The citizen., 1905-08-04

SHERLOCK HOLMES L
been from home before. He won her
with his title and his money and his
false London ways. If she made a
mistake she has paid for it if ever a
woman did. What month did we meet
him? Well, I tell you it was Just aft
er we arrived We arrived in June
and it was July. They were married
in January Of last year Yes. she is
down in the morning room again, and
| have no doubt she will see you, but
you must not ask too much of her, for
she has gone through all that flesh and
blood will stand"
Lady Brackenstall was reclining on
the same couch, but looked brighter
than before. The maid had entered
with us and begun once more to foment
the bruise upon her mistress brow.
Il hope" said the lady, that you
have not come to cross examine me
Rgain?"
NO Holmes answered in his gen
tlest voice; Il will not cause you any
unnecessary trouble, Lady Bracken-
stall, and my whole desire is to make
things easy for you, for am convinc-
ed that you are much tried woman.
If you will treat me as a friend and
trust me you may find that | will JUS
tify your trust"
'What do you want me to do?"
ITO tell me the truth"
"Alr. Holiness
mo. no. Lady Brackenstall: it is no
use. You may have heard of any little
reputation which | possess. l will
stake it all on the fact that your story
is an absolute fabrication"
Mistress and maid were both staring
at Holmes with pale faces and fright
ened eyes.
you are an impudent fellow" cried
Theresa. "DO you mean to say that
my mistress has told a lie?'
Holmes rose from his chair
"Have you nothing to tell me"
81 have told you everything"
"Think once more, Lady Bracken-
stall. Would it not be better to be
frank?''
For an instant there was hesitation
in her beautiful face. Then some new,
strong thought caused it to set like a
mask.
Il have told you all know"
Holmes took his hat and shrugged
his shoulders. Il am sorry" he said.
And without another word we left the
room and the house. There was Il
pond in the park, and to this my friend
led the way. 1t was frozen over, but a
single hole was left for the conven-
ience of a solitary swan. Holmes gaZed
at it and then passed on to the lodge
gate. Then he scribbled a short note
for Stanley Hopkins and left it with
the lodge keeper
at may be hit or it may be a miss,
but we are bound to do something for
Friend Hopkins just to justify this Sec
ond visit" said he Il will not quite
take him into my confidence yet. |
think our next scene of operations
must be the shipping office of the Ade-
laide- e-Southampton line. which stands
at the end of Pail Mall. if remember
right. There is a second line of steam
ers which connect South Australia
with England. but we will draw the
larger cover first"
Holmes card sent in to the manager
insured instant attention, and he was
not long in acquiring all the informa-
ton he needed. In June of 80 only one
of their line had reached a home port.
It was the Rock of Gibraltar, their lar
gest and best boat. A reference to the
passenger list showed that Miss Fra
ser of Adelaide, with her maid. had
made the voyage in her The boat was
now on her way to Australia somewhere
in the south of the Suez canal. Her Off
GERS were the same as in 80, with one
exception. The first officer, Mr.. Jack
Crocker, had been made a captain and
was to take charge of their new ship,
the Bass Rock, sailing in two days
time from Southampton. He lived at
Sydenham, but he was likely to be In
that morning for instructions, If we
cared to wait for him.
No; Mr.. Holmes had no desire to see
him, but would be glad to know more
about his record and character.
His record was magnificent. There
was not an officer in the feet to touch
him. AS to his character, he was relia-
BILE on duty, but wild. desperate fel-
low off the deck of his ship-hot head
, ed, excitable, but loyal, honest ana
kind hearted. That was the pith of the
information with which Holmes left
the office of the laide-Southampton
company. Thence he drove to Scotland
Yard, but, instead of entering. he sat
in his cab with his brows drawn down.
lost in profound thought Finally he
drove round to the Charing Cross tele-
graph office. sent off message ana
then, at last, we made for Baker street
I once more.