" it has moved," said he "Am I such farcical bungler, Watson, that erect an obvious dummy and expect that sharpest men in Europe deceived ? room two hours, and Mrs Hudson some change figure eight times, or once in every quarter of an hour She works it front her shadow may never be seen Ah ! " He drew breath with shrill, excited intake dim light his head thrown forward, his whole attitude rigid with attention Outside, the street was absolutely deserted Those two men might still be crouching doorway, but no longer see them All was still and dark, save only that brilliant yellow screen in front of us black figure outlined upon its centre Again utter silence I heard that thin, sibilant note which spoke of intense suppressed excitement An instant later he pulled me back blackest corner room, and his warning hand upon my lips The fingers which clutched me were quivering Never had I known my friend more moved, and yet the dark street still stretched lonely and motionless

But suddenly aware which his keener senses had already distinguished low, stealthy sound came to my ears, not direction of Baker Street, but back very house we lay concealed door opened and shut An instant later steps crept down the passage -- steps which were meant silent, but which reverberated harshly empty house Holmes crouched back against the wall and the same, my hand closing handle revolver Peering gloom, the vague outline of man, shade blacker blackness open door He stood for an instant, and then he crept forward, crouching, menacing, room within three yards of us, this sinister figure, and I had braced myself to meet his spring, before I realised that he had no idea presence He passed close beside us, stole over window, and very softly and noiselessly raised it for half foot As he sank level opening the light street, no longer dimmed dusty glass, fell full upon his face The man seemed beside himself with excitement His two eyes shone like stars features were working convulsively an elderly man, with thin, projecting nose, high, bald forehead, and huge grizzled moustache An opera-hat was pushed back head, and an evening dress shirt-front gleamed out through his open overcoat His face was gaunt and swarthy, scored with deep, savage lines hand he carried what appeared stick, but as he laid it down floor it gave metallic clang Then pocket overcoat he drew bulky object, and he busied himself in some task which ended with loud, sharp click, spring or bolt had fallen into its place Still kneeling floor he bent forward and threw all his weight and strength upon some lever, result that there came long, whirling, grinding noise, ending once more in powerful click He straightened himself then, and that what he held hand was sort of gun, with curiously misshapen butt He opened it breech, put something in, and snapped the breech-block Then, crouching down, he rested the end barrel ledge open window, and his long moustache droop over the stock eye gleam as it peered along the sights I heard little sigh of satisfaction as he cuddled the butt into his shoulder, and saw that amazing target, the black man yellow ground, standing clear end fore sight For an instant rigid and motionless Then his finger tightened trigger strange, loud whiz and long, silvery tinkle of broken glass instant Holmes sprang like tiger on marksman's back and hurled him flat upon his face up again in moment, and with convulsive strength he seized Holmes throat; but I struck him head butt revolver and he dropped again floor I fell upon him, and as I held him my comrade blew shrill call upon whistle the clatter of running feet pavement, and two policemen in uniform, with one plain-clothes detective, rushed front entrance and room

"That you, Lestrade ? " said Holmes

"Yes, Mr Holmes the job myself It's good you back in London, sir "

" little unofficial help Three undetected murders in one year won't do, Lestrade But you handled the Molesey Mystery with your usual -- that's , you handled it fairly well "

We had all risen to our feet, our prisoner breathing hard, with stalwart constable on each side of him Already few loiterers had begun to collect street Holmes stepped window, closed it, and dropped the blinds Lestrade had produced two candles policemen had uncovered their lanterns able at last good look at our prisoner

tremendously virile and yet sinister face turned towards us brow of philosopher above jaw of sensualist below, the man started with great capacities for good or for evil But one look upon his cruel blue eyes, with their drooping, cynical lids, or fierce, aggressive nose threatening, deep-lined brow, without reading Nature's plainest danger-signals no heed of any of us, but his eyes were fixed upon Holmes's face with an expression hatred and amazement were equally blended "You fiend ! " he kept on muttering "You clever, clever fiend ! "

"Ah, Colonel ! " said Holmes, arranging his rumpled collar; "`journeys end in lovers' meetings,' old play says I don't think the pleasure of seeing you since you favoured me with those attentions as I lay ledge above the Reichenbach Fall "

The Colonel still stared at my friend like man in trance "You cunning, cunning fiend ! " was all that he

" introduced you yet," said Holmes "This, gentlemen, is Colonel Sebastian Moran, once of Her Majesty's Indian Army, best heavy game shot Eastern Empire has ever produced I believe correct, Colonel, in saying that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled ? "

The fierce old man said nothing, but still glared at my companion; savage eyes and bristling moustache wonderfully like tiger himself

"I wonder that my very simple stratagem could deceive so old shikari," said Holmes "It very familiar not tethered young kid under tree, lain above it with your rifle, and waited bait to bring up your tiger ? This empty house is my tree and my tiger possibly had other guns in reserve there several tigers, or unlikely supposition of your own aim failing you These," he pointed around, "are my other guns The parallel is exact "

Colonel Moran sprang forward, with snarl of rage, but the constables dragged him back The fury upon his face was terrible to look at

"I confess that you had one small surprise ," said Holmes " anticipate that yourself make use empty house and this convenient front window I had imagined you as operating street, where my friend Lestrade merry men were awaiting you exception all has gone as I expected "

Colonel Moran turned official detective

" or may not have just cause for arresting me," said he, "but there no reason why submit gibes person If hands law let things in legal way "

"Well, that's reasonable enough," said Lestrade "Nothing further , Mr Holmes, before we go ? "

Holmes had picked up the powerful air-gun floor and was examining its mechanism

"An admirable and unique weapon," said he, "noiseless and of tremendous power Von Herder, the blind German mechanic, who constructed it order late Professor Moriarty For years aware existence, though never before had the opportunity of handling it I commend it very specially to your attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets which fit it "

" trust us to look , Mr Holmes," said Lestrade, whole party moved towards the door "Anything further ? "

"Only to ask what charge you intend to prefer ? "

"What charge, sir ? Why, , the attempted murder of Mr Sherlock Holmes "

"Not so, Lestrade propose to appear matter at all , and only, belongs the credit remarkable arrest which effected Yes, Lestrade, I congratulate you ! With your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity got him "

"Got him ! Got whom, Mr Holmes ? "

"The man whole force seeking in vain -- Colonel Sebastian Moran, who shot the Honourable Ronald Adair with an expanding bullet from an air-gun open window second-floor front of No 427, Park Lane, 30th of last month That's the charge, Lestrade And now, Watson, endure the draught from broken window, that half an hour in my study over cigar may afford you some profitable amusement "