Then he leaned
forward, and in the intense silence we were aware of the soft
lapping of agitated water. He seemed to be stirring up the moat
with something which he held in his hand. Then suddenly he
hauled something in as a fisherman lands a fish--some large,
round object which obscured the light as it was dragged through
the open casement.
"Now!" cried Holmes. "Now!"
We were all upon our feet, staggering after him with our
stiffened limbs, while he ran swiftly across the bridge and rang
violently at the bell. There was the rasping of bolts from the
other side, and the amazed Ames stood in the entrance. Holmes
brushed him aside without a word and, followed by all of us,
rushed into the room which had been occupied by the man whom we
had been watching.
The oil lamp on the table represented the glow which we had seen
from outside. It was now in the hand of Cecil Barker, who held
it towards us as we entered. Its light shone upon his strong,
resolute, clean-shaved face and his menacing eyes.
"What the devil is the meaning of all this?" he cried. "What are
you after, anyhow?"
Holmes took a swift glance round, and then pounced upon a sodden
bundle tied together with cord which lay where it had been thrust
under the writing table.
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