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could get away from London, he determined to head me off at the next obvious point of my travels. In the disguise of a working-man he had sat in the cabaret waiting for my appearance. And a singularly consistent investigation you have made, my dear Watson, said he. I cannot at the moment recall any possible blunder which you have omitted. The total effect of your proceedings has been to give the alarm everywhere and yet to discover nothing. Perhaps you would have done no better, I answered, bitterly. There is no perhaps about it. I have done better. Here is the Hon. Philip Green, who is a fellow- lodger with you in this hotel, and we may find in him the starting-point for a more successful investigation. A card had come up on a salver, and it was followed by the same bearded ruffian who had attacked me in the street. He started when he saw me. What is this, Mr Holmes? he asked. I had your note and I have come. But what has this man to do with the matter? This is my old friend and associate, Dr Watson, who is helping us in this affair. The stranger held out a huge, sunburned hand, with a few words of apology. I hope I didnt harm you. When you accused me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself. Indeed, Im not responsible in these days. My nerves are like live wires. But this situation is beyond me. What I want to know, in the first place, Mr Holmes, is, how in the world you came to hear of my existence at all. I am in touch with Miss Dobney, Lady Francess governess. Old Susan Dobney with the mob cap! I remember her well. And she remembers you. It was in the days beforebefore you found it better to go to South Africa. Ah, I see you know my whole story. I need hide nothing from you. I swear to you, Mr Holmes, that there never was in this world a man who loved a woman with a more whole-hearted love than I had for Frances. I was a wild youngster, I knownot worse than others of my class. But her mind was pure as snow. She could not bear a shadow of coarseness. So, when she came to hear of things that I had done, she would have no more to say to me. And yet she loved methat is the wonder of it!loved me well enough to remain single all her sainted days just for my sake alone. When the years had passed and I had made my money at Barberton I thought perhaps I could seek her out and soften her. I had heard that she was still unmarried. I found her at Lausanne, and tried all I knew. She weakened, I think, but her will was strong, and when next I called she had left the town. I traced her to Baden, and then after a time heard that her maid was here. Im a rough fellow, fresh from a rough life, and when Dr Watson spoke to me as he did I lost hold of myself for a moment. But for Gods sake tell me what has become of the Lady Frances. That is for us to find out, said Sherlock Holmes, with peculiar gravity. What is your London address, Mr Green? The Langham Hotel will find me. Then may I recommend that you return there and be on hand in case I should want you? I have no desire to encourage false hopes, but you may rest assured that all that can be done will be done for the safety of Lady Frances. I can say no more for the instant. I will leave you this card so that you may be able to keep in touch with us. Now, Watson, if you will pack your bag I will cable to Mrs Hudson to make one of her best efforts for two hungry travellers at seven-thirty tomorrow. |
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