to be dripping with a bluish flame, and the small, deep-set, 
cruel eyes were ringed with fire.  I placed my hand upon the
glowing muzzle, and as I held them up my own fingers smouldered 
and gleamed in the darkness. It was phosphorous.
The creature's victim tried to stagger up, after another mouthful 
of brandy, but was still ghastly pale & trembling in every limb, so
we gave what ease we could, but Holmes said we must leave for the 
moment, for the rest of our work must be done, and every moment was
of importance. We had our case, but the shots must have warned our 
quarry that the game was up.
We returned to Merripit House and on the upper floor found one of 
bedroom doors locked. Holmes struck the door just over the lock with 
the flat of his foot, and it flew open. Pistol in hand, we all three
