 Sir Charles, and with a contractor from London, so that we may expect
great changes to begin here soon. There have been decorators and furnishers up
from Plymouth, and it is evident that our friend has large ideas and means to
spare no pains or expense to restore the grandeur of his family. When the house
is renovated and refurnished, all that he will need will be a wife to make it
complete. Between ourselves there are pretty clear signs that this will not be
wanting if the lady is willing, for I have seldom seen a man more infatuated
with a woman than he is with our beautiful neighbour, Miss Stapleton. And yet
the course of true love does not run quite as smoothly as one would under the
circumstances expect. To-day, for example, its surface was broken by a very
unexpected ripple, which has caused our friend considerable perplexity and
annoyance.
    After the conversation which I have quoted about Barrymore Sir Henry put on
his hat and prepared to go out. As a matter of course I did the same.
    »What, are you coming. Watson?« he asked, looking at me in a curious way.
    »That depends on whether you are going on the moor,« said I.
    »Yes, I am.«
    »Well, you know what my instructions are. I am sorry to intrude, but you
heard how earnestly Holmes insisted that I should not leave you, and especially
that you should not go alone upon the moor.«
    Sir Henry put his hand upon my shoulder with a pleasant smile.
    »My dear fellow,« said he, »Holmes, with all his wisdom, did not foresee
some things which have happened since I have been on the moor. You understand
me? I am sure that you are the last man in the world who would wish to be a
spoil-sport. I must go out alone.«
    It put me in a most awkward position. I was at a loss what to say or what to
do, and before I had made up my mind he picked up his cane and was gone.
    But when I came to think the matter over my conscience reproached me
bitterly for having on any pretext allowed him to go out of my sight. I imagined
what my feelings would be if I had to return to you and to confess that some
misfortune had occurred through my disregard for your instructions. I assure you
my cheeks flushed at the very thought. It might not even now be too late to
overtake him, so I set off at once in the direction of Merripit House.
    I
