Central High School - Almanac Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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cork, and took out a portion of the pearly contents upon a spoon. This he carefully heated over the gas flame for a moment, and then nlled the little syringe by drawing the piston back. Rolling up his sleeve he stuck the needle-like point just under the skin, and then down Went the piston- and it was done. After this apparently simple proceeding, I noticed an immediate and decided change in the appearance and man- ner of Mr. Holmes. His eyes became bright, his color heightened, his whole personality seemed re-enforced and intensified, and he talked rapidly and brilliantly upon a variety of subjects, darting here and there but always alighting upon something fresh and novel and delivering it in his own facinating manner. Suddenly-very suddenly indeed-Mr.Holmes arose and went to the window. H That was a stupid thing for me to do,', he said, tak- ing that morphinefi I mentally agreed with him. I might have known beforej' he continued, that I would have something to do tonight and could very well do without itf' What is it, I asked, a case? Yes, a case-a casef' Then rapidly and more to him- selt than to me, he continued: Ten-thirty-Collingwood and Monroe-horses tearing like fury-Twenty-second- Twenty-hrst-Twentieth-Nineteenth-Eighteenth-Jeffer- son-Madison - after a pause - Thirteenth-Twelth- Eleventh- Tenth- Michigan-Ontario-Erie -Huron -Su- periori'-then after a long pause- Cherry-Locust-Elm -don't you hear them? I listened for a moment, No, I said. '4Hade, he called out, a visitor. The stalwart porter, who never hurried, passed along the hallway to the door. At that moment I heard a clatter of hoofs, the whoan of a driver, a sharp slam, and then a

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The Tanjora Diamond. A Tale of Myltery, involving some Incidents in the Life of the Late Mr. Sherlock Holmes. BY WILLIAM HOYT WORRELL. C H A P T E R I . Was a cold stormy night in December, rough and blustry Without, but cheery enough in the pleasant room Where I sat reading. I was the guest of Mr. Sherlock I-Iolmes, and had been for a Week previous, and as may be Well understood, I Was delighted at the opportunity of enjoying the hospitality of so noted a personage and incidentally of making a study of his remarkable talents. We had met by chance in a corner of the depot and, contrary to the custom of many great men, he recognized me, for I had been an old pupil of his in a public school Which he had taught in the earlier portion of his checkered career. Several days had passed and I Was growing quite famil- iar' with the quaint habits and conversation of this remark- able man. On the particular evening of Which I am speaking We sat back to back, each buried mentally in his book, and physically in the great embracing back and arms of his comfortable chair. My host had not spoken a Word-he never did When reading-but I had noticed a continual and ever increasing air of unrest about him which I knew would require some satisfaction, either in the excitement of a problem to be solved, or, as was more likely, in his hypo- dermic syringe. He arose abruptly, passing over to the mantle, he picked up a small jar-like bottle, removed the

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hurried step outside. The door was opened and Without being announced in rushed our nocturnal visitor. Mr. Holmes arose. Good evening, Monsieur Jardi- nier, said he, extending his long White hand, Monsieur Jardinier, Mr. Worrell. Good evening, Monsieur Jardinierj I said, I believe that it has been my pleasure to meet you beforef' Ah, yes, he replied, as he grasped my hand in a pe- culiar Way and murmered a phrase in Greek, which I repeated after him, H but pardon me if I proceed immediately to the business in hand, it is very urgent, I assure you. I ventured to Withdraw, but our visitor insisted on my remaining. Then a conversation something like the follow- ing ensued: Monsieur Jardinierj' said I-Iolmes, I already perceive in many Ways that you are the trusted friend of the Baron von Livervvorst of this city, that you are sent to night on a very important errand, that you Wish to obtain my services in securing a lost article, and that article is the famous Tanjora Diamond, Which has just been stolen from the per- son of the Baroninfi Jardinier gasped in astonishment. Exactly, exactly, but how did you know - Now, Monsieur, as the facts with which I am already acquainted are but generalities, you Would oblige me much by' giving me a full account of the case from the beginning. Well, began Jardinier, after a pause, tithe Baron Von Liverworst, as you very likely know, lived for a number of years as a private citizen of this city, bearing the name of Walter Braun. About six years ago he found himself heir to the ine estates of Livervvorst and Sauer Kraut. To be brief, he became the ovvner of the famous Tanjora Diamond Which, as you remember, Was once the pride of the Rajah of Tanjora. I-Iis majesty lost one of his slippers While out hunting tigers and the article Was found by the third Baron von Dunder and Blitzen, of the royal body guard. Upon