d

himself　that　he　could　no　longer　work　to　advantage。 I　remember

that　during　the　whole　of　that　memorable　day　he　lost　himself　in　a

monograph　which　he　had　undertaken　upon　the　Polyphonic　Motets　of

Lassus。 For　my　own　part　I　had　none　of　this　power　of　detachment；

and　the　day；　in　consequence；　appeared　to　be　interminable。 The

great　national　importance　of　the　issue；　the　suspense　in　high

quarters；　the　direct　nature　of　the　experiment　which　we　were

trying……all　bined　to　work　upon　my　nerve。 It　was　a　relief　to

me　when　at　last；　after　a　light　dinner；　we　set　out　upon　our

expedition。 Lestrade　and　Mycroft　met　us　by　appointment　at　the

outside　of　Gloucester　Road　Station。 The　area　door　of　Oberstein's

house　had　been　left　open　the　night　before；　and　it　was　necessary

for　me；　as　Mycroft　Holmes　absolutely　and　indignantly　declined　to

climb　the　railings；　to　pass　in　and　open　the　hall　door。 By　nine

o'clock　we　were　all　seated　in　the　study；　waiting　patently　for　our

man。

An　hour　passed　and　yet　another。 When　eleven　struck；　the　measured

beat　of　the　great　church　clock　seemed　to　sound　the　dirge　of　our

hopes。 Lestrade　and　Mycroft　were　fidgeting　in　their　seats　and

looking　twice　a　minute　at　their　watches。 Holmes　sat　silent　and

posed；　his　eyelids　half　shut；　but　every　sense　on　the　alert。

He　raised　his　head　with　a　sudden　jerk。

〃He　is　ing；〃　said　he。

There　had　been　a　furtive　step　past　the　door。 Now　it　returned。

We　heard　a　shuffling　sound　outside；　and　then　two　sharp　taps　with

the　knocker。　Holmes　rose；　motioning　us　to　remain　seated。 The　gas

in　the　hall　was　a　mere　point　of　light。 He　opened　the　outer　door；

and　then　a