"Then that was his own story --"

"Ah ! piecing it together now I hear that about to marry the young Duke of Lomond, almost be her son His Grace's ma might overlook the age, but big scandal different matter, so imperative -- Ah ! here "

finest corner-houses West End machine-like footman took up our cards and returned with word lady was not at home "Then wait until ," said Holmes cheerfully

The machine broke down

"Not at home means not at home ," said the footman

"Good," Holmes answered "That means that we to wait Kindly give this note to your mistress "

He scribbled three or four words upon sheet notebook, folded it, and handed it man

"What did you say, Holmes ? " I asked

"I simply wrote: 'Shall it be the police, then ? ' that should pass us in "

It did -- with amazing celerity minute later we were in an Arabian Nights drawing-room, vast and wonderful, in half gloom, picked out with an occasional pink electric light The lady had come, , to of life when even the proudest beauty finds the half light more welcome She rose from settee entered: tall, queenly, perfect figure, lovely mask-like face, with two wonderful Spanish eyes which looked murder at us both

"What intrusion -- and this insulting message ? " she asked, holding up the slip of paper

" not explain, madame respect for your intelligence -- though I confess that intelligence surprisingly at fault of late "

"How so, sir ? "

"By supposing that your hired bullies could frighten me from my work Surely no man would take up my profession that danger attracts him you, then, who forced me to examine the case of young Maberley "

" no idea what talking about What have I with hired bullies ? "

Holmes turned away wearily

"Yes, underrated your intelligence Well, good-afternoon ! "

"Stop ! Where going ? "

"To Scotland Yard "

We got halfway door before she had overtaken us and was holding his arm She had turned in moment from steel to velvet

"Come and sit down, gentlemen talk over that frank , Mr Holmes the feelings of gentleman How quick woman's instinct is it out treat you as friend "

" promise to reciprocate, madame not the law, but I represent justice as my feeble powers go ready to listen, and then tell you how act "

" foolish of me to threaten brave man like yourself "

" really foolish, madame, placed yourself power of band of rascals blackmail or away "

"No, no ! not so simple Since promised frank, say that no one, save Barney Stockdale and Susan, his wife, have the least idea who their employer is As , well, the first --" She smiled and nodded with charming coquettish intimacy

"l see You've tested them before "

" good hounds who run silent "

"Such hounds have way sooner or later of biting the hand that feeds them arrested burglary The police are already after them "

" take what comes what paid for appear matter "

"Unless I bring you "

"No, no, gentleman woman's secret "

" first place, give back this manuscript "

She broke into ripple of laughter and walked fireplace calcined mass which she broke up poker "Shall this back ? " she asked So roguish and exquisite did she look as she stood with challenging smile that of all Holmes's criminals the one whom find it hardest However, immune from sentiment

"That seals your fate," coldly " very prompt in your actions, madame, but overdone it occasion "

She threw the poker down with clatter

"How hard ! " she cried "May I tell you the whole story ? "

"I fancy tell it "

"But look at it with my eyes, Mr Holmes realize it point of view of woman who sees all her life's ambition about ruined last moment Is such woman blamed if she protects herself ? "

"The original sin was yours "

"Yes, yes ! I admit it dear boy, Douglas, but it so chanced that fit into my plans marriage -marriage, Mr Holmes -- with penniless commoner Nothing less would serve him Then he became pertinacious Because I had given that I still must give, and to him only intolerable At last I had him realize it "

"By hiring ruffians to beat him under your own window "

" indeed seem everything Well, true Barney boys drove him away, and were, I admit, little rough in But what did he do then ? Could believed that gentleman would do such an act ? He wrote book he described his own story I, , wolf; he the lamb all there, under different names, ; but who in all London failed to recognize it ? What say , Mr Holmes ? "

"Well, within his rights "

" as air of Italy had got into his blood and brought with it the old cruel Italian spirit He wrote and sent me copy book that the torture of anticipation There were two copies, -- one , one publisher "

"How did the publisher's reached him ? "

" who his publisher was his only novel, out that he heard from Italy Then came Douglas's sudden death other manuscript was no safety , it among his effects, and these returned mother I set the gang at work got house as servant thing honestly I really and truly did ready the house and everything I offered any price she cared to ask I only tried the other way when everything else had failed Now, Mr Holmes, granting that too hard on Douglas -- and, God knows, sorry ! -- what else could with my whole future at stake ? "

Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders

"Well, well," said he, "I suppose to compound felony as usual does it cost round the world in first-class style ? "

The lady stared in amazement

"Could it on five thousand pounds ? "

"Well, think so, indeed ! "

" sign me check , and comes to Mrs Maberley You owe her little change of air Meantime, lady" -- he wagged cautionary forefinger -- "have care ! Have care ! 't play with edged tools forever without cutting those dainty hands "