Year: 1875

then, at eleven, or thereabouts, shall
look for you, Be early as you can,"
added.


'Trust me for that; at present my
feeling is one ofintense curiosity. Wha
it will be by-and-Sy, 1 won't venture tc
say"


He left me, and went on working fol
the rest of the day in tolerable equabls
frame OF mind. Toward evening, how
ever, ! must confess that feeling o.
nervousness come over me, and
thought, after all, that the arrangement
/ had made was rather unwise Ever
supposing the whole thing to have beer
a delusion, still, with my nerves in their
present excited state, my Imagination
might play me such trick as to produce
the most disastrous consequence. l be
gan to repent, but there was now nc
help for it; besides, if there were any
object in the appearance-and could
not bring myself to believe the contrary
it was manifestly my duty not to





er it.


l left my studio early, intending to &c
home TO dinner, and return late in the
evening. When got ont into the busy
streets, l was again almost inclined to
laugh at myself for my superstitions
fancies. The matter of fact people NOV
ing about the streets, the children play
ing in the square, the passing cabs, the
gay shops, seemed to render the idea OF
any supernatural visitant SO supremely
absurd that almost regretted any ar
rangement had been made for my return.


When / returned to the square, at
about half past nine, the lamps were lit,
and the partial darkness of fine sum
mer night had settled softly over the
great city. fingered few minutes on
the door step to finish my cigar in the
I cool air, SO refreshing after the heat OF
the long summer day.


There was a deep orange glow still
lingering in the northwestern sky, and
the last low :witter of the birds among
the trees in the square came softly to
the ear. All was so peaceful round
that could hardly believe in the OBJ
ject which had brought me back at
this hour. 1t seemed like a dream,
and l was almost disposed to adopt
the old insane plan of pinching myself
to ascertain whether l was awake or
not.


l turned to go in, As did so,
Holmes, the square keeper, came in
sight. l knew it was just about the time
for his departure, and 1 concluded he
was on his way home. The fancy came
into my mind that should like to have
him within call @72 r. a
"Good evening, Holmes" l said; "I
suppose you're just about thinking of
getting homei"


eyes, sir, I've had pretty nearly
enough of it for one day firing work
being on your feet so many hours. can
tell YOU" rel -


y suppose it is. 1 hardly like to
make the request, but Pve particular
reason for asking you to remain later to-
night. can give you glass of beer if
you'll step in. 1 expect Mr.. Duncan
here at eleven, and we shall not want
you to stay many minutes after that"


''Of course, if it's any convenience to
you, sir. shall be very glad to stop, but
/ I hope there's nothing wrong"


"No. all want you to do is to remain
near the door, and watch carefully who
comes in and out"


VERY good, sir"


Holmes looked surprised, but as l did
not volunteer any further information
he made no answer.


j opened the door and we went in.
am compelled to confess that it was a
relief to me to have Holmes with me.
The matches were ON the mantlepiece as
usual, and having obtained light, we
went up stairs. Isupplied Holmes with
his beer, and we spent half an hopr in
talking over the various pictures in my
room, which Holmes inspected by the
dim light of my reading lamp, the gas
in my studio, according to my custom
in summer, being disconnected.


When Holmes left for his post outside
the house, / sat down to write some let
tiers. had been considerably reassured
by his presence, and had, to great ex.
tent, banished those vague superstitious
feelings which had previously pervaded
my mind. The last ray of daylight had
now disappeared from the western sky
The lower part of my window was GOV.
cred with the conventional green baize
but looking out above this, l saw the
stars shining brighter, and the din
lustre of the moon just beginning tc
touch the chimneys on the further side
of the square. My lamp was hardly
sufficient to light the whole room dis
tinctIy, still there was light enough tC
discern the various objects without much
difficulty.


Ny letters were of importance. The
contents so completely absorbed me tha
lost all consciousness of the lapse o
: time, and suddenly started on hearing 8
neighboring clock strike eleven.
could hardly believe it possible and
took out my watch to see if / had been
, mistaken. No; it was really eleven, anC
l reflected, that should not in all pro
liability be alone many minutes longer
As / sat at my writing table my bacI
was toward the door, and the old cabi
net was also behind me on the othe
side. 1 had one more letter to write
and was just dipping my pen in the ink
l when a slight noise behind me causeC
J me to look round.
In an instant the blood rushed to m,
heart in one wild food. / started from
my chair, and, grasping the edge of tn
table, stood leaning against it quiverin
in every limb.
: Close in front Of the cabinet stood tn
!, figure of the previous night. Its ham
] was on the key, which it turned with
:; quick, firm motion, and threw open til
I L