Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-26

1 j
said he, hopping his face with red
bandanna handkerchief.
"And whisky-and-sodaP"
"Well, half Il glass; II is very hot
for the time of year; and have had a
good deal to worry and try me. You
know my theory about this Norwood
casc?'
II remember that you expressed
one"
"Well, have been obliged to recon-
slider it. had my net drawn tightly
round Mr.. Sholto, sir, when pop he went
through hole in the middle Of it. He
was able to prove an alibi which could
not be shaken From the time that he
left his brothers room he was never
out of sight of some one or other. So
it could not be he who climbed over
roofs and through trap-doors. It's a
very dark case, and my professional
credit is at stake. should be very glad
of little assistance"
1--WE all need help sometimes" said l.
Your friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
is wonderful man, sir" said he, in II
husky and confidential voice. lies a
man who is not to be beat. ! have
known that young man go into good
many cases, but | never saw the case
yet that he could not throw n light
upon. He is irregular in his methods,
and little quick, perhaps, in jumping
at theories but, on the whole, think
he would have made a most promising
officer, and don't care who knows it.
I have had wire from him this morn
ing, by which I understand that he has
got some clew to this Sholto business.
Here is his message"
H. took the telegram out of his
pocket, and handed it to me. 1t was
dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.
eco to Baker street at once" it said
eff have not returned, wait for me.
am close on the track of the Sholto
gang. You can come with us tonight
if you want to be in at the finish"
This sounds we'll. He has evidently
piclsed mp the scent again" said |.
"Ah, then he has been at fault too"
exclaimed Jones, with evident satisfac-
ton. "Even the best of us are thrown
off sometimes. OF course this may
prove to be false alarm; but it is my
duty as an officer of the law to allow
no chance TO slip. But there is some
one at the door. Perhaps this is he"
A heavy step was heard ascending
the stairs, with a great Wheeling and
rafting as from a man who was sorely
put to il for breath. Once or twice he
stopped, as though the climb was too
much for him, but at last he made his
way TO our door and entered. His ap
pearance corresponded to the sounds
which we had heard. He was an aged
man, clad in seafaring garb, with an
old peajacket buttoned up to his
throat. His back was bowed, his knees
were shalsy, and his breathing was
painfully asthmatic. As he leaned
upon thick oallcn cudgel his Shout
ders heaved in the effort TO draw air
into his lungs. lie had colored scarf
round his chin, and could see little of
his face save a pair of keen dark eyes,
overhung by bushy white brows, and
long gray sde-whiskers Altogether
he gave me the impression of a re-
spectacle ,master mariner who had
fallen into years and poverty.
what is it, my MANI" l asked.
He looked bout him in the slow me-
thodlcal fashion OF OLD age.
lis Mr.. Sherlock Holmes herc?" said
he.
mo; but am acting for him. You
can tell me any message you have for
him"
1T was to him himself was to tell
it," said he.
But tell you that I am acting for
him Was it about Mordecai Smiths
boat?"
YES. knows we'll where it is. An
I knows where the men he is after are.
An knows where the treasure is.
knows all about it."
Then tell me, and I shall let him
know"
1T was to him ! was 10 tell it," he
repeated, with the petulant obstinacy
of very old man.
"Wcll. you must wait for him."
"No, no; l amt goin' to lose whole
day to please no one. If Mr. Holmes
amt here, then Mr.. Holmes must find
it all out for himself. | don't care
about the look of either of you, and
won't tell "A word"
He shuiiied towards the door, but
Athelney Jones got in front of him.
"Wait bit, my friend" said he.
"You have important information, and
you must not walk off. We shall keep
you, whether you like or not, until our
friend returns"
The old man made a little run to.
wards the door, but, as Athelney Jones
put his broad back up against it, he
recognized the uselessness of resistance.
pretty sort o treatment this" he
cried stamping his stick. Il come here
to see gentleman, and you two, who
] never saw in my life, seize me and
treat me in this fashion,"
You will be none the worse" said.
"We shall recompense you for the loss
of your time. Sit over here on the
sofa, and you viii not have long &c
wait"
He came across sullenly enough, and
seated himself with his face resting on
his hands. Jones and | resumed our
cigars and our talk, Suddenly, how.
ever, Holmes voice broke in upon us.
Il think that you might offer me a
cigar, too" he said.
We both started in our chairs. There
was Holmes sitting close to us with an
air OF quiet amusement.
'Holmes" ! exclaimed. "You here!
But where is the old man?"
Here is the old man." said he. hold.
ing out heap Of white hair Here