The Washington times., 1905-05-28

2 In the morning | had sunk into
light sleep when l was suddenly aroused
by a slight noise. It was like the
sound which a mouse makes when it is
gnawing a plank. and l lay listening
to it for some time under the impression
that it must come from that cause.
Then it grew louder. and suddenly there
came from the window a sharp metallic
snick. I sat up in amazement. There
could be no doubt what the sounds
We're new The first ones had been
caused by some one forcing an instru-
ment through the slit between the
sashes. and the second by The catch
being pressed back.
"I'here was a pause then for q bout ten
minutes, as II the person were waiting
TO see whether the noise had awak-
ened me. Then I heard a gentle creaiz-
ing as the window was very slowly
opened I could stand 1t no longer, for
my nerves are not what they used to
be. sprang out of bed and flung open
the shutters. A man was crouching at
the window. I could see little Of him,
for he was gone like a fash. He was
wrapped in some sort OF cloak which
came across the lower part Of his face
One thing only am sure OF, and that
is that he had some weapon in his hand
It looked TO me like q long knife.
distinctly saw the CLEAN Of it as no
turned TO run
This Is most interesting" said
Holmes Pray what did you do then?'
81 should have followed him through
the open window if I had been strong
er. As 1t was. I rang the bell and
reused the house. It took me some
little time, for the bell rings in the
| kitchen and the servants all sleep up
stairs. I shouted. however, an9 that
| brought Joseph down, and ne reused
| the others. Joseph and the groom found
marks on the bed outside the window.
| but the weather has been so dry lately
| that they found it hopeless to follow the
| trail across the grass. There's place,
| however. on the wooden fence which
| skirts the road which shows signs. they
| tell ne, as If some one had got over
| and had snapped the top of the rail in
| doing So | have said nothing to the
| local police get, for l thought had best
| have your opinion first"
| This tale OF our client appeared to
have an extraordinary effect upon Sher-
| lock Holmes. He rose from his chair
and paced about the room in uncon-
| trollable excitement.
"Misfortunes never come singly,''
!
dent that his adventure had somewhat
| shaken him.
You have certainly had your share. :"
said Holmes. "Do you think you could
walk round The house with me7"
| "Oh. yes, I should like little sun
shine. Joseph will come. too
And / Also" said Miss Harrison.
"I am afraid not" said Holmes. shak-
| ing his head IT think I must ask you
to remain sitting exactly where you
are"
The young lady resumed her seat with
! an air of displeasure. Her brother. how
ever. had joined us and we set off ali
four together. We passed round the
lawn to the outside of the young diplo-
rnatistfs window. There were. as he had
said. marks upon the bed. but they
were hopelessly blurred and vague
| Holmes stopped over them for an in.
gtant, and then rose struggling his
shoulders.
II don't think any one could make
nauch of this" said he. Let US sc
round the house and see why this par
ticnlar room was chosen by the burglar
I should have thought those larger win,
dows of the drawing room and dining
room would have had more attractions
for him.
"They are more visible from tht
road" suggested Mr.. Joseph Harrison
"Ah yes, of course. There Is dool
here which he might have attempted
What is it for?"
1T is the side entrance for trades
neopIe OF course it IS locked at night
Have you ever had an alarm iilz,
this before p
Never" said our client.
DO you keep plate In the house, o.
anything to attract burgiars?"
y '~>t..L55ng Of value. !"