The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-04
The Adventure of the Empty
House
House


tall, thin with coored glasses, whom strongly
suspected of being painclothes detective point
ing out some theory of his own, while the others
crowded round to listen to what he said. / got as
near him | could, but his observations seemed to
me to be absurd, so | withdrew again in some dis
gust AS | did so I struck against an elderly, de-
formed man. who had been behind me, and i knocked
down several books which he VAS carrying. l remem-
Der that picked them up, observed the title OF
one of them, 'The Origin of Tree Worship" and it
struck me that the fellow must be poor bblio-
philc who either trade or as a hobby, was
collector of obscure volumes. / endeavored to apollo
gze for the accident but it evident that these
books which ! had unfortunately matreated
very precious objects in the eyes Of their With
snarl of contempt he turned upon his heel and
saw his curved back and white sdewhskers disap
pear among the throng
My observations of No. 427 Park Lane did little
to clear up the problem in which / was interested
The house was separated from the street by a low
wall and railing, the whole not than five feet
high. 1t was perfectly easy, therefore, for any
to get into the garden, but the window entirely
inaccessible, since there waterppe anything
which could help the most active to climb it.
More puzzled than ever retraced my steps to Ken
sngton. had not been in my study five minutes
when the maid entered to say that person desired
to me. TO my astonishment it other
than my strange old book collector his sharp, wzened
face peering out from frame of white hair and his
precious volumes, dozen of them at least, wedged
under his right
''You're surprised to me. sir said he, in
strange, croaking voice
l acknowledge that I was
''Well, I've conscience, sir, and when | chanced
to see You go into this house, as 1 came hobbliug
after you thought to myself, III just step in and see
that kind gentleman, and tell him that if I bit
gruff in my manner there not any harm meant,
and that am much obliged to him for picking up
my books,''
g You make too much of trfle, - said /. % May
/ ask how you knew who 1 was7''
''Well, sir, if it isn't too great liberty, l
neighbor of yours, for you'll find my little book
shop at the of Church street. and very happy
to you, ! Maybe you collect yourself,
sir. Here's British Birds and 'Catuus, and THE
Holy War'-a bargain, every one of them, With five
volumes you could just fill that gap on that second
] moved my head to look at the cabinet behind me.
When / turned again, Sherlock Holmes was standing
feet. stared at him for some seconds in utter
ment and then it appears that must have tainted for
swirled before my eyes, and when it cleared l found
collar undone and the tinging after of
char his flask T in his his hand sS was over my
voice. dst said the well
idea that You would be affectel.''
gTRped ampes bim a[y;od by the arms; In + -..,, Won,
indeed be that you alive It possible that you
sueeeedsd in climbing out ss Of na that abss
you really fit to discuss thingsq have given
you serious shock by my unnecessarily dramatic
81 am all night but indeed, Holmes, can hardly
You of all men-should be standing in my study.
arm gpBsd h% b 6y the eTve S and felt the q
ANYHOW said ''My dear chap I'm overioyed SfIis TO-
see you Sit down aud tell me how you came alive
out of that dreadful chasm."
He sat opposite me and lit cigarette in his old,
99onGhasnt 9S" y manner He was dressed in the seedy
individual lay in pile of white hair and old books
upon the table. Holmes looked even thinner aud
in his aquiline face which told that his life recent
ly had not been healthy
81 am glad to stretch myself. Watson he said
~ 9 no Joke when tall man has to take foot
off his stature for several hours end. Now, my
dear fellow, in Che matter of these explanations, we
have If may ask for your cooperation, hard and
dangerous nights work in front of us, Perhaps it
situation when the work is finished ;uD' 'f Inc "'o'e
II am full of curiosity should much prefer to
"YGul ..Y, come with me tonight','
When you like and where you like
'Tbis is indeed like the old DAYS We shall have
time for mouthful of dinner before we need 90 We'll
in getting out of it. for the very simple reason that
' You never were in it7''
''No, Watson J never was in it, Nv note to Won
was absolutely genuine. I had little doubt that I
the figure career of the w0fa late Poesso1
Moriarty standing upon the pathway which
grey eyes. I exchanged remarks with him there,
fore and obtained his courteous permission
it with my c garette box and my stick. and I walked
along the pathway, Moriarty still at my heels When
Ieeeneu the Gnu sCoou tt pay ne drew no weapon,
but he rushed at me and threw his long arms around
me. He knew that his own game was up and was
only anxious to revenge himself upon We tottored
together upon the brink of the fall T have soma
knowledge, however, Of bartsu. the Japanese sys
tenn which has more than once been useful to me- |
slipped through his grip, and he with horrible
scream kicked madly for few seconds and cIawed
the air with both his hands. But for all his efforts he
could not get his balance, and over he went. With
my face tho brink, I him fall for a long
way Then he struck rock bounded off and spIashed
into the water
listened with amazemeut to this explanation.
which Holmes delivered between the puffs of his
cigarette. ~
50 But the tracksl'' l cried ''J saw with nv own
eyes, that two went down the path and none re.
turned
:. 1t about in this way. The instant that the
Professor had disappeared it struck what really
eausord1arly lucky chance Fate had placed in my