"The wages of sin, Watson -- the wages of sin ! " said he "Sooner or later always come God knows, sin enough," he added, taking up brown volume table " book the woman talked of If not break off the marriage, nothing ever could But , Watson It must No self-respecting woman could stand it "

" his love diary ? "

"Or his lust diary Call it what The moment the woman told us of it I realized what tremendous weapon was there but lay our hands nothing to indicate my thoughts, woman given it away But I brooded over it Then this assault upon me the chance of letting the Baron think that no precautions need be taken against me That was all good waited little longer, but his visit to America forced my hand never have left so compromising document behind him Therefore we had to act at once Burglary at night is impossible He takes precautions But chance evening if only that his attention was engaged That was where you and your blue saucer came in But I had position book, and I had only to act, for was limited by your knowledge of Chinese pottery Therefore I gathered the girl up last moment How could I guess what the little packet she carried so carefully under her cloak ? she had come altogether on my business, but it seems she had some of her own "

"He guessed "

"I feared But you held him in play just long enough the book, though not long enough for an unobserved escape Ah, Sir James, come ! "

Our courtly friend had appeared in answer to previous summons He listened deepest attention to Holmes's account of what had occurred

"You wonders -- wonders ! " he cried when he had heard the narrative "But if these injuries are as terrible as Dr Watson describes, then surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is sufficiently gained without the use horrible book "

Holmes shook his head

"Women De Merville type act like that love him the more as disfigured martyr No, no his moral side, not his physical, which to destroy That book will bring her back to earth -- and nothing else that could own writing get past it "

Sir James carried away both it precious saucer As myself overdue, I went down street brougham was waiting for him He sprang in, gave hurried order cockaded coachman, and drove swiftly away He flung his overcoat half window the armorial bearings panel, but I had seen them glare fanlight none the less I gasped with surprise Then I turned back and ascended the stair to Holmes's room

" found out who our client is," I cried, bursting with my great news "Why, Holmes, --"

" loyal friend and chivalrous gentleman," said Holmes, holding up restraining hand "Let that now and forever be enough "

know how the incriminating book was used Sir James managed it Or more probable that so delicate task was entrusted young lady's father The effect, at any rate, was all that desired

Three days later appeared paragraph Morning Post marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner and Miss Violet de Merville take place The same paper had the first police-court hearing proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter grave charge of vitriol-throwing Such extenuating circumstances came out trial sentence, as remembered lowest that was possible for such an offence Sherlock Holmes was threatened with prosecution for burglary, but when an object is good and client is sufficiently illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes human and elastic My friend stood dock