fellow should think we had come here as architects, or on some definite
business. It may stop his gossip. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see
that we have been as good as our word.
Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face
which spoke her joy. I have been waiting so eagerly for you, she
cried, shaking hands with us warmly. All has turned out splendidly.
Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that he will be back
before evening.
We have had the pleasure of making the Doctor s acquaintance, said
Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred. Miss
Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened.
Good heavens! she cried, he has followed me, then.
So it appears.
He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will
he say when he returns?
He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone more
cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself up from him
to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your aunt s at
Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our time, so kindly take us
at once to the rooms which we are to examine.
The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high central
portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on
each side. In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked
with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, a picture of
ruin. The central portion was in little better repair, but the
right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the blinds in the
windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys, showed that
this was where the family resided. Some scaffolding had been erected
against the end wall, and the stone-work had been broken into, but
there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes
walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep
attention the outsides of the windows.
185