Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-22
SXIXT

'"Te!l me-" said Uolmes-and I could
see by his eyes that he was much ex-
cited-"was this a mere addition TO the
first, or did IL appear TO be entirely
separator
1T was on a different panel OF the
door"
Excellent. This Is far the most im-
portant OF all for our purpose. II ellis
me with hopes. Now. Mr.. Hilton Gu
bitt. please continue your most interest
Ing statement"
Il have noting more 10 say, Mr..
Holmes, except that I was angry with
my wife that night FOR having held me
back when I might have caught the
skulking rascal. she said that She
feared that I III ht come TO harm. For
an instant IL had crossed my mind that
perhaps what she really feared was
that he might come TO harm, for I could
not doubt that she knew who this man
was and what he meant by these
strange signals But there Is n tone In
my wife's voice, Mr. Holmes, and
look in her eyes which forbid doubt.
and l am sure that IL was indeed my
own safety that was In her mind.
There's the whole case, and now I
want your advice as 20 what ought
10 90. Ny own inclination is 60 put
half dozen OF my farm lads I'm the
shrubhery and when this fellow comes
again 20 give him such a hiding that
be will leayS Us in peace FOR the fu-
ture"
Il fear IL Is too deep a case FOR such
simple remedies said Holmes. How
long can you stay In Londony'
Il must 20 back today. l would not
ieare my wife alone az night FOR any
thing. She Is very nervous and begged
me 60 come back"
Il dare,say you are right. But II you
could have stopped I might possibly
have been able TO return with you In a
day or two. Meanwhile YOU will leave
me these papers. and l think that Il Is
very likely that / shah be able 60 pay
you a visit shortly and 20 throw some
light upon your case"
Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm
professional manner until our visitor
had left us, although II was easy for
me. who knew him so well. u see that
he was profoundly excited. The mo-
ment that Hilton Cubitts broad back
had disappeared through the door my
comrade rushed 10 the table. laid out
all the slips OF paper containing dane
ing men IN front OF him and threw him
self into an intricate and elaborate cal
culation. For two hours watched him
as he covered sheet after sheet OF paper
rrsff
absorbed in his task that he had evil
IDENTIFY forgotten my presence. Some
times he was making progress and
whistled and sang at his work Some
times he was puzzled and would sit FOR
long spells with a furrOwed brow and
a vacant eye. Finally he sprang from
his chair with cry OF satisfaction and
walked mp and down the room rubbing
his hands together. Then he wrote a
long telegram upon a cable form. "If
my answer TO this is az hope, you will
have very pretty case 20 add to yonr
collection. Watson" said be. II expect
that we shall be able to go down TO
Norfolk tomorrow and 10 take our
friend some very definite news as 10
the secret OF his annoyance"
Iconfess that was filled with curl
oslty. but ] WAS aware that Holmes
liked TO make bis disclosures at his own
time and In his own way. 90 waited
until IL should suit him 10 take me into
his confidence
But there was q delay in that an
swering telegram. and two days OF
Impotence followed, during which
Holmes prieked up his ears at every
ring OF the bell. On the evening of the
second there came letter from Hilton
Cubitt All was quiet with him. save
that long inscription had appeared
that morning upon the pedestal OF the
sundiai. He Inclosed a copy OF 1t, which
- hGra rat,so.t....r.f.