Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged.

My stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lids now and glanced across at his visitor.
"Pray be precise as to details," said he.
"It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful time is seared into my memory.

The manor-house is, as I have already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited.

The bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms being in the central block of the buildings.

Of these bedrooms the first is Dr.Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third my own.