The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-04-12

meantime ! may make one or two IN
quirlcs myself"
Next morning we had n note from
Miss Smith. rccounting shortly and ac-
curatcly the very incidents which had
seen. but the pith ot the letter lay In
the postscript:
Il am sure that you viii respect my
confidence. Mr.. Holmes. when l tell you
that my place here has become difficult.
owing To- the fact that my employer
has proposed marriage To me. l am
convinced that his feelings are most
deep and most honorable. ~ the same
time. my promise IL 81 course given.
lie took my refusal very seriously. but
also very gently. You can understand.
however. that the situation Is n little
strained"
Our young friend seems TO be get
ting into deep waters" said Holmes.
thoughtfuliy. as he finished the letter.
The case certainly presents more
features OF interest and more POSSIBLE
lily OF development than had original
~ thought. I should be none the worse
for quiet. peaceful day In the coun-
try. AMI I am inclined TO run down this
afternoon and test one or two theories
which have formed"
Holmes quiet day In the country had
n singular termination. for he arrived
at Baker street late In the evening.
with n cut Tip and n discolored lump
upon his forehead, besides a general
air or dissipation which would have
made his own person the fitting object
OF Scotland Yard investigation. He
was immensely ticklcd by his own ad-
ventures. and laughed heartily as he re-
counted them.
II get so little active exercise that
II IL always a treat" said he. You are
aware that I have aome proficiency In
the good old British sport OF boxing.
Occasionally, IL is OF service. today, for
example. I should have come To- very
ignOminlous grief without H."
begged him TO tell me what had oc-
Cured
II found that country pub which I
had already recommended tn your no.
ticc. and there ! made my discreet In
quirics. was I'm the bar. and "A garru-
lous landlord was giving me all that
| wanted. Williamson II white
bearded man, and he lives alone with
a small stan or servants at the hall.
There IN some rumor that he II or has
been clergyman, but one or two incl
dents OF his short residence at the hall
struck me as peculiarly unecclesiasti-
cal I have already made some In
qurics ut a clerical agency. and they
tell me that there was man or that
name In orders. whose career has been
singularly dark one. The landlord
further informed me that there are
usually week end visitors-'a warm lot.
sir'-at the hall, and especially one
gentleman with n red mustache. Mr..
woodicy by name. who was always
there. We had got as far as this. when
who should walk in hut the gentleman
himself. who had been drinking his
beer In the tap room and had heard
the whole conversation. Who was I?
What did ! want: What did I mean
by asking questions? He had a fine
flow OF language. and his adJectivcs
were very vigorous. lie ended "A string
OF abuse by a vicious back handler.
which I failed To entirely avoid. The
next few minutes were delicious. II
was a straight left against n slogglng
ruffian. | emerged as you see me. Mr..
Woodley went home In cart. 80 end
ed my country trip, and IL must be
confessed that, however enjoyable. my
day on the Surrey border has not been
much more profitable than your own"
The Thursday brought us another
letter from our client
you will not be surprised Mr..
Holmes" said she. ito hear that I am
leaving Mr.. Carruthers' employment.
Even the high pay cannot reconcile mo
to the dlscomfortS OF my situation. on
Saturday 1 come UP TO town. and do
not intend tn return. Mr.. Carruthers
has got n trap. and so the dangers OF
the lonely road. II there ever were any
dangers. are now over.
AS To- the special cause OF my leav-
ing. IL II not merely the strained situ-
alton with Mr.. Carruthcrs. but IL In
the temperance OF that odious man,
Mr.. woodlcy. lie was always hideous,
but he looks more awful than ever
now. for he appears to have had an
accident, and he n much disfigured. /
saw him out OF the window. but l am
glad TO say ! did not meet him. He
had n long talk with Mr.. Carruthers,
who seemed much excited afterwards.
Woodley must be staying In the neigh
| borhood. for he did not sleep here. and
yet l caught n glimpse OF him again
! this morning, sinking about In the
| shrubbcry. would sooner have a
savage wild animal loose about the
place. I loathe and fear him more than
| can say. How can Mr.. Carruthers
endure such "a creature for "A moment?
However. all my troubles Will be over
on Saturday"
so I trust. Watson. 40 I trust" said
Holmes gravely There In some deep
| intrigue going on around that little
woman. and IL Ii our duty To see that
| no one molestS her upon that last
| Journey. think. Watson. that We
| must spare time To run down together
| on Saturday morning. and make sure
/ that this curious and inclusive invesu-
| CATION has no uuioward ending"
(continusd Next Week.