Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-29

up RAlpn SmlLQB TelatlOHSs Ouc mOIc point. What sort of menage is 1t which pays double the market price for
 d governess. but does not keep horse, although six miles from the station? Odd, Watson-very odd.'
 You will go down?'
 ''No, my dear fellow; you will go down. This may be some trifing h. trigue. and I cannot break my other important research for the sake of it. On Monday you will arrive early at Farnham; you will conceal yourself near Charlington heath; you will ob- serve these facts for yourself and act as your own judgment advises. Then, having inquired as to the occupants of the hall, you will come back to me and report
 We had ascertained from the lady that she went down upon the Monday bv the train which leaves Waterloo at 9:50, so 1 started early and caught the 9l3. At Farnham station had no diff ficulty in being directed to Charlington heath. It was impossible to mistake the scene of the young lady's adven- ture. for the road runs between the open heath on one side and an old yew hedge upon the other, surrounding a park which is studded with magnificent trees. There was main gateway of lichen studded stone. each side pillar surinounted by moldering heraldic em- blems, but besides this central car riage drive 1 observed several points where there were gaps in the hedge and paths leading through them. The house was invisible from the road. but the surroundings all spoke of gloom and decay.
 The heath was covered with golden patches of Towering gorse gleaming in the light of the bright spring sunshine, Behind one of these clumps I took up my position so as to command both the gateway of the hall and long stretch of the road upon either side. It had been deserted when left it. but now saw cyclist riding down it from the opposite direction to that in which had come He was clad in dark suit and saw that he had a black beard. On reaching the end of the Charlington grounds he sprang from his machine and led if through a gap in the hedge, disappearing from my view.
 A quarter of an hour passed, and then second cyclist appeared This time it was the young lady coming from the station. saw her look about her as she came to the Darlington hedge. An instant later the man emerg ed from his hiding place, sprang upon his cycle and followed her. In all the broad landscape those were the only moving figures. the graceful girl sit ting very straight upon her machine and the man behind her bending low over his handle bar with a curiously furtive suggestion in every movement. She looked back at him and slowed her pace. He slowed also. She stopped. He at once stopped. too. keeping 200 yards behind her. Her next movement was as unexpected as it was spirited. She suddenly whsked her wheels round and dashed straight at him. He was as quick as she however. and darted of in desperate flight. Present ly she came back up the road again, her head h aughtils,in sf,p air, not deigning to take any further notice of her silent attendant He had turned also and still kept his distance until the curve of the road hid them from my sight.
 remained in my hiding place, and 1t was well that I did so, for presently the man reappeared, cycling slowly back. He turned in at the hall gates and dismounted from his machine. For some minutes could see him standing among the trees. His hands were raised, and he seemed to be settling his necktie. Then he mounted his cycle and rode away from me down the drive toward the hall. ran across the heath and peered through the trees. Far away l could catch glimpses of the old gray building. with it's bristIing Tudor chimneys. but the drive ran through dense shrubbery, and saw no more of my man.
 However, .g seemed to me that had done a fairly good mornings work. and l walked back in high spirits to Farm ham. The local house agent could tell me nothing about Charlington Hall and referred me 10 well known firm in Pail Mall There halted on my way home ana met with courtesy from the representative. No. could not have Charlington Hall for the summer. I was just too late. It had been let about month ago Mir. Williamson was the name of the tenant. He was a respectable, elderly gentleman. The polite agent was afraid he could say no more. as the affairs of his clients were not matters which he could discuss.
 Mr. Sherlock Holmes listened with 10 the long report which I was able 10 present to him that even- ing. but it did not elicit that word of curt praise which had hoped for and should have valued. On the contrary. his ausiere face was severe.
 Your hiding place. my dear Watson. was very fauity. You should have been behind the hedge Then you would have had close view of this interest ing person As it is. you were some hundreds of yards away and can tell  me even less than Miss Smith. She thinks she does not know the man. I am convinced she does Why. other wise. should he be so desperately anx- s..-.s rlrar rhu .l,r,rfi no. ..n. .. rn-