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it must be someone from America because she had spent so short a
time in this country that she could hardly have allowed anyone to
acquire so deep an influence over her that the mere sight of him would
induce her to change her plans so completely。 You see we have
already arrived； by a process of exclusion； at the idea that she might
have seen an American。 Then who could this American be； and why should
he possess so much influence over her？ It might be a lover； it might
be a husband。 Her young womanhood had； I knew； been spent in rough
scenes and under strange conditions。 So far I had got before I ever
heard Lord St。 Simon's narrative。 When he told us of a man in a pew；
of the change in the bride's manner； of so transparent a device for
obtaining a note as the dropping of a bouquet； of her resort to her
confidential maid； and of her very significant allusion to
claim…jumping…which in miners' parlance means taking possession of
that which another person has a prior claim to…the whole situation
became absolutely clear。 She had gone off with a man； and the man
was either a lover or was a previous husband…the chances being in
favour of the latter。〃
〃And how in the world did you find them？〃
〃It might have been difficult； but friend Lestrade held
information in his hands the value of which he did not himself know。
The initials were； of course； of the highest importance； but more
valuable still was it to know that within a week he had settled his
bill at one of the most select London hotels。〃
〃How did you deduce the select？〃
〃By the select prices。 Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence
for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hotels。
There are not many in London which charge at that rate。 In the
second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue； I learned by an
inspection of the book that Francis H。 Moulton； an American gentleman；
had left only the day before； and on looking over the entries
against him； I came upon the very items which I had seen in the
duplicate bill。 His letters were to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square；
so thither I travelled； and being fortunate enough to find the
loving couple at home； I ventured to give them some paternal advice
and to point out to them that it would be better in every way that
they should make their position a little clearer both to the general
public and to Lord St。 Simon in particular。 I invited them to meet him
here； and； as you see； I made him keep the appointment。〃
〃But with no very good result；〃 I remarked。 〃His conduct was
certainly not very gracious。〃
〃Ah。 Watson；〃 said Holmes； smiling； 〃perhaps you would not be very
gracious either； if； after all the trouble of wooing and wedding；
you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fortune。 I
think that we may judge Lord St。 Simon very mercifully and thank our
stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the same position。
Draw your chair up and hand me my violin； for the only problem we have
still to solve is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings。〃
…THE END…
。