Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-10

II tainted once more, but again Il
could only have been for very few
minutes during which was inscnsi-
BILE. When opened my eyes found
that they had collected the silver from
the sidcboard, and they had drawn
bottle of wine which stood there. Each
Of them had n glass in his hand I
have already told you, have I not that
one was elderly. with beard, and the
others young, hairless lads? They
might have been father with his two
sons. They talked together in whis.
pcrs. Then they came over and made
sure that was securely bound. Fl.
nally they withdrew. closing the win.
ter Of an hour before got my mouth
free. When did so my screams
brought the maid to my assistance.
The other servants were soon alarmed,
and we sent for the local police, who
instantly communicated with London.
That IL really oil that I can tell you.
gentlemen, and I trust that It will not
be necessary for me to 60 over 80 pain.
full n story again"
|
Hopkins.
IL will not impose any further tax
upon Lady Brackcnstall's patience and
time" said Holmes. Before I go into
the dining room I should like to hear
your experience" lie looked at the
maid.
II saw the men before ever they
came into the house." said shc. "As
sat by my bedroom window I saw
three men in the moonlight down by
the lodge gate yondcr. but I thought
nothing of II at tho time. 1t was more
than an hour after that I heard my
mistress scream. and down I ran to
find her, poor lamb. just rs she says,
and him on the floor, with his blood
and brains over the room. II was
enough to drive n woman out Of her
wits, tied there and her very dress spot.
ted with him: but she never wanted
courage. did Miss Mary FAhser Of AIDE.
laide. and Lady Brackenstall Of Abbey
Grange hasn't learned new ways.
You've questioned her long enough.
you gentlemen. and now she is coming
to her own room Just with her old
Theresa to get the rest that she badly
, needs"
, With motherly tenderness the
gaunt woman put her arm round her
mistress and led her from the room.
"Shc has been with her all her life"
said Hopkins. "Nursed her as baby
. and came with her to England when
they first left Australia eighteen
| months ago. Theresa Wright Is her
name, and the kind Of maid you don't
pick up nowadays. This way. Mr.
/ Holmes, II you please!'
Tho keen interest had passed out OF
Holmes expressive face, and l knew
that with the mystery all the charm OF
, the case had departed. There still re-
manned an arrest to be effected, but
Q what were these commonplace rogues
I that he should soil his hands with
them? An abstruse and learned spe-
) ed In for case of measles would ex
: perience something of the annoyance
!. which read In my friends eyes. Yet
= the scene In the dining room Of the Alb
!. hey Grange was sufficiently strange to
a arrest his attention and to recall his
r waning interest
. 1t was "A very large and high cham
e her, with carved oak ceiling. oakel
l. paneling and fine array Of deer's
I heads and ancient weapons around tho
i walls. At the farther end from the
d door was the high French window Of
which we had heard. Three smaller
= windows on the right hand side filled
: the apartment with cold winter sun
, shine. On the left was n large. deer
: fireplace, with a massive Overhanginf
I oak mantelpiece. Beside the fireplace
= was heavy oakcn chair with arms
K and crOssbars at the bottom. In ant
;. out through the open woodwork was
1 woven crimson cord. which was Sc
!. cured al each side to the crosspiece be
0 low. In releasing the lady the core
j. had been slipped Off her. but the knots
with which it had been secured still re
il manned. These details only struck ou
@ attention afterward. for our Thoughts
n were entirely absorbed by the terrible
n hearth rug In front OF the Gre.
' 1T was the body Of TALL we'll mad
!. man about forty years Of age. Ill
Il lay upon his back. his face upturned
r with his white teeth grinning through
n his short black beard. His tw'
g clinched hands were raised above hi
head, and a heavy blackthorn sticl
II lay across them. His dark, handsome
a aquilins features were cOnvulsed int
q spasm of vindictive hatred, whic
- had set his dead face in terribl
- fiendish expression. He had evidentl
Is been In his bed when the alarm ha
broken out. for he wore fOppish. Ell
broidered nightshirt, and his bare fee
projected from his trousers. His hea
% was horribly injured, and the Who'll
,. room bore witness to the savage ferot
ity Of the blow which had struck hir
:. down. Beside him lay the heavy pokel
:, bent into a curve by the conclusion
- Holmes examined both 1t and the indt
!, scribable wreck which 1t had wrought.
;" HE must be powerful man, thl
's elder Randall" he remarked.
y YES" said Hopkins. II have som
!" record of the fellow, and he is q roug
customer"
H. "You should have no difficulty in &c
~ ting him"
e. mot the slightest. We have been o
W the lookout for him. and there wa