Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-09-02

A STUDY IN SCARLET.

BY a. CONAN DOYLE.

him then. Have you any arms?"
81 have my old service revolver and
few cartridges"
"You had better clean it and load it.
He will be desperate man, and though
shall take him unawares it is as well
to be ready for anything"
l went to my bedroom and followed
his advice. When 1 returned with the
pistol the table had been cleared, and
Holmes was engaged in his favorite
occupation of scraping upon his Vio-
lin.
"The plot thickens." he said, as I en-
tered. 81 have just had an answer to
my American telegram. My view of
the case is the correct one"
"And that is?" I 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 to him in an ordinary
way. Leave the rest to me. Don't
frighten him by looking at him too
hard"
''It is o'clock now," said, glancing
at my watch.
Eyes; he will probably be here in a
few minutes. Open the door slightly.
That will do. Now put the key on the
inside. Thank you! This is a queer
old book 1 picked up at stall yester-
day-'De Jure inter Gentes-pub-
lished in Latin at Leige in the Low
lands in 1912. Charles head was still
firm on his shoulders when this little
brown-backed volume was struck off. u
"Who is the printer"
"Phillippe de Croy, whoever he may
have been. On the f1y-leaf in very
faded ink, is written 'Ex libris Guliol-
mi Whyte." 1 wonder who William
Whyte was? Some pragmatical sew
euteenth century lawyer. I presume.
His writing has legal twist about it.
Here comes our man. l think"
AS he spoke there was q sharp ring
at the bell. Sherlock Holmes rose
rection of the door.
We heard the servant pass along the
hall. and the sharp click of the latch
as she opened it.
"Does 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
shuf11ing one. A look of surprise passed
over the face of my companion as he
listened to it.
It came slowly along the passage,
and there was a feeble tap at the door.
"Come in!" 1 cried.
At my summons, instead of the man
of violence whom we expected. very
old and wrinkled woman hobbled into
the apartment.
She appeared to be daZZled by the
sudden blaze of light, and after drop
ping a courtesy, she stood blinking at
us with her bleared eyes and fumbling
in her pocket with nervous, shaky fin-
gers
glanced at nv comparison, and his
face had assumed such a disconsolate
expression that it was all 1 could do
to keep my countenance.
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. 1t 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 if he come 'ome and
found her without her ring is more
than 1 can think he being short
enough at the best O. times, but more
especially when he has the drink. If
it pleases you. she went to the circus
last night along with"
rs that her ring?" l 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.
''13 Duncan street, Houndsditch. A
weary way from here"
''The Brixton 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-rimmed eyes.
"The gentleman asked me for my adj
dress" she said. Sally lives in lodg-
ings at Mayfeld place, Peckham."
And your name is"
MY name is Sawyer-hers is Den
mis-, which Tom Dennis married her
and a 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" 1
interrupted in obedience to sign from
my companion; "It clearly belongs to
your daughter. and 1 am glad to be
able to restore it to the rightful
owner"
With many mumbled blessings and
protestations of gratitude, the old
crone packed it away in her pocket,
and shuff1ed off down the stairs.
Sherlock Holmes sprang to his feet
the moment she was gone and rushed
into his room.
He returned in a few seconds en-
veloped in an ulster and cravat.
III 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" l 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 l felt that
sleep was impossible until heard tho
result of his adventure.
1t was close upon nine when he SET
out. I had no idea how long he might