"You say he was painting. What was he painting?"

　　"Well, he was painting the passage. But he had already painted thefloor and woodwork of this room I spoke of."

　　"Does it not strike you as a strange occupation in the

　　circumstances?"

　　"'One must do something to ease an aching heart.' That was his ownexplanation. It was eccentric, no doubt, but he is clearly aneccentric man. He tore up one of his wife's photographs in mypresence- tore it up furiously in a tempest of passion. 'I neverwish to see her damned face again,' he shrieked."

　　"Anything more, Watson?"

　　"Yes, one thing which struck me more than anything else. I haddriven to the Blackheath Station and had caught my train there when,just as it was starting, I saw a man dart into the carriage next to myown. You know that I have a quick eye for faces, Holmes. It wasundoubtedly the tall, dark man whom I had addressed in the street. Isaw him once more at London Bridge, and then I lost him in thecrowd. But I am convinced that he was following me."

　　"No doubt! No doubt!" said Holmes. "A tall, dark, heavily moustachedman, you say, with gray-tinted sun-glasses?"

　　"Holmes, you are a wizard. I did not say so, but he hadgray-tinted sun-glasses."

　　"And a Masonic tie-pin?"

　　"Holmes!"

　　"Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get down to what ispractical. I must admit to you that the case, which seemed to me to beso absurdly simple as to be hardly worth my notice, is rapidlyassuming a very different aspect. It is true that though in yourmission you have missed everything of importance, yet even thosethings which have obtruded themselves upon your notice give rise toserious thought."

　　"What have I missed?"

　　"Don't be hurt, my dear fellow. You know that I am quite impersonal.No one else would have done better. Some possibly not so well. Butclearly you have missed some vital points. What is the opinion ofthe neighbours about this man Amberley and his wife? That surely is ofimportance. What of Dr. Ernest? Was he the gay Lothario one wouldexpect? With your natural advantages, Watson, every lady is yourhelper and accomplice. What about the girl at the post-office, orthe wife of the greengrocer? I can picture you whispering softnothings with the young lady at the Blue Anchor, and receiving hardsomethings in exchange. All this you have left undone.""It can still be done."