‘All right, Miss Wyndham. I realize you do feel invaded,’ he said, gently. ‘This room is a kind of sanctuary from a life of dissatisfaction. I suppose if I were a female, and felt, well, as excluded from life as you do, I might consider not only securing an escape like this one – but also defending it with the same passion and conviction. Please calm yourself. I do not intend to force you to do anything you do not want to do, nor to give you away.’

She stared at Holmes uncertainly. This was not the response she was expecting.

‘You are patronizing me.’

‘Miss Wyndham, not at all,’ I said. ‘Mr Holmes has only your best interests at heart.’

‘Why should I trust you?’ she said.

‘Why not? I am here to help, not point a finger,’ said Holmes. ‘May I suggest we all sit down and discuss the dilemma of your disappearance in a civilized manner? No one wishes you harm. In fact, just the opposite. Let us attempt to negotiate a truce.’

Holmes stepped further away from her on the pretext of setting down his hat on a table. He looked about for something on which to sit, espied a low stool tucked under that same table, drew it out and sat down. ‘Do join me, Watson. Sit here.’

I noticed another stool under the table, drew it out and sat next to him. It felt extremely awkward in that strange room, seated so low to the floor, facing the standing young woman. She faltered, not expecting this. But the odd choreography had the intended effect. It allowed the girl to feel in charge.

She paused. Then, with sudden resolve, she returned to her blue velvet divan and resumed the relaxed position she had occupied when we entered the room, now peering haughtily down at us.

Holmes had successfully averted disaster.

‘I would like to help you, Miss Wyndham,’ my friend said, as though everything that had just transpired had not happened. ‘And at the same time put the fears of those who care for you at rest. Let us come to a method together. First of all, do tell me your reasons for this subterfuge.’

‘It is obvious,’ said she, angrily. ‘I am suffocating at home.’

‘Tell me about this,’ said Holmes.