he took a bus home, and there he lies now on his sofa, while I
came straight round to tell you what had happened."

"Most interesting," said Holmes. "Did he observe the appearance
of these men--did he hear them talk?"

"No; he is clean dazed. He just knows that he was lifted up as
if by magic and dropped as if by magic. Two a least were in it,
and maybe three."

"And you connect this attack with your lodger?"

"Well, we've lived there fifteen years and no such happenings
ever came before. I've had enough of him. Money's not
everything. I'll have him out of my house before the day is
done."

"Wait a bit, Mrs. Warren. Do nothing rash. I begin to think that
this affair may be very much more important than appeared at
first sight. It is clear now that some danger is threatening
your lodger. It is equally clear that his enemies, lying in wait
for him near your door, mistook your husband for him in the foggy
morning light. On discovering their mistake they released him.
What they would have done had it not been a mistake, we can only
conjecture."

"Well, what am I to do, Mr. Holmes?"

"I have a great fancy to see this lodger of yours, Mrs. Warren."