This was an unexampled incident, and foreboded me no good.

I was strongly persuaded that my visitant had been led hither not by friendly but hostile purposes.

This persuasion was confirmed by the description of the stranger's guise and demeanour given by my landlord.

My fears instantly recognised the image of Watson, the man by whom I had been so eminently benefited, and whose kindness I had compensated by the ruin of his sister and the confusion of his family.
"An interview with this man was less to be endured than to look upon the face of an avenging deity.

I was determined to avoid this interview, and, for this end, to execute my fatal purpose within the hour.