Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-08-20

think that must have been rather
overacting my delight, and that she
detected hollow ring in my congratu-
lations, for l saw her eyebrows rise n
little, and she glanced at me curiously.
If have it," said she, Il owe il to
you"
NO, no." answered, mot TO me.
but to my friend Sherlock Holmes
With all the will in the world, | could
never have followed up clew which
has taxed even his analytical genius.
AS 1t was, we very nearly lost it at the
last moment"
"Pray sit down and tell me all about
it, DIR. Watson" said she.
narrated briefly what had occurred
since had seen her last-Holmes' new
method of search, the discovery of the
Aurora, the appearance of Athelney
Jones, our expedition in the evening.
and the wild chase down the Thames
She listened with parted lips and shin
ing eyes to my recital of our adventures.
When spoke of the dart which had SO
narrowly missed us, she turned so
white that feared she was about to
faint
ut is nothing" she said, as /
fastened to pour her some water. 81
am all right again. 1t was shock to
me to hear that had placed my friends
In such horrible peril"
THAT is all over" l answered. at was
nothing. Twill tell you no more gloomy
details. Let US turn to something
brighter. There is the treasure. What
could be brighter than that? / got
leave to bring it with me, thinking
that it would interest you to be the
first to see it."
ut would be OF the greatest interest
to me" she said. There was no eager
ness in her voice, however. 1t struck
her, doubtless, that it might seem I'M
gracious upon her part to be indiffer-
ent to prize which had cost so much
to win.
what pretty boxl" she said, stoop-
ing over it. This is Indian work, l
SUPPOSE"
Yes; 1T is Benares metal-work"
"And so heavy" she exclaimed, try
ing to raise it. 1.-The box alone must
be of some value. Where is the lley?"
Small threw it into the Thames" |
answered. 81 must borrow Mrs. For
rester's poker" There was in the front
thick and broad hasp, wrought in the
image of sitting Buddha. Under this
l thrust the end of the poker and
twisted it outward as lever. The hasp
sprang open with loud snap. With
trembling fingers l flung back the lid.
We both stood gazing in establishment.
The box was emptyl
No wonder that 1t was heavy. The
iron work was two-thirds of an inch
thick all round. 1t was massive. well
made and solid, like chest constructed
to carry things of great price, but not
one shred or crumb of metal or iewelry
lay within it. II was absolutely and
completely empty.
1.-THE treasure is lost" said Miss
Morstan, calmly
AS listened to the words. and real
lied what they meant, great shadow
seemed to pass from my soul I did
not know how this Agra treasure had
weighed me down. until now that it
was finally removed 1t was selfish.
no doubt, diSloyal, wrong. but could
realize nothing save that the golden
barrier was gone from between us.
THANK GodH CALCULATED from my
very heart.
She looked at me with a quick, qucs-
toning smile. why do you say that?"
She asked.
because you are within my reach
again." ] said, taking her hand
She did not withdraw it because |
love you, Mary, as truly as ever man
loved woman Bccau c this treasure,