Strona 554 z 657

"I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may

have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question

me upon any point which I do not make clear."

"On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid."

"I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be

particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety

in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual.

About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in

the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an

impression behind it as though a window had gently closed

somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my

horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in

the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear,

and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door.

"'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you

touch that coronet?'