Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in finding a rooms at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from our window we had a view of the road to the house, the gate, and of the part of Stoke Moran Manor House where people lived. As it became dark we saw Dr. Grimesby Roylott come past, his huge body beside the little figure of the boy who was driving the carriage. The boy had some difficulty in opening the heavy iron gates, and we heard the doctor shout and saw the anger with which he shook his fists at the boy. A few minutes later we saw a light between the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms.

"Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the gathering darkness, "I really feel a bit guilty about taking you to-night. There is a some danger. Yet your presence might be very important."

"You speak of danger. You have obviously seen more in these rooms than I did."