Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-09-17

might not fall upon the page he begged
me to read aloud to him. l read for about
ten minutes, beginning in the heart Of
chapter, and then suddenly. in the middle
OF a sentence, he ordered me to cease and
TO change my dress
you can easily imagine, Mr.. Holmes,
how curious ! became as 10 what the mean
ing OF this extraordinary performance
could possibly be. They were always very
careful l observed, 10 turn my face away
from the window, so that l became con-
sumed with the desire 10 see what was
going on behind my back. At first it
seemed to be impossible, but l soon de-
vised a means. My hand mirror had been
broken, so a happy thought seized me, and
concealed piece of the glass in my
handkerchief. On the next occa sion, in the
midst Of my laughter, I put the handker-
chief up to my eyes and was able with
little management to see all that there was
behind me. I confess that l was disap-
pointed there was nothing at least that
was my first impression. At the second
glance however. perceived that there
was a man standing in the southampton
road, a small, bearded man. in gray suit,
who seemed to be looking in my direction.
The road is an important highway and
there are usually people there. This man.
however, was leaning against the ratings
which bordered our field and was looking
earnestly up. l lowered my handkerchief
and glanced at Mrs Rucaste. to find her
eyes fixed upon me with most searching
gaze. She said nothing, but am convinced
that she had OWNED that had a mirror
in my hand and had seen what was be-
hind me- She rose at once.
" Jephro,' said she there Is an imperti-
nent fellow upon the road there who stares
up at Miss Hunter
" No friend Of yours, Miss Hunter he
asked.
" No: know no one in these parts
" Dear me How very impertinent.
Kindly turn round and motion to him to
go away
" Surely. It would be better to take no
notice
" No, no. we should have him lettering
here always Kindly turn round and wave
him away. like that
II did as I was told, and al the same In
slant Mrs. Rucastle drew down the blind.
That was a week ago, and from that time
/ have not sat again in the window, nor
have l worn the blue dress, nor seen the
man In the road"
Pray continue" said Holmes. your
narrative promises to be a most interesting
one"
You will find 1t rather disconnected,
fear, and there may prove to be little rela-
ton between the different incidents Of
which ] speak On the very first day that
was at the Copper Beeches Mr.. Rucastle
took me to a small clubhouse which stands
near the kitchen door. AS we approached
1t heard the sharp rafting of a chain and
the sound as of a large animal moving
about.
DolF In bor ~
ing me a slit between two planks. is he
not beauty?
Il looked through and was conscious Of
two glowing eyes, and of a vague figure
huddled up in the darkness.
Don't be frighteno > said my employer
laughing at the start which I had given,
It's only Carlo, my mastlff 1 call him
mine. but really old Toller my groom, is
the only man who can do anything with
him. We feed him once a day, and not too
much then. so that he is always as keen as
mustard. Toler let's him loose every night,
and God help the trespasser whom ne lays
his fangs upon. For goodness sake, don't
you ever on any pretext set your foot over
the threshold at night for 1t is as much as
your life is worth
THE warning was no idle one for two
nights later I happened to look out Of my
bedroom window about o'clock in the
morning. 1t was beautiful moonlight
night, and the lawn In front of the house
was silvered over and almost as bright as
day. was standing, wrapt in the peaceful
beauty of the scene, when 1 was aware that
something was moving under the shadow Of
the copper beeches. AS 1t emerged into the
moonshine l saw what It was. II was a
giant dog, as large as a calf tawny-tlnted
wing hanging jowl, black muzzle and huge
I bod c1, 90
the lawn and vanished into the shadow
upon the other side. That dreadful silent
sentinel sent a chill to my heart which
do not think that any burglar could have
done
"And now have a very strange expert
ence to tell you. l had, as you know, cut
off my hair in London, and l had placed
It in a great coil at the bottom of my
trunk One evening, after the child was in
bed. l began to amuse myself by examin-
ing the furniture of my room and by rear
ranging my own little things. There was
an old chest OF drawers in the room, the
two upper ones empty and open, the lower
one locked, / had filled the first two with
my linen, and as had still much to pack
away, l was naturally annoyed at not hav-
ing the use of the third drawer. 1t struck
me that 1t might have been fastened by a
mere oversight so l took out my bunch OF
keys and tried to open II. The very first
key fitted to perfection, and l drew the
drawer open. There was only one thing
in it, but I am sure that you would never
guess what IL was. II was my coil of hair.
II took II up and examined IL. II was
of the same peculiar tint, and the same
thickness. But then the impossibillty Of
the thing obtruded itself upon me, How
could my hair have been locked in the
drawer7 With trembling hands l undid
my trunk, turned out the contents. and
drew from the bottom my own hair. l
laid the two tresses together, and l assure
you that they were identical. Was it not