Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-12


worse furnished. until he came to u
door upon the right, which he threw
open. a blaze of yellow light strcamed
ont upon us. and in the center of the
glare there stood IA small man with
very high head, 4 bristle of red
hair all round the fringe of it, and
bald shining scalp, which shot
out from among il like mountain
peak from fir trees. He writhed his
hands together as he stood. and his
features were in perpetual jerk. now
smiling, now scowling, but never for
an instant in rcposc. Nature had given
him pendulous lip, and too visible
line of yellow and irregular teeth,
which he strove fccbly to conceal by
constantly passing his hand over the
lowe part Of his face. In spite of his
obtrusivc badness, he gave the impress
sion of youth. In point of fact he had
just turned his thirticth year.
"Your servant. Miss Morstan," he
kept repeating in "A thin, high voice.
"Iour servant, Gentlemen. Pray step
into my little sarctum. A small place,
miss, but furnished TO my own liking.
An oasis of art in the bowling desert of
South London"
We were all astonishcd by the APP
pcarancc of the apartment into which
he invited Us. In that sorry house it
looked "a out of place as IA diamond of
the first water in setting of brass.
The richest and glossiest of curtains
and tapestries draped the walls, Topped
back here and there to expose some
richly mounted painting or Oriental
vase. The carpet was of amber and
black, SO soft and so thick that the
foot sank pleasantly into it, as into "a
bed of moss. Two great tigcr-skins
thrown athwart it increased the sug-
rcstion of eastern luxury, as did a
huge hoollah which stood upon a mat
in the corner. y lamp in the fashion of
a silver dove was hung from an almost
Invisible golden wire in th- center of
;hc room. As it burned it tillct. the air
with subtle and aromatic odor.
Mr.. Thaddnus Sholto," said the little
man. still jerking and smiling. THAT
is my name. You are Miss Morstan, of
course. And these Gcntlemcn-'
This is Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, and
this DIR. Watson
"A doctor, ch?" cried he, much OK
cited. Have you Your stethoscopc?
Might ask you-w would you have the
kindness? have grave doubts as to
my m;ral valve, if you would be so very
good. The aortic may rely upon, but
/ should value yonr opinion upon the
mitral."
listened to his heart as requested,
but was unable to find anything amiss,
save indeed that he was in an ecstasy
Of fear, for he shivcred from head to
foot. 1T appears to be normal I
said. "You have no cause for uncasi-
ness"
You will excuse my anxiety. Miss
Morstan," he remarked, airily. Il am
II great sufferer, and have long had
suspicious as to that valve. am de.
lighted to hear that they are unwar-
ranted. Had your father, Miss Nor
stan, rcfraned from throwing Il strain
upon his heart he might have been
alive now"
could have struck the man across
the face, so hot was | at this callous
and OFF hand reference TO so delicate "A
matter, Miss Morstan sat dovn anu
her face grew white 70 the lips. 81
knew in my heart that he was dead"
said sne.
Il can give you every information
said he, land, what is more, can dc
You Justice; and | will, too whatever
Brother bartholomew may say. am
so glad to have Your friends here, not
/ only as an escort TO vou, but also as
witnesses 10 what am about to do anc
( say. The three of MS can show a bold
/ front to brother bartholomew. But Lei
/ us have no outsidcrs--no police or OIL
! cials. We can settle everything salts
| factorily among ourselves. without any
| interference. Nothing would annoy
! Brother Bartholomew more than any
publicity" He sat down upon low
settce and b'inllcd at Us inquiringl
with his weak, Watcry blue eyes.
For my part" said Holmes, what
ever you may choose to say will go M
further
nodded 70 show my agreement.
THAT is we'll! That is wellw said he
MAY offer YOU a glass Of Chianti
Miss MorStau? Or of Tukay? | kccl
No? Welt then. trust that YOU hav,
no objection 20 tobacco smoke, to tn
mild balNamic odor of the eastern 10
bncco. am little nervous, and | fin,
my hoo,tah an invaluable Sedative
He applied a taper to the great bowl
and the smoke dubbed merrily through