Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-08

so well as had hoped. FOR the trial OF
the Moriarty gang left two Of It's most
dangerous members. my own most vim
dictive enemies, at liberty l Travelled
for two years Ia Tibet therefore. and
amused myself by visiting Lassa and
spending some days with the head
lama. You may have read OF the re-
markahle explorations OF n Norwegian
named Sigerson. but I am sure that Il
never occurred TO You that YOU were
receiving news OF your friend. then
passed through Persia. looked In AT
Mecca and paid Il short but interesting
visit 20 the khallfa az Khartum. the re-
suits OF which I have communicated
&c the foreign Office. Returning TO
France. I spent some months ia re-
search into the coal tar derivatives.
which l conducted IN laboratory at
Montpelier. ia the south OF France.
Having concluded this TO my satlSfac-
ton and learning that only one OF my
enemies was now left I'm London. / was
about 20 return when my movements
were FASTENED 10y the news OF this very
remarkable Park lane mystery. which
merits. but which seemed To ofrer some
most peculiar personal opportunities
/ came over az once 10 London, called
ia my own person az Baker street.
threw Mrs. Hudson into violent hys-
terics and found that Mycroft had pre-
served my rooms and my papers exact
ly as they had always been. So IL was.
my dear Watson. that at o'clock TO
day ! found myself IN my old arm
chair in my own old room and only
wishing that l could have seen my old
friend Watson in the other chair which
he has so often adorned"
Such was the remarkable narrative
10 which listened on that April even
ing, narrative which would have
been utterly incredible TO me had II not
been confirmed by the actual sight OF
the tall. spare figure and the keen. ca
ger face. which had never thought TO
see again. In some manner he had
learned OF my own sad bereavement.
and his sympathy was shown in his
manner rather than in his words.
Work IS the best antidote 20 sorrow.
my dear Watson" said he. "and have
piece OF work for us both tonight
which II we can bring IL 10 success
ful conclusion viii in Itself justify a
mans life on this planet" In vain |
begged him 10 tell me more. You will
hear and see enough before morning"
he answered. I'VE have three years 81
the past 20 discuss. Let that suffice IN
ill half past 9. when we start upon tine
notable adventure Of the empty house. IS
IL was indeed like old times when az
that hour found myself seated beside
MIN IN hanson, my revolver in my
I pocket and the thrill OF adventure In
my heart. Holmes was cold and stern
and silent. AS the CLEAN OF the street
lamps flashed upon his austere features
saw that his brows We're drawn down
Ia thought and his thin lips compressed.
/ knew not what wild beasts we Were
about 10 hunt down in the dark Jungle
OF criminal London, but was well as
sured from The bearing OF this master
huntsman that the adventure was n
most grave one. while the sardonic
smile which occasionally broke through
his ascetic gloom BODIED little good for
the object OF our quest
l had imagined that we were bound
for Baker street. but Holmes stopped
the cab at the corner Of Cavendlsh
square. I observed that as he stepped
out he gave a most searching glance tc
right and left and at every subsequent
street corner he took the utmost paias
TO assure that he was not followed
Our route was certainly a singular one
Holmes knowledge OF the byways OF
London was extraordinary. and on this