Holmes was endeavouring to utter a few words of
consolation, and to explain the alarm which had been caused to
his friends by his sudden disappearance, when there was a step
upon the stairs, and there was the heavy, stern, questioning
face of Dr. Armstrong at the door.
"So, gentlemen," said he, "you have attained your end, and
have certainly chosen a particularly delicate moment for your
intrusion. I would not brawl in the presence of death, but I can
assure you that if I were a younger man your monstrous conduct
would not pass with impunity."
"Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, I think we are a little at
cross-purposes," said my friend, with dignity. "If you could
step downstairs with us we may each be able to give some light
to the other upon this miserable affair."
A minute later the grim doctor and ourselves were in the
sitting-room below.
"Well, sir?" said he.
"I wish you to understand, in the first place, that I am not
employed by Lord Mount-James, and that my sympathies in this
matter are entirely against that nobleman. When a man is lost it
is my duty to ascertain his fate, but having done so the matter
ends so far as I am concerned; and so long as there is nothing
criminal, I am much more anxious to hush up private scandals than
to give them publicity.
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