Morris tribune., 1905-06-24


Ing the night had them washed out.
and only mentioned the matter to my
wife afterward. To my surprise she
took it very seriously and begged me II
any more came to let her see them.
None did come for week, and then
yesterday morning found this paper
lying on the sundial in the garden. I
showed 1t to Elsie, and down she drop.
ped in dead faint. Since then she has
looked like woman in dream. half
dazed and with terror always lurking
In her eyes. 1t was then that 1 wrote
and sent the paper to you, Mr.. Holmes.
1t was not thing that / could take to
the police, for they would have laughed
at me, but you will tell me what to do.
am not rich man, but If there is any
danger threatening my little woman I
would spend my last copper to shield
her."
He was a fine creature, this man Of
the old English soil-simple, straight
and gentle, with his great, earnest blue
eyes and broad, comely face. His love
for his wife and his trust in her shone
in his features. Holmes had listened
to his story with the utmost attention.
and now he sat for some time in silent
thought.
Don't you think, Mr.. Cubitt," said
he at last, "that your best plan would
be to make direct appeal to your
wife and to ask her to share her secret
with your"
Hilton Cubitt shook his massive head
"a promise is promise, Mr.. Holmes.
If Elsie wished to tell me she would.
If not, it is not for me to force her con-
ddence. But l am justified in taking
my own line-and / will"
''Then will help you with all my
heart. In the first place, have you
heard of any strangers being seen in
your neighborhood?
"No.'
II presume that it is a very quiet
place. Any fresh face would cause
commentg'
In the immediate neighborhood, yes.
But we have several small watering
places not very far away. And the
farmers take in lodgers.'
These hieroglyphics have evidently
a meaning. If it is purely arbitrary
one it may be impossible for us to
solve it. If, on the other hand, it is
systematic, have no doubt that we
shall get to the bottom Of it. But this
particular sample is SO short that /
can do nothing, and the facts which
you have brought me are so indefinite
that we have no basis for an investi-
CATION. I would suggest that you re-
turn to Norfolk, that you keep keen
lookout and that you take an exact
copy Of any fresh dancing men which
may appear. 1t Is thousand pities
that we have not reproduction of
those which were done In chalk upon
the window sill. Make discreet In.
quiry also as to any strangers in the
neighborhood. When you have collect
ed some fresh evidence come to me
again. That is the best advice which I
can give you, Mr.. Hilton Cubitt. If
there are any pressing fresh develop
ments shall be always ready to run
down and see you in your Norfolk
home"
The interview left Sherlock Holmes
very thoughtful, and several times in
the next few days saw him take his
slip Of paper from his notebook and
look long and earnestly at the curious
figures inscribed upon it. He made no
allusion to the affair, however, until
one afternoon fortnight or so later
was going out when he called me
back.
you had better stay here, Watson"
'Why?"
Because had a wire from Hilton
Cubitt this morning. You remember
Hilton Cubitt Of the dancing men? He
was to reach Liverpool street at 1:20.
He may be here at any moment. /
gather from his wire that there have
been some new Incidents Of impor-
tance."
We had not long to wait, for our Nor
folk squire came straight from the sta
tion as fast as a hanson could bring
him. He was looking worried and de-
pressed, with tired eyes and a lined
forehead
It's getting on my nerves, this busi-
ness, Mr.. Holmes, /" said he as he sank,
like a wearied man, into an armchair.
It's bad enough to feel that you are
surrounded by unseen, unknown folk,
who have some kind of design upon
you, but when, in addition to that, you
know that it is just killing your wife
by inches, then it becomes as much as
flesh and blood can endure. She's
wearing away under it-just wearing
away before my eyes,
Has she said anything vel? 2?
mo, Mr.. Holmes, she has not. And
yet there have been times when the
poor girl has wanted to speak and yet
could not quite bring herself to take
the plunge have tried to help her, but
| dare say did it cIumsily and scared
her from IL. She has spoken about my
old family and our reputation in the
county and our pride in our unsullied
honor. and l always felt It was lead
ing to the point, but somehow It turned
or before we got there
But you have found out something
A<.a, -