we
do not know you. DR. Watson" said he.
THE records of your detective have
| reached us here. and you could not cele-
| brate him without being known yourself.
| When Mortimer told me your name he
| could not deny your identity. If YOU are
| here then it follows that Mr.. Sherlock
| Holmes is in teresting himself in the mat.
| ter and I am naturally curious TO know
| what view he may take.
II am afraid that | cannot answer that
question
May ask if he is going to honor us
with visit himself?'
He cannot leave town at present He
has other cases which engage his atten-
ton
what a pity, He might throw some
light on that which is so dark to US Bu,
as to your own researches, II there is
any possible way in which I can be or
mand me. If I had any indication OF the
nature of your suspicious, or how you
propose to investigate the case, [ might
perhaps even now give you some aid or
advice.
II assure you that I am simply here
upon visit to my friend Sir Henry and
that I need no help of any kind
perfectly right to be wary. and discreet.
I am justly reproved for what 1 feel was
an unjustifiable intrusion. and L promise
you that I will not mention the matter