Sherlock Holmes Investigates

 

Our visitor continued her story. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, who I have known for many years, has done me the honour of asking for my hand. My stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to be married in the spring. Two days ago, some repairs were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom wall was damaged, so that I have had to move into the same room as that in which my sister died. Indeed I now sleep in the same bed as that in which she slept."

"Imagine then, my terror when, last night, as I lay awake, thinking over my sister’s terrible end, I suddenly heard in the night the low whistle which had announced her own death. I jumped up and lit the lamp, but there was nothing in the room. I was too shaken to go to bed again, so I dressed, and as soon as it was daylight, I went down, took a carriage from the inn to the station, and came here with the one idea of seeing you and asking for your advice."

"You have done wisely", said Holmes "but you have not told me all."

Vocabulary:

Ask for someone's hand: To ask someone to marry you.
Wing: Here, one side of a large house.
End: Here this means death.
Shaken: Frightened and upset.
Carriage: Here, it means a vehicle pulled by horses.
Inn: A hotel used by travellers. Often including a pub.