Holmes and I looked at each other in astonishment.
'What did you do?" asked Holmes.
'I jumped out of bed and looked around me,' replied Miss
Stoner. 'But it was dark and I couldn't see anything. At daylight, I
went to the station and caught a train to London. I knew I had to
see you, Mr Holmes. You are the only man who can help me.'
'But I can only help you if you tell me everything,' said
Holmes, 'you have not told me everything, Miss Stoner.'
'What do you mean?' asked Miss Stoner, in surprise.
Holmes did not answer. He took hold of Miss Stoner's arm
and pushed back her sleeve. I saw five red marks on her arm. They
were the marks of four fingers and a thumb. Somebody had held
Miss Stoner's arm tightly.
'Your stepfather has hurt you badly,' said Holmes. Miss
Stoner's face became red.
'Dr Roylott is a very strong man,' she said. 'He doesn't know
how strong he is.'
Holmes stared into the fire without speaking. I knew he was
thinking hard.
'I need some more information,' he said at last. 'But we must
move quickly. I want to go to Stoke Moran today and examine13
the bedrooms there. But your stepfather must not know about
my visit.'
'Dr Roylott has important business in London today,' said
Miss Stoner. 'He'll be away from home all day.'
'Excellent!' cried Holmes. 'Will you come with me, Watson?'
'Of course,' I replied.
'Then, Miss Stoner, we'll arrive at Stoke Moran early this
afternoon'