The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-02

| strange ana unfOrSeen manner. sc perfect was the organization of the | society, and so systematic its meth I ods, that there is hardly a case upoE record where any man succeeded ir | Drawing iS witE impunity, or in which | any Of it's outrages were traced home
 to the perpetrators. For some years | the organization fourished, in spite | of tine e;torts of the United States | governrne ent and Of the better classes | of the community in the South. l movement rather suddenly collapsed, | although thee have been sporadic | outbreaks of the same sort since that | date.'
 | You will observe said Holmes. l laying down the volume. ''that the
 sudden breaking up Of the society was | coincident with the disappearance of Opensbaw from. America. with their papers. It may we'll have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his family have some of the more l frnplacsble spirits upon their track. You can understand that this register ard diary may duplicate some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered.''
 ''Then the page we have seen-'' 'Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, sent the pips to A, B, and C,'-that is, sent the society's warning to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or left the country, and finally that c was visiter, with I fear, a, sinister result for c. Well I think, Doctor, that we may let some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chance young OpenShaw has in the mean time is to do what I have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done tonight, so hand me over my violin, and let us try to forget for half an hour the miserable weather and fhe still miserable of our fellowmen.''
 It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down.
 You will excuse me for not wait ing for you,'' said he; "I have, fore see, very busy day before me in looking into this case of young Open shaw's."
 ed.
 Ut will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. l may have to go to HorSham, after all.'
 ''You will not go there first?''
 ''No, shall commence with the city Just ring the bell, and the maid will bring up your coffee
 As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and glanc- ed my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a. chill to my heart.
 Holmes I cried, you are too late"
 'Ah!" said he. laying down his cup. ''I feared as much. How was it done?" He spoke calmly, but I cbuld see that he was deeply moved.
 "My eye causht the name of Open shaw, and the heading, Tragedy near Waterloo Bridge Here is the ac- count: Between nine and ten last night Police-constable Cook. of the + Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard cry for help and a splasll in the water. The night. however, was extremely dark and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was quite inn possible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was given, and by the aid of the water-po1ice, the body was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of young gentleman whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the last that in his haste and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge of one of the small 1anding-places for river steam boats. The body exhibited no traces of violence. and there can be no doubt that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which should have the effect of call ing the attention of the authorities to the condition of the riverside land ins-stages.'
 We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and shaken than I had ever seen him.
 That hurts my pride, Watson he said. at last. 'It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride It becomes a personal matter with me
 T. ', shall set my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help. and that I should send him away to his death-!' He sprang from his chair and paced about the room in uncomfortable agitation, with a flush upon his saIlow cheeks, and nervous clasping and unclasping of his long, thin hands.
 They must be cunning devils" he exclaioned at last How could they Enlbankment is not on the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too crowded, even on such night, for their purpose. Well, Wat son, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!"
 'To the police?''
 "No; I shall be my own police When have spun the web they may take the flies, but not before"
 All day I was engaged in my pro fessional work, and it was late in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he entered. looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sidebcard, and, tearing a piece from the loaf, he devoured it voraciouslys washing it down with a long draught of water.
 You are hungry" remarked.
 Starving. It had escaped my mem ory. I have had nothing since break fast.''
 ''Nothing?"
 'Not a bite. I had time to think of it.''
 And how have you succeeded ?"
 Well"
 'You have a clew?''
 'I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not long remain unavenged. Why, Wat son, let us put their own deve1ish trademark upon them. It is well thought of"