Leaving the limousine, he crept around to secure a place among the bushes, and what he heard while there seemed to compensate him for what he called his loss of dignity.

The young girl was crying, and the man was talking to her kindly enough but in a way to end whatever hopes she may have had.
"Holmes heard him say: 'It cannot be, now.

Circumstances have changed for me lately, and much as I regret it I must ask you to be so good as to forgive me for giving up our plans.' Then he offered her money,--an annuity, I believe they call it,--but she cried out at that, saying it was love she wanted, to be petted and cared for--money she could do without.

When he showed himself again in front, he was stiffer and more solemn than ever, and said 'Home,' in a dreary way which made the chauffeur feel decidedly uncomfortable.
"Of course Holmes is quite blind to what this all means, but you may possibly see some connection between this sudden act of sacrifice on X's part and the work of the arrow.

At all events, I thought you ought to know that Mr.X's closet holds a skeleton which he will doubtless take every pains to keep securely locked from general view.