? ? ? ? A sudden idea occurred to me, and I took the candle from the trembling hand of the butler.
? ? ? ? "He must have been holding it as a signal," said I. "Let us see if there is any answer." I held it as he had done, and stared out into the darkness of the night. Vaguely I could discern the black bank of the trees and the lighter expanse of the moor, for the moon was behind the clouds. And then I gave a cry of exultation, for a tiny pin-point of yellow light had suddenly transfixed the dark veil, and glowed steadily in the centre of the black square framed by the window.
? ? ? ? "There it is!" I cried.
? ? ? ? "No, no, sir, it is nothing -- nothing at all!" the butler broke in; "I assure you, sir --"
? ? ? ? "Move your light across the window, Watson!" cried the baronet. "See, the other moves also! Now, you rascal, do you deny that it is a signal? Come, speak up! Who is your confederate out yonder, and what is this conspiracy that is going on?"
? ? ? ? The man's face became openly defiant.
? ? ? ? "It is my business, and not yours. I will not tell."
? ? ? ? "Then you leave my employment right away.
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