quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Street Two hansoms were standing door, and as I entered the passage I heard the sound of voices from above On entering his room Holmes in animated conversation with two men, one of whom I recognized as Peter Jones, the official police agent, while the other was long, thin, sad-faced man, with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat

"Ha ! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his peajacket and taking his heavy hunting crop rack "Watson, Mr Jones, of Scotland Yard ? Let me introduce you to Mr Merryweather, who our companion in to-night's adventure "

"We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, ," said Jones consequential way "Our friend wonderful man for starting chase All is an old dog to help him running down "

" wild goose may not prove the end chase," observed Mr Merryweather gloomily

" place considerable confidence in Mr Holmes, sir," said the police agent loftily "He has his own little methods, which are, if he won't mind my saying so, just little too theoretical and fantastic, but he makings of detective in him that , as business Sholto murder Agra treasure, he more nearly correct official force "

"Oh, say so, Mr Jones, all right," said the stranger with deference "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that my rubber "

" ," said Sherlock Holmes, "that play for higher stake to-night than ever done yet, and play more exciting , Mr Merryweather, the stake some 30,000 pounds; and , Jones, the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands "

"John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger He's young man, Mr Merryweather, but head profession, and rather have my bracelets on him than on any criminal in London He's remarkable man, is young John Clay His grandfather was royal duke, and he himself to Eton and Oxford His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where the man himself He'll crack crib in Scotland one week, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next I've been track for years never set eyes on him yet "

" the pleasure of introducing you to-night I've had little turns also with Mr John Clay, and I agree that head profession past ten, however, and quite time that we started two will first hansom, Watson follow second "

Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and lay back cab humming the tunes which he had heard afternoon We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets until we emerged into Farrington Street

" close there now," my friend remarked "This fellow Merryweather is bank director, and personally interested matter it Jones also bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile profession He has one positive virtue as brave as bulldog and as tenacious as lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone Here , and waiting "

We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare we had found ourselves morning Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the guidance of Mr Merryweather, we passed down narrow passage and through side door, which he opened Within small corridor, which ended in very massive iron gate This also was opened, and led down flight of winding stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate Mr Merryweather stopped to light lantern, and then conducted us down dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening third door, into huge vault or cellar, piled all round with crates and massive boxes

" very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he held up the lantern and gazed about him

"Nor from below," said Mr Merryweather, striking his stick flags which lined the floor "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow ! " he remarked, looking up in surprise

" really little more quiet ! " said Holmes severely " already imperilled the whole success expedition Might I beg that the goodness to sit down upon one boxes, and not to interfere ? "

The solemn Mr Merryweather perched himself upon crate, with very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees floor and, lantern and magnifying lens, began to examine minutely the cracks stones few seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang feet again and put his glass pocket

" an hour ," he remarked, "for hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed Then lose minute, sooner their work the longer time for their escape at present, Doctor--as divined-- cellar City branch of principal London banks Mr Merryweather chairman of directors, and explain reasons why the more daring criminals of London should take considerable interest cellar at present "

" our French gold," whispered the director " several warnings that an attempt made upon it "

"Your French gold ? "

"Yes We had occasion some to strengthen our resources and borrowed purpose 30,000 napoleons Bank of France It has become known that never had occasion to unpack the money, and still lying cellar The crate I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in single branch office, directors misgivings "

"Which were justified," observed Holmes "And now time that we arranged our little plans I expect that within an hour matters will come to head meantime Mr Merryweather, put the screen over that dark lantern "

"And sit dark ? "

" afraid so I had brought pack of cards in my pocket, and that, were partie carree, you your rubber after all But enemy's preparations that risk the presence of light And, first of all, choose our positions These are daring men, and though take them at disadvantage, do us some harm unless careful stand behind this crate, and conceal yourselves behind those Then, when I flash light upon them, close in swiftly fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down "