I say '_young lady_,' because her age could not at most have been more than one-or two-and-twenty.
She was tall and the possessor of a graceful figure, while one glance was sufficient to show me that her face was an exceedingly pretty one.
(Afterwards I discovered that her eyes were dark brown.) I rose and offered her a chair.
"Good morning, Miss Kitwater," I said.

"This is an unexpected visit.
Won't you sit down ?" When she had done so I resumed my seat at the table.
"Mr.Fairfax," she began, "you are the great detective, I believe ?" I admitted the soft impeachment with as much modesty as I could assume at so short a notice.

She certainly was a very pretty girl.
"I have come to talk to you about my uncle." She stopped as if she did not quite know how to proceed.
"Then the gentleman who called upon me yesterday, and who has the misfortune to be blind, is your uncle ?" I said.
"Yes! He was my father's younger and only brother," she answered.

"I have often heard my father speak of him, but I had never seen him myself until he arrived in England, a month ago with his companion, Mr.Codd.
Mr.Fairfax, they have suffered terribly.

I have never heard anything so awful as their experiences." "I can quite believe that," I answered.