Have I not told you

　　My case was practically complete, and there was only one smallincident needed to round it off. When, after considerable drive, wearrived at the strange old rambling house which my client haddescribed, it was Ralph, the elderly butler, who opened the door. Ihad requisitioned the carriage for the day and had asked my elderlyfriend to remain within it unless we should summon him. Ralph, alittle wrinkled old fellow, was in the conventional costume of blackcoat and pepper-and-salt trousers, with only one curious variant. Hewore brown leather gloves, which at sight of us he instantlyshuffled off, laying them down on the hall-table as we passed in. Ihave, as my friend Watson may have remarked, an abnormally acute setof senses, and a faint but incisive scent was apparent. It seemed tocentre on the hall-table. I turned, placed my hat there, knocked itoff, stooped to pick it up, and contrived to bring my nose within afoot of the gloves. Yes, it was undoubtedly from them that the curioustarry odour was oozing. I passed on into the study with my casecomplete. Alas, that I should have to show my hand so when I tell myown story! It was by concealing such links in the chain that Watsonwas enabled to produce his meretricious finales.

　　Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but he came quickly enoughon receipt of Ralph's message. We heard his quick, heavy step in thepassage. The door was flung open and he rushed in with bristling beardand twisted features, as terrible an old man as ever I have seen. Heheld our cards in his hand, and he tore them up and stamped on thefragments.

　　"Have I not told you, you infernal busybody, that you are warned offthe premises? Never dare to show your damned face here again. If youenter again without my leave I shall be within my rights if I useviolence. I'll shoot you, sir! By God, I will! As to you, sir,"turning upon me, "I extend the same warning to you. I am familiar withyour ignoble profession, but you must take your reputed talents tosome other field. There is no opening for them here."

　　"I cannot leave here," said my client firmly, "until I hear fromGodfrey's own lips that he is under no restraint."

　　Our involuntary host rang the bell.

　　"Ralph," he said, "telephone down to the county police and ask theinspector to send up two constables. Tell him there are burglars inthe house."

　　"One moment," said I. "You must be aware, Mr. Dodd, that ColonelEmsworth is within his rights and that we have no legal statuswithin his house. On the other hand, he should recognize that youraction is prompted entirely by solicitude for his son. I venture tohope that if I were allowed to have five minutes' conversation withColonel Emsworth I could certainly alter his view of the matter.""I am not so easily altered," said the old soldier. "Ralph, dowhat I have told you. What the devil are you waiting for? Ring upthe police!"