The Calumet news., 1912-06-12
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ADVENTURE ADV
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OWLS FOOT
(continued,)

'llDOu NY WSAdg halbOHs. bulu |
uolmes at last, with an unsteady |
yoice II owe you both my thanks and !
on apology. II was an unjustifable !
exueriment even for oneself, and |
doubly SO for a friend. am really !
very sorry"
oYou know" answered, with some
emotion, for had never seen 80
mueh of Holmes heart before, that
q is my greatest Joy and privilege to
help you.'
He relapsed at once into that half
humorous, half-cynical vein which was
his habitual attitude TO those about
him 1T would be superfiuous to drive
ma mad, my dear Watson" said he.
"a candid observer would certainly
declare that we were so already be-
fore we embarked upon so wild an
axperiment. | confess that / never
imagined that the effect could be so
sudden and so severe" He dashed
into the cottage, and, reappearing
with the burning lamp held at full
arms length, he threw II among a
hank of brambles. I'VE must give the
room little time to clear. | take II,
Watson, that you have no longer O
shadow of a doubt as to how these
tragedies were produced?"
"None whatever"
''But the cause remains as obscure
az before. Come into the arbor here.
and let US discuss IL together. That
yillainous stuff seems still TO linger
round my throat. / think we must ad-
nit that all the evidence points to
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 suicidel"
"Well, Watson, il is on the face OF
It a not impossible supposition. The
man who had the guilt upon his soul
of having brought such a fate upon
his own family might well be driven
by remorse to inflict II upon himself
There are, however. some cogent rea-
sons against 1t. Fortunately, there is
one man in England who knows all
about it, and / have made arrange
ments by which we shall hear the
facts this afternoon from his own lips.
An! he is a little before his time.
Perhaps you would kindly step this
way. DR.. Leon Sterndale. 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 majectic figure OF
the great African explorer appeared
upon the path. He turned in some
surprise towards the rustic arbor In
which we sat.
You sent for me, Mr.. Holmes.
had your note about an hour ago, ano
] have come, though / really do not
know why / should obey your sum
mons.'
Perhaps we can clear the point W
before we separate" said Holmes
Meanwhile, am much obliged to you
for YOUR courteous acquiescence. You
win excuse this informal reception ii
the open air, but my friend watson
and | nave nearly finished an ADJ
tional chapter to what the papers cal
the Cornish horror, and we prefer
clear atmosphere for the present
Perhaps, since the matters which W.
have to discuss will affect you per
sonally in a very intimate fashlon'
is as well that we should talk wher'
there can be no eavesdropping."
The explorer took a cigar from III
lips and gazed sternly at my compan
ion.
81 am at a loss to know, sir" D.
said, what you can have 10 spea
about which affects me personally
a very intimate fashion"
The killing OF Mortimer TregeI
MIS-" said Holmes.
For a moment ! wished that wer
armed. Sterndale's fierce face turne
to a dusky red, his eyes glared, an
the knotted, passionate veins starte
out in his forehead, while he spran
forward with clenched hands TOWARD
my companion. Then he stopped an
with a violent effort he resumed
cold, rigid calmness which was pc
haps. more suggestive of danger ina
his hotheaded outburst.
II have lived so long among sa
ages and beyond the law" SAID u
that | have got into a way OF Deil
law to myself. You would DO we
Mr.. Holmes, not to forget II, ior
have no desire to do you an INJURY
Nor have / any desire to 90 y,
an injury, DIR. Sterndale. Surely u
clearest proof OF it is that, known
what know, have sent for you d
not for the police"
Sterndale sat down with gas
overawed. perhaps, the FIRST time
his adventurous life. There was
calm assurance of power In hoim'
manner which could not be withsto0
Our visitor stammered for momel
his great hands opening and shu'ti
in his agitation"
What do you mean?" he askeu'
last ''If this is bluff upon your pa
Mr.. Holmes, you have chosen U
man for your experiment. Let us ia
no more beating about the busn' WI
4