"You!" Holmes strode into the sitting room angrily, throwing off Sir Henry's overcoat, glowering down at the maid, Sally, "Who is the man that you have kept so carefully concealed in the loft?"
Sally glanced away, chewing on her bottom lip. Sir Henry stared in amazement; Mrs Barrymore clapped her hands together to her mouth and gazed at her niece in surprise, while Mr Barrymore placed one hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Oh, Sally," Mr Barrymore sighed, "What have you done, you silly girl?"
"He said he loved me," the sallow-faced girl replied, quietly, a tear running down her face.
Holmes took a deep breath. Emotional women were not his forte. Luckily…
"Sally," Sir Henry sat down opposite to the tearful maid, "tell us everything."
~*~