Holmes set the doll on the table while still gazing at it. It was so soggy that the dress, hanging over the edge, dripped upon the floor. I looked about for something to catch the drips. I located a crystal bowl of peaches on the mantel, removed the fruit, and placed it under the doll.

‘Oh, Mr Holmes,’ said Buttons. ‘I fear this is a sign that there is danger to Dillie, that someone has her and—’

‘What is your theory about this doll’s appearance?’

‘I don’t know. Perhaps it is cry for help from Dillie herself.’

‘And so your theory is that she was abducted with her doll and a pen? Carried to the Jesus Lock where she wrote on it, then threw this in—’

‘Or from a boat, going through—’

‘Would she be able to do this, but be unable to scream for help? This makes no sense, Deacon.’

The young man buried his head in his hands and sobbed. Holmes shook his head in frustration, then rose and stepped towards the fireplace where he busied himself with his pipe. He nodded to me, indicating that I could be of help.

I moved to the young man and took Holmes’s chair facing him. ‘Mr Buttons,’ I said gently. ‘Look at me.’

The young man did so.

‘We both realize that you are genuinely concerned about Miss Wyndham’s safety. That is not in question. But we need to be assured that yours is a complete and truthful account of how you came upon this object.’

The young man attempted to control his tears, wiping his face with his handkerchief.

‘I did not place the doll in the lock. I saw it floating in there and retrieved it, just as I described. You must believe me. I ran to the Wyndham house with it first. I woke the maid. We both went to Dillie’s room to confirm it was her doll.’

‘But you knew it was her doll before this,’ said Holmes. ‘How?’

‘I – well, I—’

‘You have been in her room?’

‘No. Yes. I … Well, yes. Once.’

‘Under what pretext?’

‘I, er, had been asked to look in on Mrs Wyndham. She was ill. Her room is upstairs—’

‘And you happened to pass Dillie’s room?’

‘The door was open and I … yes, sir, I did look in.’

Holmes looked sharply at the deacon. ‘Continue with recent events.’

‘The maid confirmed the doll was Dillie’s. She begged me to come to you. Really, sirs, it is all true. When I left, the maid was just about to wake the household. I am sure they are all alarmed now. Perhaps they have even called the police!’

‘And yet you took the evidence away and hurried to London to consult with me,’ said Holmes.

‘I am worried that no one there will take this seriously.’