Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-07-13

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When we returned to Mrs. War.
ren's rooms, the gloom Of London
winter evening had thickened into one
gray curtain, dead monotone Of COL
or, broken only by the sharp squares
Of the windows and the blurred haloeD
Of the ees Tampa. Az we peered from
the darkened sitting-room Of tho
lodging-house. one more dim light
gl;mmered high up through The OBJ
security.
Someone is moving In that room, -
said Holmes in a whisper, his saunt
and eager face thrust forward to the
window.pane. Eyes, I can sse hin
shadow. There he 10 again. He has
q candle in his hand. Now he 10
peering across. He wants to be sure
that she is on the lookout. Now he
begins to fash. Take the message
also. Watson. that we may check each
other. A single hash-that IL A.
surely. Now. then. How many did
you make 1t! Twenty. So did I. That
should mean IT, A T-that's intelli-
gible enough! Another IT. Surely
this 10 the beginning Of q second
word. Now, then TENTA. Dead
stop. That can't be all, Watson?
"A TENTA' gives no sense. Nor
is it any better as three words-'A T.
TEN. IA unless ia are a per-
cons initials. There he goes again!
What's that? ATTE-why. it 10 tho
same message over again. Curious,
Watson. very curious! Now he 10 OF
once more! AT-why, he Is repeat
ing it for the third time. 'ATTEN
T A three times! How often will he
repeat It? No, that seems to be the
finish. He has withdrawn from the
window What do you make Of It.
Watscn?"
"A cipher message, Holmes"
My companion gave q sudden
chuckle of comprehension. And not
very obscure cipher. Watson" said
he. why. OF course. 1t 10 Italian!
The "A means that II IL addressed
20 q woman. 'Bewarel Beware! Be.
gare.' How's that. Watson?"
~ believe you have hit It"
"Not doubt OF Il. It II very ur.
gent message. thrice repeated to make
Il more so. But beware Of WHAT
Wait a bit; he 10 coming to the win;
40 n once more"
Again we saw the dim silhouette
Of a crouching man and the whisk Of
the small fame across the window. a.
he signals were renewed. Thay canae
moro rapidly than before-so rapid
hat it was hard to follow them.
"'P ERICOLO'- pericolo,- Eh.
what's that, Watson? Danger, isn't
1t? Yes, by Jove, its's a danger
signal. There he goes again! p RI
Halloa, what on earth"
The light had suddenly gone out.
the glimmering square Of window had
disappeared. and the third floor formed
a dark band round the lofty building.
with its tiers Of shining easements.
That last warning cry had been sud-
denly cut short. How. and by whomi
The same thought occurred on the In
slant to us both. Holmes sprang up
from where he crouched by the win
dow.
This IL serious, Watson" he cried.
There is some deviltry going forward!
Why should such message stop In
such a way? / should put Scotland
Yard In touch with this business-and
yet, 1t 10 too pressing for US to leave"
Shall 90 for tho police!"
We must define the situation lit.
tic more clearly. It may bear some
moro innocent interpretation. Come,
Watson, let lis go across ourselves
ana see what we can make Of it."
As we walked rapidly down Howe
street glanced back at tho building
which We had left. There. dimly out
lined at the top window. could see
the shadow Of head, q woman's head,
gazing tensely. rigidly, out into the
night, waiting with breathless sus-
pense for the renewal Of that inter-
rupted message. At the doorway Of
the Howe street hats man, munled
In cravat and great-coat. was lean
ing against the railing. He started
40 the hall-light fell upon our faces.
Holmes!" he cried.
why. Gregson!" said my compan.
ion. as he shook hands with the Scot
land Yard detective. Journeys end
with lovers meetings. What brings
you here?"
"Ths same reasons that bring you.
I expect" said Oregon. "How you
got on to It can't imagine"
Different threads. but leading up
to the same tangIA I've been taking
the signals"
"Signals!"
Eyes. from that window. They
broke OF in the middle. We came
over to see the reason. But since It 10
safe in your hands see no object in
continuing the business
wait . bit!" cried Gregson% eager.
". It'll do you this Justice, Mr..
Holmes. that I was never in case
that didn't feel stronger for having
you on my side. There's only the one
exit to these Oats. 20 We have him
safe"
Who IL hsf"
''Well. WELL W score over you for
once, Mr.. Holmes. You must give
!.us best this time" He struck HE
stick sharply upon the ground, on
which q cabman. hie Whip In his hand.