"Well, when it all over in cool blood astonished, both think, sudden commission which entrusted one hand, , glad, fee was tenfold what asked had I set price upon my own services, and possible order might lead to other ones other hand, the face and manner patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me, and think that his explanation fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity coming at midnight, extreme anxiety lest tell anyone errand However, I threw all fears winds, ate hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having obeyed letter the injunction holding my tongue

"At Reading I had my carriage but my station However, train to Eyford, and I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock I only passenger who got out there, and no one platform save single sleepy porter with lantern As I passed out wicket gate, however, my acquaintance morning waiting shadow other side Without word he grasped my arm and hurried me into carriage, the door of standing open He drew up the windows on either side, tapped wood-work, and away we went as fast horse could go "

"One horse ? " interjected Holmes

"Yes, "

"Did you observe the colour ? "

"Yes, it side-lights when stepping carriage chestnut "

"Tired-looking or fresh ? "

"Oh, fresh and glossy "

" sorry interrupted you Pray continue your most interesting statement "

"Away we went then, and we drove for an hour Colonel Lysander Stark had said only seven miles, but think, rate that we seemed , and time that we took, must nearer twelve He sat at my side in silence all the time, and aware, more than once when I glanced direction, that looking at me with great intensity The country roads not part world, for we lurched and jolted terribly I tried to look windows something of where we were, but they were made of frosted glass, and make out nothing save the occasional bright blur of passing light I hazarded some remark to break the monotony journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, conversation soon flagged At last, however, the bumping road was exchanged crisp smoothness of gravel-drive, carriage came to stand Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into porch which gaped in front of us We stepped, as it were, right carriage and hall, I failed to catch the most fleeting glance front house The instant that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and I heard faintly the rattle wheels carriage drove away

" pitch dark inside the house, colonel fumbled about looking for matches and muttering under his breath Suddenly door opened other end passage, and long, golden bar of light shot out direction It grew broader, and woman appeared with lamp in her hand, which she held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us I that she was pretty, and gloss the light shone upon her dark dress rich material She spoke few words in foreign tongue in tone asking question, and when my companion answered in gruff monosyllable she gave such start lamp nearly fell from her hand Colonel Stark went her, whispered something in her ear, and then, pushing her back room from whence she had come, he walked towards me again lamp hand

"'Perhaps the kindness to wait room ,' said he, throwing open another door quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with round table centre, several German books were scattered Colonel Stark laid down the lamp top of harmonium beside the door ' keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and vanished darkness

"I glanced books table, and ignorance of German I that two were treatises on science, the others being volumes of poetry Then I walked across window, hoping that catch some glimpse country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded across it wonderfully silent house an old clock ticking loudly somewhere passage, but otherwise everything was deadly still vague feeling of uneasiness began to steal over me Who were these German people, and what were they doing living strange, out-of-the-way place ? And where place ? ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all , but whether north, south, east, or west I had no idea matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were within that radius, so the place so secluded, after all Yet quite certain, absolute stillness, that we were country I paced up and down the room, humming tune under my breath up my spirits and feeling that thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee

"Suddenly, without any preliminary sound midst utter stillness, the door room swung slowly open The woman was standing aperture, the darkness hall behind her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and beautiful face I at glance that she was sick with fear, sight sent chill to my own heart She held up one shaking finger to warn me silent, and she shot few whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, like those of frightened horse, gloom behind her

"' go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed , calmly; ' go I stay here no good '

"'But, madam,' said I, ' done what for possibly leave until the machine '

"' worth your while to wait,' she went on ' pass door; no one hinders ' And then, seeing that I smiled and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and made step forward, with her hands wrung together ' love of Heaven ! ' she whispered, 'get away from here too late ! '

"But somewhat headstrong by nature, more ready to engage in an affair when some obstacle way fifty-guinea fee, wearisome journey, and unpleasant night which seemed before me all for nothing ? Why should I slink away without having carried out my commission, and without the payment my due ? This woman might, for all , be monomaniac With stout bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of remaining where She was about to renew her entreaties when door slammed overhead, sound of several footsteps was heard stairs She listened for an instant, threw up her hands with despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as noiselessly as she had come

"The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and short thick man with chinchilla beard growing creases double chin, who was introduced as Mr Ferguson

"' my secretary and manager,' said the colonel ' , under the impression that I left this door shut just now that felt the draught '

"' contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because the room little close '

"He shot one suspicious looks at me 'Perhaps we had better proceed to business, then,' said he ' Mr Ferguson take you up the machine '

"'I had better put my hat on, I suppose '

"'Oh, no, house '

"'What, you dig fuller's-earth house ? '

"'No, no only where we compress it But never mind that All you is to examine the machine and to wrong with it '