By thunder, Watson, I am going out to take that man!" The same thought had crossed my own mind.

It was not as if the Barrymores had taken us into their confidence.

Their secret had been forced from them.

The man was a danger to the community, an unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was neither pity nor excuse.
We were only doing our duty in taking this chance of putting him back where he could do no harm.

With his brutal and violent nature, others would have to pay the price if we held our hands.
Any night, for example, our neighbours the Stapletons might be attacked by him, and it may have been the thought of this which made Sir Henry so keen upon the adventure.
"I will come," said I.
"Then get your revolver and put on your boots.