The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-17
THE final PROBLEM
Continued from page four.9

the carriage is our rendezvous.
them"
Yes"
II was in vain that I asked Holmes
70 remain for the evening. 1t was
eyident to me that he thought he
might bring trouble to the roof he was |
under, and that that was the motive
which impelled him to m. With a
few hurried words as to our plans for
the morrow he rose and came out
with me into the garden, clambering
over the wall which leads into Morti-
mer Street, and Immediately whist
ling for a hanson, in which I heard
him drive away.
In the morning I obeyed Holiness
iniunctions to the letter. A hanson
was procured with such precautions
as would prevent it's being one which
was placed ready for US, and I drove
Immediately after breakfast to the
Lowther Arcade. through which I hur-
ried at the top Of my speed. A
brougham was waiting with a very
massive driver wrapped in a dark
cloak, who, the instant thai I had
stepped in, whipped up the horse and
ratified off to Victoria Station. On my
alighting there he turned the carriage,
and dashed away again without SO
much as a o in my direction.
so far all had gone admirably. My
luggage was waiting for me, and I had
no L III Ill
which Holmes had indicated, the less
SO as it was the only one in the train
which was marked Engaged" My
only source Of anxiety now was the
non-appearance Of Holmes. The sta
ton clock marked only seven minutes
from the time when we were due to
start. In vain I searched among the
groups of travellers and leave-takers
for the 1.-THE figure Of my friend. There
was no sign Of him. l spent a few
minutes in assisting a venerable
Italian priest, who was e~ndeavOring to
make a porter understand, in his
broken English, hat his luggage was
to be booked through to Paris. Then,
having taken another look round, I
returned to my carriage, where I
found that the porter, in spite Of the
ticket, had given me my decrepit
Italian friend as a travelling compan-
ion. 1t was useless for me to explain
to him that his presence was an in
trusion, for my Italian was eve more
limited than his English, SO I shrugged
my shoulders resignedly, and contin-
ued to look out anxiously for my
friend. A chill of fear had come over
me, as | thought that his absence
might mean that some. blow had fallen
during the night. Already the doors
had all been shut and the whistle
MY dear Watson" said a voice,
you have not even c~ondescended to
say gOod-mOrning.'
| turned in uncomfortable astonish-
n-ent. The aged ecclesiastic had turn
ed his face towards me. For an in
slant the wrinkles were smoothed
away, the nose drew away from the
chin, the lower lip ceased to p%rotrude
and the mouth to humble, the dull
eyes regained their fire, the dropping
figure expanded; The next the whole
frame collapsed again, and Holmes
had gone as quickly as he had come.
Good heavens!" I cried: how you
startled me!'
Every precaution is still neces-
sary,' he whispered. Il nave reason
trail All, there is Moriarty himself"
move as Holmes spoke. CHANGING
back, ] saw a tall man pushing his
way ~furiously through the crowd, and
waving his hand as if he desired to
have the train stopped. 1t was too
late, however, for we were rapidly
gathering momentum, and an instant
later had shot clear of the station.
With all our precautions, you see
That we have cut it rather fine salo
Holmes, laughing. He rose, and
throwing off the black cassock and hat
which had formed his disguise, he
packed them away in a handbag.
Have YOU seen the morning ape
Watson?'
NO"
You haven't seen about Baker
Street, then?"
Baker Street
They set fire to our rooms last
night. No great harm was done
Good heavens, Holiness. this is in
tolerable."
They must have lost my track
completely after their bludgeon-man
was arrested. Otherwise they could
not have imagined that [ had returned
to my rooms. They have evidently
taken the p~recaution Of watching you
however, and hat is what has brough
Moriarty to Victoria. You could MOI
have made any slip in coming
81 did exactly what you advised.
Did you find your b~rougham?'
Yes, it was waiting
Did 0 recognize your coach
Inan?