“Mydearfellow，“saidSherlockHolmesaswesatoneithersideof
　　thefireinhislodgingsatBakerStreet，“lifeisinfinitely
　　strangerthananythingwhichthemindofmancouldinvent。We
　　wouldnotdaretoconceivethethingswhicharereallymere
　　commonplacesofexistence。Ifwecouldflyoutofthatwindow
　　handinhand，hoveroverthisgreatcity，gentlyremovetheroofs，
　　andpeepinatthequeerthingswhicharegoingon，thestrange
　　coincidences，theplannings，thecross-purposes，thewonderful
　　chainsofevents，workingthroughgenerations，andleadingtothe
　　mostoutreresults，itwouldmakeallfictionwithits
　　conventionalitiesandforeseenconclusionsmoststaleand
　　unprofitable。”
　　“AndyetIamnotconvincedofit，“Ianswered。“Thecases
　　whichcometolightinthepapersare，asarule，baldenough，and
　　vulgarenough。Wehaveinourpolicereportsrealismpushedto
　　itsextremelimits，andyettheresultis，itmustbeconfessed，
　　neitherfascinatingnorartistic。”
　　“Acertainselectionanddiscretionmustbeusedinproducing
　　arealisticeffect，“remarkedHolmes。“Thisiswantinginthe
　　policereport，wheremorestressislaid，perhaps，uponthe
　　platitudesofthemagistratethanuponthedetails，whichtoan
　　observercontainthevitalessenceofthewholematter。Depend
　　uponit，thereisnothingsounnaturalasthecommonplace。”
　　Ismiledandshookmyhead。“Icanquiteunderstandyour
　　thinkingso，“Isaid。“Ofcourse，inyourpositionofunofficial
　　adviserandhelpertoeverybodywhoisabsolutelypuzzled，
　　throughoutthreecontinents，youarebroughtincontactwithall
　　thatisstrangeandbizarre。Buthere“——Ipickedupthemorning
　　paperfromtheground”letusputittoapracticaltest。Here
　　isthefirstheadinguponwhichIcome。`Ahusband”scrueltyto
　　hiswife。”Thereishalfacolumnofprint，butIknowwithout
　　readingitthatitisallperfectlyfamiliartome。Thereis，of
　　course，theotherwoman，thedrink，thepush，theblow，the
　　bruise，thesympatheticsisterorlandlady。Thecrudestof
　　writerscouldinventnothingmorecrude。”
　　“Indeed，yourexampleisanunfortunateoneforyour
　　argument，“saidHolmes，takingthepaperandglancinghiseyedown
　　it。“ThisistheDundasseparationcase，and，asithappens，I
　　wasengagedinclearingupsomesmallpointsinconnectionwith
　　it。Thehusbandwasateetotaler，therewasnootherwoman，and
　　theconductcomplainedofwasthathehaddriftedintothehabit
　　ofwindingupeverymealbytakingouthisfalseteethandhurling
　　themathiswife，which，youwillallow，isnotanactionlikely
　　tooccurtotheimaginationoftheaveragestory-teller。Takea
　　pinchofsnuff，Doctor，andacknowledgethatIhavescoredover
　　youinyourexample。”
　　Heheldouthissnuffboxofoldgold，withagreatamethystin
　　thecentreofthelid。Itssplendourwasinsuchcontrasttohis
　　homelywaysandsimplelifethatIcouldnothelpcommentingupon
　　it。
　　“Ah，“saidhe，“IforgotthatIhadnotseenyouforsome
　　weeks。ItisalittlesouvenirfromtheKingofBohemiainreturn
　　formyassistanceinthecaseoftheIreneAdlerpapers。”
　　“Andthering？“Iasked，glancingataremarkablebrilliant
　　whichsparkleduponhisfinger。
　　“ItwasfromthereigningfamilyofHolland，thoughthematter
　　inwhichIservedthemwasofsuchdelicacythatIcannotconfide
　　iteventoyou，whohavebeengoodenoughtochronicleoneortwo
　　ofmylittleproblems。”“Andhaveyouanyonhandjustnow？“Iaskedwithinterest。
　　“Sometenortwelve，butnonewhichpresentanyfeatureof
　　interest。Theyareimportant，youunderstand，withoutbeing
　　interesting。Indeed，Ihavefoundthatitisusuallyin
　　unimportantmattersthatthereisafieldfortheobservation，and
　　forthequickanalysisofcauseandeffectwhichgivesthecharm
　　toaninvestigation。Thelargercrimesareapttobethesimpler，
　　forthebiggerthecrimethemoreobvious，asarule，isthe
　　motive。Inthesecases，saveforoneratherintricatematter
　　whichhasbeenreferredtomefromMarseilles，thereisnothing
　　whichpresentsanyfeaturesofinterest。Itispossible，however，
　　thatImayhavesomethingbetterbeforeverymanyminutesare
　　over，forthisisoneofmyclients，orIammuchmistaken。”
　　Hehadrisenfromhischairandwasstandingbetweenthe
　　partedblinds，gazingdownintothedullneutral-tintedLondon
　　street。Lookingoverhisshoulder，Isawthatonthepavement
　　oppositetherestoodalargewomanwithaheavyfurboaroundher
　　neck，andalargecurlingredfeatherinabroad-brimmedhatwhich
　　wastiltedinacoquettishDuchessofDevonshirefashionoverher
　　ear。Fromunderthisgreatpanoplyshepeepedupinanervous，
　　hesitatingfashionatourwindows，whileherbodyoscillated
　　backwardandforward，andherfingersfidgetedwithherglove
　　buttons。Suddenly，withaplunge，asoftheswimmerwholeaves
　　thebank，shehurriedacrosstheroad，andweheardthesharp
　　clangofthebell。
　　“Ihaveseenthosesymptomsbefore，“saidHolmes，throwinghis
　　cigaretteintothefire。“Oscillationuponthepavementalways
　　meansanaffairedecoeur。Shewouldlikeadvice，butisnotsure
　　thatthematterisnottoodelicateforcommunication。Andyet
　　evenherewemaydiscriminate。Whenawomanhasbeenseriously
　　wrongedbyamanshenolongeroscillates，andtheusualsymptom
　　isabrokenbellwire。Herewemaytakeitthatthereisalove
　　matter，butthatthemaidenisnotsomuchangryasperplexed，or
　　grieved。Buthereshecomesinpersontoresolveourdoubts。”
　　Ashespoketherewasatapatthedoor，andtheboyin
　　buttonsenteredtoannounceMissMarySutherland，whilethelady
　　herselfloomedbehindhissmallblackfigurelikeafull-sailed
　　merchant-manbehindatinypilotboat。SherlockHolmeswelcomed
　　herwiththeeasycourtesyforwhichhewasremarkable，and，
　　havingclosedthedoorandbowedherintoanarmchair，helooked
　　heroverintheminuteandyetabstractedfashionwhichwas
　　peculiartohim。
　　“Doyounotfind，“hesaid，“thatwithyourshortsightitis
　　alittletryingtodosomuchtypewriting？“
　　“Ididatfirst，“sheanswered，“butnowIknowwherethe
　　lettersarewithoutlooking。”Then，suddenlyrealizingthefull
　　purportofhiswords，shegaveaviolentstartandlookedup，with
　　fearandastonishmentuponherbroad，good-humouredface。“You”ve
　　heardaboutme，Mr。Holmes，“shecried，“elsehowcouldyouknow
　　allthat？“
　　“Nevermind，“saidHolmes，laughing；“itismybusinessto
　　knowthings。PerhapsIhavetrainedmyselftoseewhatothers
　　overlook。Ifnot，whyshouldyoucometoconsultme？“
　　“Icametoyou，sir，becauseIheardofyoufromMrs。
　　Etherege，whosehusbandyoufoundsoeasywhenthepoliceand
　　everyonehadgivenhimupfordead。Oh，Mr。Holmes，Iwishyou
　　woulddoasmuchforme。I”mnotrich，butstillIhaveahundred
　　ayearinmyownright，besidesthelittlethatImakebythe
　　machine，andIwouldgiveitalltoknowwhathasbecomeofMr。
　　HosmerAngel。”
　　“Whydidyoucomeawaytoconsultmeinsuchahurry？“asked
　　SherlockHolmes，withhisfinger-tipstogetherandhiseyestothe
　　ceiling。
　　Againastartledlookcameoverthesomewhatvacuousfaceof
　　MissMarySutherland。“Yes，Ididbangoutofthehouse，“she
　　said，“foritmademeangrytoseetheeasywayinwhichMr。
　　Windibank——thatis，myfather——tookitall。Hewouldnotgoto
　　thepolice，andhewouldnotgotoyou，andsoatlast，ashe
　　woulddonothingandkeptonsayingthattherewasnoharmdone，
　　itmadememad，andIjustonwithmythingsandcamerightaway
　　toyou。”
　　“Yourfather，“saidHolmes，“yourstepfather，surely，since
　　thenameisdifferent。”
　　“Yes，mystepfather。Icallhimfather，thoughitsounds
　　funny，too，forheisonlyfiveyearsandtwomonthsolderthan
　　myself。”“Andyourmotherisalive？“
　　“Oh，yes，motherisaliveandwell。Iwasn”tbestpleased，
　　Mr。Holmes，whenshemarriedagainsosoonafterfather”sdeath，
　　andamanwhowasnearlyfifteenyearsyoungerthanherself。
　　FatherwasaplumberintheTottenhamCourtRoad，andhelefta
　　tidybusinessbehindhim，whichmothercarriedonwithMr。Hardy，
　　theforeman；butwhenMr。Windibankcamehemadehersellthe
　　business，forhewasverysuperior，beingatravellerinwines。
　　Theygot4700poundsforthegoodwillandinterest，whichwasn”tnearas
　　muchasfathercouldhavegotifhehadbeenalive。”
　　IhadexpectedtoseeSherlockHolmesimpatientunderthis
　　ramblingandinconsequentialnarrative，but，onthecontrary，he
　　hadlistenedwiththegreatestconcentrationofattention。
　　“Yourownlittleincome，“heasked，“doesitcomeoutofthe
　　business？“
　　“Oh，no，sir。Itisquiteseparateandwasleftmebymy
　　uncleNedinAuckland。ItisinNewZealandstock，paying41/2per
　　cent。Twothousandfivehundredpoundswastheamount，butIcan
　　onlytouchtheinterest。”
　　“Youinterestmeextremely，“saidHolmes。“Andsinceyoudraw
　　solargeasumasahundredayear，withwhatyouearnintothe
　　bargain，younodoubttravelalittleandindulgeyourselfin
　　everyway。Ibelievethatasingleladycangetonverynicely
　　uponanincomeofabout60pounds。”
　　“Icoulddowithmuchlessthanthat，Mr。Holmes，butyou
　　understandthataslongasIliveathomeIdon”twishtobea
　　burdentothem，andsotheyhavetheuseofthemoneyjustwhileI
　　amstayingwiththem。Ofcourse，thatisonlyjustforthetime。
　　Mr。Windibankdrawsmyinteresteveryquarterandpaysitoverto
　　mother，andIfindthatIcandoprettywellwithwhatIearnat
　　typewriting。Itbringsmetwopenceasheet，andIcanoftendo
　　fromfifteentotwentysheetsinaday。”
　　“Youhavemadeyourpositionverycleartome，“saidHolmes。
　　“Thisismyfriend，Dr。Watson，beforewhomyoucanspeakas
　　freelyasbeforemyself。Kindlytellusnowallaboutyour
　　connectionwithMr。HosmerAngel。”
　　AflushstoleoverMissSutherland”sface，andshepicked
　　nervouslyatthefringeofherjacket。“Imethimfirstatthe
　　gasfitters”ball，“shesaid。“Theyusedtosendfathertickets
　　whenhewasalive，andthenafterwardstheyrememberedus，and
　　sentthemtomother。Mr。Windibankdidnotwishustogo。He
　　neverdidwishustogoanywhere。HewouldgetquitemadifI
　　wantedsomuchastojoinaSunday-schooltreat。ButthistimeI
　　wassetongoing，andIwouldgo；forwhatrighthadheto
　　prevent？Hesaidthefolkwerenotfitforustoknow，whenall
　　father”sfriendsweretobethere。AndhesaidthatIhadnothing
　　fittowear，whenIhadmypurpleplushthatIhadneversomuch
　　astakenoutofthedrawer。Atlast，whennothingelsewoulddo，
　　hewentofftoFranceuponthebusinessofthefirm，butwewent，
　　mohtherandI，withMr。Hardy，whousedtobeourforeman，andit
　　wasthereImetMr。HosmerAngel。”
　　“Isuppose，“saidHolmes，“thatwhenMr。Windibankcameback
　　fromFrancehewasveryannoyedatyourhavinggonetotheball。”
　　“Oh，well，hewasverygoodaboutit。Helaughed，Iremember，
　　andshruggedhisshoulders，andsaidtherewasnousedenying
　　anythingtoawoman，forshewouldhaveherway。”
　　“Isee。Thenatthegasfitters”ballyoumet，asI
　　understand，agentlemancalledMr。HosmerAngel。”
　　“Yes，sir。Imethimthatnight，andhecallednextdayto
　　askifwehadgothomeallsafe，andafterthatwemethim——that
　　istosay，Mr。Holmes，Imethimtwiceforwalks，butafterthat
　　fathercamebackagain，andMr。HosmerAngelcouldnotcometothe
　　houseanymore。”“No？“
　　“Well，youknow，fatherdidn”tlikeanythingofthesort。He
　　wouldn”thaveanyvisitorsifhecouldhelpit，andheusedtosay
　　thatawomanshouldbehappyinherownfamilycircle。Butthen，
　　asIusedtosaytomother，awomanwantsherowncircletobegin
　　with，andIhadnotgotmineyet。”
　　“ButhowaboutMr。HosmerAngel？Didhemakenoattemptto
　　seeyou？“
　　“Well，fatherwasgoingofftoFranceagaininaweek，and
　　Hosmerwroteandsaidthatitwouldbesaferandbetternottosee
　　eachotheruntilhehadgone。Wecouldwriteinthemeantime，and
　　heusedtowriteeveryday。Itookthelettersininthemorning，
　　sotherewasnoneedforfathertoknow。”“Wereyouengagedtothegentlemanatthistime？“
　　“Oh，yes，Mr。Holmes。Wewereengagedafterthefirstwalk
　　thatwetook。Hosmer——Mr。Angel——wasacashierinanofficein
　　LeadenhallStreet——and”“Whatoffice？““That”stheworstofit，Mr。Holmes，Idon”tknow。”“Wheredidhelive，then？““Hesleptonthepremises。”“Andyoudon”tknowhisaddress？““No——exceptthatitwasLeadenhallStreet。”“Wheredidyouaddressyourletters，then？“
　　“TotheLeadenhallStreetPost-Office，tobelefttillcalled
　　for。Hesaidthatiftheyweresenttotheofficehewouldbe
　　chaffedbyalltheotherclerksabouthavinglettersfromalady，
　　soIofferedtotypewritethem，likehedidhis，buthewouldn”t
　　havethat，forhesaidthatwhenIwrotethemtheyseemedtocome
　　fromme，butwhentheyweretypewrittenhealwaysfeltthatthe
　　machinehadcomebetweenus。Thatwilljustshowyouhowfondhe
　　wasofme，Mr。Holmes，andthelittlethingsthathewouldthink
　　of。”
　　“Itwasmostsuggestive，“saidHolmes。“Ithaslongbeenan
　　axiomofminethatthelittlethingsareinfinitleythemost
　　important。CanyourememberanyotherlittlethingsaboutMr。
　　HosmerAngel？“
　　“Hewasaveryshyman，Mr。Holmes。Hewouldratherwalkwith
　　meintheeveningthaninthedaylight，forhesaidthathehated
　　tobeconspicuous。Veryretiringandgentelmanlyhewas。Even
　　hisvoicewasgentle。He”dhadthequinsyandswollenglandswhen
　　hewasyoung，hetoldme，andithadlefthimwithaweakthroat，
　　andahesitating，whisperingfashionofspeech。Hewasalways
　　welldressed，veryneatandplain，buthiseyeswereweak，justas
　　mineare，andheworetintedglassesagainsttheglare。”
　　“Well，andwhathappenedwhenMr。Windibank，yourstepfather，
　　returnedtoFrance？“
　　“Mr。HosmerAngelcametothehouseagainandproposedthatwe
　　shouldmarrybeforefathercameback。Hewasindreadfulearnest
　　andmademeswear，withmyhandsontheTestament，thatwhatever
　　happenedIwouldalwaysbetruetohim。Mothersaidhewasquite
　　righttomakemeswear，andthatitwasasignofhispassion。
　　Motherwasallinhisfavourfromthefirstandwasevenfonderof
　　himthanIwas。Then，whentheytalkedofmarryingwithinthe
　　week，Ibegantoaskaboutfather；buttheybothsaidneverto
　　mindaboutfather，butjusttotellhimafterwards，andmother
　　saidshewouldmakeitallrightwithhim。Ididn”tquitelike
　　that，Mr。Holmes。ItseemedfunnythatIshouldaskhisleave，as
　　hewasonlyafewyearsolderthanme；butIdidn”twanttodo
　　anythingonthesly，soIwrotetofatheratBordeaux，wherethe
　　companyhasitsFrenchoffices，butthelettercamebacktomeon
　　theverymorningofthewedding。”“Itmissedhim，then？“
　　“Yes，sir；forhehadstartedtoEnglandjustbeforeit
　　arrived。”
　　“Ha！thatwasunfortunate。Yourweddingwasarranged，then，
　　fortheFriday。Wasittobeinchurch？“
　　“Yes，sir，butveryquietly。ItwastobeatSt。Saviour”s，
　　nearKing”sCross，andweweretohavebreakfastafterwardsatthe
　　St。PancrasHotel。Hosmercameforusinahansom，butasthere
　　weretwoofusheputusbothintoitandsteppedhimselfintoa
　　four-wheeler，whichhappenedtobetheonlyothercabinthe
　　street。Wegottothechurchfirst，andwhenthefour-wheeler
　　droveupwewaitedforhimtostepout，butheneverdid，andwhen
　　thecabmangotdownfromtheboxandlookedtherewasnoone
　　there！Thecabmansaidthathecouldnotimaginewhathadbecome
　　ofhim，forhehadseenhimgetinwithhisowneyes。Thatwas
　　lastFriday，Mr。Holmes，andIhaveneverseenorheardanything
　　sincethentothrowanylightuponwhatbecameofhim。”
　　“Itseemstomethatyouhavebeenveryshamefullytreated，“
　　saidHolmes。
　　“Oh，no，sir！Hewastoogoodandkindtoleavemeso。Why，
　　allthemorninghewassayingtomethat，whateverhappened，Iwas
　　tobetrue；andthatevenifsomethingquiteunforeseenoccurred
　　toseparateus，IwasalwaystorememberthatIwaspledgedto
　　him，andthathewouldclaimhispledgesoonerorlater。It
　　seemedstrangetalkforawedding-morning，butwhathashappened
　　sincegivesameaningtoit。”
　　“Mostcertainlyitdoes。Yourownopinionis，then，thatsome
　　unforeseencatastrophehasoccurredtohim？“
　　“Yes，sir。Ibelievethatheforesawsomedanger，orelsehe
　　wouldnothavetalkedso。AndthenIthinkthatwhatheforesaw
　　happened。”“Butyouhavenonotionastowhatitcouldhavebeen？““None。”“Onemorequestion。Howdidyourmothertakethematter？“
　　“Shewasangry，andsaidthatIwasnevertospeakofthe
　　matteragain。”“Andyourfather？Didyoutellhim？“
　　“Yes；andheseemedtothink，withme，thatsomethinghad
　　happened，andthatIshouldhearofHosmeragain。Ashesaid，
　　whatinterestcouldanyonehaveinbringingmetothedoorsofthe
　　church，andthenleavingme？Now，ifhehadborrowedmymoney，or
　　ifhehadmarriedmeandgotmymoneysettledonhim，theremight
　　besomereason，butHosmerwasveryindependentaboutmoneyand
　　neverwouldlookatashillingofmine。Andyet，whatcouldhave
　　happened？Andwhycouldhenotwrite？Oh，itdrivesmehalf-mad
　　tothinkofit，andIcan”tsleepawinkatnight。”Shepulleda
　　littlehandkerchiefoutofhermuffandbegantosobheavilyinto
　　it。
　　“Ishallglanceintothecaseforyou，“saidHolmes，rising，
　　“andIhavenodoubtthatweshallreachsomedefiniteresult。
　　Lettheweightofthematterrestuponmenow，anddonotletyour
　　minddwelluponitfurther。Aboveall，trytoletMr。Hosmer
　　Angelvanishfromyourmemory，ashehasdonefromyourlife。”“Thenyoudon”tthinkI”llseehimagain？““Ifearnot。”“Thenwhathashappenedtohim？“
　　“Youwillleavethatquestioninmyhands。Ishouldlikean
　　accuratedescriptionofhimandanylettersofhiswhichyoucan
　　spare。”
　　“IadvertisedforhiminlastSaturday”sChronicle，“saidshe。
　　“Hereistheslipandherearefourlettersfromhim。”“Thankyou。Andyouraddress？““No。31LyonPlace，Camberwell。”
　　“Mr。Angel”saddressyouneverhad，Iunderstand。Whereis
　　yourfather”splaceofbusiness？“
　　“HetravelsforWesthouse&Marbank，thegreatclaret
　　importersofFenchurchStreet。”
　　“Thankyou。Youhavemadeyourstatementveryclearly。You
　　willleavethepapershere，andremembertheadvicewhichIhave
　　givenyou。Letthewholeincidentbeasealedbook，anddonot
　　allowittoaffectyourlife。”
　　“Youareverykind，Mr。Holmes，butIcannotdothat。Ishall
　　betruetoHosmer。Heshallfindmereadywhenhecomesback。”
　　Forallthepreposteroushatandthevacuousface，therewas
　　somethingnobleinthesimplefaithofourvisitorwhichcompelled
　　ourrespect。Shelaidherlittlebundleofpapersuponthetable
　　andwentherway，withapromisetocomeagainwhenevershemight
　　besummoned。
　　SherlockHolmessatsilentforafewminuteswithhis
　　finger-tipsstillpressedtogether，hislegsstretchedoutin
　　frontofhim，andhisgazedirectedupwardtotheceiling。Then
　　hetookdownfromtheracktheoldandoilyclaypipe，whichwas
　　tohimasacounsellor，and，havinglitit，heleanedbackinhis
　　chair，withthethickbluecloud-wreathsspinningupfromhim，and
　　alookofinfinitelanguorinhisface。
　　“Quiteaninterestingstudy，thatmaiden，“heobserved。“I
　　foundhermoreinterestingthanherlittleproblem，which，bythe
　　way，isratheratriteone。Youwillfindparallelcases，ifyou
　　consultmyindex，inAndoverin`77，andtherewassomethingof
　　thesortatTheHaguelastyear。Oldasistheidea，however，
　　therewereoneortwodetailswhichwerenewtome。Butthe
　　maidenherselfwasmostinstructive。”
　　“Youappearedtoreadagooddealuponherwhichwasquite
　　invisibletome，“Iremarked。
　　“Notinvisiblebutunnoticed，Watson。Youdidnotknowwhere
　　tolook，andsoyoumissedallthatwasimportant。Icannever
　　bringyoutorealizetheimportanceofsleeves，thesuggestiveness
　　ofthumails，orthegreatissuesthatmayhangfromaboot-lace。
　　Now，whatdidyougatherfromthatwoman”sappearance？Describe
　　it。”
　　“Well，shehadaslate-coloured，broad-brimmedstrawhat，with
　　afeatherofabrickishred。Herjacketwasblack，withblack
　　beadssewnuponit，andafringeoflittleblackjetornaments。
　　Herdresswasbrown，ratherdarkerthancoffeecolour，witha
　　littlepurpleplushattheneckandsleeves。Hergloveswere
　　grayishandwerewornthroughattherightforefinger。Herboots
　　Ididn”tobserve。Shehadsmallround，hanginggoldearrings，and
　　ageneralairofbeingfairlywell-to-doinavulgar，comfortable，
　　easy-goingway。”
　　SherlockHolmesclappedhishandssoftlytogetherand
　　chuckled。
　　“”Ponmyword，Watson，youarecomingalongwonderfully。You
　　havereallydoneverywellindeed。Itistruethatyouhave
　　missedeverythingofimportance，butyouhavehituponthemethod，
　　andyouhaveaquickeyeforcolour。Nevertrusttogeneral
　　impressions，myboy，butconcentrateyourselfupondetails。My
　　firstglanceisalwaysatawoman”ssleeve。Inamanitis
　　perhapsbetterfirsttotakethekneeofthetrouser。Asyou
　　observe，thiswomanhadplushuponhersleeves，whichisamost
　　usefulmaterialforshowingtraces。Thedoublelinealittle
　　abovethewrist，wherethetypewritistpressesagainstthetable，
　　wasbeautifullydefined。Thesewing-machine，ofthehandtype，
　　leavesasimilarmark，butonlyontheleftarm，andontheside
　　ofitfarthestfromthethumb，insteadofbeingrightacrossthe
　　broadestpart，asthiswas。Ithenglancedatherface，and，
　　observingthedintofapince-nezateithersideofhernose，I
　　venturedaremarkuponshortsightandtypewriting，whichseemed
　　tosurpriseher。”“Itsurprisedme。”
　　“But，surely，itwasobvious。Iwasthenmuchsurprisedand
　　interestedonglancingdowntoobservethat，thoughtheboots
　　whichshewaswearingwerenotunlikeeachother，theywerereally
　　oddones；theonehavingaslightlydecoratedtoe-cap，andthe
　　otheraplainone。Onewasbuttonedonlyinthetwolowerbuttons
　　outoffive，andtheotheratthefirst，third，andfifth。Now，
　　whenyouseethatayounglady，otherwiseneatlydressed，hascome
　　awayfromhomewithoddboots，half-buttoned，itisnogreat
　　deductiontosaythatshecameawayinahurry。”
　　“Andwhatelse？“Iasked，keenlyinterested，asIalwayswas，
　　bymyfriend”sincisivereasoning。
　　“Inoted，inpassing，thatshehadwrittenanotebefore
　　leavinghomebutafterbeingfullydressed。Youobservedthather
　　rightglovewastornattheforefinger，butyoudidnotapparently
　　seethatbothgloveandfingerwerestainedwithvioletink。She
　　hadwritteninahurryanddippedherpentoodeep。Itmusthave
　　beenthismorning，orthemarkwouldnotremainclearuponthe
　　finger。Allthisisamusing，thoughratherelementary，butImust
　　gobacktobusiness，Watson。Wouldyoumindreadingmethe
　　advertiseddescriptionofMr。HosmerAngel？“Iheldthelittleprintedsliptothelight。
　　“Missing[itsaid]onthemorningofthefourteenth，a
　　gentlemannamedHosmerAngel。Aboutfivefeetseveninchesin
　　height；stronglybuilt，sallowcomplexion，blackhair，a
　　littlebaldinthecentre，bushy，blackside-whiskersand
　　moustache；tintedglasses，slightinfirmityofspeech。Was
　　dressed，whenlastseen，inblackfrock-coatfacedwithsilk，
　　blackwaistcoat，goldAlbertchain，andgrayHarristweed
　　trousers，withbrowngaitersoverelastic-sidedboots。Known
　　tohavebeenemployedinanofficeinLeadenhallStreet。
　　Anybodybringing”
　　“Thatwilldo，“saidHolmes。“Astotheletters，“he
　　continued，glancingoverthem，“theyareverycommonplace。
　　AbsolutelynoclueinthemtoMr。Angel，savethathequotes
　　Balzaconce。Thereisoneremarkablepoint，however，whichwill
　　nodoubtstrikeyou。”“Theyaretypewritten，“Iremarked。
　　“Notonlythat，butthesignatureistypewritten。Lookatthe
　　neatlittle`HosmerAngel”atthebottom。Thereisadate，you
　　see，butnosuperscriptionexceptLeadenhallStreet，whichis
　　rathervague。Thepointaboutthesignatureisvery
　　suggestive——infact，wemaycallitconclusive。”“Ofwhat？“
　　“Mydearfellow，isitpossibleyoudonotseehowstronglyit
　　bearsuponthecase？“
　　“IcannotsaythatIdounlessitwerethathewishedtobe
　　abletodenyhissignatureifanactionforbreachofpromisewere
　　instituted。”
　　“No，thatwasnotthepoint。However，Ishallwritetwo
　　letters，whichshouldsettlethematter。Oneistoafirminthe
　　City，theotheristotheyounglady”sstepfather，Mr。Windibank，
　　askinghimwhetherhecouldmeetushereatsixo”clockto-morrow
　　evening。Itisjustaswellthatweshoulddobusinesswiththe
　　malerelatives。Andnow，Doctor，wecandonothinguntilthe
　　answerstothoseletterscome，sowemayputourlittleproblem
　　upontheshelffortheinterim。”
　　Ihadhadsomanyreasonstobelieveinmyfriend”ssubtle
　　powersofreasoningandextraordinaryenergyinactionthatIfelt
　　thathemusthavesomesolidgroundsfortheassuredandeasy
　　demeanourwithwhichhetreatedthesingularmysterywhichhehad
　　beencalledupontofathom。OnceonlyhadIknownhimtofail，in
　　thecaseoftheKingofBohemiaandoftheIreneAdlerphotograph；
　　butwhenIlookedbacktotheweirdbusinessof`TheSignof
　　Four”，andtheextraordinarycircumstancesconnectedwith`AStudy
　　inScarlet”，Ifeltthatitwouldbeastrangetangleindeedwhich
　　hecouldnotunravel。
　　Ilefthimthen，stillpuffingathisblackclaypipe，with
　　theconvictionthatwhenIcameagainonthenexteveningIwould
　　findthatheheldinhishandsalltheclueswhichwouldleadup
　　totheidentityofthedisappearingbridegroomofMissMary
　　Sutherland。
　　Aprofessionalcaseofgreatgravitywasengagingmyown
　　attentionatthetime，andthewholeofnextdayIwasbusyatthe
　　bedsideofthesufferer。Itwasnotuntilcloseuponsixo”clock
　　thatIfoundmyselffreeandwasabletospringintoahansomand
　　drivetoBakerStreet，halfafraidthatImightbetoolateto
　　assistatthedenouementofthelittlemystery。IfoundSherlock
　　Holmesalone，however，halfasleep，withhislong，thinform
　　curledupintherecessesofhisarmchair。Aformidablearrayof
　　bottlesandtest-tubes，withthepungentcleanlysmellof
　　hydrochloricacid，toldmethathehadspenthisdayinthe
　　chemicalworkwhichwassodeartohim。“Well，haveyousolvedit？“IaskedasIentered。“Yes。Itwasthebisulphateofbaryta。”“No，no，themystery！“Icried。
　　“Oh，that！IthoughtofthesaltthatIhavebeenworking
　　upon。Therewasneveranymysteryinthematter，though，asI
　　saidyesterday，someofthedetailsareofinterest。Theonly
　　drawbackisthatthereisnolaw，Ifear，thatcantouchthe
　　scoundrel。”
　　“Whowashe，then，andwhatwashisobjectindesertingMiss
　　Sutherland？“
　　Thequestionwashardlyoutofmymouth，andHolmeshadnot
　　yetopenedhislipstoreply，whenweheardaheavyfootfallin
　　thepassageandatapatthedoor。
　　“Thisisthegirl”sstepfather，Mr。JamesWindibank，“said
　　Holmes。“Hehaswrittentometosaythathewouldbehereat
　　six。Comein！“
　　Themanwhoenteredwasasturdy，middle-sizedfellow，some
　　thirtyyearsofage，clean-shaven，andsallow-skinned，witha
　　bland，insinuatingmanner，andapairofwonderfullysharpand
　　penetratinggrayeyes。Heshotaquestioningglanceateachof
　　us，placedhisshinytop-hatuponthesideboard，andwithaslight
　　bowsidleddownintothenearestchair。
　　“Good-evening，Mr。JamesWindibank，“saidHolmes。“Ithink
　　thatthistypewrittenletterisfromyou，inwhichyoumadean
　　appointmentwithmeforsixo”clock？“
　　“Yes，sir。IamafraidthatIamalittlelate，butIamnot
　　quitemyownmaster，youknow。IamsorrythatMissSutherland
　　hastroubledyouaboutthislittlematter，forIthinkitisfar
　　betternottowashlinenofthesortinpublic。Itwasquite
　　againstmywishesthatshecame，butsheisaveryexcitable，
　　impulsivegirl，asyoumayhavenoticed，andsheisnoteasily
　　controlledwhenshehasmadeuphermindonapoint。Ofcourse，I
　　didnotmindyousomuch，asyouarenotconnectedwiththe
　　officialpolice，butitisnotpleasanttohaveafamily
　　misfortunelikethisnoisedabroad。Besides，itisauseless
　　expense，forhowcouldyoupossiblyfindthisHosmerAngel？“
　　“Onthecontrary，“saidHolmesquietly；“Ihaveeveryreason
　　tobelievethatIwillsucceedindiscoveringMr。HosmerAngel。”
　　Mr。Windibankgaveaviolentstartanddroppedhisgloves。“I
　　amdelightedtohearit，“hesaid。
　　“Itisacuriousthing，“remarkedHolmes，“thatatypewriter
　　hasreallyquiteasmuchindividualityasaman”shandwriting。
　　Unlesstheyarequitenew，notwoofthemwriteexactlyalike。
　　Somelettersgetmorewornthanothers，andsomewearonlyonone
　　side。Now，youremarkinthisnoteofyours，Mr。Windibank，that
　　ineverycasethereissomelittleslurringoverofthe`e”anda
　　slightdefectinthetailofthe`r。”Therearefourteenother
　　characteristics，butthosearethemoreobvious。”
　　“Wedoallourcorrespondencewiththismachineattheoffice，
　　andnodoubtitisalittleworn，“ourvisitoranswered，glancing
　　keenlyatHolmeswithhisbrightlittleeyes。
　　“AndnowIwillshowyouwhatisreallyaveryinteresting
　　study，Mr。Windibank，“Holmescontinued。“Ithinkofwriting
　　anotherlittlemonographsomeofthesedaysonthetypewriterand
　　itsrelationtocrime。ItisasubjecttowhichIhavedevoted
　　somelittleattention。Ihaveherefourletterswhichpurportto
　　comefromthemissingman。Theyarealltypewritten。Ineach
　　case，notonlyarethe`e”s”slurredandthe`r”s”tailless，but
　　youwillobserve，ifyoucaretousemymagnifyinglens，thatthe
　　fourteenothercharacteristicstowhichIhavealludedarethere
　　aswell。”
　　Mr。Windibanksprangoutofhischairandpickeduphishat。
　　“Icannotwastetimeoverthissortoffantastictalk，Mr。
　　Holmes，“hesaid。“Ifyoucancatchtheman，catchhim，andlet
　　meknowwhenyouhavedoneit。”
　　“Certainly，“saidHolmes，steppingoverandturningthekeyin
　　thedoor。“Iletyouknow，then，thatIhavecaughthim！“
　　“What！where？“shoutedMr。Windibank，turningwhitetohis
　　lipsandglancingabouthimlikearatinatrap。
　　“Oh，itwon”tdo——reallyitwon”t，“saidHolmessuavely。
　　“Thereisnopossiblegettingoutofit，Mr。Windibank。Itis
　　quitetootransparent，anditwasaverybadcomplimentwhenyou
　　saidthatitwasimpossibleformetosolvesosimpleaquestion。
　　That”sright！Sitdownandletustalkitover。”
　　Ourvisitorcollapsedintoachair，withaghastlyfaceanda
　　glitterofmoistureonhisbrow。“It——it”snotactionable，“he
　　stammered。
　　“Iamverymuchafraidthatitisnot。Butbetweenourselves，
　　Windibank，itwasascruelandselfishandheartlessatrickina
　　pettywayasevercamebeforeme。Now，letmejustrunoverthe
　　courseofevents，andyouwillcontradictmeifIgowrong。”
　　Themansathuddledupinhischair，withhisheadsunkupon
　　hisbreast，likeonewhoisutterlycrushed。Holmesstuckhis
　　feetuponthecornerofthemantelpieceand，leaningbackwith
　　hishandsinhispockets，begantalking，rathertohimself，asit
　　seemed，thantous。
　　“Themanmarriedawomanverymucholderthanhimselfforher
　　money，“saidhe，“andheenjoyedtheuseofthemoneyofthe
　　daughteraslongasshelivedwiththem。Itwasaconsiderable
　　sum，forpeopleintheirposition，andthelossofitwouldhave
　　madeaseriousdifference。Itwasworthanefforttopreserveit。
　　Thedaughterwasofagood，amiabledisposition，butaffectionate
　　andwarm-heartedinherways，sothatitwasevidentthatwithher
　　fairpersonaladvantages，andherlittleincome，shewouldnotbe
　　allowedtoremainsinglelong。Nowhermarriagewouldmean，of
　　course，thelossofahundredayear，sowhatdoesherstepfather
　　dotopreventit？Hetakestheobviouscourseofkeepingherat
　　homeandforbiddinghertoseekthecompanyofpeopleofherown
　　age。Butsoonhefoundthatthatwouldnotanswerforever。She
　　becamerestive，insisteduponherrights，andfinallyannounced
　　herpositiveintentionofgoingtoacertainball。Whatdoesher
　　cleverstepfatherdothen？Heconceivesanideamorecreditable
　　tohisheadthantohisheart。Withtheconnivanceandassistance
　　ofhiswifehedisguisedhimself，coveredthosekeeneyeswith
　　tintedglasses，maskedthefacewithamoustacheandapairof
　　bushywhiskers，sunkthatclearvoiceintoaninsinuatingwhisper，
　　anddoublysecureonaccountofthegirl”sshortsight，heappears
　　asMr。HosmerAngel，andkeepsoffotherloversbymakinglove
　　himself。”
　　“Itwasonlyajokeatfirst，“groanedourvisitor。“Wenever
　　thoughtthatshewouldhavebeensocarriedaway。”
　　“Verylikelynot。Howeverthatmaybe，theyoungladywas
　　verydecidedlycarriedaway，and，havingquitemadeuphermind
　　thatherstepfatherwasinFrance，thesuspicionoftreachery
　　neverforaninstantenteredhermind。Shewasflatteredbythe
　　gentleman”sattentions，andtheeffectwasincreasedbytheloudly
　　expressedadmirationofhermother。ThenMr。Angelbegantocall，
　　foritwasobviousthatthemattershouldbepushedasfarasit
　　wouldgoifarealeffectweretobeproduced。Therewere
　　meetings，andanengagement，whichwouldfinallysecurethegirl”s
　　affectionsfromturningtowardsanyoneelse。Butthedeception
　　couldnotbekeptupforever。ThesepretendedjourneystoFrance
　　wererathercumbrous。Thethingtodowasclearlytobringthe
　　businesstoanendinsuchadramaticmannerthatitwouldleavea
　　permanentimpressionupontheyounglady”smindandpreventher
　　fromlookinguponanyothersuitorforsometimetocome。Hence
　　thosevowsoffidelityexacteduponaTestament，andhencealso
　　theallusionstoapossibilityofsomethinghappeningonthevery
　　morningofthewedding。JamesWindibankwishedMissSutherlandto
　　besoboundtoHosmerAngel，andsouncertainastohisfate，that
　　fortenyearstocome，atanyrate，shewouldnotlistento
　　anotherman。Asfarasthechurchdoorhebroughther，andthen，
　　ashecouldgonofarther，heconvenientlyvanishedawaybythe
　　oldtrickofsteppinginatonedoorofafour-wheelerandoutat
　　theother。Ithinkthatthatwasthechainofevents，Mr。
　　Windibank！“
　　Ourvisitorhadrecoveredsomethingofhisassurancewhile
　　Holmeshadbeentalking，andherosefromhischairnowwitha
　　coldsneeruponhispaleface。
　　“Itmaybeso，oritmaynot，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe，“butif
　　youaresoverysharpyououghttobesharpenoughtoknowthatit
　　isyouwhoarebreakingthelawnow，andnotme。Ihavedone
　　nothingactionablefromthefirst，butaslongasyoukeep，that
　　doorlockedyoulayyourselfopentoanactionforassaultand
　　illegalconstraint。
　　“Thelawcannot，asyousay，touchyou，“saidHolmes，
　　unlockingandthrowingopenthedoor，“yetthereneverwasaman
　　whodeservedpunishmentmore。Iftheyoungladyhasabrotheror
　　afriend，heoughttolayawhipacrossyourshoulders。ByJove！“
　　hecontinued，flushingupatthesightofthebittersneerupon
　　theman”sface，“itisnotpartofmydutiestomyclient，but
　　here”sahuntingcrophandy，andIthinkIshalljusttreatmyself
　　to”Hetooktwoswiftstepstothewhip，butbeforehecould
　　graspittherewasawildclatterofstepsuponthestairs，the
　　heavyhalldoorbanged，andfromthewindowwecouldseeMr。
　　JamesWindibankrunningatthetopofhisspeeddowntheroad。
　　“There”sacold-bloodedscoundrel！“saidHolmes，laughing，as
　　hethrewhimselfdownintohischaironcemore。“Thatfellowwill
　　risefromcrimetocrimeuntilhedoessomethingverybad，and
　　endsonagallows。Thecasehas，insomerespects，beennot
　　entirelydevoidofinterest。”
　　“Icannotnowentirelyseeallthestepsofyourreasoning，“I
　　remarked。
　　“Well，ofcourseitwasobviousfromthefirstthatthisMr。
　　HosmerAngelmusthavesomestrongobjectforhiscuriousconduct，
　　anditwasequallyclearthattheonlymanwhoreallyprofitedby
　　theincident，asfaraswecouldsee，wasthestepfather。Then
　　thefactthatthetwomenwerenevertogether，butthattheone
　　alwaysappearedwhentheotherwasaway，wassuggestive。Sowere
　　thetintedspectaclesandthecuriousvoice，whichbothhintedat
　　adisguise，asdidthebushywhiskers。Mysuspicionswereall
　　confirmedbyhispeculiaractionintypewritinghissignature，
　　which，ofcourse，inferredthathishandwritingwassofamiliarto
　　herthatshewouldrecognizeeventhesmallestsampleofit。You
　　seealltheseisolatedfacts，togetherwithmanyminorones，all
　　pointedinthesamedirection。”“Andhowdidyouverifythem？“
　　“Havingoncespottedmyman，itwaseasytogetcorroboration。
　　Iknewthefirmforwhichthismanworked。Havingtakenthe
　　printeddescription，Ieliminatedeverythingfromitwhichcould
　　betheresultofadisguise——thewhiskers，theglasses，thevoice，
　　andIsentittothefirm，witharequestthattheywouldinform
　　mewhetheritansweredtothedescriptionofanyoftheir
　　travellers。Ihadalreadynoticedthepeculiaritiesofthe
　　typewriter，andIwrotetothemanhimselfathisbusiness
　　address，askinghimifhewouldcomehere。AsIexpected，his
　　replywastypewrittenandrevealedthesametrivialbut
　　characteristicdefects。Thesamepostbroughtmealetterfrom
　　Westhouse&Marbank，ofFenchurchStreet，tosaythatthe
　　descriptiontalliedineveryrespectwiththatoftheiremployee，
　　JamesWindibank。Voilatout！““AndMissSutherland？“
　　“IfItellhershewillnotbelieveme。Youmayrememberthe
　　oldPersiansaying，`Thereisdangerforhimwhotakeththetiger
　　cub，anddangeralsoforwhososnatchesadelusionfromawoman。”
　　ThereisasmuchsenseinHafizasinHorace，andasmuch
　　knowledgeoftheworld。”。
　　1891
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THESCANDALINBOHEMIA
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　1
　　ToSherlockHolmessheisalwaysthewoman。Ihaveseldomheard
　　himmentionherunderanyothername。Inhiseyessheeclipsesand
　　predominatesthewholeofhersex。Itwasnotthathefeltanyemotion
　　akintoloveforIreneAdler。Allemotions，andthatoneparticularly，
　　wereabhorrenttohiscold，precisebutadmirablybalancedmind。He
　　was，Itakeit，themostperfectreasoningandobservingmachine
　　thattheworldhasseen，butasaloverhewouldhaveplacedhimself
　　inafalseposition。Heneverspokeofthesofterpassions，save
　　withagibeandasneer。Theywereadmirablethingsforthe
　　observer-excellentfordrawingtheveilfrommen”smotivesand
　　actions。Butforthetrainedreasonertoadmitsuchintrusionsinto
　　hisowndelicateandfinelyadjustedtemperamentwastointroducea
　　distractingfactorwhichmightthrowadoubtuponallhismental
　　results。Gritinasensitiveinstrument，oracrackinoneofhis
　　ownhigh-powerlenses，wouldnotbemoredisturbingthanastrong
　　emotioninanaturesuchashis。Andyettherewasbutonewomanto
　　him，andthatwomanwasthelateIreneAdler，ofdubiousand
　　questionablememory。
　　IhadseenlittleofHolmeslately。Mymarriagehaddriftedus
　　awayfromeachother。Myowncompletehappiness，andthe
　　home-centredinterestswhichriseuparoundthemanwhofirstfinds
　　himselfmasterofhisownestablishment，weresufficienttoabsorball
　　myattention，whileHolmes，wholoathedeveryformofsocietywithhis
　　wholeBohemiansoul，remainedinourlodgingsinBakerStreet，
　　buriedamonghisoldbooks，andalternatingfromweektoweek
　　betweencocaineandambition，thedrowsinessofthedrug，andthe
　　fierceenergyofhisownkeennature。Hewasstill，asever，deeply
　　attractedbythestudyofcrime，andoccupiedhisimmensefaculties
　　andextraordinarypowersofobservationinfollowingoutthose
　　clues，andclearingupthosemysterieswhichhadbeenabandonedas
　　hopelessbytheofficialpolice。FromtimetotimeIheardsome
　　vagueaccountofhisdoings：ofhissummonstoOdessainthecaseof
　　theTrepoffmurder，ofhisclearingupofthesingulartragedyof
　　theAtkinsonbrothersatTrincomalee，andfinallyofthemissionwhich
　　hehadaccomplishedsodelicatelyandsuccessfullyforthereigning
　　familyofHolland。Beyondthesesignsofhisactivity，however，
　　whichImerelysharedwithallthereadersofthedailypress，I
　　knewlittleofmyformerfriendandcompanion。
　　Onenight-itwasonthetwentiethofMarch，1888-Iwasreturning
　　fromajourneytoapatientforIhadnowreturnedtocivil
　　practice，whenmywayledmethroughBakerStreet。AsIpassedthe
　　well-remembereddoor，whichmustalwaysbeassociatedinmymind
　　withmywooing，andwiththedarkincidentsoftheStudyinScarlet，I
　　wasseizedwithakeendesiretoseeHolmesagain，andtoknowhow
　　hewasemployinghisextraordinarypowers。Hisroomswere
　　brilliantlylit，and，evenasIlookedup，Isawhistall，spare
　　figurepasstwiceinadarksilhouetteagainsttheblind。Hewas
　　pacingtheroomswiftly，eagerly，withhisheadsunkuponhischest
　　andhishandsclaspedbehindhim。Tome，whoknewhiseverymoodand
　　habit，hisattitudeandmannertoldtheirownstory。Hewasatwork
　　again。Hehadrisenoutofhisdrug-createddreamsandwashotupon
　　thescentofsomenewproblem。Irangthebellandwasshownuptothe
　　chamberwhichhadformerlybeeninpartmyown。
　　Hismannerwasnoteffusive。Itseldomwas；buthewasglad，I
　　think，toseeme。Withhardlyawordspoken，butwithakindlyeye，he
　　wavedmetoanarmchair，threwacrosshiscaseofcigars，and
　　indicatedaspiritcaseandagasogeneinthecorner。Thenhestood
　　beforethefireandlookedmeoverinhissingularintrospective
　　fashion。
　　“Wedlocksuitsyou，“heremarked。“Ithink，Watson，thatyouhave
　　putonsevenandahalfpoundssinceIsawyou。”
　　“Seven！“Ianswered。
　　“Indeed，Ishouldhavethoughtalittlemore。justatriflemore，
　　Ifancy，Watson。Andinpracticeagain，Iobserve。Youdidnottellme
　　thatyouintendedtogointoharness。”
　　“Then，howdoyouknow？”
　　“Iseeit，Ideduceit。HowdoIknowthatyouhavebeengetting
　　yourselfverywetlately，andthatyouhaveamostclumsyandcareless
　　servantgirl？“
　　“MydearHolmes，“saidI，“thisistoomuch。Youwouldcertainly
　　havebeenburned，hadyoulivedafewcenturiesago。ItistruethatI
　　hadacountrywalkonThursdayandcamehomeinadreadfulmess，but
　　asIhavechangedmyclothesIcan”timaginehowyoudeduceit。As
　　toMaryJane，sheisincorrigible，andmywifehasgivenhernotice；
　　butthere，again，Ifailtoseehowyouworkitout。”
　　Hechuckledtohimselfandrubbedhislong，nervoushandstogether。
　　“Itissimplicityitself，“saidhe；“myeyestellmethatonthe
　　insideofyourleftshoe，justwherethefirelightstrikesit，the
　　leatherisscoredbysixalmostparallelcuts。Obviouslytheyhave
　　beencausedbysomeonewhohasverycarelesslyscrapedroundtheedges
　　ofthesoleinordertoremovecrustedmudfromit。Hence，yousee，my
　　doubledeductionthatyouhadbeenoutinvileweather，andthatyou
　　hadaparticularlymalignantboot-slittingspecimenoftheLondon
　　slavey。Astoyourpractice，ifagentlemanwalksintomyrooms
　　smellingofiodoform，withablackmarkofnitrateofsilverupon
　　hisrightforefinger，andabulgeontherightsideofhistop-hat
　　toshowwherehehassecretedhisstethoscope，Imustbedull，indeed，
　　ifIdonotpronouncehimtobeanactivememberofthemedical
　　profession。”
　　Icouldnothelplaughingattheeasewithwhichheexplainedhis
　　processofdeduction。“WhenIhearyougiveyourreasons，“Iremarked，
　　“thethingalwaysappearstometobesoridiculouslysimplethatI
　　couldeasilydoitmyself，thoughateachsuccessiveinstanceof
　　yourreasoningIambaffleduntilyouexplainyourprocessAndyetI
　　believethatmyeyesareasgoodasyours。”
　　“Quiteso，“heanswered，lightingacigarette，andthrowing
　　himselfdownintoanarmchair。“Yousee，butyoudonotobserve。The
　　distinctionisclear。Forexample，youhavefrequentlyseenthe
　　stepswhichleadupfromthehalltothisroom。”
　　“Frequently。”
　　“Howoften？“
　　“Well，somehundredsoftimes。”
　　“Thenhowmanyarethere？“
　　“Howmany？Idon”tknow。”
　　“Quiteso！Youhavenotobserved。Andyetyouhaveseen。Thatis
　　justmypoint。Now，Iknowthatthereareseventeensteps，becauseI
　　havebothseenandobserved。Bytheway，sinceyouareinterestedin
　　theselittleproblems，andsinceyouaregoodenoughtochronicle
　　oneortwoofmytriflingexperiences，youmaybeinterestedinthis。”
　　Hethrewoverasheetofthick，pink-tintednote-paperwhichhad
　　beenlyingopenuponthetable。“Itcamebythelastpost，“saidhe。
　　“Readitaloud。”
　　Thenotewasundated，andwithouteithersignatureoraddress。
　　“Therewillcalluponyouto-night，ataquartertoeighto”clock
　　[itsaid]，agentlemanwhodesirestoconsultyouuponamatterofthe
　　verydeepestmoment。Yourrecentservicestooneoftheroyalhouses
　　ofEuropehaveshownthatyouareonewhomaysafelybetrustedwith
　　matterswhichareofanimportancewhichcanhardlybeexaggerated。
　　Thisaccountofyouwehavefromallquartersreceived。Beinyour
　　chamberthenatthathour，anddonottakeitamissifyourvisitor
　　wearamask。
　　“Thisisindeedamystery，“Iremarked。“Whatdoyouimaginethatit
　　means？“
　　“Ihavenodatayet。Itisacapitalmistaketotheorizebefore
　　onehasdata。Insensiblyonebeginstotwistfactstosuittheories，
　　insteadoftheoriestosuitfacts。Butthenoteitself。Whatdoyou
　　deducefromit？“
　　Icarefullyexaminedthewriting，andthepaperuponwhichitwas
　　written。
　　“Themanwhowroteitwaspresumablywelltodo，“Iremarked，
　　endeavouringtoimitatemycompanion”sprocesses。“Suchpapercould
　　notbeboughtunderhalfacrownapacket。Itispeculiarlystrongand
　　stiff。”
　　“Peculiar-thatistheveryword，“saidHolmes。“Itisnotan
　　Englishpaperatall。Holdituptothelight。”
　　Ididso，andsawalarge`E”withasmall`g”，a`P”andalarge
　　`G”withasmall`t”wovenintothetextureofthepaper。
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofthat？“askedHolmes。
　　“Thenameofthemaker，nodoubt；orhismonogram，rather。”
　　“Notatall。The`G”withthesmall`t”standsfor`Gesellschaft”
　　whichistheGermanfor`Company。”Itisacustomarycontraction
　　likeour`Co。”`P”ofcourse，standsfor`Papier。”Nowforthe
　　`Eg。”LetusglanceatourContinentalGazetteer。”Hetookdowna
　　heavybrownvolumefromhisshelves。“Eglow，Eglonitz-hereweare，
　　Egria。ItisinaGerman-speakingcountry-inBohemia，notfarfrom
　　Carlsbad。`Remarkableasbeingthesceneofthedeathof
　　Wallenstein，andforitsnumerousglass-factoriesandpaper-mills。”
　　Ha，ha，myboy，whatdoyoumakeofthat？”Hiseyessparkled，andhe
　　sentupagreatbluetriumphantcloudfromhiscigarette。
　　“ThepaperwasmadeinBohemia，“Isaid。
　　“Precisely。AndthemanwhowrotethenoteisaGerman。Doyou
　　notethepeculiarconstructionofthesentence-`Thisaccountofyou
　　wehavefromallquartersreceived。”AFrenchmanorRussiancould
　　nothavewrittenthat。ItistheGermanwhoissouncourteoustohis
　　verbs。Itonlyremains，therefore，todiscoverwhatiswantedby
　　thisGermanwhowritesuponBohemianpaperandpreferswearinga
　　masktoshowinghisface。Andherehecomes，ifIamnotmistaken，
　　toresolveallourdoubts。”
　　Ashespoketherewasthesharpsoundofhorses”hoofsandgrating
　　wheelsagainstthecurb，followedbyasharppullatthebell。
　　Holmeswhistled。
　　“Apair，bythesound，“saidhe。“Yes，“hecontinued，glancingout
　　ofthewindow。“Anicelittlebroughamandapairofbeauties。A
　　hundredandfiftyguineasapiece。There”smoneyinthiscase，
　　Watson，ifthereisnothingelse。”
　　“IthinkthatIhadbettergo，Holmes。”
　　“Notabit，Doctor。Staywhereyouare。Iamlostwithoutmy
　　Boswell。Andthispromisestobeinteresting。Itwouldbeapityto
　　missit。”
　　“Butyourclient-“
　　“Nevermindhim。Imaywantyourhelp，andsomayhe。Herehecomes。
　　Sitdowninthatarmchair，Doctor，andgiveusyourbestattention。”
　　Aslowandheavystep，whichhadbeenhearduponthestairsandin
　　thepassage，pausedimmediatelyoutsidethedoor。Thentherewasa
　　loudandauthoritativetap。
　　“Comein！“saidHolmes。
　　Amanenteredwhocouldhardlyhavebeenlessthansixfeetsix
　　inchesinheight，withthechestandlimbsofaHercules。Hisdress
　　wasrichwitharichnesswhichwould，inEngland，helookeduponas
　　akintobadtaste。Heavybandsofastrakhanwereslashedacrossthe
　　sleevesandfrontsofhisdouble-breastedcoat，whilethedeepblue
　　cloakwhichwasthrownoverhisshoulderswaslinedwith
　　flame-colouredsilkandsecuredattheneckwithabroochwhich
　　consistedofasingleflamingberyl。Bootswhichextendedhalfwayup
　　hiscalves，andwhichweretrimmedatthetopswithrichbrownfur，
　　completedtheimpressionofbarbaricopulencewhichwassuggestedby
　　hiswholeappearance。Hecarriedabroad-brimmedhatinhishand，
　　whileheworeacrosstheupperpartofhisface，extendingdownpast
　　thecheekbones，ablackvizardmask，whichhehadapparently
　　adjustedthatverymoment，forhishandwasstillraisedtoitashe
　　entered。Fromthelowerpartofthefaceheappearedtobeamanof
　　strongcharacter，withathick，hanginglip，andalong，straightchin
　　suggestiveofresolutionpushedtothelengthofobstinacy。
　　“Youhadmynote？“heaskedwithadeepharshvoiceandastrongly
　　markedGermanaccent。“ItoldyouthatIwouldcall。”Helookedfrom
　　onetotheotherofus，asifuncertainwhichtoaddress。
　　“Praytakeaseat，“saidHolmes。“Thisismyfriendandcolleague，
　　Dr。Watson，whoisoccasionallygoodenoughtohelpmeinmycases。
　　WhomhaveIthehonourtoaddress？“
　　“YoumayaddressmeastheCountVonKramm，aBohemiannobleman。I
　　understandthatthisgentleman，yourfriend，isamanofhonourand
　　discretion，whomImaytrustwithamatterofthemostextreme
　　importance。Ifnot，Ishouldmuchprefertocommunicatewithyou
　　alone。”
　　Irosetogo，butHolmescaughtmebythewristandpushedmeback
　　intomychair。“Itisboth，ornone，“saidhe。“Youmaysaybefore
　　thisgentlemananythingwhichyoumaysaytome。”
　　TheCountshruggedhisbroadshoulders。“ThenImustbegin，“said
　　he，“bybindingyoubothtoabsolutesecrecyfortwoyears；attheend
　　ofthattimethematterwillbeofnoimportance。Atpresentitisnot
　　toomuchtosaythatitisofsuchweightitmayhaveaninfluence
　　uponEuropeanhistory。”
　　“Ipromise，“saidHolmes。
　　“AndI。”
　　“Youwillexcusethismask，“continuedourstrangevisitor。“The
　　augustpersonwhoemploysmewisheshisagenttobeunknowntoyou，
　　andImayconfessatoncethatthetitlebywhichIhavejustcalled
　　myselfisnotexactlymyown。”
　　“Iwasawareofit，“saidHolmesdrily。
　　“Thecircumstancesareofgreatdelicacy，andeveryprecautionhas
　　tobetakentoquenchwhatmightgrowtobeanimmensescandaland
　　seriouslycompromiseoneofthereigningfamiliesofEurope。To
　　speakplainly，thematterimplicatesthegreatHouseofOrmstein，
　　hereditarykingsofBohemia。”
　　“Iwasalsoawareofthat，“murmuredHolmes，settlinghimselfdown
　　inhisarmchairandclosinghiseyes。
　　Ourvisitorglancedwithsomeapparentsurpriseatthelanguid，
　　loungingfigureofthemanwhohadbeennodoubtdepictedtohimas
　　themostincisivereasonerandmostenergeticagentinEurope。
　　Holmesslowlyreopenedhiseyesandlookedimpatientlyathisgigantic
　　client。
　　“IfyourMajestywouldcondescendtostateyourcase，“he
　　remarked，“Ishouldbebetterabletoadviseyou。”
　　Themansprangfromhischairandpacedupanddowntheroomin
　　uncontrollableagitation。Then，withagestureofdesperation，hetore
　　themaskfromhisfaceandhurleditupontheground。“Youareright，“
　　hecried；“IamtheKing。WhyshouldIattempttoconcealit？“
　　“Why，indeed？“murmuredHolmes。“YourMajestyhadnotspoken
　　beforeIwasawarethatIwasaddressingWilhelmGottsreich
　　SigismondvonOrmstein，GrandDukeofCassel-Felstein，and
　　hereditaryKingofBohemia。”
　　“Butyoucanunderstand，“saidourstrangevisitor，sittingdown
　　oncemoreandpassinghishandoverhishighwhiteforehead，“you
　　canunderstandthatIamnotaccustomedtodoingsuchbusinessinmy
　　ownperson。YetthematterwassodelicatethatIcouldnotconfideit
　　toanagentwithoutputtingmyselfinhispower。Ihavecomeincognito
　　fromPragueforthepurposeofconsultingyou。”
　　“Then，prayconsult，“saidHolmes，shuttinghiseyesoncemore。