صفحة 579 من 657

"Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was

empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to

her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had

married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was

thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers

in this note:

"'MY DEAREST UNCLE,-I feel that I have brought trouble upon you,

and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune

might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my

mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must

leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is

provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will

be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in

death, I am ever your loving,

"'MARY.'

"What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it

points to suicide?"