The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 44 (1/2)
Lestrade looked sadly at my companion Then he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hurried away
He had hardly shut the door behind hi in what the fellow says about outdoor work,” he remarked, ”so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your papers for a little”
It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a confectioner's e flat box This he unpacked with the help of a youth whoreat astonishan to be laid out upon our huany There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock, a pheasant, a pate de foie gras pie with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles Having laid out all these luxuries, enii of the Arabian Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid for and were ordered to this address
Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holravely set, but there was a light in his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions
”They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rubbing his hands
”You seem to expect company They have laid for five”
”Yes, I fancy wein,” said he ”I am surprised that Lord St Simon has not already arrived Ha! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs”
It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who caorously than ever, and with a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features
”My er reached you, then?” asked Holmes
”Yes, and I confess that the contents startled ood authority for what you say?”
”The best possible”
Lord St Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his forehead
”What will the Duke say,” he murmured, ”when he hears that one of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?”
”It is the purest accident I cannot allow that there is any hus from another standpoint”
”I fail to see that anyone is to blame I can hardly see how the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abruptno mother, she had no one to advise her at such a crisis”
”It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord St Siers upon the table
”You irl, placed in so unprecedented a position”
”I will ry indeed, and I have been sha,” said Hol If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the ht an advocate here who may be more successful” He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman ”Lord St Simon,” said he ”allow me to introduce you to Mr and Mrs Francis Hay Moulton The lady, I think, you have already ht of these newco from his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dignity The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist
”You're angry, Robert,” said she ”Well, I guess you have every cause to be”
”Pray y to me,” said Lord St Simon bitterly
”Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rattled, and froain I just didn't knohat I was doing or saying I only wonder I didn't fall down and do a faint right there before the altar”