Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-06-24

4 he
and only mentioned the matter to my
wife afterward. To my surprise she
took it very seriously and begged me if
| any more came to let her see them.
None did come for week, and then
| yesterday morning I found this paper
| lying on the sundial in the garden. I
! showed it to Elsie, and down she drop.
| ped in dead faint Since then she has
| looked like woman in a dream, half
dazed and with terror always lurking
in her eyes. 1t was then that I wrote
| and sent the paper to you, Mr.. Holmes.
It 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 a rich man, but if there is any
danger threatening my little woman 1
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 a 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-
fdence. But 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 neighborhood?
.'No''
II presume that it is very quiet
place. Any fresh face would cause
comment?'
'In the immediate neighborhood, yes.
But we have several small watering
places not very far away. And the
farmers take in dodgers
These hieroglyphics have evidently
meaning. If it is a purely arbitrary
one it may be impossible for us to
solve it. 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 a 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 a discreet in
Quiry also as to any strangers in the
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 I 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 a fortnight or so later. |
I was going out when he called me I
back.
''You had better stay here, Watson"
"Why?'
Because had 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
ton as fast as a hanson could bring
him. He was looking worried and de-
with tired eyes and lined
forehead
Its getting on my nerves, this bust
ness, Mr.. Holiness" said he as he sank,
Ike 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
oy inches, then it becomes as much as
1esh and blood can endure. She's
wearing away under it--just wearing
away before my eyes,
Has she said anything yet?''
No, Mr.. Holmes, she has not And
ret there have been times when the
,oor girl has wanted to speak and yet
'ould not quite bring herself to take
he plunge / have tried to help her, but
dare say did it clumsily and scared
Ter from it. She has spoken about my
I'D family and our reputation in the
county and our pride in our unsullied
lonor, and always felt it was lead
ng to the point, but somehow it turned