on。 See how the figures loom up； are
dimly seen； and then blend once more into the cloud…bank。 The
thief or the murderer could roam London on such a day as the
tiger does the jungle； unseen until he pounces； and then evident
only to his victim。〃
〃There have；〃 said I； 〃been numerous petty thefts。〃
Holmes snorted his contempt。
〃This great and sombre stage is set for something more worthy
than that；〃 said he。 〃It is fortunate for this munity that I
am not a criminal。〃
〃It is； indeed！〃 said I heartily。
〃Suppose that I were Brooks or Woodhouse； or any of the fifty men
who have good reason for taking my life； how long could I survive
against my own pursuit？ A summons； a bogus appointment； and all
would be over。 It is well they don't have days of fog in the
Latin countries……the countries of assassination。 By Jove！ here
es something at last to break our dead monotony。〃
It was the maid with a telegram。 Holmes tore it open and burst
out laughing。
〃Well； well！ What next？〃 said he。 〃Brother Mycroft is ing
round。〃
〃Why not？〃 I asked。
〃Why not？ It is as if you met a tram…car ing down a country
lane。 Mycroft has his rails and he runs on them。 His Pall Mall
lodgings； the Diogenes Club； Whitehall……that is his cycle。 Once；
and only once； he has been here。 What upheaval can possibly have
derailed him？〃
〃Does he not explain？〃
Holmes handed me his brother's telegram。
Must see you over Cadogen West。 ing at once。
Mycroft。
〃Cadogen West？ I have heard the name。〃
〃It recalls nothing to my mind。 But that Mycroft should break
out in this erratic fashion！