He was standing by the window, when suddenly he
gave a cry. 'What is it, Holmes?' I asked. 'What's the
matter?'
He turned towards me. His face was white and the
look in his eyes was terrible.
'May I have an hour of your time, Watson?' he asked
in a low voice.
'Of course, but .. .'
'Then get your hat and coat.'
He ran out of the house. I followed him quickly and
the next two hours passed in a wild chase all over
London. We jumped into a cab, out of it again and
onto a train, ran down narrow streets and in and out
of a big hotel. Finally we came to rest in the peace
of a London park.
'You are a true friend, Watson,' Holmes said at last.
'You came with me without a question. Did you
realize that someone was following us?'
'I thought so. But who?' 'Can you not guess?' 'No.'
'He calls himself Jack the Ripper.'
'Holmes!' For a moment I found it difficult to speak.
Then I asked, 'Did you see him through the window?
Where was he?'
'In the empty house opposite ours. He was watching
our rooms, Watson. He knows that I am looking for
him. We must be very careful. He is one of the most
dangerous criminals in Europe.'
'But who is he?' I cried.
'Have you ever heard of Professor Moriarty?'