“Wecanfollowhimto-morrow。”
“Canwe？Itisnotsoeasyasyouseemtothink。Youarenot
familiarwithCambridgeshirescenery，areyou？Itdoesnotlenditself
toconcealment。AllthiscountrythatIpassedoverto-nightisas
flatandcleanasthepalmofyourhand，andthemanweare
followingisnofool，asheveryclearlyshowedto-night。Ihavewired
toOvertontoletusknowanyfreshLondondevelopmentsatthis
address，andinthemeantimewecanonlyconcentrateourattention
uponDr。Armstrong，whosenametheobligingyoungladyattheoffice
allowedmetoreaduponthecounterfoilofStaunton”surgent
message。Heknowswheretheyoungmanis-tothatI”llswear，andif
heknows，thenitmustbeourownfaultifwecannotmanagetoknow
also。Atpresentitmustbeadmittedthattheoddtrickisinhis
possession，and，asyouareaware，Watson，itisnotmyhabittoleave
thegameinthatcondition。”
Andyetthenextdaybroughtusnonearertothesolutionofthe
mystery。Anotewashandedinafterbreakfast，whichHolmespassed
acrosstomewithasmile。
SIR[itran]：
Icanassureyouthatyouarewastingyourtimeindoggingmy
movements。Ihave，asyoudiscoveredlastnight，awindowatthe
backofmybrougham，andifyoudesireatwenty-mileridewhichwill
leadyoutothespotfromwhichyoustarted，youhaveonlytofollow
me。Meanwhile，Icaninformyouthatnospyinguponmecaninany
wayhelpMr。GodfreyStaunton，andIamconvincedthatthebest
serviceyoucandotothatgentlemanistoreturnatoncetoLondon
andtoreporttoyouremployerthatyouareunabletotracehim。
YourtimeinCambridgewillcertainlybewasted。
Yoursfaithfully，
LESLIEARMSTRONG。
“Anoutspoken，honestantagonististhedoctor，“saidHolmes。“Well，
well，heexcitesmycuriosity，andImustreallyknowbeforeIleave
him。”
“Hiscarriageisathisdoornow，“saidI。”Thereheissteppinginto
it。Isawhimglanceupatourwindowashedidso。SupposeItrymy
luckuponthebicycle？“
“No，no，mydearWatson！Withallrespectforyournaturalacumen，I
donotthinkthatyouarequiteamatchfortheworthydoctor。Ithink
thatpossiblyIcanattainourendbysomeindependentexplorationsof
myown。IamafraidthatImustleaveyoutoyourowndevices，as
theappearanceoftwoinquiringstrangersuponasleepycountryside
mightexcitemoregossipthanIcarefor。Nodoubtyouwillfind
somesightstoamuseyouinthisvenerablecity，andIhopetobring
backamorefavourablereporttoyoubeforeevening。”
Oncemore，however，myfriendwasdestinedtobedisappointed。He
camebackatnightwearyandunsuccessful。
“Ihavehadablankday，Watson。Havinggotthedoctor”sgeneral
direction，Ispentthedayinvisitingallthevillagesuponthatside
ofCambridge，andcomparingnoteswithpublicansandotherlocal
newsagencies。Ihavecoveredsomeground。Chesterton，Histon，
Waterbeach，andOakingtonhaveeachbeenexplored，andhaveeach
proveddisappointing。Thedailyappearanceofabroughamandpair
couldhardlyhavebeenoverlookedinsuchSleepyHollows。Thedoctor
hasscoredoncemore。Isthereatelegramforme？“
“Yes，Iopenedit。Hereitis：“AskforPompeyfromJeremyDixon，TrinityCollege。
Idon”tunderstandit。”
“Oh，itisclearenough。ItisfromourfriendOverton，andisin
answertoaquestionfromme。I”lljustsendroundanotetoMr。
JeremyDixon，andthenIhavenodoubtthatourluckwillturn。Bythe
way，isthereanynewsofthematch？“
“Yes，thelocaleveningpaperhasanexcellentaccountinitslast
edition。Oxfordwonbyagoalandtwotries。Thelastsentencesofthe
descriptionsay：
“ThedefeatoftheLightBluesmaybeentirelyattributedtothe
unfortunateabsenceofthecrackInternational，GodfreyStaunton，
whosewantwasfeltateveryinstantofthegame。Thelackof
combinationinthethree-quarterlineandtheirweaknessbothin
attackanddefencemorethanneutralizedtheeffortsofaheavyand
hard-workingpack。”
“ThenourfriendOverton”sforebodingshavebeenjustified，“said
Holmes。“PersonallyIaminagreementwithDr。Armstrong，andfootball
doesnotcomewithinmyhorizon。Earlytobedto-night，Watson，for
Iforeseethatto-morrowmaybeaneventfulday。”
IwashorrifiedbymyfirstglimpseofHolmesnextmorning，forhe
satbythefireholdinghistinyhypodermicsyringe。Iassociatedthat
instrumentwiththesingleweaknessofhisnature，andIfearedthe
worstwhenIsawitglitteringinhishand。Helaughedatmy
expressionofdismayandlaidituponthetable。
“No，no，mydearfellow，thereisnocauseforalarm。Itisnotupon
thisoccasiontheinstrumentofevil，butitwillratherprovetobe
thekeywhichwillunlockourmystery。OnthissyringeIbaseallmy
hopes。Ihavejustreturnedfromasmallscoutingexpedition，and
everythingisfavourable。Eatagoodbreakfast，Watson，forI
proposetogetuponDr。Armstrong”strailto-day，andonceonitI
willnotstopforrestorfooduntilIrunhimtohisburrow。”
“Inthatcase，“saidI，“wehadbestcarryourbreakfastwithus，
forheismakinganearlystart。Hiscarriageisatthedoor。”
“Nevermind。Lethimgo。HewillbecleverifhecandrivewhereI
cannotfollowhim。Whenyouhavefinished，comedownstairswithme，
andIwillintroduceyoutoadetectivewhoisaveryeminent
specialistintheworkthatliesbeforeus。”
WhenwedescendedIfollowedHolmesintothestableyard，wherehe
openedthedoorofaloose-boxandledoutasquat，lop-eared，
white-and-tandog，somethingbetweenabeagleandafoxhound。
“LetmeintroduceyoutoPompey，“saidhe。“Pompeyistheprideof
thelocaldraghounds-noverygreatflier，ashisbuildwillshow，but
astaunchhoundonascent。Well，Pompey，youmaynotbefast，butI
expectyouwillbetoofastforacoupleofmiddle-agedLondon
gentlemen，soIwilltakethelibertyoffasteningthisleather
leashtoyourcollar。Now，boy，comealong，andshowwhatyoucando。”
Heledhimacrosstothedoctor”sdoor。Thedogsniffedroundforan
instant，andthenwithashrillwhineofexcitementstartedoffdown
thestreet，tuggingathisleashinhiseffortstogofaster。In
halfanhour，wewereclearofthetownandhasteningdownacountry
road。
“Whathaveyoudone，Holmes？“Iasked。
“Athreadbareandvenerabledevice，butusefuluponoccasion。I
walkedintothedoctor”syardthismorning，andshotmysyringefull
ofaniseedoverthehindwheel。Adraghoundwillfollowaniseedfrom
heretoJohno”Groat”s，andourfriend，Armstrong，wouldhaveto
drivethroughtheCambeforehewouldshakePompeyoffhistrail。
Oh，thecunningrascal！Thisishowhegavemethesliptheother
night。”
Thedoghadsuddenlyturnedoutofthemainroadintoa
grass-grownlane。Halfamilefartherthisopenedintoanotherbroad
road，andthetrailturnedhardtotherightinthedirectionofthe
town，whichwehadjustquitted。Theroadtookasweeptothesouthof
thetown，andcontinuedintheoppositedirectiontothatinwhich
westarted。
“Thisdetourhasbeenentirelyforourbenefit，then？“said
Holmes。“Nowonderthatmyinquiriesamongthosevillagersledto
nothing。Thedoctorhascertainlyplayedthegameforallitisworth，
andonewouldliketoknowthereasonforsuchelaboratedeception。
ThisshouldbethevillageofTrumpingtontotherightofus。And，
byJove！hereisthebroughamcomingroundthecorner。Quick，
Watson-quick，orwearedone！“
Hesprangthroughagateintoafield，draggingthereluctantPompey
afterhim。Wehadhardlygotundertheshelterofthehedgewhenthe
carriagerattledpast。IcaughtaglimpseofDr。Armstrongwithin，his
shouldersbowed，hisheadsunkonhishands，theveryimageof
distress。Icouldtellbymycompanion”sgraverfacethathealso
hadseen。
“Ifearthereissomedarkendingtoourquest，“saidhe。“Itcannot
belongbeforeweknowit。Come，Pompey！Ah，itisthecottagein
thefield！“
Therecouldbenodoubtthatwehadreachedtheendofour
journey。Pompeyranaboutandwhinedeagerlyoutsidethegate，where
themarksofthebrougham”swheelswerestilltobeseen。Afootpath
ledacrosstothelonelycottage。Holmestiedthedogtothehedge，
andwehastenedonward。Myfriendknockedatthelittlerusticdoor，
andknockedagainwithoutresponse。Andyetthecottagewasnot
deserted，foralowsoundcametoourears-akindofdroneof
miseryanddespairwhichwasindescribablymelancholy。Holmespaused
irresolute，andthenheglancedbackattheroadwhichhehadjust
traversed。Abroughamwascomingdownit，andtherecouldbeno
mistakingthosegrayhorses。
“ByJove，thedoctoriscomingback！“criedHolmes。“Thatsettles
it。Weareboundtoseewhatitmeansbeforehecomes。”
Heopenedthedoor，andwesteppedintothehall。Thedroning
soundswelledlouderuponourearsuntilitbecameonelong，deepwail
ofdistress。Itcamefromupstairs。Holmesdartedup，andIfollowed
him。Hepushedopenahalf-closeddoor，andwebothstoodappalled
atthesightbeforeus。
Awoman，youngandbeautiful，waslyingdeaduponthebed。Her
calmpaleface，withdim，wide-openedblueeyes，lookedupwardfrom
amidagreattangleofgoldenhair。Atthefootofthebed，half
sitting，halfkneeling，hisfaceburiedintheclothes，wasayoung
man，whoseframewasrackedbyhissobs。Soabsorbedwashebyhis
bittergrief，thatheneverlookedupuntilHolmes”shandwasonhis
shoulder。
“AreyouMr。GodfreyStaunton？“
“Yes，yes，Iam-butyouaretoolate。Sheisdead。”
Themanwassodazedthathecouldnotbemadetounderstandthatwe
wereanythingbutdoctorswhohadbeensenttohisassistance。
Holmeswasendeavouringtoutterafewwordsofconsolationandto
explainthealarmwhichhadbeencausedtohisfriendsbyhissudden
disappearancewhentherewasastepuponthestairs，andtherewasthe
heavy，stern，questioningfaceofDr。Armstrongatthedoor。
“So，gentlemen，“saidhe，“youhaveattainedyourendandhave
certainlychosenaparticularlydelicatemomentforyourintrusion。
Iwouldnotbrawlinthepresenceofdeath，butIcanassureyou
thatifIwereayoungermanyourmonstrousconductwouldnotpass
withimpunity。”
“Excuseme，Dr。Armstrong，Ithinkwearealittleat
cross-purposes，“saidmyfriend，withdignity。“Ifyoucouldstep
downstairswithus，wemayeachbeabletogivesomelighttothe
otheruponthismiserableaffair。”
Aminutelater，thegrimdoctorandourselveswereinthe
sitting-roombelow。
“Well，sir？“saidhe。
“Iwishyoutounderstand，inthefirstplace，thatIamnot
employedbyLordMount-James，andthatmysympathiesinthismatter
areentirelyagainstthatnobleman。Whenamanislostitismyduty
toascertainhisfate，buthavingdonesothematterendssofaras
Iamconcerned，andsolongasthereisnothingcriminalIammuch
moreanxioustohushupprivatescandalsthantogivethem
publicity。If，asIimagine，thereisnobreachofthelawinthis
matter，youcanabsolutelydependuponmydiscretionandmy
cooperationinkeepingthefactsoutofthepapers。”
Dr。ArmstrongtookaquickstepforwardandwrungHolmesbythe
hand。
“Youareagoodfellow，“saidhe。“Ihadmisjudgedyou。Ithank
heaventhatmycompunctionatleavingpoorStauntonallalonein
thisplightcausedmetoturnmycarriagebackandsotomakeyour
acquaintance。Knowingasmuchasyoudo，thesituationisvery
easilyexplained。AyearagoGodfreyStauntonlodgedinLondonfora
timeandbecamepassionatelyattachedtohislandlady”sdaughter，whom
hemarried。Shewasasgoodasshewasbeautifulandasintelligentas
shewasgood。Nomanneedbeashamedofsuchawife。ButGodfreywas
theheirtothiscrabbedoldnobleman，anditwasquitecertainthat
thenewsofhismarriagewouldhavebeentheendofhisinheritance。I
knewtheladwell，andIlovedhimforhismanyexcellentqualities。I
didallIcouldtohelphimtokeepthingsstraight。Wedidourvery
besttokeepthethingfromeveryone，for，whenoncesuchawhisper
getsabout，itisnotlongbeforeeveryonehasheardit。Thanksto
thislonelycottageandhisowndiscretion，Godfreyhasuptonow
succeeded。Theirsecretwasknowntonoonesavetomeandtoone
excellentservant，whohasatpresentgoneforassistanceto
Trumpington。Butatlasttherecameaterribleblowintheshapeof
dangerousillnesstohiswife。Itwasconsumptionofthemostvirulent
kind。Thepoorboywashalfcrazedwithgrief，andyethehadtogoto
Londontoplaythismatch，forhecouldnotgetoutofitwithout
explanationswhichwouldexposehissecret。Itriedtocheerhimupby
wire，andhesentmeoneinreply，imploringmetodoallIcould。
Thiswasthetelegramwhichyouappearinsomeinexplicablewayto
haveseen。Ididnottellhimhowurgentthedangerwas，forIknew
thathecoulddonogoodhere，butIsentthetruthtothegirl”s
father，andheveryinjudiciouslycommunicatedittoGodfrey。The
resultwasthathecamestraightawayinastateborderingon
frenzy，andhasremainedinthesamestate，kneelingattheendofher
bed，untilthismorningdeathputanendtohersufferings。Thatis
all，Mr。Holmes，andIamsurethatIcanrelyuponyourdiscretion
andthatofyourfriend。”
Holmesgraspedthedoctor”shand。
“Come，Watson，“saidhe，andwepassedfromthathouseofgriefinto
thepalesunlightofthewinterday-
THEEND。
1892
SHERLOCKHOLMES
THEADVENTUREOFTHENOBLEBACHELOR
bySirArthurConanDoyle
TheLordSt。Simonmarriage，anditscurioustermination，have
longceasedtobeasubjectofinterestinthoseexaltedcirclesin
whichtheunfortunatebridegroommoves。Freshscandalshaveeclipsed
it，andtheirmorepiquantdetailshavedrawnthegossipsawayfrom
thisfour-year-olddrama。AsIhavereasontobelieve，however，that
thefullfactshaveneverbeenrevealedtothegeneralpublic，and
asmyfriendSherlockHolmeshadaconsiderableshareinclearing
thematterup，Ifeelthatnomemoirofhimwouldbecomplete
withoutsomelittlesketchofthisremarkableepisode。
Itwasafewweeksbeforemyownmarriage，duringthedayswhenI
wasstillsharingroomswithHolmesinBakerStreet，thathecamehome
fromanafternoonstrolltofindaletteronthetablewaitingfor
him。Ihadremainedindoorsallday，fortheweatherhadtakena
suddenturntorain，withhighautumnalwinds，andtheJezailbullet
whichIhadbroughtbackinoneofmylimbsasarelicofmyAfghan
campaignthrobbedwithdullpersistence。Withmybodyinone
easy-chairandmylegsuponanother，Ihadsurroundedmyselfwitha
cloudofnewspapersuntilatlast，saturatedwiththenewsoftheday，
Itossedthemallasideandlaylistless，watchingthehugecrest
andmonogramupontheenvelopeuponthetableandwonderinglazilywho
myfriend”snoblecorrespondentcouldbe。
“Hereisaveryfashionableepistle，“Iremarkedasbeentered。
“Yourmorningletters，ifIrememberright，werefromafish-monger
andatide-waiter。”
“Yes，mycorrespondencehascertainlythecharmofvariety，“he
answered，smiling，“andthehumblerareusuallythemore
interesting。Thislookslikeoneofthoseunwelcomesocialsummonses
whichcalluponamaneithertobeboredortolie。”
Hebrokethesealandglancedoverthecontents。
“Oh，come，itmayprovetobesomethingofinterest，afterall。”
“Notsocial，then？“
“No，distinctlyprofessional。”
“Andfromanobleclient？“
“OneofthehighestinEngland。”
“Mydearfellow，Icongratulateyou。”
“Iassureyou，Watson，withoutaffectation，thatthestatusofmy
clientisamatteroflessmomenttomethantheinterestofhiscase。
Itisjustpossible，however，thatmaynotbewantinginthisnew
investigation。Youhavebeenreadingthepapersdiligentlyoflate，
haveyounot？“
“Itlookslikeit，“saidIruefully，pointingtoahugebundlein
thecorner。“Ihavehadnothingelsetodo。”
“Itisfortunate，foryouwillperhapsbeabletopostmeup。Iread
nothingexceptthecriminalnewsandtheagonycolumn。Thelatteris
alwaysinstructive。Butifyouhavefollowedrecenteventsso
closelyyoumusthavereadaboutLordSt。Simonandhiswedding？“
“Oh，yes，withthedeepestinterest。”
“Thatiswell。TheletterwhichIholdinmyhandisfromLordSt。
Simon。Iwillreadittoyou，andinreturnyoumustturnoverthese
papersandletmehavewhateverbearsuponthematter。Thisiswhathe
says：
“MYDEARMR。SHERLOCKHOLMES：
“LordBackwatertellsmethatImayplaceimplicitrelianceupon
yourjudgmentanddiscretion。Ihavedetermined，therefore，tocan
uponyouandtoconsultyouinreferencetotheverypainfulevent
whichhasoccurredinconnectionwithmywedding。Mr。Lestrade，of
ScotlandYard，isactingalreadyinthematter，butheassuresmethat
heseesnoobjectiontoyourcooperation，andthatheeventhinksthat
itmightbeofsomeassistance。Iwillcallatfouro”clockinthe
afternoon，and，shouldyouhaveanyotherengagementatthattime，I
hopethatyouwillpostponeit，asthismatterisofparamount
importance。”
“Yoursfaithfully，
“ST。SIMON。
“ItisdatedfromGrosvenorMansions，writtenwithaquillpen，
andthenoblelordhashadthemisfortunetogetasmearofinkupon
theoutersideofhisrightlittlefinger，“remarkedHolmesashe
foldeduptheepistle。
“Hesaysfouro”clock。Itisthreenow。Hewillbehereinanhour。”
“ThenIhavejusttime，withyourassistance，togetclearupon
thesubject。Turnoverthosepapersandarrangetheextractsin
theirorderoftime，whileItakeaglanceastowhoourclientis。”
Hepickedared-coveredvolumefromalineofbooksofreference
besidethemantelpiece。“Hereheis，“saidhe，sittingdownand
flatteningitoutuponhisknee。“LordRobertWalsinghamdeVereSt。
Simon，secondsonoftheDukeofBalmoral。Hum！Arms：Azure，three
caltropsinchiefinchiefoverafesssable。Bornin1846。He”s
forty-oneyearsofage，whichismatureformarriage。Was
Under-Secretaryforthecoloniesinalateadministration。TheDuke，
hisfatherwasatonetimeSecretaryforForeignAffairs。Theyinherit
Plantagenetbloodbydirectdescent，andTudoronthedistaffside。
Ha！Well，thereisnothingveryinstructiveinallthis。Ithink
thatImustturntoyou，Watson，forsomethingmoresolid。”
“IhaveverylittledifficultyinfindingwhatIwant“saidI，
“forthefactsarequiterecent，andthematterstruckmeas
remarkable。Ifearedtoreferthemtoyou，however，asIknewthatyou
hadaninquiryonhandandthatyoudislikedtheintrusionofother
matters。”
“Oh，youmeanthelittleproblemoftheGrosvenorSquarefurniture
van。Thatisquiteclearedupnow-though，indeed，itwasobvious
fromthefirst。Praygivemetheresultsofyournewspaper
selections。”
“HereisthefirstnoticewhichIcanfind。Itisinthepersonal
columnoftheMorningPost，anddates，asyousee，someweeksback：
“Amarriagehasbeenarranged[itsays]andwill，ifrumouris
correct，veryshortlytakeplace，betweenLordRobertSt。Simon，
secondsonoftheDukeofBalmoral，andMissHattyDoran，theonly
daughterofAloysiusDoran，Esq。，ofSanFrancisco，Cal。，U。S。A。
Thatisall。”
“Terseandtothepoint，“remarkedHolmes，stretchinghislong，thin
legstowardsthefire。
“Therewasaparagraphamplifyingthisinoneofthesociety
papersofthesameweek。Ah，hereitis：
“Therewillsoonbeacallforprotectioninthemarriagemarket，
forthepresentfree-tradeprincipleappearstotellheavilyagainst
ourhomeproduct。Onebyonethemanagementofthenoblehousesof
GreatBritainispassingintothehandsofourfaircousinsfrom
acrosstheAtlantic。Animportantadditionhasbeenmadeduringthe
lastweektothelistoftheprizeswhichhavebeenhomeawaybythese
charminginvaders。LordSt。Simon，whohasshownhimselfforover
twentyyearsproofagainstthelittlegod”sarrows，hasnowdefinitely
announcedhisapproachingmarriagewithMissHattyDoran，the
fascinatingdaughterofaCaliforniamillionaire。MissDoran，whose
gracefulfigureandstrikingfaceattractedmuchattentionatthe
WestburyHousefestivities，isanonlychild，anditiscurrently
reportedthatherdowrywillruntoconsiderablyoverthesixfigures，
withexpectanciesforthefuture。Asitisanopensecretthatthe
DukeofBalmoralhasbeencompelledtosellhispictureswithinthe
lastfewyears，andasLordSt。Simonhasnopropertyofhisown
savethesmallestateofBirchmoor，itisobviousthattheCalifornian
heiressisnottheonlygainerbyanalliancewhichwillenableherto
maketheeasyandcommontransitionfromaRepublicanladytoa
Britishpeeress。”
“Anythingelse？“askedHolmes，yawning。
“Oh，yes；plenty。ThenthereisanothernoteintheMorningPost
tosaythatthemarriagewouldbeanabsolutelyquietone，thatit
wouldbeatSt。George”s，HanoverSquare，thatonlyhalfadozen
intimatefriendswouldbeinvited，andthatthepartywouldreturn
tothefurnishedhouseatLancasterGatewhichhasbeentakenbyMr。
AloysiusDoran。Twodayslater-thatis，onWednesdaylastthereisa
curtannouncementthattheweddinghadtakenplace，andthatthe
honeymoonwouldbepassedatLordBackwater”splace，nearPetersfield。
Thoseareallthenoticeswhichappearedbeforethedisappearanceof
thebride。”
“Beforethewhat？“askedHolmeswithastart。
“Thevanishingofthelady。”
“Whendidshevanishthen？“
“Attheweddingbreakfast。”
“Indeed。Thisismoreinterestingthanitpromisedtobe；quite
dramatic，infact。”
“Yes；itstruckmeasbeingalittleoutofthecommon。”
“Theyoftenvanishbeforetheceremony，andoccasionallyduring
thehoneymoon；butIcannotcalltomindanythingquitesopromptas
this。Prayletmehavethedetails。”
“Iwarnyouthattheyareveryincomplete。”
“Perhapswemaymakethemlessso。”
“Suchastheyare，theyaresetforthinasinglearticleofa
morningpaperofyesterday，whichIwillreadtoyou。Itisheaded，”SingularOccurrenceataFashionableWedding”：
“ThefamilyofLordRobertSt。Simonhasbeenthrownintothe
greatestconsternationbythestrangeandpainfulepisodeswhich
havetakenplaceinconnectionwithhiswedding。Theceremony，as
shortlyannouncedinthepapersofyesterday，occurredontheprevious
morning；butitisonlynowthatithasbeenpossibletoconfirmthe
strangerumourswhichhavebeensopersistentlyfloatingabout。In
spiteoftheattemptsofthefriendstohushthematterup，somuch
publicattentionhasnowbeendrawntoitthatnogoodpurposecan
beservedbyaffectingtodisregardwhatisacommonsubjectfor
conversation。
“Theceremony，whichwasperformedatSt。George”s，Hanover
Square，wasaveryquietone，noonebeingpresentsavethefather
ofthebride，Mr。AloysiusDoran，theDuchessofBalmoral，Lord
Backwater，LordEustace，andLadyClaraSt。Simontheyoungerbrother
andsisterofthebridegroom，andLadyAliciaWhittington。The
wholepartyproceededafterwardstothehouseofMr。AloysiusDoran，
atLancasterGate，wherebreakfasthadbeenprepared。Itappears
thatsomelittletroublewascausedbyawoman，whosenamehasnot
beenascertained，whoendeavouredtoforceherwayintothehouse
afterthebridalparty，allegingthatshehadsomeclaimuponLordSt。
Simon。Itwasonlyafterapainfulandprolongedscenethatshewas
ejectedbythebutlerandthefootman。Thebride，whohad
fortunatelyenteredthehousebeforethisunpleasantinterruption，had
satdowntobreakfastwiththerest，whenshecomplainedofasudden
indispositionandretiredtoherroom。Herprolongedabsencehaving
causedsomecomment，herfatherfollowedher，butlearnedfromher
maidthatshehadonlycomeuptoherchamberforaninstant，caught
upanulsterandbonnet，andhurrieddowntothepassage。Oneofthe
footmendeclaredthathehadseenaladyleavethehousethus
apparelled，buthadrefusedtocreditthatitwashismistress，
believinghertobewiththecompany。Onascertainingthathis
daughterhaddisappeared，Mr。AloysiusDoran，inconjunctionwith
thebridegroom，instantlyputthemselvesincommunicationwiththe
police，andveryenergeticinquiriesarebeingmade，whichwill
probablyresultinaspeedyclearingupofthisverysingular
business。Uptoalatehourlastnight，however，nothinghad
transpiredastothewhereaboutsofthemissinglady。Thereare
rumoursoffoulplayinthematter，anditissaidthatthepolice
havecausedthearrestofthewomanwhohadcausedtheoriginal
disturbance，inthebeliefthat，fromjealousyorsomeothermotive，
shemayhavebeenconcernedinthestrangedisappearanceofthe
bride。”
“Andisthatall？“
“Onlyonelittleiteminanotherofthemorningpapers，butitis
asuggestiveone。”
“Anditis-“
“ThatMissFloraMillar，theladywhohadcausedthedisturbance，
hasactuallybeenarrested。Itappearsthatshewasformerlya
danseuseattheAllegro，andthatshehasknownthebridegroomfor
someyears。Therearenofurtherparticulars，andthewholecaseisin
yourhandsnow-sofarasithasbeensetforthinthepublicpress。”
“Andanexceedinglyinterestingcaseitappearstobe。Iwouldnot
havemisseditforworlds。Butthereisaringatthebell，Watson，
andastheclockmakesitafewminutesafterfour，Ihavenodoubt
thatthiswillprovetobeournobleclient。Donotdreamofgoing，
Watson，forIverymuchpreferhavingawitness，ifonlyasacheckto
myownmemory。”
“LordRobertSt。Simon，“announcedourpage-boy，throwingopenthe
door。Agentlemanentered，withapleasant，culturedface，
high-nosedandpale，withsomethingperhapsofpetulanceaboutthe
mouth，andwiththesteady，well-openedeyeofamanwhosepleasant
lotithadeverbeentocommandandtobeobeyed。Hismannerwas
brisk，andyethisgeneralappearancegaveanundueimpressionofage，
forhehadaslightforwardstoopandalittlebendofthekneesashe
walked。Hishair，too，ashesweptoffhisverycurly-brimmedhat
wasgrizzledroundtheedgesandthinuponthetop。Astohisdress，
itwascarefultothevergeoffoppishness，withhighcollar，black
frock-coat，whitewaistcoat，yellowgloves，patentleathershoes，
andlight-colouredgaiters。Headvancedslowlyintotheroom，
turninghisheadfromlefttoright，andswinginginhisrighthand
thecordwhichheldhisgoldeneyeglasses。
“Good-day，LordSt。Simon，“saidHolmes，risingandbowing。“Pray
takethebasket-chair。Thisismyfriendandcolleague，Dr。Watson。
Drawupalittletothefire，andwewilltalkthismatterover。”
“Amostpainfulmattertome，asyoucanmostreadilyimagine，Mr。
Holmes。Ihavebeencuttothequick。Iunderstandthatyouhave
alreadymanagedseveraldelicatecasesofthissort，sir，thoughI
presumethattheywerehardlyfromthesameclassofsociety。”
“No，Iamdescending。”
“Ibegpardon。”
“Mylastclientofthesortwasaking。”
“Oh，really！Ihadnoidea。Andwhichking？“
“TheKingofScandinavia。”
“What！Hadhelosthiswife？“
“Youcanunderstand，“saidHolmessuavely，“thatIextendtothe
affairsofmyotherclientsthesamesecrecywhichIpromisetoyouin
yours。”
“Ofcourse！Veryright！veryright！I”msureIbegpardon。Asto
myowncase，Iamreadytogiveyouanyinformationwhichmayassist
youinforminganopinion。”
“Thankyou。Ihavealreadylearnedallthatisinthepublicprints，
nothingmore。IpresumethatImaytakeitascorrect-thisarticle，
forexample，astothedisappearanceofthebride。”
LordSt。Simonglancedoverit。“Yes，itiscorrect，asfarasit
goes。”
“Butitneedsagreatdealofsupplementingbeforeanyonecould
offeranopinion。IthinkthatImayarriveatmyfactsmost
directlybyquestioningyou。”
“Praydoso。”
“WhendidyoufirstmeetMissHattyDoran？“
“InSanFrancisco，ayearago。”
“YouweretravellingintheStates？“
“Yes。”
“Didyoubecomeengagedthen？“
“No。”
“Butyouwereonafriendlyfooting？“
“Iwasamusedbyhersociety，andshecouldseethatIwasamused。”
“Herfatherisveryrich？“
“HeissaidtobetherichestmanonthePacificslope。”
“Andhowdidhemakehismoney？“
“Inmining。Hehadnothingafewyearsago。Thenhestruckgold，
investedit，andcameupbyleapsandbounds。”
“Now，whatisyourownimpressionastotheyounglady”s-yourwife”s
character？“
Thenoblemanswunghisglassesalittlefasterandstareddown
intothefire。“Yousee，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe，“mywifewastwenty
beforeherfatherbecamearichman。Duringthattimesheranfree
inaminingcampandwanderedthroughwoodsormountains，sothat
hereducationhascomefromNatureratherthanfromthe
schoolmaster。SheiswhatwecallinEnglandatomboy，withastrong
nature，wildandfree，unfetteredbyanysortoftraditions。Sheis
impetuous，volcanic，Iwasabouttosay。Sheisswiftinmakingupher
mindandfearlessincarryingoutherresolutions。Ontheother
hand，IwouldnothavegivenherthenamewhichIhavethehonourto
bear“-hegavealittlestatelycough-“hadnotIthoughthertobeat
bottomanoblewoman。Ibelievethatsheiscapableofheroic
self-sacrificeandthatanythingdishonourablewouldberepugnantto
her。”
“Haveyouherphotograph？“
“Ibroughtthiswithme。”Heopenedalocketandshowedusthe
fullfaceofaverylovelywoman。Itwasnotaphotographbutanivory
miniature，andtheartisthadbroughtoutthefulleffectofthe
lustrousblackhair，thelargedarkeyes，andtheexquisitemouth。
Holmesgazedlongandearnestlyatit。Thenheclosedthelocketand
handeditbacktoLordSt。Simon。
“TheyoungladycametoLondon，then，andyourenewedyour
acquaintance？“
“Yes，herfatherbroughtheroverforthislastLondonseason。Imet
herseveraltimes，becameengagedtoher，andhavenowmarriedher。”
“Shebrought，Iunderstand，aconsiderabledowry？“
“Afairdowry。Notmorethanisusualinmyfamily。”
“Andthis，ofcourse，remainstoyou，sincethemarriageisafait
accompli？“
“Ireallyhavemadenoinquiriesonthesubject。”
“Verynaturallynot。DidyouseeMissDoranonthedaybeforethe
wedding？“
“Yes。”
“Wassheingoodspirits？“
“Neverbetter。Shekepttalkingofwhatweshoulddoinourfuture
lives。”
“IndeedThatisveryinteresting。Andonthemorningofthe
wedding？“
“Shewasasbrightaspossible-atleastuntilaftertheceremony。”
“Anddidyouobserveanychangeinherthen？“
“Well，totellthetruth，IsawthenthefirstsignsthatIhadever
seenthathertemperwasjustalittlesharp。Theincident，however，
wastootrivialtorelateandcanhavenopossiblebearinguponthe
case。”
“Prayletushaveit，forallthat。”
“Oh，itischildish。Shedroppedherbouquetaswewenttowards
thevestry。Shewaspassingthefrontpewatthetime，anditfell
overintothepew。Therewasamoment”sdelay，butthegentlemanin
thepewhandedituptoheragain，anditdidnotappeartobethe
worseforthefall。YetwhenIspoketoherofthematter，she
answeredmeabruptly，andinthecarriage，onourwayhome，sheseemed
absurdlyagitatedoverthistriflingcause。”
“IndeedYousaythattherewasagentlemaninthepew。Someofthe
generalpublicwerepresent，then？“
“Oh，yes。Itisimpossibletoexcludethemwhenthechurchisopen。”
“Thisgentlemanwasnotoneofyourwife”sfriends？“
“No，no，Icallhimagentlemanbycourtesy，buthewasquitea
commonlookingperson。Ihardlynoticedhisappearance。ButreallyI
thinkthatwearewanderingratherfarfromthepoint。”
“LadySt。Simon，then，returnedfromtheweddinginaless
cheerfulframeofmindthanshehadgonetoit。Whatdidshedoon
reenteringherfather”shouse？“
“Isawherinconversationwithhermaid。”
“Andwhoishermaid？“
“Aliceishername。SheisanAmericanandcamefromCaliforniawith
her。”
“Aconfidentialservant？“
“Alittletoomuchso。Itseemedtomethathermistressallowedher
totakegreatliberties。Still，ofcourse，inAmericatheylookupon
thesethingsinadifferentway。
“HowlongdidshespeaktothisAlice？“
“Oh，afewminutes。Ihadsomethingelsetothinkof。”
“Youdidnotoverhearwhattheysaid？“
“LadySt。Simonsaidsomethingabout”jumpingaclaim。”Shewas
accustomedtouseslangofthekind。Ihavenoideawhatshemeant。”
“Americanslangisveryexpressivesometimes。Andwhatdidyourwife
dowhenshefinishedspeakingtohermaid？“
“Shewalkedintothebreakfast-room。”
“Onyourarm？“
“No，alone。Shewasveryindependentinlittlematterslikethat。
Then，afterwehadsatdownfortenminutesorso，sherosehurriedly，
mutteredsomewordsofapology，andlefttheroom。Shenevercame
back。”
“Butthismaid，Alice，asIunderstand，deposesthatshewenttoher
room，coveredherbride”sdresswithalongulster，putonabonnet，
andwentout。”
“Quiteso。AndshewasafterwardsseenwalkingintoHydeParkin
companywithFloraMillar，awomanwhoisnowincustody，andwho
hadalreadymadeadisturbanceatMr。Doran”shousethatmorning。”
“Ah，yes。Ishouldlikeafewparticularsastothisyounglady，and
yourrelationstoher。”
LordSt。Simonshruggedhisshouldersandraisedhiseyebrows。“We
havebeenonafriendlyfootingforsomeyears-Imaysayonavery
friendlyfooting。SheusedtobeattheAllegro。Ihavenottreated
herungenerously，andshehadnojustcauseofcomplaintagainstme，
butyouknowwhatwomenare，Mr。Holmes。Florawasadearlittle
thing，butexceedinglyhot-headedanddevotedlyattachedtome。She
wrotemedreadfulletterswhensheheardIwasabouttobemarried，
and，totellthetruth，thereasonwhyIhadthemarriagecelebrated
soquietlywasthatIfearedlesttheremightbeascandalinthe
church。ShecametoMr。Doran”sdoorjustafterwereturned，andshe
endeavouredtopushherwayin，utteringveryabusiveexpressionsmy
wife，andeventhreateningher，butIhadforeseenthepossibility
ofsomethingofthesort，andIhadtwopolicefellowstherein
privateclothes，whosoonpushedheroutagain。Shewasquietwhenshe
sawthattherewasnogoodinmakingarow。”
“Didyourwifehearallthis？“
“No，thankgoodness，shedidnot。”
“Andshewasseenwalkingwiththisverywomanafterwards？“
“Yes。ThatiswhatMr。Lestrade，ofScotlandYard，looksuponas
soserious。ItisthoughtthatFloradecoyedmywifeoutandlaidsome
terribletrapforher。”
“Well，itisapossiblesupposition。”
“Youthinkso，too？“
“Ididnotsayaprobableone。Butyoudonotyourselflookupon
thisaslikely？“
“IdonotthinkFlorawouldhurtafly。”
“Still，jealousyisastrangetransformerofcharacters。Praywhat
isyourowntheoryastowhattookplace？“
“Well，really，Icametoseekatheory，nottopropoundone。I
havegivenyouallthefacts。Sinceyouaskme，however，Imaysay
thatithasoccurredtomeaspossiblethattheexcitementofthis
affair，theconsciousnessthatshehadmadesoimmenseasocial
stride，hadtheeffectofcausingsomelittlenervousdisturbancein
mywife。”
“Inshort，thatshehadbecomesuddenlyderanged？“
“Well，really，whenIconsiderthatshehasturnedherback-Iwill
notsayuponme，butuponsomuchthatmanyhaveaspiredtowithout
success-Icanhardlyexplainitinanyotherfashion。”
“Well，certainlythatisalsoaconceivablehypothesis，“said
Holmes，smiling。“Andnow，LordSt。Simon，IthinkthatIhave
nearlyallmydata。MayIaskwhetheryouwereseatedatthe
breakfast-tablesothatyoucouldseeoutofthewindow？“
“WecouldseetheothersideoftheroadandthePark。”
“Quiteso。ThenIdonotthinkthatIneedtodetainyoulonger。I
shallcommunicatewithyou。”
“Shouldyoubefortunateenoughtosolvethisproblem，“saidour
client，rising。
“Ihavesolvedit。”
“Eh？Whatwasthat？“
“IsaythatIhavesolvedit。”
“Where，then，ismywife？“
“ThatisadetailwhichIshallspeedilysupply。”
LordSt。Simonshookhishead。“Iamafraidthatitwilltake
wiserheadsthanyoursormine，“heremarked，andbowinginastately，
old-fashionedmannerhedeparted。
“ItisverygoodofLordSt。Simontohonourmyheadbyputtingit
onalevelwithhisown，“saidSherlockHolmes，laughing。“Ithink
thatishallhaveawhiskyandsodaandacigarafterallthis
cross-questioning。Ihadformedmyconclusionsastothecasebefore
ourclientcameintotheroom。”
“MydearHolmes！“
“Ihavenotesofseveralsimilarcases，thoughnone，asIremarked
before，whichwerequiteasprompt。Mywholeexaminationservedto
turnmyconjectureintoacertainty。Circumstantialevidenceis
occasionallyveryconvincing，aswhenyoufindatroutinthemilk，to
quoteThoreau”sexample。”
“ButIhaveheardallthatyouhaveheard。”
“Without，however，theknowledgeofprexistingcaseswhichservesme
sowell。TherewasaparallelinstanceinAberdeensomeyearsback，
andsomethingonverymuchthesamelinesatMunichtheyearafterthe
Franco-PrussianWar。Itisoneofthesecases-but，hello，hereis
Lestrade！Good-afternoon，Lestrade！Youwillfindanextratumbler
uponthesideboard，andtherearecigarsinthebox。”
Theofficialdetectivewasattiredinapea-jacketandcravat
whichgavehimadecidedlynauticalappearance，andhecarriedablack
canvasbaginhishand。Withashortgreetingheseatedhimselfand
litthecigarwhichhadbeenofferedtohim。
“What”sup，then？“askedHolmeswithatwinkleinhiseye。“Youlook
dissatisfied。”
“AndIfeeldissatisfied。ItisthisinfernalSt。Simonmarriage
case。Icanmakeneitherheadnortailofthebusiness。”
“Really！Yousurpriseme。”
“Whoeverheardofsuchamixedaffair？Everyclueseemstoslip
throughmyfingers。Ihavebeenatworkuponitallday。”
“Andverywetitseemstohavemadeyou，“saidHolmes，layinghis
handuponthearmofthepea-jacket。
“Yes，IhavebeendraggingtheSerpentine。”
“Inheaven”sname，whatfor？“
“InsearchofthebodyofladySt。Simon。”
SherlockHolmesleanedbackinhischairandlaughedheartily。
“HaveyoudraggedthebasinofTrafalgarSquarefountain？“heasked。
“Why？Whatdoyoumean？“
“Becauseyouhavejustasgoodachanceoffindingthisladyin
theoneasintheother。”
Lestradeshotanangryglanceatmycompanion。“Isupposeyouknow
allaboutit“hesnarled。
“Well，Ihaveonlyjustheardthefacts，butmymindismadeup。”
“Oh，indeed！ThenyouthinkthattheSerpentineplaysnopartinthe
matter？“
“Ithinkitveryunlikely。”
“Thenperhapsyouwillkindlyexplainhowitisthatwefoundthis
init？“Heopenedhisbagashespoke，andtumbledontothefloora
wedding-dressofwateredsilk，apairofwhitesatinshoes，anda
bride”swreathandveil，alldiscolouredandsoakedinwater。“There，“
saidhe，puttinganewwedding-ringuponthetopofthepile。“There
isalittlenutforyoutocrack，MasterHolmes。”
“Oh，indeed！“saidmyfriend，blowingblueringsintotheair。
“YoudraggedthemfromtheSerpentine？“
“No。Theywerefoundfloatingnearthemarginbyapark-keeper。They
havebeenidentifiedasherclothes，anditseemedtomethatifthe
clothesweretherethebodywouldnotbefaroff。”
“Bythesamebrilliantreasoning，everyman”sbodyistobefoundin
theneighbourhoodofhiswardrobe。Andpraywhatdidyouhopeto
arriveatthroughthis？“
“AtsomeevidenceimplicatingFloraMillarinthedisappearance。”
“Iamafraidthatyouwillfinditdifficult。”
“Areyou，indeed，now？“criedLestradewithsomebitterness。Iam
afraid，Holmes，thatyouarenotverypracticalwithyourdeductions
andyourinferences。Youhavemadetwoblundersinasmanyminutes。
ThisdressdoesimplicateMissFloraMillar。”
“Andhow？“
“Inthedressisapocket。Inthepocketisacard-case。Inthe
card-caseisanote。Andhereistheverynote。”Heslappeditdown
uponthetableinfrontofhim。“Listentothis：
“Youwillseemewhenallisready。Comeatonce。”F。H。M。”
NowmytheoryallalonghasbeenthatLadySt。Simonwasdecoyed
awaybyFloraMillar，andthatshe，withconfederates，nodoubt，was
responsibleforherdisappearance。Here，signedwithherinitials，
istheverynotewhichwasnodoubtquietlyslippedintoherhandat
thedoorandwhichluredherwithintheirreach。”
“Verygood，Lestrade，“saidHolmes，laughing。“Youreallyarevery
fineindeed。Letmeseeit。”Hetookupthepaperinalistlessway，
buthisattentioninstantlybecameriveted，andhegavealittlecry
ofsatisfaction。“Thisisindeedimportant，“saidhe。
“Ha！youfinditso？“
“Extremelyso。Icongratulateyouwarmly。”
Lestraderoseinhistriumphandbenthisheadtolook。“Why，“he
shrieked，“you”relookingatthewrongside！“
“Onthecontrary，thisistherightside。”
“Therightside？You”remad！Hereisthenotewritteninpencilover
here。”
“Andoverhereiswhatappearstobethefragmentofahotelbill，
whichinterestsmedeeply。”
“There”snothinginit。Ilookedatitbefore，“saidLestrade。
“Oct。4th，rooms8s。，breakfast2s。6d。，cocktail1s。，lunch2S。
6d。，glasssherry，8d。”
“Iseenothinginthat。”
“Verylikelynot。Itismostimportant，allthesame。Astothe
note，itisimportantalso，oratleasttheinitialsare，soI
congratulateyouagain。”
“I”vewastedtimeenough，“saidLestrade，rising。“Ibelieveinhard
workandnotinsittingbythefirespinningfinetheories。
Good-day，Mr。Holmes，andweshallseewhichgetstothebottomofthe
matterfirst。”Hegatheredupthegarments，thrustthemintothe
bag，andmadeforthedoor。
“Justonehinttoyou，Lastrade，“drawledHolmesbeforehisrival
vanished；“Iwilltellyouthetruesolutionofthematter。LadySt。
Simonisamyth。Thereisnot，andthereneverhasbeen，anysuch
person。”
Lestradelookedsadlyatmycompanion。Thenheturnedtome，
tappedhisforeheadthreetimes，shookhisheadsolemnly，and
hurriedaway。
HehadhardlyshutthedoorbehindhimwhenHolmesrosetoputon
hisovercoat。“Thereissomethinginwhatthefellowsaysabout
outdoorwork，“heremarked，“soIthink，Watson，thatImustleaveyou
toyourpapersforalittle。”
Itwasafterfiveo”clockwhenSherlockHolmesleftme，butIhadno
timetobelonely，forwithinanhourtherearrivedaconfectioners
manwithaverylargeflatbox。Thisheunpackedwiththehelpofa
youthwhomhehadbroughtwithhim，andpresently，tomyverygreat
astonishment，aquiteepicureanlittlecoldsupperbegantobelaid
outuponourhumblelodging-housemahogany。Therewereacoupleof
braceofcoldwoodcock，apheasant，apatedefoiegraspiewitha
groupofancientandcobwebbybottles。Havinglaidoutallthese
luxuries，mytwovisitorsvanishedaway，likethegeniioftheArabian
Nights，withnoexplanationsavethatthethingshadbeenpaidforand
wereorderedtothisaddress。
Justbeforenineo”clockSherlockHolmessteppedbrisklyintothe
room。Hisfeaturesweregravelysetbuttherewasalightinhiseye
whichmademethinkthathehadnotbeendisappointedinhis
conclusions。
“Theyhavelaidthesupper，then，“hesaid，rubbinghishands。
“Youseemtoexpectcompany。Theyhavelaidforfive。”
“Yes，Ifancywemayhavesomecompanydroppingin，“saidhe。“I
amsurprisedthatLordSt。Simonhasnotalreadyarrived。Ha！I
fancythatIhearhisstepnowuponthestairs。”
Itwasindeedourvisitoroftheafternoonwhocamebustlingin，
danglinghisglassesmorevigorouslythanever，andwithavery
perturbedexpressionuponhisaristocraticfeatures。
“Mymessengerreachedyou，then？“askedHolmes。
“Yes，andIconfessthatthecontentsstartledmebeyondmeasure。
Haveyougoodauthorityforwhatyousay？“
“Thebestpossible。”
LordSt。Simonsankintoachairandpassedhishandoverhis
foreheadauthority
“WhatwilltheDukesay，“hemurmured，“whenhehearsthatoneof
thefamilyhasbeensubjectedtosuchhumiliation？“
“Itisthepurestaccident。Icannotallowthatthereisany
humiliation。”
“Ah，youlookonthesethingsfromanotherstandpoint。”
“Ifailtoseethatanyoneistoblame。Icanhardlyseehowthe
ladycouldhaveactedotherwise，thoughherabruptmethodofdoing
itwasundoubtedlytoberegretted。Havingnomother，shehadnoone
toadviseheratsuchacrisis。”
“Itwasaslight，sir，apublicslight，“saidLordSt。Simon，
tappinghisfingersuponthetable。
“Youmustmakeallowanceforthispoorgirl，placedinso
unprecedented。aposition。”
“Iwillmakenoallowance。Iamveryangryindeed，andIhavebeen
shamefullyused。”
“IthinkthatIheardaring，“saidHolmes。“Yes，therearestepson
thelanding。IfIcannotpersuadeyoutotakealenientviewofthe
matter，LordSt。Simon，Ihavebroughtanadvocateherewhomaybe
moresuccessful。”Heopenedthedoorandusheredinaladyand
gentleman。“LordSt。Simon，“saidhe，“allowmetointroduceyouto
Mr。andMrs。FrancisHayMoulton。Thelady，Ithink，youhave
alreadymet。”
Atthesightofthesenewcomersourclienthadsprungfromhis
seatandstoodveryerect，withhiseyescastdownandhishandthrust
intothebreastofhisfrock-coat，apictureofoffendeddignity。
Theladyhadtakenaquickstepforward，buthadheldoutherhand
tohim，buthestillrefusedtoraisehiseyes。Itwasaswellforhis
resolution，perhaps，forherpleadingfacewasonewhichitwashard
toresist。
“You”reangry，Robert，“saidshe。“Well，Iguessyouhaveevery
causetobe。”
“Praymakenoapologytome，“saidLordSt。Simonbitterly。
“Oh，yes，IknowthatIhavetreatedyourealbadandthatI
shouldhavespokentoyoubeforeIwent；butIwaskindofrattled，
andfromthetimewhenIsawFrankhereagainIjustdidn”tknow
whatIwasdoingorsaying。IonlywonderIdidn”tfalldownanddo
afaintrighttherebeforethealtar。”
“Perhaps，Mrs。Moulton，youwouldlikemyfriendandmetoleavethe
roomwhileyouexplainthismatter？“
“IfImaygiveanopinion，“remarkedthestrangegentleman，“we”ve
hadjustalittletoomuchsecrecyoverthisbusinessalready。For
mypart，IshouldlikeallEuropeandAmericatoheartherightsof
it。”Hewasasmall，wiry，sunburntman，clean-shaven，withasharp
faceandalertmanner。
“ThenI”lltellourstoryrightaway，“saidthelady。“Frankhere
andImetin”84，inMcQuire”scamp，neartheRockies，wherepawas
workingaclaim。Wewereengagedtoeachother，FrankandI；but
thenonedayfatherstruckarichpocketandmadeapile，whilepoor
Frankherehadaclaimthatpeteredoutandcametonothing。The
richerpagrewthepoorerwasFrank；soatlastpawouldn”thearof
ourengagementlastinganylonger，andhetookmeawayto”Frisco。
Frankwouldn”tthrowuphishand，though；sohefollowedmethere，and
hesawmewithoutpaknowinganythingaboutit。Itwouldonlyhave
madehimmadtoknow，sowejustfixeditallupforourselves。
Franksaidthathewouldgoandmakehispile，too，andnevercome
backtoclaimmeuntilhehadasmuchaspa。SothenIpromisedto
waitforhimtotheendoftimeandpledgedmyselfnottomarryanyone
elsewhilehelived。”Whyshouldn”twebemarriedrightaway，then”
saidhe，”andthenIwillfeelsureofyou；andIwon”tclaimtobe
yourhusbanduntilIcomeback？”Well，wetalkeditover，andhehad
fixeditallupsonicely，withaclergymanallreadyinwaiting，that
wejustdiditrightthere；andthenFrankwentofftoseekhis
fortune，andIwentbacktopa。