49142    Holmes struck his hand passionately upon the rock in front of us, and stamped his feet in his impatience.

49143    'If he isn't out in a quarter of an hour the path will be covered.

49144    In half an hour we won't be able to see our hands in front of us.'

49145    'Shall we move farther back upon higher ground?'

49146    'Yes, I think it would be as well.'

49147    So as the fog-bank flowed onwards we fell back before it until we were half a mile from the house, and still that dense white sea, with the moon silvering its upper edge, swept slowly and inexorably on.

49148    'We are going too far,' said Holmes.

49149    'We dare not take the chance of his being overtaken before he can reach us.

49150    At all costs we must hold our ground where we are.'

49151    He dropped on his knees and clapped his ear to the ground.

49152    'Thank God, I think that I hear him coming.'

49153    A sound of quick steps broke the silence of the moor.

49154    Crouching among the stones, we stared intently at the silver-tipped bank in front of us.

49155    The steps grew louder, and through the fog, as through a curtain, there stepped the man whom we were awaiting.

49156    He looked round him in surprise as he emerged into the clear, star-lit night.