Dr. Watson

But what's that got to do with it?

A great deal, my dear fellow.

Thomas Winter, Ambrose Rookwood, and Robert Keynes were the three men executed with Guy Fawkes in the original gunpowder plot in 1605.

Where does Tom Nivet, the name you gave yourself, fit into the fixture?

Thomas Nivet was the Westminster magistrate who arrested the conspirators.

Since the would-be murderer has such an academic knowledge of the original plot, I thought I'd let him know that he was up against an opponent worthy of his skill.

We quickly changed out of our disguises and back into our ordinary clothes.

I was still pretty much in the dark, as usual.

And I kept questioning Holmes as to our next move.

He was in a state of suppressed excitement.

And it was obvious as he spoke to me that he was anxious to be off.

What's a dawdle?

There's so much work ahead of us.

What do you mean, a dawdle?

I'm not dawdling.

I'm busy as far as I can.

What's our next move, anyway?

I'm going to surround Mr. Stewart's house in Cavendish Square, and they'll be invaluable for that purpose.

What do you want me to do?

Go to Parchby Hotel and collect Mr. Stewart, then return with him to his house and wait there.