from human beings?"

"Well, that is what we have to find out."

"Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is no devil in hell,
Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me
from going to the home of my own people, and you may take that
to be my final answer." His dark brows knitted and his face
flushed to a dusky red as he spoke. It was evident that the fiery
temper of the Baskervilles was not extinct in this their last
representative. "Meanwhile," said he, "I have hardly had time
to think over all that you have told me. It's a big thing for a
man to have to understand and to decide at one sitting. I should
like to have a quiet hour by myself to make up my mind. Now,
look here, Mr. Holmes, it's half-past eleven now and I am going
back right away to my hotel. Suppose you and your friend, Dr.
Watson, come round and lunch with us at two. I'll be able to
tell you more clearly then how this thing strikes me."

"Is that convenient to you, Watson?"

"Perfectly."

"Then you may expect us. Shall I have a cab called?"

"I'd prefer to walk, for this affair has flurried me rather."

"I'll join you in a walk, with pleasure," said his companion.

"Then we meet again at two o'clock. Au revoir, and good-morning!"