"They've gone, Mr Holmes They went last train The lady broke away, and I've got her in cab downstairs "

"Excellent, Warner ! " cried Holmes, springing feet "Watson, the gaps are closing rapidly "

cab was woman, half-collapsed from nervous exhaustion She bore upon her aquiline and emaciated face the traces of some recent tragedy Her head hung listlessly upon her breast but as she raised it and turned her dun eyes upon us that her pupils were dark dots centre broad gray iris She was drugged with opium

"I watched gate, same advised, Mr Holmes," said our emissary, the discharged gardener " carriage came out I followed it station She was like one walking in her sleep, but tried her train she came to life and struggled They pushed her carriage She fought her way out again her part, got her into cab, and here I shan't forget the face carriage window as I led her away I'd have short life if he had his way- the black-eyed, scowling, yellow devil "

We carried her upstairs, laid her sofa, and couple of cups strongest coffee soon cleared her brain mists drug Baynes summoned by Holmes, situation rapidly explained to him

"Why, sir, you've got me the very evidence ," said the inspector warmly, shaking my friend hand " same scent first "

"What ! You were after Henderson ? "

"Why, Mr Holmes, were crawling shrubbery at High Gable up trees plantation and saw you down below just get his evidence first "

"Then why did you arrest the mulatto ? "

Baynes chuckled

" sure Henderson, as he calls himself, felt that suspected, lie low and make no move as he thought in any danger I arrested the wrong man him believe eyes were off him likely to clear off then and chance of getting at Miss Burnet "

Holmes laid his hand inspector's shoulder

" rise high in your profession instinct and intuition," said he

Baynes flushed with pleasure

"I've had plain-clothes man waiting station all the week Wherever the High Gable folk go keep them in sight But been hard put when Miss Burnet broke away However, your man picked her up, and it all ends well 't arrest without her evidence, clear, so the sooner we get statement the better "

" she gets stronger," said Holmes, glancing governess "But tell me, Baynes who man Henderson ? "

"Henderson," the inspector answered, "is Don Murillo, once called the Tiger of San Pedro "

The Tiger of San Pedro ! The whole history man came back in flash He had made his name most lewd and bloodthirsty tyrant that had ever governed any country with pretence to civilization Strong, fearless, and energetic, he had sufficient virtue to enable him to impose his odious vices upon cowering people for ten or twelve years His name was terror through all Central America end universal rising against him But as cunning as cruel, and first whisper of coming trouble he had secretly conveyed his treasures aboard ship manned by devoted adherents an empty palace stormed insurgents The dictator, his two children, his secretary, wealth had all escaped them moment he had vanished world, identity frequent subject for comment European press

"Yes, sir, Don Murillo, the Tiger of San Pedro," said Baynes " look it up San Pedro colours are green and white, same as note, Mr Holmes Henderson himself, but I traced him back, Paris and Rome and Madrid to Barcelona, where his ship came in in '86 They've been looking for him all the time for their revenge, but only now that begun him out "

"They discovered him year ago," said Miss Burnet, who had sat up and was now intently following the conversation "Once already his life attempted, but some evil spirit shielded him Now, again, noble, chivalrous Garcia who has fallen, while the monster goes safe But another will come, and yet another, until some day justice , as certain rise of to-morrow's sun " Her thin hands clenched, and her worn face blanched passion of her hatred

"But how come you into , Miss Burnet ? " asked Holmes "How can an English lady join murderous affair ? "

"I join because no other way justice gained What does the law of England care rivers of blood shed in San Pedro, or ship load of treasure which this man has stolen ? like crimes committed in some other planet But learned the truth in sorrow and in suffering no fiend in hell like Juan Murillo, and no peace in life while his victims still cry for vengeance "

" " said Holmes, " say heard that atrocious But how affected ? "

" tell you it all This villain's policy was to murder, on one pretext or another, every man who showed such promise that he might come dangerous rival My husband- yes, my real name is Sipora Victor Durando- San Pedro minister in London He met me and married me there nobler man never lived upon earth Unhappily, Murillo heard excellence, recalled him on some pretext, and had him shot With premonition fate he had refused me His estates were confiscated, and left with pittance and broken heart

"Then came the downfall tyrant He escaped just described But the many whose lives he had mined, whose nearest and dearest had suffered torture and death at his hands, let the matter rest They banded themselves into society which should never be dissolved until the work my part after we had discovered transformed Henderson the fallen despot, to attach myself household and keep the others in touch movements This able by securing the position of governess family He little knew woman who faced him at every meal woman whose husband he had hurried at an hour's notice into eternity I smiled on him, did my duty children, and bided An attempt in Paris and failed We zig-zagged swiftly here and there over Europe to throw off the pursuers and finally returned house, which he had taken upon his first arrival in England

"But here also the ministers of justice were waiting Knowing that return there, Garcia, the son former highest dignitary in San Pedro, was waiting with two trusty companions of humble station, all three fired same reasons for revenge do little during the day, for Murillo took every precaution and never went out save satellite Lucas, or Lopez as known days greatness At night, however, he slept alone, avenger might find him On certain evening, which prearranged, my friend final instructions, man was forever alert and continually changed his room doors were open signal of green or white light in window which faced the drive was notice if all was safe or attempt had better be postponed