"Exactly, Sergeant, you could not do otherwise."

"I expect there was good reason for your presence there. If
there is anything I can do--"

"It's a missing lady, Sergeant, and we think she is in that
house. I expect a warrant presently."

"Then I'll keep my eye on the parties, Mr. Holmes. If anything
comes along, I will surely let you know."

It was only nine o'clock, and we were off full cry upon the trail
at once. First we drove to Brixton Workhoused Infirmary, where
we found that it was indeed the truth that a charitable couple
had called some days before, that they had claimed an imbecile
old woman as a former servant, and that they had obtained
permission to take her away with them. No surprise was expressed
at the news that she had since died.

The doctor was our next goal. He had been called in, had found
the woman dying of pure senility, had actually seen her pass
away, and had signed the certificate in due form. "I assure you
that everything was perfectly normal and there was no room for
foul play in the matter," said he. Nothing in the house had
struck him as suspicious save that for people of their class it
was remarkable that they should have no servant. So far and no
further went the doctor.

Finally we found our way to Scotland Yard. There had been
difficulties of procedure in regard to the warrant. Some delay