The addition of a P and a D completed a message which showed me that the rascal was proceeding from persuasion to threats, and my knowledge of the crooks of Chicago prepared me to find that he might very rapidly put his words into action.I at once came to Norfolk with my friend and colleague, Dr.Watson, but, unhappily, only in time to find that the worst had already occurred.""It is a privilege to be associated with you in the handling of a case," said the inspector, warmly."You will excuse me, however, if I speak frankly to you.You are only answerable to yourself, but I have to answer to my superiors.If this Abe Slaney, living at Elrige's, is indeed the murderer, and if he has made his escape while I am seated here, I should certainly get into serious trouble.""You need not be uneasy.He will not try to escape.""How do you know?"
"To fly would be a confession of guilt."
"Then let us go to arrest him."
"I expect him here every instant."
"But why should he come?"
"Because I have written and asked him."
"But this is incredible, Mr.Holmes! Why should he come because you have asked him? Would not such a request rather rouse his suspicions and cause him to fly?""I think I have known how to frame the letter," said Sherlock Holmes."In fact, if I am not very much mistaken, here is the gentleman himself coming up the drive."A man was striding up the path which led to the door.He was a tall, handsome, swarthy fellow, clad in a suit of grey flannel, with a Panama hat, a bristling black beard, and a great, aggressive hooked nose, and flourishing a cane as he walked.