صفحة 45 من 657

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out

in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings

from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the

blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay

upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with

compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I

know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life

than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was

conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited

upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery

to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted

to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under

my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are

but preventing her from injuring another.