"The man himself I had hardly expected this Grasp the nettle, Watson ! man of nerve Possibly heard reputation as shooter of big game It would indeed be triumphant ending excellent sporting record if he added me bag proof that he feels my toe very close behind his heel "

"Send police "

"I probably shall But not just yet Would you glance carefully window, Watson, if anyone is hanging about street ? "

Watson looked warily round the edge curtain

"Yes, one rough fellow near the door "

" Sam Merton -- the faithful but rather fatuous Sam Where gentleman, Billy ? "

" waiting-room, sir "

"Show him up when I ring "

"Yes,sir "

"If not room, show him in all the same "

"Yes, sir "

Watson waited until the door was closed, and then he turned earnestly companion

"Look here, Holmes, simply impossible desperate man, who sticks at nothing come to murder you "

"I surprised "

"I insist upon staying "

" horribly way "

" way ? "

"No, my dear fellow -- in my way "

"Well, 't possibly leave you "

"Yes, , Watson And , for never failed to play the game play it end This man own purpose, but stay for mine "

Holmes took out his notebook and scribbled few lines "Take cab to Scotland Yard and give this to Youghal C I D Come back police The fellow's arrest will follow "

"I'll with joy

" return just time enough out where the stone is " He touched the bell " go out bedroom This second exit is exceedingly useful I rather my shark without his seeing me, and , remember, my own way of doing it "

, therefore, an empty room into which Billy, minute later, ushered Count Sylvius The famous game-shot, sportsman, and man-about-town was big, swarthy fellow, with formidable dark moustache shading cruel, thin-lipped mouth, and surmounted by long, curved nose like the beak of an eagle well dressed, but his brilliant necktie, shining pin, and glittering rings were flamboyant in their effect door closed behind him he looked round him with fierce, startled eyes, like one who suspects trap at every turn Then violent start as the impassive head collar dressing-gown which projected above the armchair window At first his expression was one of pure amazement Then the light of horrible hope gleamed dark, murderous eyes one more glance round that there were no witnesses, and then, on tiptoe, his thick stick half raised, he approached the silent figure crouching final spring and blow when cool, sardonic voice greeted him open bedroom door:

"Don't break it, Count ! Don't break it ! "

The assassin staggered back, amazement convulsed face For an instant he half raised his loaded cane once more, turn his violence effigy original; but something steady gray eye and mocking smile which caused his hand to sink side

"It's pretty little thing," said Holmes, advancing towards the image "Tavernier, the French modeller, made it as good at waxworks friend Straubenzee is at air-guns "

"Air-guns, sir ! What ? "

"Put your hat and stick side-table ! Pray take seat Would you care your revolver out also ? Oh, , prefer to sit upon it Your visit is really most opportune, for badly ' chat "

The Count scowled, with heavy, threatening eyebrows

"I, too, wished some words , Holmes why here I won't deny that I intended to assault you just now "

Holmes swung his leg edge table

"I rather gathered that you had some idea sort in your head," said he "But why these personal attentions ? "

"Because you out of your way to annoy me Because put your creatures upon my track "

"My creatures ! I assure you no ! "

"Nonsense ! them followed Two can play game, Holmes "

" small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps kindly my prefix address me understand that, with my routine of work, find myself on familiar terms with half the rogues' gallery, and agree that exceptions are invidious "

"Well, Mr Holmes, then "

"Excellent ! But I assure you mistaken alleged agents "

Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously

"Other people can observe Yesterday an old sporting man To-day an elderly woman They held me in view all day "

"Really, sir, you compliment me Old Baron Dowson said the night before hanged that in my case what the law had gained the stage had lost And now you give my little impersonations your kindly praise ? "

" you -- you yourself ? "

Holmes shrugged his shoulders "You corner the parasol which you so politely handed Minories began to suspect "

"If I had known, never --"

"Have seen this humble home again well aware of it We all have neglected opportunities to deplore As it happens, know, so here ! "

The Count's knotted brows gathered more heavily over his menacing eyes "What you say only makes the matter worse not your agents but your play-acting, busybody self ! You admit that dogged me Why ? "

"Come now, Count You used to shoot lions in Algeria "

"Well ? "

"But why ? "

"Why ? The sport -- the excitement -- the danger ! "

"And, , to free the country from pest ? "

"Exactly ! "

"My reasons in nutshell ! "

The Count sprang feet, hand involuntarily moved back hip-pocket

"Sit down, sir, sit down ! another, more practical, reason that yellow diamond ! "

Count Sylvius lay back chair with an evil smile

"Upon my word ! " said he

" that after you The real reason why here to-night is out and how far my removal is absolutely essential Well, say that, from your point of view, absolutely essential, for all , save only , which about me "

"Oh, indeed ! And pray, what missing fact ? "

"Where the Crown diamond now is "

The Count looked sharply at his companion "Oh, that, ? How the devil should I to lell you where ? "

" , and "

"Indeed ! "

" 't bluff me, Count Sylvius " Holmes's eyes, as he gazed at him, contracted and lightened until they were like two menacing points of steel " absolute plate-glass very back of your mind "

"Then, , where the diamond is ! "

Holmes clapped his hands with amusement, and then pointed derisive finger "Then know admitted it ! "

"I admit nothing "

"Now, Count, reasonable do business , get hurt "

Count Sylvius threw up his eyes ceiling "And you talk about bluff ! " said he

Holmes looked at him thoughtfully like master chess-player who meditates his crowning move Then he threw open the table drawer and drew out squat notebook

" what I keep book ? "

"No, sir, ! "

"You ! "

"Me ! "