? ? ? ? "Still at it, then?" said he to Holmes. "I thought you Londoners were never at fault. You don't seem to be so very quick, after all."
? ? ? ? "Ah, you must give us a little time," said Holmes goodhumouredly.
? ? ? ? "You'll want it," said young Alec Cunningham. "Why, I don't see that we have any clue at all."
? ? ? ? "There's only one," answered the inspector. "We thought that if we could only find -- Good heavens. Mr. Holmes! what is the matter?"
? ? ? ? My poor friend's face had suddenly assumed the most dreadful expression. His eyes rolled upward, his features writhed in agony, and with a suppressed groan he dropped on his face upon the ground. Horrified at the suddenness and severity of the attack, we carried him into the kitchen, where he lay back in a large chair and breathed heavily for some minutes. Finally, with a shamefaced apology for his weakness, he rose once more.
? ? ? ? "Watson would tell you that I have only just recovered from a severe illness," he explained. "I am liable to these sudden nervous attacks."
? ? ? ? "Shall I send you home in my trap?" asked old Cunningham.
? ? ? ? "Well, since I am here, there is one point on which I should like to feel sure.
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