" just going to propose it "

"Then, friend night comes to revisit me, the bird flown all in your hands, Mr Holmes, and tell us exactly what like done Perhaps prefer that Joseph came wit us so look after me ? "

"Oh, no; my friend Watson is medical man, , and he'll look after you We'll have our lunch here, permit us, and then al three set off for town together "

arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excused herself from leaving the bedroom, in accordance with Holmes's suggestion What the object friend's manoeuvres was conceive, unless it were the lady away from Phelps, who, rejoiced by his returning health and prospect of action, lunched dining-room Holmes had still more startling surprise , however, for, after accompanying us down station and seeing us into our carriage, he calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking

" small points which desire to clear up before I go," said he "Your absence, Mr Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me Watson, reach London oblige me by driving at once to Baker Street friend here, and remaining until you again fortunate that old school-fellows, much over Mr Phelps the spare bedroom to-night, for breakfast, for train which will take me into Waterloo at eight "

"But how about our investigation in London ? " asked Phelps, ruefully

" to-morrow that just at present of more immediate use here "

" tell them at Briarbrae that back to-morrow night," cried Phelps, began to move platform

"I hardly expect back to Briarbrae," answered Holmes, and waved his hand cheerily shot out station

Phelps and it over journey, but neither of us could devise satisfactory reason new development

"I suppose out some clue burglary last night, if burglar , I don't believe an ordinary thief "

" your own idea, then ? "

"Upon my word, put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe some deep political intrigue going on around me, for some reason that passes my understanding my life is aimed at conspirators It sounds high-flown and absurd, but consider the fats ! Why should thief try to break in at bedroom window, where there no hope of any plunder, and why should he come with long knife hand ? "

" not house-breaker's jimmy ? "

"Oh, no, knife the flash blade quite distinctly "

"But why on earth should you be pursued animosity ? "

"Ah, question "

"Well, if Holmes takes the same view, account action, would it not ? Presuming that your theory is correct, if lay his hands man who threatened you last night gone long way towards finding who took the naval treaty absurd to suppose that two enemies, one of whom robs you, while the other threatens your life "

"But Holmes said that not going to Briarbrae "

" known him for ," said I, "but I never knew him do anything yet without reason," and our conversation drifted off on to other topics

But weary day Phelps was still weak after his long illness, misfortune made him querulous and nervous In vain I endeavoured to interest him in Afghanistan, in India, in social questions, in anything which might take his mind groove always come back lost treaty, wondering, guessing, speculating, what Holmes was doing, what steps Lord Holdhurst was taking, what news morning evening wore excitement became quite painful

" implicit faith in Holmes ? " he asked

" him do some remarkable things "

"But he never brought light into anything quite so dark ? "

"Oh, yes; known him solve questions which presented fewer clues than yours "

"But not where such large interests are at stake ? "

"I don't know that To my certain knowledge he has acted of three reigning houses of Europe in very vital matters "

"But him well, Watson such an inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what of him hopeful ? he expects success of it ? "

"He has said nothing "

" bad sign "

" contrary, noticed that when off the trail he generally says so when on scent and quite absolutely sure yet the right one that most taciturn Now, my dear fellow, 't help matter by making ourselves nervous , so let me implore you to bed and so be fresh for whatever may await us to-morrow "

able at last my companion my advice, though excited manner that not much hope of sleep for him Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay tossing half the night myself, brooding over this strange problem, and inventing hundred theories, each of more impossible last Why had Holmes remained at Woking ? Why had he asked Miss Harrison to remain sick-room all day ? Why had he been so careful not to inform the people at Briarbrae that he intended to remain near them ? I cudgelled my brains until I fell asleep endeavour some explanation which would cover all these facts

seven o'clock when I awoke, and I set off at once for Phelps's room, him haggard and spent after sleepless night His first question was whether Holmes had arrived yet

"He'll be here when he promised," said I, "and not an instant sooner or later "

And my words were true, for shortly after eight hansom dashed door friend got out of it Standing window we saw that his was swathed in bandage his face was very grim and pale He entered the house, but some little time before upstairs

"He looks like beaten man," cried Phelps

forced to confess that right "After all," said I, "the clue matter lies probably here in town "

Phelps gave groan

"I don't know how ," said he, "but I had hoped for return But surely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday What the matter ? "

" wounded, Holmes ? " I asked, as my friend entered the room

"Tut, only scratch through my own clumsiness," he answered, nodding his good-mornings " of yours, Mr Phelps, is certainly darkest which ever investigated "

"I feared that find it beyond you "

" most remarkable experience "

"That bandage tells of adventures," said I "Won't you tell us what has happened ? "

"After breakfast, my dear Watson Remember that breathed thirty mile of Surrey air I suppose that no answer from my cabman advertisement ? Well, well, expect to score every time "

The table was all laid, and just as about to ring Mrs Hudson entered wit the tea and coffee later she brought in three covers, and we all drew table, Holmes ravenous, I curious, and Phelps gloomiest state of depression

" Mrs Hudson has risen occasion," said Holmes, uncovering dish of curried chicken "Her cuisine is little limited, but she has as good an idea of breakfast as Scotch-woman What here, Watson ? "

"Ham and eggs," I answered

"Good ! you going , Mr Phelps--curried fowl or eggs, or help yourself ? "

" eat nothing," said Phelps

"Oh, come ! Try the dish "

" , really rather not "

"Well, then," said Holmes, with mischievous twinkle, "I suppose that no objection to helping me ? "

Phelps raised the cover, and as hi did so he uttered scream, and sat there staring with face as white plate he looked Across the centre of lying little cylinder of blue-grey paper He caught it up, devoured it eyes, and then danced madly room, passing it bosom and shrieking out delight Then he fell back into an arm-chair so limp and exhausted own emotions that we had to pour brandy down his throat him from fainting

"There ! there ! " said Holmes, soothing, patting him shoulder " too bad to spring it on you like this, but Watson here will tell you that I never can resist touch dramatic "

Phelps seized his hand and kissed it "God bless you ! " he cried " saved my honour "