Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-18

a candid observer would certainly
declare that We were so already De-
fore We embarked upon so Wild an
experiment. / confess that l. never
IMAGINED that the effect could De so
sudden and so severe" He dashed
into the cottage, and, reappearirg
with the burning lamp held at 1nli
arms length, he threw it among q
bank of brambles. I'VE must give the
room a little time to clear. ! take IT,
Watson, that you have no longer a
shadow Of a doubt as 10 how these
tragedies were produced"
None whatever"
But the cause remains as OBSCURE
as before. Come into the arbor mere
and let US discuss il together. IAae
yi!lainous stuff seems still TO Hnger
round my throat think We must ad'
nit that all the evidence points 10
this man. Mortimer Tregennis, having
been the criminal in the first tragedy.
though he was the victim in the sec
ond one"
Then his own death was suicide!'
well, Watson, it is OIL the face OF
il q not impossible suppositon. The
man who had the guilt upon his sCu!
Of having brought such fate upon
his own family might we'll be driven
by remorse 70 inttict il upon himself.
There are, however, some cogent rea'
sons against ii. Fortunately, there Is
one man in England VINO knows all
about it, and I have made arrange
meuts by which We shall hear the
facts this afternoon from his own lips.
All! he is a little before his time.
Perhaps you would kindly step this
way, DR.. Leon Sternda!e. We have
been conducting a chemical expert
ment indoors which has left our little
room hardly fit for the reception OF
SO distinguished visitor"
had heard the click of the garden
gate, and now the majestic figure OF
the great African explorer appeared
upon the path. He turned III some
surprise towards the rustic arbor IN
which We sat.
You sent for me, Mr.. Holmes.
had your note about an hour ago, and
| have come, though | really 60 not
know why I should obey your sum-
mons"
PERHAPS we can clear the point up
before We separate" said Homes.
"Ateanwhile, am much Obliged to you
for your courteous acquiescence. You
vii! excuse this informal reception in
the open air, but my friend Watson
and ! have nearly finished an atdl-
tional chapter to what the papers call
the Cornish horror, and We prefer Il
clear atmosphere for the present.
Perhaps, since the matters which we
have to discuss will affect you per
sonally in a very intimate fashion, 1t
is as we'll that we should talk where
there can be no eavesdrOpping."
The explorer took cigar from his
lips and gazed steruly At my compa1i-
ion.
81 am at loss to know, sir" he
said, what you can have to speak
about which affects me personally III
3. ;ery intimate fashion"
The killing OF Mortimer 7reSen-
mis-" said Holmes.
For a moment | wished that ] we're
armed. Sterndale's fierce face turned
10 Il dusky red. his eyes glaTeI. ana
tho kuotted. passionate veins started
ont in his forehead, while he sprans
forward with clcnchcd hands towards
my companion. Then he stopped. ana
with d violent effort he resumed q
cold, rigid calmness which was. per-
maps. more suggestive OF danger than
his hot-headed outburst.
Il have lived SO long among saw
ages and beyond the law" said he,
that | have got into a way of being
a law 10 myself. You would do well,
Mr.. Holmes, not to forget it, for !
have no desire 20 do you an injury.
Nor have | any desire to do you
an injury. DR.. Sterndale. Surely the
clearest proof of it is that. knowing
what / know, have sent for you and
not for. the police"
~, la. Cont iuIl,.il. }