Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-20

have told you you may rest assured that
we shall soon drive away the dangers that
threaten you"
Sherlock Holmes and l had no difficulty
in engaging a bedroom and sitting-room
at the Grown Inn" They were on tho
upper floor, and from our window we could
command view OF the avenue gate and Of
the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor
House. AT dusk We saw Dr. Grimesby Roy
lott drive past, his huge form looming up
beside the little figure of the lad who
drove him. The boy had some slight diff
Guilty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and
we heard the hoarse roar of the doctors
voice and saw the fury with which he
shook his clinched fists at him. The trap
drove on, and a few minutes later we saw
sudden light spring up among the trees
as the lamp was lit in one Of the sitting
rooms.
do you know, watson" said Holmes,
as we sat together in the gathering dark
ness, 81 have really some scruples as to
taking you tonight. There is a distinct
element of danger"
Can l be of assistance?"
Your presence might be invaluable"
Then / shall certainly come"
1T is very kind of you"
You speak OF danger. You have evil
IDENTIFY seen more in those rooms than was
visible to me-"
mo, but fancy that may have de-
duced little more. l imagine that you
saw all that did"
81 saw nothing remarkable save the bell
rope, and what purpose that could answer
confess is more than can imagine"
'You saw the ventilator. too?'
Yes, but I do not think that it is such a
10 haN "a q
between two rooms. It was so small that
a rat could hardly pass through"
II knew that we should find a ventilator
before ever we came to Stoke Moran"
my dear Holmes"
''Oh yes, I did. You remember in her
statement she said that her sister could
smell DR.. Roylotts cigar. Now, of course
that suggested at once that there must be
communication between the two rooms
1t could only be small one, or it would
have been remarked upon at the coroners
inquiry. I dedueed a ventilator."
But what harm can there be In that?"
We'll, there is at least a curious coincl-
dence OF dates. A ventilator is made, q
cord = hung and lady who sleeps in the
bed dies. Does not that strike your
Il cannot as yet see any connection"
Did you observe anything very peculiar
about that bed?"
mo"
1T was olamped to the Moore Did you
ever see q bed fastened like that beforeH"
Il cannot say that have"
''The lady could not move her bed. It
must always be In the same relative post
ton to the ventilator and to the rope-for
so we may call It, since 1t was clearly
never meant for bell-pull."
Holmes" l cried, Il seem to see dimly
what you are limiting at We are only just
In time to prevent some subtle and horrible
crime"
Subtle enough and horrible enough.
When doctor does go wrong he is the
first Of criminals. He has nerve and he
has knowledge. Palmer and Pritchard were
among the heads of their profession. This
man strikes deeper, but / think, Watson,
that we shall be able 70 strike deeper still
But we shall have horrors enough before
the night is over; for goodness sake let US
have quiet pipe and turn our minds for a
few hours to something more cheerful"
About o O'Clock the light among the trees
was extinguished and all was dark in the
direction Of the manor house. Two hours
passed slowly away, and then, suddenly
Just at the stroke OF II, a single bright
light shone out right in front OF US,
THAT is our signal" said Holmes, spring
ing to his feet; III comes from the middle
window"
AS We passed out he exchanged a few
words with the landlord. explaining that we
were going on a late visit 10 an acquaint-
ance, and that It was possible that we
might spend the night there. moment
later we were out on the dark road. a chill
wind blowing In our faces, and one yellow
light twinkling In front OF Us through the
gloom TO guide us on our somber errand-
There was little dinculty In entering Ihe
grounds, for unrepaired breaches gaped IN
the old park wall Making our way among