A Study in Terror by Ellery Queen Page A

with Lord Carfax and Miss Sally Young. The latter gave me a smile of welcome. “Dr. Watson, may I fetch you a cup of tea?”
    I declined with thanks, and Holmes spoke crisply. “You arrive fortuitously, Watson. Lord Carfax is about to tender some information.” His Lordship looked a trifle dubious. “You may speak before my colleague in complete confidence, your Lordship.”
    â€œVery well. I was about to relate, Mr. Holmes, Michael left London for Paris some two years ago. I expected him to live a licentious life in that most licentious of cities, but I strove to keep in touch with him, nonetheless; and I was both surprised and gratified to learn that he had entered the Sorbonne to study medicine. We maintained a correspondence, and I became optimistic as to his future. He appeared to have turned a new leaf.” At this point, his Lordship’s eyes lowered, and a great sadness came over his sensitive face. “But then, disaster struck. I was stunned to learn that Michael had married a woman of the streets.”
    â€œDid you meet her, my lord?”
    â€œNever, Mr. Holmes! I frankly admit that I had little stomach for a face-to-face encounter. It is true, however, that I would have confronted the woman, had the opportunity arisen.”
    â€œHow, then, do you know she was a prostitute? Your brother would hardly have included such an item in his bill of particulars when he informed you of his marriage.”
    â€œMy brother did not inform me. I received the information in a letter from one of his fellow-students, a person I had never met, but whose written word reflected an earnest interest in Michael’s welfare. This gentleman acquainted me with Angela Osbourne’s calling, and suggested that, if I had my brother’s future at heart, I should leave for Paris immediately and try to repair his fortunes before they were irretrievably destroyed.”
    â€œYou informed your father of this communication?”
    â€œIndeed I did not!” said Lord Carfax, sharply. “Unhappily, my correspondent saw to that. He had dispatched two letters, in the event one should be ignored, I suppose.”
    â€œHow did your father react?”
    â€œYou need hardly ask that question, Mr. Holmes.”
    â€œThe Duke did not reserve judgement until proof was forthcoming?”
    â€œHe did not. The letter was too patently truthful; I did not doubt it myself. As for my father, it was in perfect consonance with what he had always expected of Michael.” Lord Carfax paused, pain invading his face. “I shall not soon forget the renunciation. I suspected that Father had also received a letter, and I rushed to his town-house. He was at his easel when I arrived; as I entered the studio, his model drew a robe over her nudity, and my father laid down his brush and surveyed me calmly. He said, ‘Richard, what brings you here at this time of day?’
    â€œI saw the tell-tale envelope with the French stamp lying by his palette, and I pointed to it. ‘That, your Grace. I presume it is from Paris.’
    â€œâ€˜You are correct.’ He picked up the envelope, but did not remove its contents. ‘It is inappropriate. It should have been edged in black.’
    â€œâ€˜I do not understand you,’ I replied.
    â€œHe laid the letter down, coldly. ‘Should not all announcements of death be thus marked? So far as I am concerned, Richard, this letter informs me of Michael’s demise. In my heart, the service has already been read, and the body is in the earth.’
    â€œHis terrible words stunned me. But, knowing that argument was futile, I left.”
    â€œYou made no effort to reach Michael?” asked Holmes.
    â€œI did not, sir. To me, he was beyond salvation. Some months later, however, I received an anonymous note, saying that I would find something of interest if I made a visit to this hostel. I did so. I do not have to tell you what I