Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-06

our path. but he sprang to the TOP and
over. AS did the same felt the hand
OF the man behind me grab Mt my an.
kle, but kicked myself free and scram-
Died over grass strcwn coping. fell
opon my face among some bushes, but
Holmes had me on my feet in an in.
slant, and together we dashed away
across the huge expanse Of Hampstead
heath. We had run two miles. I SUP.
pose, before Holmes at last halted and
listened intently. All was absolute al.
lcncc behind us. We had shaken of
our pursucrs and were SAFE
We had brcakfnsted and were smok.
ing our morning pipe on the day after
the remarkable experience which
have recorded when MFR. 1.estrade Of
Scotland Yard. very solemn and i'm.
pressive, was ushered into our modest
sitting room.
Good morning, Mr.. Holiness" said
he; good morning. May ask IL YOU
are very busy just now?'
mot too busy to listen to you"
II thought that perhaps If you had
nothing particular on hand you might
care to assist us in a most remarkable
cnsc which occurred only last night at
Hampstead"
Dear me"' said Holmes what was
that!
"A murder-a most dramatic and re-
mnrkablc murder. I know how keen
you are upon these things. and I would
take it as a great favor if you would
step down to Applndore Towers and
give us the benefit Of your advice. It
is no ordinary crime. We have had
our eyes upon this Mr.. Mivcrton for
some time. and. between ourselves, he
was a bit of villain. He Is known to
have held papers which he used for
matchmaking purpo Sos. These papers
have all been burned by the murderers.
No article Of value was taken. as It IA
probable that the criminals were men
of good position whose sole object was
to prevent social exposure"
"Criminnls:" said Holmes. "Plural?"
Yes, there were two of them. They
were as nearly as possible captured red
handed. We have their footmarks, we
have their description. It's ten to one
that we trace them. The first fellow
was bit too active, but the second
was caught by the under gardener and
only got away after a struggle He
was a middle sized. strongly built man
square jaw. thick neck mustache, a
mask over his eyes"
That's rather vague" said Sherlock
Holmes. "Why. 1t might be descrip.
ton of Watson.''
ITS true" said the inspector. with
amusement. at might be description
Of Watson"
"Wcll, I'm afraid 7 can't help you,
Lestrade." said Holmes THE fact is
that knew this fellow Milverton. that
I considered him one Of the most dan.
gcrous men in London and that think
there are certain crimes which the law
cannot touch and which therefore to
some extent Justify private revenge
No, it's no use arguing. l will not
handle this case"
Holmes had not said one word to
me about the tragedy which we had
witnessed. but observed all the morn.
ing that he was in his most thoughtful
mood, and he gave me the impression,
from his vacant eyes and his abstract
ed manner. of man who Is striving
to recall something to his memory. Wa
were in the middle Of our lunch when
he suddenly sprang to his feet by
JOve Watson. I've got It," he cried.
Take your hat. Come with me" HI
hurried at his top speed down Baker
street and along oxford street untii
we had almost reached Regent circus.
Here. on the left hand. there stands
shop window filled with photogra phs
Of the celebrities and beauties Of thu
day. Holmes eyes fixed themselves
upon one of them and following his
gaze saw the picture of a regal and
stately lady in court dress. with high
diamond tiara upon her noble head. !
looked at that delicatey curved nose,
at the marked eyebrows, at the
straight mouth ard the strong little
chin beneath it. Then I caught my
breath as l read the time honored title
OF the great nobleman and statesman
whose wife she had been. NY eyes
met those Of Holmes. and he put his
finger to his lips as we turned away
from the window.