Picture Dictionary & Books : Free for English Learner!

"This is my old friend and associate, Dr. Watson, who is helping us in this affair."

The stranger held out a huge, sunburned hand, with a few words of apology.

"I hope I didn't harm you.

When you accused me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself.

Indeed, I'm not responsible in these days.

My nerves are like live wires.

But this situation is beyond me.

What I want to know, in the first place, Mr. Holmes, is, how in the world you came to hear of my existence at all."

"I am in touch with Miss Dobney, Lady Frances's governess."

"Old Susan Dobney with the mob cap! I remember her well."

"And she remembers you. It was in the days before-before you found it better to go to South Africa."

"Ah, I see you know my whole story.

I need hide nothing from you.

I swear to you, Mr. Holmes, that there never was in this world a man who loved a woman with a more wholehearted love than I had for Frances.

I was a wild youngster, I know-not worse than others of my class.

But her mind was pure as snow.

She could not bear a shadow of coarseness.

So, when she came to hear of things that I had done, she would have no more to say to me.

And yet she loved me-that is the wonder of it!-loved me well enough to remain single all her sainted days just for my sake alone.

When the years had passed and I had made my money at Barberton I thought perhaps I could seek her out and soften her.

I had heard that she was still unmarried, I found her at Lausanne and tried all I knew.

She weakened, I think, but her will was strong, and when next I called she had left the town.

I traced her to Baden, and then after a time heard that her maid was here.

I'm a rough fellow, fresh from a rough life, and when Dr. Watson spoke to me as he did I lost hold of myself for a moment.

But for God's sake tell me what has become of the Lady Frances."