The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 33 (1/2)
”I cannot think”
”When you coht, the presence of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter'sallusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard a ht have been caused by one of thoseback into its place, I think that there is good ground to think that thethose lines”
”But what, then, did the gipsies do?”
”I cannot iine”
”I see many objections to any such theory”
”And so do I It is precisely for that reason that we are going to Stoke Moran this day I want to see whether the objections are fatal, or if they may be explained away But what in the name of the devil!”
The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had framed himself in the aperture His costuricultural, having a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand So tall was he that his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his breadth seee face, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yelloith the sun, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey
”Which of you is Holmes?” asked this apparition
”My nae of me,” said my companion quietly
”I am Dr Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran”
”Indeed, Doctor,” said Hol of the kind My stepdaughter has been here I have traced her What has she been saying to you?”
”It is a little cold for the ti to you?” screamed the old man furiously
”But I have heard that the crocuses promise well,” continued my companion imperturbably
”Ha! You puta step forward and shaking his hunting-crop ”I know you, you scoundrel!
I have heard of you before You are Holmes, the meddler”
My friend smiled
”Holmes, the busybody!”
His smile broadened
”Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!”
Hol,” said he ”When you go out close the door, for there is a decided draught”