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 to

the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do tell him that I know him

to be innocent.”


“I will, Miss Turner.”


“I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I leave

him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking.” She hurried from

the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we heard the wheels of her

carriage rattle off down the street.


“I am ashamed of you, Holmes,” said Lestrade with dignity after a

few minutes’ silence. “Why should you raise up hopes which you are

bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I call it cruel.”