I read suspicion there and annoyance, but no jest.
"Well, Mr.Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I was all on fire to go over them.

It was not mere curiosity, though I have my share of that.

It was more a feeling of duty--a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this place.

They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's instinct which gave me that feeling.

At any rate, it was there, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the forbidden door.
"It was only yesterday that the chance came.