Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-16


Holmes" saidI as stood one morn
ing in our bow window looking down the
street, "'hcrc is madman coming along.
II seems rather sad that his relatives
should allow him to come out alone"
NV friend rose lazily from his arm
chair and stood with his hands in the
pockets of his dressing gown, looking
over my shoulder. 1t was a bright,
crisp February morning and the snow
of the day before still lay deep upon the
ground, shimmering brightly in the
wintry sun. Down the center Of Baker
street it had been ploughcd into brown
crumbly band by the traffic, but at
either side and on the heapcd-up edges
Of the foot-paths it still lay as white as
been cleaned and scraped, but was still
dangerously slippery, so that there
were fewer passengers than usual. In
deed, from the direction of the Metro
poltan Station no one was coming save
the single gentleman whose eccentric
conduct had drawn my attention.
He was man of about fifty, tall,
portly and imposing, with massive,
strongly marked face and commanding
figure. He was dressed in q sombrc yet
hat, neat brown CATERS, and well-cut
pearl-grav trousers. Yet his actions
were in absurd contrast: TO the dignity OF
of his dress and features, for he was run
ing hard, with OCCASIONAL little springs
such rs a weary man gives who is little
accustomed TO set any tax upon his legs
As he ran ne jerkcd his hands up and
down, wagglcd his head, and writhcd
mt ha extraordinary
contortions.
What on earth can be the matter
with him?" | asked. He is looking
up at the numbers Of the houses"
"I believe that he is coming here,
said Holmes, rubbing his hands.
Here"
yes; | rather think he is coming
70 consult me professionally. l think
that | recognize the symptoms. Ha!
did | not tell YOU? " AS he spoke,
the man, putting and blowing, rushed
AZ our door and pulled at our bell until
the whole house resoundod with the
changing.
4 few moments later he was in our
room, still putting, still gcsticulating,
hu, with so fixed look Of grics and
despair in his eyes that our smiles were
turned in an instant TO horror and pity.
For while he could not get his words
out, but swayed his body and plucked
~ his hair like one who has been driven
10 the extreme limits of his reason.
Then. suddenly springing to his feet,
he beat his head against the wall
with such force that we both rushed
upon him and tore him away to the
center of the room. Sherlock Holmes
pushed him down into the easy chair
and, sitting beside him, patted his hand
chatted with him in the easy, soothing
tones which he knew SO we'll how to
employ.
"You have come to me TO tell your
story, have YOU not?" said he. You
are fatigued with your haste. Pray
wait until you have recovered your
self, and then I shall be most happy
20 look into any little problem which
you may submit to me-"
The man sat for a minute or more
with heaving chest, fighting against
his emotion. Then he passed his hand.
kcrchief over his brow, set his lips tight
and turned his face towards us.
NO doubt you think me mad?'
said he.
Il see that you have had some grea
trouble" responded Holmes.
God knows have.-- a trouble which
is enough to unseat my reason, so suddeI
and 40 terrible is il. Public disgrace
might have faced, although am mai
whose character has never yet born
astain. Private affection also is the lot o
every man: but the two coming to
eether, and in 50 frightful form, hav
been enough to shake my very soul
Besides, it is not ! alone. The yer.
noblest in the land may suffer, unles
come way be found out Of this horribl
affair"
PRAY compose yourself" sir" sal
Holmes. and let me have a clear &C
count Of who you are, and what 1t
that has befallen you"
"My name" answered our visitor
sis probably familiar 10 your ears
am Alexander Holder OF the bank
ing firm OF Holder & Stevenson, Q
Threadneedle Street"
The name was indeed well know
20 us as belonging 10 the senior part
ncr in the second largest private bank
ing concern in the City of London
What could have happened, then, Z
bring one of the foremost citizens G
London TO this most pitiable pass
we NulitO. OIL tAi.O04tNs NhAh NAN
another effort he brsced himself TO te
his story.
II feel that time is Of value" sal
he; shat is why j hastened hcr
when the police inspector suggeste
that should secure your cooperation
came to Baker street by the Undel
ground, and hurried from there on foo
for the cabs 60 slowly through this snoy
That is Why was SO out Of breath, for
Am man who takes very little exercis
j feel better now, and ] will put II
facts before you as shortly and yet .
clearly as can.
at is, Of course, well known ,
you that in a successful banking bus
ness as much depends upon our beir
able TO find renumerative investmen
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