Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-30
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CHAPTER VII.

Morstan back to her home. After the
angelic fashion of women, she had
borne trouble with a calm face as long
as there was some one weaker than her
SELF to support, and had found her
bright and placid by the side of the
frightened housekeeper. In the cab,
however, she first turned faint. and
then burst into a passion of weeping
so sorely had she been tried bv 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
my hand had IN the garden. felt
that years 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 ard helpless, shaken in mind
and nerve. 1t was to take her at dis
advantage to obtrude love upon her at
such a time. Worse, still, she was
rich. If Holmes researches were sue
cessful she would be an heiress. Was
1t fair, was it honorable. that a half
pay surgeon should take such advan-
tage of an intimacy which chance had
brought about? Might she not look
upon me as a mere vulgar fortune
seeker? L could not bear to risk that
such thought should cross her mind.
This Agra treasure interviewed like an
lmpassa bic barrier between us
1t was nearly two o'clock when we
reached Mrs. Cecil Forrester's. The
servants had retired hours ago. but
Mrs. Forester had been so interested
oy the strange message which Miss
Morstan had received that she had sat
up IL the hope of her return. She
opened the door herself. a middle-aVed.
graceful woman. and il gave me Joy to
see how tenderly her arm stole round
the others waist and how motherlv
was the voice in which she greeted her.
She was clearly no mere paid depend
ent, but an honored 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
Used faithfully to call and report any
the case. As we drove away | stole n
glance back, and | still seem TO see
that little group on the step the two
graceful, clinging figures, the half
tcened door, the hall light shining
through stained glass, the barometer.
and the bright stair rods 1t was sooth-
ing to catch even that passing glimpse
of a tranquil English home in the midst
of the wild, dark business which had
absorbed us.
And the more / thought of what bad
happened, the wilder and darker il
grew. | reviewed the whole extraor-
binary sequence of events as ratified
or through the silent gas-lit streets
There was the original problem; that
at least was pretty clear now The
death of Capt. Morstan, the sending of
the pearls, the advertisement, the let
ter-we had had light upon all those
events They had only led us, how
ever, TO deeper and far more tragic
mystery. The Indian treasure. the
curious plan found among Morstan's
baggage, the strange scene at Mai
ShoIto's death, the rediscovery of the
treasure Immediately followed by the
murder of the diScoverer, the very sim
gGlar Accomplishments 20 the crime, the
footsteps, the remarkable weapons, the
words upon the card, corresponding
with those upon Capt. Morstan's chart
here indeed was labyrinth in which
man less singularly endowed than my
fellow ledger might well despair of
ever finding the clew.
PinChin limo ,uac 49,. -
two-storied brick houses in the lower
quarter of Lambeth. / had to knock
for some time at No. before could
make any impression. At last, how
ever, there was the CLINT of candle
behind the blind, and a face looked out
at the upper window.
go on, you drunken vagabond," said
the face IF you kick up any more
row III open the kennels and let out
forty-three dogs upon You"
IF you'll let one out it's just what |
have come for" said l.
60 onT yelled the voice $50 help
me gracious, | have wiper in this bag.
an III drop it on you're cad if you
don't hook it,"
But ! want dogI" cried.
II won't be argued within shouted
Mr.. sherman. Now stand clear: for
when ! say three down goes the
wiper
Mr.. Sherlock Holmes" began, but
the words had a most magical effect.
Tor she window instantly slammed
down, and within a minute the door
was barred and open. Mr.. Sherman
was hnky, lean old man, with stoop-
ing shoulders, a stringy neck and blue
tinted glasses.
"A friend of Mr.. Sherlock is always
welcome" said he. "Step in, sir. Keep
clear Of the badger; for he bites. All,
naughty, naughty, would You take a
MP at the gentleman" This to a stoat
which thrust its wicked head and red
eyes between the bars of its care
Don't mind that, sir: it's only slow
worm. 1t hain't got no fangs. so I
gives 1t the run o. the room. for il
keeps the beetles down. You must not
mind my bein just little short wi
You at first, for I'm guyed at by the
children, and there's many a one lust
or =. n.