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Watson saw the Stranger running the opposite way they had entered. He aimed his weapon. “Halt or I will fire!”
The Stranger kept running.
Watson fired above the man’s head.
He kept running.
Watson chased after him.
Holmes heard the sounds outside, but didn’t follow Watson. He laid Manley gently down.
The man’s eyes were shut, but they opened as Holmes laid him down.
A strong hand grabbed Holmes by his arm. “He’s not what he seems. He’s...”
Blood gushed from his nostrils and mouth.
“Who?”
“The man with the dark tattoo...”
“Where?”
Manley’s eyes shut a moment. He gasped and a huge flood of blood broke forth, some spilling over onto Holmes.
“It’s not empty. It’s not. Don’t...Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
Manley’s eyes froze open. His soul fled this world.
Holmes laid he man down gently, shut his eyes, then jumped to his feet, took out his pistol and ran out the door.
