The news & observer., 1905-12-03

tIldil L eXpcCIeQ. .OD Ine contrary, LOT
a small street in a quiet neighborhOOd,
it was remarkably animated. There
was group of shabbily-d men
smoking and laughing in a corner a
scissors-g grinder with his wheel, two
guardsmen who were flirting with a
nurse-girl, and several well-dressed
young men who were lounging UP aRd
down with cigars in their mouths
You see," remarked Holmes. as
we paced to and fro in front of tye
house, this marriage rather siIn>
plifies matters. The photograph be-
comes a double edged weapon
now. The chances are that she
would be as averSe to its being
seen by Mr.. Godfrey Norton, as
our client is to its coming to the eyes
of his princess. Now the question is,
Where are we 20 find the photo
graph? ?'
Where, indeed?"
"It is most unlikely that she carries
it about with her. 1t is cabinet size.
100 large for easy cOncealment about
a woman's dress. She knows that the
King is capable of having her wayl2id
and searched. Two attempts of the
sort have already been made. We
may take it, then, that she does not
carry it about with her.
Where, then 2"
Her banker or her lawyer. There is
that double possibility. But / am in
clined to neither Women are naturally
secretive, and they like to do their
own secreting. Why should she hand
it over to any one else? She could
trust her own guardianship, but she
could not tell what indirect or political
influence might be brought to bear
upon a business man. Besides, remem-
Der that she had resolved to use IL
within a few days. Il must be where
she can lay her hands upon it. 1t
must be in her own house"
But it has twice been burgled.'
"Pshaw! They d d not know how to
look
But how will you look?''
Il will not look
"What then %
Il will get her to show me-
"But she will refuse"
"She will not be able to. But | hear
the rumble of wheels. 1t is her car
riage Now carry out my orders to
the letter.
AS he spoke the CLEAN of the side
lights of a carriage came round the
curve of the avenue. 1t was a smart
little landau which ratified up to the
door or Br ony Lodge. AS it pulled
up, one cf the loafing men at the cor
ner dashed forward to open the door
in the hope of earning copper. but
was elbowed away by another loafer,
who had rushed up with the same
intention. A fierce quarrel broke out.
which was increased by the two
guardsmen, who took sides with one
of the loungers, and by the scissors
grinder, who was equally hot upon the
other side. A blow was struck, and
in an instant the lady, who had step
ped from her carriage, was the centre
of little knot of flushed and strug-
CLING men, who struck saVagely at
each other with their fists and sticks.
Holmes dashed into the crowd to pro-
tect the lady; but just as he reached
her he gave q cry and dropped to the
ground with the blood running freely
down his face. At his fall the guards
men took to their heels in one direc-
ton and the loungers in the other,
while a number of better dressed peo-
pie who had watched the scuffle with
out taking part in it, crowded in TO
help the lady and to attend to the in
jured man. Irene Adler, as l will still
call her, had hurried up the steps; but
she stood at the top wits her superb
figure outlined against the lights of
the hall, looking back into the street.
! us the poor gentleman much hurt?''
she asked.
HE is dead" cried several voices.
! "No, no there's life in him. shout
fore you can get him to hospital
| Hes brave fellow" said
woman "They would have had the
lady's purse and watch If it hadn't
/ been for him. They were gang, and
a rough one, too. All, he's breathing
now"
"He can't lie in the street. May we
bring him in, marin? p
Surely. Bring him into the sitting
+ room There is comfortable sofa.
: This way. Dlease!"
! Slowly and solemnly he was borne
into Briony Lodge and laid out in the
principal room, while / still observed
the proceedings from my post by the
| window. The lamps had been lit, but
! the blinds had not been drawn. so
that could see Holmes as he lay upon
| the couch do not know whether he
was seized with compunction at that
| moment for the part he was playing.
| but I know that / never felt more
heartily ashamed of myself in my life
than when | saw the beautiful crea-
ture against whom / was conspiring.
or the grace and kindness with which
she waited upon the injured man. And
yet it would be the blacklist treach-
! cry to Holmes to draw back now from
| the part which he had intrusted to me.
| hardened my heart. and took the
smoke-rocket from under my ulster.
After all, | thought, we are not inJur-
| ing her. We are but preventing her
from injurng another.
Holmes had sat up upon the couch.
and l saw him motion like man who
is in need of air. A maid rushed
| across and threw open the window. At
the same instant / saw him raise his
hand, and at the signal I tossed my
rocket into the room with a cry of
Fire." The word was no sooner out
of my mouth than the whole crowd of
spectators well dressed and ill--gen~
tlemen. ostlerS, and servant maids
joined in general shrek of "Fire!'
Thick clouds of smoke curled through
the rooms and out at the open WIN
! dow. / caught a glimpse of rushing
figures, and a moment later the voice
, of Holmes from within assuring them
that it was a false alarm. Slipping
through the shouting crowd. | made
my way to- the corner of the street,
and in ten minutes was reJoiced TO
find my friends arm in mine. and to
get away from the scene of uproar.
He walked swiftly and in silence for
some few minutes, until we had turn
ed down one Of the quiet streets which