Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-09-08

as his fingers, and though we meet signs
Of him at every turn we never know
where to find the mar himself. He'll
crack q crib in Scotland one weeks
and be raising money to build an
orphanage in Cornwell the next. I've
been on his track for years and have
never set eyes on him yet"
81 hope that l may have the pleasure
Of introducing you tonight. I've had
one or two little turns also with Mr..
John Clay, and | agree with you that
he is at the head of his profession. 1t
is past ten, however, and quite time
that WI started. If you two will take
the first hanson, Watson and l, will
follow in the second"
Sherlock Holmes was not very com
municative during the long drive, and
lay back in the cab humming the tunes
which he had heard in the afternoon.
We ratified through an endless labyrinth
of gas-lit streets until we emerged into
Harrington street.
I'VE are close there now" my friend
remarked. This fellow Merryweather
is a bank director, and personally in
terested in the matter. l thought it
\ as well to have Jones with us also. He
rs not a bad fellow, though an absolute
imbecile in his profession. He has one
positive virtue. He is as brave as a bull
dog and as tenacious as a lobster if he
gets his claws upon any one. Here
we are, and they are waiting for U.s."
We had reached the same crowded
thoroughfare in which we had found
ourselves in the morning. Our cabs
were dismissed, and, following the
guidance Of Mr.. 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 a fight of winding steps, which
terminated at another formidable gate.
Mr.. Merrywcather stopped to light a
lantern, and then conducted Us down
a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so,
after opening n 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" said Holmes, severely.
You have already imperiled the whole
success of our expedition. Might | beg
that you would have the goodness to sit
TO interfere?'
The solemn Mr.. Merryweather perch
ed himself upon a crate, with q very in
jured expression upon his face, while
Holmes fell upon his knees upon the
floor, and, with the lantern and a
magnifying lens, began 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.
I've have at least an hour before US"
he remarked; "for they can hardly take
any steps until the good pawnbroker
is safely in bed. Then they will not
lose q minute, for the sooner they do
their work the longer time they will have
for their escape. We are at present,
doctor-as no doubt you have OWNED
in the cellar of the city branch of one
OF the principal London banks. Mr.
Merryweather is the chairman of di-
rectors, and he will explain to you that
there are reasons why the more daring
criminals of London should take a con,
siderable interest in this cellar at pres.
emit"
1T is our French gold" whispered
the director. I'VE have had severa
warnings that an attempt might b,
made upon IT,"
Your French gold?"
YES. We had occasion some months
, ago 70 strengthen our resources, anc
! borrowed, for that purpose, 30,00t
napo.eons from the Bank of France
. IL has become known that we hav,
never had occasion to unpack tn
money, and that it is still lying in on
cellar. The crate upon which ! sit con
tains 1000 napoleons packed betweel
layers Of lead foil. Our reserve of bul
, lion is much larger at present than j
usually kept in a single branch office
and the directors have had misgiving
upon the subject"
2 Which were very well justified,
observed Holmes. And now ii is tim
/ that we arranged our little plans.
+ expect that within an hour matter
Will come 10 q head. In the meantime
I Mr.. Merryweather, we must put tn
: screen over that dark lantern"
And sit in the dark"
II am afraid so. l had brought
4 pack of cards in my pocket, and
thought that, as VIC were a part
= %carree, you might have your rubbt
after all. But ! see that the enemy
preparations have gone so far that "
cannot risk the presence Of a ligh
And, first of all, we must choose OF
positions. These are daring men, an
though we shall take them at a di
advantage, they may do us some harl
. unless we are careful. / shall stand b,
hind this crate, and you conceal you
selves behind those. Then, when
fash a light upon them, close in swift,
If they fire, Watson, have no compun,
4 ton about shooting them down"