Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-22

In bis features Holmes had listened
20 his story with the utmost attention.
and now he sat for some tsEe in siiens
thought
Don't you think, Mr.. Cubitt," said
he az last, ~that your best plan would
be 10 make a direct appeal TO your
wife aud TO ask her 10 share her secret
with you."
Hilton Jubitt shook his massive head.
"A promise is a promise STR. Holmes.
II Elsie wished TO tell me sue would.
II not, IL is not for NE TO force her con-
hcence. But I am justified in taking
nay own line--and l will"
Then ! viii help you with all my
heart In the first pIace. have you
heard Of any strangers being seen in
your ne!ghborhoodT
NO"
u presume that Il is a very quiet
place. Any fresh face would cause
COMMENT
In the immediate neighborhood, yes
But we have several small watering
places not very far away. And the
farmers take IN dodgers"
These hieroglyphics have evidently
a meaning. II il is a purely arbitrary
one IL may be impossible for US 10
solve IL. If. on the other hand. IL is
systematic, l have no doubt that we
shall get 10 the bottom OF II. But this
particular sample is SO short that 1
can do nothing and the facts which
you have brought me are so indefinite
that we have no basis for an invessi-
CATION. i ould suggest that you re-
turn 10 Norfolk that YOU keep a keen
lookout and that you take an exact
copy Of aDy fresh dancing men which
may appear. IL Is u thousand pities
that we have not reproduction OF
those which were done ia chalk upon
The window sill. Make a discreet in
qUiry also as 20 any strangers In the
neighborhood. When you have collect
Ell some fresh evidence come 90 me
again. That is the best advice witch
can give you, Air Hilton Cubltt. II
there are any pressing fresh develop
ments I shall be always ready to run
down and see you In your Norfolk
home"
The interview left sherlock Holmes
very thoughtful. and several times in
the next few days I saw him take his
slip OF paper from his notebook and
look long and earnestly M the curious
figures inscribed upon it. He made no
allusioa 10 the affair however. until
one afternoon a fortnight or so later.
/ was going out when be called me
back
You had better stay here. Watson"
WHY
Because l had wire from Hilton
Cubitt this morning. You remember
Hilton Cubitt OF the dancing menu He
was TO reach Liverpool street at :2o
He may be here Ak any moment. I
gather from his wire that there have
been some new incidents OF impor-
lance"
We had not long 20 wait. for our Nor
FOLK squire came straight from the sta
ton as fast AS n hanson could bring
him. He was looking worried and de-
pressed. with tired eyes and a lined
forehead
It's getting ON my nerves. this bust
ness, Mr.. Holmes" said he as he sank
like wearied man. into an armchair.
Its had enough 20 feel that Won are
surrounded 10y unseen. unknown folk.
who have some kind OF design upon
you. but when. In addition 10 that You
know that IL Is Just killing your wife
by Inches. then IL becomes as much as
nesh and blood can endure She's
wearing away usder it-just wearing
away before my eyes
Has she said anything yetT'
mo Mr.. Holmes, she has not. And
Yet there have been times wher the
poor girl has wanted 10 speak and VET
could not quite bring herself 10 take
the plunge have tried 10 help her. bur
! dare say did II clumsily and scared
her from H. She has spoken about my
old family and our reputation in the
county and our pride in our unsuIIed
honor. and I always felt II was lead
ing 10 the point, but somehow Il turned
OF before we got there
But you have found out something
for yourselfT-
"A good deal. Mr.. Holmes. I have
several fresh dancing men pictures for
you 20 examine. and. what is more i'm
portant. have seen the fellow"
"What-the man who draws them %
Yes; saw him AZ work But will
tell you everything in order. When
got back after my visit 60 you the very
first thing I saw next morning was q
fresh crop OF dancing men. They had
been drawn In chalk upon the black
wooden door OF the tool house. which
stands beside the lawn IN full view OF
the front windows. l took an exact
copy. and here IL IS" He unfoldcd
paper and laid II upon the table. Here
IL copy OF the hieroglyphics: