"What time was that?"

"It was ten o'clock. And now he is dead, and the police will be
called in, and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it.
Oh, yes, I am sure I shall. But you don't think so, gentlemen?
Surely you don't think that it was I? Is it likely that I would
have brought you here if it were I? Oh, dear! oh, dear! I know
that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in
a kind of convulsive frenzy.

"You have no reason for fear, Mr. Sholto," said Holmes, kindly,
putting his hand upon his shoulder. "Take my advice, and drive
down to the station to report this matter to the police. Offer
to assist them in every way. We shall wait here until your
return."

The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion, and we heard
him stumbling down the stairs in the dark.



Chapter VI
Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration



"Now, Watson," said Holmes, rubbing his hands, "we have half an
hour to ourselves. Let us make good use of it. My case is, as I
have told you, almost complete; but we must not err on the side
of over-confidence. Simple as the case seems now, there may be