He knew he was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then her father thought it time to put a stop on it.

He wanted her to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use her money.

When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door.

Then she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce all that remains.

Mr.Rucastle then, I presume, took to this system of imprisonment ?" "Yes, sir." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the disagreeable persistence of Mr.Fowler." "That was it, sir." "But Mr.Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your interests were the same as his." "Mr.Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mrs.Toller serenely.
"And in this way he managed that your good man should have no want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment when your master had gone out." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs.Toller," said Holmes, "for you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us.