rehelpsaconcentrationofthought.Ihavenotpushedittothelengthofgettingintoaboxtothink,butthatisthelogicaloutcomeofmyconvictions.Haveyouturnedthecaseoverinyourmind?”
“Yes,Ihavethoughtagooddealofitinthecourseoftheday.”
“Whatdoyoumakeofit?”
“Itisverybewildering.”
“Ithascertainlyacharacterofitsown.Therearepointsofdistinctionaboutit.Thatchangeinthefootprints,forexample.Whatdoyoumakeofthat?”
“Mortimersaidthatthemanhadwalkedontiptoedownthatportionofthealley.”
“Heonlyrepeatedwhatsomefoolhadsaidattheinquest.Whyshouldamanwalkontiptoedownthealley?”
“Whatthen?”
“Hewasrunning,Watson—runningdesperately,runningforhislife,runninguntilhebursthisheart—andfelldeaduponhisface.”
“Runningfromwhat?”
“Thereliesourproblem.Thereareindicationsthatthemanwascrazedwithfearbeforeeverhebegantorun.”
“Howcanyousaythat?”
“Iampresumingthatthecauseofhisfearscametohimacrossthemoor.Ifthatwereso,anditseemsmostprobable,onlyamanwhohadlosthiswitswouldhaverunfromthehouseinsteadoftowardsit.Ifthegipsy’sevidencemaybetakenastrue,heranwithcriesforhelpinthedirectionwherehelpwasleastlikelytobe.Then,again,whomwashewaitingforthatnight,andwhywashewaitingforhimintheyewalleyratherthaninhisownhouse?”
“Youthinkthathewaswaitingforsomeone?”
“Themanwaselderlyandinfirm.Wecanunderstandhistakinganeveningstroll,butthegroundwasdampandthenightinclement.Isitnaturalthatheshouldstandforfiveortenminutes,asDr.Mortimer,withmorepracticalsensethanIshouldhavegivenhimcreditfor,deducedfromthecigarash?”
“Buthewentouteveryevening.”
“Ithinkitunlikelythathewaitedatthemoor-gateeveryevening.Onthecontrary,theevidenceisthatheavoidedthemoor.Thatnighthewaitedthere.ItwasthenightbeforehemadehisdepartureforLondon.Thethingtakesshape,Watson.Itbecomescoherent.MightIaskyoutohandmemyviolin,andwewillpostponeallfurtherthoughtuponthisbusinessuntilwehavehadtheadvantageofmeetingDr.MortimerandSirHenryBaskervilleinthemorning.”