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"Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here.

Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and

you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for

my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have

no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!"

We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its

own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and

springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding

gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door

flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad

in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy

pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure

outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one

half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head

and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing

question.