" never seen him in more dangerous mood But he grows more sinister understand now why his daughter and I are alarmed And yet his mind is perfectly clear "

"Too clear ! " said Holmes "That was my miscalculation evident that his memory is much more reliable than I had thought , can we, before we go, see the window of Miss Presbury's room ? "

Mr Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs, and we had view side house

"It The second left "

"Dear me, it seems hardly accessible And yet observe creeper below and water-pipe above which give some foothold "

" climb it myself," said Mr Bennett

"Very likely It would certainly be dangerous exploit for any normal man "

" one other thing you, Mr Holmes the address man in London the professor writes He seems written , and I got it blotting-paper an ignoble position for trusted secretary, but what else can ? "

Holmes glanced paper and put it into his pocket

"Dorak -- curious name Slavonic, I imagine Well, an important link chain We return to London this afternoon, Mr Bennett no good purpose served by our remaining arrest the professor because he no crime, nor can we place him under constraint, for proved mad No action is possible "

"Then what on earth are we ? "

"A little patience, Mr Bennett Things will soon develop Unless mistaken, next Tuesday may mark crisis Certainly in Camford Meanwhile, the general position is undeniably unpleasant, and if Miss Presbury can prolong her visit "

" easy "

"Then let her stay till assure her that all danger is past Meanwhile, let him have his way and cross him as in good humour all is well "

"There ! " said Bennett in startled whisper Looking branches we saw the tall, erect figure emerge hall door and look around him He stood leaning forward, his hands swinging straight before him, his head turning from side to side The secretary with last wave slipped off trees, and we saw him presently rejoin his employer, the two entering the house together in what seemed animated and even excited conversation

"I expect the old gentleman putting two and two together," said Holmes walked hotelward "He struck me as having particularly clear and logical brain little of him Explosive, , but then point of view he has something to explode about if detectives are put track and he suspects his own household of doing it I rather fancy that friend Bennett is in for an uncomfortable time "

Holmes stopped at post-office and sent off telegram way The answer reached us evening, and he tossed it across

Have visited the Commercial Road and seen Dorak Suave person, Bohemian, elderly Keeps large general store MERCER

"Mercer is since your time," said Holmes " my general utility man who looks up routine business important something man our professor was so secretly corresponding His nationality connects up Prague visit "

"Thank goodness that something connects with something," said I "At present we faced by long series of inexplicable incidents with no bearing upon "For example, what possible connection can there be between an angry wolfhound and visit to Bohemia, or either with man crawling down passage at night ? your dates, biggest mystification of all "

Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands We were, say, seated old sitting-room ancient hotel, with bottle famous vintage Holmes had spoken table

"Well, now, dates first," said he, his fingertips together manner he were addressing class "This excellent young man's diary shows that trouble upon July 2d, and from then onward it seems at nine-day intervals, with, as I remember, exception Thus the last outbreak upon Friday was on September 3d, which also falls series, as did August 26th, which preceded it The thing is beyond coincidence "

forced to agree

" , then, form the provisional theory that every nine days the professor takes some strong drug passing but highly poisonous effect His naturally violent nature is intensified He learned this drug while in Prague, now supplied with it by Bohemian intermediary in London This all hangs together, Watson ! "

"But the dog, the face window, the creeping man passage ? "

"Well, well, beginning I expect any fresh developments until next Tuesday meantime only keep in touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities charming town "

morning Mr Bennett slipped round to bring us the latest report As Holmes had imagined, times easy Without exactly accusing him of being responsible presence, the professor very rough and rude speech, and evidently felt some strong grievance quite himself again, however, and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to crowded class "Apart queer fits," said Bennett, "he has actually more energy and vitality than ever remember, nor was his brain ever clearer But it's not he -- it's never the man whom known "

"I don't think anything to fear now for week ," Holmes answered " busy man, and Dr Watson has his patients to attend to agree that we meet here hour next Tuesday, and surprised if before we leave you again able to explain, even perhaps put an end to, your troubles Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs "

nothing friend next , but following Monday evening I had short note asking me to meet him train From what me travelled Camford all was well, the peace professor's house unruffled, own conduct perfectly normal This also report given us Bennett himself when upon us that evening at our old quarters Chequers "He heard London correspondent to-day letter and small packet, each cross under the stamp which warned me not to touch them nothing else "

" prove quite enough," said Holmes grimly "Now, Mr Bennett, , , come to some conclusion tonight deductions are correct an opportunity of bringing matters to head necessary to hold the professor under observation suggest, therefore, that you remain awake and lookout Should you hear him pass your door, interrupt him, but follow him as discreetly Dr Watson and far off , where key little box you spoke ? "

"Upon his watch-chain "

"I fancy our researches must lie direction worst the lock very formidable able-bodied man premises ? "

" the coachman, Macphail "

"Where does he sleep ? "

"Over the stables "

" possibly want him Well, do no more until we see how things develop, Good-bye -- but I expect that see you before morning "