The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-08-01

We are close there now" my friend remarked. This fellow Mer- personally interested in the matter. thought it as well to have Jones with us also- He is not bad fellow, thous'h an absolute imbecile in his tue. He is a brave as a bulldog, and as tenacious as a lobster if he gets ms claws upon any one Here we are, and they are waiting for us.''
 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 MT. Merryweather. we passed down a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Within there was a small cor ridor, which ended in a very massive iron gate This also was opened, and led down flight of winding steps, which terminated at another formid- able gate MT Merryweathe stopped to light a lantern, and then conduct ed us down a dark, nth-smelling third door into a huge vault or eel lar, 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. Mer- ryweather, striking his stick upon the flags which lined the floor. Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollowI'' he remarked, looking up in surprise.
 T must really ask you to be a lit tie more quiet,'' said Holmes severe ly. You have already imperiled the Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit down upon one of those boxes. and not interfere?"
 The solemn MT. Merryweather a very injured expr ression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon the floor, and, with the lantern and a magnifying glass, be- between the stones. A few seconds seemed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again, and put his glass in his pocket
 "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked; flor they can hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the CT time they will have for their es- cape. We are at present, doctor as no doubt you have divined-in the cellar of the city branch of one of the principal London banks. MT. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sLondon should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present.
 "It is our French go1d,'' whispered the director. I've have had several warnings that an attempt might be
 made upon it-''
 Your French gold ?''
 teYes We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our re- sources, and borrowed, for that pur- pose, 30,0Oo napoleons from the Bank of France. It has become known that we have never had oc- casion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napo1eons packed between lay CTS of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at present branch office. and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject"
 (Which were very we'll justhfed,'' observed Holmes. And now it is time that we arranged our little plans I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime, MT. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark I 1antern.''
 And si tin the dark?''
 'I am afraid so I had brought af pack of cards in my pocket, and I thought that, as we were a partie l carree, you might have your rubber after all But I see that the enc my's preparations have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of l a light And, first of all. we must choose our positions. These are daring men,and though we shall take | them at a disadvantage, they may do | us some harm unless we are care 1 full. I shall stand behind this crate. l and you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash light l upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire. watson, have no compunction about shooting them down.