The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-03-20

the French or Russian Foreign Office,
You would expect to rear from it,"
Il should" said Lord Holdhurst.
with d WY face.
"Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed
then. and nothing has been heard. it
is not unfair to suppos hat for some
reason the treaty has not reached
them"
Lord Holdhurst shrugged his Shout
ders.
I'VE can hardly suppose. Mr..
Holmes. that the thief took the treaty
in order to frame it and hang it up"
perhaps he is waiting for a better
price
IF he waits a little longer he will
get no price at all. The treaty will
cease to be a secret in a few months"
THAT is most important said
Holmes OF course, it is a possible
superstition that the thief has had a
sdden illness
An attack of brain fever, for eN-
ample" asked the statesman. flashing
Il swift glance at him.
q did not say So" said JIolines. i'm
pe~rturbably. "And now" Lord Hold
hurst, we have already taken up too
much of your valuable time, and we
shall wish you go~od-day."
Every success to yOur inveStiga-
ton, be the criminal who he may an
swered the ~nobleman. as he bowed US
out at the door.
He's a fine fellow" said Holmes. as
We came out into Whitehall. But he.
has a struggle to keep his position. He
is far from rich and has many calls.
You noticed. of course. that his boots
had been resoled Now, Watson. I
won't detain you from your legitimate
work any longer. | shall do nothing
moro today. unless I have an answer
to my cab advertisement. But 1 should
be extremely obliged to you if you
,-n,,l1 ~, dawn with n tn Wal
ing tomorrow. by the same train which
we took yesterday
| met him accordingly next morning
and we Travelled down to Working TO-
gether. He had had no answer to his
advertisements, he said, and no fresh
light had been thrown upon he case.
He had, when he SO willed it, the ut
ter immobility of c~ountenance Of a red
ndian and | could not gather from his
appearance whether he was satisfied or
not with the position of the case. His
conversation, remember. was about
the BertilIon system of measurements.
and he expressed his enthusiastic adj
miration of the French savant.
We found our client still under the
charge OF his devoted nurse, but
looking considerably better than be-
greeted us without difficulty when We
ntercd.
"Any ncws?" he asked eagerly.
ny report. as | expected. is Il neg
ative one" said Holmes. Il have seen
Firbcs, and ave seen you uncle,
and I have set one or two trains of IN
quiry upon foot which may lead to
something
you have not lost heart. Them
no means.
God bless you for aging that
cried Miss Harrison. IF VIC keep our
courage and our patience the tfulh
must come out
I'VE have moro to tell you than YOU
have for us" said Phelps, ~reseating
himself upon the couch.
Il hoped you might have some
thing"
yes, we have had an adventure
during the nights, and one which
might have proved to be u serious
one" His expression grew very grave
AZ, he spoke. and d look of something
akin to fear sprang up IN his eyes.
"Do Won know.' said he. that [ be-
Gin to believe that | ann the uncon-
scious centre Of some monstrous con-
spiracy. me that my life is aimed at
DIS well as my honor
"Ah,'' cried Holmes.
1T sounds incredible. for have not,
as far as know, an enemy in the
world Yet from last nights expert
cncc can come to no other concluS-
ion
pray let me hear 1T.
You must know that last night
was the verv first night that ! have
ever slcpt without a nurse III the room.
was so much better that tiouSnt L
could dispense with one. J had q
night light burning. however. wen.
about , i'll the morning had Suni<
into Il light sleep when | was Suddti,iA
aroused by Il light noise. 1t was IKE
the sound which a mouse makes Wheii
it is gnawing u plank, and lay llsten-