Pittston Gazette

              E8TABLI8HE1D1850. t VOL. XLV. NO. rt7 f Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., 1'A., FRIDAY. APRIL W, 1895. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. TIE Sltl OF TIE EH. gate into tne tnciosuro, whoro the sawyers were already at work. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings, down an alley, round a passage, between two wood piles, and finally, with a triumphant yelp, sprang upon a large barrel, which stood upon tho hand trolley on which it had been brought. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes Toby 6tood upon the cask, looking from one to tho other of us for some sign of appreciation. The staves of tho barrel and the wheels of the trolloy were smeared with a dark liquid, and tho wholo air was heavy with the smell of croo6ote. it out myself, now that we have gono so far." "Hardly that," said ho. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons, x was inclined to think so, but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused mo to roconsidor my viow. Somo of tho inhabitants of the Indian peninsula are small men, but none could havo left such marks as that. Tho Hindoo proper has long and thin foet. Tho sandal wearing Mohammedan has tho groat toe well separated from tho others, becauso tho thong is commonly passed between. These little darts, too, could only be shot in ono way. They aro from a blowpipo. Now, then, where are wo to find our savage?" obstacle when all elso had been overcome. I know the men, tho launch—everything —and yet I can get no news. I have set other agencies at work and used every means at my disposal. Tho wholo river has been searched on either side, but there Is no news, nor has Mrs. Smith heard of her husband. I shall como to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. But there aro objections to that." "Even the best of us aro thrown off sometimes. Of course this may prove to be a false alarm, but it is my duty as an officer of tho law to allow no chance to slip. But there is some ono at tho door. Perhaps this is ho." Our craft was evidently a very fast one. Wo shot past tho long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind.NYE, THE HUMORIST. of his baldness, and that peculiarity and his spectacles and beardless face have enabled the caricaturist to suggest a likeness to the original. Nye himself in countenance really does not closely resemble these caricatures. They merely suggest the man as he is. "Could we advertise, then, asking for Information from wharfingers?" E. J. EDWARDS WRITES OF ONE WHO "Worso and worsel Our men would know that tho chaso was hot at their heels, and they would be off out of tho country. As it Is, they are likely enough to leave, but as long as they think they aro perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. Jones' energy will be of use to us there, for his view of the caso is sure to push it self into the dally press, and the runaways will think that every ono la oil on tho wrong scont." BY A CONAN DOYLE. A heavy step was heard ascending the stairs, with a great wheozing and rattling, as from a man who was sorely put to it for breath. Onco or twice he stopped, as though the climb were too muoh for him, but at last ho made his way to our door and enterod. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. He was an aged man, clad In a seafaring garb, with an old peajacket buttoned up to his throat. His back was bowed, his knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. As ho leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the offort to draw the air into his lungs. Ho had a colored scarf round his chin, and I could seo little of his face savo a pair of keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white brows, and his long gray side whiskers. Altogether ho gave mo the impression of a respectablomastor mariner who had fallen into years and poverty. "Wo ought to be able to catch anything on the river," he said. ENTERTAINS US, [CONTINUE O.J "Well, hardly that, but thore are not many launches to beat us." Bred to the Law, the Most Charming of Since Nye's popularity has become universal wherever the English language is read, ho is no longer compared with any man, and no one tries to connect his peculiar and delightful ability with relationship to any distinguished man. "But this is mere speculation," said I. "Or that Mrs. Smith has put us on a wrong scent." "Wo shall havo to catch tho Aurora, and she has a name for being a clipper. I will tell you how the land lies, Watson. You recollect how annoyod I was at being balked by so small a thing?" Modem Jokers Decided to Grow Up '"It is more than thut. It is the only hypothesis which covers the facts. Let us see how it fits in with tho sequel. Major Sholto remains at peace for some years, happy in tho possession of his treasure. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright. What was that?" "No; I think that may bo dismissed. I had inquiries made, and there is a launch of that description." with the Country in Laramie, Wy His Literary Career—If is Ifome. "Could it have gono up tho river?" I Copyright, 18&2, by American Press Associa- tion.1 Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other, and then burst simultaneously Into an uncontrollable fit of laughter."What aro wo to do, then?" I asked as we landed noar Millbank penitentiary. "South American," I hazarded. "I havo considered that possibility, too, and there is a search party who will work up as fur as Richmond. If no news comes today, 1 shall start off myself tomorrow and go for the men rather than tho boat. But surely, surely, we shall hear something.""Yes." IMr. Nye telegraphs the editor from Asherille, N. V., that he is painfully, though not dangerously, ill there, and will not therefore be able to furnish bis usual letter this week. Occasion is therefore taken to offer t he readers of this paper an appreciative sketch of the humorist from the pen of Mr. E. J. Edwards.] Very many documents of Nye's life have been written. Most of them are flippant and many of them are feeble imitations of the humorist's peculiar literary mannerisms. He really deserves more serious treatment. His popularity, which seems undimmed; his great pecuniary successes and his recognition of late by those who have been called the arbiters of literary fame in this country entitle him to something more than a history which is a mere jest. "Take this hansom, drive home, have some breakfast and get an hour's sleep. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot tonight again. . Stop at a telegraph office, cabby I Wo will keep Toby, for he may bo of use to us yet." Ho stretched his hand up and took down a bulky volume from tho shelf. "This is tho first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. It may bo looked upon as tho very latest authority. What havo we here? 'Andaman islands, situated 340 miles to tho north of Sumatra, in tho bay of Bengal.' Hum! Hum! What's all this? Moist climate, coral reefs, sharks, Port Blair, convict barracks, Rutland island, cotton woods—ah, hero wo are: 'Tho aborigines of tho Andaman islands may perhaps claim tho distinction of boing tho smallest race upon this earth, though somo anthropologists prefer tho Bushmen of Africa, tho Digger Indians of America and tho Terra del Fuegians. Tho averago height is rather below four feet, although many full grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. They are a ficjno, morose and intractable people, though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has one beon iraincd.' Mark that. Watson. Now, then, listen to this: They aro naturally hideous, having large, misshapen heads, small, fierce eyes and distorted features. Their foet and hands, however, are remarkably small. So intractable and flerco aro they that all tho efforts of "tho British offlciais have fallod to win them over in any degre'e. They havo always boen a terror to shipwrecked crews, braining the survivors with their stono headed clubs or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. These massacres aro invariably concluded by a cannibal feast.' Nice, amiable people, Wutson! If this ft llow had Ixjen left to his own unaided devices, this affulr might have taken an even more ghastly turn. I fancy that, even as it is, Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him." "Well, I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. One of our greatest statesmen has said that a change of work is the best rest. So it is. When I had succeeded in dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work at, I came back to our problem of the Sholtos and thought the whole matter out again. My boys had been up the river and down without result. Tho launch was not at any landing stage or wharf, nor had it returned. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hldo their traces, though that always remained as a possible " othesis if all else fulled. I knew that this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning, but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicato finesse. That Is usually a product of higher education. I then reflected that since he had certainly been in London some time, as we had evidence that be maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge, ho could hardly leave at a moment's notice, but would need some time, if it were only a day, to arrange his affairs. This was the balance of probability, at any rate." "A letter to suy that the men whom he had wronged had been set free." "Or had escaped. That is much more likely, for he would have known what their term of Imprisonment was. It would not have been a surpriso to him. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden legged man—a white man, mark you—for he mistakes a white tradesman for him, and actually fires a pistol at him. N:Dv, only one white man's name is on the cluirt. The others aro Hindoos or Mohammedans. There is no other white man. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden legged man is Identical with Jonathan Small. Does tho reasoning strike you as being faulty?" CHAPTER VIII. "What now?" I asked. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility." Wo did not, however. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from tho other agencies. There were articles in mo6t of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. They ull appeared to be rather hostilo to the unfortunato Thaddcus Sholto. No fresh details were to bo found, however, in any of them, savo that an inquest was to bo held upon tho following day. I walked over to Camberwell in tho evening to report our ill success to the ladies, and on my roturn I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. Ho would hardly reply to my questions &-DC! busied himself all evening in an abstrt.se chemical analysis which involved much heating of rotorts and distilling of vapors, ending at lust in a smell which fuirly drove me out of tho apartment. Up to the small hours of the morning I could hear tho clinking of his test tubes, which told me that ho was still engaged in his malodorous experiment. About twelve years ago there began to appear in different newspapers extracts which were said to have been copied from a journal publis' id at Laramie, Wy., the name of which was alleged to be The Boomerang. The sketches were but for a long time many of those who enjoyed the humor of them were very doubtful about "He acted according to his lights," said Holmes, lifting him down from tho barrel and walking him out of tho timber yard. "If you consider how much creosote is carted about London in one day, it is no great wonder that our trail should have been capssed. It is much used now, especially for the seasoning of wood. Poor Toby is not to blame." . Wo pulled up at tho Great Peter street postofiioo, and Holmes dispatched his wire. '•Whom do you think that is to?" heaskod as wo resumed our journey. "You remember tho Baker street division of tho detective forco whom I employed in tho Jefferson Hope case?" "I am suro I don't know." "What is it, my man?" I asked. He looked about him in tho slow,methodical fashion of old age. In all the accounts of Nye nothing has been said of one qualification, which must have brought him success sooner or later, and that is his business capacity. It is remarkable. No other humorist excepting Mark Twain has revealed such a gift. John Phoenix was notably improvident. Had Artemua Ward possessed Nye's business instincts and his moral fiber he could have earned a fortune in a few years, and other humorists who have won some fame have done well if they have been able to make a bare living with their pen. "Is Mr. Shorlock Holmes here?" said he. "No, but I am acting for him. You can tell mo any messago you have for him." "We must get on tho main scont again, I suppose." "This is just the case where they might be invaluablo. If they fail, I have other resources, but I shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant, Wigg'j}8, and I expect that ho and his gang will bo with us before we have finished our breakfast." "Well?" said I, laughing. "No; it is clear and concise." "Yes, and fortunately wo have no distance to go. Evidently what puzzled the doc-tt the corner of Knight's placo was that there were two different trails running in opposite directions. We took the wrong ono. It only remains to follow tho other." "It was to himself I was to toll It," said "Well, now, let us put ourselves In the placo of LctMr look it from his point of view. Ho comes to England with the double idea of regaining what he would consider to be his rights and of having his revenge upon tho man who had wronged him. He found out where Sholto lived, and very possibly he established communication with some one inside tne nouse. mere is tnls Dutlrr, Lai Rao, whdfcn we have not seen. Mrs. Bernstone give* him far from a good character. Small could not find out, however, where the treasure was hid, for no one ever knew save tho major and one faithful servant who had died. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his deathbed. In a frenzy, lest the secret of the treasure die with him, be runs tho gantlet of the guards, makes his way to the dying man's window and is only deterred from entering by tho presence of his two sons. Mad with hate, however, against the dead man, he enters tho room that night, searches his private papers in the hopo of discovering aoiue memorandum relating to the treas ure and finally leaves a meinonto of his visit In the short inscription upon the card. He had doubtless plannod beforehand that should bo slay the major he would leave some such record upon the body as a sign that it was not a common murder, but from the point of view of tho four associates something in tho nature of an act of justica Whimsical and bl zarro conceits of this kind aro common enough in the annals of crime and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal. Do you follow all this?" "But I tell you that I am acting for him. Was it about Mordecal Smith's boat?" It was between 8 and S o'clock now, and i was conscious of a strong reaction attsr the successive excitements of the night. I was limp and weary, befogged in mind and fatigued in body. I had not tho professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on, nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstraot intellectual problem. As fur as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went, I had heard little good of him and could foel no intense antipathy to his murderers. The treasure, however, was a different matter. That, or part of it, belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my lifo to the one object. True, if I found it, it would probably put her forever beyond my reach. Yet It would be a petty and selfish love which would be Influenced by such a thought as that. If Holmes could work to find the criminals, I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find tho treasure. "Yes. I knows well where it Is, and I knows where tho men ho is after are, and I knows where tho treasure is. I knows all about it." There was no difficulty about this. On leading Toby to the placo where ho had committed his fault he cast about in a wido circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction. "Then tell me, and I shall let him know." "It seems tome to be a little weak," said I. "It is more probable that ho had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition." In the early dawn I woke with a start and was surprised to find him standing by my bedsido clad in o rude sailor dross, with a peajacket and a coarse red scarf round his neck. "It was to him I was to tell it," he repeated, with the petulant obstinacy of a vory old man. Nye, however, has the business instinct as a native gift, and he has cultivated it well. When he began to write his sketches for The Boomerang he had no idea that they would be of more than "Wo must tnko caro that he doos not now bring us to tho place where tho creosote barrel camo from," I observed "Well, you must wait for him." "No; I hardly think so. This lair of his would be too valuablo a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it. But a second consideration struck me. Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion, however much ho may have topcoated him, would give rise to gossip and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. He was quite sharp eiwugh to see that. They had started from their headquarters under cover of darkness, and ho would wish to got back before It was broad light. Now. It was past 3 o'clock, according to Mrs. Smith, when they got tho boat. It would be quite bright, and people would be about In an hour or ej. Therefore, I argued, they did not go very far. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue, reserved his launch for the final escape and hurried to their lodgings with tho treasure box. In a couple of nights, when they had time to see what view tho papers took and whethor there was any suspicion, they would make their way under cover of darkness to somo ship at Gravesend or in the Downs, where no doubt they had al* ready arranged for passagos to America or the colonies." "I had thought of that, but you notice that he keeps on tho pavement, whereas tho barrel passed down the roadway. No; we are on the true scent now." "No, no, I ain't goin to lose a whole day to please no one. If Mr. Holmes ain't here, then Mr. Holmes must And it all out for himself. I don't caro about tho look of either of you, and I won't tell a word." "I am off down tho river, Watson," said he. "I have been turning It over in my mind, and I can see only ono way out of it. It is worth trying, at all events." It tended down toward tho riverside, running through Belmont place and Prince's street. At the ondof Broad street It ran right down to the water's edgo, whoro there was a small wocxlcn wharf. Toby led us to the very edge of this, and there stood whining looking out on the dark current beyond. Ho shufiled toward the door, but Athelnoy Jones got In front of him. 'Surely I can come with you, then?" said I. "Wait n bit, my friend," said he. "You have important information, and you must not walk off. We shall keep you, whether you like or not, until our friend returns." "No; you can be much moro useful If you w ill remain here us my representative. 1 am loath to go, for it is qulto on tho cards that some message may come during the day, though Wiggins was dospondent about it last night. I want you to open all notes and telegrams and to act on your own judgment if any news should come. Can I rely upon you?" "But how came ho to havo so singular a companion?" EDQAR W. NYE. "Ah, that is more than I can tell. Since, however, we had had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans, it is not so very wonderful that this islander should be with him. No doubt wo shall know all about it in time. Look here, Watson. You look regularly done. Llo down there on tho sofa and 6eo if I can put you to sleep." the existence of a newspaper with such a seemingly absurd name. However, it began to be understood that a new humorist had arisen and was located on the windy uplands of the northwest, and that his newspaper, The Boomerang, as well as his humor, was genuine. "We aro out of luck," said Holmes. "They have taken to a boat here." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. We took Toby round to each in turn, but though he sniffed earnestly he made no sign. A bath In Baker street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. When I camo down to our room, I found tho breakfast laid and Holmes pouring out the coffee. Tho old man made a littlo run toward the door, but as Athelney Jones put his broad back up against it he recognized the uselessness of resistance. THE STATEN ISLAND HOME. "Most certainly." "Pretty sort o treatment tnisl" no cried, stamping his stick. "I come here to soo a gentleman, and you two, who I never saw in my life, seize me and treat mo in this fashion!" local interest, nor in fact did he realize the humor that was in them or its market value. He simply reported things in Laramie Cis he saw them, not understanding that his mental vision and his capacity to reproduce it on paper was of such peculiar nature as would gain for him fame, would create in the popular mind a demand for a constant supply of it, and would therefore have pecuniary value. "Hero It Is," said he, laughing and pointing to an open newspaper. "Tho energetio Jones and tho ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them. But you have had enough of tho case. Better have your ham and eggs first." "I am afraid that you will not bo able to wire to mo, for I An hardly tell- yet where I may find myself. If I ain in luck, bowevor, I may not? bo gono so very long. I shall have news of somo sort or other before I got back." Close to the rude landing stago was a small brick bouse, with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. "Mordecal Smith" was printed across it In largo letters, and underneath, "Boats to Hiru hy tho Hour or Day." A second inscription above the door Informed ua thut a steam Launch was kept, a statement which was confirmed by a groat pile of ooko upon the jetty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round, and bis face assumed an ominous expression. Thus, ten years earlier, through the medium of the exchange editor, the humor of the Dan bury News man, which appeared in a little weekly which he owned, became of great repute, and the droll sketches and dry wit of Burdette in a similar way were brought to public view. The Laramie Boomerang man, Burdette, Bailey, Artemus Ward and the first of all that glorious race of humorists, John Phoenix, won the approval of that great class which is the strength of the country and which has but little time for other reading than that which is furnished by the newspapers. These men became popular with the masses, and some of them won not only fame but fortune thereby. Ho took up his violin from tho corner, and as I stretched myself out bo began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air— his own, no doubt, for ho had a remarkablo gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his ear nest face and tho rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed to bo floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound until I found myself in dreamland, with the sweet face of Alary Morstau looking down upon me. "You will bo none tho worse," I said. "Wo shall recompense you for the loss of your timo. Sit over hero on the 6ofa, and you will not havo long to w lit." I took the paper from him and read tho short notice, which was headed, "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood." I hud heard nothing of him by breakfast time. On opening Tho Standard, however, I found that there was a fresh allusion to tho business. ' With reference to tho Upper Norwood tragedy," it remarked, "• we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be oven more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. Fresh evidenoe has shown that it is quito impossible that Mr. Thaddeus Sholto could havo been in any way concerned in tho matter. He and the housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstono, were both released yesterday evening. It is believed, however, that the police have a clew as to the real culprits, and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. Athelney Jones of Scotland Yard with all his well known energy and sagacity. Further arrests may be expected at any moment." "Very clearly." Ho came across sullenly enough and seated himself, with his face resting on his hands. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. Suddenly, however, Holmes' voice broko in upon us. "Now, what could Jonathan Small do? He could only continue to keep a secret watch upon the efforts made to find the treasure. Possibly he leaves Kngland and only comes back at intervals. Then comes the discovery of the garret, and ho is instantly Informed of it We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household. Jonathan, with his wooden leg, is utterly unable to reach tho lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. Ho takes with him, however, a very curious associate, who gets over this difficulty, but dips his naked foot into creosote, whence come Toby and a six milo 11m 3 for a half pay officer with a damaged A ;hillis ten do." "About 13 o'clock last night," said The Standard, "Mr. Bartholomew Sholto of Pondicborry Lodgo, Upper Norwood, was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. As far as we can learn, no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. Sholto's person, but a valuable collection of Indian gems which tho deceased gentleman had Inherited from his father has been carried off. The discovery was first made by Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who had called at tho house with Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, brother of tho deceased. By a singular piece of good fortune Mr. Athelney Jones, the well known member of tho detective police force, happened to bo at the Norwood police station and was on the ground within an hour of the first alarm. His trained and experienced faculties were aiC once airecoou wmuru me ueteutiou ui the criminals, with the gratifying result that tho brother, Thaddeus Sholto, has al ready been arrested, together with the housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone, an Indian butler named Lai Rao and a porter or gatekeeper named McMurdo. It Is qulto certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house, for Mr. Jones' well known technical knowledge and his powers of minute observation have enabled him to provo conclusively that the miscreants could not have entered by tho door or by the window, but must have made their way across the roof of the building and so through a trapdoor Into a room which communicated with that in which tho body was found. This fact, which has been very clearly made out, proves conclusively that it was no inero haphazard burglary. The prompt and encrgetlc action of tho officers of tho law shows the great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind. Wo cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to sco our detectives more decentralized, and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which It is their duty to investigate." "But tho launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings." He, however, realized this when, to his intense surprise, he found that his sketches were appearing in every newspaper in the land. He had an indistinct idea at once that if these things were worth reprinting they were worth paying for. They brought him nothing but fame in Laramie, and there he received far less appreciation than anywhere else. Fame in that town was not money, and The Boomerang gave up the ghost. "I think that you might offer ma a cigar, too," bo said. "This looks bad," said he. "Those fellows are sharper than I expected. They seemed to have covered their tracks. There has, I fear, been preconcerted management here." We both started in our chairs. There was Holmes sitting close to us, with an air of quiet amusement. "Quite so. I argued that the launoh must be no great way off, in spite of its invisibility. I then put myself in tho place of Small and looked at it as a man of his capacity would. He would probably oonsider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to got on bis track. How, then, could ho conceal the launch and yet havo her on hand when wanted? I wondered what I would do myself if I were in his shoes. I could only think of one way of doing it. I might band the launch over to somo boatbuilder or repairer, with directions to make a trifling change in her. She would then be removed to his shed or yard, and so be effectually concealed, while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice."f CHAPTER IX It was late In tho afternoon before I woke, strengthened and rcfreshod. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him, save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. He looked across at me as I stirred, and I noticed that Iiis face was dark and troubled. "Holmes!" I exclaimed. "You here? But where is the old man?" Ho was approaching the door of tho bouse when It opened, and a little curlybeaded lad of 6 came running out, followed by a stoutish, rod faced woman with a largo sponge in her hand. "Hero is the old man,"said he, holding out a heap of white hair. "Hore he is— wig, whiskers, eyebrows and all. I thought my disguise was pretty good, but I hardly expected that it would stand that test." Of course it was asked who this genius of humor of the Wyoming uplands was, and the papers began to circulate a rumor that his name was Bill Nye, and that he was a relative of a man who had won great repute, not only as a statesman, but as a fun lover and maker, the late United States senator, Jim Nye. Of course every -one wondered whether the Bill Nye who was writing, with that spontaneity which is the basis of all genuine humor, The Boomerang sketches was also the Bill Nye whom Bret Harte had immortalized in his "Heathen Uhinee." Harte's celebrity had before this been supposed to be a myth, a creature of his fancy; but there were many persons in the east who felt sure that the Bill Nye of the poem and the Bill Nye of The Boomerang could be no other than one and the same person. "You como back and be washed, Jack," she shouted. "Como back, you young imp, for if your father comes home and finds you like tbat he'll lot us hear of it." "You have slept soundly," ho said. "I feared that our talk would wake you." Nye had determined that it was his duty to cultivate this talent, because he saw in it an opportunity to gain, at least, a fair support, but while he was turning over in his mind the course best to pursue, he was brought to death's door by an attack of meningitis, and when he was recovering from that he was the victim of a cyclone which had its way with him, blowing him hither and thither, and finally depositing him on the sod with a broken leg and some fractured ribs. This of course brought him to a halt for awhile. While convalescing in the south he wrote an exquisite sketch, accompanying it with a picture which he drew, and sent it to the New York World rather timidly. That paper instantly printed it, and forwarded to Mr. Nye a proposition to join its staff. "Ah, you rogue!" cried Jones, highly delighted. "You would have made an actor, and a rare one. You had the proper workhouse cough, and those weak legs of yours are worth £10 a week. I thought I knew tho glint of your eye, though. You didn't get away from us so easily, you seo." "But it was the associate and not Jon athan who committed tho crime." "I heard nothing," I answered. "Have you had fresh news, then?" "That is satisfactory, so far us it goes," thought I. "Friend Sholto Is safe, at any rate. I wonder what the fresh clew may bo, though It seems tube a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder." "Quite so, and rather to Jonathan's dis gust, to judge by tho way be stamped when ho got into tho room. Ho liore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto and would have preferred if ho could have been simply bound and gagged. Ho did not wish to put his head in a halter. Then! was no help for it, however. The savage instincts of hl8_companion had bruken out, and the poison had done Its work, so Jonathan Small left his record, lowered the treasure box to tho ground and followed it himself. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them. Of course, as to bis personal appearance, he must be middle aged and must be sunburned after serving liis time in such an oven as the Andamans. His height is readily calculated from tho length of his stride, and we knew that he was bearded, liis hairiness was the one point which Impressed itself Upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window I uon't know that there Is anything else." "Dear little chap," said Holmes strate gically. "What a rosy cheeked young rascal I Now, Jack, is thero anything you would like?" "Unfortunately, no. I confess that 1 am surprised and disappointed. IexjM-cted something definite by this time. Wiggins has just been up to report. He says that no trace can bo found of the launch. It is a provoking check, for every hour Is of importance." Tho youth pondered for a moment "I'd like a ehillin," said he. I tossed the paiier down upon the table, but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in tho agony column. It ran this way: "I have been worklngHn that getup all day," said be, lighting his cigar. "Yoa see, a good many of tne criminal classes begin to know me, especially since our friend .here took to publishing some of my casos, so I can only go on tho warpath under some simple disguise like this. You got my wire?" "Nothing you would like better?" "I'd like 2 shlllin better," the prodigy answered after some thought "Here you are, then I Catchl A fine child, Mrs. Smith!" "Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now and quito ready for another night's outing." "That seems simple enough." "It Is just those very simple things which arc extremely liable to be overlooked. However, I determined to act on the idea. I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inqulrodat all the yards down the river. I drew blanks at 15, but at the sixteenth—Jacobson's—I learned that tho Aurora had be6n handed over to them two days ago by a wooden legged man, with some trivial directions as to her rudder. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder,' said the foreman. 'There she lies, with the red streaks.' At that mo mont who should ootne down but Mordecai Smith, tho missing owner! He was rather tho worso for liquor. I should not, of course, have known him, but he bellowod out his name and the name of his launch. 'I want her tonight at 8 o'clock,' 6aid be—'8 o'clock sharp, mind, for I have two gentlemen who won't bo kept waiting.' They had evidently paid him well, for he was very flush of money, chucking shillings about to the men. I followed him some distance, but he subsided into an dicnouse, DO x weiju uaun cu me ;mu, auu happening to pick up one of my boys on tho way I stationed him as a sentry over the launch. He is to stand at the water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. We shall be lying off in the stream, and It will be a strange thing if wo do not take men, trcasuro and all." "Lost.—Whereas Mordocai Smith, boatman, and his Bon Jim, left Smith's wharf at or about 3 o'clock last Tuesday morning in tho steam launch Aurora, black with two red stripes, funnel black with a white band, the sum of £5 will be paid to any one who can givo Information to Mrs. Smith, at Smith's wharf, or at 221b Baker street, as to the whereabouts of tho said Mordocal Smith and tho launch Aurora." "Lor bless you, sir, he Is that and for ward. He gets a'most too much for mo to manage, specially when my man is away days at a time." '"No; wo can do nothing. We can only wait. If we go ourselves, tho message might como in our absence and delay bo caused. You can do what you will, but I must remain on guard." "How has your caso prospered?" "Yes; that was what brought me here." "Away, is be?" said Holmes In a disappointed voice. "I am sorry for that, for I wanted to speak to Mr. Smith." "Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs. Cecil Forrester. She asked mo to yesterday." "It has all como to nothing. I have had to release two of my prisoners, and there Is no evidence against the other two." "Never We shall give you two others In tho place of them. But you must put yourself under my orders. You are welcome to all the official crodit, but you must act on the lines that I point out. Is that agreed?" It was many months before the public knew that Bill Nye was a nom de plume, and that this genius of humor was baptized Edgar Wilson Nye: that he was born near the pine forests of Maine, reared on the frontier of Wisconsin, was bred a lawyer and had ventured as far as Laramie while a young man that he might practice law or grow up with the territory in any way that offered. He had actually become an officeholder, having been elected a justice of the peace. His office brought him small honor and much misery, but it also gave him, though at the time he little suspected it, a rich fund of experience which is now serving him in drama and higher literature and is giving delight to his almost countless readers. "He's been away 6ince yesterday morn In, sir, and, truth to tell, I'm beginnin to feel frightened about him. But if it was about a boat, sir, maybe I could serve as well." "On Mrs. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes, with the twinkle of asmile in his eyes. This was clearly Holmes' doing. The liakur street address was enough to prove that. It struck mo as rather ingenious, because It might be read by the fugitives without their seeing in it more than the natural anxiety of a wife for her missing bus band. His business instinct served Him well on this occasion. Nine men out of ten would have been only too glad if they were situated as he was to form a staff connected with The World upon terms proposed by that paper, but Nye was wise. He felt that it would be a dangerous thing for a humorist to go to New York city. He doubted whether such a person could maintain himself there, and he believed that the chances were that in the whirl of newspaper life, and especially of a newspaper conducted at such high pressure as is The World, the humorist would be stunned, lis work would become forced and artificial, his identity would be lost and he would sink to the dead level of the average."Well, of course, on Miss Morstan too. "I wanted to biro his steam launch." They wore anxious to hear what liap pened." "The associate?" "Why, bless you, sir, it is in the steam launch that he has gone. That's what puzzles mo, for I know thcro ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. If he'd been away In the bargo, I'd ha' thought nothin, for many a time a job has taken him as far as tiravesend, and then if thcro was much doln there bo might ha' staid over. But what good is a steam launch without ooals?" "I would not tell them too much," said nolmes. "Women are never to be entirely trusted, not tho best of them." "Entirely, if you will help me to the men." "Ah, well, thtro is no great mystery in that. But you will know all about it soon enough. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud tloats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the Louden cloud bank. It shines on a good many folk, but on none, 1 dare bet, who are on a stranger errand than you and I. How small we feo]|witb our petty ambitions and strivings in the presenco of the great elemental forces of nature! Are you well up in your Jean Paul?" It was a long day. Every time that a knock came to the door or a sharp step passed in the street I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. I tried to read, but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to Die ill assorted and villainous pair whom wo were pursuing. Could there lie, I wondered, some radical tluw in my companion's reusoning? Might he bo suffering from some huge self deoeption? Was it not possiblo that his nimble and speculative mind had built up this wild theory upon faulty premises? I had never known him to bo wrong, and yet ihe keenest reasoner may occasionally be leceived. He was likely, I thought, to fall into error through tho overreiinement if his logio—his preference for a subtle and bizarro explanation when a plainer ana more commonplace ono lay ready to his hand. Yet, on tho other hand, I had myself seen tho evidence, and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. When I looked back on tho long chain of curious circumstances, many of them trivial in themselves, but all tending in tho same direction, I could from myself that even if Holm^,'explanation were inoorreet Mie true theory must be equally outre and startling. " Well, then, in tho first place I shall want a fast polico boat—a steam launch— to be at the Westminster 6tairs at 7 o'clock." I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment. " I shall bo bock in an hour or two," I remarked. "All right! Good luckl But, I say, if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby, for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now." "That is easily managed. There is always one about there, but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure." "Isn't it gorgeous?" said Holmes, grinning over his coffee cup. "What do you think of It?" "Then I shall want two stanon men, in case of resistance." "He might have bought somo at a wharf down the river." "I think that wo have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime." I took our mongrel accordingly and left bim, together with a half sovereign, at tho old naturalist's in Pinchin lane. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures, but very eager to hear tho news. Mrs. Forrester, too, was full of curiosity. I told them all that we had done, suppressing, however, tho more dreadful parts of the tragedy. Thus, although I spoke of Mr. Sholto's death, I said nothing of the exact manner and method of it. With all my omissions, however, there was enough to startle and amaze them. "There will be two or three in the boat. What elso?" "So do I. I wouldn't answer for our safety now If ho should happen to have another of his attacks of energy." "When we secure the men, we shall get the treasure. I think it would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady to whom half of It rightfully belongs. Let her be the first to open it—oh, Watson?" "Fairly so. I worked back to him through Carlyle." "He might, sir, but it weren't his way. Many a time I'vo heard him call out the prices wey etiarge lor a lew oau oags. resides I don't like that wooden legged man, wi' his ngly face and outlandish talk. What did he want always knockin about here for?" At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell, and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, raising her voice In a wail of expostulation and dismay. "That was like following the brook to the parent lake. He makes one curious but profound remark. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own •mallness. It argues, you see, a power of comparison and of appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility. There is much food for thought in Hichter. You have not u pis tol, have you?" "You have planned it all vory neatly, whether they are tho right men or not," said Jones, "but if the affair wore in my hands I should havo had a body of police in Jacobson's yard and arrested them when they came down." Nye therefore determined to make a proposition to The World himself. He went offering business, not seeking any employment the paper might have to give. He did not expect that his offer would be entertained, but to his surprise it waa. He was engaged to writ® what he chose, as he chose, over his nom de plume, to be subject to none of the restrictions or discipline of the office, and it was comriion report that he was to receive $5,000 a year "for this undertaking. This shrewdness of management unquestionably saved Nye from being buried in that mighty wave of literary endeavor which produces anonymously the best in our daily newspapers. It revealed that Nye was as strong in business as he was great in humor, and from that time on his pathway has been one of ever increasing prosperity. ''By heaven, Holmes," I said, half rising, "I believe that they are really after us!" "It would be a great pleasure to me." "A wooden legged man?" said Holmes, with bland surprise. "Rather an irregular proceeding," said Jones, shaking his head. "However, the whole thing is irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it. The treasure must afterward bo handed over to the authorities until after the official Investigation." "Which would have been nover. This man Small is a pretty 6lirewd follow. He would send a scout on ahead, and if anything made him suspicious ho would lie snug for another weok." "Yes, sir, a brown, monkey faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. It was him that roused him up yoster night, and, what's more, my man know he was comln, for he had steam up in the launch. I tell you straight, sir, I don't feel easy in my mind about it." "No; it is not quite so bad as that. It is tho unofficial force—the Baker street Irregulars.""I have my stick." As ho spoke thero camo a swift patterins of naked foetupon the stairs, a clatter of high voices, and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street arabs. There was somo show of discipline among them, despite their tumultuous entry, for they instantly drew up in lino and stood facing us with expectant faces. One of their number, taller and older than tho others, stood forward witli an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarccrow. "It is a romance!" cried Mrs. Forrester. "An injured lady, half a million in treasure, a black cannibal and a wooden legged ruffian. They tuke tho place of the conventional dragon or wicked carl." "Certainly. That is easily managed. One other point. I should much like to havo a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him, either here in my rooms or elsewhere, as long as he is efficiently guarded?" "It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we g't to their lair. Jonathan I shall leave to you, but If the other turns nasty 1 shall shoot him dead." He took out his revolver as he spoke, and having loaded two of tlie chambers he put it tiack into the right hand pocket of his jacket "But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith, and so been led to their hiding placo," said I. "But, my dear Mrs. Smith," said Hokues, shrugging his shoulders, "you are frightening yourself about nothing. How could you possibly tell that it was tho wooden legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sura" "And two knights errant to the rescue," added Miss Morstun, with a bright glance at me. "In that case I should havo wasted my day. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. As long as ho has liquor and good pay why should he ask questions? Thoy send him messages what to do. No; I thought over every possiblo course, and this is the best." At a o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at tho bell, an authoritative voico in the ball, niul, to my surprise, no less a person than Mr. Atbelney Jones was shown up to me. Very different he was, however, from the brusquo and mas terful professor of common sense who had taken over tlio case so confidently at Up per Norwood. His expression was down cast and his hearing meek and oven apol "Why, Mary, your fortuno depends upon the issue of this search. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. Just imagine what it must be to bo so rich and to have tho world at your feet!" We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half rural, villa lined roads which lead to the metropolis. Now, however, wo were begin ning to come among continuous streets, where laborers and docktnen were already astir, and srattcrnly women wetCD taking down shutters and brushing doorsteps At the square topped corner public houses business was just beginning, and rough looking men were emerging, rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed, but our inimitable Toby looked neither to the right nor to the left, but trotted onward with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whino, which spoke of a hot scent "Well, you are master of tho situation. I havo had no proof yet of tho oxlstenoo of this Jonathan Small. However, If you can catch him, I don't see how I can refuse you an interview with him." "His voice, sir. I knew his voice, which Is kind o' thick and foggy. Ho tapped at the winder—about a it would bo. 'Show a leg, matey,' says he. 'Time to turn out guard.' My old man woke up Jim—that's my eldest—and away they went without so much as a word to me. I could hear the wooden leg clackln on tho stones." While this conversation had boen proceeding we had been shooting the long sories of bridges which span tho Thames. As we passed tho city tho last rays of the sun were gilding tho cross upon the summit of St. Paul's. ' It was twilight before we reached tho Tower. MRS. EDCLR W. NYE. " "Got your message, sir," said he, "and brought 'em on sharp. Three bob and a tanner for tickets." It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect. On the contrary, she guve a toss of her proud head, as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. When the public found that Bill Nye was a nom de plume (which was really forced upon him), almost everybody still clung to the impression that Mr. Nye was a near relative of the distinguished senator who represented Nevada in the United States senate during Lincoln and Johnson's administrations, yet the only reason for such an impression was a similarity of surname and a reputation for the capacity to make humor. Those who saw Senator Nye in his prime, and who have also been fortunate enough to take Bill Nye by the hand, must have felt, however, that the only kinship between these two men was their capacity to say those things which give people merriment. "That is understood, thon?" His fame being established, he was able to make other newspaper connections, so mat in tne course ot a year or two he was in receipt of an income of over $10,000 a year. There were times when Mr. Nye felt some sadness that his reputation should be merely that of a literary jester, but he consoled himself with the thought that he was giving innocent delight to thousands, was providing well for his family and also with the hope that in the future he would be able to win a more critical reputation in higher literary endeavor. "Here you are," said Holmes, producing some silver. "In future they can report to you, Wiggins, and you to me. I cannot have the houso Invaded In this way. However, It is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called tho Aurora—owner, Mordecal Smith—black, with two red streaks; funnel black, with a white band. She Is down the river somewhere. I want one boy to beat Mordecai Smith's lauding stage, opposite Millbank, to say if the boat comes back. You must divide it out among yourselves and do both banks thoroughly. Let mo know the moment you have news. Is that all clear?" "Perfectly. Is there anything else?" "Only that I insist upon you dining with us. It will be ready in half an hour. I havo oysters and a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in white wine. Watson, you havo never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper." "flood day, sir, good day!" said he. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes Is out, I under stand." ogetic "That Is Jacobson'syard," Bald Holmes, pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging ou the Surreysido. "Cruiso gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters." Ho took a pair of night glasses from his pocket and gazed for some time at the shore. "Isee my sentry at his post," he remarked, "but no sign of a handkerchief."''And was this wooden legged man alone?" "It is for Mr. Thaddous Sholto that I am anxious," she said. "Nothing else is of any consequence, but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge." "Couldn't say, I am sure. I didn't hear no one else." "Yes, and I cannot bo sure when he will bo back. Hut perhaps you would care to wait. Take that chair and try ono of these cigars." "I am sorry, Mrs. Smith, for I wanted a steam launch, and I have heard good reports of the — Let me soe. What Is her name?" CHAPTER X. It was evening before I left Camberwell and quite dark by the time I reached home. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair, but he had disappeared. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note, but thero was none. Our meal was a merry one. Holmes oould talk exceedingly well when he choso, and that night he did choose. He appeared to bo in a stato of nervous exaltation. I havo nover known him so brilliant. Ho spoke on a quick succession of subjects, on miracle plays, on mediaeval pottery, on Stradivarius violins, on the Buddhism of Ceylon and on tho warships of tho future, handling each as though ho had made a special study of it. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. Athelney Jones proved to bo a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation and faced his dinner with tho air of a bon vivant For myself, I felt elated at tho thought that wo wero nearlng tho end of our task, and I caught something of Holmes' gayoty. None of us ulludod during dinner to the causo which had broupht us together. When the cloth was cleared, Holmes glanced at his watch and filled up threo glasses with port. "Ono bumper," said he, "to the success of our little expedition. And now it is high time we were off. Havo you a pistol, Watson?" • Thank you. I don't mind if I do," said lie, mopping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief. "The Aurora, sir." "Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line, very broad in the beam?" [TO B* CONTINUED.] We had traversed Ktreotham, Brixton, Camberwell und now found ourselves in Kennington kino, having borne away through tho side the east of the Oval. The men whom we pursued seemed to have taken q curiously zigzag road, with the idea probably of escaping observation. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side street would serve their torn. At the foot of Kcnnington lane thef bad edged away to the left through Bond street and Miles street. Where tho latter turns Into Knight's place Toby ceased to advance, but began to run backward and forward witfi one eur cocked «nd tho other drooping, the very picture of canine indecision. Then he waddled •round in circles, looking up to us from time to time, as if to ask for sympathy in bis embarrassment. •'And a whisky and soda?" His business instincts served him well also when he entered the lecture field. The work is hard and dreary and entails prolonged absences from a most charming family, but it pays well. His profits are commonly reported to have been as high as from $J5,000 to $30,000 a year, so that in the past four or tive years Mr. Nye's income has equaled that of th® greater lawyers, has been as large as the individual profits which many bankers and merchants have received from their bnsine s, and has been equaled among literary men probably only by the income of the Rev. Dr. Talmage. He has ventured into the drama, although he is not a dramatist and must ever rely upon those who have dramatic instinct and experience to make his plays fit for stage representation. He has also conquered the literary set, and is now furnishing a series of articles for one of the leading magazines. "Well, half a glass. It hot for tho time of year, and I havo had a good deal to worry and try mo. . You know my theory about this Norwood case?" A Cold "Wave." "No, indeed) She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. She's been fresh pain tod — black, with two red streaks.'' "I suppose thflt Mr. Sherlock Holmes has gone out?" I said to Mrs. Hudson as she came up to lower tho bliiuls. Nye, the senator, was a man of medium height, of jolly rotundity. Ho had a full, moonlike face, something like that "The old scale of pay und a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. Here's a day In advance. Now, off you go!" He handed them a shilling each, and away they buzzed down tho stairs, and I saw them a moment later streaming down tho street. "Yes, guv'nor," said Wiggins. "No, sir. lit; has gono to his room, sir. T)(i von l-iinw Jr " itinllnu her vnfrii liitn on linprohsivo wnisper, 1 uni ulruul tor his health?" "Will, I have been obliged to reconsider it. I hail my net drawn tightly round Mr. Sholto, sir, when, pop! he wont through a hole in tin) middlo of it. lie was able to prove an alllii which could not bo shaken. From the time that ho left his brother's room ho was never out of sight of somo one or other. 80 it could not be ho who climbed over roofs and through trapdoors. It is a very dark caso, and my professional crodlt is ut stake. I should bo very glad of a little assistance." "I remember thut you expressed one." "Thanksl I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. Smith. I am going down the river, and if I should see anything of tho Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. A black funnel, you sayf" wnicn uruiKsnamt aepictea to represent the countenance of the immortal Pickwick. He was one of those men whom it made one jolly even to look upon. Fun seemed bubbling over his lips even when he was quiet, and mirth constantly smiled from his eyes. Yet this Nye was what Bill Nye never was, and probably never can be—a successful politician. His humor served him well, for ho made use of it in such effective manner upon the stump that vast throngs flocked to hear him whenever he was announced to speak, and the fame which Tom Corwin had won as the wittiest speaker upon the hustings Nye maintained after Corwin passed over to the majority. "Why so, Mrs. Hudson?" "Well, he's that strange, sir. After you was gono lie walked, and ho walked, up and down, nnd up and down, until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering, and every time the bell rang out he came on the stair h«id with, 'What Is that, Mrs. Hudson!" and now ho has slammed off to his room, hut I can hear him walking away the same as ever. 1 hopo he's not going to lie ill, sir. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine, but ho turned on mo, sir, with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room." •'No, sir—block, with a white band." "If tho launch is abovo water, they will find her," said Holmes as ho rose from the table and lit his pipe. "They can goeverywhore, see everything, overhear every one. I eipeot to hear before evening that they have spotted her. In the meanwhile we can do nothing but await results. We cannot pick up tho broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. Mordecai Smith." "Aft, of coursol It was the sides which were black. Good morning, Mrs. Smith I There is a boatman hero with a wherry, Watson. We shall take it and cross tho river." "Tho main thing with people of that sort," said Holmes as we sat in the sheets of the wherry, "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slight est importance to you. If you do, they will instantly shut up like on oystor. If you listen to them under protest, as it were, you are very likely to get what you "Wo all need help sometimes," said I. "Your friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmos, Is a wonderful man, sir," said ho in a husky and confidential voice. "He's a man who is not to be beat. I liavo known that young man go into a good many oases, but 1 never suw the caso yet that I10 could not throw a light 11 [ton. lie la irregular in his methods ai\d a little quick perhaps In jumping at theories; but, 011 the whole, I think he would have niado a most promising officer, and 1 don't carowho knows it. I liavo had a wire from him this morning, by which I understand that he has got somo clew to this Sholto business. Here is his message." " What the deuco is the matter with the log?" growled Holmes. "They surely would not take a cab or go off in a bai loon." "Toby could eat these scraps, I dare Are you going to bed, Holmes?" sny. ''I havo my old service revolver In my —Ti'xaa Siftings. '•No. I am not tired. I have a curious constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely. 1 am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. If ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to be. Wooden legged men an; not so common, but the other man must, I should desk." "Perhaps they stood here for some time," I suggested. "I don't think that you have any cause /O be uneasy, Mrs Hudson," I answered. '1 have seen him like this before. Ho has Kimo small matter upon his mind which makes him restless." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady, but I was myself somewhat uneasy when, through the long night, 1 still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread and knew how his keen spirit was chafing against this involuntary inaction. "You had lDcst take it, then. It Is well to bo prepared. I see that the cab is at tho door. I ordered it for half past 6." RMpousiTe **CJruiiibling.H "Ah! It's all right. lie's off again,' said my companion in a tone of relief. want." An excellent though unconscious eritioism of the rapid and incoherent manner in whioh too many congregations perform their part of the "responsivo reading" of the Psalms ou Sunday was made by a small boy on his return from his first attendance at ohnrch. Bill Nye has been and is everything that Jim Nye was not, excepting that the two men possessed a common surname and a common gift of humor. The Nye of the newspapers stands six feet in his stockings, and could have looked down upon the parting of Jim Nye's curly hair. Bill Nye is of pale complexion; Jim Nye was ruddy. Bill Nye until recently was of such slender build its made his height all the more conspicuous; Jim Nye was rotund, unctuous and in his later days almost flabby in his fleshiness. He had a splendid crown of curly hair, and he was said to greatly resemble the famous actor, Fecliter. Bill Nye has made humorous capital by reason Mr. Nye's life, however, is in his domestic circle, and it is no wonder. His wife, a charming woman, is just the helpmeet for such a man, and with his four children he is as much a child as any of them. He lives in luxury in a beautiful place on Staten Island, and has also a residence at Asheville, N. C., where he is-now convalescing from the effects of the recent accideiit from which he suffered in Jackson, Miss. said I Our course now soems pretty clear," It was a little past 7 before wo reached the Westminster wharf and found our launch awaiting us. Holmes cyod it critically.He was Indeed off, for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind and darted away, with an energy And determination such as ho had not yet shown. The ecent appeared to be much hotter than before, for he had not even to put his nose on tho ground, but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. 1 could see by the gleam in Holmes' eyes that be thought we were nearing the end of our journey. "What would you do, then?" "I would engage u launch and go down the track of tho Aurora." "My dear fellow, it would lie a colossal task. She may have touched at any wharf on cithor side of tho stream ljetwoen here and Greenwich. Below the bridge thore is a perfoct labyrinth of landing places for miles. It would take you days and days to exhaust them if you set about it alone.' think, be alwolutcly unique." "Is thoro anything to mark it as a police boatf" "That other man again!' "Mamma," ho remarked, "tho people don't liko tho minister, do they?" "I have no wish to make a mystery of him—to you anyway. Hut you must have formed youj own opinion. Now, do consider the data—diminutive footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet, stone headed wooden mace, great agility, small poisoned darts. What do you make of all this?" lie took tho telegram out of his pocket and handed it to 1110. it was dated from Poplar at 1£ o'clock. "Go to Ilaker street at once," it said. "If I have not returned, wait for me. I am close on tho track of the Sholto gang. You can come with us tonight if you want to bo in at tho finish." "Yes; that green lamp at the side." "Then take It off." At breakfast time ho looked worn and haggard, with a little flock of feverish color upon either cheek. Tho small change was made, we stepped on board, nnd tho ropes wero cast off. Jones, Holmes and 1 sat In tho stern. Thero was one man at the rudder, one to tend the engines and two burly police Inspectors forward. "Why, certainly, Harold. What mado you ask such a question?" was the reply. "Employ the police, then." ''You are knocking yourself up, old man," I remarked. "I heard you marching about in the night." "Well," said Harold sturdily, "he'd read something, and then they'd all grumble, and then he'd road some more, and they'd all grumble again I"— i Youth'a Companion. Mr. Nye has barely entered the prime of life, being in his fortieth year, and if his present prosperity attends him he seems likely to become the wealthiest of our literary men. Our oourse now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Brodorlck & Nelson's large timber yard, just past the White Eagle tavern. Here the dog, frantic with excitement, tamed down through tho sidy "No. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment He is not a bad fellow, and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. but I have a fancy for working "This sounds well. Ho has evidently picked up the scent again," said I. "A savagel" I exclaimed. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were tho associates €\t Jonathan Small." . . ■  "No; I could not sleep," ho answered. "This infernal problem is consuming me. It Is too much to be balked br so uettv an "Ah, then lie has been at fault, too," eTpl»l»Dt«' .lonea with evident satisfaction. "Where to?" asked Jonea. "To tho Tower. Tell thorn to stop opuosite to Jacobson'a vard."  E. J. EDWAEDS.