more implacable spirits upon their track. You can understand that this
register and diary may implicate some of the first men in the South,
and that there may be many who will not sleep easy at night until it is
recovered.
Then the page we have seen
Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, sent the
pips to A, B, and C that is, sent the society s warning to them. Then
there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or left the country,
and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sinister result for C.
Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let some light into this dark place,
and I believe that the only chance young Openshaw has in the meantime
is to do what I have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to
be done to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget
for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable
ways of our fellow men.
It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a subdued
brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great city.
Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down.
You will excuse me for not waiting for you, said he; I have, I
foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of young
Openshaw s.
What steps will you take? I asked.
It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I may
have to go down to Horsham, after all.
You will not go there first?
No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the maid
will bring up your coffee.
As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and glanced
my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a chill to my
heart.
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