" next link ? "

"Well, go now and look "

revolver drawer and handed it

" my old favourite with me If our Wild West friend tries to live up nickname, ready for him I'll an hour for siesta, Watson, and then time Ryder Street adventure "

just four o'clock when we reached the curious apartment of Nathan Garrideb Mrs Saunders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had no hesitation in admitting us, door shut with spring lock, and Holmes promised that all was safe before we left Shortly afterwards the outer door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window, and that we were alone lower floor house Holmes made rapid examination premises one cupboard in dark corner which stood out little wall behind this that we eventually crouched while Holmes in whisper outlined his intentions

" our amiable friend out room -- very clear, and, collector never went out, it took some planning The whole Garrideb invention was apparently for no other end say, Watson, certain devilish ingenuity , even queer name tenant did give him an opening which hardly have expected He wove his plot with remarkable cunning

"But what did he want ? "

"Well, what here out It has nothing whatever client, as read the situation something connected man he murdered -- the man his confederate in crime some guilty secret room how it At first our friend something collection more valuable than -- something worth the attention of big criminal But the fact that Rodger Prescott of evil memory inhabited these rooms points to some deeper reason Well, Watson, but possess our souls in patience what the hour may bring "

That hour was not long in striking We crouched closer shadow heard the outer door open and shut Then came the sharp, metallic snap of key, American was room He closed the door softly behind him, took sharp glance around him that all was safe, threw off his overcoat, and walked central table brisk manner of one who knows exactly what he do and how He pushed the table to one side, tore up the square of carpet it rested, rolled it completely back, and then, drawing jemmy inside pocket, he knelt down and worked vigorously floor Presently we heard the sound of sliding boards, and an instant later square had opened planks Killer Evans struck match, lit stump of candle, and vanished view

Clearly our moment had come Holmes touched my wrist as signal, and together we stole across open trap-door Gently moved, however, the old floor creaked under our feet, head American, peering anxiously round, emerged suddenly open space His face turned upon us with glare of baffled rage, which gradually softened into rather shamefaced grin as he realized that two pistols were pointed at his head

"Well, well ! " said he coolly as he scrambled surface "I guess one too many , Mr Holmes Saw through my game, I suppose, and played me for sucker first Well, sir, I hand it ; me beat and --"

In an instant he had whisked out revolver breast and had fired two shots sudden hot sear red-hot iron pressed to my thigh crash as Holmes's pistol came down man's head I had vision of him sprawling floor with blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons Then my friend's wiry arms were round me, and leading me to chair

"You're not hurt, Watson ? For God's sake, say that hurt ! "

worth wound -- worth many wounds -- the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for moment, firm lips were shaking one and only time I caught glimpse of great heart as of great brain All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated moment of revelation

"It's nothing, Holmes It's mere scratch "

He had ripped up my trousers pocket-knife

" right," he cried with an immense sigh of relief " quite superficial " His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with dazed face " Lord, had killed Watson, got out room alive Now, sir, what ? "

He had nothing for himself He only sat and scowled I leaned on Holmes's arm, and together we looked down small cellar which disclosed secret flap still illuminated candle which Evans had taken down Our eyes fell upon mass of rusted machinery, great rolls of paper, litter of bottles, and, neatly arranged upon small table, number of neat little bundles

"A printing press -- counterfeiter's outfit," said Holmes

"Yes, sir," said our prisoner, staggering slowly feet and then sinking chair "The greatest counterfeiter London ever saw That's Prescott's machine, and those bundles table are two thousand of Prescott's notes worth hundred each and fit anywhere Help yourselves, gentlemen Call it deal and let me beat it "

Holmes laughed

"We don't do things like that, Mr Evans no bolthole country You shot this man Prescott, did you not ? "

"Yes, sir, and got five years , though he who pulled on me Five years -- when had medal the size of soup plate No living man could tell Prescott from Bank of England, and if I hadn't put him out flooded London I who knew where them wonder that place ? And wonder that when this crazy boob of bug-hunter queer name squatting right top of it, and never quitting his room, I had best to shift him ? Maybe I wiser if I had put him away It easy enough, but I'm soft-hearted guy 't begin shooting unless the other man has gun also But say, Mr Holmes, what have I done wrong, anyhow ? I've not used this plant I've not hurt this old stiff Where get me ? "

"Only attempted murder, as ," said Holmes "But that's not our job They take that next stage What we wanted at present was just your sweet self Please give the Yard call, Watson It won't be entirely unexpected "

So those were the facts about Killer Evans remarkable invention three Garridebs We heard later poor old friend never got over the shock dissipated dreams When his castle air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins last heard of at nursing-home in Brixton glad day Yard Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they knew existed, they had never been able, death man, out where Evans had indeed done great service and caused several worthy C I D men to sleep the sounder, counterfeiter stands in class by himself as public danger willingly have subscribed soup-plate medal the criminal had spoken, but an unappreciative bench took less favourable view, Killer returned shades he had just emerged