Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-23

strange, low, monotonous voice, their
conversation coming in gishes, and then
suddenly trailing of into silence, each
mumbling out his own thoughts, and
paying little heed to tho words OF his
neighbor. At the farther end was small
brazier of burning charcoal, beside which
on three-legged wooden stool there
sat a tall, thin old man, with his Jaw
resting upon his two fsts, and his elbows
upon his knees, staring into the fire.
As entered sa|low Malay attendant
had hurried up with pipe for me and
supply of the drug, beckoning mo to an
empty berth.
"Thank you. / have not como to
stay" said /. There is a friend Of
mine here, Mr.. Isa Whitney, and wish
to speak with him"
"There was a movement and an ex-
clamation from my right, and peering
through the gloom, saw Whitney, pale,
haggard, and unkempt, staring out at
me.
"My Godl It's Watson" said he,
He was in a pitiable state of rcac-
ton, with every nerve in q twitter.
81 say, Watson, what o'clock is it?"
Nearly eleven"
"Of what day?'
"Of Friday, June 10Th"
Good heavensl l thought it was
Wednesday. 1t is Wednesday. What
d'you want to frighten chap forf"
He sank his face onto his arms, and be-
gan to sob in a high treble key.
81 tell you that it is Friday, man.
Your wife has been waiting this two
days for you. You should be ashamed
of YOURSELF
$50 l am. But you've got mixed,
Watson, for I have only been here
a few hours, three pipes, fovr pipes
IL forget how many. But III &c
home with you. wouldn't frighten
Kate-poor little Kate. Give me your
handl Have you cab?"
"Yes, I have on waiting"
"Then | shall 60 in, it. But l must
owe something. Find what l owe,
Watson, I am all off color. l can dc
nothing for myself"
l walked down the narrow passage
between the double row of sleepers
holding my breath to keep out the vile
stupefying fumes Of the drug ant
looking about for the manager. As
passed the tall man who sat by tn,
brazier felt sudden pluck at my skirt
and low voice whispered, walk pas
me, and then look back at me-" The
words fell quite distinctly upon my ear
l glanced down. They could only hav,
come from the old man at my side, ant
vet he sat now as absorbed as ever
very thin, very wrinkled, bent will
age, an opium pipe dangling down from
between his knees, as though it hat
dropped in sheer lassitude from hi
fingers. l took two steps forward ant
looked back. 1t took all my self contro
to prevent me from breaking out int,
a cry Of astonisment. He had turned his
back so that none could see him but /
His form had filled out, his wrinkles wen
gone, the dull eyes had regained thei
fire, and there, sitting by the fire, anc
grinning at my surprise, was none othe
than Sherlock Holmes. He made Sigh
motion to me to approach him, and in
stantly, as he turned his face half rounC
to the company once more, subsidized int
a doddering, loose-lipped seniity
"HolmesP ! whispered, what OF
earth are you doing in this den?"
"As lSw as you can," he answered
"T have excellent ears. If you woul'
have the great kindness to get rid o
that scottish friend Of yours ! should b
) exceedingly glad to have little tai
) with you"
II have q cab outside"
Then pray send him home in il
You may safely trust him, for he appear
to be too limp to get into any mischie
, l should recommend you also to send
note by the cabman to your wife to "a
that you have thrown in your lot with m
If you will wait outside, / shall be Wit
D YOU in five minutes"
. Tor,orrou-The Man With fhe