Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-08
H0Im0E fdCe.
what makes you think such q

what makes you think such
thing"
Because Inspector Martin from
Norwich has Just passed through. But
maybe you are the surgeons. She's not
dead, or wasn't by last accounts. You
may he in time to save her yet, though
II be for the gallows."
Holmes brow was dark with anxiety.
I'VE are going to Riding Thorpe Man
or" said he, but we have heard moth
ing Of what has passed there
TITS n terrible business said the
station master. "rhey are shot, both
Mr. Hilton Cubitt and his wife. She
shot him and then herself, so the serv-
ants say. He's dead and her life Ia de.
SPARED Of Dear, dear. one Of the old
est families in the county Of Norfolk
and one Of the most honorcd"
| without word Holmes hurried to a
carriage, and during the long seven
mile drive he never opened his mouth.
Seldom have seen him SO utterly de-
spondent. He had been uneasy during
all our Journey from town. and had
observed that ne had turned over the
morning papers with anxious attention,
but now this sudden realization Of his
worst fears left him in blank melan-
choly. He leaned back in his seat, lost
in gloomy speculation. Yet there was
much around to interest us, for we
We're passing through as singular a
countrys side as any in England. where
a few scattered cottages represented
the population Of today. while on ev-
cry hand enormous square lowered
churches bristled mp from the fiat,
green landscape and told Of the glory
and prosperity Of old East Anglia. At
last the violet rim Of the German
ocean appeared over the green edge of
the Norfolk coast. and the driver point
ed with his whip to two old brick and
timber gables which projected from n
grove Of trees. THAT'S Riding Thorpe
Manor" said he.
AS we drove up to the porticocd front
door observed in front of it, beside the
tennis lawn. the black tool house and
the pedestalcd sundial with which, we
had such strange associations. A dap
per little man, with quick alert
|
just descended from a high dogcart.
He introduced himself as Inspector
Martin Of the Norfolk constabu1nry,
and he was considerably astonished
when he heard the name Of my com.
panion.
why Mr.. Holmes. the crime was
only committed at this morning How
! Ia 90 )
to the spot as soon as II"
II anticipated it. came in the hope
Of preventing it."
"rhen you must have important evil
dence Of which we are ignorant. for
they were said to be most united
couple"
81 have only the evidence Of the dane
ing men, said Holmes. II will ex-
plain the matter to you later. Mean
while. since 1t is too late to prevent this
tragedy, I am very anxious that
should use the knowledge which l pos
sess in order to insure that justice be
done. Will you associate me in your
investigation or will you prefer that
should act Independently
II should be proud to feel that we
were acting together, Mr.. Holiness u
said the inspector earnestly.
"Tn that case should be glad to hear
the evidence and to examine the prem
ises without an instant Of unnecessary
delay"
Inspector Martin had the good sense
to allow my friend to do things in his
own fashion and contented himself
with carefully noting the results. The
local surgeon, an old. white haired
man, had Just come down from Mrs
Hilton Cubitt's room, and he reported
that her injuries were serious, but moi
necessarily fatal. The bullet had
passed through the front of her brain
and it would probably be some time be
, On the question of whether she had
been shot or had shot herself he woud
not venture to express any decided
. opinion. Certainly the bullet had beer
discharged at very close quarters
There was only the one pistol found II
the room, two barrels Of which hat
been emptied. Mr.. Hilton Cubitt hat
. been shot through the heart. 1t wa.
= equally conceivable that he had sho
her and then himself or that she hat
been the criminal. for the revolver lay
upon the floor midway between them.
HAS he been moved?" asked Holmes
!, eve have moved nothing except thu
!" lady. We could not leave her lyini
wounded upon the floor
How long have you been here, doc
q tor?"
:, "Since o'clock"
. "Any ono else?"
"Yes. the constable here"
"And you have touched nothing?"
"Nothing."
you have acted with great discre
ton. Who sent for your
1.-THE houScmaid. Saunders"
"Was it she who gave the alarm?"
e "She and Mrs King, the cook"
"Where are they now?"
"ln the kitchen. l believe
3 "rhen think we had better hea
their story at once"
r The old hall. oak paneled and higl
o Widowed. had been turned into cour
Of investigation. Holmes sat In
It great, old fashioned chair, his inexora
BILE eyes cleaning out of his haggar
d face. l could read in them set pun
" pose to devote his life to this ques
- until Tho r1iopt xx.ln,,, ho Ind faiInt 4