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TBS SUMTER v? ATC H M AN, Kitabli?hed April,.! s ? o. "Be Just and Fear nor-Let ail the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's.'" TH? TKUE SOUTSKON, Eatabliehed Jane, 1366 Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1895. New Series-Vol. XIV. So. 43. Cjje liatrljira?? at? Sonaron; Published Svery Wednesday, -BY / JXT. Gt. Osteen, SUMTER, S. C. TERMS : Two Dollars per annum-in advance. ADVERTISEMENT: One Square first insertion.SI 00 Every subsequent insertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer will be made at reduced rates. All communications which subserve private interests will be charged foras advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be charged for. The Sign of The Four. CHAPTER YUL THE BAKER STREET IRREGTJT.AR3. "What now?" I asked. *Toby has lost his character for infallibility." "He acted according to his lights,' said Holmes, lifting* bira down from the barrel and walking him ont of the timber yard. "If yon consider how mncb creosote is carted about London in one day, it is no great wonder that our trail should have been crossed. It is mnch nsed now, especially for the seasoning'of wood. Poor Toby is not to blame." "We must get on the main scent again, I suppose, " "Yes. And, fortunately, we have no distance to go. Evidently what puzzled' the dog at the corner of Knight's place was that there were two differ? ent trails running in opposite direc? tions. We took the wrong one. It only remains to follow the other." There was no difficulty about this. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault, he cast about, in a wide circle, and finally dashed off in a fresh direction. "We must take care that he does not now bring ns to the place where thc creosote barrel came from," I observed. "I had thought of that. But you no? tice that he keeps on the pavement, whereas thc barrel passed down the roadway. No, we are on the true scent now." It tended down towards the river? side, running through Belmont place and Prince's street. At the end of Broad street it ran right down to the water's edge, where there was a small wooden wharf. Toby led us to the very edge of this, and there stood whining, looking out on the dark cur? rent beyond. "We are 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. Close to the rude landing stage was a small brick house, with a wooden placard swung out through the second window. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters, and. under? neath: "Boats to hire by the hour or day." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept-a statement which was con? firmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round, and his face assumed an ominous expression. "This locks bad," said he. '^Those fellows are sharper than I expected. They seem to have covered their tracks There has, I fear, been preconcerted management here." He was approaching the dcor of the house, when it opened, and a little curly-headed lad of six came running out, followed by a stoutish, red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. "You come back and be washed, Jack." she shouted. "Come back, you young imp. For if your father comes home and finds you like that, he'll let us hear cf it." "Dear little chap!" said Holmes, strategically. "What a rosy-cheeked young rascal! Now. Jack, h there any? thing you would like?" The youth pondered for a moment. "Fd like a shiiiin"." said he. "Nothing you would like better?" "Fd like two shiliin' better," the prodigy answered, after some thought. "Here you are, then! Catch-A line child. Mrs. Smith!" "Lor" bless \*ou, sir, he Ls that, and forward. He gets a most too much for me to manage, 'specially when my man is away days ata time." "Away, is he?'" said Holmes, in a dis? appointed voice. "I am sorry for that, for 1 wanted to speak to Mr. Smith." "He's been away since yesterday mornin*. sir, and. truth to tell, I am.be ginnin' to feel frightened about bim. Jiut if it is about a boat, sir, maybe I could serve as weil.'* "1 wanted to hire ids steam launch."' "Why, bless you. sir. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. If he'd been away in the barge Fd ha' thought nothin': for many a time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend, and then if there wars much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. But what good is a steam launcn without coals'?" "He might have bought some at a wharf down the river." "He might, sir. but it weren't his way. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don't like that woodendegged man, wi' his ugly face unc? outlandish talk. What"* did he want always knockin' about here for?" "A wooden-legged man?'* said Holmes, with bland surprise. '.Yes, sir. a brown, monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. It was him that roused him up 3'esternight, and. what's more, my man knew he was comin', for he had steam up in the launch. I tell you straight, sir, I don't feel easy in my mind about it." "But, my dear Mrs. Smith," said Holmes, shrugging his shoulders, i4you are frightening yourself about nothing. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how 3-ou can be 60 sure." "His voice, sir. I knew his voice, which is kind o' thick and foggy. He tapped at the winder-about three it would be. '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 clackin' on the stones." "And was this wooden-legged man alone?"* ?.Couldn't say, I ams:arv, sir. I didn't hear no one else." "I am sorry, Mrs. Smith, for 1 wanted a steam launch, and I have heard good reports of the- Let me see, what is her name?" "The Aurora, sir." "Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line, very broad in the beam?"* "No, indeed. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. She's been fresh painted, black with two red streaks.** "Thanks. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. Smith. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. A black funnel, you say?" "ZSo, sir. Black with a white band." "Ah, of course. It was the sides which were black. Good morning, Mrs. Smith. There is a boatman here with a wherry, Watson. We shall take it and cross the river." "The 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 slightest importance to you. If you do, they will instantly shut up like an ovster. If vou listen to them mi y under protest, as it were you are very likely to get what you want." "Our course now seems pretty clear," said I. "What would you do, then?" "I would engage a launch and go down thc traci: of the Aurora." "My dear fellow, it would be a colos? sal task. She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the stream between here and Greenwich. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles. It would take you days and days to exhaust them, if you set about it alone." "Employ the police, then." "No. I shall probably call Athelncy Jones in at thc last moment. Ile is not a bad fellow, and I should not like to do ar. yt liing which would injure him professionally. But I have a fancy for working it out myself, now that we have gone so fer."' "Could wo advertise, then, asking for information ir om wharfingers?" "Woree and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels, and they would be off out of the country. As it is. they are likely enough to leave, but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will bc in no hurry. Jones' energy will be of use to :^ there, for his view of the ease is --ure to pa sh itself into the daily pres.^. and the runaways will think that everyone is off on the wrong scent." ..What are we to do. then?*' I asked, as we landed near Millbank peniten? tiary. "Take this hansom, drive home, have s< ?me breakfast, and get an hour's sleep. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to-night again. St- p at the telegraph office, cabby! We will keep Toby, for he may be of us<- to us yet." We pulled up at the Great Peter street post. oiHce. and Holme.?, dis patched his wire. "Whom do you think that is to?** he asked, aa. we re? sumed our journey. "I am sure; I don't know/* "You remember the Baker street di? vision of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?" . ? "Well." said I, laughing. "This is just the case where they might be invaluable. If they fail, 1 have other resources; but I shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant. Wiggins, and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast It was between eight and nine o'cloc now, and I was conscious of a stron reaction after the successive excite ments of the night I was limp an weary, befogged in mind and fatigue in body. I had not the professional cr thusiasm which carried my companio on, nor could I look at the matter as mere abstract intellectual problem. A far as the death of Bartholomew Sholt went, I had heard little good of hin and could feel no intense antipathy t his murderers. The treasure, howevei was a different matter. That, or par of it, belonged rightfully to Mis Morstan. While there was a chane of recovering it, I was ready t devote my life to the one object True, if I found it, it would prot ably put her forever beyond m; reach. Yet it would be a petty an< selfish love which would be influence? by such a thought as that. If Holme could work to find the criminals, I ha< a tenfold stronger reason to urge m on to find the treasure. A bath at Baker street and a com plete change freshened me up wonder fully. When I came down to our roon I found the breakfast laid and Holme pouring out the coffee. "Here it is," said he, laughing an< pointing to an open newspaper. "Th< energetic Jones and the ubiquitous re porter have fixed it up between them But you have had enough of the case Better have your ham and eggs first.' I took the paper from him and rea< the short notice, which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Nor wood." "About twelve o'clock last night,' said the Standard, "Mr. Bartholomew Sholto, of Pondicherry lodge, UppeJ Norwood, was found dead in his roon under circumstances which point tc foul play. As far as we can learn, nc actual traces of violence were founc upon Mr. Sholto's person, but t valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman hac inherited from his father ha? been carried off. The discovery was first made by Mr. Sherlock Holmei and Dr. Watson, who had called at thc house with Mr. Thaddeus Shalto brother of the deceased. By a singulai piece of good fortune Mr. Athelne3 Jones, the well-known member of the detective police force, happened to bc at the Norwood police station, ant was on the ground within half an hom of the first alarm. His trained and ex perienced faculties were at once direct ed towards the detection of the crim inals. with the gratifying result thal tlie brother, Thaddeus Sholto, has al? ready been arrested, together with thc housekeeper. Mrs. Bernstone, an In? dian butler named Lal Rao. anu a por? ter, or gatekeeper, named McMurdo. Il is quite certain that the thief ot thieves were well acquainted with thc house, for Mr. Jones' well-known technical knowledge and his powers of minute observation have en? abled him to prove conclusively that the miscreants could not have entered by the door or by the window, but must have made their way across the roof of the building, and so through a trap? door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. This fact, which has been very clearly made out. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. The prompt and energetic action of the ofii cers of the law shows the great advan? tage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see cur detectives more decentralized, and brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investi? gate." "Isn't it gorgeous!*' said Holmes, grinning over his coffee cup. "What do you think of it?" "I think that wc have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested ior the crime."' "So d.> I. I wouldn't answer for our safety now, if lie should happen to have another of his attacks of energy." At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell, and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, '?ur landlady, raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dis? may. "Ky heaven, Holmes." I said, half rising, "1 believe that they are really after us." "No, it's not quite so bad as that. It ts the unofficial force-theBaker street irregulars." A>> he spoke, there came a swift pat? tering of naked feet npo? the stairs, a clatter of high voices, and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs. There was some show of disci? pline among them, despite their tu? multu?os entry, for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing ns with expectant faces. One of their number, taller and older than thc oth? ers, stood forward with an air of loung? ing superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow. "Got your message, sir," said lie. "and brought "em <>n sharp. Three bob and a tanner for tickets." "Here you are." said Holmes, pro? ducing some silver. "In future they ?.an report to', you Wiggins, and you to rue. ? cannot have th?* hou^o invaded in llr.^ way. However, it is just as well that you should all hear the instruc? tions. I wahi to find the whereat wuts of a steam launch called thc Aurora, owner Mordecai Smith, black with two red streaks, funnel black with a white band. Sha is down the river some? where. ' ?vant -.me boy to be at Mor? decai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say it* the boatcomes back. You must divide it out among your? selves, and do both banks thoroughly. Let me know the moment you have news. Is that all clear?" "Yes. guv'nor," said Wiggins. "The old scale of pay. a.nd a guinea ca to the boy who finds the boat. Here's a day in advance. Now off you go!" Ile handed them a shilling1 each, and [ away they buzzed down th? stairs, and j i I saw them a moment la: ? streaming 1 down the street. "if tiie launch is above water they will find her,'' said Holmes, as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. "They can go everywhere, see everything, overhear everyone. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. In the meanwhile, we can do nothing but await results. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. Mordecai Smith. ' "Toby could eat these scraps, 1 dare say. Are you going to bed, Holmes?" "No; I am not tired. I have a curi? ous constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely. I 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 ough t to be. Wooden-legged men are not so com? mon, but the other man must, I should think, be absolutely unique." "That other man again!" "I have no wish to make a mystery of him-to you, anyway. But you must have formed your 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?1' "A savage!" I exclaimed. "Perhaps one of those Indians who wert: the as? sociates of Jonathan SmalL" "Hardly that," said he. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined tc think so; but the remark? able character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian peninsula ? re small men, but none could have left such marks as that. The Hindoo proper has long and thin feet. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others, because the thong is commonly passed between. These little darts, too, could only be shot in one way. They are from a blowpipe. Now, then, where are we to find our savage?" "South American," I hazarded. | He stretched his hand up and took j down a bulky volume from the shelf. "This is the first volume of a gaze teer which is now being published. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. What have we here? 'An? daman islands, situated three hun? dred and forty miles to the north of Sumatra, in the bay of Bengal.* Hum! hum! "What's all this? Moist climate, coral reefs, sharks, Port Blair, convict barracks, Rutland island, cottonwoods -ah, here wc arc. 'Thc aborigines of the Andaman islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth, though some anthropologists prefer the Bush? men of Africa, the Digger Indians of America and the Terra del Fuegians. The average height is rather below four feet, although many full-grown adults may be found who are verj' much smaller than this. They are a fierce, morose and intractable peo? ple, though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confi? dence has once been gained.' Mark that. Watson. Now, then, listen to this: 'They are naturally hideous, havinsr large, misshapen heads, smali, fierce eyes, and distorted features. Their feet and hands, however, are re? markably small. So intractable and fierce arc they that all the efforts >-.i the British officials have failed to win them over in any degree. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews, braining thc survivors with their stone-headed clubs, or shooting them with t::<-:r poisoned arrows" These massacres ar.- invariably con? cluded by a cannibal feast. ' Nice, amiable ?:.pie, Watson! ff this fellow had boon left to his own unaided dcr vice:- this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. I fancy that, even as it is, Jonathan Small would ?five a good deal not t<> have employed him." ' "But how came he to have so singular a compar?t ?n?" "Ah. t-nat is more than I can tell. Sine?', however, wc lead already deter? mined thur Small had come from thc Andamans. it : ?. no: so very wonderful that t!ii~- isl?n :er should bc with him. X.? doubt ve .hall know all about iL in time. L>'?'iv herc, Watson: you look regularly done. Lie down there on the sofa, and see if " can-put you to sleep." Ile tookup hi ; violin fro;;; thecorner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air-his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest fa.ee. and the rise and fall of his bow. T -a I seemed to be floated peaceful]. ay upon a soft sea of sound, unid found myself in dreamland, with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. CHAPTER IX A BREAK IN THE CHAIN. It was late in the afternoon before I woke, strengthened and refreshed. 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 his face was dark and troubled. "You have slept soundly," he said. .'I feared that our talk would wake you." "I heard nothing," I answered. "Have you had fresh news, then?" "Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. I ex? pected something definite by this time. Wiggins has just been pp to report. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. It is a provoking check, for every hour is of importance." "Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now, and quite ready for another night's outing." "No; we can do nothing. We can only wait. If we go ourselves, the mes? sage might come in our absence, and delay be caused- You can do what you will, but I must remain on guard." "Then I shall run over to Camber? well and call upon Mrs. Cecil Forrester. She asked me to, yesterday." "On Mrs. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes, with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes. "Well, of course, on Miss Morstan too. They were anxious to hear what happened." "I would not tell them too much," said Hohnes. ''Women are never to be entirely trusted-not the best of them" I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment. "I shall be baek in an hour or two," I remarked. "Ail right! Good luck! 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." I took our mongrel accordingly, and left him, together with a half sovereign at the old naturalist's in Fia chin lane. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adven* tures, but very eager to hear the news. Mrs. Forrester,too,' was full of curios? ity. I told them all that we had done, suppressing, however, the more dread? ful parts of the tragedy. Thus, al? though 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. "It is a romance!" cried Mrs. Forres? ter. "An injured lady, half a million in treasure, a black cannibal and a wooden-legged ruffian. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl." "And two knight-errants to the res? cue," added Miss Morstan. with a bright glance at me. "Why, Mary, your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich and to have the world at your feet!" It sent a thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of ela? tion at the prospect. On the contrary, she gave a toss of her proud head, as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. "It is for Mr. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anxious," she said. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think thai he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout. It is oui duty to clear him of this dreadful and un? founded charge." It was evening before I left Camber? well, and quite dark by thc time I reached home. My companion's book and pipe lay by his elia ir. but he had disappeared. I looked about in the hope of seeing ;> note, but there was none. "I suppose that Mv. Sherlock Holmes has gone our." I said to Mrs. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. "Nb. sir. Ile has gone to his roo; . sir. Do you know, vir." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper, "I am afraid for his health?*' "Why so. Mr-. Hudson?" j "Weil, he's that strange, sir. After you was gone he walked and he 1 walked, up and down, and up and ? down, until I was weary of the sound j of ins footstep. Then I heard him ? talking to himself and mattering, and every time the bell rang out he came on the stair-head with: 'What is that, ! Mrs. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room, but I can hear ! him walking away the same a.-> ever. I j hope he's not going to be ill, sir. I ventured to saysomething tohimabout j cooling medicine, but he turned on me. sir, with such a look that I don't know j how I evci got out of the room," "I don't think that you have any j cause to be uneasy, Mrs. Hudson," I ! answered. "I have seen him like this before. He has some small matter up? on his mind which makes hun restless." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady, but I was myself somewhat uneasy when, through the long night, I still from time to tirru h? ard the dull sound of his tread, and knew Low his Highest of ail in Leavening Pov At breakfast time he looked worn and haggard, with a little fleck of feverish color upon either cheek. "You ar<- knocking yourself up. old man," I remarked. "I heard you march? ing about in the night.'" "No, I could not sleep.*' he answered. "This infernal problem is consuming me. It is t^o much to Le balked by so petty an obstacle, when all else had been overcome. I know the men, the launch, everything; and yet I can get no news. J have set other agencies at work, and used every means at my dis? posal. The whole river has been searched on cither side, but there is no news, nor has Mrs. Smith heard of her husband. I shall come to the conclu? sion soon that they have scuttled the craft- But there are objections to that" "Or that ??rs. Smith has put us on a wrong scent." "No. I think that may be dismissed. I had inquiries made, and there is a launch of that description.'' "Could it have gone up the river?'*' "I have consid?r?e! tu?t possibility too, and there is a search party whe CLAP CT BUDE SAILOR DRESS. will work up as far as Richmond. If no news comes to-day, I shall start off myself to-morrow, and go for the men rather than the boat. But surely, surely, we shall hear something." We did not, however. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. They all appeared to be rather hostile to-the unfortunate Thaddeus Sbolto. No fresh details were to be found, however, in any of them, save that an inquest was held upon the following day. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to to report our ill success to the ladies, and on my return I found Holmes de? jected and somewhat morose. Ile would hardly reply to my questions, and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which in? volved much heating of retorts an- '. dis? tilling of vapors, ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me cut of the apartment. Up to the small ir ours of the morning I could, hear the clicking of his test-tubes which told me that he was still engaged in his malodorous ex? periment. TO BS CONTIN'UEO WOMEN IN OLD GERMAN V. Their Influence Manifested in the Destiny of the ?*ation. These German priestesses influenced not only their own countrymen, but were a source of superstitious dread to the Romans as well. The power which a German prophet? ess wielded may be seen when in A. I). 69, for one brief moment the Gauls threw off the Roman yoke in an insur? rection led by Civilis. His associate and counselor was Velleda, a wise woman who dwelt in the depths of the Bructerian forest. She had been chosen with Civilis to decide an im? portant question of state. She was also umpire in civil disputes. In order that greater reverence might be felt for her. messengers were not allowed to see ber.face, but questions and an? swers were earrie-: by one of her rela? tives. Velleda bti prophesied defeat j to the Roman soldiers and Civilis rind I ing his people anxious io throw off the ; Roman yoke united tho tribes for oat I tlc. Behind theliaeof batt le he placed I his mother and sisters, the wives and children of all ii- soldiers. the : advance to battle tile women a nit. vi in ? the war songs with the men ; urged them on to brave deeds. Ii the title of tat? women oiten ? .* . e ? mem .?o.;: ing ap their children and entreating them not to allow their wives and chil? dren to become slaves of the enemy. If they tied, their wives put them to death that they might still have a home in Valhalla. If they conquered, the women dressed their wounds and honored them still more. Civilis believed that the presence of these women was a great incitement to victory. !L- engaged in battle with the Iloman> and caine off conqueror. In return for her >ervi.-e.-. Velleda re? ceived the most valuable part of the booty, a Roman trireme am >ng other t h i M gs. The Roma: : s a ? t c r w :. ni s t r led to win her favor so that she would in? fluence her people ie. their behalf; Their efforts were fruitless, and sac wns carried with Civilis a prisoner to Rome.-Louise Prosser i'ate?. in Chau? tauqua n. ra:.- Latest U.S.Gov't Report kins i Powder '?Ctr PURE