Evening star., 1925-03-15

at the front window and we were
aware of a pair of keen eyes from
under shaggy brows. which surveyed
US through large horn glasses.
x x
A MOMENT later we We're actually
in his sanctum and the mys-
terious scientist whose vagaries had
brought US from London was stand
ing before US. There was certainly
no sign of eccentricity, either in his
manner or appearance. for he was a
portly. large-featured man. grave,
tall and frock-coated, with the dig
nifty of bearing which a lecturer
needs. His eyes were his most re-
markable feature. keen. observant
and clever to the verge of cunning.
He looked at our cards. Pray sit
down. gentlemen. What can do for
you?'
Mr.. Holmes smiled amiably.
1T was the question which I was
about to put TO you, professor"
'To me, sir!"
Possibly there is some mistake.
heard through a second person that
Prof. Presbury of Camford had need
of my services"
"Oh, indeed" 1t seemed to me that
there was a malicious sparkle in the
intense gray eyes. You heard that,
ala you May L ask the name OIL
your Informant
ter was rather confidential. If 1 have
| made d mistake there is no harm
done. l can only express my regret"
Not at all. | should wish to go
further into this matter. 1t interests
me. Have you any scrap of writing,
any letter or telegram to bear out
your assertion
No, / have not
II presume that you do not go so
far as to assert that l summoned
you?"
Il would rather answer no ques-
tions," said Holmes.
NO, 1 dare say not" said the pro-
| fessor, with asperity. However,
that particular one can be answered
very easily without your aid"
He walked across the room to the
bell. Our London friend, Mr.. Bennett,
| answered the call.
Come in, Mr.. Bennett These two
gentlemen have come from London
| under the impression that they have
| been summoned. You handle all my
| correspondence. Have you a note of
| anything going to person name
Holmes?" His eyes were swapping.
No, sir" Bennett answered with q
| flush.
That is conclusive. said the pro-
| fessor, glaring angrily at my COM
panion. Now, sir" Che leaned
! forward with his two hands upon the
| table,, sit seems to me that your
position is a very questionable one"
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
II can only repeat that ] am sorry
| that we have made a needless in
| trusion."
| Hardly enough, Mr.. Holmes" the
| old man cried in a high screaming s
voice. with extraordinary malignancy
upon his face. He got between US
and the door as he spoke and he
shook his two hands at us with
! furious passion. you can hardly
get out of it SO easily as that" His
4 face was convulsed and he grinned
and gibbered at US in his senseless
rage. I am convinced that we should
have had to fight our way out of the
room if Mr. Bennett had not inter
| vened.
my dear professor" he cried.
Consider your position! Consider
! the scandal at the university Mr..
Holmes is a well known man. You
cannot possibly treat him with such
| discourtesy"
| CULKILY our host-if I may call
y him so-cleared the path to the
door. We were glad to find ourselves
| outside the house and in the quiet of
| the tree lined drive. Holmes seemed
crafty amused by the episode.
Our learned friends nerves are
! somewhat out of order" said ~,