47774    With his brutal and violent nature, others would have to pay the price if we held our hands.

47775    Any night, for example, our neighbours the Stapletons might be attacked by him, and it may have been the thought of this which made Sir Henry so keen upon the adventure.

47776    'I will come,' said I.

47777    'Then get your revolver and put on your boots.

47778    The sooner we start the better, as the fellow may put out his light and be off.'

47779    In five minutes we were outside the door, starting upon our expedition.

47780    We hurried through the dark shrubbery, amid the dull moaning of the autumn wind and the rustle of the falling leaves.

47781    The night-air was heavy with the smell of damp and decay.

47782    Now and again the moon peeped out for an instant, but clouds were driving over the face of the sky, and just as we came out on the moor a thin rain began to fall.

47783    The light still burned steadily in front.

47784    'Are you armed?' I asked.

47785    'I have a hunting-crop.'

47786    'We must close in on him rapidly, for he is said to be a desperate fellow.

47787    We shall take him by surprise and have him at our mercy before he can resist.'

47788    'I say, Watson,' said the baronet, 'what would Holmes say to this?