Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-08-13
CHAPTER TX

had lett him, save that he had laid
aside his violin and was deep in a book.
He looked across at me as i stirred, and
i noticed that his face was dark and
troubled
"You have slept soundly," he said.
u feared that our talk would wake
you"
II heard nothing,"I answered Have
you had fresh news, thenP"
Unfortunately, no. confess that I
am surprised and disappointed Lex.
pected something definite by this time.
Virgins has just been up to report.
He says that no trace can be found Of
the launch 1t is provoking check,
for every hour is of Importance"
Can | do anything? | am perfectly
fresh now, and quite ready for another
nights outing"
mo; we can do nothing. We can
only wait. If we go ourselves, the mes
sage might come in our absence, and
delay be caused. You can do what you
will, but must remain on guard"
Then | shall run over to Gambler
well and call upon Mrs. Cecil Forester.
She asked me to, yesterday
ION Mrs. Cecil Forester" asked
Holmes, with the twinkle of smile in
his eyes
swell, of course, on Miss Morstan
too They were anxious to hear what
happened"
u would not tell them too much, {"
said Holmes. Women are never to be
entirely trusted-not the best of them. {"
l did not pause to argue over this
atrocious sentiment. 81 shall be back
In an hour or two" l remarked.
"A1 right! Good luclxl But. | saw.
II you are crossing the river you may
as well return Toby, for don't think
it is at all likely that we shall have
any use for him now"
took our mongrel accordingly, and
left him, together with a half sovereign
at the old naturalist's in Pinchin lane.
at Camberwell found Miss Morstap a
little weary after her nights adven-
lures, but very eager to hear the news
Mrs. Forester, too, was full of curios-
ity. told them all that we had done,
suppressing, however, the more dread
full parts of the tragedy. Thus, al
though 1 spoke of Mr.. Sholto's death,
said nothing of the exact manner and
method of it. With all my omissions,
however, there was enough TO startle
and amaze them.
ut is a romanceI' cried Mrs Forces
ter. "An injured lady, half million
In treasure, a black cannibal and a
wooden-legged rufiian. They take the
place of the conventional dragon or
wicked w:;aiazsSs:a, earl -
And two lxnight-errants TO the res
cue," added Miss MorStan, with a
bright glance at me.
why, Mary, your fortune depends
upon the issue of this search. don't
think that you are nearly excited
enough just imagine what it must
be to be so rich and to have the world
at your feet!"
1t sent thrill of Joy TO my heart to
notice that she showed no sign of Ella
ton at the prospect. On the contrary,
she gave toss of her proud head, as
though the matter were one in which
she took small interest.
ut is for Mr.. Thaddeus Sholto that I
am anxious" she said. Nothing else
IS of any consequence; but think
that he has behaved most kindly and
honorably throughout. 1t is our duty
to clear him of this dreadful and un-
founded charge"
1t was evening before left Gambler
well, and quite dark by the time /
reached home. My companions book
and pipe lay by his chair, but he had
disappeared. | looked about in the
hope of seeing a note, but there was
none.
81 suppose that Mr.. Sherlock Holmes
has gone out" said to Mrs. Hudson as
she came up to lower the blinds.
mo, sir He has gone to his room.
sir. Do you know, SIR" sinking her
voice into an impressive whisper, II am
afraid for his health?"
why so, Mrs. Hudson?"
well, he's that strange, sir. After
you was gone he walked and he
walked, up and down, and up and
down, until was weary of the sound
of his footstep. Then / heard him
talking to himself and muttering, and
every time the bell rang out he came
on the stair-head with: What is that,
Mrs. HudsonY And now he has
slammed off TO his room, but can hear
hlm walking away the same as ever.
hope he's not going to be i'll, sir. I
ventured to say something to him about
cooling medicine, but he turned on me,
slr, with such look that don't know
how ever got out of the room"
Il don't think that you have any
cause to be uneasy, Mrs. Hudson"
answered. Il have seen him like this
before He has some small matter up
on his mind which makes him restless"
l tried to speak lightly to our worthy
Iandiady, but i was myself somewhat
uneasy when, through the long night,
still from time to time heard the dull
sound OF his tread, and knew how his
keen spirit was chatting against this
involuntary inaction.
AT breakfast time he looked worn
ana haggard, with little fieck of
feVerlsh color upon either cheek.
You are knocking yourself M. old
man" remarked. IL heard you march
ing about in the night"
NO, could not sleep" he answered.
This internal problem is consuming