The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-27

is the note written in pencil over here
and over here is what appears to
be a fragment of a hotel bill, which
interests me deeply"
There is nothing in it. looked at
it before" said Lestrade. Oct Attn,
rooms S.. breakfast Is, cocktails Is,
lunch IS. 3d., glass sherry Sd l see
nothing in that"
VERY likely not. 1t is most i'm
portant. all the same AS to the note,
it is important also, or at least the IN
itials are, 50 | congratulate you again.
II have wasted time enough" said
Lestrade. rising Il believe in hard
work, and not in sitting by the fire
spinning fine theories. Good-day, Mr..
Holmes, and we shall see which gets
to the bottom of the matter first, He
gathered up the garments. thrust
them into the bag, and made for the
door.
Just one hint to you, Lestrade,"
drawled Holmes, before his rival van
ished Il will tell you the true solu-
ton of the matter. LADY st. Simon is
myth. There is not, and there never
has been, any such person.
Lestrade looked sadly at my COM
panion. Then turned to me, tapped
his forehead three times, shook his
head solemnly, and hurried away.
He had hardly shut the door behind
him when Holmes rose and put on his
overcoat There is something in what
that fellow says about outdoor work,
he remarked, $50 l think, Watson. that
1 must leave you to your papers for
a little
1t was after five o'clock when Sher-
lock Holmes left me, but / had no
time to be lonely, for within an hour
there arrived confectioners man
with large fiat box. This he unpack-
ed with the help of a youth whom he
had brought with him, and presently,
to my great establishment, a quite
epicurean little cold supper began to
be laid out upon our humble lodging
house mahogany There was couple
of brace of woodcock, a pheasant, a
pete de foie gras pie. with a group of
ancient and cobwebby bottles Having
laid out all of the luxuries, my two
visitors vanished away like the genii
of the Arabian Nights. with no ex-
PLANTATION rave that the things had
been paid for and were ordered to this
address.
Just before nine o'clock Sherlock
Holmes stepped briskly into the room.
His features were gravely set, but there
was a light in his eye which made me
think that he had not been disap-
pointed in his conclusions.
They have laid the supper, then,
he said, rubbing his hands.
You seem to expect company. They
have laid for five
Yes, l fancy we may have some
company dropping in" said he. Il am
surprised that Lord ST. Simon has not
already arrived Ha! I fancy that l
hear his step now upon the stairs.
1t was indeed our visitor of the
morning who came busting in. dan
CLING his glasses more vigorously than
ever, and with a perturbed express
ion upon his aristocratic features.
My messenger reached you, then?"
asked Holmes.
Yes, and / confess that the contents
startled me beyond measure. Have
you authority for what you say?"
THE best possible"
Lord ST. Simon sank into a chair
and passed his hand over his forehead.
What will the Duke say" he muir
INJURED, when he hears that one of the
family has been subjected to such hui
miliation? p
at is the purest accident. 1 cannot
allow that there is any humiliation.
"Ah, you look on these things from
another standpoint"