The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-20

door. In an instant Holmes had changed
from the languid dreamer to the man OF
action.
Your hat and boots, Watson. quick!
Not a moment to lose!" He rushed into
his room in his dressing-gown and was
back again in a few seconds in a frock-
coat. We hurried together down the stairs
and into the street DR.. Mortimer and
Baskerville were still visible about two
hundred yards ahead Of us in the direction
OF Oxford Street.
"Shall run on and stop them?"
mot for the world. my dear Watson.
I am perfectly satisfied with your COM
pany II you will tolerate mine. Our
friends are wise, for it is certainly a very
fine morning for a walk
lie quickened his pace until we had
decreased the distance which divided US
by about half. Then, still keeping
hundred yards behind. we followed into
Oxford Street and so down Regent Street.
Once our friends stopped and stared into
shop window, upon which Holmes did
the same. An instant afterwards he gave
a little cry of satisfaction. and. follow
ing the direction Of his eager eyes. l
saw that a hanson cab with man In
sde which had halted on the other side
Of the street was now walking slowly
EDWARDS again.
SThere's our man, Watson! Come along!
w e Il nave d SOOo d. iiiAii, IL w 9 |tiiA
do no more
At that instant was aware OF a bushy
black beard and a pair Of piercing eyes
turned upon us through the side window
of the cab. Instantly the trap-door at
the top flew up. something was screamed
to the driver. and the cab flew madly off
down Regent Street. Holmes looked eager
ly round for another. but no empty one
was in sight. Then he dashed in wild
pursuit amid the stream of the traffic.
but the start was too great, and already
the cab was out of sight
There now!'' said Holmes. bitterly. as
he emerged painting and white with vexa-.
ton from the tide of vehicles. Was ever
such bad luck and such bad manage
rnent too? Watson, Watson. If YOU are
an honest man you will record this also
and set it against my successes
''VVho was the MANI
II have not an idea.
"a spy?"
well. it was evident from what we
have heard that Baskerville has been very
closely Swallowed by someone since he
has been in town. How else could it be
known so quickly that 1t was the Nor
thumberland Hotel which he had chosen?
If they, had followed him the first day
I argued that they would follow him also
the second You may have observed that
1 twice strolled over to the window while
DR.. Mortimer was reading his legend
res, I remember
81 was was looking out for loiterers
in the treet. but I saw none.
We are dealing with a clever man. Wat
son. This matter cuts very deep. and
though I have not finally made up my
mind whether it IS a benevolent or
maIevolent agency which is in touch
with us. 1 am conscious always of pow
er and design. When our friends left I
at once followed them in the hopes of
marking down their invisible attendant
So willy was he that he had not trusted
himself upon foot. but he had awaited
himself of a cab SO that he could loiter
behind or dash past them and so es-
cape their notice. His method had the
additional advantage that If they we're
to take a cab he was all ready TO follow
them 1t has. however, one obvious dis
1T put him in the power of the cab
man"
What a pity we did not get the num-
ber!'
been. you surely do not seriously mag