Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-08-27


the idea that 1t was akin to the Chal-
dean, and had been largely derived
from the Phoenician traders in tin.
He had received a consignment of
books upon philology and was set
Ting down to develop this thesis,
when suddenly to my sorrow, and to
his unfeigned delight, we found our
selves. even in that land of dreams,
plunged into a problem at our very
doors which was more intense, more
engrossing. and infinitely more mys-
FERROUS than any of those which had
driven us from London. Our simple
life and peaceful, healthy routine
were violently interrupted. and We
were precipitated into the midst of a
series of events which caused the ut
most excitement not only in Cornwall.
but throughout the whole west OF
England. Many of my readers may re-
tain some recollection Of what was
called at the time The Cornish Hor-
ror," though most imperfect account
Of the matter reached the London
press. Now, after thirteen years.
will give the true details of this incon-
ceivable affair to the public.
l have said that scattered towers
marked the villages which dotted this
part of Cornwall. The nearest of these
was the hamlet of Tredannick Wollas,
where the cottages of couple of hun
dred Inhabitants clustered round an
ancient, oss-grown church. The
vicar of the parish. Mr.. Roundhay,
and as such Holmes had made his ac-
quaintance. He was a middle-aged
man, portly and affable, with consid-
cradle fund of local lore. At his invi-
tation we had taken tea at the vicar
age, and had come to know, also, Mr..
Mortimer Tregennis, an Independent
gentleman, who increased the cleryg
mans scanty resources by taking
rooms in his large, struggling house.
The vicar, being bachelor, was glad
to come to such an arrangement,
though he had little in common with
his lodger, who was a thin, dark, spec
tacled man, with stoop which gave
the impression of actual physical de-
formity. I remember that during our
short visit we found the vicar garrul-
Gus, but his lodger strangely reticent,
a sadfaced. interpretive man, sit
ting with averted eyes, brooding sp-
parently upon his own affairs.
These were the two men who en-
tered abruptly into our little sitting
room on Tuesday, March the 10Th,
shortly after our breakfast hour, as
we were smoking together, prepare
tory to our daily excursion upon the
moors.
"Mr Holiness" said the vicar, in an
agitated voice, "the most extraordi-
nary and tragic affair has occurred
during the night. 1t is the most I'M
heard-of business. We can only re-
gard it as a special Providence that
you should chance to be here at the
time, for in all England you are the
one man we need"
l glared at the intrusive vicar with
no very friendly eyes; bit Holmes
took his pipe from his lips and sat up
in his chair like an old hound who
hears the view.hallo. He waved his
hand to the sofa, and our palpitating
visitor with his agitated companion
sat sise by side upon it. Mr.. Morti-
mey Tregennis was more self-con-
tS2ned than the clergyman, but the
cwitching of his thin hands and the
brightness of his dark eyes showed
that they shared a common emotion.
"Shall | speak or your" he asked OF
the vicar
We'll, as you seem to have made
the discovery, whatever 1t may be,
and the vicar to have had 1t second
hand, perhaps you had better do the
speaking" said Holmes.
| glanced at the hastily-clad clergy
man, with the formally-dressed iodger
seated beside him, and was amused at
the surprise which Holmes simple de-
duction had brought to their faces.
Perhaps l had best say few
words first" said the vicar, and then
you can judge if you will listen to the
details from Mr.. Tregennis, or wheth-
er we should not hasten at once TO the
scene of this mysterious affair. | may
explain, then, that our friend here
spent last evening In the company of
his two brothers, Owen and George,
and of his sister Brenda, at their
house of Tredannick Wartha, which
is near the old stone cross upon the
moor. He left them shortly after ten
o'clock playing cards round the dining
room table, in excellent health and
spirits. This morning. being an early
riser, he walked in that direction be-
fore breakfast, and was overtaken by
the carriage of Doctor Richards, who