The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-09-12

| will tell you some of the facts upon
which my conclusions are based. OF
your return from Plymouth, allowing
much of You property to go on TO
AFRICA l will say nothing save that
it first Informed me tina you were
one Of n factors which had to be
taken into accoun in reconstructins
this drama"
Il came back
II have heard your reasons and re-
gard them "a unconvincing and mad
equate. We will pass that. You came
down here tC ask me whom l sus-
pected. ! refused to answer you. You
then vent to the vicarage. waited out
side it for some time. and finally re-
turned to your cottage
How do you know tjeat?"
II followed YOU"
Il saw no one
That is what you may expect to
see when | follow you. You spent a
restless nigh- at you cottage, and
you formed certain plans, which in
the eardy morning you proceeded to
put into execution. Leaving Your
door just as day was breaking YOU
filled your pocket with some reddish
gravel which vas lying heaped be-
side your gate"
Sterndale gave a violent start and
looked at Holmes in ar.azement.
You then walked swiftly for the
mile which separated You from the
vicarage. You were wearing, I may
remark, the same pair of ribbed ten
mis- shoes which are at the present
upon your feet. AT the vi
Garage you passed through the or
chard and the side hedge, coming out
under the window of the lodger Ire
gennis. 1t was now daylight, but the
household was not yet stirring. You
You drew some of the gravel from
your pocket, and you threw it up at
h Window above YOU
Sterndale sprang to his feet.
Il believe that you are the devil
himself!' he cried.
Holmes smiled at h compliment.
1T too two, or possibly three, hand
fuls before the ledger came to the
window. You beckoned him to come
down.. He dressed hurriedly and
descended to his sitting-room. You
entered by the window. There was
an Interviews short one-during
which you walked up and down the
room. Then you passed out and clos
ed the window, standing on the
lawn outside smoking a cigar and
watching what occurred. Finally
after the death Of Tregennis, you
withdrew as you had come. Now,
DR.. Sterndale, how do o justify
such conduct, and what were the
motives for your actions? If you
prevaricate or trife with me, 1 give
you my assurance that the matter will
pass out of my lands for ever.
Our visitors face had turned ashen
grey as he listened to the words Of
his Now he sat for some
time in thought with his face sunk in
his hands. Then, with a sudden i'm
pulsive gesture, he plucked a photo
graph from his breast-pocket and
threw it on the rustic table before us.
That is why l have done it," said
1t showed the bust and face of a
very beautiful m Holmes stoop-
ed over it.
Brenda Tregennis," said he.
YES, Brenda Tregennis," repeated
our visitor. For years I have loved
her. For years she has owe me.
There is the secret Of that Cornish
seclusion which people have marvel
ID at. It has brought inc close to the
one thing On earth that was lear to
me. l could not marry her, for I
have a wife who has left me for
years, and yet whom, by the deplor-
able laws Of England, / could not
divorce, For ear Brenda waited.
Fol- years l waited. And this is what
we have waited for" A terrible sob
shook his great frame, n he clutched
his throat under his brindled beard.
Then with an effort he mastered him.
self and spoke on.
The vicar knew. He was in our
Onfidenc He would tell you she
was an angel upon earth. That was why
he telegraphed to me and | returned.
What was my baggage or Africa to
me when | learned that such a fate
had come upon my darling? There
you have the missing clue to my &C
ton. Mr.. Holmes"
Proceed" said my friend.
DIR. Sterndale drew from his pocket
a paper packet and laid it upon the
table. On the outside was written,
'Radix pedish diaboli.' with a red
poison label beneath it. He pushed il
towards me. Il understand that You
are a doctor. sir. Have you ever heard
of this preparation? p