“Iwasconfinedtothehousebyaseverechillforthreedayslast
　　week。Ithought，however，thatIhadcastoffeverytraceofit。”
　　“Soyouhave。Youlookremarkablyrobust。”
　　“How，then，didyouknowofit？“
　　“Mydearfellow，youknowmymethods。”
　　“Youdeducedit，then？“
　　“Certainly。”
　　“Andfromwhat？“
　　“Fromyourslippers。”
　　Iglanceddownatthenewpatent-leatherswhichIwaswearing。
　　“Howonearth-“Ibegan，butHolmesansweredmyquestionbeforeit
　　wasasked。
　　“Yourslippersarenew，“hesaid。“Youcouldnothavehadthem
　　morethanafewweeks。Thesoleswhichyouareatthismoment
　　presentingtomeareslightlyscorched。ForamomentIthoughtthey
　　mighthavegotwetandbeenburnedinthedrying。Butnearthe
　　instepthereisasmallcircularwaferofpaperwiththeshopman”s
　　hieroglyphicsuponit。Dampwouldofcoursehaveremovedthis。You
　　had，then，beensittingwithyourfeetoutstretchedtothefire，which
　　amanwouldhardlydoeveninsowetaJuneasthisifhewerein
　　hisfullhealth。”
　　LikeallHolmes”sreasoningthethingseemedsimplicityitself
　　whenitwasonceexplained。Hereadthethoughtuponmyfeatures，
　　andhissmilehadatingeofbitterness。
　　“IamafraidthatIrathergivemyselfawaywhenIexplain，“said
　　he。“Resultswithoutcausesaremuchmoreimpressive。Youarereadyto
　　cometoBirmingham，then？“
　　“Certainly。Whatisthecase？“
　　“Youshallhearitallinthetrain。Myclientisoutsideina
　　four-wheeler。Canyoucomeatonce？“
　　“Inaninstant。”Iscribbledanotetomyneighbour，rushedupstairs
　　toexplainthemattertomywife，andjoinedHolmesuponthedoorstep。
　　“Yourneighbourisadoctor，“saidhe，noddingatthebrassplate。
　　“Yes，heboughtapracticeasIdid。”
　　“Anold-establishedone？“
　　“Justthesameasmine。Bothhavebeeneversincethehouseswere
　　built。”
　　“Ah！thenyougotholdofthebestofthetwo。”
　　“IthinkIdid。Buthowdoyouknow？“
　　“Bythesteps，myboy。Yoursarewornthreeinchesdeeperthan
　　his。Butthisgentlemaninthecabismyclient，Mr。HallPycroft。
　　Allowmetointroduceyoutohim。Whipyourhorseup，cabby，forwe
　　haveonlyjusttimetocatchourtrain。”
　　ThemanwhomIfoundmyselffacingwasawell-built，
　　fresh-complexionedyoungfellow，withafrank，honestfaceanda
　　slight，crisp，yellowmoustache。Heworeaveryshinytop-hatanda
　　neatsuitofsoberblack，whichmadehimlookwhathewas-asmart
　　youngCityman，oftheclasswhohavebeenlabelledcockneys，but
　　whogiveusourcrackvolunteerregiments，andwhoturnoutmore
　　fineathletesandsportsmenthananybodyofmenintheseislands。His
　　round，ruddyfacewasnaturallyfullofcheeriness，butthecornersof
　　hismouthseemedtometobepulleddowninahalf-comicaldistress。
　　Itwasnot，however，untilwewereinafirst-classcarriageand
　　wellstarteduponourjourneytoBirminghamthatIwasabletolearn
　　whatthetroublewaswhichhaddrivenhimtoSherlockHolmes。
　　“Wehaveaclearrunhereofseventyminutes，“Holmesremarked。“I
　　wantyou，Mr。HallPycroft，totellmyfriendyourveryinteresting
　　experienceexactlyasyouhavetoldittome，orwithmoredetailif
　　possible。Itwillbeofusetometohearthesuccessionofevents
　　again。Itisacase，Watson，whichmayprovetohavesomethingin
　　it，ormayprovetohavenothing，butwhich，atleast，presentsthose：
　　unusualandoutrefeatureswhichareasdeartoyouastheyaretome。
　　Now，Mr。PycroftIshallnotinterruptyouagain。”
　　Ouryoungcompanionlookedatmewithatwinkleinhiseye。
　　“Theworstofthestoryis，“saidhe，“thatIshowmyselfupassuch
　　aconfoundedfool。Ofcourseitmayworkoutallright，andIdon”t
　　seethatIcouldhavedoneotherwise；butifIhavelostmycriband
　　getnothinginexchangeIshallfeelwhatsoftJohnnyIhavebeen。I”m
　　notverygoodattellingastory，Dr。Watson，butitislikethiswith
　　me：
　　“IusedtohaveabilletatCoxon&Woodhouse”s，ofDraper
　　Gardens，buttheywereletinearlyinthespringthroughthe
　　Venezuelanloan，asnodoubtyouremember，andcameanastycropper。I
　　havebeenwiththemfiveyears，andoldCoxongavemearippinggood
　　testimonialwhenthesmashcame，butofcourseweclerkswereall
　　turnedadrift，thetwenty-sevenofus。Itriedhereandtriedthere，
　　buttherewerelotsofotherchapsonthesamelayasmyself，andit
　　wasaperfectfrostforalongtime。Ihadbeentakingthreepounds
　　aweekatCoxon”s，andIhadsavedaboutseventyofthem，butIsoon
　　workedmywaythroughthatandoutattheotherend。Iwasfairlyat
　　theendofmytetheratlastandcouldhardlyfindthestampsto
　　answertheadvertisementsortheenvelopestostickthemto。Ihad
　　wornoutmybootspaddlingupofficestairs，andIseemedjustas
　　farfromgettingabilletasever。
　　“AtlastIsawavacancyatMawson&Williams”s，thegreat
　　stock-brokingfirminLombardStreet。IdaresayE。C。isnotmuch
　　inyourline，butIcantellyouthatthisisabouttherichest
　　houseinLondon。Theadvertisementwastobeansweredbyletter
　　only。Isentinmytestimonialandapplication，butwithoutthe
　　leasthopeofgettingit。Backcameananswerbyreturn，sayingthat
　　ifIwouldappearnextMondayImighttakeovermynewdutiesatonce，
　　providedthatmyappearancewassatisfactory。Nooneknowshowthese
　　thingsareworked。Somepeoplesaythatthemanagerjustplungeshis
　　handintotheheapandtakesthefirstthatcomes。Anyhowitwasmy
　　inningsthattime，andIdon”teverwishtofeelbetterpleased。The
　　screwwasapoundaweekrise，andthedutiesjustaboutthesameas
　　atCoxon”s。
　　“AndnowIcometothequeerpartofthebusiness。Iwasindiggings
　　outHampsteadway，17Potter”sTerrace。Well，Iwassittingdoinga
　　smokethatveryeveningafterIhadbeenpromisedtheappointment，
　　whenupcamemylandladywithacardwhichhad”ArthurPinner，
　　FinancialAgent”printeduponit。Ihadneverheardthenamebefore
　　andcouldnotimaginewhathewantedwithme，butofcourseIasked
　　hertoshowhimup。Inhewalked，amiddle-sized，dark-haired，
　　dark-eyed，black-beardedman，withatouchofthesheenyabouthis
　　nose。Hehadabriskkindofwaywithhimandspokesharply，likea
　　manwhoknewthevalueoftime。
　　“”Mr。HallPycroft，Ibelieve？”saidhe。
　　“”Yes，sir”Ianswered，pushingachairtowardshim。
　　“”LatelyengagedatCoxon&Woodhouse”s？”
　　“”Yes，sir。”
　　“”AndnowonthestaffofMawson”s。”
　　“”Quiteso。”
　　“”Well”saidhe，”thefactisthatIhaveheardsomereally
　　extraordinarystoriesaboutyourfinancialability。Youremember
　　Parker，whousedtobeCoxon”smanager。Hecanneversayenough
　　aboutit。”
　　“OfcourseIwaspleasedtohearthis。Ihadalwaysbeenpretty
　　sharpintheoffice，butIhadneverdreamedthatIwastalkedabout
　　intheCityinthisfashion。
　　“”Youhaveagoodmemory？”saidhe。
　　“”Prettyfair”Iansweredmodestly。
　　“”Haveyoukeptintouchwiththemarketwhileyouhavebeenout
　　ofwork？”heasked。
　　“”Yes。Ireadthestock-exchangelisteverymorning。”
　　“”Nowthatshowsrealapplication！”hecried。”Thatisthewayto
　　prosper！Youwon”tmindmytestingyou，willyou？Letmesee。How
　　areAyrshires？”
　　“”Ahundredandsixandaquartertoahundredandfiveand
　　seven-eighths。”
　　“”AndNewZealandconsolidated？”
　　“”Ahundredandfour。”
　　“”AndBritishBrokenHills？”
　　“”Seventoseven-and-six。”
　　“”Wonderful！”hecriedwithhishandsup。”Thisquitefitsinwith
　　allthatIhadheard。Myboy，myboy，youareverymuchtoogoodtobe
　　aclerkatMawson”s！”
　　“Thisoutburstratherastonishedme，asyoucanthink。”Well”
　　saidI，”otherpeopledon”tthinkquitesomuchofmeasyouseemto
　　do，Mr。Pinner。Ihadahardenoughfighttogetthisberth，andI
　　amverygladtohaveit。”
　　“”Poohman；youshouldsoaraboveit。Youarenotinyourtrue
　　sphere。Now，I”lltellyouhowitstandswithme。WhatIhavetooffer
　　islittleenoughwhenmeasuredbyyourability，butwhencomparedwith
　　Mawson”sit”slighttodark。Letmesee。WhendoyougotoMawson”s？”
　　“”OnMonday。”
　　“”Ha，ha！IthinkIwouldriskalittlesportingflutterthatyou
　　don”tgothereatall。”
　　“”NotgotoMawson”s？”
　　“”No，sir。Bythatdayyouwillbethebusinessmanagerofthe
　　Franco-MidlandHardwareCompany，Limited，withahundredand
　　thirty-fourbranchesinthetownsandvillagesofFrance，notcounting
　　oneinBrusselsandoneinSanRemo。”
　　“Thistookmybreathaway。”Ineverheardofit”saidI。
　　“”Verylikelynot。Ithasbeenkeptveryquiet，forthecapital
　　wasallprivatelysubscribed，andit”stoogoodathingtoletthe
　　publicinto。Mybrother，HarryPinner，ispromoter，andjoinsthe
　　boardafterallotmentasmanagingdirector。HeknewIwasinthe
　　swimdownhereandaskedmetopickupagoodmancheap。Ayoung，
　　pushingmanwithplentyofsnapabouthim。Parkerspokeofyou，and
　　thatbroughtmehereto-night。Wecanonlyofferyouabeggarlyfive
　　hundredtostartwith。”
　　“”Fivehundredayear！”Ishouted。
　　“”Onlythatatthebeginning；butyouaretohaveanover-riding
　　commissionofonepercentonallbusinessdonebyyouragents，and
　　youmaytakemywordforitthatthiswillcometomorethanyour
　　salary。”
　　“”ButIknownothingabouthardware。”
　　“”Tut，myboy，youknowaboutfigures。”
　　“Myheadbuzzed，andIcouldhardlysitstillinmychair。But
　　suddenlyalittlechillofdoubtcameuponme。
　　“”Imustbefrankwithyou”saidI。”Mawsononlygivesmetwo
　　hundred，butMawsonissafe。Now，really，Iknowsolittleabout
　　yourcompanythat-”
　　“”Ah，smart，smart！”hecriedinakindofecstasyofdelight。”Youaretheverymanforus。Youarenottobetalkedover，andquite
　　right，too。Now，here”sanoteforahundredpounds，andifyou
　　thinkthatwecandobusinessyoumayjustslipitintoyourpocketas
　　anadvanceuponyoursalary。”
　　“”Thatisveryhandsome”saidI。WhenshouldItakeovermynew
　　duties？”
　　“”BeinBirminghamatone”saidhe。”Ihaveanoteinmypocket
　　herewhichyouwilltaketomybrother。Youwillfindhimat126B
　　CorporationStreet，wherethetemporaryofficesofthecompanyare
　　situated。Ofcoursehemustconfirmyourengagement，butbetween
　　ourselvesitwillbeallright。”
　　“”Really，Ihardlyknowhowtoexpressmygratitude，Mr。Pinner”
　　saidI。
　　“”Notatall，myboy。Youhaveonlygotyourdeserts。Thereare
　　oneortwosmallthings-mereformalities-whichImustarrangewith
　　you。youhaveabitofpaperbesideyouthere。Kindlywriteuponit“I
　　amperfectlywillingtoactasbusinessmanagertothe
　　Franco-MidlandHardwareCompany，Limited，ataminimumsalaryof
　　L500。””
　　“Ididasheasked，andheputthepaperinhispocket。
　　“”Thereisoneotherdetail”saidhe。”Whatdoyouintendtodo
　　aboutMawson”s？”
　　“IhadforgottenallaboutMawson”sinmyjoy。”I”llwriteand
　　resign”saidI。
　　“”PreciselywhatIdon”twantyoutodo。Ihadarowoveryouwith
　　Mawson”smanager。Ihadgoneuptoaskhimaboutyou，andhewas
　　veryoffensive；accusedmeofcoaxingyouawayfromtheserviceofthe
　　firm，andthatsortofthing。AtlastIfairlylostmytemper。“Ifyou
　　wantgoodmenyoushouldpaythemagoodprice，“saidI。
　　“”“Hewouldratherhaveoursmallpricethanyourbigone，“saidhe。
　　“”“I”lllayyouafiver，“saidI，“thatwhenhehasmyoffer
　　you”llneversomuchashearfromhimagain。”
　　“”“Done！“saidhe。“Wepickedhimoutofthegutter，andhewon”t
　　leaveussoeasily。”Thosewerehisverywords。”
　　“”Theimpudentscoundrel！”Icried。”I”veneversomuchasseen
　　himinmylife。WhyshouldIconsiderhiminanyway？Ishall
　　certainlynotwriteifyouwouldratherIdidn”t。”
　　“”Good！That”sapromise”saidhe，risingfromhischair。”Well，
　　I”mdelightedtohavegotsogoodamanformybrother。Here”syour
　　advanceofahundredpounds，andhereistheletter。Makeanoteof
　　theaddress，126BCorporationStreet，andrememberthatoneo”clock
　　to-morrowisyourappointment。Good-night，andmayyouhaveaHthe
　　fortunethatyoudeserve！”
　　“That”sjustaboutallthatpassedbetweenus，asnearasIcan
　　remember。Youcanimagine，Dr。Watson，howpleasedIwasatsuchan
　　extraordinarybitofgoodfortune。Isatuphalfthenighthugging
　　myselfoverit，andnextdayIwasofftoBinatrainthatwouldtake
　　meinplentytimeformyappointment。Itookmythingstoahotelin
　　NewStreet，andthenImademywaytotheaddresswhichhadbeengiven
　　me。
　　“Itwasaquarterofanhourbeforemytime，butIthoughtthat
　　wouldmakenodifference。126Bwasapassagebetweentwolarge
　　shops，whichledtoawindingstonestair，fromwhichtherewere
　　manyflats，letasofficestocompaniesorprofessionalmen。Thenames
　　oftheoccupantswerepaintedatthebottomonthewall，buttherewas
　　nosuchnameastheFranco-MidlandHardwareCompany，Limited。I
　　stoodforafewminuteswithmyheartinmyboots，wonderingwhether
　　thewholethingwasanelaboratehoaxornot，whenupcameamanand
　　addressedme。HewasverylikethechapIhadseenthenightbefore，
　　thesamefigureandvoice，buthewasclean-shavenandhishairwas
　　lighter。
　　“”AreyouMr。HallPycroft？”heasked。
　　“”Yes”saidI。
　　“”Oh！Iwasexpectingyou，butyouareatriflebeforeyourtime。
　　Ihadanotefrommybrotherthismorninginwhichhesangyour
　　praisesveryloudly。”
　　“”Iwasjustlookingfortheofficeswhenyoucame。”
　　“”Wehavenotgotournameupyet，forweonlysecuredthese
　　temporarypremiseslastweek。Comeupwithme，andwewilltalkthe
　　matterover。”
　　“Ifollowedhimtothetopofaveryloftystair，andthere，right
　　undertheslates，wereacoupleofempty，dustylittlerooms，
　　uncarpetedanduncurtained，intowhichheledme。Ihadthoughtofa
　　greatofficewithshiningtablesandrowsofclerks，suchasIwas
　　usedto，andIdaresayIstaredratherstraightatthetwodealchairs
　　andonelittletable，whichwithaledgerandawaste-paperbasket，
　　madeupthewholefurniture。
　　“”Don”tbedisheartened，Mr。Pycroft”saidmynewacquaintance，
　　seeingthelengthofmyface。”Romewasnotbuiltinaday，andwe
　　havelotsofmoneyatourbacks，thoughwedon”tcutmuchdashyet
　　inoffices。Praysitdown，andletmehaveyourletter。”
　　“Igaveittohim，andhereaditoververycarefully。
　　“”YouseemtohavemadeavastimpressionuponmybrotherArthur”
　　saidhe，”andIknowthatheisaprettyshrewdjudge。Heswearsby
　　London，youknow；andIbyBirmingham；butthistimeIshallfollow
　　hisadvice。Prayconsideryourselfdefinitelyengaged。”
　　“”Whataremyduties？”Iasked。
　　“”YouwilleventuallymanagethegreatdepotinParis，whichwill
　　pourafloodofEnglishcrockeryintotheshopsofahundredand
　　thirty-fouragentsinFrance。Thepurchasewillbecompletedina
　　week，andmeanwhileyouwillremaininBandmakeyourselfuseful。”
　　“”How？”
　　“Foranswer，hetookabigredbookoutofadrawer。
　　“”ThisisadirectoryofParis”saidhe，”withthetradesafter
　　thenamesofthepeople。Iwantyoutotakeithomewithyou，andto
　　markoffallthehardwaresellers，withtheiraddresses。Itwouldbe
　　ofthegreatestusetometohavethem。”
　　“”Surely，thereareclassifiedlists？”Isuggested。
　　“”Notreliableones。Theirsystemisdifferentfromours。Stickat
　　it，andletmehavethelistsbyMonday，attwelve。Good-day，Mr。
　　Pycroft。Ifyoucontinuetoshowzealandintelligenceyouwillfind
　　thecompanyagoodmaster。”
　　“Iwentbacktothehotelwiththebigbookundermyarm，andwith
　　veryconflictingfeelingsinmybreast。Ontheonehand，Iwas
　　definitelyengagedandhadahundredpoundsinmypocket，onthe
　　other，thelookoftheoffices，theabsenceofnameonthewall，and
　　otherofthepointswhichwouldstrikeabusinessmanhadleftabad
　　impressionastothepositionofmyemployers。However，comewhat
　　might，Ihadmymoney，soIsettleddowntomytask。AllSundayI
　　waskepthardatwork，andyetbyMondayIhadonlygotasfarasH。I
　　wentroundtomyemployer，foundhiminthesamedismantledkindof
　　room，andwastoldtokeepatituntilWednesday，andthencomeagain。
　　OnWednesdayitwasstillunfinished，soIhammeredawayuntil
　　Friday-thatis，yesterday。ThenIbroughtitroundtoMr。Harry
　　Pinner。
　　“”Thankyouverymuch”saidhe，”IfearthatIunderratedthe
　　difficultyofthetask。Thislistwillbeofverymaterial
　　assistancetome。”
　　“”Ittooksometime”saidI。
　　“”Andnow”saidhe，”Iwantyoutomakealistofthefurniture
　　shops，fortheyallsellcrockery。”
　　“”Verygood。”
　　“”Andyoucancomeupto-morroweveningatsevenandletmeknowhow
　　youaregettingon。Don”toverworkyourself。Acoupleofhoursat
　　Day”sMusicHallintheeveningwoulddoyounoharmafteryour
　　labours。”Helaughedashespoke，andIsawwithathrillthathis
　　secondtoothupontheleft-handsidehadbeenverybadlystuffed
　　withgold。”
　　SherlockHolmesrubbedhishandswithdelight，andIstaredwith
　　astonishmentatourclient。
　　“Youmaywelllooksurprised，Dr。Watson，butitisthisway，“said
　　he：“WhenIwasspeakingtotheotherchapinLondon，atthetimethat
　　helaughedatmynotgoingtoMawson”s。Ihappenedtonoticethat
　　histoothwasstuffedinthisveryidenticalfashion。Theglintofthe
　　goldineachcasecaughtmyeye，yousee。WhenIputthatwiththe
　　voiceandfigurebeingthesame，andonlythosethingsalteredwhich
　　mightbechangedbyarazororawig，Icouldnotdoubtthatitwas
　　thesameman。Ofcourseyouexpecttwobrotherstobealike，butnot
　　thattheyshouldhavethesametoothstaffedinthesameway。Hebowed
　　meout，andIfoundmyselfinthestreet，hardlyknowingwhetherIwas
　　onmyheadormyheels。BackIwenttomyhotel，putmyheadina
　　basinofcoldwater，andtriedtothinkitout。Whyhadhesentme
　　fromLondontoBirmingham？Whyhadhegottherebeforeme？Andwhyhad
　　hewrittenaletterfromhimselftohimself？Itwasaltogethertoo
　　muchforme，andIcouldmakenosenseofit。Andthensuddenlyit
　　struckmethatwhatwasdarktomemightbeverylighttoMr。Sherlock
　　Holmes。Ihadjusttimetogetuptotownbythenighttraintosee
　　himthismorning，andtobringyoubothbackwithmetoBirmingham。”
　　Therewasapauseafterthestock-broker”sclerkhadconcludedhis
　　surprisingexperience。ThenSherlockHolmescockedhiseyeatme，
　　leaningbackonthecushionswithapleasedandyetcriticalface，
　　likeaconnoisseurwhohasjusttakenhisfirstsipofacomet
　　vintage。
　　“Ratherfine，Watson，isitnot？“saidhe。“Therearepointsinit
　　whichpleaseme。Ithinkthatyouwillagreewithmethataninterview
　　withMr。ArthurHarryPinnerinthetemporaryofficesofthe
　　Franco-MidlandHardwareCompany，limited，wouldbearather
　　interestingexperienceforbothofus。”
　　“Buthowcanwedoit？“Iasked。
　　“Oh，easilyenough，“saidHallPycroftcheerily。“Youaretwo
　　friendsofminewhoareinwantofabillet，andwhatcouldbemore
　　naturalthanthatIshouldbringyoubothroundtothemanaging
　　director？“
　　“Quiteso，ofcourse，“saidHolmes。“Ishouldliketohavealookat
　　thegentlemanandseeifIcanmakeanythingofhislittlegame。
　　Whatqualitieshaveyou，myfriend，whichwouldmakeyourservices
　　sovaluable？Orisitpossiblethat-“Hebeganbitinghisnailsand
　　staringblanklyoutofthewindow，andwehardlydrewanotherword
　　fromhimuntilwewereinNewStreet。
　　Atseveno”clockthateveningwewerewalking，thethreeofus，down
　　CorporationStreettothecompany”soffices。
　　“Itisnouseourbeingatallbeforeourtime，“saidourclient。
　　“Heonlycomestheretoseeme，apparently，fortheplaceis
　　deserteduptotheveryhourhenames。”
　　“Thatissuggestive，“remarkedHolmes。
　　“ByJove，Itoldyouso！“criedtheclerk。“That”shewalking
　　aheadofusthere“
　　Hepointedtoasmallish，dark，well-dressedmanwhowasbustling
　　alongtheothersideoftheroad。Aswewatchedhimhelookedacross
　　ataboywhowasbawlingoutthelatesteditionoftheevening
　　paper，and，runningoveramongthecabsandbusses，heboughtonefrom
　　him。Then，clutchingitinhishand，hevanishedthroughadoorway。
　　“Therehegoes！”criedHallPycroft。Thesearethecompany”soffices
　　intowhichhehasgone。Comewithme，andI”llfixitupaseasily
　　aspossible。”
　　Followinghislead，weascendedfivestories，untilwefound
　　ourselvesoutsideahalf-openeddoor，atwhichourclienttapped。A
　　voicewithinbadeusenter，andweenteredabare，unfurnishedroom
　　suchasHallPycrofthaddescribed。Atthesingletablesattheman
　　whomwehadseeninthestreet，withhiseveningpaperspreadoutin
　　frontofhim，andashelookedupatusitseemedtomethatIhad
　　neverlookeduponafacewhichboresuchmarksofgrief，andof
　　somethingbeyondgrief-ofahorrorsuchascomestofewmenina
　　lifetime。Hisbrowglistenedwithperspiration，hischeekswereofthe
　　dull，deadwhiteofafish”sbelly，andhiseyeswerewildand
　　staring。Helookedathisclerkasthoughhefailedtorecognize
　　him，andIcouldseebytheastonishmentdepicteduponourconductor”s
　　facethatthiswasbynomeanstheusualappearanceofhisemployer。
　　“Youlookill，Mr。Pinner！“heexclaimed。
　　“Yes，Iamnotverywell，“answeredtheother，makingobvious
　　effortstopullhimselftogetherandlickinghisdrylipsbeforehe
　　spoke。“Whoarethesegentlemenwhomyouhavebroughtwithyou？。”
　　“OneisMr。Harris，ofBermondsey，andtheotherisMr。Price，of
　　thistown，“saidourclerkglibly。“Theyarefriendsofmineand
　　gentlemenofexperience，buttheyhavebeenoutofaplaceforsome
　　littletime，andtheyhopedthatperhapsyoumightfindanopeningfor
　　theminthecompany”semployment。”
　　“Verypossibly！verypossibly！“criedMr。Pinnerwithaghastly
　　smile。“Yes，Ihavenodoubtthatweshallbeabletodosomethingfor
　　you。Whatisyourparticularline，Mr。Harris？“
　　“Iamanaccountant，“saidHolmes。
　　“Ah，yes，weshallwantsomethingofthesort。Andyou，Mr。Price？“
　　“Aclerk，“saidI。
　　“Ihaveeveryhopethatthecompanymayaccommodateyou。Iwill
　　letyouknowaboutitassoonaswecometoanyconclusion。Andnow
　　Ibegthatyouwillgo。ForGod”ssakeleavemetomyself！“
　　Theselastwordswereshotoutofhim，asthoughtheconstraint
　　whichhewasevidentlysettinguponhimselfhadsuddenlyandutterly
　　burstasunder。HolmesandIglancedateachother，andHallPycroft
　　tookasteptowardsthetable。
　　“Youforget，Mr。Pinner，thatIamherebyappointmenttoreceive
　　somedirectionsfromyou，“saidhe。
　　“Certainly，Mr。Pycroft，certainly，“theotherresumedinacalmer
　　tone。“Youmaywaithereamomentandthereisnoreasonwhyyour
　　friendsshouldnotwaitwithyou。Iwillbeentirelyatyourservice
　　inthreeminutes，ifImighttrespassuponyourpatiencesofar。”He
　　rosewithaverycourteousair，and，bowingtous，hepassedout
　　throughadooratthefartherendoftheroom，whichheclosed
　　behindhim。
　　“Whatnow？“whisperedHolmes。“Ishegivingustheslip？“
　　“Impossible”answeredPycroft。
　　“Whyso？“
　　“Thatdoorleadsintoaninnerroom。”
　　“Thereisnoexit？“
　　“None。”
　　“Isitfurnished？“
　　“Itwasemptyyesterday。”
　　“Thenwhatonearthcanhebedoing？ThereissomethingwhichI
　　don”tunderstandinthismatter。Ifeveramanwasthreepartsmad
　　withterror，thatman”snameisPinner。Whatcanhaveputthe
　　shiversonhim？“
　　“Hesuspectsthatwearedetectives，“Isuggested。
　　“That”sit，“criedPycroft。
　　Holmesshookhishead。“Hedidnotturnpale。Hewaspalewhenwe
　　enteredtheroom，“saidhe。“Itisjustpossiblethat-“
　　Hiswordswereinterruptedbyasharprat-tatfromthedirection
　　oftheinnerdoor。
　　“Whatthedeuceisheknockingathisowndoorfor？“criedthe
　　clerk。
　　Againandmuchloudercametherat-tat-tat。Weallgazedexpectantly
　　atthecloseddoor。GlancingatHolmes，Isawhisfaceturnrigid，and
　　heleanedforwardinintenseexcitement。Thensuddenlycamealow
　　guggling，garglingsound，andabriskdrumminguponwoodwork。Holmes
　　sprangfranticallyacrosstheroomandpushedatthedoor。Itwas
　　fastenedontheinnerside。Followinghisexample，wethrew
　　ourselvesuponitwithallourweight。Onehingesnapped，thenthe
　　other，anddowncamethedoorwithacrash。Rushingoverit，we
　　foundourselvesintheinnerroom。Itwasempty。
　　Butitwasonlyforamomentthatwewereatfault。Atonecorner，
　　thecornernearesttheroomwhichwehadleft，therewasasecond
　　door。Holmessprangtoitandpulleditopen。Acoatandwaistcoat
　　werelyingonthefloor，andfromahookbehindthedoor，withhisown
　　bracesroundhisneck，washangingthemanagingdirectorofthe
　　Franco-MidlandHardwareCompany。Hiskneesweredrawnup，hishead
　　hungatadreadfulangletohisbody，andtheclatterofhisheels
　　againstthedoormadethenoisewhichhadbrokeninuponour
　　conversation。InaninstantIhadcaughthimroundthewaistand
　　heldhimupwhileHolmesandPycroftuntiedtheelasticbandswhich
　　haddisappearedbetweenthelividcreasesofskin。Thenwecarriedhim
　　intotheotherroom，wherehelaywithaclay-colouredface，puffing
　　hispurplelipsinandoutwitheverybreath-adreadfulwreckofall
　　thathehadbeenbutfiveminutesbefore。
　　“Whatdoyouthinkofhim，Watson？“askedHolmes。
　　Istoopedoverhimandexaminedhim。Hispulsewasfeebleand
　　intermittent，buthisbreathinggrewlonger，andtherewasalittle
　　shiveringofhiseyelids，whichshowedathinwhiteslitofball
　　beneath。
　　“Ithasbeentouchandgowithhim，“saidI，“buthe”lllivenow。
　　Justopenthatwindow，andhandmethewatercarafe。”Iundidhis
　　collar，pouredthecoldwateroverhisface，andraisedandsankhis
　　armsuntilhedrewalong，naturalbreath。“It”sonlyaquestionof
　　timenow，“saidIasIturnedawayfromhim。
　　Holmesstoodbythetable，withhishandsdeepinhistrousers”
　　pocketsandhischinuponhisbreast。
　　“Isupposeweoughttocallthepoliceinnow，“saidhe。“Andyet
　　IconfessthatI”dliketogivethemacompletecasewhentheycome。”
　　“It”sablessedmysterytome，“criedPycroft，scratchinghis
　　head。“Whatevertheywantedtobringmeallthewayupherefor，and
　　then-“
　　“Pooh！Allthatisclearenough，“saidHolmesimpatiently。“Itis
　　thislastsuddenmove。”
　　“Youunderstandtherest，then？“
　　“Ithinkthatitisfairlyobvious。Whatdoyousay，Watson？“
　　Ishruggedmyshoulders。“ImustconfessthatIamoutofmy
　　depths，“saidI。
　　“Oh，surelyifyouconsidertheeventsatfirsttheycanonly
　　pointtooneconclusion。”
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofthem？“
　　“Well，thewholethinghingesupontwopoints。Thefirstisthe
　　makingofPycroftwriteadeclarationbywhichheenteredthe
　　serviceofthispreposterouscompany。Doyounotseehowvery
　　suggestivethatis？“
　　“IamafraidImissthepoint。”
　　“Well，whydidtheywanthimtodoit？Notasabusinessmatter，for
　　thesearrangementsareusuallyverbal，andtherewasnoearthly
　　businessreasonwhythisshouldbeanexception。Don”tyousee，my
　　youngfriend，thattheywereveryanxioustoobtainaspecimenofyour
　　handwriting，andhadnootherwayofdoingit？”
　　“Andwhy？“
　　“Quiteso。Why？Whenweanswerthatwehavemadesomeprogress
　　withourlittleproblem。Why？Therecanbeonlyoneadequatereason。
　　Someonewantedtolearntoimitateyourwritingandhadtoprocurea
　　specimenofitfirst。Andnowifwepassontothesecondpointwe
　　findthateachthrowslightupontheother。Thatpointisthe
　　requestmadebyPinnerthatyoushouldnotresignyourplace，but
　　shouldleavethemanagerofthisimportantbusinessinthefull
　　expectationthataMr。HallPycroft，whomhehadneverseen，wasabout
　　toentertheofficeupontheMondaymorning。”
　　“MyGod！“criedourclient，“whatablindbeetleIhavebeen！“
　　“Nowyouseethepointaboutthehandwriting。Supposethatsomeone
　　turnedupinyourplacewhowroteacompletelydifferenthandfrom
　　thatinwhichyouhadappliedforthevacancy，ofcoursethegame
　　wouldhavebeenup。Butintheintervaltheroguehadlearnedto
　　imitateyou，andhispositionwasthereforesecure，asIpresume
　　thatnobodyintheofficehadeverseteyesuponyou。”
　　“Notasoul，“groanedHallPycroft。
　　“Verygood。Ofcourseitwasoftheutmostimportancetopreventyou
　　fromthinkingbetterofit，andalsotokeepyoufromcominginto
　　contactwithanyonewhomighttellyouthatyourdoublewasatworkin
　　Mawson”soffice。Thereforetheygaveyouahandsomeadvanceonyour
　　salary，andranyouofftotheMidlands，wheretheygaveyouenough
　　worktodotopreventyourgoingtoLondon，whereyoumighthaveburst
　　theirlittlegameup。Thatisallplainenough。”
　　“Butwhyshouldthismanpretendtobehisownbrother？“
　　“Well，thatisprettyclearalso。Thereareevidentlyonlytwoof
　　theminit。Theotherisimpersonatingyouattheoffice。Thisone
　　actedasyourengager，andthenfoundthathecouldnotfindyouan
　　employerwithoutadmittingathirdpersonintohisplot。Thathewas
　　mostunwillingtodo。Hechangedhisappearanceasfarashecould，
　　andtrustedthatthelikeness，whichyoucouldnotfailtoobserve，
　　wouldbeputdowntoafamilyresemblance。Butforthehappychanceof
　　thegoldstuffing，yoursuspicionswouldprobablyneverhavebeen
　　aroused。”
　　HallPycroftshookhisclenchedhandsintheair。“GoodLord！“he
　　cried“whileIhavebeenfooledinthisway，whathasthisother
　　HallPycroftbeendoingatMawson”s？Whatshouldwedo，Mr。Holmes？
　　Tellmewhattodo。”
　　“WemustwiretoMawson”s。”
　　“TheyshutattwelveonSaturdays。”
　　“Nevermind。Theremaybesomedoor-keeperorattendant-“
　　“Ah，yes，theykeepapermanentguardthereonaccountofthe
　　valueofthesecuritiesthattheyhold。Irememberhearingittalked
　　ofintheCity。”
　　“Verygood，weshallwiretohimandseeifalliswell，andifa
　　clerkofyournameisworkingthere。Thatisclearenough，butwhatis
　　notsocleariswhyatsightofusoneoftheroguesshould
　　instantlywalkoutoftheroomandhanghimself。”
　　“Thepaper！“croakedavoicebehindus。Themanwassittingup，
　　blanchedandghastly，withreturningreasoninhiseyes，andhands
　　whichrubbednervouslyatthebroadredbandwhichstillencircledhis
　　throat。
　　“Thepaper！Ofcourse！“yelledHolmesinaparoxysmofexcitement。
　　“IdiotthatIwas！Ithoughtsomuchofourvisitthatthepapernever
　　enteredmyheadforaninstant。Tobesure，thesecretmustlie
　　there。”Heflatteneditoutuponthetable，andacryoftriumphburst
　　fromhislips。“Lookatthis，Watson，“hecried。”ItisaLondon
　　paper，anearlyeditionoftheEveningStandard。Hereiswhatwewant。
　　Lookattheheadlines：”CrimeintheCity。MurderatMawson&
　　Williams”s。GiganticAttemptedRobbery。CaptureoftheCriminal。”
　　Here，Watson，weareallequallyanxioustohearit，sokindlyreadit
　　aloudtous。”
　　Itappearedfromitspositioninthepapertohavebeentheone
　　eventofimportanceintown，andtheaccountofitraninthisway：
　　“Adesperateattemptatrobbery，culminatinginthedeathofoneman
　　andthecaptureofthecriminal，occurredthisafternooninthe
　　City。ForsometimebackMawson&Williams，thefamousfinancial
　　house，havebeentheguardiansofsecuritieswhichamountinthe
　　aggregatetoasumofconsiderablyoveramillionsterling。So
　　consciouswasthemanageroftheresponsibilitywhichdevolvedupon
　　himinconsequenceofthegreatinterestsatstakethatsafesofthe
　　verylatestconstructionhavebeenemployed，andanarmedwatchmanhas
　　beenleftdayandnightinthebuilding。Itappearsthatlastweeka
　　newclerknamedHallPycroftwasengagedbythefirm。Thisperson
　　appearstohavebeennoneotherthanBeddington，thefamousforgerand
　　cracksman，who，withhisbrother，hasonlyrecentlyemergedfroma
　　fiveyears”spellofpenalservitude。Bysomemeans，whicharenotyet
　　clear，hesucceededinwinning，underafalsename，thisofficial
　　positionintheoffice，whichheutilizedinordertoobtainmouldings
　　ofvariouslocks，andathoroughknowledgeofthepositionofthe
　　strongroomandthesafes。
　　“ItiscustomaryatMawson”sfortheclerkstoleaveatmiddayon
　　Saturday。SergeantTuson，oftheCitypolice，wassomewhat
　　surprised，therefore，toseeagentlemanwithacarpet-bagcomedown
　　thestepsattwentyminutespastone。Hissuspicionsbeingaroused，
　　thesergeantfollowedtheman，andwiththeaidofConstablePollock
　　succeeded，afteramostdesperateresistance，inarrestinghim。Itwas
　　atonceclearthatadaringandgiganticrobberyhadbeencommitted。
　　Nearlyahundredthousandpounds”worthofAmericanrailwaybonds，
　　withalargeamountofscripinminesandothercompanies，was
　　discoveredinthebag。Onexaminingthepremisesthebodyofthe
　　unfortunatewatchmanwasfounddoubledupandthrustintothe
　　largestofthesafes，whereitwouldnothavebeendiscovereduntil
　　MondaymorninghaditnotbeenforthepromptactionofSergeant
　　Tuson。Theman”sskullhadbeenshatteredbyablowfromapoker
　　deliveredfrombehind。TherecouldbenodoubtthatBeddingtonhad
　　obtainedentrancepretendingthathehadleftsomethingbehindhim，
　　andhavingmurderedthewatchman，rapidlyrifledthelargesafe，and
　　thenmadeoffwithhisbooty。Hisbrother，whousuallyworkswithhim，
　　hasnotappearedinthisjobasfarascanatpresentbe
　　ascertained，althoughthepolicearemakingenergeticinquiriesas
　　tohiswhereabouts。”
　　“Well，wemaysavethepolicesomelittletroubleinthat
　　direction，“saidHolmes，glancingatthehaggardfigurehuddledup
　　bythewindow。“Humannatureisastrangemixture，Watson。Yousee
　　thatevenavillainandmurderercaninspiresuchaffectionthathis
　　brotherturnstosuicidewhenhelearnsthathisneckisforfeited。
　　However，wehavenochoiceastoouraction。ThedoctorandIwill
　　remainonguard，Mr。Pycroft，ifyouwillhavethekindnesstostep
　　outforthepolice。”
　　THEEND。
　　1893
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEYELLOWFACE
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　[Inpublishingtheseshortsketchesbaseduponthenumerouscasesin
　　whichmycompanion”ssingulargiftshavemadeusthelistenersto，and
　　eventuallytheactorsin，somestrangedrama，itisonlynatural
　　thatIshoulddwellratheruponhissuccessesthanuponhis
　　failures。Andthisnotsomuchforthesakeofhisreputation-for，
　　indeed，itwaswhenhewasathiswit”sendthathisenergyandhis
　　versatilityweremostadmirable-butbecausewherehefailedit
　　happenedtoooftenthatnooneelsesucceeded，andthatthetalewas
　　leftforeverwithoutaconclusion。Nowandagain，however，it
　　chancedthatevenwhenheerredthetruthwasstilldiscovered。Ihave
　　notedofsomehalf-dozencasesofthekind；theadventureofthe
　　MusgraveRitualandthatwhichIamabouttorecountarethetwowhich
　　presentthestrongestfeaturesofinterest。]
　　SherlockHolmeswasamanwhoseldomtookexerciseforexercise”s
　　sake。Fewmenwerecapableofgreatermusculareffort，andhewas
　　undoubtedlyoneofthefinestboxersofhisweightthatIhaveever
　　seen；buthelookeduponaimlessbodilyexertionasawasteofenergy，
　　andheseldombestirredhimselfsavewheretherewassomeprofessional
　　objecttobeserved。Thenhewasabsolutelyuntiringand
　　indefatigable。Thatheshouldhavekepthimselfintrainingundersuch
　　circumstancesisremarkable，buthisdietwasusuallyofthe
　　sparest，andhishabitsweresimpletothevergeofausterity。Save
　　fortheoccasionaluseofcocaine，hehadnovices，andheonlyturned
　　tothedrugasaprotestagainstthemonotonyofexistencewhen
　　caseswerescantyandthepapersuninteresting。
　　Onedayinearlyspringhehadsofarrelaxedastogoforawalk
　　withmeinthePark，wherethefirstfaintshootsofgreenwere
　　breakingoutupontheelms，andthestickyspear-headsofthe
　　chestnutswerejustbeginningtoburstintotheirfivefoldleaves。For
　　twohourswerambledabouttogether，insilenceforthemostpart，
　　asbefitstwomenwhoknoweachotherintimately。Itwasnearlyfive
　　beforewewerebackinBakerStreetoncemore。
　　“Begpardon，sir，“saidourpage-boyasheopenedthedoor。“There”s
　　beenagentlemanhereaskingforyou，sir。”
　　Holmesglancedreproachfullyatme。“Somuchforafternoonwalks！“
　　saidhe。
　　“Hasthisgentlemangone，then？“
　　“Yes，sir。”
　　“Didn”tyouaskhimin？“
　　“Yes，sir，hecamein。”
　　“Howlongdidhewait？“
　　“Halfanhour，sir。Hewasaveryrestlessgentleman，sir，a-walkin”
　　anda-stampin”allthetimehewashere。Iwaswaitin”outsidethe
　　door，sir，andIcouldhearhim。Atlastheoutsintothepassage，and
　　hecries，”Isthatmannevergoin”tocome？”Thosewerehisvery
　　words，sir。”You”llonlyneedtowaitalittlelonger”saysI。”ThenI”llwaitintheopenair，forIfeelhalfchoked”sayshe。”I”llbebackbeforelong。”Andwiththatheupsandheouts，and
　　allIcouldsaywouldn”tholdhimback。”
　　“Well，well，youdidyourbest，“saidHolmesaswewalkedintoour
　　room。“It”sveryannoying，though，Watson。Iwasbadlyinneedofa
　　case，andthislooks，fromtheman”simpatience，asifitwereof
　　importance。Hullo！that”snotyourpipeonthetable。Hemusthave
　　lefthisbehindhim。Aniceoldbrierwithagoodlongstemofwhat
　　thetobacconistscallamber。Iwonderhowmanyrealamber
　　mouthpiecesthereareinLondon？Somepeoplethinkthataflyinitis
　　asign。Well，hemusthavebeendisturbedinhismindtoleavea
　　pipebehindhimwhichheevidentlyvalueshighly。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthathevaluesithighly？“Iasked。
　　“Well，Ishouldputtheoriginalcostofthepipeatsevenand
　　sixpence。Nowithas，yousee，beentwicemended，onceinthewooden
　　stemandonceintheamber。Eachofthesemends，done，asyouobserve，
　　withsilverbands，musthavecostmorethanthepipedidoriginally。
　　Themanmustvaluethepipehighlywhenhepreferstopatchitup
　　ratherthanbuyanewonewiththesamemoney。”
　　“Anythingelse？“Iasked，forHolmeswasturningthepipeaboutin
　　hishandandstaringatitinhispeculiarpensiveway。
　　Hehelditupandtappedonitwithhislong，thinforefinger，as
　　aprofessormightwhowaslecturingonabone。
　　“Pipesareoccasionallyofextraordinaryinterest，“saidhe。
　　“Nothinghasmoreindividuality，saveperhapswatchesandbootlaces。
　　Theindicationshere，however，areneitherverymarkednorvery
　　important。Theownerisobviouslyamuscularman，left-handed，withan
　　excellentsetofteeth，carelessinhishabits，andwithnoneedto
　　practiseeconomy。”
　　Myfriendthrewouttheinformationinaveryoffhandway，butIsaw
　　thathecockedhiseyeatmetoseeifIhadfollowedhisreasoning。
　　“Youthinkamanmustbewell-to-doifhesmokesaseven-shilling
　　pipe？“saidI。
　　“ThisisGrosvenormixtureateightpenceanounce，“Holmesanswered，
　　knockingalittleoutonhispalm。“Ashemightgetanexcellentsmoke
　　forhalftheprice，hehasnoneedtopractiseeconomy。”
　　“Andtheotherpoints？“
　　“Hehasbeeninthehabitoflightinghispipeatlampsand
　　gas-jets。Youcanseethatitisquitecharredalldownoneside。Of
　　courseamatchcouldnothavedonethat。Whyshouldamanholdamatch
　　tothesideofhispipe？Butyoucannotlightitatalampwithout
　　gettingthebowlcharred。Anditisallontherightsideofthepipe。
　　FromthatIgatherthatheisaleft-handedman。Youholdyourown
　　Pipetothelampandseehownaturallyyou，beingright-handed，hold
　　theleftsidetotheflame。Youmightdoitoncetheotherway，but
　　notasaconstancy。Thishasalwaysbeenheldso。Thenhehasbitten
　　throughhisamber。Ittakesamuscular，energeticfellow，andonewith
　　agoodsetofteeth，todothat。ButifIamnotmistakenIhearhim
　　uponthestair，soweshallhavesomethingmoreinterestingthanhis
　　pipetostudy。”
　　Aninstantlaterourdooropened，andatallyoungmanenteredthe
　　room。Hewaswellbutquietlydressedinadarkgraysuitand
　　carriedabrownwideawakeinhishand。Ishouldhaveputhimatabout
　　thirty，thoughhewasreallysomeyearsolder。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，“saidhewithsomeembarrassment，“IsupposeI
　　shouldhaveknocked。Yes，ofcourseIshouldhaveknocked。Thefactis
　　thatIamalittleupset，andyoumustputitalldowntothat。”He
　　passedhishandoverhisforeheadlikeamanwhoishalfdazed，and
　　thenfellratherthansatdownuponachair。
　　“Icanseethatyouhavenotsleptforanightortwo，“said
　　Holmesinhiseasy，genialway。“Thattriesaman”snervesmorethan
　　work，andmoreeventhanpleasure。MayIaskhowIcanhelpyou？“
　　“Iwantedyouradvice，sir。Idon”tknowwhattodo，andmywhole
　　lifeseemstohavegonetopieces。”
　　“Youwishtoemploymeasaconsultingdetective？“
　　Notthatonly。Iwantyouropinionasajudiciousman-asamanof
　　theworld。IwanttoknowwhatIoughttodonext。IhopetoGod
　　you”llbeabletotellme。”
　　Hespokeinlittle，sharp，jerkyoutbursts，anditseemedtomethat
　　tospeakatallwasverypainfultohim，andthathiswillallthrough
　　wasoverridinghisinclinations。
　　“It”saverydelicatething，“saidhe。“Onedoesnotliketospeak
　　ofone”sdomesticaffairstostrangers。Itseemsdreadfultodiscuss
　　theconductofone”swifewithtwomenwhomIhaveneverseen
　　before。It”shorribletohavetodoit。ButI”vegottotheendof
　　mytether，andImusthaveadvice。”
　　“MydearMr。GrantMunro”beganHolmes。
　　Ourvisitorsprangfromhischair。“What！“hecried，“youknowmy
　　name？“
　　“Ifyouwishtopreserveyourincognito，“saidHolmes，smiling，“I
　　wouldsuggestthatyouceasetowriteyournameupontheliningof
　　yourhat，orelsethatyouturnthecrowntowardsthepersonwhom
　　youareaddressing。IwasabouttosaythatmyfriendandIhave
　　listenedtoagoodmanystrangesecretsinthisroom，andthatwehave
　　hadthegoodfortunetobringpeacetomanytroubledsouls。Itrust
　　thatwemaydoasmuchforyou。MightIbegyou，astimemayprove
　　tobeofimportance，tofurnishmewiththefactsofyourcasewithout
　　furtherdelay？“
　　Ourvisitoragainpassedhishandoverhisforehead，asifhe
　　founditbitterlyhard。FromeverygestureandexpressionIcould
　　seethathewasareservedselfcontainedman，withadashofpride
　　inhisnature，morelikelytohidehiswoundsthantoexposethem。
　　Thensuddenly，withafiercegestureofhisclosedhand，likeone
　　whothrowsreservetothewinds，hebegan：
　　“Thefactsarethese，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe。“Iamamarriedman
　　andhavebeensoforthreeyears。DuringthattimemywifeandI
　　havelovedeachotherasfondlyandlivedashappilyasanytwothat
　　everwerejoined。Wehavenothadadifference，notone，inthoughtor
　　wordordeed。Andnow，sincelastMonday，therehassuddenlysprungup
　　abarrierbetweenus，andIfindthatthereissomethinginherlife
　　andinherthoughtsofwhichIknowaslittleasifshewerethewoman
　　whobrushesbymeinthestreet。Weareestranged，andIwantto
　　knowwhy。
　　“NowthereisonethingthatIwanttoimpressuponyoubeforeI
　　goanyfurther，Mr。Holmes。Effielovesme。Don”tlettherebeany
　　mistakeaboutthat。Shelovesmewithherwholeheartandsoul，and
　　nevermorethannow。Iknowit。Ifeelit。Idon”twanttoargueabout
　　that。Amancantelleasilyenoughwhenawomanloveshim。Butthere”s
　　thissecretbetweenus，andwecanneverbethesameuntilitis
　　cleared。”
　　“Kindlyletmehavethefacts，Mr。Munro，“saidHolmeswithsome
　　impatience。
　　“I”lltellyouwhatIknowaboutEffie”shistory。Shewasawidow
　　whenImetherfirst，thoughquiteyoung-onlytwenty-five。Hername
　　thenwasMrs。Hebron。ShewentouttoAmericawhenshewasyoungand
　　livedinthetownofAtlanta，whereshemarriedthisHebron，whowasa
　　lawyerwithagoodpractice。Theyhadonechild，buttheyellow
　　feverbrokeoutbadlyintheplace，andbothhusbandandchilddiedof
　　it。Ihaveseenhisdeathcertificate。ThissickenedherofAmerica，
　　andshecamebacktolivewithamaidenauntatPinner，in
　　Middlesex。Imaymentionthatherhusbandhadlefthercomfortably
　　off，andthatshehadacapitalofaboutfourthousandfivehundred
　　pounds，whichhadbeensowellinvestedbyhimthatitreturnedan
　　averageofsevenpercent。ShehadonlybeensixmonthsatPinnerwhen
　　Imether；wefellinlovewitheachother，andwemarriedafewweeks
　　afterwards。
　　“Iamahopmerchantmyself，andasIhaveanincomeofsevenor
　　eighthundred，wefoundourselvescomfortablyoffandtookanice
　　eighty-pound-a-yearvillaatNorbury。Ourlittleplacewasvery
　　countrified，consideringthatitissoclosetotown。Wehadaninn
　　andtwohousesalittleaboveus，andasinglecottageattheother
　　sideofthefieldwhichfacesus，andexceptthosetherewereno
　　housesuntilyougothalfwaytothestation。Mybusinesstookme
　　intotownatcertainseasons，butinsummerIhadlesstodo，andthen
　　inourcountryhomemywifeandIwerejustashappyascouldbe
　　wished。Itellyouthatthereneverwasashadowbetweenusuntilthis
　　accursedaffairbegan。
　　“There”sonethingIoughttotellyoubeforeIgofurther。When
　　wemarried，mywifemadeoverallherpropertytome-ratheragainstmy
　　will，forIsawhowawkwarditwouldbeifmybusinessaffairswent
　　wrong。However，shewouldhaveitso，anditwasdone。Well，aboutsix
　　weeksagoshecametome。
　　“”Jack”saidshe，”whenyoutookmymoneyyousaidthatifeverI
　　wantedanyIwastoaskyouforit。”
　　“”Certainly”saidI。”It”sallyourown。”
　　“”Well”saidshe，”Iwantahundredpounds。”
　　“Iwasabitstaggeredatthis，forIhadimagineditwassimplya
　　newdressorsomethingofthekindthatshewasafter。
　　“”Whatonearthfor？”Iasked。
　　“”Oh”saidsheinherplayfulway，”Yousaidthatyouwereonly
　　mybanker，andbankersneveraskquestions，youknow。”
　　“”Ifyoureallymeanit，ofcourseyoushallhavethemoney”said
　　I。
　　“”Oh，yes，Ireallymeanit。”
　　“”Andyouwon”ttellmewhatyouwantitfor？”
　　“”Someday，perhaps，butnotjustatpresent，Jack。”
　　“SoIhadtobecontentwiththat，thoughitwasthefirsttimethat
　　therehadeverbeenanysecretbetweenus。Igaveheracheck，andI
　　neverthoughtanymoreofthematter。Itmayhavenothingtodowith
　　whatcameafterwards，butIthoughtitonlyrighttomentionit。
　　“Well，Itoldyoujustnowthatthereisacottagenotfarfrom
　　ourhouse。Thereisjustafieldbetweenus，buttoreachityou
　　havetogoalongtheroadandthenturndownalane。Justbeyonditis
　　anicelittlegroveofScotchfirs，andIusedtobeveryfondof
　　strollingdownthere，fortreesarealwaysaneighbourlykindof
　　thing。Thecottagehadbeenstandingemptythiseightmonths，andit
　　wasapity，foritwasaprettytwo-storiedplace，withan
　　old-fashionedporchandahoneysuckleaboutit。Ihavestoodmanya
　　timeandthoughtwhataneatlittlehomesteaditwouldmake。
　　“Well，lastMondayeveningIwastakingastrolldownthatway
　　whenImetanemptyvancomingupthelaneandsawapileofcarpets
　　andthingslyingaboutonthegrass-plotbesidetheporch。Itwas
　　clearthatthecottagehadatlastbeenlet。Iwalkedpastit，and
　　thenstopping，asanidlemanmight，Iranmyeyeoveritandwondered
　　whatsortoffolktheywerewhohadcometolivesonearus。Andas
　　IlookedIsuddenlybecameawarethatafacewaswatchingmeoutof
　　oneoftheupperwindows。
　　“Idon”tknowwhattherewasaboutthatface，Mr。Holmes，butit
　　seemedtosendachillrightdownmyback。Iwassomelittleway
　　off，sothatIcouldnotmakeoutthefeatures，buttherewas
　　somethingunnaturalandinhumanabouttheface。Thatwasthe
　　impressionthatIhad，andImovedquicklyforwardtogetanearer
　　viewofthepersonwhowaswatchingme。ButasIdidsotheface
　　suddenlydisappeared，sosuddenlythatitseemedtohavebeen
　　pluckedawayintothedarknessoftheroom。Istoodforfiveminutes
　　thinkingthebusinessoverandtryingtoanalyzemyimpressions。I
　　couldnottellifthefacewasthatofamanorawoman。Ithadbeen
　　toofarfrommeforthat。Butitscolourwaswhathadimpressedme
　　most。Itwasofalividchalkywhite，andwithsomethingsetandrigid
　　aboutitwhichwasshockinglyunnatural。SodisturbedwasIthatI
　　determinedtoseealittlemoreofthenewinmatesofthecottage。I
　　approachedandknockedatthedoor，whichwasinstantlyopenedbya
　　tall，gauntwomanwithaharsh，forbiddingface。