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I fell upon my face among some bushes; but Holmes had me on my feet in an instant, and together we dashed away across the huge expanse of Hampstead Heath.

We had run two miles, I suppose, before Holmes at last halted and listened intently.

All was absolute silence behind us.

We had shaken off our pursuers and were safe.

We had breakfasted and were smoking our morning pipe on the day after the remarkable experience which I have recorded when Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, very solemn and impressive, was ushered into our modest sitting-room.

"Good morning, Mr. Holmes," said he; "good morning. May I ask if you are very busy just now?"

"Not too busy to listen to you."

"I thought that, perhaps, if you had nothing particular on hand, you might care to assist us in a most remarkable case which occurred only last night at Hampstead."

"Dear me!" said Holmes. "What was that?"

"A murder - a most dramatic and remarkable murder.

I know how keen you are upon these things, and I would take it as a great favour if you would step down to Appledore Towers and give us the benefit of your advice.

It is no ordinary crime.

We have had our eyes upon this Mr. Milverton for some time, and, between ourselves, he was a bit of a villain.

He is known to have held papers which he used for blackmailing purposes.

These papers have all been burned by the murderers.

No article of value was taken, as it is probable that the criminals were men of good position, whose sole object was to prevent social exposure."

"Criminals!" said Holmes. "Plural!"

"Yes, there were two of them.

They were, as nearly as possible, captured red-handed.

We have their foot-marks, we have their description; it's ten to one that we trace them.

The first fellow was a bit too active, but the second was caught by the under-gardener and only got away after a struggle.

He was a middle-sized, strongly-built man - square jaw, thick neck, moustache, a mask over his eyes."

"That's rather vague," said Sherlock Holmes. "Why, it might be a description of Watson!"

"It's true," said the inspector, with much amusement. "It might be a description of Watson."

"Well, I am afraid I can't help you, Lestrade," said Holmes.

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