Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-19

arrested not only friend Thaddeus, but
the gatekecper, the housekeeper, and
| the Indian servant. We have the place
| 20 ourselves, but for a sergeant upstairs.
| Leave the dog here, and come up"
We tied Toby to the hall table, and
reascended the stairs. The room was
as we had left IT, save that q sheet had
been draped over the central figure. A
weary-looking police sergeant reclincd
in the corner.
LEND me your bulls-eye, sergeant"
said my companion. Now tie this bit
Of card round my neck, so as to hang it
in front OF me. Thank you. Now I
must kick off thy boots and stockingsl
Just you carry them down with you.
Watson. I am going to do little
climbing. And dip my handkerchief
into the creosotc. That will do. Now
come up into the garnet with me for a
moment"
We clambered up through the hole.
Holmes turned his light once more
upon the footsteps in the dust.
II wish you particularly to notice
these footmarss," he said. "Do you OBJ
serve anything noteworthy about
them?"
"rhey belong" said, ito child or
small woman"
Apart from their size, though. Is
there anything clse?"
"Thcy appear TO be much as other
footmarks"
mot at all. Look hcrel This Is the
print of a right footin the dust. Now
| make one with my naked foot beside
IL. What is the chief diffcrcnce?"
"Your toes arc all cramped together.
The other print has each toe distinctly
divided"
quite so. That is the point. Bear
that In mind. Now, would you kindly
step over 70 the flap window and smell
the edge Of the woodwork shall
stay over here. as have this handker-
chief in my hand"
did as he directed. and was in
stantly conscious OF strong tarry
smell.
THAT is where he put his foot In get
ting out. II you can trace him, should
think that Toby will have no difficulty.
Now run downstairs, loose the dog
and look out for Bondin."
BY the time that got ont into the
grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the
roof, and | could see him like an enor
nous glow-wortn, crawling very slowly
along the ridge. I lost sight of him
behind a stack OF chimneys, but he
presently reappeared, and then van
ished once more upon the opposite side
When | made my way round there
found him seated at one of the cOrncl
caves,
THAT you, Watson?" he cried.
: Eyes"
This Is the place. What is tina
black thing down therep"
"A water-barrel."
: "Top on it?"
ayes"
mo sign of LADDER"
! "No."
"Confound the fellow! It's mos
brcak-neck place. | ought to'be abl'
to come down where he could climl
up. The waterpipe feels pretty firm
Here goes. anyhow"
: There was Il scuft1ing Of the feet
and the lantern began to come stcadil,
I down the side of the wall. Then will
l a light spring he came on to the barrel
and from there TO the earth.
at was easy TO follow him." he said
drawing on his stockings and boots
, titles were loosencd the whole wa
= along, and in his hurry he had droppe'
, this. 1t confirms my diagnosis, as yo
-, doctors express IT,"
>. The object which he held up to IN
, was small pocket or pouch woven on
:. of colored grasses and with a fey
tawdry beads strung round it. i
shape and size it was not unlike
. cigarette case. Inside were half
=. dozen spines of dark wood, sharp "A
one end and rounded at the other, lik
, that which had struck Bartholomew
Sholto.
:, They are hcllish things" said he
!. look out that You don't prick youl
;, self. I'm delighted to have them 70
the chances are that they are all h
has. There is the less fear of YOU q
= me finding one in our skin before long
>. ! would sooner face Martini bnlle
= myself. Are you game for six-mil
trudge, Watson?'
~. "Certainly," answered.
>, "Your leg will stand it?"
y ooh. yes"
- "Hcre you are, doggy, Good ol
- Toby! Smell it, Toby, smell il
:. He pushed the crcosote handke
:. chief under the dogs nose, viii
the creature stood with its fluff
- legs separated. and with most comics
cock TO its head. like a connoisseur sni
= fling the bouquet of famous vintag
- Holmes then threw the handkerchi'
y, to distance, fastened a stout cord
the mongrels collar. and led him
the foot of the water barrel. III
D. creature instantly broke into a succe
81, sion of high, tremulous yelps, an
- with his nose on the ground, and h
u tail in the air, battered off upon n
;. trail at pace which strained his leas
and kept us at the top of our speed.
'e The east had been gradually white
" ing and we could now see some di
p lance in the cold gray light III
- square, massive house, with its blac
empty windows and high bare wall
lowered up, sad and forlorn, behir
us. Our course led right across Il
n grounds, in and ont among the trench
h and pits with which they were SCARE
al and iutersected The whole plao
"a with it's scattered dirt heaps and i
II grown shrubs, had blighted, i
re omencd look which harnonized wi