Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-02-08

FEBRUARY 8. 100
by ways of London was extraordinary.
md on this occasion he passed rapidly
md with an assured step through
network OF news and stables, the very
Existence of which had never known
We emerged at last into small road,
lined with old. gloomy houses, which
ed us into Manchester street, and so
to Blandford street. Here he turned
swiftly down a narrow passage, passed
through wooden gate into deserted
yard, and then opened with key the
back door OF house. We entered to-
sether. and he closed 1t behind us.
The place was pitch dark. but it was
evident to me that 1t was an empty
aouse. Our feet creaked and cracked
over the bare planking, and my out
stretched hand touched wall from
which the paper was hanging in rib
5ons. Holmes cold, thin fingers closed
round my wrist and led me forwards
Town a long hall, until dimly saw the
nurky fan-light over the door. Here
Holmes turned suddenly to the right.
md we found ourselves in a large,
square, empty room, heavily Swallowed
n the corners. but family lit in the
enter from the lights of the street be-
vond. There was no lamp near, and
he window was thick with dust, 50
hat we could only just discern each
pther's figures within. My companion
put his hand upon my shoulder and his
lips close to my ear.
do you know where We are?" he
whispered.
Surely this is Baker street" I an
swered, staring through the dim win
low.
Exactly. We are in Camden house,
which stands opposite to our own old
quarters"
But why are we here"
Because it commands so excellent
a view of that picturesque pile. Might
trouble you, my dear Watson, to draw
little nearer to the window, taking ev-
cry rrecaution not to show yourself,
lnd then look up at our old rooms-the
starting point of SO many of your
little fairy tales? We will see IL my
three years of absence have entirely
taken away my power to surprise YOU"
1 crept forward and looked across
at the familiar window. AS my eyes
fell upon it, gave a gasp and cry Of
anaZement. The blind was down, and
u strong light was burning in the room.
The shadow of a man who was seated
in a char within was thrown In hard,
of the window. There was no mistake
ing the poise of the head the square,
ness of the shoulders. the sharpness Of
the features. The face was turned
half round. and the effect was that of
one of those black slhouettes which
our grandparents loved to frame 1t
was Il perfect reproduction of Holmes.
SO amazed was l that l threw out my
hand to make sure that the man him
self WAS standing beside me. He was
quivering with silent laughter.
"Well"' he said.
Good heavens!" l cried. ut is mar
velous."
II trust that age doth not wither nor
custom stale my infinite Variety" said
he. and l recognized in his voice the Joy
and pride which the artist takes in his
own creation. 1T really is rather like
me. is it mott"
Il should he prepared to swear that
it was you"
THE credit of the execution is due to
Monsieur Oscar Meunier, of Grenoble,
who spent some days in doing the
moulding. II is a bust in wax. The
rest arranged myself during my visit
to Baker street this afternoon"
But why9?'
Because, my dear Watson, / had the
strongest possible reason for wishing
people to think that | was there when
| was really elsewhere
And you thought the rooms were
Il knew that they We're watched"
by Whom??''
by my old enemies, Watson. BY
the charming society whose leader lies
in the Rcichenbach FAIL You must re-
member that they knew, and only they
knew, that / WAS still alive. Sooner
or later they believed that l should
come back to my rooms. They watched
them continuously. and this morning
they SAW RE arrive"
How do YOU know"
Because recognized their sentinel
when glanced out of my window. He
is harmless enough fellow, Parker by
name, a sarintcr by trade, and q re-
performer on the jews harp.
| cared nothing for him. But | cared
u great deal for the much more formid-
able person who was behind hinA tile
bosom friend OF Mo.iarity. the man
who dropped the rocks over the cliff,
the most cunning and dangerous GRIM
inal i'm London. This is the man who
is after me tonight. Watson, and that
we are after him.
My friends plans were gradually re-
Neaiing themselves. From this conveni-
ent retreat. the watchers We're being
watched and the crackers tracked. That
angular shadow up yonder was the
bait and We were the hunters In
silence We stood together in the dark
ness and watched the huIlying fig
ires who passed and repassed i'm front
of us Holmes was silent and motion
less; but | could tell that he was keen
IL alert and that his eyes Were fixed
intently upon the stream of passers-
by. 1t was Il bleak and boisterous