13787    'There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear up before I go,' said he.

13788    'Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me.

13789    Watson, when you reach London you would oblige me by driving at once to Baker Street with our friend here, and remaining with him until I see you again.

13790    It is fortunate that you are old schoolfellows, as you must have much to talk over.

13791    Mr. Phelps can have the spare bedroom to-night, and I shall be with you in time for breakfast, for there is a train which will take me into Waterloo at eight.'

13792    'But how about our investigation in London?' asked Phelps, ruefully.

13793    'We can do that to-morrow.

13794    I think that just at present I can be of more immediate use here.'

13795    'You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope to be back to-morrow night,' cried Phelps, as we began to move from the platform.

13796    'I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae,' answered Holmes, and waved his hand to us cheerily as we shot out from the station.

13797    Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us could devise a satisfactory reason for this new development.

13798    'I suppose he wants to find out some clue as to the burglary last night, if a burglar it was.

13799    For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary thief.'

13800    'What is your idea, then?'

13801    'Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that, for some reason that passes my understanding, my life is aimed at by the conspirators.