Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him
save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. He
looked across at me as I stirred, and I noticed that his face was
dark and troubled.
"You have slept soundly," he said. "I feared that our talk
would wake you."
"I heard nothing," I answered. "Have you had fresh news,
then?"
"Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am surprised and disap-
pointed. I expected something definite by this time. Wiggins has
just been up to report. He says that no trace can be found of the
launch. It is a provoking check, for every hour is of importance."
"Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now, and quite ready
for another night's outing."
"No; we can do nothing. We can only wait. If we go our-
selves the message might come in our absence and delay be
caused. You can do what you will. but I must remain on guard."
"Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs.
Cecil Forrester. She asked me to, yesterday."
"On Mrs. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes with the twinkle of
a smile in his eyes.
"Well, of course on Miss Morstan, too. They were anxious to
hear what happened."
"I would not tell them too much," said Holmes. "Women
are never to be entirely trusted -- not the best of them."
I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment.
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