The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-05-28

L
Mr.. John Hare alone could have
equaled. It was not merely tina
Holmes changed his costume. His
expression, his manner, his very soul
seemed to vary with every fresh part
that he assumed. The stage lost a
fine actor, even as science lost an
acute reasoner, when be became a
specialist in crime.
1t was a quarter past six when we
left Baker Street, and it still wanted
ten minutes to the hour when we
| found ourselves in Serpentlne Ave
nue.. It was already dusk, and the
lamps were just being lighted as we
paced up and down in front Of Briony
Lodge, waiting for the coming of its
occupant. The house was just such
as / had pictured it from Sherlock
Holmes succinct description, but the
locality appeared to be less private
than I expected. On the contrary,
for a small street in a quiet neigh
borhood, it was remarkably animat-
ed. There was a group of shabbily
dressed men smoking and laughing
in a corner. a scissors-grinder with
his wheel, two guardsmen who were
flirting with a nurse-girl, and several
weIl-dressed young men who we're
lounging up and down with cigars in
their mouths.
"You see," remarked Holmes, as
we passed to and fro in front of the
house, this marriage rather simpli-
ies matters. The photograph be-
comes a double-edsed weapon now.
The chances are that she would be as
averse to it's being seen by Mr. Cod
| frey Norton as our client is to its
coming to the eyes of his princess.
Now the question is-where are we
to find the photograph"
where, indeed?"
"It is most unlikely that she car
ries it about with her. 1t is cabinet
size. Too large for easy conceal
ment about a woman's dress. She
knows that the king is capable of
having her waylaid and searched.
Two attempts Of the. sort have al
ready been made. We may take it,
then, that she does not carry it about
with her."
'Her banker or her lawyer. There
is that double possibility. But am
inclined to think neither. Women are
naturally secretive, and they like to
do their own secreting. Why should
she hand it over to any one else?
She could trust her own guardian
ship, but she could not tell what in
direct or political influence might be
brought to bear upon business man.
Besides, remember that she had re-
solved it within a few days. It must
be where she can lay here hands
upon it. It must be in her own
house"
"But it has twice been burglariz-
ed"
"Pshaw!. They d. not know how
to look"
| buL now Will you lOoh.
81 will not look.''
''What then?''
''I will get her to show me-"
''But she will refuse"
"She will not be able to. But I
hear the rumble of wheels. It is
her carriage. Now carry out my or
ders to the letter."
AS he spoke, the CLEAN Of the side
lights of carriage came round the
curve of the avenue. 1t was smart
little landau which ratified up to the
door Of Briony Lodge. AS it pulled
| up one Of the loafing men at the
corner dashed forward to open the
| door in the hope Of earning a cop
per, but was elbowed away by anoth-
er loafer who had rushed up with the
same intention. A fierce quarrel
broke out which was increased by the
two guardsmen, who took sides with
one of the loungers, and by the scis-
sors-grinder, who was equally hot
upon the other side. A blow was
struck, and in an instant the lady,
who had stepped from her carriage,
was the center of a little knot Of
struggling men who struck savagely
at each other with. their fists and
stocks. Holmes dashed into the
crowd to protect the lady; but, just
as he reached her, he gave cry and
dropped to the ground, with the
blood running freely down his face.
At his fall the guardsmen took to
their heels in one direction and the
loungers in the other, while a num-
Der of better dressed people who had
watched the scuffle without taking
part in it crowded in to help the lady
and to attend to the injured man.
Irene Adler, as will still call her,
had hurried up the steps; but she
stood at the top, with ther superb
figure outlined against the lights of
the hall, looking back into the street.
els the poor gentleman much
hurt?" she asked.
| ne ID uCdo, CI1Co SOSSId WIVES
"No, no, there's life in him."
shouted another. "But he'll be gone
before you can get him to the hospi-
tai"
He's brave fellow. "They
would have had the lady's purse and
watch if it hadn't been for him. They
were a gang, and rough one, too.
All! he's breathing now"
"He can't lie in the street. May
we bring him in, marm?"
Surley. Bring him into the sitting
room. There is a comfortable sofa.
This way, please" Slowly and sole
mnly he was borne into Briony Lodge
and laid out in the principal room,
while I still observed the proceed
ineS from nv post in the window