"The practice is quiet," said I, "and an accommodating neighbour glad "

"And to start to-morrow morning ? "

"If necessary "

"Oh yes, most necessary Then these are your instructions, and I beg, my dear Watson, that obey them letter, are now playing double-handed game with me against the cleverest rogue most powerful syndicate of criminals in Europe Now listen ! despatch whatever luggage you intend by trusty messenger unaddressed to Victoria to-night morning send for hansom, desiring your man neither the first nor the second present itself hansom jump, and drive Strand end Lowther Arcade, handling the address cabman upon slip of paper, with request that throw it away Have your fare ready, instant that your cab stops, dash Arcade, timing yourself to reach the other side at quarter-past nine small brougham waiting close curb, driven by fellow with heavy black cloak tipped collar with red step, and reach Victoria Continental express "

"Where shall I meet you ? "

" station The second first-class carriage front reserved "

"The carriage is our rendezvous, then ? "

"Yes "

in vain that I asked Holmes to remain evening evident that he though he might bring trouble roof under, that motive which impelled him With few hurried words our plans morrow he rose and came out with me garden, clambering over the wall which leads into Mortimer Street, and immediately whistling for hansom, I heard him drive away

morning I obeyed Holmes's injunctions letter hansom was procured precaution as would prevent its being one placed ready , and I drove immediately after breakfast Lowther Arcade, through which I hurried top speed brougham was waiting with very massive driver wrapped in dark cloak, who, the instant that I had stepped in, whipped up the horse and rattled off to Victoria Station On my alighting there he turned the carriage, and dashed away again without as look in my direction

all had gone admirably My luggage was waiting , and I had no difficulty in finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated, the less so as it train marked "Engaged " My only source of anxiety now non-appearance of Holmes The station clock marked only seven minutes time when we were due to start In vain I searched groups of travellers and leave-takers little figure friend no sign of him I spent in assisting venerable Italian priest, who was endeavouring porter understand, broken English, that his luggage was booked through to Paris Then, having taken another look round, I returned to my carriage, where porter, ticket, had given me my decrepit Italian friend as travelling companion useless to explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, Italian was even more limited than his English, so I shrugged my shoulders resignedly, and continued to look out anxiously friend chill of fear had come over me, as that his absence might mean that some blow had fallen during the night Already the doors had all been shut whistle blown, when--

"My dear Watson," said voice, " even condescended good-morning "

I turned in uncontrollable astonishment The aged ecclesiastic had turned his face towards me For an instant the wrinkles were smoothed away, the nose drew away chin, the lower lip ceased to protrude mouth to mumble, the dull eyes regained their fire, the drooping figure expanded The next the whole frame collapsed again, and Holmes had gone as quickly as he had come

"Good heavens ! " I cried; "how you startled me ! "

"Every precaution is still necessary," he whispered " reason hot upon our trail Ah, Moriarty himself "

The train had already begun to move as Holmes spoke Glancing back, tall man pushing his way furiously crowd, and waving his hand he desired the train stopped too late, however, for we were rapidly gathering momentum, and an instant later had shot clear station

"With all our precautions, that cut it rather fine," said Holmes, laughing He rose, and throwing off the black cassock and hat which had formed his disguise, he packed them away in hand-bag

" seen the morning paper, Watson ? "

"No "

"You haven't' seen about Baker Street, then ? "

"Baker Street ? "

"They set fire to our rooms last night No great harm "

"Good heavens, Holmes ! intolerable "

" lost my track completely after their bludgeon-man was arrested Otherwise have imagined that I had returned to my rooms evidently taken the precaution of watching you, however, is what has brought Moriarty to Victoria made any slip in coming ? "

" exactly what you advised "

"Did you find your brougham ? "

"Yes, waiting "

"Did you recognise your coachman ? "

"No "

" my brother Mycroft an advantage about case without taking mercenary into your confidence But plant what about Moriarty now "

" an express, and boat runs in connection with it, think shaken him off very effectively "

"My dear Watson, you evidently realise my meaning when man taken as being quite same intellectual plane as myself imagine that if I were the pursuer allow myself baffled by so slight an obstacle Why, then, should so meanly of him ? "

" he do ? "

"What do ? "

"What would , then ? "

"Engage special "

"But it late "

"By no means This train stops at Canterbury; and always quarter of an hour's delay boat catch us there "

"One would think that we were the criminals him arrested arrival "

"It to ruin the work of three months get the big fish, but the smaller would dart right and left net On Monday them all No, an arrest is inadmissible "

"What then ? "

" get out at Canterbury "

"And then ? "

"Well, then make cross-country journey to Newhaven, and so over to Dieppe Moriarty will again do what do get on to Paris, mark down our luggage, and wait for two days depot meantime treat ourselves to couple of carpet-bags, encourage the manufactures countries through which we travel, and make our way at our leisure into Switzerland, via Luxembourg and Basle "

At Canterbury, therefore, we alighted, only that to wait an hour before get train to Newhaven

still looking rather ruefully rapidly disappearing luggage-van which contained my wardrobe, when Holmes pulled my sleeve and pointed up the line

"Already, ," said he

Far away, from Kentish woods there rose thin spray of smoke minute later carriage and engine seen flying along the open curve which leads station We had hardly time our place behind pile of luggage when it passed with rattle and roar, beating blast of hot air into our faces