He sat forward, his hands clasped and his forearms on his knees, with an answering smile upon his bold, handsome face.

In an instant--but it was just one instant too late--they resumed their solemn masks as my figure came into view.
A hurried word or two passed between them, and then Barker rose and came towards me.
"Excuse me, sir," said he, "but am I addressing Dr.Watson ?" I bowed with a coldness which showed, I dare say, very plainly the impression which had been produced upon my mind.
"We thought that it was probably you, as your friendship with Mr.
Sherlock Holmes is so well known.

Would you mind coming over and speaking to Mrs.Douglas for one instant ?" I followed him with a dour face.

Very clearly I could see in my mind's eye that shattered figure on the floor.

Here within a few hours of the tragedy were his wife and his nearest friend laughing together behind a bush in the garden which had been his.