Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1912-05-23

Red M@ CIRCLE
well, Mrs. Warren, I cannot SEQ
that you have any particular cause
for uneasiness, nor do I understand
why I. whose time is Of some value,
should interfere in tho matter. I real
1y 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 a lodger
Of mine last year." she said-"Mr.
Fairdale Hobbs"
"Ah. yes-a simple matter"
"But he would never cease talking
OF tt-your kindness, sir. and the way
In which you brought light into the
darkness. I remembered his words
when ! was In doubt and darkness
myself. know you could II you only
would"
> Holmes was accessible upon tho
side Of fattery, and also. to do him
Justice, upon the side Of kindliness.
The two forces made him lay down
his gum.bruAh with a sigh OF resigna-
Hon Ind push back his chair.
veli. wen, Mrs., Warren, let us
20 ~ then. You don't object
~. ~ - 0RvI
= IslI'S 81 y ~ ooom And
him. Why. HISS you.
Z IL g.lFeh. H were your lodgsr
Vou often would not see me for weeks
on end"
mo doubt, sir: but this is different.
It frightens me. Ma Holmes. can't
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 30 much as a
glimpse Of limits more than can
stand. My husband is AZ nervous over
It AZ I am, but he is out at his work
all day. while I get no rest from it.
What is he hiding for? What has he
done? Except for the girl, 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 smoothed
into their usual commonplace. She
sat down in the chair which he had
indicated.
IF take 1t up I must understand
every detail" said he. Take time to
consider. The smallest point may bs
the most essential. You say that the
man came ten days ago, and paid you
Tor a fortnight's board and lodging?"
"He asked my terms, sir. I said
fifty shillings a week. There is a
small sitting-room and bedroom, and
all complete, at the top Of the house."
"Well?"
HE said. I'll pay you five pounds q
week II I can have it on my own
terms I'm q poor woman, sir, and
Mr.. Warren earns little, and the mon
ey meant much to me. He took out
q ten-pound note, and he held 1t out
to me then and there. You can have
the same every fortnight for q long
time to come If you keep the TERMS
ne said. II not, I'll have no more -
do with you"
What were the termsf"
"Well, sir, they were that he was
to have q 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-
lcuse. to be disturbed"
Nothing very wonderful in that,
surely?"
mot In reason, sir. But this 70 out
Of all reason. He has been there for
ten days, and neither Mr.. Warren nor
! nor the girl has once set eyes upon
him. We can hear that quick step
Of his pacing up and down, up and
down, night, morning and noon; but
except on that first night he has never
+, once gone out Of the house"
"oh, he went out the first night,
hid hef"-
"Yes, sir, and returned vary late
after We were aL in bed H told me