Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-05
CHAPTER ].

Quebec, went down TO Montreal.
l was ut the time much engaged
In an important business transaction,
which after long and complicated nego-
tiations appeared to be nearing sue
cessful issue. A few days after my ar.
rival l dined with Sir Andrew Meier.
rick, the celebrated nerve specialist
and lecturer at McGill university, who
had been for many years my friend.
On similar occasions l had usually
remained for half an hour after the
other guests had departed, so that
when he turned from saying his last
goodby Sir Andrew found me choosing
a fresh cigar.
II cannot call to mind, James, that l
invited you to help yourself to another
smoke" he said.
laughed.
Don't mention 1t, Andrew; am &C.
customed to your manners. All the
same
He watched me light up. Make the
most Of it, for it will be some time be-
fore you enjoy another"
~ have felt your searching eye upon
me more thano once tonight. What is itT'
my dear James, the new mining
amalgamation the papers are so full Of,
and Of which understand that you are
the leading spirit, will no doubt be
great success, yet is it really worth the
sacrifice Of your excellent health"
"But feel quite as usual"
"Sleep as much as usual?"
perhaps not" l admitted unwill-
ingly.
Appetite as good as usual?"
"Oh. don't know"
"Tush. man. James! Stand up"
Thereupon he began an examination
which merged into lecture, and the
lecture In due course ended In my de-
cision to take vacation Immediately
q long vacation. to be spent beyond
reach Of letter or telegram In the
woods.
That's right. That's rightr' COM
mented Sir Andrew. "What do the
horns Of that fellow with the big bell,
which you have hanging In your Office.
measureT
"Fifty-nine inches"
"Then go and shoot one with a
spread Of sixty"
II believe you are right" said 1, "but
the worst of 1t is that my guide. Noel
Tribonet. Is laid up with rheumatism
and will certainly not be fit to go with
me just now. Indeed. doubt If he
will ever be much good In the woods
again"
"But what If I can recommend you
1 new manr
Thanks. but l have had the trouble
VI training Noel already"
II can guarantee that you will not
Ind it necessary to train November
Joe.'
November JoeT'
"Yes. do you know himT
"Curiously enough. l do. He was
with ME as dishwasher when / was
up with Tom Todd some years ago
In Maine. He was boy then. Once
when We were ON the march and were
overtaken by a very bad snowstorm.
Todd and the boy had difference Of
opinion as to the direction we should
AXE"
And Joe was right?"
He was" said I. todd didn't like
It at ALL"
tom Todd had quite reputation.
hadn't he? Naturally he would not
ike being put right by boy. Well.
that must be ten years ago. and Joe's
twenty-four now"
And a good man in the woods. you
.ayr
"None better. The most capable on
this continent, I verify believe. II Joe
Is free and can go with You. you VII!
get your moose with the sixty Inch
horns. l understand that he has en-
tered into some sort Of contract VIII
the provincial police" #
with the policeT' I repeated. :
Eyes. He Is to help them IN such
cases as may lie within the scope Of
his special experience. he is, indeed
the very last person should like to
have upon my trail had l committed
a murder. he is a most skilled and
minute observer. and you must not for
get that the speciality Of Sherlock
Holmes is the everyday routine OF
woodsman. Observation and deduc-
tion are part and parcel of his daily
existence. He literally reads as he
runs. The hoor of the forest Is bis
page. And when crime is committed
In the woods these facts are very for
tunate. There nature Is the criminals
best ally. She seems to league herself
with him In many ways. Often she
delays the discovery Of his Ill doing
shs covers his deeds with her leaves
aad Ax new, his track she washes