Central High School - Almanac Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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another moment I was on my back upon the iioor and he was over me with his long muscular nngers about my throat. What he intended to say I shall never know, but upon that countenance was written unspeakable sternness and terrible justice. Just then there sounded the loud clang of the door bell, and I heard footsteps in the corridor. Holmes released me in an instant, picked up the revolver, and putting it in his pocket turned to greet the visitor who entered at that moment. Good evening, Baron von Liverworstf' said he with deference, 4' you do me great honor, to what turn of affairs am I to attribute this fortunate occurrence ? Well. said the Baron, nervously, I have a sort of explanation to make, I-you need not leave, Herr Wilhelm, you are aware of the gravity of the situation and the sec- recy and caution necessary-as I said I have a confession to make which, as all other things, must of course be strictly conidential. The fact is that of late I have been rather embarassed for funds and I conceived the plan of borrowing for myself as it were or-a-in fact taking for myself, in fact I planned to get possession of the diamond without the knowledge of the Baronin. For this difficult piece of work my friend Jardinier volunteered, and indeed I may say that he did very wellg but he had a great misfor- tune before he had inishedfl At some time before leaving the city to get the dia- mond where it might be turned into funds, he lost it, that is to say it was missing from the place in the lining of his coat where he had stitched it. Have you no idea as to where it was lost? H said Holmes. f' None. And your present errand is to solicit my aid in recov- ering it ? Yes, yes? '

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tiara at all? Would she not have kept the pretty toy intact? Again, I examined the bruise on the forehead of the Baronin and I found not the slightest scratchy on the contrary she seemed to have been struck by a well delivered blow from the shoulder, a thing impossible for a woman, even such as Miss Brockway. My head was ia a whirl, I arose and started for the door, I turned, and then a terrible thought surged through my brain. When at this distant time of writing I reflect coolly upon the doings of that night I do not know how I dared attempt such a deed, how I dared to match my puny strength and resources against that giant mind and body, but I had started and I could not stop now. With a swift motion I drew a small revolver which I always carry. with me and leveled it straight at his great forehead rising full above those clear, wonderful eyes. U Silence ! I cried, not a word ! not a motion ! '9 . He did not move. There he sat with one arm in his lap and the other resting at full length on the table. His eyes were full upon me and watched my every movement. I glided toward him and soon had the nasty little weapon pressed against his forehead. Sir, I said in a low tone, I have an oath-I have an oath-I can not break it. Jardinier is my friendg so long as there is power within my hands, guilty or innocent, he shall not be convicted of this shocking crime. Swear to me that you will keep silent-swear to me that you will not use the proofs that you have found ! I waited a momentg he did not move or speak, but con- tinued to regard me with those fixed lustrous eyes. 'f Swear it I I repeated. I waited. Still no reply. Still I waited. A slight rustle in the corridor ! I started-ever so little-and that great arm swung around from the table with lightning speed and struck me on the side of the head with a blow that I believe would have felled an ox. In

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Well, said Holmes quietly, I think that I can sat- isfy you if that is all you want, and he drew forth the stone and heldit up to the gaze of the astonished Baron. The Baron snatched it with more eagerness than grace, and when it was safely within his grasp he exclaimed, You are indeed a genius, Mr. Holmes, how can I ever repay you? Holmes waved his hand airily. 4' Permit me, continued the Baron, to make you this small present, pray except it as a little gift. Holmes would have nothing of the sortg and after the Baron had bade us good night in the manner of a man who had lost a great load of care and gained one of satisfaction, the porter showed him out and we took our accustomed seats. ' I could not find courage to speak, so oppressed was I by the thought of what I had done but a short time before, and the injustice of it all came upon me with double force now that the cause of such action had been removed. After some time I summoned courage enough to walk over to the chair where Holmes was sitting, and in a befittingly humble manner begged his pardonf What he said I will not write here, but sufficient it is to say that the next even- ing found us in our accustomed places as if nothing had happened to disturb the quiet of the room. I The clock struck ten. Holmes walked over to the mantle, heated the morphine and filled the syringe, as I had seen him do it so often, Baring his arm he inserted the needle-like point. Down went the little piston-and I knew that Sherlock Holmes had dismissed from his mind completely the little affair of the Tanjora Diamond.