Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25

hopes. Now, Mr.. Hilton Cubitt, please con-
tinue your most Interesting statement"
Il have nothing more to say, Mr. Holmes,
except that was angry with my wife that
night for having held me back when l might
have caught the skulking rascal She said
that she feared that might come to harm.
For an instant 1t had crossed my mind that
perhaps what she really feared was that he
might come to harm, for could not doubt
that she knew who this man was, and what
he meant by these strange signals. But
there Is tone In my wife's voice. Mr..
Holmes. and look In her eyes which for
bid doubt, and / am sure that 1t was indeed
my own safety that was in her mind.
There's the whole case. and now l want
your advice as to what / ought to do. My
, own inclination Is to put half a dozen of my
farm lads in the shrubbery, and when this
fellow comes again to give him such a hid
ing that he will leave us in peace for the
future"
II fear 1t is too deep case for such sim
pie remedies said Holmes. How long can
you stay in London?'
II must go back today. I would not leave
my wife alone at night for anything. She
is very nervous, and begged me to come
back
II dare say you are right. But if you
could have stopped 1 might possibly have
been able to return with you In a day or
. two. Meanwhile you will leave me these
papers, and 1 think that it is very likely
that shall be able to pay you a visit short
Iy and to throw some light upon your case"
Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm pro-
fessional manner until our visitor had left
us, although 1t was easy for me, who knew
him so well, to see that he was profoundly
excited The moment that Hilton Cubitt'S
broad back had disappeared through the
door my comrade rushed to the table, laid
out all the slips of paper containing dancing
men in 'front.' of him. and threw himself into
an intricate and elaborate calculation. For
two hours i watched him as he covered
sheet after sheet. ofspaper with figures and
letters, so completely absorbed in his task
that he had evidently forgotten my pres
ence Sometimes he was making progress
and whistled and sang at his work; some
times he was puzzled and would sit for long
spells with alfurrowed brow and a vacant
eye. Finally he spgang from his chair with
a cry of satisfaction and walked up and
down the room rubbing his hands together.
Then he wrote a long telegram upon cable
form. IF my answer to this Is as hope
you will have very pretty case to add to
your collection, WATSON" said he. Il ex-
pect that we shall be able to go down to
Norfolk tomorrow, and to take our friend
some very definite news as to the secret Of
his annoyance" e
1 confess that / was filed with curiosity.
but was aware that Holmes liked to make
his disclosures at his own time and in his
own way, so / waited until 1t should suit
him to take me into his confidence:
But there was q delay in that answering
telegram, and two days Of impatience fol-
lowed, during which Holmes pricked up his
ears at every ring of the bell. On the even
ing of the second there came a letter from
Hilton Cubitt All was quiet with him.
save that long inscription had appeared
that morning upon the. pedestal of the SUM-
dial. He inclosed a copy OF 1t. which Is
here reproduced ~