Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social `
` summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." `
` `
` He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. `
` `
` "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." `
` `
` "Not social, then?" `
` `
` "No, distinctly professional." `
` `
` "And from a noble client?" `
` `
` "One of the highest in England." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." `
` `
` "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my `
` client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his `
` case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be `
` wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the `
` papers diligently of late, have you not?" `
` `
` "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in `
` the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." `
` `
` "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I `
` read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The `
` latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent `
` events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." `
` `
` "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord `
` St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn `
` over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. `
` This is what he says: `
` `
` "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I `
` may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I `
` have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you `
` in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in `
` connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is `
` acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no `
` objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that `
` it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in `
` the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that `
` time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of `
` paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' `
` `
` "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, `
` and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink `
` upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes `
` as he folded up the epistle. `
` `
` "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an `
` hour." `
` `
` "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon `
` the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in `
` their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client `
` is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of `
` reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting `
` down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham `
` de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: `
` Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' `
` He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was `
` Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The `
` Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. `
` They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on `
` the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in `
` all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something `
` more solid." `
` `
` "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, `
` "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as `
` remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew `
` that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the `
` intrusion of other matters." `
` `
` "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square `
` furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it `
` was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your `
` newspaper selections." `
` `
` "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal `
` column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks `
` back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if `
` rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert `
` St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty `
` Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San `
` Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." `
` `
` "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, `
` thin legs towards the fire. `
` `
` "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society `
` papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a `
` call for protection in the marriage market, for the present `
` free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home `
` product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great `
` Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across `
` the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last `
` week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by `
` these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself `
` for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has `
` now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty `
` Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss `
` Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much `
` attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, `
` and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to `
` considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the `
` future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has `
` been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, `
` and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small `
` estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress `
` is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to `
` make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a `
` British peeress.'" `
` `
` "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. `
` `
` "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post `
` to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it `
` would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen `
` intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would `
` return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been `
` taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on `
` Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had `
` taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord `
` Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices `
` which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." `
` `
` "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. `
` `
` "The vanishing of the lady." `
` `
` "When did she vanish, then?" `
` `
` "At the wedding breakfast." `
` `
` "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite `
` dramatic, in fact." `
` `
` "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." `
` `
` "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during `
` the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt `
` as this. Pray let me have the details." `
` `
` "I warn you that they are very incomplete." `
` `
` "Perhaps we may make them less so." `
` `
` "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a `
` morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is `
` headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': `
` `
` "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the `
` greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which `
` have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as `
` shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the `
` previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to `
` confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently `
` floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush `
` the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it `
` that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what `
` is a common subject for conversation. `
` `
` "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover `
` Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the `
` father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, `
` Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the `
` younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia `
` Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of `
` Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been `
` prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a `
` woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to `
` force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging `
` that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a `
` painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler `
` and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house `
` before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast `
` with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and `
` retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some `
` comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that `
` she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an `
` ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the `
` footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus `
` apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, `
` believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his `
` daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with `
` the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with `
` the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which `
` will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very `
` singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing `
` had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There `
` are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the `
` police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the `
` original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some `
`
` summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." `
` `
` He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. `
` `
` "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." `
` `
` "Not social, then?" `
` `
` "No, distinctly professional." `
` `
` "And from a noble client?" `
` `
` "One of the highest in England." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." `
` `
` "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my `
` client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his `
` case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be `
` wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the `
` papers diligently of late, have you not?" `
` `
` "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in `
` the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." `
` `
` "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I `
` read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The `
` latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent `
` events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." `
` `
` "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord `
` St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn `
` over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. `
` This is what he says: `
` `
` "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I `
` may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I `
` have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you `
` in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in `
` connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is `
` acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no `
` objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that `
` it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in `
` the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that `
` time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of `
` paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' `
` `
` "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, `
` and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink `
` upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes `
` as he folded up the epistle. `
` `
` "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an `
` hour." `
` `
` "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon `
` the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in `
` their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client `
` is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of `
` reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting `
` down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham `
` de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: `
` Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' `
` He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was `
` Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The `
` Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. `
` They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on `
` the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in `
` all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something `
` more solid." `
` `
` "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, `
` "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as `
` remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew `
` that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the `
` intrusion of other matters." `
` `
` "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square `
` furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it `
` was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your `
` newspaper selections." `
` `
` "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal `
` column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks `
` back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if `
` rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert `
` St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty `
` Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San `
` Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." `
` `
` "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, `
` thin legs towards the fire. `
` `
` "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society `
` papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a `
` call for protection in the marriage market, for the present `
` free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home `
` product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great `
` Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across `
` the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last `
` week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by `
` these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself `
` for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has `
` now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty `
` Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss `
` Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much `
` attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, `
` and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to `
` considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the `
` future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has `
` been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, `
` and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small `
` estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress `
` is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to `
` make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a `
` British peeress.'" `
` `
` "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. `
` `
` "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post `
` to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it `
` would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen `
` intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would `
` return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been `
` taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on `
` Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had `
` taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord `
` Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices `
` which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." `
` `
` "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. `
` `
` "The vanishing of the lady." `
` `
` "When did she vanish, then?" `
` `
` "At the wedding breakfast." `
` `
` "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite `
` dramatic, in fact." `
` `
` "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." `
` `
` "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during `
` the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt `
` as this. Pray let me have the details." `
` `
` "I warn you that they are very incomplete." `
` `
` "Perhaps we may make them less so." `
` `
` "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a `
` morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is `
` headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': `
` `
` "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the `
` greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which `
` have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as `
` shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the `
` previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to `
` confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently `
` floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush `
` the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it `
` that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what `
` is a common subject for conversation. `
` `
` "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover `
` Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the `
` father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, `
` Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the `
` younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia `
` Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of `
` Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been `
` prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a `
` woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to `
` force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging `
` that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a `
` painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler `
` and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house `
` before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast `
` with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and `
` retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some `
` comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that `
` she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an `
` ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the `
` footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus `
` apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, `
` believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his `
` daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with `
` the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with `
` the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which `
` will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very `
` singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing `
` had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There `
` are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the `
` police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the `
` original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some `
`