The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-09

morning in our bow window looking
D down the street, "here is a mailman
coming along. It seems rather sad that
his relatives should allow him to come
out alone.'
NV friend rose lazily from his arm
chair and stood with his hands in the
pockets of hNis dressing gown, looking
over my shoulder. 1t was bright,
crisp February morning., and the snow
Of the day before still lay deep upon
the ground, shimmering brightly in the
wintry sun. Down the center of Baker
street it had been plowed into brown
crumbly band by the traffic, but at
either side and on the heaped-up edges
Of the footpaths it still lay as white
as when it fell. The gray pavement
had been cleaned and scraped, but was
still dangerously slippery, SO that there
{, were fewer passengers than usual. In
] deed, from the direction of the Metro
politan station no one was coming save
the single gentleman whose eccentric
conduct had drawn my attention.
He was man Of about so, tall, port
ly and imposing, with a massive,
strongly marked face and command
ing figure He was dressed in SOM
Der yet rich style, in black frockcoat,
shining hat, neat brown CATERS and
Well-cut pearl-gray trousers. Yet his
actions were in absurd contrast to the
dignity Of his dress and features, for
he was running hard, with occasional
little springs, such as a weary man
gives who is, little accustomed to set
any tax upon his legs. AS he ran he
jerked his hands up and down, wag
gled his head and writhed his face into
the most extraordinary contortions. +,
E"What on earth can be the matter
with him9' I asked. "He is looking
up at the numbers of the houses''
S'I believe that he is coming here,'
said Holmes, rubbing his hands.
n. E"Here7''
E"Yes; rather think he is coming to
consult me professionally. I think that
I recognize the symptoms. Ha! Did
z not tell you9''. AS he spoke, the
man, putting and blowing, rushed at
our door and pulled at our bell until
the whole house resounded with the
changing.
A few moments later he was in our
room, still putting, still gesticulating,
but with so fixed look Of grief and
despair in his eyes that our smiles
were turned in an instant to horror and
pity. For while he could not get
his words out, but swayed his body
and plucked at his hair like one who
has been driven to the extreme limits
of his reason. Then, suddenly SPRING
ing to his feet, he beat his head against
the wall with such force that we both
rushed upon him and tore him away
to the center Of the room. Sherlock
Holmes pushed him down into the easy
chair, and, sitting beside him, patted
his hand and chatted with him in the
easy, soothing tones which he knew so
well how to employ.
l1 You have come to me to tell your
story, have you not7'' said he. "You
are fatigued with your haste PRAY
wait until you have recovered yourself,
! and then I shall be most happy to look
E into any little problem which you NAV
submit to me.''
E.: The man sat for minute or more
with a heaving chest, fighting against
If his emotion. Then he passed his hand
kerchief over his brow, set his lips
tight and turned his face towards u.s.
emo doubt you think me mad?O he
said.
see that you have had some great
Il trouble,' responded Holmes.
"God knows have!-a trouble which
is enough to unseat my reason, 50 sud
den and so terrible is it, Public dis
grace I mi ht have faced, altht
.f5 ] am a man whose character has
never yet borne stain. Private af
fiction also is the lot Of every man
but the two coming together, and in sc
Il frightful a. form, have been enough tt
shake my very soul. Besides, it il
4 not alone. The very noblest in thu
Il land may suffer, unless some way b,
.H found out of this horrible affair."
Pray compose yourself,'' sal,
Holmes, "and let me have a clear &C
count Of who you are and what it i
that has befallen you.''
8E "My name,' answered the visitor
40 pfODdDIy lam1l1ar TO yOuS ears
It ! am Alexander Holder of the bankin.
firm of Holder & Stevenson of Thread
needle street,
The name was indeed well known t.
US as belonging to the senior partne
in the second largest private bankin,
concern in the city of London. VIVA
could have happened, then, to brin
one of the foremost citizens of Lon
don to this most pitiable pass9 w
waited, all curiosity, until, with anotl,
er effort he braced himself to tell hi
story. --
~ feel that time is of value,o h
said; that is why I fastened her
when the police inspector suggeste
that I should secure your cooperation
I came to Baker street by the under
ground, and hurried from there on FOO
Tor the cabs go slowly thru this, snow
That is why | was SO out of breath
I FOR am man who takes very it'll
exercise. I feel better now, and I wi
put the facts before you as shortly an
rs yet as clearly as I can.