The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-05

Hall is tenanted by Williamson. Who's
the better for that? Well, well, my
dear sir, don't look so depressed. We
can do little more until next Satur-
day, and in the meantime [ may make
one or two inquiries myself"
Next morning, we had note from
Miss Smith, recounting shortly and
accurately the very incidents which l
had seen, but the pith of the letter
lay in the postscript:
L am sure that you will respect my
confidence, Mr.. Holmes, when [ tell
you that my place here has become
difficult, owing to the fact that my
employer has proposed marriage to
me. | am convinced that his feelings
are most deep and most honorable.
At the same time, my promise is of
course given. He took my refusal
very seriously, but also very gently.
You can understand, however, that
the situation is little strained"
Our young friend seems to be get
ting into deep waters" said Holmes,
thoughtfully, as he finished the letter.
1.-THE case certainly presents more
features of interest and more POSSIBLE
ity of development than | had origin
ally thought. | should be none the
worse for a quiet peaceful day in the
country. and 1 am inclined to run
down this afternoon and test one or
two theories which 1 have formed"
Holmes quiet day in the country
had a singular termination. for he ar
rived at Baker street late in the even
ing, with a cut lip and discolored
lump upon his forehead, besides a
general air of dissipation which would
have made his own person the fitting
object of a Scotland Yard investiga-
ton. He was immensely tickled by
his own adventures, and laughed
heartily as he recOunted them.
al get so little active exercise that
1t is always a treat" said he. ''Y GU
are aware that 1 have some pro-
ficiency in the good old British sport
of boxing. Occasionally, it is of SER
vice; today, for example, l should
have come to very ignominious grief
without it,
1 begged him to tell me what had
occurred.
4 found that country pub which
had already recommended to your no.
tice, and there made my discreet in
uuiries | was in the bar, and a
garrulous landlord was giving me all
that I wanted. Williamson is a white
bearded man, and he lives alone with
a small staff of servants at the Hail.
There is some rumour that he is or
has been a clergyman, but one or
two incidents of his short residence at
the Hall struck me as peculiarly un-
ecclesiastical. 1 have already made
some inquiries at a clerical agency
and they tell me that there was a
man of that name in orders, whose
career has been a singularly dark
one. The landlord further informed
me that there are usually weekend
visitors-'a warm lot, sir'-at the
Hall, and especially one gentleman
with a red moustache. Mr.. Woodley
by name, who was always there. We
should walk in but the gentleman
himself, who had been drinking his
beer in the tap-room and had heard
the whole conversation. Who was
/? What did I want What did /
mean by asking questions? He had
fine flow of language, and his adj
jectives were very vigorous. He end
ed a string of abuse by vicious back
handler, which 1 failed entirely to
avoid The next few minutes were
delicious. 1t was a straight left
against a smuggling ruffian. / emerged
as you see me. Mr. Woodley went
home in cart. SO ended my coun-
try trip, and it must be confessed that,
however enjoyable, my cay. on the
Surrey border has not been much
more profitable than your own"
Inc thursday Drought US diloIilSl
letter from our client.
you will not be surprised, Mr..
Holiness said she, to hear that | am
leaving Mr., Carruthers employment.
Even the high pay cannot reconcile
me to the discomforts of my situation.
On Saturday 1 come up to town, and
/ do not intend to return. Mr. Car
ruthers has got a trap, and so the
dangers of the lonely road, if there
ever We're any dangers. are now over.
"As to the special cause of my leav-
ing, it is not merely the strained
situation with Mr.. Carruthers, but it
is the temperance of that odious
man, Mr.. Woodley. He was always
hideous. but he looks more awful
than ever now, for he appears to have
had an accident, and he is much dis
figured. 1 saw him out of the win
dow. but l am glad to say l did not
meet him. He had long talk with