“The events in question occurred in the early days of my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given.”

The story’s opening establishes that Watson is recounting this particular case several years after he and Holmes lived through its events. Knowing that these events took place during the “early days” of his friendship with Holmes makes his irreproachable loyalty to the detective all the more remarkable. The introduction also demonstrates Watson’s trustworthiness because he has kept his promise to Helen Stoner and did not divulge any of the details of her case while she was alive.

“She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard.”

The simile that compares Helen’s eyes to those of “some hunted animal” emphasizes her terror. Helen’s prematurely grey hair testifies to the hardships that she has endured throughout her life, indicating that her sudden need for a detective is not an aberration in an otherwise tranquil existence. Her heavy black veil is part of the mourning dress that she wears in memory of her sister. Helen’s fear and grief appeal to the reader’s sympathy.

“‘Alas!’ replied our visitor, ‘the very horror of my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes.’”

Percy Armitage’s patronizing behavior develops the theme of the dangers of unreciprocated love and loyalty. Helen has promised to remain faithful to him for the rest of her life, but when she needs his “help and advice,” he dismisses her as “a nervous woman.