Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-25

bHIile WuiCu OCCuSlOHuIIt UTOkc tuTOuBu
his ascetic gloom BODIED little good for
the object Of our quest.
had imagined that we were bound
for Baker street, but Holmes stopped
the cab Mt the corner Of Cavendish
square. I observed that as he stepped
out he gave most searching glance to
right and left and at every subsequent
street corner he took the utmost pains
to assure that he was not followed.
Our route was certainly singular one.
Holmes knowledge Of the byways Of
London was extraordinary, and on this
occasion he passed rapidly and with an
assured step through network Of
news and stables the very existence
Of which had never known. We
emerged ut last into a small road lined
with old, gloomy houses which led us
into Manchester street and 40 to Bland.
ford street. Here he turned swiftly
down a narrow passage, passed through
a wooden gate into deserted yard and
then opened with n key the back deor
Of house. We entered together, and
he closed it behind us.
The place was pitch dark. but It was
evident to me that It wns an empty
house. Our feet crcahcd and cracked
over the bare planking. and my out
stretched hand touched wall from
which the paper was hanging in rib
bons. Holmes cold, thin fingers closed
around my wrist and led me forward
down long hall until dimly saw the
murky fan light over the door. Here
Holmes turned suddenly to the right
and we found ourselves in large
square, empty room. heavily Swallowed
in the corners. hut family lit I'm the
center from the lights Of the street be
yond. There was no lamp near, and
the window was thick with dust, &c
that we could only just discern eacl
others figures within. My companion
put his hand upon my shoulder and
his lips close to my ear.
"Do you know where we are?" he
whispered.
surely that is Baker street." an
swcred, staring through the dim win
dow.
Exactly. We are in Camden House
which stands opposite to our own old
quarters"
But why are we here"
Because 1t commands so excellent
a view of that picturesque pile. Nigh
trouble you, my dear Watson. t.
draw little nearer to the window
taking every precaution not to show
yourself, and then to look up at on
old roons--the starting point Of Sc
many Of your little fairy tales? W.
will see IL my three years Of absence
have entirely taken away my power t.
surprise you"
crept forward and looked across
at the familiar window. AS my eye
fell upon 1t gave gasp and CT!
Of amazement. The blind was down
and a strong light was burning in tn
room. The shadow of man who wa
seated In a chair within was throw
in hard, black outline upon the luml
nous screen Of the window. There wa
no mistaking the poise Of the head, til
squareness of the shoulders, the sharp
ness Of the features. The face wa
turned half around, and the effect wa
that of one Of those black silhouette
which our grandparents loved t
frame. 1t was a perfect reproduction
Of Holmes. So amazed was l that
threw out my hand to make sure tina
the man himself was standing besid
me. He was quivering with silen
laughter.
"Well?" said he.
Good heavens" I cried. ut Is ma,
velous"'
Il trust that age doth not wlther no
custom stale my infinite variety" sal
he. And recognized in his voice tn
joy and pride which the artist takes i
his own creation. ut really is rattle
like me. ia 1t not:"
~ should be prepared to swear tina
it was you"
1.-THE credit of the execution is d,l
to NJ. Oscar Mennier Of Grenoble, VIII
spent some days In doing the moldins
1t is n bust in wax. The rest l al
ranged myself during my visit to b.
ker street this afternoon"
But why?"
because. my dear Watson. had til
strongest possible reason for wishin
certain people to think that was ther
when l was really elsewhere"
"And you thought the rooms wer
watched:"
II knew that they were watched"
Try whomY
"By my old enemies, Watson. BY tn
charming society whose leader lies
the Reichenbach fall. You must n
member that they knew, and only the
knew, that was still alive. Sooner c
later they believed that I should com
back to my rooms. They watched thcI
continuously, and this morning the
saw me arrive"
"iow do you know"
because I recognized their sentin'
when ] glanced out Of my window. II
is harmless enough fellow, Parker b
name. garroter by trade and r.
markable performer upon the jew
harp. cared nothing for him. r,
! cared great deal for the much MOI
formidable person who was behind hin
the bosom friend Of 'Ioriarty, the ma
who dropped the rocks over the elf
the most cunning and dangerous Grim
nal in London. That is the man who
after me tonight. Watson, and that
tho man who Is quite unaware that v
are after him."