Evening star., 1925-03-15

shivering till morning. At break
fast he was sharp and fierce in
manner and made no allusion to the
adventure of the night Neither did
l. but l gave an excuse for coming to
town-and here / am
Holmes looked thoroughly sur
prised at Miss Presbury's narrative.
MY dear young lady. you say that
your room is on the second hoor. Is
there long ladder in the garden?"
mo, Mr.. Holmes, that is the amaz-
ing part of 1t. There is no possible
way of reaching the window-and
yet he was there"
The date being September T."
said Holmes. THAT certainly COM
plicates matters"
X x
1T was the young lady's turn to look
l. surprised. This is the second time
that you have alluded TO the date, Mr..
Holmes" said Bennett. is it pos
sible that it has any bearing upon the
caSe%'
1T is possible-very possible-and
yet L have not my full. material at
present"
Possibly you are thinking of the
connection between insanity and
phases of the moon?"
NO, 1 assure you. 1t was quite a
different line of thought. Possibly
you can leave your notebook with me
and 1 will check the dates. Now L
think, Watson. that our line of action
is perfectly clear. This young lady
has informed uS-and | have the
greatest confidence in her intuition
that her father remembers little or
nothing that occurs upon certain dates.
We will, therefore, call upon him as
If he had given us an appointment
upon such date. He will put it down
to his own lack of memory. Thus we
Will open our campaign by having a
good, close view of him"
That is excellent" said Mr.. Ben
nett II warn you, however. that the
professor is irascible and violent at
times"
Holmes smiled There are reasons
why we should come at once, very
cogent reasons, if my theories hold
good. Tomorrow, Mr.. Bennett, will
certainly see us in Camford. There
Is, if ] remember right. an inn called
the Chequers where the port used to
be above mediocrity, and the linen was
above reproach. 1 think, Watson, that
our lot for the next few days might
be in less pleasant places" -
Monday morning found us on our
way to the famous university town
who had no roots to pull up, but one
which involved frantic planning and
hurrying on my part, as my practice
was by this time not inconsiderable
Holmes made no allusion to the case
until after We had deposited our suit
cases at the ancient hostel of which
he had spoken.
Il think, Watson, that we can catch
the professor just before lunch. He
lectures at II, and should have an
interval at home"
What possible excuse have we for
calling?"
Holmes glanced at his note book.
There was a period of excitement
upon August 26. We will assume
that he is a little hazy as to what he
does at such times. If we insist that
We are there by appointment 1 think
he will hardly venture to contradict
us. Have you the effrontery neces-
sary to put it through"
I'VE can but try"
Excellent, Watson! Compound OF
the busy bee and excelsior. We can
but try-the motto of the firm. A
friendly native will surely guide u.s.
Such a one on the back of a smart
hanson swept us past a row of an
cient colleges and finally turning into
tree lined drive, pulled up at the
door of a charming house. girt round
with lawns and covered with purple
| wistaria. Prof. Presbury was certain
| ly surrounded with every sign not
| only of comfort but luxury. Even as
we pulled up grizzled head appeared