first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Palmer and Pritchard

were among the heads of their profession. This man strikes even deeper, but I

think, Watson, that we shall be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have

horrors enough before the night is over; for goodness’ sake let us have a

quiet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more

cheerful.”


About nine o’clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and all

was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours passed slowly away, and

then, suddenly, just at the stroke of eleven, a single bright light shone out

right in front of us.


“That is our signal,” said Holmes, springing to his feet; “it

comes from the middle window.”


As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, explaining that we

were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and that it was possible that we

might spend the night there. A moment later we were out on the dark road, a

chill wind blowing in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us

through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand.


There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for unrepaired breaches

gaped in the old park wall. Making our way among the trees, we reached the

lawn, crossed it, and were about to enter through the window when out from a

clump of laurel bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted

child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly

across the lawn into the darkness.


“My God!” I whispered; “did you see it?”


Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vice upon my

wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my

ear.


“It is a nice household,” he murmured. “That is the

baboon.”


I had forgotten the strange pets which the Doctor affected. There was a

cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any moment. I