47548    '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.

47549    You understand me?

47550    I am sure that you are the last man in the world who would wish to be a spoil-sport.

47551    I must go out alone.'

47552    It put me in a most awkward position.

47553    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.

47554    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.

47555    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.

47556    I assure you my cheeks flushed at the very thought.

47557    It might not even now be too late to overtake him, so I set off at once in the direction of Merripit House.

47558    I hurried along the road at the top of my speed without seeing anything of Sir Henry, until I came to the point where the moor path branches off.

47559    There, fearing that perhaps I had come in the wrong direction, after all, I mounted a hill from which I could command a view - the same hill which is cut into the dark quarry.

47560    Then I saw him at once.

47561    He was on the moor path, about a quarter of a mile off, and a lady was by his side who could only be Miss Stapleton.

47562    It was clear that there was already an understanding between them and that they had met by appointment.