Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-20

at me, but you Will tell me what to do.
/ am not rich man, but if there is any
danger threatening my little woman
would spend my last copper to shield
her"
He was a fine creature. this man of
the old English soiI-simple, straight
and gentle. with his great. earnest blue
eyes and broad, comely face. His love
for his wife and his trust in her shone
in his features. Holmes had listened
TO his story with the utmost attention,
and now he sat for some time in silent
thought.
Don't you think, Mr.. Cubitt,'' said
he at last, that your best plan would
be to make a direct appeal TO your
| wife and to ask her to share her secret
with you?'
Hilton Cubitt shook his massive head
"A promise is a promise. Mr.. Holmes.
Ii Elsie wished to tell me she would.
II not. it is not for me to force her con-
fidence. But L am justified in taking
| my own line-and / WILL
Then 1 will help you with all my
heart. In the first place, have you
heard of any strangers being seen in
your neighborhood?"
| No"
| II presume that it is a very quiet
place. ANY fresh face would cause
| COMMENT"
I'm the immediate neighborhood yes
| But we have several small watering
places not very far away. And the
farmers take in dodgers"
These hieroglyphics have evidently
meaning. If 1t is a purely arbitrary
one il may be impossible for US to
| solve it. If, on the other hand, it is
systematic, I have no doubt that we
shall get to the bottom of it. But this
particular sample is SO short that /
can do nothing, and the facts which
| you have brought me are so indefinite
that we have no basis for an investi-
CATION. / would suggest that you re-
turn TO Norfolk. that you keep a keen
lookout and that you take an exact
copy of any fresh dancing men which
may appear. 1t is a thousand pitieS
that we have not a reproduction of
those which were done in chalk upon
the window sill. Make a discreet in
quiry also as to any strangers in the
neighborhOod. When you have collect
ed some fresh evidence come to me
again. That is the best advice which
can give you, Mr.. Hilton Cubitt. If
there are any pressing fresh develop
ments l shall be always ready to run
down and see you in your Norfolk
home"
The interview left Sherlock Holmes
very thoughtful, and several times in
the next few days l saw him take his
slip of paper from his notebook and
figures inscribed upon it, He made no
allusiOn 10 the affair, however. until
one afternoon a fortnight or so later
l was going out when he called me
back.
You had better stay here, Watson"
Why"
Because l had a wire from Hilton
Cubitt this morning. You remember
Hilton Cubitt OF the dancing men? He
was TO reach Liverpool street at l 20. |
He may be here at any moment.
gather from his wire that there have
been some new incidents of impor-
lance"
We had not long to wait. for our Nor |
folk squire came straight from the sta
ton as fast as a hanson could bring
him. He was looking worried and de |
pressed, with tired eyes and a lined |
forehead.
Its getting on my nerves, this bust |
ness. Mr.. Holiness said he as he sank, |
like wearied man: into an armchair. |
Its bad enough to feel that you are |
surrounded by unseen, unknown folk, |
who have some kind of design upon |
you. but when. in addition to that. you
know that it is just killing your wife |
by inches. then it becomes as much as
flesh and blood can endure. She's |
wearing away under it-just wearing |
away before my eyes"
Has she said anything yet?"
NO. Mr.. Holmes she has not And |
yet there have been times when the |
poor girl has wanted to speak and vet |
could not quite bring herself to take |
the plunge. have tried to help her. but |
| dare say did it clumsiIy and scared |
her from it. She has spoken about my |
old family and our reputation in the |
county and our pride in our unsullied |
honor. and l always felt it was lead |
ing to the point. but somehow it turned |
off before we got there
But you have found out something |
for yOurSelff"
A GOOD zeal, Alr. homes. nave |
several fresh dancing men pictures for |
you TO examine. and. what is more i'm |
portant. ! have seen the fellow
"Whst-the man who draws them?"
Yes; saw him at work. But will |
tell you everything in order. when I |
got back after my visit TO you the very |
first thing I saw next morning was a |
fresh crop Of dancing men. They had |
been drawn in chalk upon the black |
wooden door Of the tool house. which |
stands beside the lawn in full view of /
the front windows l took an exact |
copy. and here IL is" He unfoIded a |
paper and laid it upon the table. Here |
is copy Of the hierogIyphics:
KY.X5TfYXE
Excellent said Holmes. Excel |