Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-30
Ill., IITT7TI 2fNTTTIIT. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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NOW BLAND CLEAR
BIN. In the uncertain, shadowy light
could see dimly that there were
glancing, glimmering eyes peeping
down at us from every Granny and
corner. Even the rafters above our
heads were Lined by solemn fowls, who
lazily shifted their weight from one
leg to the other as our voices dis
turbed their slumbers.
Toby proved to be an ugly, long
haired, lop-eared creature, half span
lei and half lurcher, browu-and-w WI ite in
color, with a very clumsy waddling
gait 1t accepted, after some hesita-
ton, lump of sugar which the old
naturalist handed to me, and, having
thus sealed an alliance, it followed me
to the cab, and made no difficulties
about accompanying me. 1t had just
struck three on the palace clock when
i found myself back once more at Pom
dicherry lodge. The x-prize-fighter
McMurdo had, | found, been arrested
as an accessory, and both he and Mr.
Sholto had been marched off to the
station. Two constables guarded the
narrow gate, but they allowed me to
pass with the dog on my mentioning
the detectives name.
Holmes was standing on the door
step, with his hands in his pockets,
smoking his pipe.
'Ah, you have him therer said he.
GOOD dog, theni Athelney Jones has
gone. We have had an immense dis
play of energy since you left. He has
arrested not only friend Thaddeus, but
the gatekeeper, the housekeeper, and
the Indian servant We have the place
to ourselves, but for a sergeant upstairs
Leave the dog here, and come up"
We tied Toby to the hall table, and
reascended the stairs. The room was
as we had left IL, save that sheet had
been draped over the central figure. A
weary-looking police sergeant reclined
in the corner.
LEND me your bull's-eye, sergeant
said my companion. snow tie this bit
of card round my neck, so as 20 hang il
in front of me. Thank you. Now
must kick off my boots and stockings!
Just you carry them down with you,
Watson. am gcing TO do littlc
climbing. And dip my handkerchief
into the creosote. That will do. Now
come up into the garnet with me for
moment"
We clambered up through the hole.
Holmes turned his light once more
upon the footsteps in the dust.
81 wish you particularly TO notice
these footmarlSs," he said. "Do YOU OBJ
serve anything noteworthy about
them?"
They belong" said, "to child or
a small woman"
Apart from their size, though. Is
there anything else?"
They appear to be much as other
footmarlxs."
Not at all Look herel This is the
print of right foot in the dust Now
| make one with my naked foot beside
it. What is the chief differencep"
Your toes are all cramped together
The other print has each toe distinctly
divided"
Quite so That is the point. Bear
that in mind. Now, would YOU kindly
step over 10 the flap-window and smell
the edge of the woodwork shall
stay over here. as have this handlSer-
chief in my hand"
did as he directed. and was in
stantly conscious of a strong tarr,v
smell
That is where he put his foot in get
ting out. If you can trace him, should
think that Toby win have no difficulty.
Now run downstairs, loose the dog.
and look out for Blondin"
BY the time that ! got out into the
grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the
roof. and | could see him like an enor-
nous glow-worIn, crawling very slowly
along the ridge. ! lost sight of him
behind stack of chimneys, but he
presently reappeared, and then van
ished once more upon the opposite side.
When ! made my way round there /
found him seated at one of the corner
caves,
THAT You, Watson?" he cried.
Eyes"
This is the place What is that
black thing down there?"
"A water-barrel."
''Top on it?'
''Yes"
mo sign of a LADDER"
'No"
"Confound the fellow! It's a most
break-neck place. | ought to'be able
to come down where he could climb
up. Inc Waterplpe feels pretty firm.
Here goes, anyhow"
There was scuffling of the feet,
and the lantern began to come steadily
down the side of the wall. Then with
a light spring he came on to the barrel,
and from there to the earth.
1T was easy to follow him" he said,
drawing on his stockings and boots.
titles were loosened the whole way
along, and in his hurry he had dropped
this. 1t confirms my diagnosis, as you
doctors express it."
The object which be held up to me
was a small pocket or pouch woven out
of cOlored grasses and with a few