" following you closely," I answered

" still balancing the matter in my mind when hansom cab drove Briony Lodge, and gentleman sprang out remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the man of whom I had heard He appeared in great hurry, shouted cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door air of man who was thoroughly at home

" house about half an hour, and catch glimpses of him windows sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms Of her I nothing Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before As he stepped cab, he pulled gold watch pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then Church of St Monica Edgeware Road Half guinea it in twenty minutes ! '

"Away they went, and just wondering whether I do well them when up the lane came neat little landau, the coachman coat only half-buttoned, tie under his ear, while all the tags harness were sticking buckles It hadn't pulled up before she shot hall door and I only caught glimpse of her moment, but she was lovely woman, with face that man might die for

"'The Church of St Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half sovereign reach it in twenty minutes '

" quite too good to lose, Watson just balancing whether run , or whether perch behind her landau when cab came street The driver looked twice at such shabby fare, but I jumped in before object 'The Church of St Monica,' said I, 'and half sovereign reach it in twenty minutes ' twenty-five minutes to twelve, and clear enough wind

"My cabby drove fast I don't think I ever drove faster, but the others were there The cab landau with their steaming horses were in front door when I arrived I paid the man and hurried church not soul there save the two whom I had followed and surpliced clergyman, who seemed expostulating They were all three standing in knot in front altar I lounged up the side aisle like idler who has dropped into church Suddenly, to my surprise, the three altar faced round , and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as towards me

"Thank God," he cried "You'll do Come ! Come ! "

"What then ? " I asked

"Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal "

half-dragged altar, and before where myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear and vouching for things nothing, and generally assisting secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor all done in an instant, and the gentleman thanking me one side lady other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front It most preposterous position I ever found myself in my life, and it thought of it that started me laughing just now It seems that there some informality about their license, clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without witness of some sort, my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out streets in search of best man The bride sovereign, and I mean to wear it on my watch-chain in memory occasion "

" very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what then ? "

"Well, my plans very seriously menaced It looked as pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part church door, however, they separated, he driving back Temple, and she to her own house ' drive out park at five as usual,' she said as she left him I heard no more They drove away in different directions, and I went off my own arrangements "

"Which are ? "

"Some cold beef and glass of beer," he answered, ringing the bell " too busy of food, and likely busier still this evening , Doctor, want your cooperation "

" delighted "

"You don't mind breaking the law ? "

"Not least "

"Nor running chance of arrest ? "

"Not in good cause "

"Oh, the cause is excellent ! "

"Then your man "

" sure that rely on you "

"But it you wish ? "

"When Mrs Turner has brought tray make it clear Now," as he turned hungrily simple fare landlady had provided, " discuss it while I eat, for much time nearly five now In two hours scene of action Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at seven at Briony Lodge to meet her "

"And what then ? "

" leave that already arranged to occur point insist not interfere, come what may You understand ? "

" neutral ? "

" nothing whatever probably be some small unpleasantness join end in my being conveyed house Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open to station yourself close open window "

"Yes "

" to watch me, for visible "

"Yes "

"And when I raise my hand--so-- throw room what I to throw, and will, same time, raise the cry of fire You quite follow me ? "

"Entirely "

" nothing very formidable," , taking long cigar-shaped roll pocket " an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fitted with cap at either end it self-lighting Your task is confined raise your cry of fire, taken up by quite number of people then walk end street, rejoin you in ten minutes myself clear ? "

" to remain neutral, near the window, to watch you, and signal to throw object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you corner street "

"Precisely "

"Then entirely rely on me "

" excellent , perhaps, almost time that I prepare new role to play "