“Amostannoyingbusiness，Sherlock，“saidhe。“Iextremely
　　dislikealteringmyhabits，butthepowersthatbewouldtakeno
　　denial。InthepresentstateofSiamitismostawkwardthatI
　　shouldbeawayfromtheoffice。Butitisarealcrisis。Ihave
　　neverseenthePrimeMinistersoupset。AstotheAdmiralty-itis
　　buzzinglikeanoverturnedbee-hive。Haveyoureadupthecase？“
　　“Wehavejustdoneso。Whatwerethetechnicalpapers？“
　　“Ah，there”sthepoint！Fortunately，ithasnotcomeout。The
　　presswouldbefuriousifitdid。Thepaperswhichthiswretchedyouth
　　hadinhispocketweretheplansoftheBruce-Partingtonsubmarine。”
　　MycroftHolmesspokewithasolemnitywhichshowedhissenseof
　　theimportanceofthesubject。HisbrotherandIsatexpectant。
　　“Surelyyouhaveheardofit？Ithoughteveryonehadheardofit。”
　　“Onlyasaname。”
　　“Itsimportancecanhardlybeexaggerated。Ithasbeenthemost
　　jealouslyguardedofallgovernmentsecrets。Youmaytakeitfromme
　　thatnavalwarfarebecomesimpossiblewithintheradiusofa
　　Bruce-Partington”soperation。Twoyearsagoaverylargesumwas
　　smuggledthroughtheEstimatesandwasexpendedinacquiringa
　　monopolyoftheinvention。Everyefforthasbeenmadetokeepthe
　　secret。Theplans，whichareexceedinglyintricate，comprisingsome
　　thirtyseparatepatents，eachessentialtotheworkingofthewhole，
　　arekeptinanelaboratesafeinaconfidentialofficeadjoiningthe
　　arsenal，withburglar-proofdoorsandwindows。Undernoconceivable
　　circumstancesweretheplanstobetakenfromtheoffice。Ifthechief
　　constructoroftheNavydesiredtoconsultthem，evenhewasforcedto
　　gototheWoolwichofficeforthepurpose。Andyetherewefindthem
　　inthepocketofadeadjuniorclerkintheheartofLondon。Froman
　　officialpointofviewit”ssimplyawful。”
　　“Butyouhaverecoveredthem？“
　　“No，Sherlock，no！That”sthepinch。Wehavenot。Tenpaperswere
　　takenfromWoolwich。TherewereseveninthepocketofCadoganWest。
　　Thethreemostessentialaregone-stolen，vanished。Youmustdrop
　　everything，Sherlock。Nevermindyourusualpettypuzzlesofthe
　　police-court。It”savitalinternationalproblemthatyouhaveto
　　solve。WhydidCadoganWesttakethepapers，wherearethemissing
　　ones，howdidhedie，howcamehisbodywhereitwasfound，howcan
　　theevilbesetright？Findananswertoallthesequestions，and
　　youwillhavedonegoodserviceforyourcountry。”
　　“Whydoyounotsolveityourself，Mycroft？Youcanseeasfaras
　　I。”
　　“Possibly，Sherlock。Butitisaquestionofgettingdetails。Give
　　meyourdetails，andfromanarmchairIwillreturnyouanexcellent
　　expertopinion。Buttorunhereandrunthere，tocross-question
　　railwayguards，andlieonmyfacewithalenstomyeye-itisnotmy
　　metier。No，youaretheonemanwhocanclearthematterup。Ifyou
　　haveafancytoseeyournameinthenexthonourslist-“
　　Myfriendsmiledandshookhishead。
　　“Iplaythegameforthegame”sownsake，“saidhe。“Buttheproblem
　　certainlypresentssomepointsofinterest，andIshallbevery
　　pleasedtolookintoit。Somemorefacts，please。”
　　“Ihavejotteddownthemoreessentialonesuponthissheetof
　　paper，togetherwithafewaddresseswhichyouwillfindofservice。
　　Theactualofficialguardianofthepapersisthefamousgovernment
　　expert，SirJamesWalter，whosedecorationsandsub-titlesfilltwo
　　linesofabookofreference。Hehasgrowngrayintheservice，isa
　　gentleman，afavouredguestinthemostexaltedhouses，and，above
　　all，amanwhosepatriotismisbeyondsuspicion。Heisoneoftwo
　　whohaveakeyofthesafe。Imayaddthatthepaperswereundoubtedly
　　intheofficeduringworkinghoursonMonday，andthatSirJames
　　leftforLondonaboutthreeo”clocktakinghiskeywithhim。Hewasat
　　thehouseofAdmiralSinclairatBarclaySquareduringthewholeof
　　theeveningwhenthisincidentoccurred。”
　　“Hasthefactbeenverified？“
　　“Yes；hisbrother，ColonelValentineWalter，hastestifiedtohis
　　departurefromWoolwich，andAdmiralSinclairtohisarrivalin
　　London；soSirJamesisnolongeradirectfactorintheproblem。”
　　“Whowastheothermanwithakey？“
　　“Theseniorclerkanddraughtsman，Mr。SidneyJohnson。Heisaman
　　offorty，married，withfivechildren。Heisasilent，moroseman，but
　　hehas，onthewhole，anexcellentrecordinthepublicservice。Heis
　　unpopularwithhiscolleagues，butahardworker。Accordingtohisown
　　account，corroboratedonlybythewordofhiswife，hewasathomethe
　　wholeofMondayeveningafterofficehours，andhiskeyhasneverleft
　　thewatch-chainuponwhichithangs。”
　　“TellusaboutCadoganWest。”
　　“Hehasbeentenyearsintheserviceandhasdonegoodwork。Hehas
　　thereputationofbeinghot-headedandimpetuous，butastraight，
　　honestman。Wehavenothingagainsthim。HewasnextSidneyJohnsonin
　　theoffice。Hisdutiesbroughthimintodaily，personalcontactwith
　　theplans。Nooneelsehadthehandlingofthem。”
　　“Wholockedtheplansupthatnight？“
　　“Mr。SidneyJohnson，theseniorclerk。”
　　“Well，itissurelyperfectlyclearwhotookthemaway。Theyare
　　actuallyfounduponthepersonofthisjuniorclerk，CadoganWest。
　　Thatseemsfinal，doesitnot？“
　　“Itdoes，Sherlock，andyetitleavessomuchunexplained。Inthe
　　firstplace，whydidhetakethem？“
　　“Ipresumetheywereofvalue？“
　　“Hecouldhavegotseveralthousandsforthemveryeasily。”
　　“CanyousuggestanypossiblemotivefortakingthepaperstoLondon
　　excepttosellthem？“
　　“No，Icannot。”
　　“Thenwemusttakethatasourworkinghypothesis。YoungWesttook
　　thepapers。Nowthiscouldonlybedonebyhavingafalsekey-“
　　“Severalfalsekeys。Hehadtoopenthebuildingandtheroom。”
　　“Hehad，then，severalfalsekeys。HetookthepaperstoLondonto
　　sellthesecret，intending，nodoubt，tohavetheplansthemselves
　　backinthesafenextmorningbeforetheyweremissed。WhileinLondon
　　onthistreasonablemissionhemethisend。”
　　“How？“
　　“WewillsupposethathewastravellingbacktoWoolwichwhenhewas
　　killedandthrownoutofthecompartment。”
　　“Aldgate，wherethebodywasfound，isconsiderablypastthestation
　　forLondonBridge，whichwouldbehisroutetoWoolwich。”
　　“Manycircumstancescouldbeimaginedunderwhichhewouldpass
　　LondonBridge。Therewassomeoneinthecarriage，forexample，with
　　whomhewashavinganabsorbinginterview。Thisinterviewledtoa
　　violentsceneinwhichhelosthislife。Possiblyhetriedtoleave
　　thecarriage，felloutontheline，andsomethisend。Theother
　　closedthedoor。Therewasathickfog，andnothingcouldbeseen。”
　　“Nobetterexplanationcanbegivenwithourpresentknowledge；
　　andyetconsider，Sherlock，howmuchyouleaveuntouched。Wewill
　　suppose，forargument”ssake，thatyoungCadoganWesthaddetermined
　　toconveythesepaperstoLondon。Hewouldnaturallyhavemadean
　　appointmentwiththeforeignagentandkepthiseveningclear。Instead
　　ofthathetooktwoticketsforthetheatre，escortedhisfiance
　　halfwaythere，andthensuddenlydisappeared。”
　　“Ablind，“saidLestrade，whohadsatlisteningwithsomeimpatience
　　totheconversation。
　　“Averysingularone。ThatisobjectionNo。1。ObjectionNo。2。：
　　WewillsupposethathereachesLondonandseestheforeignagent。
　　Hemustbringbackthepapersbeforemorningorthelosswillbe
　　discovered。Hetookawayten。Onlysevenwereinhispocket。What
　　hadbecomeoftheotherthree？Hecertainlywouldnotleavethemof
　　hisownfreewill。Then，again，whereisthepriceofhistreason？One
　　wouldhaveexpectedtofindalargesumofmoneyinhispocket。”
　　“Itseemstomeperfectlyclear，“saidLestrade。“Ihavenodoubtat
　　allastowhatoccurred。Hetookthepaperstosellthem。Hesawthe
　　agent。Theycouldnotagreeastoprice。Hestartedhomeagain，but
　　theagentwentwithhim。Inthetraintheagentmurderedhim，tookthe
　　moreessentialpapers，andthrewhisbodyfrom，thecarriage。That
　　wouldaccountforeverything，woulditnot？“
　　“Whyhadhenoticket？“
　　“Theticketwouldhaveshownwhichstationwasnearesttheagent”s
　　house。Thereforehetookitfromthemurderedman”spocket。”
　　“Good，Lestrade，verygood，“saidHolmes。“Yourtheoryholds
　　together。Butifthisistrue，thenthecaseisatanend。Onthe
　　onehand，thetraitorisdead。Ontheother，theplansofthe
　　Bruce-PartingtonsubmarinearepresumablyalreadyontheContinent。
　　Whatisthereforustodo？“
　　“Toact，Sherlock-toact！“criedMycroft，springingtohisfeet。
　　“Allmyinstinctsareagainstthisexplanation。Useyourpowers！Goto
　　thesceneofthecrime！Seethepeopleconcerned！Leavenostone
　　unturned！Inallyourcareeryouhaveneverhadsogreatachanceof
　　servingyourcountry。”
　　“Well，well！“saidHolmes，shrugginghisshoulders。“Come，Watson！
　　Andyou，Lestrade，couldyoufavouruswithyourcompanyforanhour
　　ortwo？WewillbeginourinvestigationbyavisittoAldgateStation。
　　Good-bye，Mycroft。Ishallletyouhaveareportbeforeevening，butI
　　warnyouinadvancethatyouhavelittletoexpect。”
　　AnhourlaterHolmes，LestradeandIstoodupontheUnderground
　　railroadatthepointwhereitemergesfromthetunnelimmediately
　　beforeAldgateStation。Acourteousred-facedoldgentleman
　　representedtherailwaycompany。
　　“Thisiswheretheyoungman”sbodylay，“saidhe，indicatingaspot
　　aboutthreefeetfromthemetals。“Itcouldnothavefallenfrom
　　above，forthese，asyousee，areallblankwalls。Therefore，itcould
　　onlyhavecomefromatrain，andthattrain，sofaraswecantrace
　　it，musthavepassedaboutmidnightonMonday。”
　　“Havethecarriagesbeenexaminedforanysignofviolence？“
　　“Therearenosuchsigns，andnotickethasbeenfound。”
　　“Norecordofadoorbeingfoundopen？“
　　“None。”
　　“Wehavehadsomefreshevidencethismorning，“saidLestrade。“A
　　passengerwhopassedAldgateinanordinaryMetropolitantrainabout
　　11：40onMondaynightdeclaresthatheheardaheavythud，asofa
　　bodystrikingtheline，justbeforethetrainreachedthestation。
　　Therewasdensefog，however，andnothingcouldbeseen。Hemadeno
　　reportofitatthetime。Why，whateveristhematterwithMr。
　　Holmes？“
　　Myfriendwasstandingwithanexpressionofstrainedintensityupon
　　hisface，staringattherailwaymetalswheretheycurvedoutofthe
　　tunnel。Aldgateisajunction，andtherewasanetworkofpoints。On
　　thesehiseager，questioningeyeswerefixed，andIsawonhiskeen，
　　alertfacethattighteningofthelips，thatquiverofthenostrils，
　　andconcentrationoftheheavy，tuftedbrowswhichIknewsowell。
　　“Points，“hemuttered；“thepoints。”
　　“Whatofit？Whatdoyoumean？“
　　“Isupposetherearenogreatnumberofpointsonasystemsuchas
　　this？“
　　“No；thereareveryfew。”
　　“Andacurve，too。Points，andacurve。ByJove！ifitwereonly
　　so。”
　　“Whatisit，Mr。Holmes？Haveyouaclue？“
　　“Anidea-anindication，nomore。Butthecasecertainlygrowsin
　　interest。Unique，perfectlyunique，andyetwhynot？Idonotsee
　　anyindicationsofbleedingontheline。”
　　“Therewerehardlyany。”
　　“ButIunderstandthattherewasaconsiderablewound。”
　　“Thebonewascrushed，buttherewasnogreatexternalinjury。”
　　“Andyetonewouldhaveexpectedsomebleeding。Woulditbepossible
　　formetoinspectthetrainwhichcontainedthepassengerwhoheard
　　thethudofafallinthefog？“
　　“Ifearnot，Mr。Holmes。Thetrainhasbeenbrokenupbeforenow，
　　andthecarriagesredistributed。”
　　“Icanassureyou，Mr。Holmes，“saidLestrade，“thatevery
　　carriagehasbeencarefullyexamined。Isawtoitmyself。”
　　Itwasoneofmyfriend”smostobviousweaknessesthathewas
　　impatientwithlessalertintelligencesthanhisown。
　　“Verylikely，“saidhe，turningaway。“Asithappens，itwasnotthe
　　carriageswhichIdesiredtoexamine。Watson，wehavedoneallwe
　　canhere。Weneednottroubleyouanyfurther，Mr。Lestrade。Ithink
　　ourinvestigationsmustnowcarryustoWoolwich。”
　　AtLondonBridge，Holmeswroteatelegramtohisbrother，whichhe
　　handedtomebeforedispatchingit。Itranthus：
　　Seesomelightinthedarkness，butitmaypossiblyflickerout。
　　Meanwhile，pleasesendbymessenger，toawaitreturnatBaker
　　Street，acompletelistofallforeignspiesorinternationalagents
　　knowntobeinEngland，withfulladdress。
　　SHERLOCK。
　　“Thatshouldbehelpful，Watson，“heremarkedaswetookourseats
　　intheWoolwichtrain。“WecertainlyoweBrotherMycroftadebtfor
　　havingintroducedustowhatpromisestobeareallyveryremarkable
　　case。”
　　Hiseagerfacestillworethatexpressionofintenseandhigh-strung
　　energy，whichshowedmethatsomenovelandsuggestivecircumstance
　　hadopenedupastimulatinglineofthought。Seethefoxhoundwith
　　hangingcarsanddroopingtailasitlollsaboutthekennels，and
　　compareitwiththesamehoundas，withgleamingeyesandstraining
　　muscles，itrunsuponabreast-highscent-suchwasthechangein
　　Holmessincethemorning。Hewasadifferentmanfromthelimpand
　　loungingfigureinthemouse-coloureddressing-gownwhohadprowledso
　　restlesslyonlyafewhoursbeforeroundthefog-girtroom。
　　“Thereismaterialhere。Thereisscope，“saidhe。“Iamdullindeed
　　nottohaveunderstooditspossibilities。”
　　“Evennowtheyaredarktome。”
　　“Theendisdarktomealso，butIhaveholdofoneideawhichmay
　　leadusfar。Themanmethisdeathelsewhere，andhisbodywason
　　theroofofacarriage。”
　　“Ontheroof！“
　　“Remarkable，isitnot？Butconsiderthefacts。Isita
　　coincidencethatitisfoundattheverypointwherethetrainpitches
　　andswaysasitcomesroundonthepoints？Isnotthattheplacewhere
　　anobjectupontheroofmightbeexpectedtofalloff？Thepoints
　　wouldaffectnoobjectinsidethetrain。Eitherthebodyfellfromthe
　　roof，oraverycuriouscoincidencehasoccurred。Butnowconsiderthe
　　questionoftheblood。Ofcourse，therewasnobleedingonthelineif
　　thebodyhadbledelsewhere。Eachfactissuggestiveinitself。
　　Togethertheyhaveacumulativeforce。”
　　“Andtheticket，too！“Icried。
　　“Exactly。Wecouldnotexplaintheabsenceofaticket。Thiswould
　　explainit。Everythingfitstogether。”
　　“Butsupposeitwereso，wearestillasfaraseverfrom
　　unravellingthemysteryofhisdeath。Indeed，itbecomesnotsimpler
　　butstranger。”
　　“Perhaps，“saidHolmesthoughtfully，“perhaps。”Herelapsedintoa
　　silentreverie，whichlasteduntiltheslowtraindrewupatlastin
　　WoolwichStation。TherehecalledacabanddrewMycroft”spaper
　　fromhispocket。
　　“Wehavequitealittleroundofafternooncallstomake，“said
　　he。“IthinkthatSirJamesWalterclaimsourfirstattention。”
　　Thehouseofthefamousofficialwasafinevillawithgreenlawns
　　stretchingdowntotheThames。Aswereacheditthefogwaslifting，
　　andathin，waterysunshinewasbreakingthrough。Abutleranswered
　　ourring。
　　“SirJames，sir！“saidhewithsolemnface。“SirJamesdiedthis
　　morning。”
　　“Goodheavens！“criedHolmesinamazement。“Howdidhedie？“
　　“Perhapsyouwouldcaretostepin，sir，andseehisbrother，
　　ColonelValentine？“
　　“Yes，wehadbestdoso。”
　　Wewereusheredintoadim-litdrawing-room，whereaninstant
　　laterwewerejoinedbyaverytall，handsome，light-beardedmanof
　　fifty，theyoungerbrotherofthedeadscientist。Hiswildeyes，
　　stainedcheeks，andunkempthairallspokeofthesuddenblowwhich
　　hadfallenuponthehousehold。Hewashardlyarticulateashespokeof
　　it。
　　“Itwasthishorriblescandal，“saidhe。“Mybrother，SirJames，was
　　amanofverysensitivehonour，andhecouldnotsurvivesuchan
　　affair。Itbrokehisheart。Hewasalwayssoproudoftheefficiency
　　ofhisdepartment，andthiswasacrushingblow。”
　　“Wehadhopedthathemighthavegivenussomeindicationswhich
　　wouldhavehelpedustoclearthematterup。”
　　“Iassureyouthatitwasallamysterytohimasitistoyouand
　　toallofus。Hehadalreadyputallhisknowledgeatthedisposal
　　ofthepolice。NaturallyhehadnodoubtthatCadoganWestwasguilty。
　　Butalltherestwasinconceivable。”
　　“Youcannotthrowanynewlightupontheaffair？“
　　“IknownothingmyselfsavewhatIhavereadorheard。Ihaveno
　　desiretobediscourteous，butyoucanunderstand，Mr。Holmes，thatwe
　　aremuchdisturbedatpresent，andImustaskyoutohastenthis
　　interviewtoanend。”
　　“Thisisindeedanunexpecteddevelopment，“saidmyfriendwhenwe
　　hadregainedthecab。“Iwonderifthedeathwasnatural，orwhether
　　thepooroldfellowkilledhimself！Ifthelatter，mayitbetaken
　　assomesignofself-reproachfordutyneglected？Wemustleavethat
　　questiontothefuture。NowweshallturntotheCadoganWests。”
　　Asmallbutwell-kepthouseintheoutskirtsofthetownsheltered
　　thebereavedmother。Theoldladywastoodazedwithgrieftobeof
　　anyusetous，butathersidewasawhite-facedyounglady，who
　　introducedherselfasMissVioletWestbury，thefianceeofthedead
　　man，andthelasttoseehimuponthatfatalnight。
　　“Icannotexplainit，Mr。Holmes，“shesaid。“Ihavenotshutaneye
　　sincethetragedy，thinking，thinking，thinking，nightandday，what
　　thetruemeaningofitcanbe。Arthurwasthemostsingle-minded，
　　chivalrous，patrioticmanuponearth。Hewouldhavecuthisrighthand
　　offbeforehewouldsellaStatesecretconfidedtohiskeeping。Itis
　　absurd，impossible，preposteroustoanyonewhoknewhim。”
　　“Butthefacts，MissWestbury？“
　　“Yes，yes；IadmitIcannotexplainthem。”
　　“Washeinanywantofmoney？“
　　“No；hisneedswereverysimpleandhissalaryample。Hehadsaveda
　　fewhundreds，andweweretomarryattheNewYear。”
　　“Nosignsofanymentalexcitement？Come，MissWestbury，be
　　absolutelyfrankwithus。”
　　Thequickeyeofmycompanionhadnotedsomechangeinhermanner。
　　Shecolouredandhesitated。
　　“Yes，“shesaidatlast，“Ihadafeelingthattherewassomething
　　onhismind。”
　　“Forlong？“
　　“Onlyforthelastweekorso。Hewasthoughtfulandworried。OnceI
　　pressedhimaboutit。Headmittedthattherewassomething，andthat
　　itwasconcernedwithhisofficiallife。”Itistooseriousforme
　　tospeakabout，eventoyou”saidhe。Icouldgetnothingmore。”
　　Holmeslookedgrave。
　　“Goon，MissWestbury。Evenifitseemstotellagainsthim，go
　　on。Wecannotsaywhatitmayleadto，“
　　“Indeed，Ihavenothingmoretotell。Onceortwiceitseemedto
　　methathewasonthepointoftellingmesomething。Hespokeone
　　eveningoftheimportanceofthesecret，andIhavesome
　　recollectionthathesaidthatnodoubtforeignspieswouldpaya
　　greatdealtohaveit。”
　　Myfriend”sfacegrewgraverstill。
　　“Anythingelse？“
　　“Hesaidthatwewereslackaboutsuchmatters-thatitwouldbe
　　easyforatraitortogettheplans。”
　　“Wasitonlyrecentlythathemadesuchremarks？“
　　“Yes，quiterecently。”
　　“Nowtellusofthatlastevening。”
　　“Weweretogotothetheatre。Thefogwassothickthatacabwas
　　useless。Wewalked，andourwaytookusclosetotheoffice。
　　Suddenlyhedartedawayintothefog。”
　　“Withoutaword？“
　　“Hegaveanexclamation；thatwasall。Iwaitedbuthenever
　　returned。ThenIwalkedhome。Nextmorning，aftertheofficeopened，
　　theycametoinquire。Abouttwelveo”clockweheardtheterriblenews。
　　Oh，Mr。Holmes，ifyoucouldonly，onlysavehishonour！Itwasso
　　muchtohim。”
　　Holmesshookhisheadsadly。
　　“Come，Watson，“saidhe，“ourwayslieelsewhere。Ournextstation
　　mustbetheofficefromwhichthepapersweretaken。
　　“Itwasblackenoughbeforeagainstthisyoungman，butour
　　inquiriesmakeitblacker，“heremarkedasthecablumberedoff。
　　“Hiscomingmarriagegivesamotiveforthecrime。Henaturallywanted
　　money。Theideawasinhishead，sincehespokeaboutit。Henearly
　　madethegirlanaccompliceinthetreasonbytellingherhisplans。
　　Itisallverybad。”
　　“Butsurely，Holmes，charactergoesforsomething？Then，again，
　　whyshouldheleavethegirlinthestreetanddartawaytocommita
　　felony？“
　　“Exactly！Therearecertainlyobjections。Butitisaformidable
　　casewhichtheyhavetomeet。”
　　Mr。SidneyJohnson，theseniorclerk，metusattheofficeand
　　receiveduswiththatrespectwhichmycompanion”scardalways
　　commanded。Hewasathin，gruff，bespectacledmanofmiddleage，his
　　cheekshaggard，andhishandstwitchingfromthenervousstrainto
　　whichhehadbeensubjected。
　　“Itisbad，Mr。Holmes，verybad！Haveyouheardofthedeathofthe
　　chief？“
　　“Wehavejustcomefromhishouse。”
　　“Theplaceisdisorganized。Thechiefdead，CadoganWestdead，our
　　papersstolen。Andyet，whenweclosedourdooronMondayevening，
　　wewereasefficientanofficeasanyinthegovernmentservice。
　　GoodGod，it”sdreadfultothinkoffThatWest，ofallmen，should
　　havedonesuchathing！“
　　“Youaresureofhisguilt，then？“
　　“Icanseenootherwayoutofit。AndyetIwouldhavetrusted
　　himasItrustmyself。”
　　“AtwhathourwastheofficeclosedonMonday？“
　　“Atfive。”
　　“Didyoucloseit？“
　　“Iamalwaysthelastmanout。”
　　“Whereweretheplans？“
　　“Inthatsafe。Iputthemtheremyself。”
　　“Istherenowatchmantothebuilding？“
　　“Thereis，buthehasotherdepartmentstolookafteraswell。Heis
　　anoldsoldierandamosttrustworthyman。Hesawnothingthat
　　evening。Ofcoursethefogwasverythick。”
　　“SupposethatCadoganWestwishedtomakehiswayintothe
　　buildingafterhours；hewouldneedthreekeys，wouldhenot，before
　　hecouldreachthepapers？“
　　“Yes，hewould。Thekeyoftheouterdoor，thekeyoftheoffice，
　　andthekeyofthesafe。”
　　“OnlySirJamesWalterandyouhadthosekeys？“
　　“Ihadnokeysofthedoors-onlyofthesafe。”
　　“WasSirJamesamanwhowasorderlyinhishabits？“
　　“Yes，Ithinkhewas。Iknowthatsofarasthosethreekeysare
　　concernedhekeptthemonthesamering。Ihaveoftenseenthem
　　there。”
　　“AndthatringwentwithhimtoLondon？“
　　“Hesaidso。”
　　“Andyourkeyneverleftyourpossession？“
　　“Never。”
　　“ThenWest，ifheistheculprit，musthavehadaduplicate。Andyet
　　nonewerefounduponhisbody。Oneotherpoint：ifaclerkinthis
　　officedesiredtoselltheplans，woulditnotbesimplertocopy
　　theplansforhimselfthantotaketheoriginals，aswasactually
　　done？“
　　“Itwouldtakeconsiderabletechnicalknowledgetocopytheplansin
　　aneffectiveway。”
　　“ButIsupposeeitherSirJames，oryou，orWesthadthat
　　technicalknowledge？“
　　“Nodoubtwehad，butIbegyouwon”ttrytodragmeintothe
　　matter，Mr。Holmes。Whatistheuseofourspeculatinginthisway
　　whentheoriginalplanswereactuallyfoundonWest？“
　　“Well，itiscertainlysingularthatheshouldruntheriskof
　　takingoriginalsifhecouldsafelyhavetakencopies，whichwould
　　haveequallyservedhisturn。”
　　“Singular，nodoubt-andyethedidso。”
　　“Everyinquiryinthiscaserevealssomethinginexplicable。Now
　　therearethreepapersstillmissing。Theyare，asIunderstand，the
　　vitalones。”
　　“Yes，thatisso。”
　　“Doyoumeantosaythatanyoneholdingthesethreepapers，and
　　withoutthesevenothers，couldconstructaBruce-Partington
　　submarine？“
　　“IreportedtothateffecttotheAdmiralty。Butto-dayIhave
　　beenoverthedrawingsagain，andIamnotsosureofit。Thedouble
　　valveswiththeautomaticself-adjustingslotsaredrawninoneofthe
　　paperswhichhavebeenreturned。Untiltheforeignershadinvented
　　thatforthemselvestheycouldnotmaketheboat。Ofcoursetheymight
　　soongetoverthedifficulty。”
　　“Butthethreemissingdrawingsarethemostimportant？“
　　“Undoubtedly。”
　　“Ithink，withyourpermission，Iwillnowtakeastrollroundthe
　　premises。IdonotrecallanyotherquestionwhichIdesiredtoask。”
　　Heexaminedthelockofthesafe，thedooroftheroom，and
　　finallytheironshuttersofthewindow。Itwasonlywhenwewereon
　　thelawnoutsidethathisinterestwasstronglyexcited。Therewasa
　　laurelbushoutsidethewindow，andseveralofthebranchesboresigns
　　ofhavingbeentwistedorsnapped。Heexaminedthemcarefullywithhis
　　lens，andthensomedimandvaguemarksupontheearthbeneath。
　　Finallyheaskedthechiefclerktoclosetheironshutters，andhe
　　pointedouttomethattheyhardlymetinthecentre，andthatit
　　wouldbepossibleforanyoneoutsidetoseewhatwasgoingonwithin
　　theroom。
　　“Theindicationsareruinedbythethreedays”delay。Theymay
　　meansomethingornothing。Well，Watson，Idonotthinkthat
　　Woolwichcanhelpusfurther。Itisasmallcropwhichwehave
　　gathered。LetusseeifwecandobetterinLondon。”
　　YetweaddedonemoresheaftoourharvestbeforeweleftWoolwich
　　Station。Theclerkintheticketofficewasabletosaywith
　　confidencethathesawCadoganWest-whomheknewwellbysight-
　　upontheMondaynight，andthathewenttoLondonbythe8：15to
　　LondonBridge。Hewasaloneandtookasinglethird-classticket。
　　Theclerkwasstruckatthetimebyhisexcitedandnervousmanner。So
　　shakywashethathecouldhardlypickuphischange，andtheclerk
　　hadhelpedhimwithit。Areferencetothetimetableshowedthatthe
　　8：15wasthefirsttrainwhichitwaspossibleforWesttotake
　　afterhehadlefttheladyabout7：30。
　　“Letusreconstruct，Watson，“saidHolmesafterhalfanhourof
　　silence。“Iamnotawarethatinallourjointresearcheswehaveever
　　hadacasewhichwasmoredifficulttogetat。Everyfreshadvance
　　whichwemakeonlyrevealsafreshridgebeyond。Andyetwehave
　　surelymadesomeappreciableprogress。
　　“TheeffectofourinquiriesatWoolwichhasinthemainbeen
　　againstyoungCadoganWest；buttheindicationsatthewindowwould
　　lendthemselvestoamorefavourablehypothesis。Letussuppose，for
　　example，thathehadbeenapproachedbysomeforeignagent。Itmight
　　havebeendoneundersuchpledgesaswouldhavepreventedhimfrom
　　speakingofit，andyetwouldhaveaffectedhisthoughtsinthe
　　directionindicatedbyhisremarkstohisfiancee。Verygood。We
　　willnowsupposethatashewenttothetheatrewiththeyoungladyhe
　　suddenly，inthefog，caughtaglimpseofthissameagentgoinginthe
　　directionoftheoffice。Hewasanimpetuousman，quickinhis
　　decisions。Everythinggavewaytohisduty。Hefollowedtheman，
　　reachedthewindow，sawtheabstractionofthedocuments，and
　　pursuedthethief。Inthiswaywegetovertheobjectionthatnoone
　　wouldtakeoriginalswhenhecouldmakecopies。Thisoutsiderhadto
　　takeoriginals。Sofaritholdstogether。”
　　“Whatisthenextstep？“
　　“Thenwecomeintodifficulties。Onewouldimaginethatundersuch
　　circumstancesthefirstactofyoungCadoganWestwouldbetoseize
　　thevillainandraisethealarm。Whydidhenotdoso？Couldithave
　　beenanofficialsuperiorwhotookthepapers？Thatwouldexplain
　　West”sconduct。OrcouldthechiefhavegivenWesttheslipinthe
　　fog，andWeststartedatoncetoLondontoheadhimofffromhisown
　　rooms，presumingthatheknewwheretheroomswere？Thecallmusthave
　　beenverypressing，sincehelefthisgirlstandinginthefogand
　　madenoefforttocommunicatewithher。Ourscentrunscoldhere，
　　andthereisavastgapbetweeneitherhypothesisandthelayingof
　　West”sbody，withsevenpapersinhispocket，ontheroofofa
　　Metropolitantrain。Myinstinctnowistoworkfromtheotherend。
　　IfMycrofthasgivenusthelistofaddresseswemaybeabletopick
　　ourmanandfollowtwotracksinsteadofone。”
　　Surelyenough，anoteawaitedusatBakerStreet。Agovernment
　　messengerhadbroughtitpost-haste。Holmesglancedatitandthrewit
　　overtome。
　　“Therearenumeroussmallfry，butfewwhowouldhandlesobigan
　　affair。TheonlymenworthconsideringareAdolphMeyer，of13Great
　　GeorgeStreet，Westminster；LouisLaRothiere，ofCampdenMansions，
　　NottingHill；andHugoOberstein，13CaulfieldGardens，Kensington。
　　ThelatterwasknowntobeintownonMondayandisnowreportedas
　　havingleft。Gladtohearyouhaveseensomelight。TheCabinetawaits
　　yourfinalreportwiththeutmostanxiety。Urgentrepresentationshave
　　arrivedfromtheveryhighestquarter。ThewholeforceoftheStateis
　　atyourbackifyoushouldneedit。
　　MYCROFT。
　　“I”mafraid，“saidHolmes，smiling，“thatallthequeen”shorsesand
　　allthequeen”smencannotavailinthismatter。”Hehadspreadout
　　hisbigmapofLondonandleanedeagerlyoverit。“Well，well，“said
　　hepresentlywithanexclamationofsatisfaction，“thingsare
　　turningalittleinourdirectionatlast。Why，Watson，Ido
　　honestlybelievethatwearegoingtopullitoff，afterall。”He
　　slappedmeontheshoulderwithasuddenburstofhilarity，“Iam
　　goingoutnow。Itisonlyareconnaissance。Iwilldonothing
　　seriouswithoutmytrustedcomradeandbiographeratmyelbow。Do
　　youstayhere，andtheoddsarethatyouwillseemeagaininan
　　hourortwo。Iftimehangsheavygetfoolscapandapen，andbegin
　　yournarrativeofhowwesavedtheState。”
　　Ifeltsomereflectionofhiselationinmyownmind，forIknew
　　wellthathewouldnotdepartsofarfromhisusualausterityof
　　demeanourunlesstherewasgoodcauseforexultation。Allthelong
　　NovembereveningIwaited，filledwithimpatienceforhisreturn。At
　　last，shortlyafternineo”clock，therearrivedamessengerwitha
　　note：
　　AmdiningatGoldini”sRestaurant，GloucesterRoad，Kensington。
　　Pleasecomeatonceandjoinmethere。Bringwithyouajemmy，a
　　darklantern，achisel，andarevolver。
　　S。H。
　　Itwasaniceequipmentforarespectablecitizentocarrythrough
　　thedim，fog-drapedstreets。Istowedthemalldiscreetlyawayinmy
　　overcoatanddrovestraighttotheaddressgiven。Theresatmy
　　friendatalittleroundtablenearthedoorofthegarishItalian
　　restaurant。
　　“Haveyouhadsomethingtoeat？Thenjoinmeinacoffeeand
　　curacao。Tryoneoftheproprietor”scigars。Theyarelesspoisonous
　　thanonewouldexpect。Haveyouthetools？“
　　“Theyarehere，inmyovercoat。”
　　“Excellent。LetmegiveyouashortsketchofwhatIhavedone，with
　　someindicationofwhatweareabouttodo。Nowitmustbeevident
　　toyou，Watson，thatthisyoungman”sbodywasplacedontheroofof
　　thetrain。ThatwasclearfromtheinstantthatIdeterminedthe
　　factthatitwasfromtheroof，andnotfromacarriage，thathehad
　　fallen。”
　　“Coulditnothavebeendroppedfromabridge？“
　　“Ishouldsayitwasimpossible。Ifyouexaminetheroofsyouwill
　　findthattheyareslightlyrounded，andthereisnorailinground
　　them。Therefore，wecansayforcertainthatyoungCadoganWestwas
　　placedonit。”
　　“Howcouldhebeplacedthere？“
　　“Thatwasthequestionwhichwehadtoanswer。Thereisonlyone
　　possibleway。YouareawarethattheUndergroundrunsclearoftunnels
　　atsomepointsintheWestEnd。IhadavaguememorythatasIhave
　　travelledbyitIhaveoccasionallyseenwindowsjustabovemyhead。
　　Now，supposethatatrainhaltedundersuchawindow，wouldtherebe
　　anydifficultyinlayingabodyupontheroof？“
　　“Itseemsmostimprobable。”
　　“Wemustfallbackupontheoldaxiomthatwhenallother
　　contingenciesfail，whateverremains，howeverimprobable，mustbe
　　thetruth。Hereallothercontingencieshavefailed。WhenIfoundthat
　　theleadinginternationalagent，whohadjustleftLondon，livedin
　　arowofhouseswhichabuttedupontheUnderground，Iwassopleased
　　thatyouwerealittleastonishedatmysuddenfrivolity。”
　　“Oh，thatwasit，wasit？“
　　“Yes，thatwasit。Mr。HugoOberstein，Of13CaulfieldGardens，
　　hadbecomemyobjective。IbeganmyoperationsatGloucesterRoad
　　Station，whereaveryhelpfulofficialwalkedwithmealongthe
　　trackandallowedmetosatisfymyselfnotonlythattheback-stair
　　windowsofCaulfieldGardensopenonthelinebuttheevenmore
　　essentialfactthat，owingtotheintersectionofoneofthelarger
　　railways，theUndergroundtrainsarefrequentlyheldmotionlessfor
　　someminutesatthatveryspot。”
　　“Splendid，Holmes！Youhavegotit！“
　　“Sofar-sofar，Watson。Weadvance，butthegoalisafar。Well，
　　havingseenthebackofCaulfieldGardens，Ivisitedthefrontand
　　satisfiedmyselfthatthebirdwasindeedflown。Itisa
　　considerablehouse，unfurnished，sofarasIcouldjudge，intheupper
　　rooms。Obersteinlivedtherewithasinglevalet，whowasprobablya
　　confederateentirelyinhisconfidence。Wemustbearinmindthat
　　ObersteinhasgonetotheContinenttodisposeofhisbooty，butnot
　　withanyideaofflight；forhehadnoreasontofearawarrant，and
　　theideaofanamateurdomiciliaryvisitwouldcertainlyneveroccur
　　tohim。Yetthatispreciselywhatweareabouttomake。”
　　“Couldwenotgetawarrantandlegalizeit？“
　　“Hardlyontheevidence。”
　　“Whatcanwehopetodo？“
　　“Wecannottellwhatcorrespondencemaybethere。”
　　“Idon”tlikeit，Holmes。”
　　“Mydearfellow，youshallkeepwatchinthestreet。I”lldothe
　　criminalpart。It”snotatimetostickattrifles。ThinkofMycroft”s
　　note，oftheAdmiralty，theCabinet，theexaltedpersonwhowaits
　　fornews。Weareboundtogo。”
　　Myanswerwastorisefromthetable。
　　“Youareright，Holmes。Weareboundtogo。”
　　Hesprangupandshookmebythehand。
　　“Iknewyouwouldnotshrinkatthelast，“saidhe，andforamoment
　　IsawsomethinginhiseyeswhichwasnearertotendernessthanI
　　hadeverseen。Thenextinstanthewashismasterful，practicalself
　　oncemore。
　　“Itisnearlyhalfamile，butthereisnohurry。Letuswalk，“said
　　he。“Don”tdroptheinstruments，Ibeg。Yourarrestasasuspicious
　　characterwouldbeamostunfortunatecomplication。”
　　CaulfieldGardenswasonofthoselinesofflat-facedpillared，
　　andporticoedhouseswhicharesoprominentaproductofthemiddle
　　VictorianepochintheWestEndofLondon。Nextdoorthereappearedto
　　beachildren”sparty，forthemerrybuzzofyoungvoicesandthe
　　clatterofapianoresoundedthroughthenight。Thefogstillhung
　　aboutandscreeneduswithitsfriendlyshade。Holmeshadlithis
　　lanternandflashedituponthemassivedoor。
　　“Thisisaseriousproposition，“saidhe。“Itiscertainlyboltedas
　　wellaslocked。Wewoulddobetterinthearea。Thereisan
　　excellentarchwaydownyonderincaseatoozealouspolicemanshould
　　intrude。Givemeahand，Watson，andI”lldothesameforyou。”
　　Aminutelaterwewerebothinthearea。Hardlyhadwereachedthe
　　darkshadowsbeforethestepofthepolicemanwasheardinthefog
　　above。Asitssoftrhythmdiedaway，Holmessettoworkuponthelower
　　door。Isawhimstoopandstrainuntilwithasharpcrashitflew
　　open。Wesprangthroughintothedarkpassage，closingtheareadoor
　　behindus。Holmesledthewayupthecurving，uncarpetedstair。His
　　littlefanofyellowlightshoneuponalowwindow。
　　“Hereweare，Watson-thismustbetheone。”Hethrewitopen，and
　　ashedidsotherewasalow，harshmurmur，growingsteadilyintoa
　　loudroarasatraindashedpastusinthedarkness。Holmesswept
　　hislightalongthewindow-sill。Itwasthicklycoatedwithsoot
　　fromthepassingengines，buttheblacksurfacewasblurredandrubbed
　　inplaces。
　　“Youcanseewheretheyrestedthebody。Halloa，Watson！whatis
　　this？Therecanbenodoubtthatitisabloodmark。”Hewas
　　pointingtofaintdiscolourationsalongthewoodworkofthewindow。
　　“Hereitisonthestoneofthestairalso。Thedemonstrationis
　　complete。Letusstayhereuntilatrainstops。”
　　Wehadnotlongtowait。Theverynexttrainroaredfromthe
　　tunnelasbefore，butslowedintheopen，andthen，withacreakingof
　　brakes，pulledupimmediatelybeneathus。Itwasnotfourfeetfrom
　　thewindow-ledgetotheroofofthecarriages。Holmessoftlyclosed
　　thewindow。
　　“Sofarwearejustified，“saidhe。“Whatdoyouthinkofit，
　　Watson？“
　　“Amasterpiece。Youhaveneverrisentoagreaterheight。”
　　“Icannotagreewithyouthere。FromthemomentthatIconceivedthe
　　ideaofthebodybeingupontheroof，whichsurelywasnotavery
　　abstruseone，alltherestwasinevitable。Ifitwerenotforthe
　　graveinterestsinvolvedtheaffairuptothispointwouldbe
　　insignificant。Ourdifficultiesarestillbeforeus。Butperhapswe
　　mayfindsomethingherewhichmayhelpus。”
　　Wehadascendedthekitchenstairandenteredthesuiteofrooms
　　uponthefirstfloor。Onewasadining-room，severelyfurnishedand
　　containingnothingofinterest。Asecondwasabedroom，whichalso
　　drewblank。Theremainingroomappearedmorepromisingandmy
　　companionsettleddowntoasystematicexamination。Itwaslittered
　　withbooksandpapers，andwasevidentlyusedasastudy。Swiftly
　　andmethodicallyHolmesturnedoverthecontentsofdrawerafter
　　drawerandcupboardaftercupboard，butnogleamofsuccesscameto
　　brightenhisaustereface。Attheendofanhourhewasnofurther
　　thanwhenhestarted。
　　“Thecunningdoghascoveredhistracks，“saidhe。“Hehasleft
　　nothingtoincriminatehim。Hisdangerouscorrespondencehasbeen
　　destroyedorremoved。Thisisourlastchance。”
　　Itwasasmalltincash-boxwhichstooduponthewriting-desk。
　　Holmesprieditopenwithhischisel。Severalrollsofpaperwere
　　within，coveredwithfiguresandcalculations，withoutanynoteto
　　showtowhattheyreferred。Therecurringwords，”waterpressure”
　　and”pressuretothesquareinch”suggestedsomepossiblerelation
　　toasubmarine。Holmestossedthemallimpatientlyaside。Thereonly
　　remainedanenvelopewithsomesmallnewspaperslipsinsideit。He
　　shookthemoutonthetable，andatonceIsawbyhiseagerface
　　thathishopeshadbeenraised。
　　“What”sthis，Watson？Eh？What”sthis？Recordofaseriesof
　　messagesintheadvertisementsofapaper。DailyTelegraphagony
　　columnbytheprintandpaper。Right-handtopcornerofapage。No
　　dates-butmessagesarrangethemselves。Thismustbethefirst：
　　“Hopedtohearsooner。Termsagreedto。Writefullytoaddressgiven
　　oncard。“PIERROT。“Nextcomes：
　　“Toocomplexfordescription。Musthavefullreport。Stuffawaits
　　youwhengoodsdelivered。“PIERROT。“Thencomes：
　　“Matterpresses。Mustwithdrawofferunlesscontractcompleted。Make
　　appointmentbyletter。Willconfirmbyadvertisement。
　　“PIERROT。“Finally：
　　“Mondaynightafternine。Twotaps。Onlyourselves。Donotbeso
　　suspicious。Paymentinhardcashwhengoodsdelivered。
　　“PIERROT。
　　“Afairlycompleterecord，Watson！Ifwecouldonlygetattheman
　　attheotherend！“Hesatlostinthought，tappinghisfingerson
　　thetable。Finallyhesprangtohisfeet。
　　“Well，perhapsitwon”tbesodifficult，afterall。Thereisnothing
　　moretobedonehere，Watson。Ithinkwemightdriveroundtothe
　　officesoftheDailyTelegraph，andsobringagoodday”sworktoa
　　conclusion。”
　　MycroftHolmesandLestradehadcomeroundbyappointmentafter
　　breakfastnextdayandSherlockHolmeshadrecountedtothemour
　　proceedingsofthedaybefore。Theprofessionalshookhisheadover
　　ourconfessedburglary。
　　“Wecan”tdothesethingsintheforce，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe。“No
　　wonderyougetresultsthatarebeyondus。Butsomeofthesedays
　　you”llgotoofar，andyou”llfindyourselfandyourfriendin
　　trouble。”
　　“ForEngland，homeandbeauty-eh，Watson？Martyrsonthealtarof
　　ourcountry。Butwhatdoyouthinkofit，Mycroft？“
　　“Excellent，Sherlock！Admirable！Butwhatusewillyoumakeofit？“
　　HolmespickeduptheDailyTelegraphwhichlayuponthetable。
　　“HaveyouseenPierrot”sadvertisementto-day？“
　　“What？Anotherone？“
　　“Yes，hereitis：
　　“To-night。Samehour。Sameplace。Twotaps。Mostvitally
　　important。Yourownsafetyatstake。
　　“PIERROT。
　　“ByGeorge！“criedLestrade。“Ifheanswersthatwe”vegothim！“
　　“ThatwasmyideawhenIputitin。Ithinkifyoucouldbothmake
　　itconvenienttocomewithusabouteighto”clocktoCaulfieldGardens
　　wemightpossiblygetalittlenearertoasolution。”
　　OneofthemostremarkablecharacteristicsofSherlockHolmeswas
　　hispowerofthrowinghisbrainoutofactionandswitchingallhis
　　thoughtsontolighterthingswheneverhehadconvincedhimselfthat
　　hecouldnolongerworktoadvantage。Irememberthatduringthewhole
　　ofthatmemorabledayhelosthimselfinamonographwhichhehad
　　undertakenuponthePolyphonicMotetsofLassus。FormyownpartIhad
　　noneofthispowerofdetachment，andtheday，inconsequence，
　　appearedtobeinterminable。Thegreatnationalimportanceofthe
　　issue，thesuspenseinhighquarters，thedirectnatureofthe
　　experimentwhichweweretrying-allcombinedtoworkuponmynerve。
　　Itwasarelieftomewhenatlast，afteralightdinner，wesetout
　　uponourexpedition。LestradeandMycroftmetusbyappointmentatthe
　　outsideofGloucesterRoadStation。TheareadoorofOberstein”shouse
　　hadbeenleftopenthenightbefore，anditwasnecessaryforme，as
　　MycroftHolmesabsolutelyandindignantlydeclinedtoclimbthe
　　railings，topassinandopenthehalldoor。Bynineo”clockwewere
　　allseatedinthestudy，waitingpatientlyforourman。
　　Anhourpassedandyetanother。Whenelevenstruck，themeasured
　　beatofthegreatchurchclockseemedtosoundthedirgeofourhopes。
　　LestradeandMycroftwerefidgetingintheirseatsandlookingtwicea
　　minuteattheirwatches。Holmessatsilentandcomposed，hiseyelids
　　halfshut，buteverysenseonthealert。Heraisedhisheadwitha
　　suddenjerk。
　　“Heiscoming，“saidhe。
　　Therehadbeenafurtivesteppastthedoor。Nowitreturned。We
　　heardashufflingsoundoutside，andthentwosharptapswiththe
　　knocker。Holmesrose，motioningtoustoremainseated。Thegasinthe
　　hallwasamerepointoflight。Heopenedtheouterdoor，andthen
　　asadarkfigureslippedpasthimheclosedandfastenedit。“This
　　way！“weheardhimsay，andamomentlaterourmanstoodbeforeus。
　　Holmeshadfollowedhimclosely，andasthemanturnedwithacryof
　　surpriseandalarmhecaughthimbythecollarandthrewhimbackinto
　　theroom。Beforeourprisonerhadrecoveredhisbalancethedoorwas
　　shutandHolmesstandingwithhisbackagainstit。Themanglared
　　roundhim，staggered，andfellsenselessuponthefloor。Withthe
　　shock，hisbroad-brimmedhatflewfromhishead，hiscravatslipped
　　downfromhislips，andtherewerethelonglightbeardandthe
　　soft，handsomedelicatefeaturesofColonelValentineWalter。
　　Holmesgaveawhistleofsurprise。
　　“Youcanwritemedownanassthistime，Watson，“saidhe。“Thiswas
　　notthebirdthatIwaslookingfor。”
　　“Whoishe？“askedMycrofteagerly。
　　“TheyoungerbrotherofthelateSirJamesWalter，theheadofthe
　　SubmarineDepartment。Yes，yes；Iseethefallofthecards。Heis
　　comingto。Ithinkthatyouhadbestleavehisexaminationtome。”
　　Wehadcarriedtheprostratebodytothesofa。Nowourprisoner
　　satup，lookedroundhimwithahorror-strickenface，andpassedhis
　　handoverhisforehead，likeonewhocannotbelievehisownsenses。
　　“Whatisthis？“heasked。“IcameheretovisitMr。Oberstein。”
　　“Everythingisknown，ColonelWalter，“saidHolmes。“Howan
　　Englishgentlemancouldbehaveinsuchamannerisbeyondmy
　　comprehension。Butyourwholecorrespondenceandrelationswith
　　Obersteinarewithinourknowledge。Soalsoarethecircumstances
　　connectedwiththedeathofyoungCadoganWest。Letmeadviseyouto
　　gainatleastthesmallcreditforrepentanceandconfession，since
　　therearestillsomedetailswhichwecanonlylearnfromyourlips。”
　　Themangroanedandsankhisfaceinhishands。Wewaited，buthe
　　wassilent。
　　“Icanassureyou，“saidHolmes，“thateveryessentialisalready
　　known。Weknowthatyouwerepressedformoney；thatyoutookan
　　impressofthekeyswhichyourbrotherheld；andthatyouenteredinto
　　acorrespondencewithOberstein，whoansweredyourlettersthroughthe
　　advertisementcolumnsoftheDailyTelegraph。Weareawarethatyou
　　wentdowntotheofficeinthefogonMondaynight，butthatyou
　　wereseenandfollowedbyyoungCadoganWest，whohadprobablysome
　　previousreasontosuspectyou。Hesawyourtheft，butcouldnot
　　givethealarm，asitwasjustpossiblethatyouweretakingthe
　　paperstoyourbrotherinLondon。Leavingallhisprivateconcerns，
　　likethegoodcitizenthathewas，hefollowedyoucloselyinthe
　　fogandkeptatyourheelsuntilyoureachedthisveryhouse。Therehe
　　intervened，andthenitwas，ColonelWalter，thattotreasonyouadded
　　themoreterriblecrimeofmurder。”
　　“Ididnot！Ididnot！BeforeGodIswearthatIdidnot！“criedour
　　wretchedprisoner。
　　“Tellus，then，howCadoganWestmethisendbeforeyoulaidhim
　　upontheroofofarailwaycarriage。”
　　“Iwill。IsweartoyouthatIwill。Ididtherest。Iconfessit。
　　Itwasjustasyousay。AStockExchangedebthadtobepaid。Ineeded
　　themoneybadly。Obersteinofferedmefivethousand。Itwastosave
　　myselffromruin。Butastomurder，Iamasinnocentasyou。”
　　“Whathappened，then？“
　　“Hehadhissuspicionsbefore，andhefollowedmeasyoudescribe。I
　　neverknewituntilIwasattheverydoor。Itwasthickfog，and
　　onecouldnotseethreeyards。IhadgiventwotapsandOberstein
　　hadcometothedoor。Theyoungmanrushedupanddemandedtoknow
　　whatwewereabouttodowiththepapers。Obersteinhadashort
　　life-preserver。Healwayscarrieditwithhim。AsWestforcedhis
　　wayafterusintothehouseObersteinstruckhimonthehead。Theblow
　　wasafatalone。Hewasdeadwithinfiveminutes。Therehelayin
　　thehall，andwewereatourwit”sendwhattodo。ThenOberstein
　　hadthisideaaboutthetrainswhichhaltedunderhisbackwindow。But
　　firstheexaminedthepaperswhichIhadbrought。Hesaidthatthree
　　ofthemwereessential，andthathemustkeepthem。”Youcannotkeep
　　them”saidI。”TherewillbeadreadfulrowatWoolwichiftheyare
　　notreturned。””Imustkeepthem”saidhe，”fortheyaresotechnical
　　thatitisimpossibleinthetimetomakecopies。””Thentheymustall
　　gobacktogethertonight”saidI。Hethoughtforalittle，andthen
　　hecriedoutthathehadit。”ThreeIwillkeep”saidhe。”Theothers
　　wewillstuffintothepocketofthisyoungman。Whenheisfound
　　thewholebusinesswillassuredlybeputtohisaccount。Icouldsee
　　nootherwayoutofit，sowedidashesuggested。Wewaitedhalfan
　　houratthewindowbeforeatrainstopped。Itwassothickthat
　　nothingcouldbeseen，andwehadnodifficultyinloweringWest”s
　　bodyontothetrain。ThatwastheendofthemattersofarasIwas
　　concerned。”
　　“Andyourbrother？“
　　“Hesaidnothing，buthehadcaughtmeoncewithhiskeys，andI
　　thinkthathesuspected。Ireadinhisevesthathesuspected。As
　　youknow，heneverhelduphisheadagain。”
　　Therewassilenceintheroom。ItwasbrokenbyMycroftHolmes。
　　“Canyounotmakereparation？Itwouldeaseyourconscience，and
　　possiblyyourpunishment。”
　　“WhatreparationcanImake？“
　　“WhereisObersteinwiththepapers？“
　　“Idonotknow。”
　　“Didhegiveyounoaddress？“
　　“HesaidthatletterstotheHotelduLouvre，Paris，would
　　eventuallyreachhim。”
　　“Thenreparationisstillwithinyourpower，“saidSherlockHolmes。
　　“IwilldoanythingIcan。Iowethisfellownoparticular
　　good-will。Hehasbeenmyruinandmydownfall。
　　“Herearepaperandpen。Sitatthisdeskandwritetomydictation。
　　Directtheenvelopetotheaddressgiven。Thatisright。Nowthe
　　letter：
　　DearSir：
　　Withregardtoourtransaction，youwillnodoubthaveobservedby
　　nowthatoneessentialdetailismissing。Ihaveatracingwhich
　　willmakeitcomplete。Thishasinvolvedmeinextratrouble，however，
　　andImustaskyouforafurtheradvanceoffivehundredpounds。I
　　willnottrustittothepost，norwillItakeanythingbutgoldor
　　notes。Iwouldcometoyouabroad，butitwouldexciteremarkifI
　　leftthecountryatpresent。ThereforeIshallexpecttomeetyouin
　　thesmoking-roomoftheCharingCrossHotelatnoononSaturday。
　　RememberthatonlyEnglishnotes，orgold，willbetaken。
　　Thatwilldoverywell。Ishallbeverymuchsurprisedifitdoes
　　notfetchourman。”
　　Anditdid！Itisamatterofhistory-thatsecrethistoryofa
　　nationwhichisoften，somuchmoreintimateandinterestingthan
　　itspublicchronicles-thatOberstein，eagertocompletethecoupof
　　hislifetime，cametothelureandwassafelyengulfedforfifteen
　　yearsinaBritishprison。Inhistrunkwerefoundtheinvaluable
　　Bruce-Partingtonplans，whichhehadputupforauctioninallthe
　　navalcentresofEurope。
　　ColonelWalterdiedinprisontowardstheendofthesecondyear
　　ofhissentence。AstoHolmes，hereturnedrefreshedtohis
　　monographuponthePolyphonicMotetsofLassus，whichhassincebeen
　　printedforprivatecirculation，andissaidbyexpertstobethelast
　　worduponthesubject。SomeweeksafterwardsIlearnedincidentally
　　thatmyfriendspentadayatWindsor，whencehereturnedwitha
　　remarkablyfineemeraldtie-pin。WhenIaskedhimifhehadboughtit，
　　heansweredthatitwasapresentfromacertaingraciousladyin
　　whoseinterestshehadoncebeenfortunateenoughtocarryoutasmall
　　commission。Hesaidnomore；butIfancythatIcouldguessatthat
　　lady”saugustname，andIhavelittledoubtthattheemeraldpin
　　willforeverrecalltomyfriend”smemorytheadventureofthe
　　Bruce-Partingtonplans-
　　THEEND。
　　1893
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHECARDBOARDBOX
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　Inchoosingafewtypicalcaseswhichillustratetheremarkable
　　mentalqualitiesofmyfriend，SherlockHolmes，Ihaveendeavoured，as
　　faraspossible，toselectthosewhichpresentedtheminimumof
　　sensationalism，whileofferingafairfieldforhistalents。Itis，
　　however，unfortunatelyimpossibleentirelytoseparatethesensational
　　fromthecriminal，andachroniclerisleftinthedilemmathathe
　　musteithersacrificedetailswhichareessentialtohisstatementand
　　sogiveafalseimpressionoftheproblem，orhemustusematterwhich
　　chance，andnotchoice，hasprovidedhimwith。Withthisshortpreface
　　Ishallturntomynotesofwhatprovedtobeastrange，thougha
　　peculiarlyterrible，chainofevents。