Chapter1
　　THESCIENCEOFDEDUCTION
　　SherlockHolmestookhisbottlefromthecornerofthemantelpiece，andhishypodermicsyringefromitsneatmoroccocase。
　　Withhislong，white，nervousfingersheadjustedthedelicateneedleandrolledbackhisleftshirtcuff。Forsomelittletimehiseyesrestedthoughtfullyuponthesinewyforearmandwrist，alldottedandscarredwithinnumerablepuncture-marks。Finally，hethrustthepointhome，presseddownthetinypiston，andsankbackintothevelvet-linedarmchairwithalongsighofsatisfaction。
　　ThreetimesadayformanymonthsIhadwitnessedthisperformance，butcustomhadnotreconciledmymindtoit。Onthecontrary，fromdaytodayIhadbecomemoreirritableatthesight，andmyconscienceswellednightlywithinmeatthethoughtthatI
　　hadlackedthecouragetoprotest。AgainandagainIhadregisteredavowthatIshoulddelivermysouluponthesubject;buttherewasthatinthecool，nonchalantairofmycompanionwhichmadehimthelastmanwithwhomonewouldcaretotakeanythingapproachingtoaliberty。Hisgreatpowers，hismasterlymanner，andtheexperiencewhichIhadhadofmanyextraordinaryqualities，allmademediffidentandbackwardincrossinghim。
　　Yetuponthatafternoon，whetheritwastheBeaunewhichIhadtakenwithmylunchortheadditionalexasperationproducedbytheextremedeliberationofhismanner，IsuddenlyfeltthatIcouldboldoutnolonger。
　　"Whichisitto-day，"Iasked，"morphineorcocaine？"
　　Heraisedhiseyeslanguidlyfromtheoldblack-lettervolumewhichhehadopened。
　　"Itiscocaine，"hesaid，"aseven-per-centsolution。Wouldyoucaretotryit？"
　　"No，indeed，"Iansweredbrusquely。"MyconstitutionhasnotgotovertheAfghancampaignyet。Icannotaffordtothrowanyextrastrainuponit。"
　　Hesmiledatmyvehemence。"Perhapsyouareright，Watson，"hesaid。
　　"Isupposethatitsinfluenceisphysicallyabadone。Ifindit，however，sotranscendentlystimulatingandclarifyingtothemindthatitssecondaryactionisamatterofsmallmoment。"
　　"Butconsider！"Isaidearnestly。"Countthecost！Yourbrainmay，asyousay，berousedandexcited，butitisapathologicalandmorbidprocesswhichinvolvesincreasedtissue-changeandmayatleastleaveapermanentweakness。Youknow，too，whatablackreactioncomesuponyou。Surelythegameishardlyworththecandle。Whyshouldyou，foramerepassingpleasure，riskthelossofthosegreatpowerswithwhichyouhavebeenendowed？RememberthatIspeaknotonlyasonecomradetoanotherbutasamedicalmantooneforwhoseconstitutionheistosomeextentanswerable。"
　　Hedidnotseemoffended。Onthecontrary，heputhisfinger-tipstogether，andleanedhiselbowsonthearmsofhischair，likeonewhohasarelishforconversation。
　　"Mymind，"hesaid，"rebelsatstagnation。Givemeproblems，givemework，givemethemostabstrusecryptogram，orthemostintricateanalysis，andIaminmyownproperatmosphere。Icandispensethenwithartificialstimulants。ButIabhorthedullroutineofexistence。
　　Icraveformentalexaltation。ThatiswhyIhavechosenmyownparticularprofession，orrathercreatedit，forIamtheonlyoneintheworld。"
　　"Theonlyunofficialdetective？"Isaid，raisingmyeyebrows。
　　"Theonlyunofficialconsultingdetective，"heanswered。"Iamthelastandhighestcourtofappealindetection。WhenGregson，orLestrade，orAthelneyJonesareoutoftheirdepths-which，bytheway，istheirnormalstate-thematterislaidbeforeme。Iexaminethedata，asanexpert，andpronounceaspecialist’sopinion。I
　　claimnocreditinsuchcases。Mynamefiguresinnonewspaper。Theworkitself，thepleasureoffindingafieldformypeculiarpowers，ismyhighestreward。ButyouhaveyourselfhadsomeexperienceofmymethodsofworkintheJeffersonHopecase。"
　　"Yes，indeed，"saidIcordially。"Iwasneversostruckbyanythinginmylife。Ievenembodieditinasmallbrochure，withthesomewhatfantastictitleof`AStudyinScarlet。’"
　　Heshookhisheadsadly。
　　"Iglancedoverit，"saidhe。"Honestly，Icannotcongratulateyouuponit。Detectionis，oroughttobe，anexactscienceandshouldbetreatedinthesamecoldandunemotionalmanner。Youhaveattemptedtotingeitwithromanticism，whichproducesmuchthesameeffectasifyouworkedalove-storyoranelopementintothefifthpropositionofEuclid。"
　　"Buttheromancewasthere，"Iremonstrated。"Icouldnottamperwiththefacts。"
　　"Somefactsshouldbesuppressed，or，atleast，ajustsenseofproportionshouldbeobservedintreatingthem。Theonlypointinthecasewhichdeservedmentionwasthecuriousanalyticalreasoningfromeffectstocauses，bywhichIsucceededinunravellingit。"
　　Iwasannoyedatthiscriticismofaworkwhichhadbeenspeciallydesignedtopleasehim。Iconfess，too，thatIwasirritatedbytheegotismwhichseemedtodemandthateverylineofmypamphletshouldbedevotedtohisownspecialdoings。MorethanonceduringtheyearsthatIhadlivedwithhiminBakerStreetIhadobservedthatasmallvanityunderlaymycompanion’squietanddidacticmanner。I
　　madenoremark，however，butsatnursingmywoundedleg。Ihadhadajezailbulletthroughitsometimebefore，andthoughitdidnotpreventmefromwalkingitachedwearilyateverychangeoftheweather。
　　"MypracticehasextendedrecentlytotheContinent，"saidHolmesafterawhile，fillinguphisoldbrier-rootpipe。"IwasconsultedlastweekbyFrancoisleVillard，who，asyouprobablyknow，hascomerathertothefrontlatelyintheFrenchdetectiveservice。HehasalltheCelticpowerofquickintuition，butheisdeficientinthewiderangeofexactknowledgewhichisessentialtothehigherdevelopmentsofhisart。Thecasewasconcernedwithawillandpossessedsomefeaturesofinterest。Iwasabletoreferhimtotwoparallelcases，theoneatRigain1857，andtheotheratSt。Louisin1871，whichhavesuggestedtohimthetruesolution。HereistheletterwhichIhadthismorningacknowledgingmyassistance。"
　　Hetossedover，ashespoke，acrumpledsheetofforeignnotepaper。Iglancedmyeyesdownit，catchingaprofusionofnotesofadmiration，withstraymagnifiques，coup-de-maitresandtours-de-force，alltestifyingtotheardentadmirationoftheFrenchman。
　　"Hespeaksasapupiltohismaster，"saidI。
　　"Oh，heratesmyassistancetoohighly，"saidSherlockHolmeslightly。"Hehasconsiderablegiftshimself。Hepossessestwooutofthethreequalitiesnecessaryfortheidealdetective。Hehasthepowerofobservationandthatofdeduction。Heisonlywantinginknowledge，andthatmaycomeintime。HeisnowtranslatingmysmallworksintoFrench。"
　　"Yourworks？"
　　"Oh，didn’tyouknow？"hecried，laughing。"Yes，Ihavebeenguiltyofseveralmonographs。Theyareallupontechnicalsubjects。
　　Here，forexample，isone`UpontheDistinctionbetweentheAshesoftheVariousTobaccos。’InitIenumerateahundredandfortyformsofcigar，cigarette，andpipetobacco，withcolouredplatesillustratingthedifferenceintheash。Itisapointwhichiscontinuallyturningupincriminaltrials，andwhichissometimesofsupremeimportanceasaclue。Ifyoucansaydefinitely，forexample，thatsomemurderhadbeendonebyamanwhowassmokinganIndianlunkah，itobviouslynarrowsyourfieldofsearch。TothetrainedeyethereisasmuchdifferencebetweentheblackashofaTrichinopolyandthewhitefluffofbird’s-eyeasthereisbetweenacabbageandapotato。"
　　"Youhaveanextraordinarygeniusforminutiae，"Iremarked。
　　"Iappreciatetheirimportance。Hereismymonographuponthetracingoffootsteps，withsomeremarksupontheusesofplasterofParisasapreserverofimpresses。Here，too，isacuriouslittleworkupontheinfluenceofatradeupontheformofthehand，withlithotypesofthehandsofslaters，sailors，cork-cutters，compositors，weavers，anddiamond-polishers。Thatisamatterofgreatpracticalinteresttothescientificdetective-especiallyincasesofunclaimedbodies，orindiscoveringtheantecedentsofcriminals。
　　ButIwearyyouwithmyhobby。"
　　"Notatall，"Iansweredearnestly。"Itisofthegreatestinteresttome，especiallysinceIhavehadtheopportunityofobservingyourpracticalapplicationofit。Butyouspokejustnowofobservationanddeduction。Surelytheonetosomeextentimpliestheother。"
　　"Why，hardly，"heanswered，leaningbackluxuriouslyinhisarmchairandsendingupthickbluewreathsfromhispipe。"Forexample，observationshowsmethatyouhavebeentotheWigmoreStreetPost-Officethismorning，butdeductionletsmeknowthatwhenthereyoudispatchedatelegram。"
　　"Right！"saidI。"Rightonbothpoints！ButIconfessthatIdon’tseehowyouarrivedatit。Itwasasuddenimpulseuponmypart，andI
　　havementionedittonoone。"
　　"Itissimplicityitself，"heremarked，chucklingatmysurprise-
　　"soabsurdlysimplethatanexplanationissuperfluous;andyetitmayservetodefinethelimitsofobservationandofdeduction。
　　Observationtellsmethatyouhavealittlereddishmouldadheringtoyourinstep。JustoppositetheWigmoreStreetOfficetheyhavetakenupthepavementandthrownupsomeearth，whichliesinsuchawaythatitisdifficulttoavoidtreadinginitinentering。Theearthisofthispeculiarreddishtintwhichisfound，asfarasI
　　know，nowhereelseintheneighbourhood。Somuchisobservation。Therestisdeduction。"
　　"How，then，didyoudeducethetelegram？"
　　"Why，ofcourseIknewthatyouhadnotwrittenaletter，sinceI
　　satoppositetoyouallmorning。Iseealsoinyouropendesktherethatyouhaveasheetofstampsandathickbundleofpostcards。
　　Whatcouldyougointothepost-officefor，then，buttosendawire？Eliminateallotherfactors，andtheonewhichremainsmustbethetruth。"
　　"Inthiscaseitcertainlyisso，"Irepliedafteralittlethought。
　　"Thethinghowever，is，asyousay，ofthesimplest。WouldyouthinkmeimpertinentifIweretoputyourtheoriestoamoreseveretest？"
　　"Onthecontrary，"heanswered，"itwouldpreventmefromtakingaseconddoseofcocaine。Ishouldbedelightedtolookintoanyproblemwhichyoumightsubmittome。"
　　"Ihaveheardyousayitisdifficultforamantohaveanyobjectindailyusewithoutleavingtheimpressofhisindividualityuponitinsuchawaythatatrainedobservermightreadit。Now，Ihavehereawatchwhichhasrecentlycomeintomypossession。Wouldyouhavethekindnesstoletmehaveanopinionuponthecharacterorhabitsofthelateowner？"
　　Ihandedhimoverthewatchwithsomeslightfeelingofamusementinmyheart，forthetestwas，asIthought，animpossibleone，andI
　　intendeditasalessonagainstthesomewhatdogmatictonewhichheoccasionallyassumed。Hebalancedthewatchinhishand，gazedhardatthedial，openedtheback，andexaminedtheworks，firstwithhisnakedeyesandthenwithapowerfulconvexlens。Icouldhardlykeepfromsmilingathiscrestfallenfacewhenhefinallysnappedthecasetoandhandeditback。
　　"Therearehardlyanydata，"heremarked。"Thewatchhasbeenrecentlycleaned，whichrobsmeofmymostsuggestivefacts。"
　　"Youareright，"Ianswered。"Itwascleanedbeforebeingsenttome。"
　　InmyheartIaccusedmycompanionofputtingforwardamostlameandimpotentexcusetocoverhisfailure。Whatdatacouldheexpectfromanuncleanedwatch？
　　"Thoughunsatisfactory，myresearchhasnotbeenentirelybarren，"
　　heobserved，staringupattheceilingwithdreamy，lack-lustreeyes。"Subjecttoyourcorrection，Ishouldjudgethatthewatchbelongedtoyourelderbrother，whoinheriteditfromyourfather。"
　　"Thatyougather，nodoubt，fromtheH。W。upontheback？"
　　"Quiteso。TheW。suggestsyourownname。Thedateofthewatchisnearlyfiftyyearsback，andtheinitialsareasoldasthewatch：
　　soitwasmadeforthelastgeneration。jewelleryusuallydescendstotheeldestson，andheismostlikelytohavethesamenameasthefather。Yourfatherhas，ifIrememberright，beendeadmanyyears。Ithas，therefore，beeninthehandsofyoureldestbrother。"
　　"Right，sofar，"saidI。"Anythingelse？"
　　"Hewasamanofuntidyhabits-veryuntidyandcareless。Hewasleftwithgoodprospects，buthethrewawayhischances，livedforsometimeinpovertywithoccasionalshortintervalsofprosperity，andfinally，takingtodrink，hedied。ThatisallIcangather。"
　　Isprangfrommychairandlimpedimpatientlyabouttheroomwithconsiderablebitternessinmyheart。
　　"Thisisunworthyofyou，Holmes，"Isaid。"Icouldnothavebelievedthatyouwouldhavedescendedtothis。Youhavemadeinquiriesintothehistoryofmyunhappybrother，andyounowpretendtodeducethisknowledgeinsomefancifulway。Youcannotexpectmetobelievethatyouhavereadallthisfromhisoldwatch！
　　Itisunkindand，tospeakplainly，hasatouchofcharlatanisminit。"
　　"Mydeardoctor，"saidhekindly，"prayacceptmyapologies。Viewingthematterasanabstractproblem，Ihadforgottenhowpersonalandpainfulathingitmightbetoyou。Iassureyou，however，thatI
　　neverevenknewthatyouhadabrotheruntilyouhandedmethewatch。"
　　"Thenhowinthenameofallthatiswonderfuldidyougetthesefacts？Theyareabsolutelycorrectineveryparticular。"
　　"Ah，thatisgoodluck。Icouldonlysaywhatwasthebalanceofprobability。Ididnotatallexpecttobesoaccurate。"
　　"Butitwasnotmereguesswork？"
　　"No，no：Ineverguess。Itisashockinghabit-destructivetothelogicalfaculty。Whatseemsstrangetoyouisonlysobecauseyoudonotfollowmytrainofthoughtorobservethesmallfactsuponwhichlargeinferencesmaydepend。Forexample，Ibeganbystatingthatyourbrotherwascareless。Whenyouobservethelowerpartofthatwatch-caseyounoticethatitisnotonlydintedintwoplacesbutitiscutandmarkedalloverfromthehabitofkeepingotherhardobjects，suchascoinsorkeys，inthesamepocket。Surelyitisnogreatfeattoassumethatamanwhotreatsafifty-guineawatchsocavalierlymustbeacarelessman。Neitherisitaveryfar-fetchedinferencethatamanwhoinheritsonearticleofsuchvalueisprettywellprovidedforinotherrespects。"
　　InoddedtoshowthatIfollowedhisreasoning。
　　"ItisverycustomaryforpawnbrokersinEngland，whentheytakeawatch，toscratchthenumbersoftheticketwithapin-pointupontheinsideofthecase。Itismorehandythanalabelasthereisnoriskofthenumberbeinglostortransposed。Therearenolessthanfoursuchnumbersvisibletomylensontheinsideofthiscase。
　　Inference-thatyourbrotherwasoftenatlowwater。Secondaryinference-thathehadoccasionalburstsofprosperity，orhecouldnothaveredeemedthepledge。Finally，Iaskyoutolookattheinnerplate，whichcontainsthekeyhole。Lookatthethousandsofscratchesallroundthehole-markswherethekeyhasslipped。Whatsoberman’skeycouldhavescoredthosegrooves？Butyouwillneverseeadrunkard’swatchwithoutthem。Hewindsitatnight，andheleavesthesetracesofhisunsteadyhand。Whereisthemysteryinallthis？"
　　"Itisasclearasdaylight，"Ianswered。"IregrettheinjusticewhichIdidyou。Ishouldhavehadmorefaithinyourmarvellousfaculty。MayIaskwhetheryouhaveanyprofessionalinquiryonfootatpresent？"
　　"None。Hencethecocaine。Icannotlivewithoutbrainwork。Whatelseistheretolivefor？Standatthewindowhere。Waseversuchadreary，dismal，unprofitableworld？Seehowtheyellowfogswirlsdownthestreetanddriftsacrosstheduncolouredhouses。Whatcouldbemorehopelesslyprosaicandmaterial？Whatistheuseofhavingpowers，Doctor，whenonehasnofielduponwhichtoexertthem？
　　Crimeiscommonplace，existenceiscommonplace，andnoqualitiessavethosewhicharecommonplacehaveanyfunctionuponearth。"
　　Ihadopenedmymouthtoreplytothistiradewhen，withacrispknock，ourlandladyentered，bearingacarduponthebrasssalver。
　　"Ayoungladyforyou，sir，"shesaid，addressingmycompanion。
　　"MissMaryMorstan，"heread。"Hum！Ihavenorecollectionofthename。Asktheyoungladytostepup，Mrs。Hudson。Don’tgo，Doctor。
　　Ishouldpreferthatyouremain。"
　　Chapter2
　　THESTATEMENTOFTHECASE
　　MissMorstanenteredtheroomwithafirmstepandanoutwardcomposureofmanner。Shewasablondeyounglady，small，dainty，wellgloved，anddressedinthemostperfecttaste。Therewas，however，aplainnessandsimplicityabouthercostumewhichborewithitasuggestionoflimitedmeans。Thedresswasasombregrayishbeige，untrimmedandunbraided，andsheworeasmallturbanofthesamedullhue，relievedonlybyasuspicionofwhitefeatherintheside。Herfacehadneitherregularityoffeaturenorbeautyofcomplexion，butherexpressionwassweetandamiable，andherlargeblueeyesweresingularlyspiritualandsympathetic。Inanexperienceofwomenwhichextendsovermanynationsandthreeseparatecontinents，Ihaveneverlookeduponafacewhichgaveaclearerpromiseofarefinedandsensitivenature。IcouldnotbutobservethatasshetooktheseatwhichSherlockHolmesplacedforher，herliptrembled，herhandquivered，andsheshowedeverysignofintenseinwardagitation。
　　"Ihavecometoyou，Mr。Holmes，"shesaid，"becauseyouonceenabledmyemployer，Mrs。CecilForrester，tounravelalittledomesticcomplication。Shewasmuchimpressedbyyourkindnessandskill。"
　　"Mrs。CecilForrester，"herepeatedthoughtfully。"IbelievethatIwasofsomeslightservicetoher。Thecase，however，asI
　　rememberit，wasaverysimpleone。"
　　"Shedidnotthinkso。Butatleastyoucannotsaythesameofmine。
　　Icanhardlyimagineanythingmorestrange，moreutterlyinexplicable，thanthesituationinwhichIfindmyself。"
　　Holmesrubbedhishands，andhiseyesglistened。Heleanedforwardinhischairwithanexpressionofextraordinaryconcentrationuponhisclear-cut，hawk-likefeatures。
　　"Stateyourcase，"saidheinbriskbusinesstones。
　　Ifeltthatmypositionwasanembarrassingone。
　　"Youwill，Iamsure，excuseme，"Isaid，risingfrommychair。
　　Tomysurprise，theyoungladyheldupherglovedhandtodetainme。
　　"Ifyourfriend，"shesaid，"wouldbegoodenoughtostop，hemightbeofinestimableservicetome。"
　　Irelapsedintomychair。
　　"Briefly，"shecontinued，"thefactsarethese。MyfatherwasanofficerinanIndianregiment，whosentmehomewhenIwasquiteachild。Mymotherwasdead，andIhadnorelativeinEngland。Iwasplaced，however，inacomfortableboardingestablishmentatEdinburgh，andthereIremaineduntilIwasseventeenyearsofage。Intheyear1878myfather，whowasseniorcaptainofhisregiment，obtainedtwelvemonths’leaveandcamehome。HetelegraphedtomefromLondonthathehadarrivedallsafeanddirectedmetocomedownatonce，givingtheLanghamHotelashisaddress。Hismessage，asIremember，wasfullofkindnessandlove。OnreachingLondonIdrovetotheLanghamandwasinformedthatCaptainMorstanwasstayingthere，butthathehadgoneoutthenightbeforeandhadnotreturned。Iwaitedalldaywithoutnewsofhim。Thatnight，ontheadviceofthemanagerofthehotel，Icommunicatedwiththepolice，andnextmorningweadvertisedinallthepapers。Ourinquiriesledtonoresult;andfromthatdaytothisnowordhaseverbeenheardofmyunfortunatefather。Hecamehomewithhisheartfullofhopetofindsomepeace，somecomfort，andinstead-"
　　Sheputherhandtoherthroat，andachokingsobcutshortthesentence。
　　"Thedate？"askedHolmes，openinghisnotebook。
　　"HedisappeareduponthethirdofDecember，1878-nearlytenyearsago。"
　　"Hisluggage？"
　　"Remainedatthehotel。Therewasnothinginittosuggestaclue-
　　someclothes，somebooks，andaconsiderablenumberofcuriositiesfromtheAndamanIslands。Hehadbeenoneoftheofficersinchargeoftheconvict-guardthere。"
　　"Hadheanyfriendsintown？"
　　"Onlyonethatweknowof-MajorSholto，ofhisownregiment，theThirtyfourthBombayInfantry。ThemajorhadretiredsomelittletimebeforeandlivedatUpperNorwood。Wecommunicatedwithhim，ofcourse，buthedidnotevenknowthathisbrotherofficerwasinEngland。"
　　"Asingularcase，"remarkedHolmes。
　　"Ihavenotyetdescribedtoyouthemostsingularpart。Aboutsixyearsago-tobeexact，uponthefourthofMay，1882-anadvertisementappearedintheTimesaskingfortheaddressofMissMaryMorstan，andstatingthatitwouldbetoheradvantagetocomeforward。Therewasnonameoraddressappended。IhadatthattimejustenteredthefamilyofMrs，CecilForresterinthecapacityofgoverness。ByheradviceIpublishedmyaddressintheadvertisementcolumn。Thesamedaytherearrivedthroughthepostasmallcardboardboxaddressedtome，whichIfoundtocontainaverylargeandlustrouspearl。Nowordofwritingwasenclosed。Sincetheneveryyearuponthesamedatetherehasalwaysappearedasimilarbox，containingasimilarpearl，withoutanyclueastothesender。Theyhavebeenpronouncedbyanexperttobeofararevarietyandofconsiderablevalue。Youcanseeforyourselfthattheyareveryhandsome。"
　　SheopenedaflatboxasshespokeandshowedmesixofthefinestpearlsthatIhadeverseen。
　　"Yourstatementismostinteresting，"saidSherlockHolmes。"Hasanythingelseoccurredtoyou？"
　　"Yes，andnolaterthanto-day。ThatiswhyIhavecometoyou。ThismorningIreceivedthisletter，whichyouwillperhapsreadforyourself。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidHolmes。"Theenvelope，too，please。Post-mark，London，S。W。Date，July7。Hum！Man’sthumb-markoncorner-probablypostman。Bestqualitypaper。Envelopesatsixpenceapacket。
　　Particularmaninhisstationery。Noaddress。
　　BeatthethirdpillarfromtheleftoutsidetheLyceumTheatreto-nightatseveno’clock。Ifyouaredistrustfulbringtwofriends。
　　Youareawrongedwomanandshallhavejustice。Donotbringpolice。
　　Ifyoudo，allwillbeinvain。Yourunknownfriend。
　　Well，really，thisisaveryprettylittlemystery！Whatdoyouintendtodo，MissMorstan？"
　　"ThatisexactlywhatIwanttoaskyou。"
　　"Thenweshallmostcertainlygo-youandIand-yes，whyDr。Watsonistheveryman。Yourcorrespondentsaystwofriends。HeandIhaveworkedtogetherbefore。"
　　"Butwouldhecome？"sheaskedwithsomethingappealinginhervoiceandexpression。
　　"Ishallbeproudandhappy，"saidIfervently，"ifIcanbeofanyservice。"
　　"Youarebothverykind，"sheanswered。"IhaveledaretiredlifeandhavenofriendswhomIcouldappealto。IfIamhereatsixitwilldo，Isuppose？"
　　"Youmustnotbelater，"saidHolmes。"Thereisoneotherpoint，however。Isthishandwritingthesameasthatuponthepearl-boxaddresses？"
　　"Ihavethemhere，"sheanswered，producinghalfadozenpiecesofpaper。
　　"Youarecertainlyamodelclient。Youhavethecorrectintuition。
　　Letussee，now。"Hespreadoutthepapersuponthetableandgavelittledartingglancesfromonetotheother。"Theyaredisguisedhands，excepttheletter，"hesaidpresently;"buttherecanbenoquestionastotheauthorship。SeehowtheirrepressibleGreekewillbreakout，andseethetwirlofthefinals。Theyareundoubtedlybythesameperson。Ishouldnotliketosuggestfalsehopes，MissMorstan，butisthereanyresemblancebetweenthishandandthatofyourfather？"
　　"Nothingcouldbemoreunlike。"
　　"Iexpectedtohearyousayso。Weshalllookoutforyou，then，atsix。Prayallowmetokeepthepapers，Imaylookintothematterbeforethen。Itisonlyhalf-pastthree。Aurevoir，then。"
　　"Aurevoir，"saidourvisitor;andwithabright，kindlyglancefromonetotheotherofus，shereplacedherpearl-boxinherbosomandhurriedaway。
　　Standingatthewindow，Iwatchedherwalkingbrisklydownthestreetuntilthegrayturbanandwhitefeatherwerebutaspeckinthesombrecrowd。
　　"Whataveryattractivewoman！"Iexclaimed，turningtomycompanion。
　　Hehadlithispipeagainandwasleaningbackwithdroopingeyelids。"Isshe？"hesaidlanguidly，"Ididnotobserve。"
　　"Youreallyareanautomaton-acalculatingmachine，"Icried。
　　"Thereissomethingpositivelyinhumaninyouattimes。"
　　Hesmiledgently。
　　"Itisofthefirstimportance，"hecried，"nottoallowyourjudgmenttobebiasedbypersonalqualities。Aclientistomeamereunit，afactorinaproblem。Theemotionalqualitiesareantagonistictoclearreasoning。IassureyouthatthemostwinningwomanIeverknewwashangedforpoisoningthreelittlechildrenfortheirinsurance-money，andthemostrepellentmanofmyacquaintanceisaphilanthropistwhohasspentnearlyaquarterofamillionupontheLondonpoor。"
　　"Inthiscase，however-"
　　"Inevermakeexceptions。Anexceptiondisprovestherule。Haveyoueverhadoccasiontostudycharacterinhandwriting？Whatdoyoumakeofthisfellow’sscribble？"
　　"Itislegibleandregular，"Ianswered。"Amanofbusinesshabitsandsomeforceofcharacter。"
　　Holmesshookhishead。
　　"Lookathislongletters，"hesaid。"Theyhardlyriseabovethecommonherd。Thatdmightbeana，andthatlane。Menofcharacteralwaysdifferentiatetheirlongletters，howeverillegiblytheymaywrite。Thereisvacillationinhisk’sandself-esteeminhiscapitals。Iamgoingoutnow。Ihavesomefewreferencestomake。
　　Letmerecommendthisbook-oneofthemostremarkableeverpenned。ItisWinwoodReade’sMartyrdomofMan。Ishallbebackinanhour。"
　　Isatinthewindowwiththevolumeinmyhand，butmythoughtswerefarfromthedaringspeculationsofthewriter。Mymindranuponourlatevisitor-hersmiles，thedeeprichtonesofhervoice，thestrangemysterywhichoverhungherlife。Ifshewereseventeenatthetimeofherfather’sdisappearanceshemustbeseven-and-twentynow-asweetage，whenyouthhaslostitsself-consciousnessandbecomealittlesoberedbyexperience。SoIsatandmuseduntilsuchdangerousthoughtscameintomyheadthatIhurriedawaytomydeskandplungedfuriouslyintothelatesttreatiseuponpathology。WhatwasI，anarmysurgeonwithaweaklegandaweakerbankingaccount，thatIshoulddaretothinkofsuchthings？Shewasaunit，afactor-nothingmore。Ifmyfuturewereblack，itwasbettersurelytofaceitlikeamanthantoattempttobrightenitbymerewill-o’-the-wispsoftheimagination。
　　Chapter3
　　INQUESTOFASOLUTION
　　Itwashalf-pastfivebeforeHolmesreturned。Hewasbright，eager，andinexcellentspirits，amoodwhichinhiscasealternatedwithfitsoftheblackestdepression。
　　"Thereisnogreatmysteryinthismatter，"hesaid，takingthecupofteawhichIhadpouredoutforhim;"thefactsappeartoadmitofonlyoneexplanation。"
　　"What！youhavesolveditalready？"
　　"Well，thatwouldbetoomuchtosay。Ihavediscoveredasuggestivefact，thatisall。Itis，however，verysuggestive。Thedetailsarestilltobeadded。Ihavejustfound，onconsultingthebackfilesoftheTimes，thatMajorSholto，ofUpperNorwood，lateoftheThirty-fourthBombayInfantry，dieduponthetwenty-eighthofApril，1882。"
　　"Imaybeveryobtuse，Holmes，butIfailtoseewhatthissuggests。"
　　"No？Yousurpriseme。Lookatitinthisway，then。CaptainMorstandisappears。TheonlypersoninLondonwhomhecouldhavevisitedisMajorSholto。MajorSholtodenieshavingheardthathewasinLondon。FouryearslaterSholtodies。WithinaweekofhisdeathCaptainMorstan’sdaughterreceivesavaluablepresent，whichisrepeatedfromyeartoyearandnowculminatesinaletterwhichdescribesherasawrongedwoman。Whatwrongcanitrefertoexceptthisdeprivationofherfather？AndwhyshouldthepresentsbeginimmediatelyafterSholto’sdeathunlessitisthatSholto’sheirknowssomethingofthemysteryanddesirestomakecompensation？Haveyouanyalternativetheorywhichwillmeetthefacts？"
　　"Butwhatastrangecompensation！Andhowstrangelymade！Why，too，shouldhewritealetternow，ratherthansixyearsago？Again，theletterspeaksofgivingherjustice。Whatjusticecanshehave？Itistoomuchtosupposethatherfatherisstillalive。Thereisnootherinjusticeinhercasethatyouknowof。"
　　"Therearedifficulties;therearecertainlydifficulties，"saidSherlockHolmespensively;"butourexpeditionofto-nightwillsolvethemall。Ah，hereisafour-wheeler，andMissMorstanisinside。Areyouallready？Thenwehadbettergodown，foritisalittlepastthehour。"
　　Ipickedupmyhatandmyheavieststick，butIobservedthatHolmestookhisrevolverfromhisdrawerandslippeditintohispocket。Itwasclearthathethoughtthatournight’sworkmightbeaseriousone。
　　MissMorstanwasmuffledinadarkcloak，andhersensitivefacewascomposedbutpale。Shemusthavebeenmorethanwomanifshedidnotfeelsomeuneasinessatthestrangeenterpriseuponwhichwewereembarking，yetherself-controlwasperfect，andshereadilyansweredthefewadditionalquestionswhichSherlockHolmesputtoher。
　　"MajorSholtowasaveryparticularfriendofPapa’s，"shesaid。
　　"Hisletterswerefullofallusionstothemajor。HeandPapawereincommandofthetroopsattheAndamanIslands，sotheywerethrownagreatdealtogether。Bytheway，acuriouspaperwasfoundinPapa’sdeskwhichnoonecouldunderstand。Idon’tsupposethatitisoftheslightestimportance，butIthoughtyoumightcaretoseeit，soI
　　broughtitwithme。Itishere。"
　　Holmesunfoldedthepapercarefullyandsmootheditoutuponhisknee。Hethenverymethodicallyexamineditalloverwithhisdoublelens。
　　"ItispaperofnativeIndianmanufacture，"heremarked。"Ithasatsometimebeenpinnedtoaboard。Thediagramuponitappearstobeaplanofpartofalargebuildingwithnumeroushalls，corridors，andpassages。Atonepointisasmallcrossdoneinredink，andaboveitis`3。37fromleft，’infadedpencil-writing。Intheleft-handcornerisacurioushieroglyphiclikefourcrossesinalinewiththeirarmstouching。Besideitiswritten，inveryroughandcoarsecharacters，`Thesignofthefour-JonathanSmall，MahometSingh，AbdullahKhan，DostAkbar。’No，IconfessthatIdonotseehowthisbearsuponthematter。Yetitisevidentlyadocumentofimportance。
　　Ithasbeenkeptcarefullyinapocketbook，fortheonesideisascleanastheother。"
　　"Itwasinhispocketbookthatwefoundit。"
　　"Preserveitcarefully，then，MissMorstan，foritmayprovetobeofusetous。IbegintosuspectthatthismattermayturnouttobemuchdeeperandmoresubtlethanIatfirstsupposed。Imustreconsidermyideas。"
　　Heleanedbackinthecab，andIcouldseebyhisdrawnbrowandhisvacanteyethathewasthinkingintently。MissMorstanandIchattedinanundertoneaboutourpresentexpeditionanditspossibleoutcome，butourcompanionmaintainedhisimpenetrablereserveuntiltheendofourjourney。
　　ItwasaSeptembereveningandnotyetseveno’clock，butthedayhadbeenadrearyone，andadensedrizzlyfoglaylowuponthegreatcity。Mud-colouredcloudsdroopedsadlyoverthemuddystreets。DowntheStrandthelampswerebutmistysplotchesofdiffusedlightwhichthrewafeeblecircularglimmerupontheslimypavement。Theyellowglarefromtheshop-windowsstreamedoutintothesteamy，vaporousairandthrewamurky，shiftingradianceacrossthecrowdedthoroughfare。Therewas，tomymind，somethingeerieandghostlikeintheendlessprocessionoffaceswhichflittedacrossthesenarrowbarsoflight-sadfacesandglad，haggardandmerry。
　　Likeallhumankind，theyflittedfromthegloomintothelightandsobackintothegloomoncemore。Iamnotsubjecttoimpressions，butthedull，heavyevening，withthestrangebusinessuponwhichwewereengaged，combinedtomakemenervousanddepressed。IcouldseefromMissMorstan’smannerthatshewassufferingfromthesamefeeling。Holmesalonecouldrisesuperiortopettyinfluences。Heheldhisopennotebookuponhisknee，andfromtimetotimehejotteddownfiguresandmemorandainthelightofhispocket-lantern。
　　AttheLyceumTheatrethecrowdswerealreadythickattheside-entrances。Infrontacontinuousstreamofhansomsandfour-wheelerswererattlingup，dischargingtheircargoesofshirt-frontedmenandbeshawled，bediamondedwomen。Wehadhardlyreachedthethirdpillar，whichwasourrendezvous，beforeasmall，dark，briskmaninthedressofacoachmanaccostedus。
　　"AreyouthepartieswhocomewithMissMorstan？"heasked。
　　"IamMissMorstan，andthesetwogentlemenaremyfriends，"saidshe。
　　Hebentapairofwonderfullypenetratingandquestioningeyesuponus。
　　"Youwillexcuseme，miss，"hesaidwithacertaindoggedmanner，"butIwastoaskyoutogivemeyourwordthatneitherofyourcompanionsisapolice-officer。"
　　"Igiveyoumywordonthat，"sheanswered。
　　Hegaveashrillwhistle，onwhichastreetArabledacrossafour-wheelerandopenedthedoor。Themanwhohadaddressedusmountedtothebox，whilewetookourplacesinside。Wehadhardlydonesobeforethedriverwhippeduphishorse，andweplungedawayatafuriouspacethroughthefoggystreets。
　　Thesituationwasacuriousone。Weweredrivingtoanunknownplace，onanunknownerrand。Yetourinvitationwaseitheracompletehoax-whichwasaninconceivablehypothesis-orelsewehadgoodreasontothinkthatimportantissuesmighthanguponourjourney。MissMorstan’sdemeanourwasasresoluteandcollectedasever。IendeavouredtocheerandamuseherbyreminiscencesofmyadventuresinAfghanistan;but，totellthetruth，Iwasmyselfsoexcitedatoursituationandsocuriousastoourdestinationthatmystorieswereslightlyinvolved。TothisdayshedeclaresthatI
　　toldheronemovinganecdoteastohowamusketlookedintomytentatthedeadofnight，andhowIfiredadouble-barrelledtigercubatit。
　　AtfirstIhadsomeideaastothedirectioninwhichweweredriving，butsoon，whatwithourpace，thefog，andmyownlimitedknowledgeofLondon，Ilostmybearingsandknewnothingsavethatweseemedtobegoingaverylongway。SherlockHolmeswasneveratfault，however，andhemutteredthenamesasthecabrattledthroughsquaresandinandoutbytortuousby-streets。
　　"RochesterRow，"saidhe。"NowVincentSquare。NowwecomeoutontheVauxhallBridgeRoad。WearemakingfortheSurreysideapparently。Yes，Ithoughtso。Nowweareonthebridge。Youcancatchglimpsesoftheriver。"
　　WedidindeedgetafleetingviewofastretchoftheThames，withthelampsshininguponthebroad，silentwater;butourcabdashedonandwassooninvolvedinalabyrinthofstreetsupontheotherside。
　　"WordsworthRoad，"saidmycompanion。"PrioryRoad。LarkHallLane。StockwellPlace。RobertStreet。ColdHarbourLane。Ourquestdoesnotappeartotakeustoveryfashionableregions。"
　　Wehadindeedreachedaquestionableandforbiddingneighbourhood。
　　Longlinesofdullbrickhouseswereonlyrelievedbythecoarseglareandtawdrybrilliancyofpublic-housesatthecorner。Thencamerowsoftwo-storiedvillas，eachwithafrontingofminiaturegarden，andthenagaininterminablelinesofnew，staringbrickbuildings-themonstertentacleswhichthegiantcitywasthrowingoutintothecountry。Atlastthecabdrewupatthethirdhouseinanewterrace。Noneoftheotherhouseswereinhabited，andthatatwhichwestoppedwasasdarkasitsneighbours，saveforasingleglimmerinthekitchen-window。Onourknocking，however，thedoorwasinstantlythrownopenbyaHindooservant，cladinayellowturban，whiteloose-fittingclothes，andayellowsash。TherewassomethingstrangelyincongruousinthisOrientalfigureframedinthecommonplacedoorwayofathird-ratesuburbandwelling-house。
　　"Thesahibawaitsyou，"saidhe，andevenashespoke，therecameahigh，pipingvoicefromsomeinnerroom。
　　"Showthemintome，khitmutgar，"itsaid。"Showthemstraightintome。"
　　Chapter4
　　THESTORYOFTHEBALD-HEADEDMAN
　　WefollowedtheIndiandownasordidandcommonpassage，ill-litandworsefurnished，untilhecametoadoorupontheright，whichhethrewopen。Ablazeofyellowlightstreamedoutuponus，andinthecentreoftheglaretherestoodasmallmanwithaveryhighhead，abristleofredhairallroundthefringeofit，andabald，shiningscalpwhichshotoutfromamongitlikeamountain-peakfromfir-trees。Hewrithedhishandstogetherashestood，andhisfeatureswereinaperpetualjerk-nowsmiling，nowscowling，butneverforaninstantinrepose。Naturehadgivenhimapendulouslip，andatoovisiblelineofyellowandirregularteeth，whichhestrovefeeblytoconcealbyconstantlypassinghishandoverthelowerpartofhisface。Inspiteofhisobtrusivebaldnesshegavetheimpressionofyouth。Inpointoffact，hehadjustturnedhisthirtiethyear。
　　"Yourservant，MissMorstan，"hekeptrepeatinginathin，highvoice。"Yourservant，gentlemen。Praystepintomylittlesanctum。A
　　smallplace，miss，butfurnishedtomyownliking。AnoasisofartinthehowlingdesertofSouthLondon。"
　　Wewereallastonishedbytheappearanceoftheapartmentintowhichheinvitedus。Inthatsorryhouseitlookedasoutofplaceasadiamondofthefirstwaterinasettingofbrass。Therichestandglossiestofcurtainsandtapestriesdrapedthewalls，loopedbackhereandtheretoexposesomerichlymountedpaintingorOrientalvase。Thecarpetwasofamberandblack，sosoftandsothickthatthefootsankpleasantlyintoit，asintoabedofmoss。Twogreattiger-skinsthrownathwartitincreasedthesuggestionofEasternluxury，asdidahugehookahwhichstooduponamatinthecorner。A
　　lampinthefashionofasilverdovewashungfromanalmostinvisiblegoldenwireinthecentreoftheroom。Asitburneditfilledtheairwithasubtleandaromaticodour。
　　"Mr。ThaddeusSholto，"saidthelittleman，stilljerkingandsmiling。"Thatismyname。YouareMissMorstan，ofcourse。Andthesegentlemen-"
　　"ThisisMr。SherlockHolmes，andthisDr。Watson。"
　　"Adoctor，eh？"criedhe，muchexcited。"Haveyouyourstethoscope？MightIaskyou-wouldyouhavethekindness？Ihavegravedoubtsastomymitralvalve，ifyouwouldbesoverygood。
　　TheaorticImayrelyupon，butIshouldvalueyouropinionuponthemitral。"
　　Ilistenedtohisheart，asrequested，butwasunabletofindanythingamiss，save，indeed，thathewasinanecstasyoffear，forheshiveredfromheadtofoot。
　　"Itappearstobenormal，"Isaid。"Youhavenocauseforuneasiness。"
　　"Youwillexcusemyanxiety，MissMorstan，"heremarkedairily。"I
　　amagreatsufferer，andIhavelonghadsuspicionsastothatvalve。Iamdelightedtohearthattheyareunwarranted。Hadyourfather，MissMorstan，refrainedfromthrowingastrainuponhisheart，hemighthavebeenalivenow。"
　　Icouldhavestruckthemanacrosstheface，sohotwasIatthiscallousandoffhandreferencetosodelicateamatter。MissMorstansatdown，andherfacegrewwhitetothelips。
　　"Iknewinmyheartthathewasdead，"saidshe。
　　"Icangiveyoueveryinformation，"saidhe;"and，whatismore，I
　　candoyoujustice;andIwill，too，whateverBrotherBartholomewmaysay。IamsogladtohaveyourfriendsherenotonlyasanescorttoyoubutalsoaswitnessestowhatIamabouttodoandsay。ThethreeofuscanshowaboldfronttoBrotherBartholomew。Butletushavenooutsiders-nopoliceorofficials。Wecansettleeverythingsatisfactorilyamongourselveswithoutanyinterference。
　　NothingwouldannoyBrotherBartholomewmorethananypublicity。"
　　Hesatdownuponalowsetteeandblinkedatusinquiringlywithhisweak，wateryblueeyes。
　　"Formypart，"saidHolmes，"whateveryoumaychoosetosaywillgonofurther。"
　　Inoddedtoshowmyagreement。
　　"Thatiswell！Thatiswell！"saidhe。"MayIofferyouaglassofChianti，MissMorstan？OrofTokay？Ikeepnootherwines。ShallI
　　openaflask？No？Well，then，Itrustthatyouhavenoobjectiontotobacco-smoke，tothebalsamicodouroftheEasterntobacco。Iamalittlenervous，andIfindmyhookahaninvaluablesedative。"
　　Heappliedatapertothegreatbowl，andthesmokebubbledmerrilythroughtherose-water。Wesatallthreeinasemicircle，withourheadsadvancedandourchinsuponourhands，whilethestrange，jerkylittlefellow，withhishigh，shininghead，puffeduneasilyinthecentre。
　　"WhenIfirstdeterminedtomakethiscommunicationtoyou，"saidhe，"Imighthavegivenyoumyaddress;butIfearedthatyoumightdisregardmyrequestandbringunpleasantpeoplewithyou。Itooktheliberty，therefore，ofmakinganappointmentinsuchawaythatmymanWilliamsmightbeabletoseeyoufirst。Ihavecompleteconfidenceinhisdiscretion，andhehadorders，ifheweredissatisfied，toproceednofurtherinthematter。Youwillexcusetheseprecautions，butIamamanofsomewhatretiring，andImightevensayrefined，tastes，andthereisnothingmoreunaestheticthanapoliceman。Ihaveanaturalshrinkingfromallformsofroughmaterialism。Iseldomcomeincontactwiththeroughcrowd。Ilive，asyousee，withsomelittleatmosphereofelegancearoundme。Imaycallmyselfapatronofthearts。Itismyweakness。ThelandscapeisagenuineCorot，andthoughaconnoisseurmightperhapsthrowadoubtuponthatSalvatorRosa，therecannotbetheleastquestionabouttheBouguereau。IampartialtothemodernFrenchschool。"
　　"Youwillexcuseme，Mr。Sholto，"saidMissMorstan，"butIamhereatyourrequesttolearnsomethingwhichyoudesiretotellme。
　　Itisverylate，andIshoulddesiretheinterviewtobeasshortaspossible。"
　　"Atthebestitmusttakesometime，"heanswered;"forweshallcertainlyhavetogotoNorwoodandseeBrotherBartholomew。WeshallallgoandtryifwecangetthebetterofBrotherBartholomew。Heisveryangrywithmefortakingthecoursewhichhasseemedrighttome。Ihadquitehighwordswithhimlastnight。
　　Youcannotimaginewhataterriblefellowheiswhenheisangry。"
　　"IfwearetogotoNorwood，itwouldperhapsbeaswelltostartatonce，"Iventuredtoremark。
　　Helaugheduntilhisearswerequitered。
　　"Thatwouldhardlydo，"hecried。"Idon’tknowwhathewouldsayifIbroughtyouinthatsuddenway。No，Imustprepareyoubyshowingyouhowweallstandtoeachother。Inthefirstplace，ImusttellyouthatthereareseveralpointsinthestoryofwhichIammyselfignorant。IcanonlylaythefactsbeforeyouasfarasIknowthemmyself。
　　"Myfatherwas，asyoumayhaveguessed，MajorJohnSholto，onceoftheIndianArmy。HeretiredsomeelevenyearsagoandcametoliveatPondicherryLodgeinUpperNorwood。HehadprosperedinIndiaandbroughtbackwithhimaconsiderablesumofmoney，alargecollectionofvaluablecuriosities，andastaffofnativeservants。
　　Withtheseadvantagesheboughthimselfahouse，andrivedingreatluxury。Mytwin-brotherBartholomewandIweretheonlychildren。
　　"IverywellrememberthesensationwhichwascausedbythedisappearanceofCaptainMorstan。Wereadthedetailsinthepapers，andknowingthathehadbeenafriendofourfather’swediscussedthecasefreelyinhispresence。Heusedtojoininourspeculationsastowhatcouldhavehappened。Neverforaninstantdidwesuspectthathehadthewholesecrethiddeninhisownbreast，thatofallmenhealoneknewthefateofArthurMorstan。
　　"Wedidknow，however，thatsomemystery，somepositivedanger，overhungourfather。Hewasveryfearfulofgoingoutalone，andhealwaysemployedtwoprize-fighterstoactasportersatPondicherryLodge。Williams，whodroveyoutonight，wasoneofthem。HewasoncelightweightchampionofEngland。Ourfatherwouldnevertelluswhatitwashefeared，buthehadamostmarkedaversiontomenwithwoodenlegs。Ononeoccasionheactuallyfiredhisrevolveratawoodenleggedman，whoprovedtobeaharmlesstradesmancanvassingfororders。Wehadtopayalargesumtohushthematterup。MybrotherandIusedtothinkthisamerewhimofmyfather’s，buteventshavesinceledustochangeouropinion。
　　"Earlyin1882myfatherreceivedaletterfromIndiawhichwasagreatshocktohim。Henearlyfaintedatthebreakfast-tablewhenheopenedit，andfromthatdayhesickenedtohisdeath。Whatwasintheletterwecouldneverdiscover，butIcouldseeashehelditthatitwasshortandwritteninascrawlinghand。Hehadsufferedforyearsfromanenlargedspleen，buthenowbecamerapidlyworse，andtowardstheendofAprilwewereinformedthathewasbeyondallhope，andthathewishedtomakealastcommunicationtous。
　　"Whenweenteredhisroomhewasproppedupwithpillowsandbreathingheavily。Hebesoughtustolockthedoorandtocomeuponeithersideofthebed。Thengraspingourhandshemadearemarkablestatementtousinavoicewhichwasbrokenasmuchbyemotionasbypain。Ishalltryandgiveittoyouinhisownverywords。
　　"`Ihaveonlyonething，’hesaid，`whichweighsuponmymindatthissuprememoment。ItismytreatmentofpoorMorstan’sorphan。
　　Thecursedgreedwhichhasbeenmybesettingsinthroughlifehaswithheldfromherthetreasure，halfatleastofwhichshouldhavebeenhers。AndyetIhavemadenouseofitmyself，soblindandfoolishathingisavarice。ThemerefeelingofpossessionhasbeensodeartomethatIcouldnotbeartoshareitwithanother。Seethatchaplettippedwithpearlsbesidethequinine-bottle。EventhatI
　　couldnotbeartopartwith，althoughIhadgotitoutwiththedesignofsendingittoher。You，mysons，willgiveherafairshareoftheAgratreasure。Butsendhernothing-noteventhechaplet-untilI
　　amgone。Afterall，menhavebeenasbadasthisandhaverecovered。
　　"`IwilltellyouhowMorstandied，’hecontinued。`Hehadsufferedforyearsfromaweakheart，butheconcealeditfromeveryone。Ialoneknewit。WheninIndia，heandI，througharemarkablechainofcircumstances，cameintopossessionofaconsiderabletreasure。IbroughtitovertoEngland，andonthenightofMorstan’sarrivalhecamestraightoverheretoclaimhisshare。HewalkedoverfromthestationandwasadmittedbymyfaithfuloldLalChowdar，whoisnowdead。MorstanandIhadadifferenceofopinionastothedivisionofthetreasure，andwecametoheatedwords。
　　Morstanhadsprungoutofhischairinaparoxysmofanger，whenhesuddenlypressedhishandtohisside，hisfaceturnedaduskyhue，andhefellbackward，cuttinghisheadagainstthecornerofthetreasurechest。WhenIstoopedoverhimIfound，tomyhorror，thathewasdead。
　　"`ForalongtimeIsathalfdistracted，wonderingwhatIshoulddo。
　　Myfirstimpulsewas，ofcourse，tocallforassistance;butIcouldnotbutrecognizethattherewaseverychancethatIwouldbeaccusedofhismurder。Hisdeathatthemomentofaquarrel，andthegashinhishead，wouldbeblackagainstme。Again，anofficialinquirycouldnotbemadewithoutbringingoutsomefactsaboutthetreasure，whichIwasparticularlyanxioustokeepsecret。Hehadtoldmethatnosouluponearthknewwherehehadgone。Thereseemedtobenonecessitywhyanysoulevershouldknow。
　　"`Iwasstillponderingoverthematter，when，lookingup，Isawmyservant，LalChowdar，inthedoorway。Hestoleinandboltedthedoorbehindhim。"Donotfear，sahib，"hesaid;"nooneneedknowthatyouhavekilledhim。Letushidehimaway，andwhoisthewiser？""I
　　didnotkillhim，"saidI。LalChowdarshookhisheadandsmiled。"I
　　hearditall，sahib，"saidhe;"Iheardyouquarrel，andIheardtheblow。Butmylipsaresealed。Allareasleepinthehouse。Letusputhimawaytogether。"Thatwasenoughtodecideme。Ifmyownservantcouldnotbelievemyinnocence，howcouldIhopetomakeitgoodbeforetwelvefoolishtradesmeninajury-box？LalChowdarandIdisposedofthebodythatnight，andwithinafewdaystheLondonpaperswerefullofthemysteriousdisappearanceofCaptainMorstan。
　　YouwillseefromwhatIsaythatIcanhardlybeblamedinthematter。MyfaultliesinthefactthatweconcealednotonlythebodybutalsothetreasureandthatIhaveclungtoMorstan’sshareaswellastomyown。Iwishyou，therefore，tomakerestitution。Putyourearsdowntomymouth。Thetreasureishiddenin-’
　　"Atthisinstantahorriblechangecameoverhisexpression;hiseyesstaredwildly，hisjawdropped，andheyelledinavoicewhichIcanneverforget，`Keephimout！ForChrist’ssakekeephimout！’Webothstaredroundatthewindowbehindusuponwhichhisgazewasfixed。Afacewaslookinginatusoutofthedarkness。Wecouldseethewhiteningofthenosewhereitwaspressedagainsttheglass。Itwasabearded，hairyface，withwildcrueleyesandanexpressionofconcentratedmalevolence。MybrotherandIrushedtowardsthewindow，butthemanwasgone。Whenwereturnedtomyfatherhisheadhaddroppedandhispulsehadceasedtobeat。
　　"Wesearchedthegardenthatnightbutfoundnosignoftheintrudersavethatjustunderthewindowasinglefootmarkwasvisibleintheflower-bed。Butforthatonetrace，wemighthavethoughtthatourimaginationshadconjuredupthatwild，fierceface。Wesoon，however，hadanotherandamorestrikingproofthatthereweresecretagenciesatworkallroundus。Thewindowofmyfather’sroomwasfoundopeninthemorning，hiscupboardsandboxeshadbeenrifled，anduponhischestwasfixedatornpieceofpaperwiththewords`Thesignofthefour’scrawledacrossit。Whatthephrasemeantorwhooursecretvisitormayhavebeen，weneverknew。Asfaraswecannoneofmyfather’spropertyhadbeenactuallystolen，thougheverythinghadbeenturnedout。MybrotherandInaturallyassociatedthispeculiarincidentwiththefearwhichhauntedmyfatherduringhislife，butitisstillacompletemysterytous。"
　　Thelittlemanstoppedtorelighthishookahandpuffedthoughtfullyforafewmoments。Wehadallsatabsorbed，listeningtohisextraordinarynarrative。Attheshortaccountofherfather’sdeathMissMorstanhadturneddeadlywhite，andforamomentIfearedthatshewasabouttofaint。Sherallied，however，ondrinkingaglassofwaterwhichIquietlypouredoutforherfromaVenetiancarafeupontheside-table。SherlockHolmesleanedbackinhischairwithanabstractedexpressionandthelidsdrawnlowoverhisglitteringeyes。
　　AsIglancedathimIcouldnotbutthinkhowonthatverydayhehadcomplainedbitterlyofthecommonplacenessoflife。Hereatleastwasaproblemwhichwouldtaxhissagacitytotheutmost。Mr。
　　ThaddeusSholtolookedfromonetotheotherofuswithanobviousprideattheeffectwhichhisstoryhadproducedandthencontinuedbetweenthepuffsofhisovergrownpipe。
　　"MybrotherandI，"saidhe，"were，asyoumayimagine，muchexcitedastothetreasurewhichmyfatherhadspokenof。Forweeksandformonthsweduganddelvedineverypartofthegardenwithoutdiscoveringitswhereabouts。Itwasmaddeningtothinkthatthehiding-placewasonhisverylipsatthemomentthathedied。Wecouldjudgethesplendourofthemissingrichesbythechapletwhichhehadtakenout。OverthischapletmybrotherBartholomewandIhadsomelittlediscussion。Thepearlswereevidentlyofgreatvalue，andhewasaversetopartwiththem，for，betweenfriends，mybrotherwashimselfalittleinclinedtomyfather’sfault。Hethought，too，thatifwepartedwiththechapletitmightgiverisetogossipandfinallybringusintotrouble。ItwasallthatIcoulddotopersuadehimtoletmefindoutMissMorstan’saddressandsendheradetachedpearlatfixedintervalssothatatleastshemightneverfeeldestitute。"
　　"Itwasakindlythought，"saidourcompanionearnestly，"itwasextremelygoodofyou。"
　　Thelittlemanwavedhishanddeprecatingly。
　　"Wewereyourtrustees，"hesaid;"thatwastheviewwhichItookofit，thoughBrotherBartholomewcouldnotaltogetherseeitinthatlight。Wehadplentyofmoneyourselves。Idesirednomore。Besides，itwouldhavebeensuchbadtastetohavetreatedayoungladyinsoscurvyafashion。`Lemauvaisgoutmeneaucrime。’TheFrenchhaveaveryneatwayofputtingthesethings。OurdifferenceofopiniononthissubjectwentsofarthatIthoughtitbesttosetuproomsformyself;soIleftPondicherryLodge，takingtheoldkhitmutgarandWilliamswithme。Yesterday，however，Ilearnedthataneventofextremeimportancehasoccurred。Thetreasurehasbeendiscovered。I
　　instantlycommunicatedwithMissMorstan，anditonlyremainsforustodriveouttoNorwoodanddemandourshare。IexplainedmyviewslastnighttoBrotherBartholomew，soweshallbeexpected，ifnotwelcome，visitors。"
　　Mr。ThaddeusSholtoceasedandsattwitchingonhisluxurioussettee。Weallremainedsilent，withourthoughtsuponthenewdevelopmentwhichthemysteriousbusinesshadtaken。Holmeswasthefirsttospringtohisfeet。
　　"Youhavedonewell，sir，fromfirsttolast，"saidhe。"Itispossiblethatwemaybeabletomakeyousomesmallreturnbythrowingsomelightuponthatwhichisstilldarktoyou。But，asMissMorstanremarkedjustnow，itislate，andwehadbestputthematterthroughwithoutdelay。"
　　Ournewacquaintanceverydeliberatelycoiledupthetubeofhishookahandproducedfrombehindacurtainaverylongbefroggedtopcoatwithastrakhancollarandcuffs。Thishebuttonedtightlyupinspiteoftheextremeclosenessofthenightandfinishedhisattirebyputtingonarabbit-skincapwithhanginglappetswhichcoveredtheears，sothatnopartofhimwasvisiblesavehismobileandpeakyface。
　　"Myhealthissomewhatfragile，"heremarkedasheledthewaydownthepassage。"Iamcompelledtobeavaletudinarian。"
　　Ourcabwasawaitingusoutside，andourprogrammewasevidentlyprearranged，forthedriverstartedoffatonceatarapidpace。
　　ThaddeusSholtotalkedincessantlyinavoicewhichrosehighabovetherattleofthewheels。
　　"Bartholomewisacleverfellow，"saidhe。"Howdoyouthinkhefoundoutwherethetreasurewas？Hehadcometotheconclusionthatitwassomewhereindoors，soheworkedoutallthecubicspaceofthehouseandmademeasurementseverywheresothatnotoneinchshouldbeunaccountedfor。Amongotherthings，hefoundthattheheightofthebuildingwasseventy-fourfeet，butonaddingtogethertheheightsofalltheseparateroomsandmakingeveryallowanceforthespacebetween，whichheascertainedbyborings，hecouldnotbringthetotaltomorethanseventyfeet。Therewerefourfeetunaccountedfor。Thesecouldonlybeatthetopofthebuilding。Heknockedahole，therefore，inthelathandplasterceilingofthehighestroom，andthere，sureenough，hecameuponanotherlittlegarretaboveit，whichhadbeensealedupandwasknowntonoone。Inthecentrestoodthetreasure-chestrestingupontworafters。Helowereditthroughthehole，andthereitlies。Hecomputesthevalueofthejewelsatnotlessthanhalfamillionsterling。"
　　Atthementionofthisgiganticsumweallstaredatoneanotheropen-eyed。MissMorstan，couldwesecureherrights，wouldchangefromaneedygovernesstotherichestheiressinEngland。Surelyitwastheplaceofaloyalfriendtorejoiceatsuchnews，yetIamashamedtosaythatselfishnesstookmebythesoulandthatmyheartturnedasheavyasleadwithinme。Istammeredoutsomefewhaltingwordsofcongratulationandthensatdowncast，withmyheaddrooped，deaftothebabbleofournewacquaintance。Hewasclearlyaconfirmedhypochondriac，andIwasdreamilyconsciousthathewaspouringforthinterminabletrainsofsymptoms，andimploringinformationastothecompositionandactionofinnumerablequacknostrums，someofwhichheboreaboutinaleathercaseinhispocket。ItrustthathemaynotrememberanyoftheanswerswhichIgavehimthatnight。
　　Holmesdeclaresthatheoverheardmecautionhimagainstthegreatdangeroftakingmorethantwodropsofcastor-oil，whileI
　　recommendedstrychnineinlargedosesasasedative。Howeverthatmaybe，Iwascertainlyrelievedwhenourcabpulledupwithajerkandthecoachmansprangdowntoopenthedoor。
　　"This，MissMorstan，isPondicherryLodge，"saidMr。ThaddeusSholtoashehandedherout。