The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-10-15

| 1Nhd "ho is the DlackIldiiei'
wen, II must be the creature VINO hVes
in the only comfortable room in the
place, and has her photograph above ms
fireplace. Upon my word Watson, there
is something very attractive about that
livid face at the window, and l would
not have missed the case for worlds.
You have theory?'
Yes a provisional one. But | shall be
surprised IL 1t does not turn out to be
correct This woman's first husband Is
in that cottage"
why do you think SOP"
How else can we explain her frenzied
anxiety that her second one should not
enter III The facts, as | read them, are
something like this: This woman was
married in America Her husband devel-
oped some hateful qualities or shall we
say that he contracted some loathsome
disease, and became leper or an I'M
| beetle? She flies from him at last, re-
turns to England, changes her name, and
starts her life, as she thinks afresh.
She has been married three years, and
believes that her position is quite secure,
| having shown her husband the death GER
| tihcate OF some man whose name she
| assumed wh3n suddenly her whereabouts
Is discovered by her first husband, or, we
may suppose, by some INSCRIPTIONS wom-
| an who has attached herself to the in
valid. They write to the wife, and threat
| en- to come and expose her. She asks for
a hundred pounds, and endeavors to buy
| them off,
| They come in spite of it, and when the
| husband mentions casually to the wife
| that there are newcomers in the cottage,
| she knows In some way that they are her
| pursuers. She waits until her husband is
| asleep and then she rushes down to en-
| deavor to persuade them to leave her in
peace Having no success, she goes again
3, next morning, and her husband meets her
| as he has told us, as she comes out. She
| promises him then not to go there again,
( but two days afterwards the hope of
getting rid of those dreadful neighbors
| was too strong for her, and she made an
| other attempt, taking down with her the
| photograph which had probably been de-
| manded from her. In the midst of this in
: terview the maid rushed in to say that the
| master had come home, on which the
| wife, knowing that he would come
straight down to the cottage, hurried
the inmates out at the back door, into the
| grove of fir trees, probably, which was
mentioned as standing near. In this way
be found the place deserted. 1 shall be
very much surprised, however, If 1t is
| still so when he reconnoitres In this even
| Ing. What do you think of my theory?"
1T Is all surmise."
When new facts come to our knowledge
which cannot be covered by it, it will be
time enough to reconsider it. We can do
nothing more until we have a message
from our friend at Norbury."
But we had not a very long time to
wait for that. 1t came just as we had
| finished our tea. 1.-THE cottage is still
| tenated," 1t said. Have seen the face
| again at the window, VIII meet the
o'clock train, and will take no steps until
| you arrive"
He was waiting on the platform when
we stepped out, and we could see in the
| 1s.~l.N IL.
very pale, and quiverng with agitation.
'"rhey are still there, Mr.. Holmes" said
he laying his hand hard upon my friends
| sleeve. IT saw lights in the cottage as
I came down. We shall settle it now
| once and for ALL"
what is your plan, them" asked
Holmes, as he walked down the dark
| tree-lined road.
"I am going to force my way In and see
| for myself who is in the house I wish
| you both to be there as Witnesses
you are quite determined to do this.
in spite of your wife's warning that 1t is
better that you should not solve the
mystery?'
Eyes, I am determined"
"Well think that you are in the right
Any truth is better than indefinite doubt.
We had better go up at once. OF course,
legally, we are putting ourselves hope
lessly in the wrong; but I think 1t is
worth It,"
1t was very dark night and a thin
rain began to fall as we turned from
the high-road into a narrow lane deeply
rutted, with hedges on either side. Mr..
Grant Munro pushed impatiently for
ward, however, and we stumbled after
him as best we could.
There are the lights of my house." he
murmured, pointing to a glimmer among
the trees. And here is the cottage which
| am going to enter
We turned corner in the lane as he
spoke, and there was the building close
beside u.s. A yellow bar falling across the
black foreground showed that the door
was not quite closed, and one window in
the upper story was brightly illuminated.
AS we looked. we saw dark blur moving
across the blind
There is that creature!" cried Grant
Munro. you can see for yourselves that
some one is there. Now follow me, and
we shall soon know all"
We approached the door: but suddenly
woman appeared out of the shadow
and stood in the golden track of the
lamplight. I could not see her face in
the darkness, but her arms were thrown
out In an attitude of entreaty.
For Gods sake, don't, Jackr she
cried. II had a presentiment that you
would come this evening. Think better of
H. dear. Trust me again, and you will
never nave cause TO regret II.
II have trusted you too long, Effie."
he cried sternly. Leave go of me. | must
pass you. My friends and l are going to
settle this matter once and foreveri"
He pushed her to one side and we fol-
lowed closely after him. As he threw
the door open an old woman ran out
| in front of him and tried to bar his pas
sage. but he thrust her back, and an
| instant afterward we were all upon the
| stairs. Grant Munro rushed into the
| lighted room at the top, and we entered
| at his heels.
\ 1t was a cozy well-furnshed apart
| ment, with two candles burning upon the
| table and two upon the mantlepiece. In
| the corner, STOPPING over a desk, there
| sat what appeared to be a little girl Her
| face was turned away as we entered, but
| We could see that she was dressed In a
| red frock, and that she had on long white
| gloves. As she whisked round to us. l
gave cry of surprise and horror. The
face which she turned towards us was
of the strangest livid tint and the feat
| ures were absolutely devoid of any express
sion. An instant later the mystery was
explained. Holmes. with laugh passed
his hand behind the child's ear a mask
peeled off from her countenance, and there
was a little coal-black negress, with ali
her white teeth flashing in amusement
at our amazed faces. burst out laughing,
out of sympathy with her merrment; but
Grant Munro stood staring, with hand
clutching his throat.
my Cod" he cried. "What can be the
meaning of this?
II will tell you the meaning of IT." cried
the lady SWepninC into the room with