My answer was to rise table

" right, Holmes bound "

He sprang up and shook me hand

" shrink last," said he, and for moment something eyes nearer to tenderness than I had ever seen The next instant his masterful, practical self once more

" nearly half mile, but no hurry walk," said he "Don't drop the instruments, I beg Your arrest as suspicious character most unfortunate complication "

Caulfield Gardens was on lines of flat-faced pillared, and porticoed houses which are so prominent product middle Victorian epoch West End of London Next door there appeared children's party, merry buzz of young voices clatter of piano resounded night The fog still hung about and screened us with its friendly shade Holmes had lit his lantern and flashed it massive door

" serious proposition," said he " certainly bolted as locked do better area an excellent archway down yonder too zealous policeman should intrude hand, Watson, and I'll same "

minute later we were both area Hardly had we reached the dark shadows step policeman was heard fog above As its soft rhythm died away, Holmes set to work lower door him stoop and strain until with sharp crash it flew open We sprang through dark passage, closing the area door behind us Holmes led the way up the curving, uncarpeted stair His little fan of yellow light shone upon low window

"Here , Watson- this the one " He threw it open, and as so low, harsh murmur, growing steadily into loud roar as train dashed past us darkness Holmes swept his light along the window-sill thickly coated with soot passing engines, but the black surface was blurred and rubbed in places

"You where they rested the body Halloa, Watson ! what ? There blood mark " pointing to faint discolourations along the woodwork window "Here stone stair also The demonstration is complete stay here until train stops "

We long to wait The very next train roared tunnel as before, but slowed open, and then, with creaking of brakes, pulled up immediately beneath us not four feet window-ledge roof carriages Holmes softly closed the window

" justified," said he "What of it, Watson ? "

"A masterpiece never risen to greater height "

" agree there moment that I conceived the idea body being roof, which surely was not very abstruse one, all the rest was inevitable grave interests involved the affair up point insignificant Our difficulties are still But perhaps find something here "

We had ascended the kitchen stair and entered the suite of rooms first floor One was dining-room, severely furnished and containing nothing of interest second was bedroom, which also drew blank The remaining room appeared more promising and my companion settled down to systematic examination littered with books and papers, and was evidently used as study Swiftly and methodically Holmes turned over the contents of drawer after drawer and cupboard after cupboard, but no gleam of success came to brighten his austere face end of an hour no further than when he started

"The cunning dog has covered his tracks," said he "He has left nothing to incriminate him His dangerous correspondence destroyed or removed our last chance "

small tin cash-box which stood writing-desk Holmes pried it open chisel Several rolls of paper were within, covered with figures and calculations, without any note to show to what they referred The recurring words, 'water pressure' and 'pressure square inch' suggested some possible relation to submarine Holmes tossed them all impatiently aside There only remained an envelope with some small newspaper slips inside it He shook them out table, and at once by his eager face that his hopes raised

"What's this, Watson ? Eh ? What's this ? Record of series of messages advertisements of paper Daily Telegraph agony column print and paper Right-hand top corner of page No dates- but messages arrange themselves This the first:

"Hoped to hear sooner Terms agreed to Write fully to address given on card "PIERROT

"Next comes:

"Too complex for description full report Stuff awaits you when goods delivered "PIERROT

"Then comes:

"Matter presses Must withdraw offer unless contract completed Make appointment by letter Will confirm by advertisement

"PIERROT

"Finally:

"Monday night after nine Two taps Only ourselves be so suspicious Payment in hard cash when goods delivered

"PIERROT

"A fairly complete record, Watson ! only get man other end ! " He sat lost in thought, tapping his fingers table Finally he sprang feet

"Well, perhaps it won't be so difficult, after all nothing more here, Watson drive round offices Daily Telegraph, and so bring good day's work to conclusion "

Mycroft Holmes and Lestrade had come round by appointment after breakfast and Sherlock Holmes had recounted our proceedings day before The professional shook his head over our confessed burglary

" 't do these things force, Mr Holmes," said he "No wonder you get results beyond us But days you'll go too far, and you'll find yourself and your friend in trouble "

"For England, home and beauty- eh, Watson ? Martyrs altar country But what of it, Mycroft ? "

"Excellent, Sherlock ! Admirable ! But what use make of it ? "

Holmes picked up the Daily Telegraph which lay table

" seen Pierrot's advertisement to-day ? "

"What ? Another one ? "

"Yes, here :

"To-night Same hour Same place Two taps Most vitally important Your own safety at stake

"PIERROT

"By George ! " cried Lestrade "If he answers that we've got him ! "

"That was my idea when I put it in both make it convenient about eight o'clock to Caulfield Gardens possibly get little nearer to solution "

remarkable characteristics of Sherlock Holmes was his power of throwing his brain out of action and switching all his thoughts on to lighter things whenever he had convinced himself that no longer work to advantage I remember that during the whole memorable day himself in monograph which he had undertaken Polyphonic Motets of Lassus own part I had none power of detachment, day, in consequence, appeared interminable The great national importance issue, the suspense in high quarters, the direct nature experiment which we were trying- all combined to work upon my nerve relief when at last, after light dinner, we set out upon our expedition Lestrade and Mycroft met us by appointment outside of Gloucester Road Station The area door of Oberstein's house left open the night before, and necessary , as Mycroft Holmes absolutely and indignantly declined to climb the railings, in and open the hall door By nine o'clock we were all seated study, waiting patiently man