Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-24

W01 the pfec0f0Or or anOtn@ stOue. scrambled down on to the path. don't think could have done 1t in cold blood It was hundred times more difficult than getting up. But had no time to think of the danger, for an- other stone sang past me as hung by my hands from the edge of the ledge. Halfway down slipped; but, by the blessing of God. I landed, torn and bleeding. upon the path. took to my heels, did ten miles over the noun tains in the darkness. and week later I found myself in Florence. with the certainty that no one in the world knew what had become of me.
 T had only one confidant- my broth CT Mycroft. I owe you many apologies. my dear Watson. but it was all impor- tant that it should be thought was dead, and 1t is quite certain that you would not have written 50 convincing an account of my unhappy end had you not yourself thought that 1t was true. Several times during the last three years have taken tip my pen to write to you, but always I feared lest your affectionate regard for me should tempt you to some indiscretion which would betray my secret. For that reason I turned away from you this evening when you upset my books. for was in danger at the time, and any show of surprise and emotion upon your part might have drawn attention to my identity and led to the most deplorable and irreparable results. As to Mycroft, l had to confide in him fin order to pb- tain the money which I needed. The course of events in London did not run so we'll as had hoped, for the trial of the Moriarty gang left two of it's most dangerous members. my own most vim dictive enemies, at liberty. travelled for two years in Tibet, therefore, and amused myself by visiting Lassa and spending some days with the head lama. You may have read of the re- markable explorations of Norwegian named Sigerson, but am sure that 1t never occurred to you that you were receiving news of your friend. then passed through Persia. looked mat Mecca and paid short but interesting visit to the khalifa at Khartum. the re- suits of which I have communicated to the foreign ofice. Returning to France. spent some months in a re- search into the coal tar derivatives, which I conducted in laboratory at Montpelier, in the south of France. Having concluded this to my satisfac- tion and learning that only one of my enemies was now left in London. was about to return when my movements were hastened by the news of this very remarkable Park hne mystery. which not only appealed to me by It's own merits, but which seemed to offer some most peculiar personal opportunities. I came over at once to London. called in my own person at Baker street, threw Mrs. Hudson into violent hys- terics and found that Mycroft had pre- served my rooms and my papers exact ly as they had always been. So 1t was, my dear Watson. that at 2 o'clock to- day found myself in my old arm chair in my own old room and only wishing that I could have seen my old friend Watson in the 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 1t not been confirmed by the actual sight of the tall, spare figure and the keen. ca ger face. which I had never thought to see again. In some manner he had learned of my own sad bereavement, and his sympathy was shown in hls manner rather than In his words. Work is the best antidote to sorrow. my dear Watson" said he, "and have a piece of work for us both tonight which if we can bring 1t to success ful conclusion will in Itself justify a mans life on this planet" In vain l. begged him to tell me more You will hear and see enough before morning." he answered. We have three years of the past to discuss. Let that sufflce un- til half past9 9. when we start upon the notable adventure of the empty house"
 It was indeed like old times when at that hour I found myself seated beside