With a few further words of thanks, she left our sitting room and made her way down the stairs. When we were alone once more, I walked to the window and watched the young lady become lost in the crowds of London. ‘She seems to be a very brave and capable young woman, Holmes.’
‘She may need to be,’ replied my companion. ‘I shall be very surprised if we do not hear from her before many days have passed.’
It was not very long before my friend’s prediction was fulfilled. It was the following week when we received a telegram from the local police inspector. Holmes let out a fierce snarl of retribution when he read it and tossed it over to me. It was terse and business-like and it ran thus:
‘Please come to Mornington immediately. Grave news in relation to your case of Lanyon. Full details whe
