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

afternoon. We ratified through an
endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets
Street.
We are close there now" my
friend remarked This fellow Merry
weather is a bank director, and per-
sonally Interested in the matter. I
hough it as well to have Jones
low, though an absolute imbecile in
his profession. He has one positive
virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog,
and as tenacious as a lobster if he
gets his claws upon any one. Here
we are, and they are waiting for
We had reached the same crowded
thOroughfare in which we had found
ourselves in the morning. Our cabs
We're dismissed, and, following the
guidance OF Mr.. Merryweather, we
passed down a narrow passage and
through a i door, which he open
ed for us. Within there was a small
corridor, which ended in a very mas
sive iron gate. This also was OPEN
ed, and led down a flight of wind
ing stone steps. which terminated at
another formidable gate. Mr.. Merry
weather stopped to light a lantern,
and hen conducted us down a dark,
earth-smelling passage, and so, after
opening a third door, into a huge
vault or cellar. which was piled all
round with crates and massive boxes.
You are not very vulnerable from
above holmes remarked, as he held
up the lantern and gazed about
him..
Nor from below said Mr.. Merry
weather, striking his stick upon the
flags which lined the floor. Why,
dear me, it sounds quite hollow" he
remarked, looking up in surprise.
Il must really ask you to be a
little more quiet" aid Holmes,
severely. You have already i'm
perilled the whole success of our ex-
petition. Might I beg that you would
have the goodness to sit down upon
one Of those boxes. and not to inter
ere"
The solemn Mr.. Merryweather
| perched himself upon a crate, with a
very injured expression upon his
face, while Holmes fell upon his
nee pon the floor, and, with the
lantern and a magnifying lens, be-
gan to examine infinitely the cracks
between the stones. A few seconds
sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang
to his feet again, and put his glass
in his pocket.
we have at least an hour before
u.s." he remarked; for they can
hardly take any steps until the good
pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then
sooner they do their work the longer
time they will have for their escape.
We are at present, dector-as no
doubt you have divined-in the cellar
of the city branch Of one of the
;principaI london banks. Mr.. Merry
weather is the chairman of directors,
and he will explain to you that there
are reasons why the more daring
criminals of London should taxi a
considerable interest in this cellar at
present.
1T is our French gold" whispered
the director. I'VE have had several
warnings that an attempt might be
made upon it,"
Your French gold?"
Eyes. We had occasion some
mouths ago to strengthen our re-
sources, and borrowed, for that pur-
pose. 80, Oo0 napoleons from the Bank
of France. It has become known
that we have never had occasion to
unpack the mOney and that 1t is still
Wing in our cellar. The crate upon
which I sit contains 1000 napOleons
packed between layers OF lead Toll.
our reserve Of bullion is much larger
at present than is usually kept IN a
single branch Office, and the directors
have had misgivings upon the SUI
ject." ,,
(Which were very we'll JUSTIFIED:
observed Holmes. and now IL Is
time that we arranged our little plans.
I expect that within an hour matters
will come to a head. In the mean
time, MT. merry
the screen over that dark lantern.
..And sit in the dark?
81 am afraid SO. | had orousn.
a pack of cards in my pocket, anu
I thought that, as we were a pa,lle
eorrea Won might have your rubbe
after ali. But l see that the enemy $
preparations have gone 50 Tar Una =
we cannot risk the presence OF a
light. And, first OF all, We mus
choose our positions These are dar-
ING men. and though we shall take
them at a disadvantage. they may 40
us some harm unless we are carelut;
| shall stand behind this crate, n
do you conceal yourselves penlnu
those Then, when / fash a hght
upon them, close in swiftly. II they
fire. Watson. a no
about shooting them down.
placed my revolver. cooked, upon
Tho TON OF the wooden case behind