Let him think that Selden's death was as Stapleton would have us believe.

He will have a better nerve for the ordeal which he will have to undergo to-morrow, when he is engaged, if I remember your report aright, to dine with these people." "And so am I." "Then you must excuse yourself and he must go alone.

That will be easily arranged.

And now, if we are too late for dinner, I think that we are both ready for our suppers." Sir Henry was more pleased than surprised to see Sherlock Holmes, for he had for some days been expecting that recent events would bring him down from London.

He did raise his eyebrows, however, when he found that my friend had neither any luggage nor any explanations for its absence.