The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-22

I walked down the narrow passage
between the double row Of sleepers,
holding my breath to keep out the vile,
SIMPLIFYING, fumes Of the drug, and look.
ing about for the manager. AS passed
felt al sudden d pluck * at y my ;' skirt and
a low voice whispered, "Walk past
me, and then look back at me.' The
words fell quite distinctly upon my ear.
I glanced down. They could only have
come from the old man at my side, and
yet he sat now as absorbed as
ever, very thin, very wrinkled, bent
from between his knees, as tho it had
dropped in sheer lassitude from his fin
gers. I took two steps forward and
looked back. It took all my self-con-
troll to prevent me from breaking out
into a cry Of astonishment. He had
turned his back so that mono could sec
him but I. His form had filed out, his
wrinkles were gone, the dull eyes had
by the fire, and grinning at my surprise,
was none other than Sherlock Holmes.
He made slight motion to me to ap-
proach him, and instantly as he turned
his face half round to the company once
more, subsidized into doddering, loose
Tipped senility.
earth are you doing in this denq'
GAS low as you can," he answered;
IT have excellent ears. If you would
have the great kindness to get rid of
that scottish friend of yours should
be-, exceedingly e glad to have a little
~ have a cab outside.'
"Then pray send him home in it.
You may fely trust him, for he ap-
pears to be too limp to get into any
to send note by the cabman to your
wife to say that you have thrown in
your lot with me. If you will wait out
side, I shall be with you in five min
It was difficult to refuse any Of Sher-
lock Holmes requests, for they were
always so exceedingly definite, and put
forward with such quiet air Of mas
ney was once confined in the cab MY
| mission was practically accomplished,
and for the rest, I could not wish any
| thing better than to be associated with
my friend in one Of those singular ad-
ventures which were the normal condi-
ton Of his existence. In few min
utes had written my note, paid Whit
ney's bill, led him out to the cab, and
a very short time, a decrepit figure had
emerged from the opium den, and was
walking down the street with Sherlock
Holmes. For two streets he shuffled
along with a bent back and uncertain
foot. Then, glancing quickly round, he
Strengthened himself out and burst into
a hearty fit Of laughter.
you imagine that I have added opium
smoking to cocaine injections, and all
the other little weaknesses on which you
have favored me with your medical
, views'
81 was certainly surprised to find you
there"
!. ",,But not more 50 than I to find you. -
II came to find a friend"
can enemy9'
} Yes; one of my natural enemies,
or, snail say, my natural prey. Briefly,
Watson, am in the midst of very re.
markable inquiry, and I have hoped to
) lind a clew in the incoherent ramblings
OF these sots, as I have done before
now: Had been recognized in that der
: my life would not have been worth an
/ hours purchase; for have used it be
, rore now tor my own purposes, and the
} rascally Lascar who runs it has sworr
!, to have vengeance upon me. There is a
: trapdoor at the back Of that building
, near the corner Of Paul. Wharf, which
: could tell some strange tales Of what
|, has passed thru it upon the moonlest
: niggh ITS,
4 "Aye, bodies, Watson. va should b.
r rich men if we had $1,000 for ever,
2 poor devil who has been done to deati
Q in that den. It is the vilest murder
f trap on the whole riverside, and
i fear that Neville ST. Clair has entered
t it never to leave it more. But our tra1
p should be here.' He put his two fore
. ringers between his teeth and whistle,
:: shr1lly-aa signal which was answere,
G by, a similar whistle from the distance
9 followed shortly by the rattle Of wheel
y and the clink Of horses hoofs.
. NOV, Watson,' said Holmes, as
9 tail dogcart dashed up thru the gloon
K throwing out two golden tunnels Of ye
3, low light from it's side-lanterns; you !
q come with me, won It you9'
IF can be Of use.''
h Oh, trusty comrade Is ALWAYS O
q use, and a chronicler still more so. M
it room at THE Cedars' is double-bei
IS ded one.' wv
a "tThe Cedars9'"
10 eyes; that is Mr.. St. CIair's hous
IS :! am staying there while conduct tn
10 "Where is it, then9"
le Near Lee, in Kent We have
y seven-mile drive before us. ,;
e, 'Of course you are. You I'll know a
a. about it presently. Jump up here. A
n Here's half a crown. Look out 'f f,
lg me tomorrow, about II. Give her h,
r. head. SO long, then!'
er He ficked the horse with his viii
a and we dashed away thru the endle
a succession of sombre and deserte
,g streets, which widened gradually. unit
III we were flying across a broad, bs
ustraded bridge, with the murky riv
It. flowing sluggishly beneath us. Beyor
or lay another dull wilderness of brick al
IL mortar, its silence broken only by Il
" heavy, regular footballs of the polio
to man, or the songs and shouts of son
Of belated party Of jewellers. A dull wrat
sh was drifting slowly across the sky, a1
a star or two twinkled dimly here al
x there thru the riffs of the CLOUD
no Holmes drove in silence, with his he;
le. sunk upon his breast, and the air OF
at man who is lost in thought, while
n sat beside him, curious to learn VIII
le. this new quest might be which seem
IN. to tax his powers SO sorely, and v
", afraid to break in upon the current
his thoughts. We had driven sever
miles and were beginning to get to t
when he shook himself, shrugged /
as shoulders and lit up his pipe with t
lat air Of a man who has satisfied himst
~ that he is acting for the best.
nd You have a grand rift Of silen,
Watson said he. It makes you uuj
In. invaluable as a companion. 'Pon /