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the adventure of the noble bachelor-第2部分
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graceful figure and striking face attracted much attention at the
Westbury House festivities; is an only child; and it is currently
reported that her dowry will run to considerably over the six figures;
with expectancies for the future。 As it is an open secret that the
Duke of Balmoral has been compelled to sell his pictures within the
last few years; and as Lord St。 Simon has no property of his own
save the small estate of Birchmoor; it is obvious that the Californian
heiress is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to
make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a
British peeress。〃
〃Anything else?〃 asked Holmes; yawning。
〃Oh; yes; plenty。 Then there is another note in the Morning Post
to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one; that it
would be at St。 George's; Hanover Square; that only half a dozen
intimate friends would be invited; and that the party would return
to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been taken by Mr。
Aloysius Doran。 Two days later…that is; on Wednesday last there is a
curt announcement that the wedding had taken place; and that the
honeymoon would be passed at Lord Backwater's place; near Petersfield。
Those are all the notices which appeared before the disappearance of
the bride。〃
〃Before the what?〃 asked Holmes with a start。
〃The vanishing of the lady。〃
〃When did she vanish then?〃
〃At the wedding breakfast。〃
〃Indeed。 This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite
dramatic; in fact。〃
〃Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common。〃
〃They often vanish before the ceremony; and occasionally during
the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt as
this。 Pray let me have the details。〃
〃I warn you that they are very incomplete。〃
〃Perhaps we may make them less so。〃
〃Such as they are; they are set forth in a single article of a
morning paper of yesterday; which I will read to you。 It is headed;
'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding':
〃The family of Lord Robert St。 Simon has been thrown into the
greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which
have taken place in connection with his wedding。 The ceremony; as
shortly announced in the papers of yesterday; occurred on the previous
morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to confirm the
strange rumours which have been so persistently floating about。 In
spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the matter up; so much
public attention has now been drawn to it that no good purpose can
be served by affecting to disregard what is a common subject for
conversation。
〃The ceremony; which was performed at St。 George's; Hanover
Square; was a very quiet one; no one being present save the father
of the bride; Mr。 Aloysius Doran; the Duchess of Balmoral; Lord
Backwater; Lord Eustace; and Lady Clara St。 Simon (the younger brother
and sister of the bridegroom); and Lady Alicia Whittington。 The
whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Mr。 Aloysius Doran;
at Lancaster Gate; where breakfast had been prepared。 It appears
that some little trouble was caused by a woman; whose name has not
been ascertained; who endeavoured to force her way into the house
after the bridal party; alleging that she had some claim upon Lord St。
Simon。 It was only after a painful and prolonged scene that she was
ejected by the butler and the footman。 The bride; who had
fortunately entered the house before this unpleasant interruption; had
sat down to breakfast with the rest; when she complained of a sudden
indisposition and retired to her room。 Her prolonged absence having
caused some comment; her father followed her; but learned from her
maid that she had only come up to her chamber for an instant; caught
up an ulster and bonnet; and hurried down to the passage。 One of the
footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus
apparelled; but had refused to credit that it was his mistress;
believing her to be with the company。 On ascertaining that his
daughter had disappeared; Mr。 Aloysius Doran; in conjunction with
the bridegroom; instantly put themselves in communication with the
police; and very energetic inquiries are being made; which will
probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very singular
business。 Up to a late hour last night; however; nothing had
transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady。 There are
rumours of foul play in the matter; and it is said that the police
have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the original
disturbance; in the belief that; from jealousy or some other motive;
she may have been concerned in the strange disappearance of the
bride。〃
〃And is that all?〃
〃Only one little item in another of the morning papers; but it is
a suggestive one。〃
〃And it is…〃
〃That Miss Flora Millar; the lady who had caused the disturbance;
has actually been arrested。 It appears that she was formerly a
danseuse at the Allegro; and that she has known the bridegroom for
some years。 There are no further particulars; and the whole case is in
your hands now…so far as it has been set forth in the public press。〃
〃And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be。 I would not
have missed it for worlds。 But there is a ring at the bell; Watson;
and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four; I have no doubt
that this will prove to be our noble client。 Do not dream of going;
Watson; for I very much prefer having a witness; if only as a check to
my own memory。〃
〃Lord Robert St。 Simon;〃 announced our page…boy; throwing open the
door。 A gentleman entered; with a pleasant; cultured face;
high…nosed and pale; with something perhaps of petulance about the
mouth; and with the steady; well…opened eye of a man whose pleasant
lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed。 His manner was
brisk; and yet his general appearance gave an undue impression of age;
for he had a slight forward stoop and a little bend of the knees as he
walked。 His hair; too; as he swept off his very curly…brimmed hat
was grizzled round the edges and thin upon the top。 As to his dress;
it was careful to the verge of foppishness; with high collar; black
frock…coat; white waistcoat; yellow gloves; patent leather shoes;
and light…coloured gaiters。 He advanced slowly into the room;
turning his head from left to right; and swinging in his right hand
the cord which held his golden eyeglasses。
〃Good…day; Lord St。 Simon;〃 said Holmes; rising and bowing。 〃Pray
take the basket…chair。 This is my friend and colleague; Dr。 Watson。
Draw up a little to the fire; and we will talk this matter over。〃
〃A most painful matter to me; as you can most readily imagine; Mr。
Holmes。 I have been cut to the quick。 I understand that you have
already managed several delicate cases of this sort; sir; though I
presume that they were hardly from the same class of society。〃
〃No; I am descending。〃
〃I beg pardon。〃
〃My last client of the sort was a king。〃
〃Oh; really! I had no idea。 And which king?〃
〃The King of
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