It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had many
disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that there should
be a marriage between us. James and I have always loved each other as
brother and sister; but of course he is young and has seen very little
of life yet, and and well, he naturally did not wish to do anything
like that yet. So there were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of
them.
And your father? asked Holmes. Was he in favour of such a union?
No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in favour of
it. A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes shot one
of his keen, questioning glances at her.
Thank you for this information, said he. May I see your father if I
call to-morrow?
I am afraid the doctor won t allow it.
The doctor?
Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for years
back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to his bed,
and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his nervous system is
shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive who had known dad in the
old days in Victoria.
Ha! In Victoria! That is important.
Yes, at the mines.
Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner made
his money.
Yes, certainly.
Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to me.
You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you will go
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