and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I’ll swing for

it!”


Sherlock Holmes had sprung 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

Holmes’ hunting 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 utmost coolness. “I

fancy that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his

coat-tails.”


“There are three men waiting for him at the door,” said Holmes.


“Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing 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 climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while

I fix the derbies.”


“I beg 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 my veins. Have the goodness, also, when you

address me always to say ‘sir’ and

‘please.’”


“All right,” said Jones with a stare and a snigger. “Well,

would you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry your

Highness to the police-station?”


“That is better,” said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow

to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective.


“Really, Mr. Holmes,” said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them

from the cellar, “I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you.

There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most complete

manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery that have ever come

within my experience.”