Hetook the more chivalrous view, however, and
preserved hersecret.
I passed along the tradesmens path, butfound it all
trampled down and indistinguishable.
With a shriek of joy our client clutched it
up.
Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me.
Then, for Gods sake, what was this dark business which wasacted in my house last
night?
I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it
was not.
Perhaps you have yourselfformed some opinion? Twice
since I have been with them he has beenquite drunk, and yet Mr.
Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to
come over hereagain before evening. At first, ofcourse, he denied
everything.
I confess that I still share my uncles perplexity.
Holmes, and, indeed, hehas little to do with my story. Rucastle met me here anddrove
me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. She struck a gongupon the table, and I was
shown out by the page.
Man, or atleast criminal man, has lost all
enterprise and originality. With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us
bothgood-night and bustled off upon her way. Therefore itis upon the logic rather
than upon the crime that you shoulddwell. Still, it is clear that she isnot
personally threatened. And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I am
muchmistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past.
There is something distinctly novelabout some of
the features.
Then let us hurry to him at once to let himknow
that the truth is known. I knew that you went out little, and that yourcircle of
friends was a very limited one.
His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and
hebent her to his will. There is a train at half-past nine, said I, glancing over
myBradshaw. Your duties, as far as the childis concerned, are very
light.
Holder, said SherlockHolmes rather
sternly.
Still, it is clear that she isnot personally
threatened.