" twenty years younger, Holmes seldom felt so happy as when I got your wire asking me to meet you at Harwich car But you, Holmes- changed very little- save horrible goatee "

"These are the sacrifices one makes 's country, Watson," said Holmes, pulling at his little tuft "To-morrow but dreadful memory With my hair cut and few other superficial changes reappear at Claridge's to-morrow as before this American stunt- I beg your pardon, Watson, my well of English permanently defiled- before this American job came my way

"But retired, Holmes We heard of you as living the life of hermit among your bees and your books in small farm South Downs "

"Exactly, Watson fruit leisured ease, the magnum opus latter years ! " He picked up the volume table and read out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with Some Observations Segregation Queen "Alone it Behold the fruit of pensive nights and laborious days when I watched the little working gangs as once I watched the criminal world of London "

"But how did you get to work again ? "

"Ah, often marvelled at it myself The Foreign Minister alone withstood, but Premier also deigned to visit my humble roof- ! The fact is, Watson, gentleman sofa was bit too good people in class by himself Things were going wrong, and no one could understand why they were going wrong Agents were suspected or even caught, but evidence of some strong and secret central force absolutely necessary to expose it Strong pressure was brought upon me to look matter It has cost me two years, Watson, but they devoid of excitement When that I started my pilgrimage at Chicago, graduated in an Irish secret society at Buffalo, gave serious trouble constabulary at Skibbareen, and so eventually caught the eye of subordinate agent of Von Bork, who recommended me as likely man, the matter was complex Since then honoured by his confidence, not prevented most plans going subtly wrong and five best agents being in prison "I watched them, Watson, and I picked them ripened Well, sir, none the worse ! "

The last remark was addressed to Von Bork himself, who after much gasping and blinking had lain quietly listening to Holmes's statement He broke out now into furious stream of German invective, his face convulsed with passion Holmes continued his swift investigation of documents while his prisoner cursed and swore

"Though unmusical, German most expressive of all languages," he observed when Von Bork had stopped from pure exhaustion "Hullo ! Hullo ! " he added as he looked hard corner of tracing before putting it box "This should put another bird cage I had no idea paymaster was such rascal, though long had an eye upon him Mister Von Bork, great deal to answer for "

The prisoner had raised himself with some difficulty sofa and was staring with strange mixture of amazement and hatred at his captor

" get level , Altamont," , speaking with slow deliberation " takes me all my life get level ! "

"The old sweet song," said Holmes "How often have I heard it in days gone by favourite ditty late lamented Professor Moriarty Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to warble it And yet I live and keep bees South Downs "

"Curse you, you double traitor ! " cried the German, straining against his bonds and glaring murder furious eyes

"No, no, so bad ," said Holmes, smiling "As my speech surely shows you, Mr Altamont of Chicago had no existence I used him and gone "

"Then who ? "

" really immaterial who , but matter seems to interest you, Mr Von Bork, say not my first acquaintance members of your family of business in Germany and my name is probably familiar "

" wish it," said the Prussian grimly

" I who brought separation between Irene Adler late King of Bohemia when your cousin Heinrich Imperial Envoy I also who saved from murder, Nihilist Klopman, Count Von und Zu Grafenstein, who was your mother's elder brother I-"

Von Bork sat up in amazement

" man," he cried

"Exactly," said Holmes

Von Bork groaned and sank back sofa "And most information came through you," he cried " it worth ? What have I done ? my ruin forever ! "

" certainly little untrustworthy," said Holmes " require some checking and little time it Your admiral may find the new guns rather larger than he expects, cruisers perhaps trifle faster "

Von Bork clutched at his own throat in despair

" good points of detail which will, , come to light in But one quality very rare in German, Mr Von Bork: sportsman and bear me no ill-will you, outwitted so people, have at last been outwitted yourself After all, you your best for your country, and my best for mine, and what more natural ? Besides," he added, not unkindly, as he laid his hand shoulder prostrate man, " better than before some more ignoble foe These papers are now ready, Watson help me prisoner, that get started for London at once "

no easy task to move Von Bork, for strong and desperate man Finally, holding either arm, the two friends walked him very slowly down the garden walk which he had trod proud confidence when he received the congratulations famous diplomatist only few hours before After short, final struggle hoisted, still hound hand and foot, spare seat little car His precious valise was wedged in beside him

"I trust that as comfortable as circumstances permit," said Holmes final arrangements were made "Should I be guilty of liberty if I lit cigar and placed it between your lips ? "

But all amenities were wasted angry German

"I suppose you realize, Mr Sherlock Holmes," said he, "that if your government bears you out treatment it becomes an act of war "

"What government and all this treatment ? " said Holmes, tapping the valise

" private individual no warrant arrest The whole proceeding is absolutely illegal and outrageous "

"Absolutely," said Holmes

"Kidnapping German subject "

"And stealing his private papers "

"Well, you realize your position, you and your accomplice here If I were to shout for help pass village-"

"My , if anything so foolish probably enlarge the two limited titles village inns by giving us 'The Dangling Prussian' as signpost The Englishman is patient creature, but at present his temper is little inflamed, and it not him too far No, Mr Von Bork, go in quiet, sensible fashion to Scotland Yard, whence send for your friend, Baron Von Herling, if even now not fill that place which he has reserved ambassadorial suite As , Watson, joining us with your old service, as I understand, so London won't be out of your way Stand with me here terrace, the last quiet talk that ever have "

The two friends chatted in intimate converse , recalling once again the days past, while their prisoner vainly wriggled to undo the bonds that held him turned car Holmes pointed back moonlit sea and shook thoughtful head

"There's an east wind coming, Watson "

" not, Holmes very warm "