One morning a young girl called, fashionably dressed, and stayed for half an hour or more.

The same afternoon brought a grey-headed, seedy visitor, looking like a Jew pedlar, who appeared to me to be much excited, and who was closely followed by a slip-shod elderly woman.

On another occasion an old white-haired gentleman had an interview with my companion; and on another a railway porter in his velveteen uniform.

When any of these nondescript individuals put in an appearance, Sherlock Holmes used to beg for the use of the sitting-room, and I would retire to my bed-room.
He always apologized to me for putting me to this inconvenience.

"I have to use this room as a place of business," he said, "and these people are my clients." Again I had an opportunity of asking him a point blank question, and again my delicacy prevented me from forcing another man to confide in me.