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It was late in the afternoon before I woke, strengthened and refreshed Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him, save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book He looked across at me, as I stirred, and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled

"You have slept soundly," he said "I feared that our talk would wake you"

"I heard nothing," I answered "Have you had fresh news, then?"

"Unfortunately, no I confess that I a definite by this tiins has just been up to report He says that no trace can be found of the launch It is a provoking check, for every hour is of i? I aht's outing"

"No, we can do nothing We can only wait If we go ourselves, the ht come in our absence, and delay be caused You can do what you will, but I uard"

"Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs Cecil Forrester She asked me to, yesterday"

"On Mrs Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes, with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes

"Well, of course Miss Morstan too They were anxious to hear what happened"

"I would not tell them too much," said Holmes "Women are never to be entirely trusted,--not the best of theue over this atrocious sentiment "I shall be back in an hour or two," I reht! Good luck! But, I say, if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby, for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for hiether with a half-sovereign, at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane At Caht's adventures, but very eager to hear the news Mrs Forrester, too, was full of curiosity I told the, however, the h I spoke of Mr Sholto's death, I said nothing of the exact manner and h to startle and amaze them

"It is a romance!" cried Mrs Forrester "An injured lady, half a ed ruffian They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl"

"And two knight-errants to the rescue," added Miss Morstan, with a bright glance at me