"What of him, Watson ? " asked Holmes

I stooped over him and examined him His pule was feeble and intermittent, but his breathing grew longer, and little shivering eyelids, which showed thin white slit of ball beneath

" touch and go ," said I, "but he'll live now Just open that window, and hand me the water carafe " I undid his collar, poured the cold water over his face, and raised and sank his arms until he drew long, natural breath "It's only now," said I, as I turned away

Holmes stood table, hands deep trousers pockets chin upon his breast

"I suppose we ought the police in now," said he "And yet I confess that I'd like them complete case when "

"It's blessed mystery ," cried Pycroft, scratching his head "Whatever they wanted to bring me all the way up here for, and then--"

"Pooh ! All clear enough," said Holmes impatiently "It last sudden move "

"You understand the rest, then ? "

" fairly obvious What say, Watson ? "

I shrugged my shoulders " confess that out depths," said I

"Oh surely consider the events at first only point to one conclusion "

"What make ? "

"Well, the whole thing hinges upon two points The first making of Pycroft write declaration he entered the service preposterous company not see how very suggestive ? "

" afraid I miss the point "

"Well, why did him ? Not as business matter, arrangements are usually verbal, and no earthly business reason why this an exception Don't , my young friend, were very anxious to obtain specimen of your handwriting, and had no other way of doing it ? "

"And why ? "

"Quite so Why ? When we answer that some progress little problem Why ? There adequate reason Some one wanted to learn to imitate your writing, and had to procure specimen of it first And now pass on second point that each throws light other That point request made by Pinner that resign your place, but should leave the manager important business full expectation that Mr Hall Pycroft, whom he had never seen, was about to enter the office Monday morning "

"My God ! " cried our client, "what blind beetle ! "

"Now the point handwriting Suppose that some one turned up in your place who wrote completely different hand had applied vacancy, the game up But interval the rogue had learned to imitate you, position was therefore secure, as I presume that nobody office had ever set eyes upon you "

"Not soul," groaned Hall Pycroft

" utmost importance you from thinking better of it, and also you from coming into contact with tell you that your double was at work in Mawson's office Therefore they handsome advance salary, and ran you off Midlands, where they enough work your going to London, where you burst their little game up all plain enough "

"But why should this man pretend his won brother ? "

"Well, pretty clear also evidently only two The other is personating you office acted engager, and then found that find you an employer without admitting third person into his plot That most unwilling He changed his appearance as far as , and trusted likeness, which fail to observe, put down to family resemblance But happy chance gold stuffing, your suspicions would probably never aroused "

Hall Pycroft shook his clinched hands air "Good Lord ! " he cried, "while fooled , what other Hall Pycroft been doing at Mawson's ? What should , Mr Holmes ? Tell me what "

" wire to Mawson's "

"They shut at twelve on Saturdays "

"Never mind some door-keeper or attendant--"

"Ah yes, they keep permanent guard there on account value securities hold I remember hearing it talked of City "

" ; wire to him, if all is well, and if clerk of is working there clear enough; but not so clear is why at sight of us rogues should instantly walk room and hang himself "

"The paper ! " croaked voice behind us The man was sitting up, blanched and ghastly, with returning reason eyes, and hands which rubbed nervously broad red band which still encircled his throat

"The paper ! ! " yelled Holmes, in paroxysm of excitement "Idiot that ! so must visit paper never entered my head for an instant , the secret there " He flattened it out table, and cry of triumph burst lips "Look , Watson," he cried " London paper, an early edition Evening Standard what Look headlines: 'Crime City Murder at Mawson & Williams's Gigantic attempted Robbery Capture Criminal ' Here, Watson, all equally anxious to hear it, so kindly read it aloud "

It appeared from its position paper the one event of importance in town, account of it ran :

"A desperate attempt at robbery, culminating death of one man capture criminal, occurred this afternoon City For back Mawson & Williams, the famous financial house, the guardians of securities which amount aggregate to sum of considerably over million sterling So conscious manager responsibility which devolved upon him in consequence great interests at stake that safes very latest construction employed, and an armed watchman left day and night building It appears that last week new clerk named Hall Pycroft was engaged firm This person appears none other that Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who, brother, had only recently emerged from five years' spell of penal servitude By some mean, which yet clear, he succeeded in wining, under false name, this official position office, which he utilised moulding of various locks, and thorough knowledge position strong room safes

" customary at Mawson's clerks to leave at midday on Saturday Sergeant Tuson, City Police, was somewhat surprised, therefore gentleman with carpet bag come down the steps at twenty minutes past one His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant followed the man, and aid of Constable Pollack succeeded, after most desperate resistance, in arresting him at once clear that daring and gigantic robbery committed Nearly hundred thousand pounds' worth of American railway bonds, with large amount of scrip in mines and other companies, was discovered bag On examining the premises the body unfortunate watchman was found doubled up and thrust largest safes, where it discovered until Monday morning had it not been prompt action of Sergeant Tuson The man's skull shattered by blow from poker delivered from behind There that Beddington had obtained entrance by pretending that he had left something behind him, and having murdered the watchman, rapidly rifled the large safe, and then made off booty His brother, who usually works , appeared job as far as can at present be ascertained, although the police are making energetic inquiries as whereabouts "

"Well, save the police some little trouble direction," said Holmes, glancing haggard figure huddled up window "Human nature is strange mixture, Watson that even villain and murderer can inspire such affection that his brother turns to suicide when he learns that his neck is forfeited However, no choice our action The doctor remain on guard, Mr Pycroft, if the kindness to step out police "