CHAPTER IX.
A Break in the Chain It was late in the afternoon before I woke, strengthened and refreshed.
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 disappointed.