Page 455 of 657

"At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station.

However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I

reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was

the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon

the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I

passed out through the wicket gate, however, I found my

acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other

side. Without a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a

carriage, the door of which was standing open. He drew up the

windows on either side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went

as fast as the horse could go."

"One horse?" interjected Holmes.

"Yes, only one."

"Did you observe the colour?"

"Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the

carriage. It was a chestnut."

"Tired-looking or fresh?"

"Oh, fresh and glossy."

"Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue

your most interesting statement."