The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-16
Continued FROM Saturday.

| PielHls
Continued From Saturday.
Their embrace was but for an instant,
J however, for the younger man seized
the woman and pushed her out of the
room. while the elder easily overpow-
cred his emaciated victim, and dragged
him away through the other door. For
a moment L was left alone in the room,
and I sprang to my feet with some
vague idea that I might in some way
get a clue to what this house was in
which 1 found myself. Fortunately,
however, 1 took no steps. for looking
up l saw that the older man was
standing in the doorway, with his eyes
fixed upon me.
THAT will do. Mr.. Melas,' said he.
You perceive that we have taken you
into our confidence over some very
private business. We should not have
troubled you, only that our friend who
speaks Greek and who began these me-
gotiations has been forced to return
to the East. Tt was quite necessary for
us to find some one to take his place
and we were fortunate in hearing of
your powers
Il bowed.
There are five sovereigns here
said he, walking up to me, which will,
I hope. be a sufficient fee. But remem-
ber.' he added, tapping me lightly on
the chest and giggling, if you speak to
a human soul about this-one human
soul, mind-well, may God have mercy
upon your soul!'
II cannot tell you the loathing and
-. 81 -
looking man inspired me. l could see
him better now as the lamplight shone
upon him. His features were peaky
and saIlow, and his little pointed beard
was thready and ill-nourished. He
pushed his face forward as he spoke,
and his lips and eyelids were continue
ally twitching like a man with St.
Vitus's dance. / could not help think
ing that his strange, catchy little laugh
was also a symptom of some nervous
malady. The terror of his face lay in
his eyes, however, steel gray, and glis-
tening coldly with a malignant, mex
orably cruelty in their depths.
1--WE shall know if you speak of
this said he. We have our own means
of information. Now you will find the
carriage waiting. and my friend will
see you on your way
II was hurried through the hall and
into tho vehicle, again obtaining that
imomentary glimpse of trees n a
garden. Mr.. Latimer followed closely
at my heels, and took his place oppo-
site TO me without a word. In silence
we again drove for an interminable dis
lance with the window raised, until at
last, just after midnight, the carriage
pulled up.
"'You will get down here, Mr.. Melas,'
said my companion. 4 am sorry to
leave you so far from your house, but
there is no alternative. Any attempt
upon your part to follow the carriage
can only end in injury to yourself
"He opened the door as he spoke,
and I had hardly time to spring out
when the coachman dashed the horse
and the carriage ratified away. l looked
around me in astonishment. / was on
some sort Of a healthy common mot
tied over with dark clumps of furze
bushes. Far away stretched a line of
houses. with a light here and there in
! the upper windows. On he other side
/ saw the red signal lamps of a rail-
way.
1.-THE carriage which had brought mo
, was already out of sight. | TODD gaz-
ing round and wondering where on
earth l might be, when 1 saw some
one coming towards me in the dark
ness. AS he came up to me / made
out that he was a railway porter.
"'Can you tell me what place this
is? / asked.
"eWandsworth Common said he.
"'Can 1 get a train into town.
"1f you walk on a mile or so to
lClapham Junction. said he. you'll just
be in time for the last to Victoria
$50 that was the end of my adven-
lture. Mr.. Holmes. I do not know where
/ was, nor whom l spoke with, nor
anything save what / nave told you.
But / know that there is foul play
going on, and / want TO help that I'M
happy man if / al 1 told the whole
story to Mr.. Mycroft Holmes next
morning, and subsequently to the po-
lice"
w all sat in silence for some little
time after listening to this eXtraordi-
nary narrative. Then Sherlock looked
across at his brother.
"Any steps?p he asked.
Mycroft picked up the Daily News,
which was lying on the side table.
Anybody supplying any Informal
ton as to the whereabouts OF q creek
gentleman named Paul Kratides. from
Athens, who is unable to speak Eng
fish. will be rewarded. A similar reward
paid to any one giving information
about a Greek lady whose first name
is Sophy. X 2473.' That was in all the
dailies. No answer"
How about the Greek Legation
II have inquired. They know moth
ing"
"A wire to the head of the Athens
police. them
sherlock has all the. energy of the
family said Mycroft, turning to me.
"Well, you take the case up by all
means, and let me know if you do any
good"
Certainly" answered my friend, ris-
ing from his chair. "Tn let you know,
and Mr.. Melas also. In the meantime,
~ 49,. -I-.,fq .o.fas.I.- -. -, x,s.