"She saw us "

"Well, she saw something to alarm her certain The general sequence of events is pretty clear, not ? couple seek refuge in London from very terrible and instant danger The measure danger rigour precautions The man, who has some work which do, desires to leave the woman in absolute safety while it an easy problem, but he solved it in an original fashion, and so effectively that her presence was not even known to tile landlady who supplies her with food The printed messages, as is now evident, were her sex being discovered by her writing The man cannot come near the woman, or guide their enemies to her Since communicate with her direct, he has recourse agony column of paper all is clear "

"But root of it ? "

"Ah, yes, Watson- severely practical, as usual ! root of it all ? Mrs Warren's whimsical problem enlarges somewhat and assumes more sinister aspect proceed This much we : no ordinary love escapade You saw the woman's face sign of danger heard, too, attack landlord, undoubtedly meant lodger These alarms, desperate need for secrecy, argue matter is one of life or death The attack upon Mr Warren further shows enemy, whoever , are themselves not aware substitution female lodger male very curious and complex, Watson "

"Why should you go further ? What to gain ? "

"What, indeed ? art for art's sake, Watson I suppose doctored you found yourself studying cases without thought of fee ? "

" education, Holmes "

"Education never ends, Watson series of lessons greatest an instructive case neither money nor credit , and yet one would wish to tidy it up When dusk comes find ourselves one stage advanced investigation "

When we returned to Mrs Warren's rooms, the gloom of London winter evening had thickened into one gray curtain, dead monotone of colour, broken only sharp yellow squares windows blurred haloes gas-lamps peered darkened sitting-room lodging-house, one more dim light glimmered high up obscurity

"Someone is moving room," said Holmes in whisper, his gaunt and cager face thrust forward window-pane "Yes, his shadow There again ! He has candle hand Now peering across that lookout Now he begins to flash message also, Watson, that check single flash- A, surely Now, then did you make it ? Twenty So did I That should mean T AT- that's intelligible enough ! Another T Surely beginning of second word Now, then- TENTA Dead stop 't be all, Watson ? ATTENTA gives no sense Nor any better as three words AT, TEN, TA, unless T . are person's initials There it goes again ! What's that ? ATTE- why, same message over again Curious, Watson, very curious ! Now off once more ! AT- why, repeating it third time ATTENTA three times ! How often repeat it ? No, that the finish He has withdrawn window What make of it, Watson ? "

"A cipher message, Holmes "

My companion gave sudden chuckle of comprehension "And not very obscure cipher, Watson," said he "Why, , Italian ! The means addressed to woman 'Beware ! Beware ! Beware ! ' How's that, Watson ? "

"I believe hit it "

"Not doubt of it very urgent message, thrice repeated it more so But beware of what ? Wait bit; coming window once more "

Again we saw the dim silhouette of crouching man whisk small flame across the window signals were renewed They came more rapidly than before- so rapid hard them

PERICOLO- pericolo- eh, what's that, Watson ? 'Danger,' isn't it ? Yes, by Jove, it's danger signal There he goes again ! PERI Halloa, what on earth-"

The light had suddenly gone out, the glimmering square of window had disappeared, third floor formed dark band round the lofty building, with its tiers of shining casements That last warning cry suddenly cut short How, and by whom ? The same thought occurred instant both Holmes sprang up from where he crouched window

" serious, Watson," he cried " some devilry going forward ! Why should such message stop ? put Scotland Yard in touch business- and yet, too pressing to leave "

"Shall I go police ? "

" define the situation little more clearly It may bear some more innocent interpretation Come, Watson, go across ourselves what make of it "

walked rapidly down Howe Street I glanced back building which we had left There, dimly outlined top window, I the shadow of head, woman's head, gazing tensely, rigidly, out night, waiting with breathless suspense renewal interrupted message doorway Howe Street flats man, muffled in cravat and greatcoat, was leaning against the railing He started hall-light fell upon our faces

"Holmes ! " he cried

"Why, Gregson ! " said my companion as he shook hands Scotland Yard detective "Journeys end with lovers' meetings What brings you here ? "

"The same reasons that bring you, I expect," said Gregson "How you got on 't imagine "

"Different threads, but leading same tangle I've been taking the signals "

"Signals ? "

"Yes, window They broke off middle We came over the reason But since safe in your hands no object in continuing the business "

"Wait bit ! " cried Gregson eagerly "I'll this justice, Mr Holmes, that never in case yet that I didn't feel stronger for having you on my side There's only the one exit flats, so him safe "

" he ? "

"Well, well, we score over you for once, Mr Holmes best " He struck his stick sharply ground, cabman, his whip band, sauntered over from four-wheeler which stood far side street "May I introduce you to Mr Sherlock Holmes ? " cabman Mr Leverton, of Pinkerton's American Agency "

"The hero Long Island cave mystery ? " said Holmes "Sir, pleased to meet you "

The American, quiet, businesslike young man, with clean-shaven, hatchet face, flushed up words of commendation " trail life now, Mr Holmes," said he "If get Gorgiano-"

"What ! Gorgiano Red Circle ? "