The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-20
o | |

number of merely strange
 but none commonplace; for working as he dd, ,rather for the love oi his art than for the requirement of wealth he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend toward the unusual and even the fantas- tic Of all theee varied cases, however. cannot recall my which presented more singular features than that which was associated with the weil-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of stone Moran The events in question occurred in the early days of my association with Holmes when we were sharing roo-ns bach e1ors in Baker street. It Is possible that l might have placed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which ] have only been freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It is per haps as well that the facts should now come to light, for l have reasons to know that there arc widespread rumors as to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more terrible than the truth.
 It was early in April in the year S3 that 1 woke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed. by the side of my bed. He was a late riser as a rule, and as the clock on the smantle- piece showed nc that ii was onlyla quar- ter past seven | blinked up at himlin some surprise, and perhaps just g. little,resent- ment, for 1 was myself regular in my habits.
 ''Verry sorry to wake,you up, Watson" :" said he, but it's the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been walked up. she retorted upon me and oniyou'
 What Is it, then-a fre?'
 No; a client It seems that q young lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is waiting now in the sitting room. Now when young ladies wander about the metropolis at this hour of the morning and knock sleepy people out of their beds. l presume that 1t is some thing very pressing which they have to communicate Should it prove to be an interesting case you would l am sure. wish to follow 1t from the outset. I thought. at any rate. that I should call you and givs you the chance
 My dear fellow. l would not miss it for anything"
 had no keener pleasure than in follow ing Holmes in his professional investsa- tions and In admiring the rapid deduc- tfons, as swift as intuitons, andt yet always founded on logical basis, with which he unraveed the problems which were submitted to him. 1 rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in d few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. lady dressed in black and heavily yelled, who had been sitting in the window, rose as we en- tered
 Good morning, madam" said Holiness cherrily. My name is Sherlock Holmes This is my intimate frbend and associ- ate, Dr. Watson. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself Ha. l am glad to that Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. Pray draw Up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for observe that you are shiyeringn
 'It is not cold which makes me shiver." said the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as requested.
 What. them"
 Tt Is fear. Mr. Holmes It Is terror '' She raised her veil as she spoke. and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless, frighten- ed eyes like those of some hunted ami nal Her features and figure were those of woman of so but her hair was shot NiNi Pi'ihAAdic kIbgt diid lci tApftSSloll was weary, and haSgard Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick. all-eomprehensive giances
 You must not fear" said hes sooth- fngly bending forward and batting her forearm. We shall soon set matters right I have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning. l sec"
 You know me, then?'
 No; but l observe the second half of a iplf fra, Ina of I.f. glove. You must have started early, and yet you had good drive in dog cart along heavysroads before you reach ed the station"
 The lady gave q violent start and star ed in bewilderment, at my companion
 There is no mystery my dear madam, said he, smiling. @The left arm of your jacket Is spattered. with mud In no less than seven places. The marks are per fectly fresh, There is vehicle save a dogcart which throws mp mud in that way, and that only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver"
 Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly cerreot'' she said. 'I started from home before 6 reached Leatherhead at twenty past. and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir. l can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if 1t con tinues. 1 have no one to turn to-none, save only one. who care for me. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. l have heard of you. MT. Holmse: I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you helped in the hour of her sore need. IL was from her that l had your address Oh. sir, do you not think that you could help me. too and at least throw little light through the dense darlIness which surrounds me. At present It is out of my power to reward you for your services but in a month or six weeks l shall be married, with the control of my own in- come, and then at least you shall not find me ungrateful."
 Holmes turned to his desk and. unlock ing it, drew out small casebook which he consulted.
 "Farintosh" said he ''Ah, yes I re- call the case; 1t was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time. Watson. l can only say. madam that I shall be happy to devote the same care to your l did to that of your friend. As to reward, my profess sion is It's own reward; but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses may be put to, at the time which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us everything that may help us in forming opinion upon the mat ter"
 "Alas." replied our visitor the very horror of my situation lies In the fact that my fears are so vague and my sus- picions depend so entirely upon smal points which might seem trivial to an. other, that even he to whom. Of al others. 1 have right to look for hell and advice looks upon all that l tell him about it as the fancies of nervous wo man. He does not say so. but I car tt- l.s.