Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-03-22
: XXI X X

Tell me-" said Homes-and could
see by his eyes that he was much ex-
cited-"was this a mere addition to
the first, or did it appear to be entirely
separator"
'.It was on different panel of the
door"
excellent, This is far the most
important of all for our purpose. 1t
fills me with hopes. Now, Mr. Hilton
Cubitt, please continue your most in
teresting statement"
Il have nothing more to say, Mr..
Holmes. except that 1 was angry with
my Wife that night for having held
me back when l might have caught
the skullling rascal. She said that she
feared that l might come to harm.
For an instant it had crossed my mind
that perhaps what she really feared
was that he might come to harm. for
/ could not doubt that she knew who
this man was. and what he meant by
these strange signals. But there is a
tone in my wife's voice, Mr.. Holmes,
and look in her eyes which forbid
doubt. and am sure that it was indeed
my own safety that was in her mind.
There's the whole case, and now
want Your advice as to what ought
to do. My own inclination is to put
half Il dozen of my farm lads in the
shrubbery, and when this fellow comes
again to give him such a hiding that
he will leave us in peace for the fu-
ture"
simple remedies" said Holmes. How
long can you stay in London?"
Il must go back today. l would not
leave my wife alone at night for any
thing. She is very nervous and begged
me to come back
Il dare say you are right. But If
you could have stopped. l might pos
ell 1 how ya1 tn, ~
you in a day or two. Meanwhile you
will leave me these papers, and think
that it is very likely that / shall be
able to pay you a visit shortly and to
throw some light upon your case
Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm
professional manner until our visitor
had left us, although it was easy for
me. who knew him so Well to see that
he was profoundly excited. The mo-
ment that Hilton Cubitt's broad back
had disappeared through the door my
colnrade rushed to the table, laid out
all the slips of paper containing dane
ing men in front of him, and threw
himself into an intricate and elaborate
calculation. For two hours / watched
him as he covered sheet after sheet
of paper with figures and letters, so
completely absorbed in his task that
he had evidently forgotten my pres
ence. Sometimes he was making
progress ana WllSlled anu 5dIiS at MS
work; sometimes he was puzzled and
would sit for long spells with fur
rowed brow and Il vacant eye. Finally
he sprang from his chair with cry
of satisfaction, and walked up and
down the room rubbing his hands to-
gether. Then he wrote Il long telegram
upon a cable form. IF my answer to
this is as 1 hope. you will have q pref
ty case to add to your collection, Wat
son. said he. Il expect that we shall
be able to go down to Norfolk tomor-
row, and to take our friend some very
definite news as to the secret of his
annoyance"
confess that I was filled with curl
osity. but l was aware that Holmes
liked to make his disclosures at his own
time and in his own way so waited
until it should suit him to take me into
his confidence.
But there was delay in that an
swering telegram, and two days of i'm
patience followed, during which Holmes
pricked up his ears at every ring of the
bell. On the evening of the second
there came letter from Hilton Cubitt.
All was quiet with him, save that
long inscription had appeared that
morning upon the pedestal Of the sun
ID a