Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some `
` other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange `
` disappearance of the bride.'" `
` `
` "And is that all?" `
` `
` "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is `
` a suggestive one." `
` `
` "And it is--" `
` `
` "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, `
` has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a `
` danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom `
` for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole `
` case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the `
` public press." `
` `
` "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would `
` not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, `
` Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I `
` have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not `
` dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, `
` if only as a check to my own memory." `
` `
` "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open `
` the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, `
` high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about `
` the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose `
` pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His `
` manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue `
` impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little `
` bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off `
` his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin `
` upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of `
` foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, `
` yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. `
` He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to `
` right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his `
` golden eyeglasses. `
` `
` "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray `
` take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. `
` Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this `
` matter over." `
` `
` "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, `
` Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you `
` have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, `
` though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of `
` society." `
` `
` "No, I am descending." `
` `
` "I beg pardon." `
` `
` "My last client of the sort was a king." `
` `
` "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" `
` `
` "The King of Scandinavia." `
` `
` "What! Had he lost his wife?" `
` `
` "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the `
` affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to `
` you in yours." `
` `
` "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to `
` my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may `
` assist you in forming an opinion." `
` `
` "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public `
` prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct-- `
` this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." `
` `
` Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it `
` goes." `
` `
` "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could `
` offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most `
` directly by questioning you." `
` `
` "Pray do so." `
` `
` "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" `
` `
` "In San Francisco, a year ago." `
` `
` "You were travelling in the States?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Did you become engaged then?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "But you were on a friendly footing?" `
` `
` "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was `
` amused." `
` `
` "Her father is very rich?" `
` `
` "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." `
` `
` "And how did he make his money?" `
` `
` "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, `
` invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." `
` `
` "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your `
` wife's character?" `
` `
` The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down `
` into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was `
` twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she `
` ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or `
` mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than `
` from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, `
` with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of `
` traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She `
` is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her `
` resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the `
` name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately `
` cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I `
` believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that `
` anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." `
` `
` "Have you her photograph?" `
` `
` "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the `
` full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an `
` ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect `
` of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the `
` exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he `
` closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. `
` `
` "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your `
` acquaintance?" `
` `
` "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I `
` met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now `
` married her." `
` `
` "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" `
` `
` "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." `
` `
` "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a `
` fait accompli?" `
` `
` "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." `
` `
` "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Was she in good spirits?" `
` `
` "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our `
` future lives." `
` `
` "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the `
` ceremony." `
` `
` "And did you observe any change in her then?" `
` `
` "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had `
` ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident `
` however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible `
` bearing upon the case." `
` `
` "Pray let us have it, for all that." `
` `
` "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards `
` the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it `
` fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the `
` gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not `
` appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of `
` the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our `
` way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." `
` `
` "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of `
` the general public were present, then?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is `
` open." `
` `
` "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" `
` `
` "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a `
` common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But `
` really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." `
` `
` "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less `
` cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do `
`
` other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange `
` disappearance of the bride.'" `
` `
` "And is that all?" `
` `
` "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is `
` a suggestive one." `
` `
` "And it is--" `
` `
` "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, `
` has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a `
` danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom `
` for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole `
` case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the `
` public press." `
` `
` "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would `
` not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, `
` Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I `
` have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not `
` dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, `
` if only as a check to my own memory." `
` `
` "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open `
` the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, `
` high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about `
` the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose `
` pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His `
` manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue `
` impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little `
` bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off `
` his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin `
` upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of `
` foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, `
` yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. `
` He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to `
` right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his `
` golden eyeglasses. `
` `
` "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray `
` take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. `
` Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this `
` matter over." `
` `
` "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, `
` Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you `
` have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, `
` though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of `
` society." `
` `
` "No, I am descending." `
` `
` "I beg pardon." `
` `
` "My last client of the sort was a king." `
` `
` "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" `
` `
` "The King of Scandinavia." `
` `
` "What! Had he lost his wife?" `
` `
` "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the `
` affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to `
` you in yours." `
` `
` "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to `
` my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may `
` assist you in forming an opinion." `
` `
` "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public `
` prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct-- `
` this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." `
` `
` Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it `
` goes." `
` `
` "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could `
` offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most `
` directly by questioning you." `
` `
` "Pray do so." `
` `
` "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" `
` `
` "In San Francisco, a year ago." `
` `
` "You were travelling in the States?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Did you become engaged then?" `
` `
` "No." `
` `
` "But you were on a friendly footing?" `
` `
` "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was `
` amused." `
` `
` "Her father is very rich?" `
` `
` "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." `
` `
` "And how did he make his money?" `
` `
` "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, `
` invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." `
` `
` "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your `
` wife's character?" `
` `
` The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down `
` into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was `
` twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she `
` ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or `
` mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than `
` from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, `
` with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of `
` traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She `
` is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her `
` resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the `
` name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately `
` cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I `
` believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that `
` anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." `
` `
` "Have you her photograph?" `
` `
` "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the `
` full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an `
` ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect `
` of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the `
` exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he `
` closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. `
` `
` "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your `
` acquaintance?" `
` `
` "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I `
` met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now `
` married her." `
` `
` "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" `
` `
` "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." `
` `
` "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a `
` fait accompli?" `
` `
` "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." `
` `
` "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Was she in good spirits?" `
` `
` "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our `
` future lives." `
` `
` "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the `
` wedding?" `
` `
` "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the `
` ceremony." `
` `
` "And did you observe any change in her then?" `
` `
` "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had `
` ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident `
` however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible `
` bearing upon the case." `
` `
` "Pray let us have it, for all that." `
` `
` "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards `
` the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it `
` fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the `
` gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not `
` appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of `
` the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our `
` way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." `
` `
` "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of `
` the general public were present, then?" `
` `
` "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is `
` open." `
` `
` "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" `
` `
` "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a `
` common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But `
` really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." `
` `
` "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less `
` cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do `
`