Evening Star Newspaper, March 15, 1925, Page 78

2 THE is the second of sries, never before a newspaper, in old Watson™ tells most thr dvent Holme L series Publish- which SHERLOCK HOLMES was pinion that 1 Prof. ted with rur which the uni- «ed in the learned were, how- the ti tain retic fore the It wi Septen Ha “Céme at one i Inec H venient latter was & man of h ated hab! of them like the vio old black others perhaps When it w and a comrad he could place my role was obvious. this 1 had uses. I for his mind, 1 liked to think His remarks c be made to n have by to his having latio were twee pecu th diys abits and the A active was needed upon whose 1t ted reliance whetstor He said to them would as appropriately addressed bedstead—but the | formed the had in way tha registe stim aloud ir n 1a hardly be none habit it ipful ain ntality rved up the more vi was my humble our alliance * 1 found armchair pipe in h arrived him huddled up with updrawn knees, is mouth and his brow rowed with thought, It that he was in the throes vexatious probl With a wa his hand he indicated my old chair, but otherwise for half an hour he gave no sign that he was aware of my presence. Then with a start he seemed to come from his reverie, and with his usial whimsical he me back to what once Baker street 1 his fur- | was clear of of Arm- had greeted % been my home You will excuse a certain abstrae- tion of mind, my dear Watson he. “Some curious facts have submitted to me within the hours, and they in turn have Tise some speculations of a ®eneral character. 1 have thoughts of writing a small graph upon the uses of dogs work of the detective.” “But ely, Holmes, explored,” said 1 sleuth hounds— “No, Wats matter of there Is ano subt way said reen last 2 given more serious mono- the this has heen “Bloodhounds— no, is, n, that side of course, obvious. her which You may recollect that in the which you, in your sensational coupled with the Copper Beeches, s able, by watching the mind of the child, to form a deduction as to the criminal habits of the very smug &nd respectable father.” the But is far more | | | | singular | | that the professor had no secrets from all the staod \ character it # very few Then the current of his life was broken. He is 61 years of age, but he pacame engaged 1o the daughter of Prof Morphy. his colleague the chair of comparative was not, s I understand, the 1ed courtin o elderly man. but rather the frenzy of youth, for no shown himself a 4 dy, Alice 1 both S0 the matter months ago. passionate one could more devoted lover Morphy very in mind and body, every excuse fo None haye was a e i s0 that the in- did not the approval ituation it in 1 meet with own W i visitor Exactly Ex ur little Prog ssive and a But thers ind aturs rich upon daughter eshury w and the part however tather. T other objection of the already nd, who. from a least thers for her h Sligible View o The fessor It Lot time a clouded the professor’s life never done \d gave no indication was going. He was away a fort- it returned looking rather travel-worn. He made no allusion to where he had been, although he was 1sually frankest o It however client Bennett etter from a fellow student Prag who said that he was glad have seen Prof. Presbury there, al though he had not been able to talk to him. Only in this way did his own household learn where he had been * ok ox ok the centricitie which | was only age “Abo suddenly the had little normal mystery outine did what He left wh e belore nig and chanced here, Mr that our received a in 1e WNJOW time came over furtive and sly. Those had always the feeinig that he was not the man that they had known, but that he was under some shadow which had darkened higher qualities. His | intellect was affected. His lec- were as ant ver. Bu 's there something new, sinister 1 unexpected who was devoted to him tried again and again to resume the old relations and to penetrate this mask which her father seemed to have put on—you, sir, as I understand, did the same—but all was in vain. And | now, Mr. Beanett, tell in your own words the incident’ of the letters. You must understand, Dr. Watson, comes the point onward a the From that urious change He became | around him professor. not brill His d me. If 1 were his son or brother, I could not have more com- | pletely enjoved his confidence. Asx hi secretary | handled every paper which | came to m, and 1 opened and div'ded letters. “Shortly after his ret all this was changed. He told me that certain let- ters might come to him from London which would be marked by a cros under the stamp. These were to be set aside for his own eyes only. I may say that several of these did pass | through my hands, but they had the | E. C. mark, and were in an illiterate | handwriting. If he answered them at answers did not pass through my hands nor into the letter basket in which our correspondence was col-| lected."” “And the box,” sald Holmes, ! “Ah, yes, the box. The professor brought back a little wooden box from trave It was the one thing which suggested a continental tour, for it was one of those quaint carved things which one associates with Ger- man: This he placed in his instru- ment cupboard. One day in looking for a canula I took up the box. his younger | sub- his [ TO SHERLOCK SUNDAY The Adventure of the Creep HOLMES THE CONFIDENTIAL STAR, WASHINGTO Nyt D 2@, MARC H 15, = 1925—PART 5. ing Man % & SECRETARY OF THE GREAT PROF. PRESBURY DESCRIBED THE ASTOUNDIN frie | Holmes Another Sherlock Holmes Story By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle track and he suspects his own house- | hold of doing it. I rather fancy that a4 Bennett fortable time. * off evenin me. “Have road and Bohemian, eral store Mercer £ OLMES and a office sent a telegram on our The answer r a and ached us tossed it visited the (o Dorak Sua elderly. Keep Mercer. sine, arge gen- “He your time my general man who up routine business It was important to know semething | of the man with whom our profe was secretly corresponding nationality « ed up with Prague visit.” “Thank goodnesx that connects with something, present we seem to be fac long series of inexp with no bearing upon example what j can there be hetwecr hound and it to either of them with a down & passage at night dates, that is the tion of all.” Holmes st We were, | old sitting with a bottle of th of which Holmes table Well, now firat,” said 1 er and his 1 dressing a young man's dia been at nine-day far as I remember, only one exeception Thus the last outbreak upon Frida was on September 3, which also fal the ax did Aug which preceded it 7 t beyond coincidence T was forced “Let us then the provisonal theory that every nine days tha pro fessor takes some strong drug which has a passing but highly effect. His naturally violent is intensified by it. He learned take this drug while he was in Prague and is now supplied with it by a Bohemfan Intermediary in London This all hangs together, Watson? “But the dog, the face dow, the creeping saga?” “Well, well, we have made & begin- ning. I should mot expect any fresh developments until next Tuesday. 1 the meantime we can only kecp touch with friend Bennett, and joy this charming town In the morning Mr. Bennett &l round to bring us the latest As Holmes had gined ti not been easy with him exactly accusing him of sponsible for our presence the fessor had been very rough and rude | in his speech, and evidently felt <o strong grievance. This morning he was quite himself again, however. and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to a crowdsd class. “Apart from his queer Bennett, “he has actually &y and vitality than I can ever re-| member, nor was rain ever clear- er. Bit not he—it's never man whom we have known T don’t think vou have anything to fear now for a week at least,” Holmes answered. “I am a busy man and Dr Watson has his patients to attend t Let us agree that we meet here a this hour next Tuesday and I shall b surprised if before we leave you again we are not able to explain even | if we cannot perhaps put an end to your troubles. Meanwhile keep us xaid utility His the nnec A bile each other te ohenia n crawli As to yo mystifica- 88 nnect biggest iled and rubbed hi m seated In the ancient hotel | hus vintage poken the hands the room o had on et us take the dates ner as into series polsonous e the w man in the pas- ed report had Without being re- fits,” posted on what occurs.” * x ok % SAW nothing of my friend next few days, but on the fo ng Monday evening 1 had note asking me to meet h or the short is in for an uncom- | whe | drive and an | aisappeared ¥ | ea | the he was ermct tmt 1 nthe d ng forward he & pped forward extraomdinary char him. He sank dewn upon his hands overflowin with ener; He mov and then Now into and 1 along th round the slipped door and softiy followad hi Watson the hal Come, nd hes until we had gain whence we could see of the houss bathed in the light of the k i professor was olearly the foot of the As we watched began with incradir , ascend it branch to sot and firm o 1th through the k ed spot t-moo r side branoch he sprang grasp, clim? mera at his no definite object dre & K0 of him b o glued house, powers W ng on each s ne huge bat 1o of owr aa fapy i like 80 ag sic a square upon th tired ng from toward the strange . hound bar} The professor sq Srgbes: Prom at br pped, ecked attia of fa instant 4 pro- | sett could reack deep, more ener-| t nd from his r ot surprised nett, who had a ext day | THE PASSAGE, SOME- IT WAS HE.” . ONE OF “TH# PASSAGE WAS DARK SAVE FOR ONE WINDOW ; J THING DARK AND CROUCHING. THEN SUDDENLY quite savage, for my curiosity. It was THE G TES] EN ENGLAN REEPING. % we t t the first time such a thing had hap- | L DHE CREATEST SIEN G ENCEAND CRERPING, UXH] well. The peace « e professor pened and 1 was deeply hurt. I en-{ .. = | e =5 e Eea ) e T et Jiitte | Rouse had been unruffied, and his own deavored to explain that it was a mere | JW" TRE | o AR e € Sreum L et 5 ava B eq 'thae | Conduct perfectly normal. This accident that 1 had touched the box, [ 25 OWF Ats, wne Bl Basgdil SRt have Bained ihat|was the report which was given us by | n but all evening I was conscious that [ 7€ ™7 o AT Ciat | ma & o - nal comtact which 1 Jesired |Mr. Bennett himself when he called | he looked at me harshly and that the| o, 470 CFLIRE b i b S atin e il s e U | upon us that evening at our old quar- incident was rankling in his mind.” | GAIthAT by do, an excuse for coming ar h illain still p ters In theiChequers, . “Hs. Reard CEtan Mr. Bennett drew a little diary book [N’ e oz letter with the a longer. q Ho! from London; each B from his pocket. “That was on the [ WFT .o B [ cross under the stamp which warned 2d of July,” said he. i s ' Y ausp= - ARE v Four - + me not to touch them. There has been Te- | “You are certainly an admirable wit- [ (G0 T8 A AT nothing else.” Of| ness,” said Holmes. “I may need| ' .g o» joue “That may prove quite enough some of these dates which yéu have|, Li®GlnE as & medical man” said |t o sign of eccentricity, eit S5t 15 said Holmes grimly. “Now, Mr. Ben- noted. Bientet T il et ot . for he “I am sorrv. Mr. Holmes, T wished |Pett. we shall, I think, come to some “I learned method among other | A S S amALS, ere large-featured 5 aaotomrees conclusion tonight. If my conclusions things from my great teacher. From [ pral Processes were disturbed by the, Wi frock-coated, with R R e e It | ’re correct we should have an oppor- u,-hgxml.. h’h\dl{)r‘ Io\;'s‘v‘tr\l(hdfi[n’k?\::uul:nl{ Srea ix ths Hone th e ey |3 ”h»v,wh- w y,rm; a L Al i e iy Professional | tunit x;r bringing mLi.'.‘x»rs to a head in his behavi s mY | goir o e passior & S is e wers. his experience.” orde do so, it Is necessary to duty to study his case. Thus I have | i of the passion SRS feature. keen. observant [ NS L or ceon hold the professor under observation. | [€rS, that it was on that very r‘l_a\‘. Vatiec private toam o s S verge ‘f‘v' eunning. | dangerous mood. I would suggest therefore that you | Marks that Roy attacked the profes- il 2 ), per— our cards ray sit | SANECT sxibs hain aswak ad the Taok he came from his study into lhelh'”;; i i which are | TT was thy What can I'do for [ TH=(EE on oan d1 ed | Bocia yau v:r“l‘lmnrr‘vfls: \nlu:kd(::alé Again on July 11 thers was a TR e wolfaun e ot SUTPELead. t And Yosnira {alecreatis r."| do not interrupt him, but follow him | scene of the same sort, and then I have | ‘v L e A | that you have !(H'Wl v clearr sald. Holmen. as discreetly as you can. Dr. Watson | & nitei(of yet anofherivipon July 80| ul ™0 Suoteon “there s ore a1t | oimeo sad Benne 3 was ‘my miscalculation. It is evi-|and I will not be far off. By the way After that we had to banish Roy toli) o T tan ol bngs ) s At it has any ik S SR L dent that his memory is much more | Where is the key of that little box of the stable. He was a dear, affectionate | - 107 "7, P i % esjeage DR o reliable than I had thought. By the|Which you spoke?" animal—but L fear 1 weary you." 1= It is some mistake. I Betorsl WetEo ks AKe Upon his watch chain. “To my surprise he was very angry and reproved me, In words which were I COULD SEE THAT SOMETHING WAS COMING ALONG IT EMERGED INTO THE LIGHT, AND I SAW THAT MOVING WITH EASE! Yes, I remember it well.” “My line of thoughts about dogs is Rnalogous. A dog reflects the family lite. Wh saw a frisky dog in a gloomy or ad dog in happy arling people hav enarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones. And their passing yoods may reflect the passing moods ©f others.” 1 shook my head. “Surely, Holmes, his is a little far-fetched.” He had refilled his pipe Eumed his seat, taking no 0y comment The practical application of wha 1 have said is very close to the prob- lem which I am investigating. It is tangled skein, you understand, and I am looking for a loose end. One possible 10ose end lies in the question why does Prof. Presbury’s faithful wolf-hound Roy endeavor 1o bite Rim?” 1 sank back Risappointment & question as gummoned? “The same old Watson,” said he. #You never learn that the gravest is- at the train. From what he told as we traveled up t mford all wa fan one 1y a a g a 150 s bey p. Consid. iniversity, wit as to what to k and vet we -k nal conta 3 brows, 18 through la horr ward But s Bu but 1 are ngs of his da ‘Quite €0, said may be quite possit ter to ourselves MOMENT 1 a s ST n 5 here wer ds of running atfved o =t Biw seanotum and. | 2 te A t was, to my relief, | prcaxat o Donden assistant, who appeared d the bury's nar 4 floor ng ladder in the garden Mr. Holmes, that is the 2 of it. Thero is no reaching the window— hand. The key fr Mr. Benr Joh: tient and change. th hat Is and notice ght us from was in his was grave, the dig- Tecturer most : a let us know case manner . | tal | or appearanc Let us see what we can professor's myst Thers was ugh—an full, a ing par was there. rious box and of s no need not x September 5 of markable lever to the ooked at gentlemen hat certainly com r him in a more But he grows more | understand now | * % lady's turn the date, Mr Is it pos- aring upon the t " they were those w L cates, to look ne of the se in_my chair in some is is the Was it for so trivial this that I had been kT Mr. Holmes smiled amiabl e It was the question which financial I was o is s possible—very ossible—and “Possi here possible—and ¥ biy ther e i kues may depend upon the smallest things. But it is not on the face of it pirange that a staid, elderly philoso- pher—you've heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Camford physiolo- gist?—that such a man, whose friend has been his devoted wolfhound should now have been twice attacked by his own dog. What do you make of it?” “The dog 1s 1 “Well, that has consid But he attacks no one else, nor he apparently molest his master, on very speclal occasions. Cur IWatson; very curious. But young Mr. Bennett is before his time if that s his ring. 1 had hoped have a S,M.. chat with you he pame.” do, save, pus, | to before * ok ok % HERE was a qulck step on the stairs, a sharp tap at the door, @nd a moment later the new client presented himself. He was a thandsome youth about 30, well dress and elegant, but with something his bearing which suggested the shy- ness of the student rather than the elf-possession of the man of the wworld. He shook hands with Holmes, @and then looked with some surprise &t me.” “This matter is very delicate, Mr. Holmes,” he said Consider the re- dation in which T stand to Prof. Presbury, both privately and pub- lioly. I really can hardly justify my- pelf if I speak before any third per- son." “Have no fear, Satson is the very mnd I can assure matter in which I mneed an assistant. “As you like, Mr. Holmes. You swilly I am sure, understand my hav- ing some reserves in the matter. “Yeu will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you that this gentleman, Mr. Trevor Bennett, is professional assistant to the great scientist, lives under his roof, and is enguged to his only- daughter. Certainly we must @gree that the profession has every claim upon his loyalty and devotion. Putsit oy best be shown by taking the mecessary steps to clear up this btrange mystery. “I'hope so, Mr, Holmes. That Is my ‘;\—. object. Does Dr. Watson know he situation?” “I havé not had 'time to explain it." “Then perhaps 1 had better go ver the ground again before ex- jaining some fresh developments.” “L'will do so myself,” said Holmes, ®n order to show that I have the ®vents in thelr due order. The pro- fessor, Watson, is a man of European reputation. His life has been aca- demic,’ - There. has never been a breath of scandal. He is.a widower wih ene daughter, Edith. He is, 1 gather, & man of very virile and Positive,.ene might aMmost say, Mr. Bennett. Dr. soul of discretion ou that this is a am very likely to * mured | Holmes—crawling! lon his hands and knees. Mr. Bennett spoke in a tone of re- proach, for it was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His face was rigid and his eyes gazed abstract- edly at the ceiling. With an effort he recovered himself. “Singular! Most singular!” he mur- These details were new to me, Mr. Bennett. I think we have now fairly gone over the old ground, h: not? But you spoke of some fresh development.” * ¥ HE pleasant open face of our vis- itor clouded over, shadowed by | grim remembrance. “What I| of occurred the night before| last” said he. “I was lying awake about 2 in the morning when I was aware of a dull muffied sound coming from the passage. 1 opened my door and peeped out. 1 should explain that the professor sleeps at the end of the passag 4 “The date being——2" asked Holmes. Our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant an interruption. “I have said, sir, that it night before last—that fis, ber 4." Holmes nodded and smiled. “Pray, continue,” said he “He sleeps at the end of the pas- sage and would have to pass my door in order to reach the stalrcase. Tt was @ really terrifying experience, Mr. Holmes. 1 think that T am as strong- nerved as my neighbors, but I was haken by what I saw. The passage was dark save that one window half- way along it threw a patch of light. 1 could see that something was com- ing along the passage—something dark and crouching. Then suddenly it emerged into the light, and I saw that it was he. He was crawling, Mr. He was not quite 1 should rather say on his hands and feet, with his face sunk beneath his hands. Yet he seemed to move with ease. ‘I was so paralyzed by the sight that it was not untll he had reached my door that I was able to step for- ward and ask if I could assist him. His answer was extraordinary. He sprang up, spat out some atrocious word at me and hurried on past me and down the staircase. I waited about for an hour, but he did not come back. It must have been day- light before he returned. “Well, Watson? What make you ot that?” asked Holmes. “Lumbago, possibly. T have known | a severe attack make a man walk in just such a way. and nothing would be more trying to the temper.” “Good, Watson! You always keep us flat-footed on the ground. But we can hardly accept lumbago, since he was able to stand erect in a moment.” He was mever better in health. said Bennett. “In fact. he is stronger than T havwe known him for years But there are the facts, Mr. Holmes. was the Septem- * ok * x erlock Holmes was about WHAT to suggest will never be known for at this last moment the door was opened and a young lady shown Into | the room. As she appeared Mr. Ben- | nett » with a cry and ran his hands out to meet she had herself out-| sprang 1 crd with which etched lith, dear! Nothing the matter, “I felt I must follow you. O, Jack, | I have been so dreadfully frightened!| It Is awful to be there alone. | “Mr. Holmes, this is the young lady poke of. This is my fancee.’ “We were gradually coming to that conclusion, were we not, Wat- son?’ Holmes answered with @ smile. “I tako It, Miss Presbury, that thers was some fresh development in the case, and that you thought we should know.” Our new visitor. a bright handsome ®irl, of a conventional English type, smiled back at Holmes as she seated herself beside Mr. Bennett “When I found Mr. Bennett had| left his hotel I thought I should find him here. Of course, hie had told me that he would consult you. But oh, Mr. Holmes, can you do nothing for poor father? “I have hopes, T Miss Presbury, but the case is still obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may throw some fresh light upon it “It was last night, Mr. Holmes. He had been very strange al] day. I am sure that there are times when he has no recollection of what he does. | He lives as in a.strauge dream. Yes- terday was such a day. it was not my father with whom I lived. His| outward shell was there, but it was | not_really he.” “Tell me what happened.” 1 was awakened in the night by the dog barking most furiously. Poor Roy, he is chained near the stable. I may say that I always sleep with my door locked, for as Jack—as Mr. Ben- nett—will tell you, we all have a feeling of impending dangér. My room is on the second floor, It hap- pened that the blind was up in my window, and there was bright moon- light outside. As I lay with my eyes fixed upon the square of light, ls- tening to the frenzied barking of the dog, 1 was amazed to see my father's face looking in at.me. Mr. Holmes, I nearly died with surprise and horror. There it was pressed against the window pane and one hand seem- | ed to be raised as if to push up the| window. If that window had opened | 1 think I should have gone mad. It | was no delusion, Mr. Hoimes. Don't| vourself by thinking so. 1| daresay it was twenty seconds or so | that 1 lay paralyzed and watched the face. “Then it vanished, but T-eould not— I could not spring out of bed and It is not a case in which we can con- look out after ftt I lay cold and | 1s | upon such a date. ha present “Possibly connection phases of the No, I assy diffe; you can and I vet I e not my naterial at of the and ‘between are thinking insanity you. It was quite a thou Possibly ve your notebook with me will check the dates. Now I think, Watson, that our line of action perfectly clear. This young lady has: informed us—and 1 have the greatest confidence in her intuition— that her father remembers little or nothing that oceurs unon certain dates. We will, therefore, call upon him as if he had given an_appointment 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” sald Mr. Ben- I warn you, however, that the sor is irascible and violent at us 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 T remember right, an inn called the Chequers where the port used to be above mediocrity, and the linen was above reproach. I think, Watson, that our ot for the next few days might be in less pleasant places.” Monday morning found us on our way to the famous university town— an easy effort on the part of Holmes, who had no Toots 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 sult | cases at the ancient hostel of which he had spoken. “I think, Watson, that we can catch the professor just before lunch. He lectures at 11, and should have an interval at home.” “What possible excuse have we for calling? Holmes glanced at his note book. ‘There was a perfod 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 thers by appointment I think he will hardly ‘venture to contradiot us. Have you the effrontery neces- sary to put it through?" We can but tr xcellent, Watson! Compound of the busy bee and excelsior. We can but try—the motto of the firm. A friendly native will surely guide us.” Such a one on the back of a smart hansom swept us past a row of an- cient colleges and finally turning into a tree-lined drive, pulied 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 a grizzied head appeared rd through a bury of Camford was a m intense gray eyes did you? May I your informant?’ “I am sorry. professor, bu ter ather confidential a mistake th done. 1 can only express m “Not all. I should w | further into this matter. I me. Have you any scrap ¢ any letter or telegram to your assertion “No, I have not” “I presume that you do far as to assert that I you ‘1 would rather answer tions,” said Holmes. “No, 1 dare say not,” sal tessor, with asperity. that particular one can be very easily without your a He walked across the ro bell. Our London friend, M answered the call “Come in, Mr. Bennett. “You b ask | under the impression that been summoned. correspondence. Have you anything going Holmes?" His eves were s flush. glaring angrily at “Now, sir—" fessor, panion. table), “it seems to me that we have made a ne trusion.” in a high old man cried upon his face. hands at shook his two furious passion. rage. 1 am convinced that have had to fight our way room if Mr. Bennett had vened. “Consider the scandal | Holmes | cannot p discourt dear professor,” your position! at the univer: sibly treat him * ok x * ULKILY our host—if I him_so—cleared the pa door. the tree-lined drive. gratly amused by the epis ur somewhat out of order” second person (he forward with his two hands upon the “Hardly enough, Mr. Holm “You can get out of it so easily as that.” face was convulsed and he grinned and gibbered at us in his senseless a well known man. that had need It seemed to me that cious =parkle in the eard that, the name of t the mat- If I have no harm Ny regret.” ish t interes of writing, bear out not go so summoned no ques- d the pro- “However, answered id.” om to the r. Bennett, These two gentlemen have come from London they have You handle all my a note of to a person named napping. o, sir,”" Bennett answered with a “That is conclusive” said the pro- my com- leaned that your position is a very questionable one.” Holmes shrugged his shoulders “I can only repeat that I am sorry edless in- screaming voice, with extraordinary malignancy He got between us and the door as he spoke and he us_ with ardly His we should out of the not inter- he cried. Consider sity! Mr. You with such may call th to the We were glad to find ourselves outside the house and in the quiet of Holmes seemed ode. Jearned friend's nerves are sald ke, " the | window of Miss Presbury’s room Mr. Bennett pushed his way thro {some shrubs and we had a view the side of the house. | ‘It is there—the second |rere “Dear sible. th pipe hold.” “I could mot climb it myself,” said | Mr. Bennett “Ver likely. Tt would certainly be a dangerous exploit for any normal man."” There was one other thing I wished to tell you, Mr. Holmes. I have the address of the man in Lon- don to whom the professor writes. He seems to have written this morn- ing and I got it from his blotting paper. It is an ignoble position for a trusted secretary, but what elss can I do?" Holmes glanced at the paper and put it into his pocket. “Dorak—a curlous name. Slavonic, T imagine. Well, it _is an important link in the chain. We return to Lon- don this afternoon, Mr. Bennett. I ses no good purposa to be served by our remaining. We cannot arrest the professor because he has done no crime, nor can we place him under constraint, for he cannot be proved to be mad. No action is as yet pos- sible. go2han what'on earth. are: wo 07 “A _little patience, Mr. Bennett. Things will soon develop. Unless I am mistaken, next Saturday may jmark a crisis, Certainly we shall be in Camford on that da Meanwhile the general position is certainly unpleas- ant, and if Miss Presbury can pro- |long her visit—-" “That is easy.” “Then let her stay till we can sure her that all danger is past. Meanwhile let him have his way and do not cross him. So long as he is in a good humor, all is well” “There he is!" said Bennett in & startled whisper. Looking between the branches we saw the tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door and iook around him. He stood leaning forward, his hands swinging straight before him, his head turning from stde to side. The secretary, with a last wave, slipped off among the trees and we saw him presently rejoin his employer, the two entering the house together in what seemed to be animated and even excited conversation. “I expect the old gentleman has been putting two and two together,” said Holmes, as we walked hotelward. “He struck me as having a particu- larly clear and logical brain, from the little T saw of him. Explosive, no doubt, but then from his point of view he has something to explode gh of on the| me, it seems hardly acces- And yet you will observe that e is a creeper below and a water above which give some foot- to “l fangy our researches must lie in that direction. At the worst the lock should not be very formidable. Have | vou any other able-bodied men on the | premises?” “There is the coachman, Macphail” “Where does he sleep?” “Over the stables 'We might possibl Well, we can do no more until see how things develop. Good-bye, but T expect that we shall see you before morning."” 1t was nearly midnight before we took our station among some bushes | fmmediately opposite the hall door of | the professor's house. It was a fine| night, but chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats., Theres was a breeze and the clouds wers scudding across the sky, obscuring from tims to time the half moon. It would have been a dismal vigil were it not for the expectation and excitement which carried us along, and the assurance of my comrade that we had probably reached the end of the strange se- quence of events which had engaged our attention. “If the eycle of nine davs holds| £o0d then we shall have tha professor at his worst tonight,” sald Holmes “The fact that these strange symp- toms began after his visit to Prague, that he is In secret correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London, who presumably represents some one in Prague, and that he received a packet from him this very day, all point in one direction. “What he takes and why he takes it 1s still beyond our ken, but that it emanates In some way from Prague is clear enough. He takes it under definite directions which regulate this ninth day system which was the first point that attracted my attention. But his symptoms are most remark able. Did you observe his knuckles? I had to confess that I did not. “Thick and horny in a way which is quite new in my experience. Always look at the hands first, Watson. Then ouffs, trouser knees and boots. Very curlous knuckles, which can only be explained by the mode of progression observed by——" Holmes paused, and suddenly clapped his hand to his fore- head. “Oh, Watson, Watson, what & fool I have beenl It seems tnoredible and yet it must be true. All points in one direotion. How could I miss seeing the connection of ideas! Those knuckles—how could I have passed those knuckles! And the dog! And the ivy! It's surely time that I di appeared into that little farm of my dreams. Look out, Watson! Here he is! We will have the chance of see- ing for ourselves.” * x % * 'HB hall door had slowly opened and against the lamp-lit back- ground we saw the tall figurs of Prof. Presbury. He was olad in his want him about if detgotives ars put on hia dressing gown. As he stood:outlined | anthropoia the postmark Here we have our material™ Holmes, as he tore out the Honored colleague,” it Since your esteemed thought in your circum are some special asor treatment, T would non join caution shown that it of a kind It is possible would as 1 ced cried {nclosure ran visit T have ances there s for tha less en- results have witho is not danger that the serum of have been better explained to you, used ck-f. ngur because a speci- len was accessible. Langur is, of ourse, a crawler and climber, while anthropoid walks erect, and is in ail ways nearer. "I beg you to take every possible precaution that thers bs no prema ture revelation of the process. 1 one other client in England, and Do- rak Is my agent for both. Weekly reports will oblige. “Yours with high esteem, H. LOWENSTETIN * *x % x OWENSTEIN! The name brought back to me the memory of some snippet from a newspaper which spoks of an obseurs scientist who was striving in some unknown way for the secret of rejuvenescence and tha elixir of life. Lowenstein of Pragus! Lowenstein with the wondrous strength-giving serum, tgbooed by the profession becauss he refused to reveal its sourcs, In a few words T sald what I re- membered. Bennett had taken & marn- ual of zoology from the shelves. “Langur,” he read, “the great black- faced monkey of the Himalayan slopes, biggest and most human of climbing monkeys.” Many details were added. ‘“Well, thanks to you Mr. Holmes, It is very clear tha have traced the evil (o its source. “The real source” sald Holmes “lies, of course, in that untimely love affair which gave our impetuous pr fessor the idea that ha would only gain his wish by turning himseif into & younger man. When one tries to rise above nature one is liable tu fall below it. The highest type of man can revert to the animal if he leaves the stralght road of destiny.” Ho sat musing for a little with the phial in his hand, looking at the clear liquid within. vhen I have written to this man and told him that I hold him crimi- nally responsible for tha polson which he circulates, we will have no more trouble. But it may recug Others may find a better way. There is danger there—a very real danger to humanity. Consider, Watson, that the material, the sensual, the worldly would all prolong their worthiess lives. The spiritual wouid not aveid the call to something higher. It (Continued on Dourih Faged I have,