“I was, as you may think, Watson, horrified at this unexpected news.

“ ‘What has caused it?’ I asked.

“ ‘Ah, that is the point. Jump in and we can talk it over while we drive. You remember that fellow who came upon the evening before you left us?’

“ ‘Perfectly.’

“ ‘Do you know who it was that we let into the house that day?’

“ ‘I have no idea.’

“ ‘It was the devil, Holmes,’ he cried.

“I stared at him in astonishment.