The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-03-29

aised, and he seemed to he settling |
lis necktie. Then he mounted his cycle
md rode away from me down the drive |
howard the hall. ran across the heath
and peered through the trees. Far
away could catch glimpses of the old
gray building, with it's bristling Tudor
chimneys, but the drive ran through
dense shrubbery, and saw no more OF
my man.
However, it seemed to me that had
done 81 fairly good mornings work, and
l walked back in high spirits to Farm
ham. The local house agent could tell
me nothing about Charlington Hall and
referred me to we'll known firm in
Pail Mall. There halted ON my way
home and met with courtesy from tho
representative. No, could not have
Charlington Hall for the summer. l
was just too late. 1t had been Ut
about month ago. Mr.. Williamson
was the name of the tenant. He was
respectable. elderly gentleman. The
polite agent was afraid he could say No
more, as the affairs of his clients were
not matters which he could discuss.
Mr.. Sherlock Holmes listened with
attention to the long report which
was able to present to him that eve.-
ing, but it did not elicit that word Of
curt praise which l had hoped for and
should have valued. On the contrary,
his austere face was severe.
''Your hiding place, my dear Watson,
was very faulty. You should have been
behind the hedge. Then you would
have had close view of this interest
ing person. AS it is, you were some
hundreds of yards away and can tell
me even less than Miss Smith. She
thinks she does not know the man. 1
am convinced she does. Why, other
wise, should he be so desperately anx.
ious that she should not get so near
him as to see his features? You de-
scribe him as bending over the handle
bar Concealment again, you see. You
really have done remarkably badly. He
returns to the house, and you want to
find out who he is. You come to a
London house AGENT"
''What should have done?" cried
with some heat.
"Gone to the nearest public house
That is the center of country gossip
They would have told you every name
from the master to the scullery maid
Williamson? 1t conveys nothing to my
mind. If he is an elderly man he is
not this active cyclist who sprints
away from that young lady's athletic
pursuit. What have we gained by your
expedition? The knowledge that the
girls story is true. never doubted it.
That there is a connection between the
cyclist and the hall. never doubted
that either. That the hall is tenantad
by Williamson. Who's the better fol
that? Well, well, my dear sir, don't
look so depressed. We can do little
more until next Saturday. and in the
meantime may make one or two in
quiries myself"
Next morning he had note from
Miss Smith recounting shortly and ac-
had seen, but the pith Of the letter lay
In the postscript:
81 am sure that you will respect my
confidence, Mr.. Holmes, when l tell
you that my place here has become diff
ficult owing to the fact that my en-
ployer has proposed marriage to me. l
am convinced that his feelings are
most deep and most honorable. At the
same time my promise is of course
given. lie took my refusal very seri-
ously, but also very gently. You can
understand, however, that the situation
is little strained
"Our young friend seems to be get
ting into deep WATERS said Holmes
thoughtfully as he finished the letter
1.-THE case certainly presents more fea
lures of interest and more possibility
of development than l had original,
thought should he none the wors.
for quiet, peaceful day in the coun
try, and am inclined to run down tli
afternoon and test one or two theories
which have fo.nc,.'
Holmes quiet day il Tire country ha,
a singular termination. for lie arrives
at Baker street late in the evening wit
his forehead, besides Il general air o
dissipation which would have made hi
own person the fitting object of a SEQ,
land Yard investigation. He was hr
mensely tickled by his own adventure.
and laughed heartily as he recounte
them.
II get so little active exercise that
Is always treat said he. You ar
aware that l have some proficiency j
the good old British sport of boN;n,
Occasionally it is of service; today. fc
example, should have come to yer
ignominious grief without it,
begged him to tell me what had o,
Cured.
II found that country pub which
had already recommended to your nj
tice, and there l made my discreet il
quiries. l was in the bar and a garr,
lous landlord was giving me all that
wanted. Williamson is white bearde
man, and he lives alone with sma
staff of servants ut the hall There
some ruInor that he is or has been
~v.N