of course, one can t refuse a lady, and such a very positive one, too.
She has heard of you, and would have your opinion, though I repeatedly
told her that there was nothing which you could do which I had not
already done. Why, bless my soul! here is her carriage at the door.
He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the most
lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her violet eyes
shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cheeks, all thought of
her natural reserve lost in her overpowering excitement and concern.
Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes! she cried, glancing from one to the other of
us, and finally, with a woman s quick intuition, fastening upon my
companion, I am so glad that you have come. I have driven down to tell
you so. I know that James didn t do it. I know it, and I want you to
start upon your work knowing it, too. Never let yourself doubt upon
that point. We have known each other since we were little children, and
I know his faults as no one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to
hurt a fly. Such a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him.
I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner, said Sherlock Holmes. You may
rely upon my doing all that I can.
But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Do
you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself think that he
is innocent?
I think that it is very probable.
There, now! she cried, throwing back her head and looking defiantly
at Lestrade. You hear! He gives me hopes.
Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. I am afraid that my colleague has
been a little quick in forming his conclusions, he said.
But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did it. And
about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the reason why he
would not speak about it to the coroner was because I was concerned in
it.
In what way? asked Holmes.
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