Then my legs gave out completely , and I could n't have walked another step to save my life . I just stood there , my hand on the knob , trembling like a leaf . A man was standing by the south window looking out ; he wheeled around as I went in , and , as Nancy said , he had a scowl on and looked angry clear through . He was very handsome , and his gray hair gave him such a distinguished look . I recalled this afterward , but just at the moment you may be quite sure I was n't thinking about it at all . Then all at once a strange thing happened . The scowl went right off his face and the anger out of his eyes . He looked astonished , and then foolish . I saw the color creeping up into his cheeks . As for me , I still stood there staring at him , not able to say a single word . `` Miss Holmes , I presume , '' he said at last , in a deep , thrilling voice . `` I -- I -- oh , confound it ! I have called -- I heard some foolish stories and I came here in a rage . I 've been a fool -- I know now they were n't true . Just excuse me and I 'll go away and kick myself . '' `` No , '' I said , finding my voice with a gasp , `` you must n't go until you 've heard the truth . It 's dreadful enough , but not as dreadful as you might otherwise think . Those -- those stories -- I have a confession to make . I did tell them , but I did n't know there was such a person as Cecil Fenwick in existence . '' He looked puzzled , as well he might .
Then he smiled , took my hand and led me away from the door -- to the knob of which I was still holding with all my might -- XXXXX the sofa .
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