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

then burst into passion of weeping
so sorely had she been tried by the
adventures of the night. She has told
me since that she thought me cold and
distant upon that journey. She little
guessed the struggle within my breast,
or the effort of self-restraint which
held me back. My sympathies and my
love went out to her, even as
nv hand had IN the garden. felt
that wears of the conventionalities Ct
life could not teach me TO know her
sweet, brave nature as had this one
day of strange experiences Yet there
were two thoughts which sealed the
words Of affection upon my lips. She
was weak and helpless, shaken in mind
and nerve. II was to take her at a dis
advantage to obtrude love upon her at
such q time. Worse, still, she was
rich. If Holmes researches were sue
cessful she would be an heress. Was
It fair, was it honorable, that q half
nav surgeon should take such advan-
tngc of an intimacy which chance had
brought about? Might she not look
upon ME as mere vulgar fortune
seeker? could not bear to risk that
such thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure interviewed like an
impa bic barrier between us.
1t was nearly two o'clock when we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrestcr's. The
servants had retired hours ago, but
Mrs. Forester had been SO interested
by the strange message which Miss
Morstan had received that she had sat
up in the hope of her return. She
opened the door herself, middle-aqed,
graceful woman, and it gave me JOY to
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the Others waist and how motherly
was the voice in which she greeted her.
!, She was clearly no mere paid depend
ent, but an honorc,l friend. was in
, troduced, and Mrs. Forester earnestly
begged me to step in and to tell her our
adventures. explained however, the
importance of my errand, and prom
ised faithfully to call and report any
progress which we might make with
the case. AS we drove away stole a
glance back, and ! still seem to see
that little group on the step, the two
graceful, clinging figures. the half
opened door, the hall light shining
, through stained glass, the barometer,
anu wv UIIR III NldlT l''S ~ W as SopliI-
ing to catch even that passing glimpse
l OF tranquil English home in the midst
Of the wild, dark business which had
absorbed MS.
- And the more thought of what had
1 happened, the wilder and darker it
| grew. reviewed the whole extraor-
l binary sequence of events as | ratified
| on through the silent gas-lit streets.
There was the original problem; that
y at least was pretty clear now. The
t death of Capt. Morstan, the sending Of
e the pearls. the advertisement, the let
ter-we had had light upon all those
). events. They had only led us, how
t ever, to a deeper and far more tragic
y mystery The Indian treasure, the
= curious plan found among Morstan's
4 baggage, the strange scene at Maj
j. Sholto's death, the rediscovery OF the
treasure Immediately followed by the
:. murder of the discoverer, the very sin
= gular accompaniment to the crime, the
e foot steps, the remarkable weapons, the
S words upon the card, CORES pondinE
e with those upon Capt. Morstan's char
II here indeed was labyrinth in which
/. ma less sinGularlv endowed tnan my
;. fellow ledger might well despair o
T. ever finding the clew
- Pinchin lane was a row Of shabby
- two-storicd brick houses in the lowe
quarter of Lambeth. | had to knocl
y for some time at No. 8 before coul'
make any impression. AT last, how
=. ever. there was tho CLINT of a candle
- behind the blind, and face looked on
at the upper window.
!. go on, you drunken vaga bond, sait
:. the face. IF you kick up any NOR
:, row ri open the kennels and let on
& fortythree dogs upon you"
"If you'll let one out it's just what
have come for" said |.
a go on!" yelled the voice. $50 he'll
L. me gracious, have wiper in this bag
,. an III drop it on you're cad if yor
don't hook il"
but want a dog" cried.
e II wont be argued with" shoutc
Mr.. Sherman. Now stand clear; fp
'e when | say three. down goes Tn
II wiper"
"Mr. Sherlock Holmes" began, bu
l. the words had a most gical effect
IS for the window instantly slamme
" OOwn, ana Wltnln minute tHe zoo
was unbarred and open. Mr.. Sherna
e. was lanliy, lean old man, with stooI
n ing shoulders, a stringy neck and blue
y tinted glasses.
N IA friend Of Mr.. Sherlock is Away
u welcome" said he. step in. sir. Kee
cleay of the badger; for he bites AL
"a naughty. naughty, would you take
&c nip at the gentleman" This TO stoa
~ which thrust it's wicked head and re
~ eyes between the bars of its cage
VI Don't mind that sir; it's onlya slow
;" worm. II hain't got no fangs, so
g gives il the run o the room, for
-. keeps the beetles down. You must no
mind my ben' just little short W
y, you at first for I'm guyed at by tn
-, children and there's many one jus
!" comes down this lane to knock me W
rr What was it that Mr.. Sherlock Holm.
~ wanted, sir?"
"a HE wanted dog Of yours"
W "Ah. that would be Toby
a, "Ycs, Toby was the name"
y, "Toby lives Mt No. 2 on the lei
'u here" He moved slowly forward wit
~ his candle among the queer animi
~ family which he had gathered roun
=. him. In the uncertain, shadowy ligf
- | could see dilnlv that there wei