Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-10
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k6RMNNV awakened by a Juggling
uSN&I at my shoulder. 1t was
Holmes. The candle In
his hand shone upon his eager, stoop-
ing face and told me ut glance that
something was amiss.
"Come, Watson; Gomez he cried.
1.-THE game is nfoot. Not a word! Into
your clothes and come"
Ten minutes later we were both in a
cab and rafting through the silent
streets on our way to Charing Cross
station. The first faint winters dawn
was beginning to appear. and we could
dimly see the occasional figure Of an
early workman as he passed us. blur
red and indistinct in the opalescent
London rcek. Holmes nestled in al.
lence into his heavy coat, and I was
glad to do the same. for the air was
most bitter. and neither Of US had
broken our fast.
1t was not until we had consumed
some hot tea Mt the station and taken
our places in the Kentish train that
we were sufficiently thawcd. he to
speak and I to listen. Holmes drew
note from his pocket and read 1t aloud:
Abbey Grange. Marsham. Kent,
$40 A. m
My Dear Mr.. Hoimes-1 should he very
clad of your immediate assistance In what
promises 20 he n most remarkable case
It Is something quito In your line. Except
for releasing the lady. I will see that ev
erything is Kept exactly "a l have found
It, but beg you not to lose an instant. as
Il Is dihicut to leave Sir Eustacc there
Yours faithfully.
STANLEY HOPKINS
Hopkins has called me in seven
times, and on each occasion his sum-
Holmes. II fancy that every one OF his
cases has found its way into your col
lection, and must admit, Watson. that
you have some power of selection,
which atones for much which I deplore
in your narratives. Your fatal habit of
looking at everything from the point
Of view of n story instead of rs a scien.
tific exercise has ruined what might
have been an instructive and even
classical series Of demonstrations. You
slur over work Of the utmost finesse
and delicacy in order to dwell upon
sensational details which may excite
but cannot possibly instruct the read.
err"
"Why do you not write them your.
SELF" said. with some bitterness.
Il will. my dear Watson. will. At
present am. as You know, fairly busy.
but propose to devote my declining
years to the composition Of q textbook
which shall focus the whole art of dc.
lection into one volume. Our present
research appears to be case Of muir
der"
"You think this Sir Eustace Is dead,
them"
II should say so. Hopkins writing
shows considerab Bile agitation. and he Is
not an emotional man. Yes. gather
there has been violence and that the
suicide would not have caused him to
send for me. As to the release of the
lady. 1t would appear that she has been
locked In her room during the tragedy
We are moving In high life, Watson
-crackling paper. f. r. monogram
coat Of arms. picturesque address.
think that Friend Hopkins will live ny
to bis reputation and that we shall have
m interesting morning. The crime was
committed before ~ last night"
"How can you possibly tell?"
by an inspection Of the trains and
by reckoning the time. The local police
had to be called In; they had to com
municate with Scotland Yard; Hopkins
had to 20 out, and he in turn had t.
send for me. All that makes a fail
nights work. Well. here we are al
Chiselhurst station. and we shall soor
vet our doubts at rest"
A drive Of a couple OF miles through
narrow country lanes brought us to
park gate, which was opened for us h!
m old lodge keeper. whose haggart
face bore the reflection OF some grea
disaster. The avenue ran through +,
noble park between lines of ancien
elms and ended In low. widespread
house pillared in front after the fash
ION Of Palladio. The central part wa
evidently OF a great age and shroude,
in ivy, but the large windows shove,
that modern changes had been carried
out, and one wing of the house appear
ed TO be- entirely now. The youthful
figure and alert eager face Of Inspect
or Stanley Hopkins confronted us IL
the open doorway.
"I'm very glad you have come. Mr.
Holmes. and you, too. DR.. Watson
But, indeed. IL had my time owe
lgain should not have troubled you
1or since the lady has come to hersel
Die has given SO clear an account O
1he affair that there Ia not much lef
Dor US to do. You remember that Lew
Sham gang OF burglars?"
"What. the three Randalls?"
Exactly; the father and two soni
1ts their work. have not doubt o
t. They did a Job at sydenham fort
sight ago and were seen and described
Rather cool to do another so soon an
% near. but 1t Ia they beyond all doub
Cts hanging matter this time"
"Sir Eustace ia dead. them"
Eyes; his head was knocked In wit
oils own poker"
"sir Eustacc Brackenstall. the drive
4ells me-"
EXACTLY; one Of the richest men I
Kent. Lady Brackenstall Ia In tn
morning room. Poor lady. she has ha
EUest dreadful experience. She seen