The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-14

set. thin-lipped mouth and coldly in
tolerant eye.
rs it like anyone you know"
There is something of Sir Henry
about the jaw
Just a suggestion, perhaps. But
wait an Instant" He stood upon a
chair, and, holding up the light in his
left hand, he curved his right arm over
the broad hat and round the long ring
let's.
Good heavens!" I cried, in amaze
ment.
The face of Stapleton had sprung
out of the canvas.
'Ha, you see it now. Ny eyes have
been trained to examine faces and not
their trimmings. 1t is the first quality
OF criminal investigator that he
should see through a disguise"
But this is marvellous. 1t might be
his portrait"
Yes, it is an interesting instance
of throwback which appears to be
both physical and spiritual A study
of family portraits is enough to con-
vert man to the doctrine of reincar-
nation. The fellow is a Baskerville
that is evident"
with designs upon the succession"
Exactly. This chance of the pic
ture has supplied us with one of our
most obvious missing links. We have
him, Watson, We have him, and l dare
swear that before tomorrow night he
Will be fluttering in our net as help
less as one of his own butterflies A
pin, cork and a card, and we add
him to the Baker street collection"
He burst into one of his rare fits or
laughter as he turned away from the
picture. l have not heard him laugh
often, and it has always BODIED i'll to
somebody.
l was up betimes in the morning.
but Holmes was afoot earlier still. for
l saw him as l dressed coming up the
drive.
Yes, we should have a full dav to-
day, ne remarked, and he rubbed his
hands with the joy of action. 1.-THE
nets are all in place, and the drag is
about to begin. Well know before the
day Is out whether we have caught
our big, lean-jawed pike, or whether
he has got through the meshes."
Have you been on the moor al
ready?"
L have sent a report from Grimpen
TO Princetown as to the death of Sell
den l think l can promise that none
or you Will be troubled in the matter.
And 1 have also communicated with
my faithful Cartwright, who would
certainly have pined away at the door
of my hut, as a. dog does at his mas
ter's grave, If 1 had not set his mind
at rest about my safety"
What is the next move?"
TO see Sir Henry. All, here he is!'
Good morning, Holmes" said the
baronet. You look like a general who
is planning battle with his chief of
the staff"
That is the exact situation. Wat
son was asking for orders"
And so do t.
Very good. You are engaged, as 1
understand, to dine with our friends
the Stapletons tonight"
Il hope that you will come also.
They are very hospitable people, and
am sure that they would be very
glad to see you"
I fear that Watson and 1 must go
to London
ITO London?"
Yes, 1 think that we should be more
useful there at the present juncture."
The baronet's face perceptibly
heightened.
Il hoped that you were going to
see me through this business. The
Han and the moor are not very pleas
ant places when one is alone"
My dear fellow, you must trust me
implicitly and do exactly what / tell
you. You can tell your friends that
we should have been happy to come
with you, but that urgent business
required us to be in town. We
hope very soon to return to
Devonshire. VIII you remember to
give them that messenger"
IF you insist upon it."
There is no alternative, / assure
you"
l saw by the baronet's clouded brow
that he was deeply hurt by what he
regarded as our desertion
When do you desire to go?" he ask
ed, coldly.
Immediately after breakfast. We
will drive in to Coombe Tracey but
Watson will leave his things as a
pledge that he will come back to YOU.
Watson, you will send a note to
Stapleton to tell him that you regret
that you cannot come"
II have a good mind to go to London
with YOU" said the baronet. why
should stay here alcne?"
Because it is your post of duty. Be
cause you gave me your word that you
would do as you were told, and 1 tell
you to stay
"All right, then. I'll stay"
zone more direction! l wish you tc
drive to Merripit House. Send back
your trap, however, and let them know
tAal yOQ iAllSuQ W Walk nome.
ITO walk across the moore"
Eyes"
But that is the very thing which
you have so often cautioned me not t.
do.
This time you may do it with safe.
ty. If 1 had not every confidence in
your nerve and courage 1 would mo-
suggest 1t. but it is essential that yol
should do it,"
Then / will do it,"
"And as you value your life do no
go cross the moor in any direction
| save along the straight path which
leads from Merripit House to tn,
Grimpen Road, and is your natura
way home
Il will do just what you say
Very good. / should be glad to ge
away as soon after breakfast as pos
sible. so as to reach London in the af
| ternoon."
l was much astounded by this pro
! gramme, though l rememb ered tina
Holmes had said to Stapleton on TIL,
night before that ais visit would ter
inmate next day. 1t had not crossed
MW ~