‘We’ve been hard at work, and have made some progress,’ said he, taking off his hat, and placing it on the table. ‘We’ve got the woman.’
‘What woman?’
‘Blossom,’ replied Harson; ‘I’ve brought her here to answer for herself. She was in Rust’s employ, and received the children from him. She’s below.’
‘What news of the boy?’ inquired Holmes.
‘Grosket is after him. He knows where he is. Would you like to see the woman?’
‘It would be as well,’ said Holmes, drumming on the table. ‘We’ll hear what she has to say. Does she communicate what she knows willingly or under compulsion?’
‘She’s not very talkative;’ answered Harson, ‘and seems terribly afraid of Rust.’
‘I think we can squeeze the truth out of her,’ replied Holmes. ‘Bring her up.’
Harson went out, and in a few minutes reäppeared with Mrs. Blossom at his heels. The lawyer pointed to a chair, into which the lady sank, apparently in a state of great exhaustion and agitation; for she moaned and rocked to and fro, and wrung her hands.
‘Your name’s Blossom, I think,’ said Holmes, evincing no sympathy whatever with her sufferings.