第10期:向福尔摩斯叙述故事(4)

He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 'Do you promise, then? ' said he at last. 'Yes, I promise. '

'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing? '

'I have already given you my word. ' 'Very good. ' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was empty.

'That's all right, ' said he, coming back. 'I know the clerks are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk in safety. '

He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man.

Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from showing my impatience.