The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 9 (2/2)
Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you that there are reasons why thecriminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present”
”It is our French gold,” whispered the director ”We have had several warnings that an atteold?”
”Yes We had occasion sothen our resources and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France It has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack thein our cellar The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil Our reserve of bullion is le branch office, and the directors have had s upon the subject”
”Which were very well justified,” observed Holed our little plans I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head In the meantime Mr
Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern”
”And sit in the dark?”
”I aht a pack of cards in ht that, as ere a partie carree, you ht have your rubber after all But I see that the eneone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light And, first of all, we h we shall take thee, they may do us some harm unless we are careful I shall stand behind this crate, and do you conceal yourselves behind those Then, when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly If they fire, Watson, have no co them down”
I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case behind which I crouched Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute darkness as I have never before experienced The sht was still there, ready to flash out at a moment's notice To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy, there was soloom, and in the cold dank air of the vault
”They have but one retreat,” whispered Hol Square I hope that you have done what I asked you, Jones?”
”I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door”
”Then we have stopped all the holes And noe must be silent and wait”
What a ti notes afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to one and the dawn be breaking above us My lie hest pitch of tension, and entle breathing of uish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones fro note of the bank director From my position I could look over the case in the direction of the floor Suddenly ht
At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavethened out until it becaash seemed to open and a hand appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the centre of the little area of light For a ers, protruded out of the floor Then it ithdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the stones
Its disappearance, however, was butsound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streae there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge In another instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair
”It's all clear,” he whispered ”Have you the chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Ju for it!”
Sherlock Hol out and seized the intruder by the collar The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts The light flashed upon the barrel of a revolver, but Hol crop came down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone floor
”It's no use, John Clay,” said Holmes blandly ”You have no chance at all”
”So I see,” the other answered with the uth I see you have got his coat-tails”
”There are threefor him at the door,” said Hol very completely I must compliment you”
”And I you,” Holmes answered ”Your red-headed idea was very new and effective”
”You'll see your pal again presently,” said Jones ”He's quicker at cli down holes than I a that you will not touch me with your filthy hands,”
remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists
”You may not be aware that I have royal blood in oodness, also, when you address ht,” said Jones with a stare and a snigger ”Well, would you please, sir, hness to the police-station?”
”That is better,” said John Clay serenely Hebow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective