The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-18
The Adventure Of the
Dancing Men

marry wife in this fashion, knowing nothing OF her
past of her people, but if you her and knew
her, it would help you TO understand
''She very straight about it, Elsie ] can I
that She did not give every chance of getting
out of it if wished to do Il have had some very
disagreeable associations in my lfe' said she wish
to forget all about them. I would rather aude
the past, for it is very painful to If you take
me, Hilton, you will take woman who has nothing
that she need be personally ashamed Of but you will
have be content with my word for it, and to allow
to be silent as to all that passed mp to the time
when l became yours. If these conditions are too
hard then go back to Norfolk, and leave me to the
lonely life in which you found me-. 1t was only the
day before wedding that she said those very
words to I told her that content to take
her on her own terms and I have been good my
word.
'sWel. have been married for year, and
very happy have been. But about month ago
at the end of June, for the first time signs Of
trouble. One day my wife received a letter from
America. T the American stamp. She turned
deadly white, read the letter. and threw 1t INTO the
fire. She made sluson to it afterwards, and |
made none, for promise is a promise, but she has
known easy hour from that moment There
is always look of fear upon her face-a look as if
she waiting and expecting. She would do better
to trust She would find that | was her best
friend But until she speaks say nothing. Mind
you, she is truthful woman Mr.. Holmes, and what
ever trouble there may have been in her past life
it has been fault of hers, [ only simple
Norfolk squire, but there is not in England
who ranks his family honor highly than 7 do.
She knows it well, and she knew it we'll before she
married She would bring any stain upon
it-of that 1
''Well now 7 come to the queer part of my story.
About week ago-it the Tuesday Of last week
found on one of the window-sills number Of alb
surd little dancing figures like these upon the paper
They scrawed with chalk I thought that it
the stable boy who had drawn them, but the lad
swore he knew nothing about it, Anyhow, they had
come there during the night. I had them washed out
and | only mentioned the matter to my wife after
wards. To my surprise. she took it very seriously
and begged me if any to let her them
None did for week, and then yesterday
ing found this paper lying the sun-dial in the
garden, I showed it to Elsie, and down she dropped
in a dead faint. Since then she has looked like a
woman in dream half dazed and with terror always
lurking in her eyes. 1t then that wrote and
sent the paper to you, Mr.. Holmes. Tt not a
thing that could take to the police, for they would
have laughed at me- but you will tell what to do
[ am not rich man. but if there is any danger
threatening my little woman, L would spend my last
copper to shield her.
He was fine creature, this man of the old English
soil-simple, straight, and gentle, with his great
earnest blue eyes and broad, comely face. His love
for his wife and his trust in her shone in his features
Holmes had listened to his story with the utmost at
tentiop. and he sat for some time in silent
thought.
'sDon't you think, Mr.. Cubitt,' said he at last
''that your best plan would be to make a direct ap
peal to your wife, and to ask her share her
with you?'
Hilton Cubtt shook his massive head
GA promise is a promise, Mr. Holmes. IF Elsie
wished to tell me she would If not it is not for
to force her confidence. But justified in taking
my own line,-and I will
Then 1 will help you with all my heart. In the
first place, have you heard of any strangers being
in your neghborhood?"
'fNo. -
~ presume it is very quiet place Any fresh
face would cause comment?''
fIn the immediate neighborhood, yes, But we
have several small wateringplaces very away
And the farmers take in lodgers'
"These hieroglyphics have evidently meaning II
it is purely arbitrary one it may be impossible fol-
to solve It, If, the other hand, it is systematic
T have doubt that shall get to the bottom of it
But this particular sample is so short that 7 dc
nothing and the facts which you have brought me arc
so indefinite that we have basis for an investga
ton. ] would suggest that you return TO Norfolk
that you keep keen lookout, and that YOU take al
exact copy Of any fresh dancing men which may
appear. 1t is thousand pities that we have not {
reproduction of those which done in chalk upor
the wndow-sill. Make discreet inquiry also as I,
any strangers in the neighborhood When you have
collected fresh evidence, come to me again
That is the best advice which I can give you. Mr.
Hilton Cubtt. If there any pressing fresh de
velopments shall be always ready to run down anc
see you in your Norfolk home.'
The interview left Sherlock Holmes very thought
full, and several times in the next few days saw
him take his slip Of paper from his notebook ant
look long and earnestly at the curious figures in
scribed upon it. He made allusioD to the affair
however until afternoon fortnight or so later
I going out when he called back.
'You had better stay here. Watson"
"Why7"
'tBecause L had wire from Hilton Cubitt th
morning You remember Hilton Cubitt, Of the dane
ing menG He was to reach Liverpool Street at one
twenty. He may be here at any moment. ] gathe
from his wire that there have been some new incl
dents of Importance
We had not long to wait for Norfolk squire