Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the bridegroom, instantly putthemselves in communication with the police, and very energeticinquiries are being made, which will probably result in a speedyclearing up of this very singular business. Up to a late hour lastnight, however, nothing had transpired as to the whereabouts of themissing lady. There are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it issaid that the police have caused the arrest of the woman who hadcaused the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy orsome other motive, she may have been concerned in the strangedisappearance of the bride.’?”
“And is that all?”
“Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it isa 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 adanseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroomfor some years. There are no further particulars, and the wholecase is in your hands now—so far as it has been set forth in thepublic press.”
“And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I wouldnot 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 haveno doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not dreamof going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, if onlyas a check to my own memory.”
“Lord Robert St. Simon,” announced our page-boy, throwingopen the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, culturedface, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulanceabout the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a manwhose pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed.
His manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave anundue impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and alittle bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he sweptoff his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges andthin upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge offoppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat,yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Headvanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to right,and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his goldeneyeglasses.
“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 matterover.”
“A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine,Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that youhave already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, thoughI 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 tothe affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise toyou in yours.”
“Of course! Very right! very right! I’m sure I beg pardon. As tomy own case, I am ready to give you any information which mayassist you in forming an opinion.”
“Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the publicprints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct—thisarticle, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride.”
Lord St. Simon glanced over it. “Yes, it is correct, as far as itgoes.”
“But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyonecould offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts mostdirectly 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 wasamused.”
“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 struckgold, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds.”
“Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady’s—yourwife’s character?”
The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared downinto the fire. “You see, Mr. Holmes,” said he, “my wife was twentybefore her father became a rich man. During that time she ranfree in a mining camp and wandered through woods or mountains,so that her education has come from Nature rather than fromthe schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with astrong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of traditions.
She is impetuous—volcanic, I was about to say. She is swift inmaking up her mind and fearless in carrying out her resolutions.
On the other hand, I would not have given her the name which Ihave the honour to bear”—he gave a little stately cough—“had Inot thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I believe that sheis capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that anything dishonourablewould be repugnant to her.”
“Have you her photograph?”
“I brought this with me.” He opened a locket and showed usthe full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph butan ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effectof the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the exquisitemouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he closed thelocket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon.
“The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed youracquaintance?”
“Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season.
I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have nowmarried 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 faitaccompli?”
“I really have made no inquiries on the subject.”
“Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day beforethe wedding?”
“Yes.”