The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-12

Having concluded this TO my satisfac-
ton. and learning that only one of
my enemies was now left in LONDON,
| was about TO return when my move
ments were FASTENED by the news on
this very remarkable Park lane fnyS-
terry, which not only appealed TO me
by its own merits, but which seemed
to offer some most peculiar personal
opportunities. ! came over at oncp
to London. called in my own person
at Baker sire ct, threw Mrs. HUDSON
into violent Mysteries, and founo that
MycrCft mac. preserved my rooms ana
my papers exactly as they had al"aNS
been. SO il was my dear Watson. that
at two o'clock today ! found myself
in my old arm char in my own old
room, and only wishing that ] could
have seen my old friend Watson in
tho other chair which he has SO often
adorned.
Such was The remarkable narrative
to which listened on that April even
ing--a narrative which would have
been utterly incredible to me had it
not been confirmed by the actual sight
of the tall, spare figure and the keen.
eager face, which I had never thought
to sec again. In some manner he had
learned Of my own sad bereavement.
and his sympathy was shown III his
manner rather than IN his words,
work Is the best antidote to sorrow
my dear Watson" said he; and
have u piece Of work for us both to-
night which. If we can bring 1t 10
successful conclusion, will in itself jus
tify o mans life on this planet. In
vain I begged him TO tell me more.
You Will hear and see enough before
morning" he answered. I'VE have
three years of the past to discuss. Let
that suffice until half-past nine, when
me. ~ NO ia hi
II was indeed like old times when,
Of the empty house.
1t was indeed like old times when
At that hour. | found myself seated
beside him in q hansom, my revolver
N my pocket. and the thrill of adven-
Lure in my heart. Holmes was cold
ana stern and Silent. As the CLEAN
If The street lamps flashed upon his
4uStCre features. ! saw that his bToWs
we're drawn down in thought and his
hin lips compressed. | knew not
What wild beast we were about 10
aunt down in tho dark Jungle of Grim
nal London. but | was we'll assured
from the bearing of THIS master hunts
man, that the adventure was most
grave one--while the sarJoniC smile
which occasionally broke through 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 at the corner of Carendish
square. / observed that as ne stepped
out he gave a most searching glance
to right and left, and at every subsc-
quent street corner he took
the utmost pains to assure
himself that he was not fol-
lowed. our route was certainly j
singular one. Holmes knowledge Of
the byWays of London was cxtTaor-
binary, and OH this occasion he passed
rapidly and With an assured stop
through a network Of news aud sta
bles, the Very existence OF which had
never known. We emerged 81 last
into a small road. lined with old
gloomy houses, which led us into Man
chester street, and also TO Blandford
street. Here nc turned swiftly down
6. narrow passage, passed through
wooden gate into n deserted yard, and
then opened with a key the back
door Of a house. We entered together,
and he closed it behind us.
The place was pitCn dark, but il was
evident to me that it was an empty
house. Our feet creakcd and cracked
over tho bare planking. aud my out
strC tched hand touched u wall from
which the paper was hanging in RIB
hons Holmes cold, thin fingers
closed round my wrist and led me for
ward down n long hall. until / dimly
saw the murky fanlight over the door.
Here Holmes turned suddenly TO tn"
right, and VIC found ourselves in
large. square. empty room. heavily
Swallowed in the corners. but family
lit in the center from the lights of
the street beyond. There was no lamp
near, and the window was thick With
Continued on Page Four.)