The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-27

breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?"
 Yes; shall not feel easy until I have told my story
 "Then my servant will call a cab. and l shall be with you in an instant l rushed up stairs, explained the matter shortly to my wife, and in five minutes was inside hanson, driving with my new acquaintance to Baker street.
 Sherlock Holmes was, as l expected, lounglng about his sitting room in his dressing gown reading the agony column of the Times, and smoking his before breakfast pipe, which was composed of all the plugs Rnd dottles left from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the mantelpiece He received Us in his quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and eggs. and joined LIS in a hearty meal. When 1t was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head and laid a glass of brandy and water within his reach.
 "It is easy to see your experience has been no common one, MT. Hatherley,' said he. Pray. lie down there and make yourself absolutely at home. Tell us what yon can. but stop when you are tired, and keep up your strength with a little stlmulant."
 Thank you" said my patient, ''but I have felt another man since the doctor handaged me, and l think that your [ breakfast has completed the cure. I shall take up as litle of your valuable time as possible. so I will start at once upon my peculiar experiences"
 Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded expression which yelled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opposite him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which our visitor detailed to us.
 You must know" said he, that I am an orphan and a bachelor, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession l am a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my work during the seven years that I was appren- ticed to Venner < Matheson, the well known firm of Greenwich Two years ago. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of money through my poor fathers death. l de- termined to start in business for myself, and took professional chambers in Vic toria street.
 q suppose that every one finds his first independent start in business a dreary experience. To me 1t has been exceptionally so. During two years 1 have had three consultations and one small job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought me. My gross takings amount to G27 los. Every day, from in the morning until in the af- ternoon, I waited in my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and l came to believe that I should never have any practice at all.
 "Yesterday however, just as l was thinking of leaving the office, my clerk entered to say there was gentleman waiting who wished to see me upon busi- ness. He brought up a card, too, with the name of Col. Lysander Stark en- graved upon it. Close at his heels came the colonel himself, man rather over the middle size. but of an exceeding thin ness I do not think that l have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this cancellation seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step brisk and his bear ing bright. He was plainly but neatly dressed, and his age, l should Judge would be nearer 40 than 90.
 :" MT. Hatherley? said he, with some thing of a German accent. You have been recommended to me, MT. Hather- ley, as being man who Is not only proficient in his profession, but Is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret
 q bowed, feeling as fattered as any young man would at such an address. May I ask who It was that gave me so good a character
 Well, perhaps 1t Is better that l should not tell you that just at this mo- ment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan and bach elor, and are residing alone in London
 That is quite correct l answered, but you will excuse me if l say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. under stood that it was on a professional mat ter that you wished to speak to me?'
 Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the point. have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy is quite essential absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in the bosom of his family
 If I promise to keep secret said I, you may absolutely depend upon my doing so'
 "He looked very hard at me as l spoke, and 1t seemed to me that l had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye.
 DO you promise, then?' said he, at last.
 Yes l promise.
 ".Absolute and complete silence before, during and after? No reference to the matter at all, either in word or -writing?'
 I have already given you my word.
 Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across the room, he flung open the door. The pass age outside was empty
 That's all right, said he coming back. I know clerks are sometimes cur ious as to their masters affairs. Now we can talk in safety He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stare at me again with the same ques- tioning and thoughtful look.
 "A feeling of repulsion, and of some thing akin to fear had begun to rise with in me at the strange antics of this flesh less man. Even my dread Of losing client could not restrain me from show ing my impatience
 I beg that you will state your pus- mess sir said I; my time is of value. Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the words came to my lips.
 How would fifty guineas for nights work suit you?' he asked.
 Most admirably
 rT say a nights work, but an hour would be nearer the mark. I simply
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