"Oh, no, my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll lookafter you. We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us, andthen we shall all three set off for town together."

　　It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excusedherself from leaving the bedroom, in accordance with Holmes'ssuggestion. What the object of my friend's maneuvres was I could notconceive, unless it were to keep the lady away from Phelps, who,rejoiced by his returning health and by the prospect of action,lunched with us in the dining-room. Holmes had a still morestartling surprise for us, however, for, after accompanying us down tothe station and seeing us into our carriage, he calmly announcedthat he had no intention of leaving Woking.

　　"There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear upbefore I go," said he. "Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some waysrather assist me. Watson, when you reach London you would oblige me bydriving at once to Baker Street with our friend here, and remainingwith him until I see you again. It is fortunate that you are oldschool-fellows, as you must have much to talk over. Mr. Phelps canhave the spare bedroom to-night, and I will be with you in time forbreakfast, for there is a train which will take me into Waterloo ateight."

　　"But how about our investigation in London?" asked Phelps ruefully."We can do that to-morrow. I think that just at present I can beof more immediate use here."

　　"You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope to be back to-morrownight," cried Phelps, as we began to move from the platform."I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae," answered Holmes, andwaved his hand to us cheerily as we shot out from the station.Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of uscould devise a satisfactory reason for this new development."I suppose he wants to find out some clues as to the burglary lastnight, if a burglar it was. For myself, I don't believe it was anordinary thief."

　　"What is your own idea, then?"

　　"Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but Ibelieve there is some deep political intrigue going on around me,and that for some reason that passes my understanding my life is aimedat by the conspirators. It sounds high-flown and absurd, butconsider the facts! Why should a thief try to break in at a bedroomwindow where there could be no hope of any plunder, and why shouldhe come with a long knife in his hand?"

　　"You are sure it was not a house-breaker's jimmy?"

　　"Oh, no, it was a knife. I saw the flash of the blade quitedistinctly."