"Good old Watson ! No, do nothing there unless the police lay their hands men But their get-away well prepared We Wait little my plans The first thing is to exaggerate my injuries They'll come for news Put it on thick, Watson Lucky if I live the week out concussion delirium -- what you like ! 't overdo it "

"But Sir Leslie Oakshott ? "

"Oh, he's all right He shall see the worst side of me I'll look "

"Anything else ? "

"Yes Tell Shinwell Johnson that girl way Those beauties after her now They know, , that she was with me case dared me in likely neglect her urgent to-night "

"I'll go now Anything more ? "

"Put my pipe table -- tobacco-slipper Right ! Come in and plan our campaign "

I arranged with Johnson that evening Miss Winter to quiet suburb that she lay low until the danger was past

For six days the public were under the impression that Holmes was door of death The bulletins were very grave and there were sinister paragraphs papers My continual visits assured me not so bad His wiry constitution determined will were working wonders recovering fast, and I had suspicions at times that really finding himself faster than he pretended even curious secretive streak man which led to many dramatic effects, but left even his closest friend guessing what his exact plans He pushed to an extreme the axiom only safe plotter was he who plotted alone nearer him than anyone else, and yet always conscious gap between

seventh day the stitches were taken out, report of erysipelas evening papers The same evening papers had an announcement which bound, sick or well, to carry to my friend simply that passengers Cunard boat Ruritania, starting from Liverpool on Friday, Baron Adelbert Gruner, who had some important financial business to settle States before his impending wedding to Miss Violet de Merville, only daughter of, etc , etc Holmes listened news with cold, concentrated look upon his pale face, which told me hit him hard

"Friday ! " he cried "Only three clear days I believe the rascal wants himself out of danger's way But he won't, Watson ! Lord Harry, he won't ! Now, Watson, you something "

" here used, Holmes "

"Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours in an intensive study of Chinese pottery "

no explanations and I asked for none By long experience I had learned the wisdom of obedience But when I had left his room I walked down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on earth to carry out so strange an order Finally I drove London Library in St James's Square, put the matter to my friend Lomax, the sublibrarian, and departed to my rooms with goodly volume under my arm

said barrister who crams up case care that examine an expert witness Monday has forgotten all his forced knowledge Saturday Certainly I like now to pose as an authority upon ceramics And yet all that evening, and all that night with short interval for rest, and all next morning, sucking in knowledge and committing names to memory There I learned hall-marks great artist-decorators, mystery of cyclical dates, the marks Hung-wu beauties Yung-lo, the writings of Tang-ying, glories primitive period Sung Yuan charged with all when I called upon Holmes next evening out of bed now, though guessed it published reports, and he sat much-bandaged head resting upon his hand depth favourite armchair

"Why, Holmes," , "if one believed the papers, dying "

"That," said he, " very impression which I intended to convey And now, Watson, learned your lessons ? "

" to "

"Good keep up an intelligent conversation ? "

"I believe "

"Then hand me that little box mantelpiece "

He opened the lid and took out small object most carefully wrapped in some fine Eastern silk This he unfolded, and disclosed delicate little saucer most beautiful deep-blue colour

"It needs careful handling, Watson real egg-shell pottery Ming dynasty No finer piece ever passed through Christie's complete set of worth king's ransom -- , doubtful complete set outside the imperial palace of Peking The sight of drive real connoisseur wild "

"What am I with it ? "

Holmes handed me card was printed: "Dr Hill Barton, 369 Half Moon Street "

" evening, Watson call upon Baron Gruner something habits, and at half-past eight probably be disengaged note will tell him in advance that about , and say that bringing him specimen of an absolutely unique set of Ming china be medical man, since part play without duplicity collector this set your way, heard Baron's interest subject, and averse to selling at price "

"What price ? "

"Well asked, Watson certainly fall down badly know the value of your own wares This saucer was got by Sir James, and comes, I understand, collection client exaggerate say could hardly be matched "

" perhaps the set valued by an expert "

"Excellent, Watson ! You scintillate to-day Suggest Christie or Sotheby Your delicacy prevents your putting price "

"But if he won't see me ? "

"Oh, yes, you He collection mania in its most acute form -- and especially subject, an acknowledged authority Sit down, Watson, dictate the letter No answer needed merely say that coming, and why "

an admirable document, short, courteous, and stimulating curiosity connoisseur district messenger was duly dispatched with it same evening, precious saucer in my hand card of Dr Hill Barton in my pocket, I set off on my own adventure

The beautiful house and grounds indicated that Baron Gruner was, as Sir James had said, man of considerable wealth long winding drive, with banks of rare shrubs on either side, opened out into great gravelled square adorned with statues The place built by South African gold king days great boom, long, low house turrets corners, though an architectural nightmare, was imposing in its size and solidity butler, adorned bench of bishops, showed me in and handed me over to plush-clad footman, who ushered me Baron's presence

standing open front of great case which stood windows and which contained part Chinese collection He turned as I entered with small brown vase hand