further from him. He told me only that he would reveal his presence
to Sir Henry, but that I was to say nothing to Sir Henry of the hound
- he would have a better nerve for his ordeal tomorrow if he thought
that Selden's death was simply the result of exposure driving him
crazy.
Sir Henry was more pleased than surprised to see Sherlock Holmes, for
he had for some days been expecting that recent events would bring him
down from London. We told him as much of our experience as it seemed
desirable he should know, and I had the unpleasant duty of breaking the
news to Barrymore & his wife. It was a relief to him, but she wept
bitterly in her apron. To all the world he was the man of violence, half
animal & half demon; but to her he always remained the little wilful boy
of her own girlhood, the child who had clung to her hand.
