Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-19

broad road, and the trail turned hard to the right in the direction of the town which we had just quilted. The road took sweep to the south of the town and continued in the opposite direction to that in which we had started
 'This detour has been entirely for our benefit, then?" said Holmes. "No wonder that my inquiries among those villages led to nothing. The doctor has certainly played the game for all it is worth, and one would like to know the reason for such elaborate deception This should be the village of Pumping ton to the right of us. And, by love here is the brougham coming round the corner. Quick, Watson-quick, or we are done"
 He sprang through gate into field dragging the reluctant Pompey after him. We had hardly got under the shelter of the hedge when the carriage rattled past caught glimpse of pr. Armstrong within, his shoulders bowed, his head sunk on his hands, the very image of distress. could tell by my companion's graver face that he also had seen
 T fear there is some dark ending to our quest said he. Tt cannot be long before we know it. Come, Pompey! An, it is the cottage in the fieldv'
 There could be no doubt that we had reached the end of our journey. Pom- pey ran about and whined eagerly out side the gate, where the marks of the brougham's wheels were still to be seen. footpath led across to the lone ly cottage Holmes tied the dog to the hedge, and we hastened onward. My friend knocked at the little rusty door and knocked again without response. And yet the cottage was not deserted, kind of drone of misery and despair which was indescribably melancholy. Holmes paused irresolute, and then he glanced back at the road which he had Just lldNclscu. A plOuShau was SoAb ing down it, and there could be no mis- taking those gray horses.
 By love, the doctor is coming back" cried Holmes. ''That settles 1t. We are bound to see what 1t means before he comes.'
 He opened the door, and we stepped into the hall. The droning sound swell ed louder upon our ears until it became one long. deep wall of distress. It came from upstairs, Holmes darted up, and I followed him. He pushed open a half closed door. and we both stood ap- palled at the sight before us.
 A woman, young and beautiful, was lying dead upon the bed. Her calm, pale face. with dim, wide opened blue eyes. looked upward from amid great tangle of golden hair At the foot of the bed. half sitting. half kneeling. his face buried in the clothes, was young man, whose frame was racked by his sobs. So absorbed was he by his bitter grief that he never looked up until Holmes hand was on his shoulder.
 Are you Mr. Godfrey Staunton?'
 ''Yes, yes. am-but you are too late. She is dead"
 The man was so dazed that he could not be made to understand that we were anything but doctors who had been sent to his assistance. Holmes was endeavoring to utter few words of consolation and to explain the alarm which had been caused to his friends by his sudden disappearance when there was step upon the stairs. and there was the heavy, stern, question. ing face of Dr. Armstrong at the door
 ''So. gentlemen" said he, you have attained your end and have certainly chosen particularly delicate moment for your intrusion. I would not brawl in the presence of death, but can as. sure you that if I were younger man your monstrous conduct would not pass with impunity."
 Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, I think we are little at cross purposes" said my friend, with dignity. If you could step downstairs with us we may each be able to give some light to the other upon this miserable affair.""
 A minute later the grim doctor and ourselves were in the sitting room be low.
 Well. sir?" said he.
 ''I wish you to understand. in the first place, that am not employed by Lord Mount-James and that my sym. pathies in this matter are entirely against that nobleman. When a man is lost it Is my duty to ascertain his fate. but having done so the matter ends SO far as am concerned. and SC long as there is nothing criminal am much more anxious to hush up private scandals than to give them publicity If. as I imagine. there is no breach of the law in this matter, you can abso- luteIy depend upon my discretion and my cooperation in keeping the facts out of the papers,"
 Dr. Armstrong took quick step for ward and wrung Holmes by the hand.
 You are a good fellow" said he. ''I had misjudged you. I thank heaven that my compunction at leaving poor Staunton all alone in this plight caused me to turn my carriage back and so to make your acquaintance. Knowing as
  easily explained. A year ago Godfrey Staunton lodged in London for a time and became passionately attached to his Iandlady's daughter. whom he mar ,-s.H Sba u-oa as eooJ as Sha xxas