"The man's eyes flashed fire

"'Never ! ' he wrote in Greek slate

"'On no condition ? ' I asked, bidding tyrant

"'Only if her married in my presence by Greek priest whom '

"The man giggled venomous way

"' what awaits you, then ? '

"'I care nothing '

"These are samples questions and answers which made up our strange half-spoken, half-written conversation Again and again I had to ask him whether give in and sign the documents Again and again I had the same indignant reply But soon happy thought came to adding on little sentences own to each question, innocent ones at first, to test whether either companions knew anything matter, and then, as showed no signs I played more dangerous game Our conversation ran something like this:

"' do no good obstinacy Who ? '

"'I care not stranger in London '

"'Your fate upon your own head How long been here ? '

"'Let it be so Three weeks '

"'The property can never be yours What ails you ? '

"'It go to villains starving me '

"'You shall go free sign What house ? '

"' never sign know '

"' doing her any service ? '

"'Let me hear her say so Kratides '

"'You shall see her sign Where from ? '

"'Then never see her Athens '

"Another five minutes, Mr Holmes, and wormed out the whole story under their very noses My very next question cleared the matter up, but instant the door opened and woman stepped room I her clearly enough more than that she was tall and graceful, with black hair, and clad in some sort of loose white gown

"'Harold,' said she, speaking English with broken accent ' stay away longer so lonely up there with only--Oh, my God, Paul ! '

"These last words were in Greek, and same instant the man with convulsive effort tore the plaster lips, and screaming out 'Sophy ! Sophy ! ' rushed woman's arms Their embrace was but for an instant, however, younger man seized the woman and pushed her room, while the elder easily overpowered his emaciated victim, and dragged him away other door For moment left alone room, and I sprang to my feet with some vague idea that in some way get clue to what this house was myself Fortunately, however, no steps, for looking up older man was standing door-way eyes fixed upon me

"' do, Mr Melas,' said he 'You perceive that taken you into our confidence over some very private business We have troubled you, only friend who speaks Greek and who began these negotiations forced to return East quite necessary some one his place, and we were fortunate in hearing of your powers '

"I bowed

"' five sovereigns here,' said he, walking up , 'which will, , be sufficient fee But remember,' he added, tapping me lightly chest and giggling, ' speak to human soul --one human soul, mind--well, may God have mercy upon your soul ! "

" tell you the loathing and horror this insignificant-looking man inspired me I him better now lamp-light shone upon him His features were peaky and sallow, little pointed beard was thready and ill-nourished He pushed his face forward as he spoke lips and eyelids were continually twitching like man with St Vitus's dance help thinking that his strange, catchy little laugh was also symptom of some nervous malady The terror face lay eyes, however, steel grey, and glistening coldly with malignant, inexorable cruelty in their depths

"' know speak ,' said he ' our own means of information Now the carriage waiting, and my friend will see you way '

" hurried hall and vehicle, again obtaining that momentary glimpse of trees and garden Mr Latimer followed closely at my heels, and took his place opposite without word In silence we again drove for an interminable distance windows raised, until at last, just after midnight, the carriage pulled up

"' get down here, Mr Melas,' said my companion ' sorry to leave you from your house, but no alternative Any attempt upon your part the carriage can only end in injury to yourself '

"He opened the door as he spoke, and I had hardly time to spring out coachman lashed the horse carriage rattled away I looked around me in astonishment on some sort of heathy common mottled over with dark clumps of furze-bushes Far away stretched line of houses, with light here and there upper windows other side the red signal-lamps of railway

"The carriage which had brought me was already out of sight I stood gazing round and wondering where on earth , when some one coming towards me darkness As up out that railway porter

"' tell me what place ? ' I asked

"'Wandsworth Common,' said he

"'Can I get train into town ? '

"' walk on mile or so to Clapham Junction,' said he, 'you'll just be to Victoria '

" end adventure, Mr Holmes know where , nor whom I spoke with, nor anything save what told you But foul play going on, and to help that unhappy man if the whole story to Mr Mycroft Holmes next morning, and subsequently police "

We all sat in silence for some little time after listening extraordinary narrative Then Sherlock looked across at his brother

"Any steps ? " he asked

Mycroft picked up the Daily News, lying side-table

"'Anybody supplying any information whereabouts of Greek gentleman named Paul Kratides, from Athens, unable English, rewarded similar reward paid to giving information about Greek lady whose first name is Sophy X 2473 ' That was in all the dailies No answer "

"How Greek Legation ? "

" inquired They know nothing "

"A wire head Athens police, then ? "

"Sherlock has all the energy family," said Mycroft, turning "Well, you case up by all means, and let me know any good "

"Certainly," answered my friend, rising chair "I'll let , and Mr Melas also meantime, Mr Melas, certainly be on my guard, if I were you, for know through these advertisements that betrayed them "

walked home together, Holmes stopped at telegraph office and sent off several wires

" , Watson," he remarked, "our evening by no means wasted Some most interesting cases have come through Mycroft The problem which just listened to, although it can admit of but one explanation, has still some distinguishing features "

" hopes of solving it ? "

"Well, knowing do, singular indeed fail to discover the rest yourself have formed some theory which will explain the facts listened "

"In vague way, yes "