But how?
Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it. He swung
himself up onto the roof. Ah, yes, he cried, here s the end of a
long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it.
But it is impossible, said Miss Hunter; the ladder was not there
when the Rucastles went away.
He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and
dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he
whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it would be
as well for you to have your pistol ready.
The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the
door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy stick in his
hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wall at the sight of
him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and confronted him.
You villain! said he, where s your daughter?
The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open skylight.
It is for me to ask you that, he shrieked, you thieves! Spies and
thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I ll serve
you! He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he could go.
He s gone for the dog! cried Miss Hunter.
I have my revolver, said I.
Better close the front door, cried Holmes, and we all rushed down the
stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we heard the
baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a horrible worrying
sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An elderly man with a red
face and shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door.
My God! he cried. Someone has loosed the dog. It s not been fed for
two days. Quick, quick, or it ll be too late!
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