Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had
listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this long
narrative.
Excuse me, he said, but it is not my custom to discuss my most
intimate personal affairs in this public manner.
Then you won t forgive me? You won t shake hands before I go?
Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure. He put out his hand
and coldly grasped that which she extended to him.
I had hoped, suggested Holmes, that you would have joined us in a
friendly supper.
I think that there you ask a little too much, responded his Lordship.
I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent developments, but I can
hardly be expected to make merry over them. I think that with your
permission I will now wish you all a very good-night. He included us
all in a sweeping bow and stalked out of the room.
Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your company, said
Sherlock Holmes. It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton,
for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the
blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our
children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country
under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the
Stars and Stripes.
The case has been an interesting one, remarked Holmes when our
visitors had left us, because it serves to show very clearly how
simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seems
to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural than the
sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stranger than
the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lestrade of Scotland
Yard.
You were not yourself at fault at all, then?
243