The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-24

great blue triumphant ciouu from ms
cigarette.
The paper was made in Bohemia"
/ said.
Precisely. And the man who
wrote the note is a German. Do
you note the peculiar construction of
the sentence-'This account of you we
have from all quarters received A
Frenchman or Russian could not have
written that. 1t is the German who
is so uncourteous to his verbs. 1t
only remains, therefore,, to discover
what is wanted by this German who
writes upon Bohemian paper, and
prefers wearing a mask to showing
his face. And here he comes, if I
am not mistaken, to resolve all our
doubts"
AS he spoke there was the sharp
sound of horses hoofs and grating
wheels against the curb, followed by
a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes
whistled.
"A pair, by the sound" said he.
Yes" he continued, glancing out Of
the window. "A nice little brougham
and a pair Of beauties. A hundred
and fifty guineas apiece. There's
money in this case, Watson, if there
4 think that had better go
Holiness"
Not a bit, doctor. Stay where you
are. l am lost without my Boswell.
And this promises to be interesting.
1t would be a pity to miss it,
But your. client
Never mind him. I may want
your help, and SO may he. Here
he comes. Sit down in that arm
chair, doctor, and give us our pest
attention."
A slow n heavy step, which had
been heard upon the stairs and in
the passage, paused Immediately out
side the door. Then there was a
loud and authoritative tap.
Come in" said Holmes.
A man entered who could hardly
have been less than six feet six nch
in height, with the chest and limbs
OF a Hercules. His dress was rich
with a richness which would, in Eng
land, be looked upon as akin to bad
taste. Heavy bands of Astrakhan
fronts Of his double-breasted coat,
while the deep blue cloak with was
thrown over his shoulders was lined
With h~ame-cOlored silk, and secured
at tie neck with a brooch which con-
sisted of a single flaming beryl.
his calves, and which were trimmed
at the tops with rich brown fur, COM
pleted the impression Of barbaric op-
ulence which was suggested by his
whole, appearance. He carried a
broad-brimmed hat in his hand,
'O "a OSo lAS upbc pdl /
of his face, extending down past the
cheek bones, a black wizard mask,
which he had apparently adjusted
that very moment, for his hand was
still raised to it as he entered. From
the lower part of the face he appear
ed to be a man of strong character,
with a thick, hanging lip, and a long,
straight chin, suggestive Of resOlu-
ton pushed to the length Of OBJ
%stinacy.
You had my note?" he asked.
with a deep harsh voice and a strong
ly marked German accent. Il told
you that l would call" He looked
from one to the other of us, as if I'M
certain which to address.
Pray tax a seat said Holmes.
This is my friend and colleague, Dr..
Watson, who is occasionally good
enough to help me in my cases.
Whom nave l the honor to address"
You may ADDRESS me as the Count
Won Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman.
l understand that this gentleman,
your friend, is a man of honor and
discretion, whom 1 may trust with a
matter of the most extreme impor-
lance. If not, ] should much prefer
to communicate with YOU alone"
l rose to &C, but Holmes caught me
by the wrist and pushed NE back
into my chair. 1T is both, or none"
said he. You nay say before this
gentleman anything which you may
The count shrugged his broad
shoulders. Then I must begin"
aid he, by binding you both to alb
solute secrecy for two years. at the
end of that time the matter will be
Of no Importance. At present it is
not too much to say that it is OF such
weight it may have an influence upon
European history"
Il PROMISE said Holmes.
And l."
You will excuse this mask" con-
tinued our strange visitor. ..The
august person who employs me
WISHES MS agent to be unknown to
you, and I may confess at onca tbst
the title by which 1 have just called
myself Is not exactly my own"
II was aware of it," said Holmes
dry1y.
The circumstances are Of great
dellcacy, ana every precanfion bas 90