It is true that I loved this lady, but from the day when she chose my friend McPherson my one desire was to help her to happiness. I was well content to stand aside and act as their go-between. Often I carried their messages, and it was because I was in their confidence and because she was so dear to me that I hastened to tell her of my friend�s death, lest someone should forestall me in a more sudden and heartless manner. She would not tell you, sir, of our relations lest you should disapprove and I might suffer. But with your leave I must try to get back to The Gables, for my bed will be very welcome.�

Stackhurst held out his hand. �Our nerves have all been at concert-pitch,� said he. �Forgive what is past, Murdoch. We shall understand each other better in the future.� They passed out together with their arms linked in friendly fashion. The inspector remained, staring at me in silence with his ox-like eyes.

�Well, you�ve done it!� he cried at last. �I had read of you, but I never believed it. It�s wonderful!�

I was forced to shake my head. To accept such praise was to lower one�s own standards.

�I was slow at the outset � culpably slow. Had the body been found in the water I could hardly have missed it. It was the towel which misled me. The poor fellow had never thought to dry himself, and so I in turn was led to believe that he had never been in the water. Why, then, should the attack of any water creature suggest itself to me? That was where I went astray. Well, well, Inspector, I often ventured to chaff you gentlemen of the police force, but Cyanea capillata very nearly avenged Scotland Yard.�

Sherlock Holmes
Classic Literature Library

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