Then he struck gold, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your wife's character ?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down into the fire.

"You see, Mr.Holmes," said he, "my wife was twenty before her father became a rich man.

During that time she ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than from the schoolmaster.

She is what we call in England a tomboy, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of traditions.

She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say.