Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-20
cIgo
ADVENTURE
OF Title
RED CIRCLE

well, Mrs. warren, cannot. see
that you have any particular cause
for uneasiness, nor do ] understand
why |, whose time is Of some value,
should interfere in the matter. real
~ have other things to engage me-
So spoke Sherlock Holmes, and turned
back to the great scrapbook in which
he was arranging and indexing some
Of his recent material.
But the landlady had the pertinac.
ity, and also the cunning of her sex.
She held her ground firmly.
"You arranged an affair for LOGGER
OF mine last year." she said-"Mr
Fairdaie Hobbs"
"Ah, yes--a simple matter"
"But he would never cease talking
Of it-your kindness, sir. and the way
in which you brought light into the
darkness. remembered his words
when | was In doubt and darkness
myself. I know you could if you only
would"
Holmes was accessible upon the
side of fattery, and also, to do him
Justice, upon the side OF kindness.
The two forces made him lay down
his gum-brush with sigh of resigna-
ton and push back his chair.
"Weu, we'll, Mrs. Warren, let us
hear about it, then. You don't object
to tobacco, I take it? Thank you,
watson-the matches! You are nIf
easy. as understand, because your
new lodger remains in his room ana
YOU cannot see him. Why, bless YOU
Mrs. Warren, if l were your lodger
YOU often would not see me for weeks
on end"
"No doubt, sir; but this is different.
IT frightens me. Mr.. Holmes. l cant
sleep for fright. TO hear his quick
step moving here and moving there
from early morning TO late at night,
and yet never TO catch so much as
glimpse Of limits more than can
stand. My husband is as nervous over
ii as / am, but he is out at his Work
all day, while ! get no rest from 1t.
What is he hiding for? What has he
done? Except for the girl, l am all
alone in the house with him, and It's
more than my nerves can stand:
Holmes leaned forward and laid his
long, thin fingers upon the woman's
shoulder. He had an almost hypnotic
power of soothing when he wished.
The scared look faded from her eyes,
and her agitated features smootheQ
into. their usual commonplace. She
sat down in the, chair which he had
indisated: -
"IfSi% take it up. I must understand
syerE:aetail," said he. Take time TO
consider; The smallest point may be
ths Almost essential. You say that the
maiS came ten days ago. and paid you
for q 9ortnight:s board and lodging?
"Eie asked my, terms, sir. said
fifty sshiHilgs week. There is a
smalE:sitting- room and bedroom, and
all complete, al the top of the house."
aaWe12 -;
GHe said I'll pay YOU five pounds a
week if i can have 1t on my own
terms I'm 4 poor woman, sir, and
Mr.. warren earns little, and the mon
ey meant much to me. He took out
a teIi;pound note. and he held it out
to me then and there. You can have
the same: every fortnight 70" long
time to come if you keep the terms
he said. If not, III have no more to
do with you.
What were the terms?"
"Well, sir, they were that he was
TO have key OF the house. That was
all right. Lodgers often have them,
Also. that he was TO be left entirely
to himself. and never, upon any eX'
cuse, to be disturbed"
Nothing very wonderful in that.
surely?" -, -.
"Not in reason, sir. But this IS out
of all reason He has been there for
ten DAYS, and neither Mr.. Warren nor
nor the girl has once set eyes uphn
him. We can hear that quick steE
of his pacing up and down. up anc
down, night, morning and noon; hr,
except on that first night he has never
once gone out of the house"
ooh. he went out the first Nigh,
did he?"
Yes. sir, and returned very lata--'
after we were all in bed. He told rs
after he had taken the rooms that -
would do so, and asked NE not L.
bar the door. l heard him come 1T
the stair after midnight"
"Rut his meals?'
at was his particular direction That
we should always. when he rang
leave his meal upon a chair outside
his door. Then he rings again Hher
he has finished, and We take i,
down from the same chair. Il he
wants anything else he prints j. OF
q slip OF paper and leaves it"
Prints it,"
Eyes, Sir: prints it in Pencil. Jr:t
the word, nothing more. Here's ore
brought to show you-SOAF. Hero.
eno.her-MATCH. This is one r.