The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-09-03


down several books which he was car
] rying. / remember that as I picked
them up I observed the title Of one Of
them. The Origin Of Tree Worship"
anG it struck me that the fellow must
be some poor bibliophile who either as
a trade or as a hobby was a collector
OF obscure volumes. I underworld to
apologize for the accident, but it was
evident that these books which I had
so unfortunately malTeated were very
precious objects in the eyes of their
owner. With a snarl Of contempt he
turned upon his heel, and I saw his
curved back and white side whiskers
disappear among the thrOng.
Ny observations Of 427 Park lane did
little TO clear up the problem in which
1 was interested. The house was sep
arated from the street by a low wall
and railing. the whole not more than
FIVE feet high. It was perfectly easy,
therefore, for any one to get into the
garden. but the window was entirely
inaccessible since there was no wafer
pipe or anything which could help the
.
lied than ever, retraced my steps TO
Kensington. I had not been in my
/ study five minutes when the maid en-
tered to say that a person desired to
see me. To my establishment it was
none other than my strange old book
collector. his sharp, wizened face peer
ing out from a frame Of white hair, and
Of
/ at least wedged under bis right arm.
You're surprised to see me, sir"
said he In a strange, croaking voice.
I acknowledged that 1 was.
"Wen, I've q conscience, sir, and
when I CHANGED to see you 90 into this
house as 1 came hobbliug after you, l
thought to myself I'll just step in and
see that kind gentleman and tell him
that il 1 was a bit gruff in my manner
there was not any harm meant and that
1 am much obliged to him for picking
up my books"
''You make too much Of a trifie,' said
I. May 1 ask how you knew who 1
WASP"
Eyes, sir. If it isn't too great a Iiber-
" am a neighbor of yours. for you'll
find my little bookshOp at the corner Of
Church street, and very happy to see
you. 1 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 I'll that gap on
that second shelf. It looks untidy,
does it not, sir?'
moved my head to look at the cabi-
net behind me- When ! turned again
Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling
at me across my study table. 1 rose TO
nv feet. stared at him for some sec
onds in utter amazement, and then it
appears that must have tainted for
the first and the last time in my life.
Certainly a gray mist swirled before
nv eyes. and when it cleared I 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 well re-
membered voice, Il owe you thou
sand apologies. 1 had no idea that you
would be 80 affected
. gripped him by the arms.
"Holmesr' I cried. us 1t really you?
Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is
it possible that you succeeded in climb
ing out Of that awful abyssT'
wait a moment" said he. Are YOU
sure that you are really fit to discuss
things? I have given YOU a serious
shock by my unnecessarily dramatic
temperance"
Il am all right, but indeed. Holmes, I
can hardly believe my eyes. Good
heavens. 10 think that yOu-yOu Of all
men-should be standing in my studyv'
Again gripped him by the sleeve and
felt the thin. sinewy arm beneath it.
well. you're not a spirit anyhow
said 1. MY dear chap, I'm overjOyed
to see you. Sit down and tell me how
you came alive out Of that dreadful
chasm"
He sat opposite to me and lit a ciga-
rette in his old nonchalant manner.
He was dressed in the seedy fr0ck coat
Of the book merchant but the rest Of
that individual lay in a pile Of white
hair and old books upon the table.
Holmes looked even thinner and keener
than Of old. but there was a dead white
tinge in his aquiline face which told
me that his life recently had not been
healthy one.
I am glad to stretch myself Wat
son." said he 1T is no joke when a
tall man has TO take a foot or his
stature for several hours on end. Now,
nv desr fellow. in the matter Of these
I explanations. we have, if l may ask
for your cooperation. a hard and dan
gerous nights work in front Of us. Per
/ haps il would be better il I gave you an
account OF the whole situation when
that work is finished"
81 am full Of curiosity. 1 should
much prefer 10 hear now"
You'll come with me tOnightF
when you ike and where You like"
'eThis IS. indeed. Ike the old days.
we shall hive time for a mQuthful Of