"Let us, then, form the provisional theory that every nine days the
Professor takes some strong drug which has a passing but highly
poisonous effect. His naturally violent nature is intensified by it.
He learned to take this drug while he was in Prague, and is now
supplied with it by a Bohemian intermediary in London. This all hangs
together, Watson!"
"But the dog, the face at the window, the creeping man in the passage?"
"Well, well, we have made a beginning. I should not expect any fresh
developments until next Tuesday. In the meantime we can only keep in
touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities of this charming
town."
In the morning Mr. Bennett slipped round to bring us the latest report.
As Holmes had imagined, times had not been easy with him. Without
exactly accusing him of being responsible for our presence, the
Professor had been very rough and rude in his speech, and evidently
felt some strong grievance. This morning he was quite himself again,
however, and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to a crowded
class. "Apart from his queer fits," said Bennett, "he has actually
more energy and vitality than I can ever remember, nor was his brain
ever clearer. But it's not he--it's never the man whom we have known."
"I don't think you have anything to fear now for a week at least,"
Holmes answered. "I am a busy man, and Dr. Watson has his patients to
attend to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hour next Tuesday,
and I shall be surprised if before we leave you again we are not able
to explain, even if we cannot perhaps put an end to, your troubles.
Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs."
I saw nothing of my friend for the next few days, but on the following
Monday evening I had a short note asking me to meet him next day at the
train. From what he told me as we travelled up to Camford all was
well, the peace of the Professor's house had been unruffled, and his
own conduct perfectly normal. This also was the report which was given
us by Mr. Bennett himself when he called upon us that evening at our
old quarters in the "Chequers." "He heard from his London
correspondent to-day. There was a letter and there was a small packet,
each with the cross under the stamp which warned me not to touch them.
There has been nothing else."
"That may prove quite enough," said Holmes grimly. "Now, Mr. Bennett,
we shall, I think, come to some conclusion to-night. If my deductions
are correct we should have an opportunity of bringing matters to a
head. In order to do so it is necessary to hold the Professor under
observation. I would suggest, therefore, that you remain awake and on
the look out. Should you hear him pass your door do not interrupt him,
but follow him as discreetly as you can. Dr. Watson and I will not be
far off. By the way, where is the key of that little box of which you
spoke?"
"Upon his watch-chain."
"I fancy our researches must lie in that direction. At the worst the
lock should not be very formidable. Have you any other able-bodied man
on the premises?"
"There is the coachman, Macphail."
"Where does he sleep?"
"Over the stables."
"We might possibly want him. Well, we can do no more until we see how
things develop. Good-bye--but I expect that we shall see you before
morning."
It was nearly midnight before we took our station among some bushes
immediately opposite the hall door of the Professor. It was a fine
night, but chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats. There was a
breeze, and clouds were scudding across the sky, obscuring from time to
time the half-moon. It would have been a dismal vigil were it not for
the expectation and excitement which carried us along, and the
assurance of my comrade that we had probably reached the end of the
strange sequence of events which had engaged our attention.
"If the cycle of nine days holds good then we shall have the Professor
at his worst to-night," said Holmes. "The fact that these strange
symptoms began after his visit to Prague, that he is in secret
correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London, who presumably
represents someone in Prague, and that he received a packet from him
this very day, all point in one direction. What he takes and why he
takes it are still beyond our ken, but that it emanates in some way
from Prague is clear enough. He takes it under definite directions
which regulate this ninth-day system, which was the first point which
attracted my attention. But his symptoms are most remarkable. Did you
observe his knuckles?"