The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-07-05

resistance which my poor friend had
declared to be the starting point of
every investigation. I confess that
made little progress. In the evening
| strolled across the park and found
myself about O'clock at the Oxford
street end of Park lane. A group of
loafers upon the pavements, all staring
up at particular window, directed me
to the house which | had come to see.
A tall, thin man with colored glasses,
whom | strongly suspected Of being a
plain clothes detective, was pointing
out some theory Of his own, while the
others crowded around to listen to
what he said. l got as near him as
could. but his observations seemed to
me to be absurd, SO withdrew again
in some disgust. AS did 80 I struck
against an elderly, deformed man who
had been behind me. and 1 knocked
down several books which he was car
rying. l remember that as l picked
them up observed the title Of one Of
them, The Origin Of Tree Worship"
and 1t struck ME that the fellow must
be some poor bibliophile who either as
trade or as hobby was collector
Of obscure volumes endeavored to
apologize for the accident, but 1t was
evident that these books which I had
SO unfortunately maltreated were very
precious objects in the eyes of their
owner. With a snarl of contempt he
TUNED upon his heel, and l saw his
curved back and white side whiskers
disappear among the throng.
My observations of 427 Park lane did
little to clear up the problem in which
l was interested The house was sep
arated from the street by low wall
and railing, the whole not more than
five feet high. 1t was perfectly easy.
therefore, for any one to get into the
garden. but the window was entirely
inaccessible since there was no water
pipe or anything which could help the
most active man to climb it. More puz-
zled than ever, retraced my steps to
Kensington. l had not been in my
study five minutes when the maid en-
tered to say that person desired to
see me. To my astonishment it was
none other than my strange old book
collector. his sharp. wizened face peer
Ing out from frame of white hair, and
his precious volumes, dozen of them
at least, wedged under his right arm.
you're surprised to see me, SIR"
said he in strange, croaking voice.
I acknowledged that l was.
swell, I've conscience, sir, and
when / chanced to see you go into this
house as came hobbling after you,
thought to myself I'll just step in and
see that kind gentleman and tell him
that if was bit gruff in my manner
there was not any harm meant and that
am much obliged to him for picking
up my books"
You make too much of trifle," said
I. May I ask how you knew who I
WASP"
"Yes, sir. If it isn't too great liber-
ty am a neighbor of yours, for you'll
find my little bookshop at the corner of
Church street, and very happy to see
you, I am sure. Maybe you collect
yourself. sir Here's British Birds
and 'Catullus' and The Holy War'-a
bargain, every one Of them. With five
volumes you could just fill that gap on
that second shelf. 1t looks untidy,
does it not, sir?"
moved my head to look at the cabi-
net behind me. When 1 turned again
Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling
at me- across my study table. rose to
my feet, stared at him for some sec
onds in utter amazement, and then 1t
appears that | must have tainted for
the first and the last time In my life.
Certainly a gray mist swirled before
my eyes, and when it cleared | found
my collar ends undone and the tingling
after-taste of brandy upon my lips.
Holmes was bending over my chair,
his flask In his hand.
my dear Watson" said the we'll re
membered voice, IL owe you thou
sand apologies. had no idea that you
would be SO affected"
gripped him by the arms.
Holmes" I cried. "Is it really YOU?
Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is
1t possible that you succeeded In climb
Ing out of that awful abyss?"
Wait moment" said he. Are you
sure that you are really fit to discuss
things? 1 have given you serious
shock by my unnecessarily dramatic
temperance"
Il am all right. but indeed, Holmes.
can hardly believe my eyes. Good
heavens, to think that you-you Of all
men-should be standing in my study"
Again gripped him by the sleeve and
felt the thin, sinewy arm beneath it.
well, you're not a spirit anyhow"
said l. MY dear chap. I'm overjoyed
to see you. Sit down and tell me how
you came alive out of that dreadful
chasm."