The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-18
and

tery may be cleared along those
 But what, then. did the gypsies
 .I cannot imagine
 such theory.''
 And so do I. It is precicely for | that reason that we are going to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are fatal, or if they may be explained away. But l what in the name of the devil!'' The ejaculation had been drawn l from my companion by the fact that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had framed himself in the aperture His costume was a peculiar mixture of the professional and of the asricul- tural, having 2. black top-hat, long with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hat ac- tually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side A large face, scared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and marked with every evil passion. was turned from one to the other of us, while his deep-set bi1e-shot eyes, and his high. thin, feshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to fierce old bird of prey.
 Which of you is Holmes? ?'' asked this apparition.
 My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me-" said my compan- ion, quietly.
 Indeed doctor" said Holmes, blandIy. Pray take seat-''
 'I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. have traced her. What has she been saying
 1t is a little cold for the time of
 
 What has she been saying to your" screamed the old man, furi- ously. promise we'll" continued my com panion, inperturbably.
 .'Ha! You put me off, do your" said our new visitor, taking a step forward and shaking his hunting, crop "I know you, you Scoundrel! I have heard of you before You are Holmes, the meddler.
 My friend smiled.
 "Holmes, the busybody!
 His smile broadened.
 Holmes chuckled heartily. ''Your conversation is most entertaining, said he. "When you go out close the door. for there is decided drausht.'' say. Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here" He stepped swiftly for ward, seized the poker and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands. .
 See that you keep yourself out of my grip" he ssnarled. ana ~ hurnng the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room.
 "He seems very amiable person." said Holmes, laughing '1 am not quite so bulky, but if he had re- mained I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble ! than his own" As he spoke he picked up the steel poker, and with | a sudden effort strengthened it out
 "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official de- | tective force: This incident gives zest to our investigation, however, and I only trust that our little friend | will not suffer from her irnprudence 1 in allowing this brute to trace her. 1 And now, Watson, We snail oToeT breakfast, and afterwards l shall walk down to Doctors Commons where hope to get some. data, which may help us in this matter
 It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled over with notes and figures.
 T have seen the will of the de- ceased wife" said he. 'To deter | mine its exact meaning have been obliged to work out the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The total income, l which at the time of the wife's death was little short of E110O. is now. l through the fall in agricultural prices, not more than f75o. Each i daughter can claim an income of ! f25O, in case of marriage It is evi- 1 dent, therefore that if both girls had ! married, this beauty would have had 1 a mere pittance while even one of | them would cripple him to a very | serious extent. My mornings work | has not been wasted. since it has | proved that he has the very strong | est motives for standing in the way | # anything of the sort And now | Watson. this is too serious for | dawdlfn1 especially assthe old man |