Boswell and Thompson write, Every night the rooms on the two upper floors of the Castle were filled to overflowing. Holmes reluctantly accommodated a few men as paying guests, but catered primarily to women-preferably young and pretty ones of apparent means, whose homes were distant from Chicago and who had no one close to them who might make inquiry if they did not soon return. Many never went home. Many, indeed, never emerged from the castle, having once entered it
Boswell and Thompson depict a chilling scene in the Castle, where the upper floors are bustling with guests every night. Holmes, the owner, shows a clear preference for accommodating young, attractive women who appear affluent and are far from their homes. This choice suggests a sinister intent, as he capitalizes on their vulnerability. Many of these women come to the Castle with no one to check on them, leading to a haunting reality where several never return home.
The atmosphere of the Castle is layered with a sense of foreboding, as many women who enter its doors do not leave. This unsettling detail emphasizes the darker elements of Holmes's character and concoction, intertwining the allure of the fair with the horror of his crimes. The juxtaposition of the lively fair and the gruesome fate of these women constructs a vivid, disturbing narrative, encapsulating the themes of murder, deception, and the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface of American progress.
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