"She was a client. Holmes would always say our client, but she came to him, not to me. She was a poor governess who suddenly found herself with a claim to a portion of a fortune in Indian jewels, and on the night she learned of this, one of the other shareholders was murdered. It's rather a long story." Despite the seriousness and solemnity of the situation, Watson has to stifle a laugh in his glove. "I wrote a novel about it, in fact. The treasure was lost, and so much blood had been shed over it that it was likely the best thing for all parties, though admittedly I am quite selfish about it, as I could never have courted the richest heiress in London. I would not have had her think me a vulgar fortune seeker."

He smiles. "I loved her immediately, I think. I believe in love at first sight, as it has happened to me more than once, for which I try to be very thankful."