" out," said Sherlock Holmes with peculiar gravity " your London address, Mr Green ? "

"The Langham Hotel me "

"Then may I recommend that you return there and be on hand want you ? no desire to encourage false hopes, but rest assured that all that safety of Lady Frances no more instant leave you this card in touch Now, Watson, pack your bag cable to Mrs Hudson one of her best efforts for two hungry travellers at 7:30 to-morrow "

telegram was awaiting us when we reached our Baker Street rooms, which Holmes read with an exclamation of interest and threw across "Jagged or torn," message, place of origin, Baden

"What ? " I asked

" everything," Holmes answered " remember my seemingly irrelevant question clerical gentleman's left ear answer it "

"I had left Baden and inquire "

"Exactly reason duplicate manager Englischer Hof, whose answer lies here "

"What does it show ? "

"It shows, my dear Watson, that dealing with an exceptionally astute and dangerous man The Rev Dr Shlessinger, missionary from South America, is none Holy Peters, unscrupulous rascals that Australia has ever evolved- and for young country it has turned out some very finished types His particular specialty beguiling of lonely ladies by playing upon their religious feelings, so-called wife, an Englishwoman named Fraser, is worthy helpmate The nature tactics suggested his identity , and this physical peculiarity- badly bitten in saloon-fight at Adelaide in '89- confirmed my suspicion This poor lady is hands of most infernal couple, stick at nothing, Watson That already dead is very likely supposition , undoubtedly in some sort of confinement and unable to write to Miss Dobney or her other friends always possible that she never reached London, or that she has passed through it, but the former is improbable, as, with their system of registration, easy for foreigners to play tricks Continental police; latter is also unlikely, rogues hope place where it as easy person under restraint All my instincts tell me that in London, but as at present no possible means of telling where, only obvious steps, eat our dinner, and possess our souls in patience Later evening stroll down word with friend Lestrade at Scotland Yard "

But neither the official police nor Holmes's own small but very efficient organization sufficed to clear away the mystery Amid the crowded millions of London the three persons we sought were as completely obliterated as had never lived Advertisements were tried, and failed Clues were followed, and led to nothing Every criminal resort which Shlessinger might frequent was drawn in vain His old associates were watched, but they kept clear of him And then suddenly, after week of helplessness suspense there came flash of light silver-and-brilliant pendant of old Spanish design pawned at Bovington's, in Westminster Road The pawner was large, clean-shaven man of clerical appearance His name and address were demonstrably false The ear had escaped notice, but the description was surely that of Shlessinger

Three times had our bearded friend Langham called for news- the third time within an hour fresh development His clothes were getting looser great body wilting away anxiety " only something ! " was his constant wail At last Holmes could oblige him

"He has begun, to pawn the jewels get him now "

"But does this mean that any harm has befallen the Lady Frances ? "

Holmes shook his head very gravely

"Supposing that held her prisoner now, clear that let her loose without their own destruction prepare worst "

"What can ? "

"These people know you by sight ? "

"No "

" possible that go to some other pawnbroker case, begin again other hand, he has had fair price and no questions asked, so if in need of ready-money probably come back to Bovington's note , and let you wait shop fellow comes follow him home But no indiscretion, and, above all, no violence I put you honour that take no step without my knowledge and consent "

For two days the Hon Philip Green ( , mention, the son famous admiral name who commanded the Sea of Azof fleet Crimean War) brought us no news evening third he rushed into our sitting-room, pale, trembling, with every muscle powerful frame quivering with excitement

" him ! him ! " he cried

incoherent agitation Holmes soothed him with few words and thrust him into an armchair

"Come, now, the order of events," said he

"She came only an hour ago It wife, , but the pendant she brought fellow other, tall, pale woman, with ferret eyes "

" lady," said Holmes

"She left the office and I followed her She walked up the Kennington Road, and I kept behind her Presently she went into shop Mr Holmes, an undertaker's "

My companion started "Well ? " he asked vibrant voice which told fiery soul behind the cold gray face

"She was talking woman behind the counter I entered ' late,' I heard her say, or words effect The woman was excusing herself 'It there before now,' she answered 'It took longer, being ordinary ' They both stopped and looked at me, so I asked some question and then left the shop "

" excellently well What happened next ? "

"The woman came out, but I had hid myself in doorway Her suspicions aroused, , for she looked round her Then she called cab and got in lucky enough another and so her She got down at last at No 36, Poultney Square, Brixton I drove past, left my cab corner square, and watched the house "

"Did anyone ? "

"The windows were all in darkness save one lower floor The blind was down, and I in standing there, wondering what do next, when covered van drove up with two men They descended, took something van, and carried it up the steps hall door Mr Holmes, coffin "

"Ah ! "

"For an instant point of rushing in The door opened to admit the men and their burden It woman who had opened it But as I stood there she caught glimpse of me, and that she recognized me her start, and she hastily closed the door I remembered my promise , and here "

"You excellent work," said Holmes scribbling few words upon half-sheet of paper " do nothing legal without warrant, and serve the cause best by taking this note down authorities and getting one some difficulty, but think sale jewellery sufficient Lestrade will see to all details "

"But murder her meanwhile What could the coffin mean, and for whom could it be but for her ? "