Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-15

couIn. but his observations seemed to
me to be absurd, SO withdrew again
in some disgust. As l did SO l struck
against an elderly, deformed man who
had been behind me, and l knocked
down several books which he was car
ryng remember that as | picked
them up observed the title Of one Of
them. THE Origin Of Tree Worship"
and 1t struck me that the fellow must
be some poor blblioph'le who either MS
Il trade or as hobby was collector
of obscure volumes. endeavored to
apologize for the accident, but 1t was
evident that these books which l had
SO unfortunately maltreated were very
precious objects In the eyes OF their
owner. With snarl Of contempt he
turned upon his heel, and ] saw his
curved back and white side whiskers
disappear among the throng
NV observations of 427 Park lane did
little to clcnr up the problem In which
l was Interested. The house was sep
arated from the street by low wall
and railing, the whole not more than
five feet high. 1t was perfectly easy,
therefore. for any one TO get into the
garden, but the window was entirely
| inaccessible since there was no water
pipe or anything which could help the
/. most active man to climb 1t. More puz-
zled than ever, retraced my steps to
Kcnsington. had not been In my
study five minutes when the maid en-
tered to say that person desired to
see me. To my astonishment 1t was
none other than my strange old book
collector, his sharp, wizened face peer
Ing out from frame of white hair. ana
his precious volumes. a dozen of them
ut least, wedged under his right arm.
"You're surprised to see me. sir"
sn,d he in strange, croakIng voice.
acknowledged Tint l was.
"Well, I've conscience, sir. ana
when CHANGED to see you go into this
house us came hobbling after you.
thought to myself I'll just step In and
see that kind gentleman and tell him
that IL was bit gruff in my manner
there was not any harm meant and that
l am much obliged to him for picking
up my books i.
"You make too much Of trile,' said
III. MAY 1 ask how you knew who I
WASP
Eyes, sir. IF 1t isn't too great liner
ty am neighbor of yours, for you'll
flnd my little bookshop at the corner OF
Church street. and very happy to see
you, am sure Maybe you collect
yourself sir. Here's British Birds
and 'Catullus' and The Holy War'-a
bargain, every one OF them. With five
volumes you could just fill that gap on
! that second shelf. 1t looks untidy,
does 1t not, sir2"
I moved my head to look ut the cabi-
net behind me. When turned aghin
Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling
at me across my study table. rose to
nv feet, stared at him for some sec
onds in utter amazement, and then 1t
appears that must have tainted for
the first and the last time In my life.
/ Certainly gray mist swirled before
my eyes, and when 1t cleared l found
my collar ends undone and the tingling
after-taste of brandy upon my lips.
Holmes was bending over my chair,
his flask In his hand.
"My dear Watson" said the well re-
membered voice, II owe you thou
sand apologies. had no idea that you
would be SO affected
gripped him by the arms.
Il Z MI al To n ron1Iv VOL 2
Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is
it possible that you succeeded IN climb
ing out Of that awful abyss"
"Wait moment" said he. Are you
sure that you are really fit to discuss
things? 1 have given you serious
shock by my unnecessarily dramatic
temperance"
II am all right, but indeed, Holmes, I
can hardly believe my eyes. Good
heavens, to think that you-you of all
= men-should be standing in my studv!'