Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-08-22
wife and to'ask her to share her s

wife and to ask her" to share her sec ot
with you?"
Hilton Cubitt shook his massive head.
"a promise is promise, Mr.. Holmes.
II Elsie wished to tell me she would.
If not, it is not for me to force her con
adence. But 1 am justified in taking
my own line-and I will"
"Then 1 will help you with all my
heart. In the first place, have you
heard Of any strangers being seen in
your neighborhoodT
mo"
II presume that it is very quiet
place. Any fresh face would cause
COMMENT"
I'm 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
meaning. If it is purely arbitrary
one it may be impossible for us to
solve 1t. If, on the other hand, it Is
systematic, I have no doubt that we
shall get to the bottom of it. But this
particular sample is so short that I
can do nothing, and the facts which
you have brought me are so indefinite
that we have no basis for an investi-
cation. 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 a 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 !
can give you, Mr.. Hilton Cubitt. If
there are any pressing fresh develop
/ ments I 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
hS0AS GO AAAoSA1OCu upOA IL x4C u0AO IN
allusion to the affair, however, unit
one afternoon fortnight or SC later
was going out when he called mt
back.
you had better stay here, Watson
"WhyT
Because had wire from Hilton
Cubitt this morning. You remember
Hilton Cubitt of the dancing men? a,
was to reach Liverpool street at 1:2O
He may be here at any moment.
gather from his wire that there hav
been some new incidents of impor
tance."
] We had not long to wait, for our MOI
folk squire came straight from the sta
ton us fast as hanson could brin
him. He was looking worried and de
pressed, with tired eyes and line,
forehead.
Its getting on my nerves, this bus
ness, Mr.. Holiness" said he as he sanl
like wearied man, into an armchair
Its bad enough to feel that you ar
surrounded by unseen, unknown foil
who have some kind Of design upo
you, but when, in addition to that, 70
know that it is just killing your wifi
|. by inches, then 1t becomes as much q
hesh and blood can endure. She
wearing away under it-5ust wearin
| away before my eyes,"
"Has she said anything yet7'
| mo, Mr.. Holmes, she has not. An
! yet there have been times when Il
/ poor girl has wanted to speak and "
/ could not quite bring herself to tax
the plunge. have tried to help her, BIT
/ dare say did 1t clumsfly and scare
, her from it. She has spoken about m
old family and our reputation in til
county and our pride in our unsullie
i honor, and I always felt 1t was Leaf
, ing to the point but somehow It turne
| of before we got there"
t "But you have found out somethin
\ for yourself?"
7 "a good deal, Mr.. Holmes. I hay
several fresh dancing men pictures *
r you to examine, and, what Is more in
!. portant, I have seen the fellow"
{ "What-the man who draws them 2
{ Eyes; saw him at work. But wi
a tell you everything in order. When
: got back after my visit to you the ven
). first thing saw next morning was
e fresh crop Of dancing men. They hs
) been drawn in chalk upon the blat
e wooden door Of the tool house, whit
q stands beside the lawn IN full view
e the front windows. took an exa
e copy, and here 1t is." He unfolded
: paper and laid it upon the table. He
t IL copy Of the hieroglyphics:
: KXX1rflYf
\ "ExcelIent!" said Holmes. "Exc,
: lentl Pray continue"
= "When I had taken the copy rubb'
!. out the marks, but two mornings lat