Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-10-10
XX1XT

" ~
"Tell me-" said Holmes-and could
see by his eyes that he was much ex'
cited-"was this mere addition to the
first, or did it appear to be entirely
separate"
1T was on a different panel Of the
door"
Excellent! This is far the most i'm
portant of all for our purpose. 1t fills
me with hopes. Now, Mr.. Hilton Gu
bitt, please continue your most interest
ing statement"
II have nothing more to say, Mr..
Holmes, except that was angry with
my wife that night for having held me
back when l might have caught the
skulking rascal. She said that she
feared that might come to harm. For
an instant it had crossed my mind that
perhaps what she really feared was
that he might come to harm, for could
not doubt that she knew who this man
was and what he meant by these
strange signals. But there Is tone In
my wife's voice, Mr.. Holmes, and q
look In her eyes which forbid doubt,
and l am sure that it was indeed my
own safety that was In her mind.
There's the whole case, and now l
want your advice as to what l ought
to do. My own inclination Is to put
half a dozen of my farm lads IN the
shrubbery and when this fellow comes
again to give him such a hiding that
he will leave US In peace for the fu-
ture."
"I fear it Is too deep case for such
simple remedies" said Holmes. How
long can you stay in London"
81 must go back today. would not
leave my wife alone at night for any
thing. She is very nervous and begged
me to come back"
81 dare say you are right. But II you
could have stopped l might possibly
have been able to return with you In a
day or two. Meanwhile you will leave
me these papers, and I think that 1t is
very likely that shall be able to pay
you visit shortly and to throw some
light upon your case"
Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm
professional manner until our visitor
had left us, although 1t was easy for
me, who knew him so we'll, to see that
he was profoundly excited. The mo-
ment that Hilton Cubitt's broad back
had disappeared through the door my
comrade rushed to the table, laid out
all the slips Of paper containing dane
ing men in front of him and threw him.
self into an intricate and elaborate cal
culatlon. For two hours watched him
as he covered sheet after sheet OF paper
with figures and letters, so completely
absorbed In his task that he had evil
dently forgotten my presence. Some
times he was making progress and
whistled and sang at his work. Some
times he was puzzled and would sit for
long spells with furrowed brow and
vacant eye Finally he sprnng from
his chair with a cry Of satisfaction and
walked up and down the room rubbing
his hands together. Then he wrote n
long telegram upon cable form. IF
my answer to this Is as hope, you will
have a very pretty case to add to your
collection, Watson" said he. ~ expect
that we shall be able to go down to
Norfolk tomorrow and to take our
friend some very definite news as to
the secret of his annoyance"
confess that was filed with curl
osity, but l was aware that Holmes
liked to make his disclosures ut his owr
time and In his own way, 40 waited
until II should suit him to take me Into
his confidence.
But there was a delay in that an
swering telegram, and two days OF
impatlence followed, during which
Holmes prlcked up his ears ut every
ring of the bell. On the evening OF the
second there came Il letter from Hilton
;Cubltt All was quiet with him. save
that a long inscription had appeared
that morning upon the pedestal Of the
sundial He inclosed copy of 1t, which
Is here reDrOduced: