One realized the red-hot energy which underlay Holmes's phlegmatic exterior when one saw the sudden change which came over him moment that he entered the fatal apartment In an instant tense and alert, his eves shining, his face set, his limbs quivering with eager activity out lawn, in window, round the room, and up bedroom, for all the world like dashing foxhound drawing cover bedroom rapid cast around and ended by throwing open the window, which appeared him some fresh cause for excitement, for he leaned out of it with loud ejaculations of interest and delight Then he rushed down the stairs, out open window, threw himself upon his face lawn, sprang up and room once more, all energy hunter very heels quarry The lamp, an ordinary standard, he examined with minute care, making certain measurements upon its bowl He carefully scrutinized lens the tale shield which covered the top chimney and scraped off some ashes which adhered to its upper surface, putting into an envelope, which he placed pocketbook Finally, just doctor official police put in an appearance, he beckoned vicar and we all three went out lawn

" that my investigation entirely barren," he remarked " remain to discuss the matter police, but exceedingly obliged, Mr Roundhay, give the inspector my compliments and direct his attention bedroom window and sitting-room lamp Each is suggestive, and together almost conclusive police would desire further information happy any cottage And now, Watson, that, perhaps, better employed elsewhere "

It police resented the intrusion of an amateur, or imagined themselves upon some hopeful line of investigation; but certain that we heard nothing next two days During Holmes spent some time smoking and dreaming cottage; but greater portion in country walks which he undertook alone, returning after many hours without remark where he One experiment served to show me the line investigation He had bought lamp the duplicate one which had burned room of Mortimer Tregennis morning tragedy This he filled same oil used vicarage, and he carefully timed the period which it would take exhausted Another experiment which was of more unpleasant nature, and one which not likely ever to forget

" remember, Watson," he remarked one afternoon, " single common point of resemblance varying reports reached us This concerns the effect atmosphere room in upon those who had first entered it recollect that Mortimer Tregennis, in describing the episode last visit brother's house, remarked doctor on entering the room fell into chair ? You had forgotten ? Well, answer so Now, remember also that Mrs Porter, the housekeeper, told us that she herself fainted upon entering the room and had afterwards opened the window second case- that of Mortimer Tregennis himself- forgotten the horrible stuffiness room when we arrived, though the servant had thrown open the window That servant, upon inquiry, was so ill that she had gone to her bed admit, Watson, facts are very suggestive In evidence of poisonous atmosphere In , also, combustion going on room- one case fire, other lamp The fire was needed, but the lamp was lit- as comparison oil consumed will show- long after broad daylight Why ? Surely because some connection between three things- the burning, the stuffy atmosphere, and, finally, the madness or death unfortunate people clear, not ? "

"It would appear so "

" accept it as working hypothesis suppose, then, that something was burned in which produced an atmosphere causing strange toxic effects first instance- that Tregennis family- this substance was placed fire Now the window was shut, but the fire would naturally carry fumes to some extent up the chimney Hence one would expect the effects poison second case, where less escape vapour The result seems to indicate so, since first case only the woman, who had presumably the more sensitive organism, was killed, the others exhibiting that temporary or permanent lunacy evidently the first effect drug second case the result was complete The facts, therefore, seem to bear out the theory of poison which worked by combustion

" train of reasoning in my head I naturally looked about in Mortimer Tregennis's room some remains substance The obvious place to look talc shield or smoke-guard lamp There, sure enough, I perceived number of flaky ashes, and round the edges fringe of brownish powder, which yet been consumed Half , saw, and I placed it in an envelope "

"Why half, Holmes ? "

" , my dear Watson, to stand way official police force I leave them all the evidence which The poison still remained talc had they the wit it Now, Watson, light our lamp; , however, precaution to open our window to avoid the premature decease of two deserving members of society, and seat yourself near that open window in an armchair unless, like sensible man, you determine nothing affair Oh, it out, ? my Watson This chair place opposite yours, the same distance poison and The door leave ajar Each is now to watch the other and to bring the experiment to an end should the symptoms seem alarming all clear ? Well, then, I take our powder- or what remains of it- envelope, and I lay it above the burning lamp So ! Now, Watson, sit down and await developments "

They long in coming I had hardly settled in my chair before conscious of thick, musky odour, subtle and nauseous very first whiff of it my brain and my imagination were beyond all control thick, black cloud swirled before my eyes, and my mind told me that cloud, unseen , but about to spring out upon my appalled senses, lurked all that was vaguely horrible, all that was monstrous and inconceivably wicked universe Vague shapes swirled and swam amid the dark cloud-bank, each menace and warning of something coming, the advent of some unspeakable dweller threshold, whose very shadow would blast my soul freezing horror took possession of me that my hair was rising, that my eyes were protruding, that my mouth was opened, and my tongue like leather The turmoil within my brain was such that something must surely snap I tried to scream and was vaguely aware of some hoarse croak my own voice, but distant and detached from myself same moment, in some effort of escape, I broke cloud of despair and had glimpse of Holmes's face, white, rigid, and drawn with horror- the very look which I had seen features dead It vision which an instant of sanity and of strength I dashed from my chair, threw my arms round Holmes, and together we lurched door, and an instant afterwards had thrown ourselves down grass plot and were lying side by side, conscious only glorious sunshine bursting its way hellish cloud of terror which had girt us in Slowly it rose souls like the mists from landscape until peace and reason had returned, and we were sitting grass, wiping our clammy foreheads, and looking with apprehension at to mark the last traces terrific experience which we had undergone

"Upon my word, Watson ! " said Holmes at last with an unsteady voice, "I owe you both my thanks and an apology an unjustifiable experiment even 's self, and doubly so for friend really very sorry "

" ," I answered with some emotion, for I had never seen of Holmes's heart before, " my greatest joy and privilege to "