Central High School - Almanac Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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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

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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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Holmes was evidently very gloomy. He tore the bread and stabbed savagely at the steak. Worrell, said he suddenly, do you notice anything peculiar about this steak?', '4It is very tough,', said I. True, that is an innate quality of all steakg I refer to my steak, this upon my platefi I looked at it for a moment, No, said I, I see noth- ing peculiar about it. Without further comment he wrapped the steak care- fully in his napkin, dropped it into a side pocket, and then strode up to the desk. I do not know just how it happened, but he very clumsily let his purse fall into the umbrella-jar, a very unusual thing for one always so graceful and precise in all his movements. He fumbled for a moment and recov- ered it, and we ascended to the street. Apparently forget- ful of his original intention, he turned homeward, and when we were once more Within the cosy precincts of his reading room he threw off the air of reserve which he had worn of late and became quite voluble. You may know, he began in the serious style of a platform lecturer, that there is a great difference between teethg between the teeth of a man and those of a woman, between the teeth of one individual and those of another, and between the precise conditions of the same teeth at one time and another, involving different conditions. I nodded. ' Now, as to this steak, it is made of Para rubber of good quality, and it is of the regular shape and dimensions, it is in fact the same as the ordinary steaks found in every restaurant, but you will notice the difference between this and the steak you had, for instance. This is comparatively new, it has not been used more than once or twice, I should say, whereas yours was covered with the myriad indenta- tions left by previous lunchers and diners, this bears traces of only one. Do you see those marks there, and there, and