At dusk you see Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past. A few minutes later, you see a light spring up among the trees as the lamp is lit in one of the sitting rooms.

"Do you know, Watson," you say, "I question taking you tonight. There is a distinct element of danger."

"Can I be of assistance?"

"Your presence might be invaluable."

"Then I shall certainly come."

"It is very kind of you."

"You speak of danger," says Watson. "You have seen more in these rooms than was visible to me."

"No, but I may have deduced a little more. I imagine you saw all that I did."

"I saw nothing remarkable but the bell-rope. I cannot imagine its purpose."

"You saw the ventilator, too?"

"Yes, but I do not think that it is unusual to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rat could hardly pass through. What harm can there be in that?"

"Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Doesn't that strike you?"

"I cannot as yet see any connection."

"Did you observe anything peculiar about that bed?"

"No."

"It was clamped to the floor. The lady could not move her bed. It must always be near the ventilator and the rope." You pause for a moment, then add, "When a doctor goes wrong he is the best of criminals. He has nerve, and he has knowledge. We shall see horrors before the night is over."

At about nine o'clock, the last light among the trees is extinguished, and all is dark in the direction of the Manor House. 

Two hours pass slowly away. Then suddenly, just at the stroke of eleven, a single bright light shines out right in front of you.

"That is our signal," you say, springing to your feet.

A moment later, you are out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in your face. There is no difficulty in entering the grounds, for you find a large hole in the gate. You make your way among the trees. You reach the lawn and cross it. You are about to enter through the window. 

Suddenly, a hideous and distorted person darts out from a clump of bushes. He throws himself upon the grass and then runs swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Did you see it?" whispers Watson. 

You are startled. Your hand closes upon Watson's left wrist.

Could this be the criminal you seek? Is this the monster behind Dr. Roylott's evil plan? Or does it have nothing to do with his scheme? Should you follow the shadowy figure? Or should you continue inside? The right choice may lead to a solution; the wrong choice could end in disaster. What will you choose to do?

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Excerpted from Can You Survive the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?: A Choose Your Path Book by Ryan Jacobson, Deb Mercier
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.