" coming," said he

There furtive step past the door Now it returned We heard shuffling sound outside, and then two sharp taps knocker Holmes rose, motioning to remain seated The gas hall was mere point of light He opened the outer door, and then as dark figure slipped past him he closed and fastened it " ! " we heard him say, and moment later our man stood Holmes had followed him closely, and man turned with cry of surprise and alarm he caught him collar and threw him back room Before our prisoner had recovered his balance the door was shut and Holmes standing back against it The man glared round him, staggered, and fell senseless floor shock, his broad-brimmed hat flew head, his cravat slipped down lips, and there were the long light beard soft, handsome delicate features of Colonel Valentine Walter

Holmes gave whistle of surprise

" write me down an ass , Watson," said he " not the bird that looking for "

" he ? " asked Mycroft eagerly

"The younger brother late Sir James Walter, the head Submarine Department Yes, yes; the fall cards coming to that you had best leave his examination "

We had carried the prostrate body sofa Now our prisoner sat up, looked round him with horror-stricken face, and passed his hand over his forehead, like one believe his own senses

"What ? " he asked " here to visit Mr Oberstein "

"Everything is known, Colonel Walter," said Holmes "How an English gentleman could behave is beyond my comprehension But your whole correspondence and relations with Oberstein are within our knowledge So also are the circumstances connected death of young Cadogan West Let me advise you to gain the small credit for repentance and confession, since still some details which only learn from your lips "

The man groaned and sank his face hands We waited, but silent

" assure you," said Holmes, "that every essential is already known that you were pressed for money; that you took an impress keys which your brother held; you entered into correspondence with Oberstein, who answered your letters advertisement columns Daily Telegraph aware that you went down office fog on Monday night, but that you were seen and followed by young Cadogan West, who had probably some previous reason to suspect you your theft, but give the alarm, as just possible that you were taking the papers to your brother in London Leaving all his private concerns, like the good citizen that , he followed you closely fog and kept at your heels until you reached this very house There he intervened, and then , Colonel Walter, that to treason you added the more terrible crime of murder "

" ! ! Before God I swear that ! " cried our wretched prisoner

"Tell us, then, how Cadogan West met his end laid him roof of railway carriage "

" I swear that the rest I confess it just say Stock Exchange debt had paid I needed the money badly Oberstein offered me five thousand to save myself from ruin But murder, as innocent "

"What happened, then ? "

"He had his suspicions before, and he followed me describe I never knew it until very door thick fog, and one three yards I had given two taps and Oberstein had come door The young man rushed up and demanded what we were about papers Oberstein had short life-preserver He always carried it As West forced his way after us house Oberstein struck him head The blow was fatal one dead within five minutes There he lay hall, and we were at our wit's end what Then Oberstein had this idea trains which halted under his back window But first he examined the papers which I had brought that three were essential, keep them ' keep them,' said I ' dreadful row at Woolwich returned ' ' keep them,' said he, 'for so technical impossible time copies ' 'Then all go back together tonight,' said I He thought for little, and then he cried out that he had it 'Three keep,' said he 'The others stuff pocket young man When found the whole business will assuredly be put account I no other way out of it, so as he suggested We waited half an hour window before train stopped so thick that nothing seen, and we had no difficulty in lowering West's body on train That end matter as concerned "

"And your brother ? "

" nothing, but he had caught me once keys, and that he suspected eves that he suspected , he never held up his head again "

silence room broken by Mycroft Holmes

" not make reparation ? It would ease your conscience, and possibly your punishment "

"What reparation can I make ? "

"Where is Oberstein papers ? "

" know "

"Did he no address ? "

" that letters Hotel du Louvre, Paris, would eventually reach him "

"Then reparation is still within your power," said Sherlock Holmes

" do anything I owe this fellow no particular good-will He my ruin and my downfall

"Here are paper and pen Sit desk and write to my dictation Direct the envelope address given right Now the letter: :

With regard to our transaction, have observed by now that one essential detail is missing tracing which will make it complete This has involved me in extra trouble, however, and for further advance of five hundred pounds trust it post, nor will I take anything but gold or notes come abroad, but it would excite remark if I left the country at present Therefore expect to meet you smoking-room Charing Cross Hotel at noon on Saturday Remember that only English notes, or gold, taken do surprised fetch our man "

And it did ! matter of history- that secret history of nation often, more intimate and interesting than its public chronicles- that Oberstein, eager to complete the coup lifetime, came lure and was safely engulfed for fifteen years in British prison trunk were found the invaluable Bruce-Partington plans, which he had put up for auction in all the naval centres of Europe