The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-31

den gloom. and in the cold. dank air
OF the vault.
They have but one retreat" whis-
pered Holmes. That is back through
the house into Saxe-Coburg Square I
hoies- And now We must be silent
ed You, Jones?"
L have an inspector and two Off
GERS waiting at the front door"
h We have stopped all the
holes. And now me must be s,,ant
and wait"
what a time it seemed. From
notes afterwards it was
out an hour and a quarter. vet il APP
peared to me that the night must
nave almost gone. and the dawn be
breaking above us. Ny limbs were
weary and stiff, for I feared to change
my p~oSltlon; yet my nerves were
worked up to the highest pitch of
tension, and my hearing was so acute
tnat could not only hear the gentle
breathing of my companions. but I
could distinguish the deeper. heavier
ln-breath of the bulky Jones from the
thin, signing note of the bank di-
rector. From my position l could look
over the case in the direction of the
moor. my eyes caught the
CLINT Of a light.
AT first it was but a lurid spark
upon the stone pavement. Then it
~iengthened out until it became a yell
low hne, and then, without any warn
ing or sound, a cash seemed TO open
and a hand appeared: a white, al
most womanly hand, which felt
about in the centre Of the little area
of light. For a minute or more the
hand. with its writhing fingers. pro-
truded out of the floor. Then it was
withdrawn as suddenly as it appear
ed, n all was dark again save the
single lurid spark which marked a
4 mink hatWaan tho Ctnpnc
It's disappearance. however, was
but mornentary. With a %rending.
tearing sound, one of the broad. white
stones turned over upon it's side, and
left, a square, gaping hole, through
which streamed the light Of q lam
tern. Over the edge there peeped a
~clean-cut, boyish face, which looked
keenly about it, and then, with a
hand on either side of the aperture.
drew itself Shoulder-high and waist
high, until n knee rested upon the
edge. In another instant h stood
at the side Of the hole, and was
hauling after him a companion, 1.-the
n small like himself, with a pale
face and a shock of very red hair.
Its all clear he whispered.
Great Scott: Jump, Archie, jump.
and I'll swing for it,
Sherlock Holmes had sprung out
and seized the intruder by the col
lar. The other d;ved down the ole,
and I heard the sound Of rending
cloth as Jones c1utched at his shirts.
| The light flashed upon the barrel of a
revolver, but Holiness hunting crop
came down on the mans wrist. and
the pistol clinked upon the stone
floor.
Its no use, John Clay" said
Holmes, blandly. You have nc
chance at ALL
S l see the other answered,
with the utmost GOODNESS. Il fancy
that. my pal is all right, though l see
you have got his c~oat-rails.'
There are three men waiting for
ooh. indeed. You seem to have
done the thing very completely. ]
must compliment you"
And [ YOU" Holmes answered.
Your read-headed idea was very
new and effective
You'll see your pal again present
w." said Jones. Hes quicker at
climbing down holes tina I am. Just
hold out while / fix the derbies."
Il beg hat you will not touch me
with your filthy hands, remarked
u prisoner, as the handouts clat-
tered upon his wrists. You may not
be aware that L haya roNt. b'ood in
my Veins. Hav the goodness, also,
when you address me alwa;s to say
sir and please"
"A1l right" said Jones, with a
stare and a Singer. Well. would
you please, sir, march upstairs,
where we can get a cab to carry your
highness to the police-station?"
THAT is better" said John Clay,
%serene1y. He made a sweeping bOW
to the three of us. and walked quietly
off in the custody of the detective.
Really Mr.. Holiness" said Mr..
Merryweather, as we followed them
from the cellar. Il do not know how
the bank can thank you or repay
you. There is no doubt that you
have detected and defeated in the
most complete name one of the
most determined attempts at bank
robbery that have ever come within
my experience"
Il have had one or two little scores
Of my own to settle with Mr.. John
, Clay said Holmes. Il have been
at some small expense over this mat
ter. which l shall expect the bank