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

use as I came hobbling after you. I
ought to myself I'll Just step in and
that kind gentleman and tell him
at IL was bit gruff in my manner
ERE was not any harm meant and that
am much obliged to him for picking
my books"
You make too much Of a trifle," said
"NIay I ask how you knew who I
as?'
Yes, sir. If 1t isn't too great libcr-
I am a nelghbor Of yours. for you'll
Id my little bookshop at the corner Of
hurch street. and very happy to see
~, I am sure. Maybe you collect
urself, sir. Here's British Birds
hd 'Catullus' and The Holy War'-a
lrgain, every one of them. With FIVE
blumes you could just I'll that gap on
ut second shelf. 1t looks untidy,
bes 1t not. sir?"
moved my head to look at tue cabi-
ht behind me. When I turned again
1erlock Holmes was standing smiling
me across my study table. rose to
feet, stared at him for some sec
hds in utter amazcment, and then 1t
bpears that I must have tainted for
certainly n gray mist swirlcd before
Y eyes, and when it cleared I found
v collar ends undone and the tingling
fter-taste Of brandy upon my lips.
dimes was bending over my chair,
8 flask in his hand
my dear Watson" said the we'll re-
Rendered voice. II owe you thou
md apologies. had no idea that you
you'd be SO affected"
I gripped him by the arms.
Holiness l cried rs it really You?
an 1t indeed be that you are alive! Is
! possible that you succeeded in climb
hg out of that awful abyss?'
wait a moment" said he. Are you
ure that you are really fit to discuss
hings! have given You serious
hook by my unnecessarily dramatic
temperance.
II am all right but indeed, Holmes,
Ian hardly believe my eyes. Good
heavens. to think that you-you of all
nen- should be standing in my study'
gain gripped him by the sleeve and
elt the thin, sinewy arm beneath It..
We'll, you're not spirit anyhow"
laid J. my dear chap. I'm overioyed
% see you. Sit down and tell me how
vou came alive out Of that dreadful
|hasm."
He sat opposite to me and lit a ciga-
Fette in his old nonchalant manner.
He was dressed in the seedy frock coat
bf the book merchant, but the rest Of
hat individual lay in pile of white
hair and old books upon the table.
Holmes looked even thinner and keencr
than Of old, but there was dead white
hinge in his aquiine face which told
me that his life recently had not been a
healthy one.
II am glad to stretch myself. Wat.
bon," said he. ut Is no joke when n
TALL man has to take foot off his
stature for several hours on end. Now,
my dear fellow. in tho matter Of these
Explanations, we have, If may ask
for your cooperation. n hard and dan.
|gerOus nights work in front Of us. Per.
haps it would be better if gave you an
account Of the whole situation when
that work is finished"
II am full Of curiosity. should
much prefer to hear now"
you'll come with me tonight?"
when you like and where you like"
'This is, indeed, like the old days.
We shall have time for mouthful of
dinner before we need go. Well, then,
about that chasm. had no serious
difficulty in getting out Of it for the
very simple reason that I never was
in IT,"
you never were in it,"
mo, Watson, I never was in it. My
note to you was absolutely genuine.
had little doubt that had come to the
end Of my career when perceived the
somewhat sinister figure of the late
Professor Moriarty standing upon the
narrow pathway which led to safety
read an memorable purpose in hi,
gray eyes. exchanged some remarks
win tutINkOiE anu ODtdluVu III!
courteous permission to write the shor
note which you afterward received.
loft 1t with my cigarette box and m!
stick. and l walked along the pathway
Moriarty still at my heels. When
reached the end stood at bay. H.
drew no weapon, but he rushed at mi
and threw his long arms around me
He knew that his own game was ~
and was only anxious to revenge him
self upon me. We tottered togethe
upon the brink If the fall. have som,
knowledge, however, Of baritsu, or tn,
Japanese system OF wrestling, whicl
has more than once been very usefi
10 me. slipped through his grip. ant
be with horrible scream kicked mad
" Tor a few seconds and clawed the al
with both his hands. But for all hi
EFFORTS he could not get his balance
and over he went. With my face owe
the brink l saw him fall for a long way
Then he struck rock, bounded off an,
splashed into the water"
! listened with amazement to this ey
PLANTATION, which Holmes delivered be
tween the puffs OF his cigarette
But the tracks" ! cried. ~ say
with my own eyes that two went dow,
the path and none returned"
1T came about in this way. The in
slant that the professor had 6isar
peared it struck me what really eS
traOrdinarlly lucky chance fate ha
placed In my way. ! knew that Nor