Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1912-07-04
the window

"I believe that you are the devil
himself!" he cried.
Holmes smiled at the compliment.
1T took two, or possibly three, hand
fuls before the lodger came to the
window. You beckoned him to come
down. He dressed hurriedly and de-
scended to his sitting-room. You en-
tered by the window. There was an
interview-a short one-during which
you walked up and down the room.
Then you passed out and closed the
window, standing on the lawn out
side smoking a cigar and watching
what occurred. Finally, after the
death of Tregennis, you withdrew as
you had come. Now, DR.. Sterndale,
how do you justify such conduct, ana
what were the motives Of your ac'
tions? If you prevaricate or trihe
with me, I give you my assurance that
the matter will pass out Of my hands
forever"
Our visitors face had turned ashen
gray as he listened to the words OF
his accuser. Now he sat for some
time in thought with his face sunk in
his hands. Then, with sudden i'm
pulsive gesture, he plucked photo
graph from his breast pocket and
threw it on the rustic table before us.
THAT is why l have done it," said
he.
It showed the bust and face OF a
very beautiful woman. Holmes stopped
over 1t.
Brenda Tregennfs," said he.
eyes, Brenda Tregennis," repeated
our visitor. For years I have loved
her. For years she has loved me.
That is the secret Of that Cornish Sc
clusion which people have marveled
at. 1t has brought me close to the
one thing on earth that was dear to
me. l could not marry her, for have
a wife who has left me for years, and
yet whom, by the deplorable laws or
England, / could not divorce. For
Years / waited. And this Is what we
have waited for" A terrible sob
shook his great frame, and he clutched
his throat under his brindle beard.
Then with an effort he mastered him
self and spoke on.
"The vicar knew. He was in our
confidence. He would tell you that
she was an angel upon earth. That
was why he telegraphed to me and l
returned. What was my baggage or
Africa to me when learned that such
a fate had come upon my darling?
There you have the missing clew to
my action, Mr.. Holmes"
--ePsoseea," J" said my friend. l-~>
DR.. Sterhdale drew from his pocket
q paper packet and laid it upon the
table. On the outside was written,
"Radix pedis diaboll," with a red poi
son label beneath it. He pushed 1t
towards me. 81 understand that you
are a doctor, sir. Have you ever
heard of this preparation?"
"Devil's-foot root! No, have never
heard Of It,"
fessional knowledge" said he, "for l
believe that, save for one sample in
a laboratory at Buda, there is no
other specimen in Europe. 1t has
not yet found its way either into the
pharmacopeia or into the literature
of toxicology. The root is shaped like
foot, half human, half goatlike;
hence the fanciful name given by a
botanical missionary. 1t is used as
an ordeal poison by the medicine-men
in certain districts of West Africa,
and is kept a secret among them
This particular specimen ! obtained
under very extraordinary circum-
stances in the Ubanghi country" He
onened the paper as he spoke, and
disclosed heap of reddish-brown,
snuff-like powder.
well, sir?" said Holmes, sternly.
~ am about to tell you, Mr.. Holmes,
all that actually occurred, for you al
ready know so much that it is clearly
to M interest that you should know
all. ] have already explained the re-
laticnship in vlic'! ! stood to the i're.
fennis family. For tho safe Ct the
sister l was friendly with the broth
""s. Ih-ie US family quarrel
about money which csti3,";;oG this
man Mortimer, but il was supposed to
&c made up, and afterwards met him
as | Gid the c'ners. lie vas a sly,