The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes 3)

"The King of Scandinavia."

"What! Had he lost his wife?"

"You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to theaffairs 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 anyone couldoffer 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 struck gold,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 wastwenty before her father became a rich man. During that time sheran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods ormountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather thanfrom the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy,with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort oftraditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. Sheis swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out herresolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her thename which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little statelycough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. Ibelieve that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and thatanything dishonourable would be repugnant to her."

"Have you her photograph?"

"I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us thefull face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but anivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effectof the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and theexquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then heclosed the locket 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. Imet 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 afait accompli?"

"I really have made no inquiries o