"What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man furiously.

"But I have heard that the crocuses will be pretty" continued Holmes calmly.

"You do not want to say?" said our new visitor taking a step forward and shaking his fist. "I know you, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes who interferes".

My friend smiled.

"Holmes the busybody!"

Holmes smiled even more. Then he laughed. "Your conversation is most entertaining, my dear sir. When you go out, please close the door, because there is a draught.

I will go when I have finished. Don't you dare to investigate my affairs. I know that Miss Stonor has been here. I followed her! I am a dangerous man when I am angry. See here." He stepped forward, picked up the poker, and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands.

"See that you keep yourself out of my way" he shouted. He threw the twisted poker into the fireplace and left the room.