" the printer ? "

"Philippe de Croy, whoever been fly-leaf, in very faded ink, is written `Ex libris Guliolmi Whyte ' I wonder who William Whyte was Some pragmatical seventeenth century lawyer, I suppose His writing has legal twist Here comes our man, "

As he spoke sharp ring bell Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair direction door We heard the servant pass along the hall, sharp click latch as she opened it

"Does Dr Watson live here ? " asked clear but rather harsh voice hear the servant's reply, but the door closed, and some one began to ascend the stairs The footfall was an uncertain and shuffling one look of surprise passed over the face companion as he listened It came slowly along the passage, and feeble tap door

"Come in," I cried

At my summons, instead man of violence whom we expected, very old and wrinkled woman hobbled apartment She appeared dazzled sudden blaze of light, and after dropping curtsey, she stood blinking at us with her bleared eyes and fumbling in her pocket with nervous, shaky fingers I glanced at my companion, face had assumed such disconsolate expression all do my countenance

The old crone drew out an evening paper, and pointed at our advertisement "It's this as has brought me, good gentlemen," she said, dropping another curtsey; "a gold wedding ring Brixton Road It belongs to my girl Sally, as was married only twelvemonth, which her husband is steward aboard Union boat, and what he'd say if he come 'ome and found her without her ring is more than think, he being short enough best o' times, but more especially when he drink please you, she went circus last night along with ----"

" her ring ? " I asked

"The Lord be thanked ! " cried the old woman; "Sally glad woman this night That's the ring "

"And what may your address be ? " I inquired, taking up pencil

"13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch weary way from here "

"The Brixton Road lie between any circus and Houndsditch," said Sherlock Holmes sharply

The old woman faced round and looked keenly at him from her little red-rimmed eyes "The gentleman asked me address," she said "Sally lives in lodgings at 3, Mayfield Place, Peckham "

"And is ---- ? "

"My name is Sawyer -- her's is Dennis, which Tom Dennis married her -- and smart, clean lad, too, as long as he's at sea, and no steward company more thought of; but when on shore, what women and what with liquor shops ----"

" your ring, Mrs Sawyer," I interrupted, in obedience to sign from my companion; "it clearly belongs to your daughter, and to restore it rightful owner "

With many mumbled blessings and protestations of gratitude the old crone packed it away in her pocket, and shuffled off down the stairs Sherlock Holmes sprang feet the moment that she was gone and rushed into his room He returned in few seconds enveloped in an ulster and cravat "I'll follow her," , hurriedly; " be an accomplice, and will lead me to him Wait up " The hall door had hardly slammed behind our visitor before Holmes had descended the stair Looking window I her walking feebly along the other side, while her pursuer dogged her some little distance behind "Either his whole theory is incorrect," to myself, "or else led now heart mystery " no need for him to ask me to wait up for him, for that sleep was impossible until I heard the result adventure

close upon nine when he set out I had no idea how long , but I sat stolidly puffing at my pipe and skipping over the pages of Henri Murger's "Vie de Boheme " {12} Ten o'clock passed, and I heard the footsteps maid pattered off to bed Eleven, more stately tread landlady passed my door, bound same destination close upon twelve before I heard the sharp sound latch-key The instant he entered by his face that he successful Amusement and chagrin seemed struggling mastery, until the former suddenly carried the day, and he burst into hearty laugh

"I wouldn't have the Scotland Yarders know it world," he cried, dropping into his chair; " chaffed them that never have let me hear the end of it afford to laugh, because that even long run "

" it then ? " I asked

"Oh, I don't mind telling story against myself That creature had gone little way when she began to limp and show every sign of being foot-sore Presently she came to halt, and hailed four-wheeler passing I managed close to her so hear the address, but not so anxious, for she sang it out loud enough heard other side street, `Drive to 13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch,' she cried This begins to look genuine, , and having seen her safely inside, I perched myself behind That's an art which every detective an expert at Well, away we rattled, and never drew rein until we reached the street I hopped off before we came door, and strolled down the street in an easy, lounging way the cab pull up The driver jumped down, and him open the door and stand expectantly Nothing came out though When I reached him groping about frantically empty cab, and giving vent finest assorted collection of oaths that ever I listened to no sign or trace passenger, and before he gets his fare On inquiring at Number 13 house belonged to respectable paperhanger, named Keswick, no name either of Sawyer or Dennis had ever been heard of there "

"You don't mean ," I cried, in amazement, "that that tottering, feeble old woman was able cab while in motion, without either you or the driver seeing her ? "

"Old woman be damned ! " said Sherlock Holmes, sharply "We were the old women so taken in It must young man, and an active one, too, besides being an incomparable actor The get-up was inimitable that followed, , and used of giving me the slip It shows man after as lonely as I imagined , but has friends ready to risk something for him Now, Doctor, looking done-up Take my advice and turn in "

certainly feeling very weary, so I obeyed his injunction I left Holmes seated in front smouldering fire, and long watches night I heard the low, melancholy wailings violin, and knew that still pondering over the strange problem which he had set himself to unravel

CHAPTER VI

TOBIAS GREGSON SHOWS WHAT DO

THE papers were full "Brixton Mystery," termed it Each had long account affair, and some had leaders upon it some information new I still retain in my scrap-book numerous clippings and extracts bearing case condensation of few :--

The Daily Telegraph remarked that history of crime there had seldom been tragedy which presented stranger features The German name victim, the absence of all other motive, sinister inscription wall, all pointed to its perpetration by political refugees and revolutionists The Socialists had many branches in America, deceased had, , infringed their unwritten laws, and been tracked down After alluding airily Vehmgericht, aqua tofana, Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Darwinian theory, the principles of Malthus, Ratcliff Highway murders, the article concluded by admonishing the Government and advocating closer watch over foreigners in England