"Saddle a horse, my lad," said he. "I shall wish you to take
a note to Elrige's Farm."
He took from his pocket the various slips of the dancing men.
With these in front of him he worked for some time at the
study-table. Finally he handed a note to the boy, with
directions to put it into the hands of the person to whom it was
addressed, and especially to answer no questions of any sort
which might be put to him. I saw the outside of the note,
addressed in straggling, irregular characters, very unlike
Holmes's usual precise hand. It was consigned to Mr. Abe
Slaney, Elrige's Farm, East Ruston, Norfolk.
"I think, inspector," Holmes remarked, "that you would do well
to telegraph for an escort, as, if my calculations prove to be
correct, you may have a particularly dangerous prisoner to
convey to the county gaol. The boy who takes this note could
no doubt forward your telegram. If there is an afternoon train
to town, Watson, I think we should do well to take it, as I have
a chemical analysis of some interest to finish, and this
investigation draws rapidly to a close."
When the youth had been dispatched with the note, Sherlock
Holmes gave his instructions to the servants.
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