صفحة 388 من 657

"'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the

plantation.'

"'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you

did not hear it also.'

"'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.'

"'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled

back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her

key turn in the lock."

"Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock

yourselves in at night?"

"Always."

"And why?"

"I think that I mentioned to you that the Doctor kept a cheetah

and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were

locked."

"Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement."