"Imustreallyapologize，Hopkins，"saidSherlockHolmes；
　　"Ifearthatthescrambledeggsarecold。However，youwillenjoytherestofyourbreakfastallthebetter，willyounot，forthethoughtthatyouhavebroughtyourcasetoatriumphantconclusion。"
　　StanleyHopkinswasspeechlesswithamazement。
　　"Idon’tknowwhattosay，Mr。Holmes，"heblurtedoutatlast，withaveryredface。"ItseemstomethatIhavebeenmakingafoolofmyselffromthebeginning。Iunderstandnow，whatI
　　shouldneverhaveforgotten，thatIamthepupilandyouarethemaster。EvennowIseewhatyouhavedone，butIdon’tknowhowyoudidit，orwhatitsignifies。"
　　"Well，well，"saidHolmes，good—humouredly。"Wealllearnbyexperience，andyourlessonthistimeisthatyoushouldneverlosesightofthealternative。YouweresoabsorbedinyoungNeliganthatyoucouldnotspareathoughttoPatrickCairns，thetruemurdererofPeterCarey。"
　　Thehoarsevoiceoftheseamanbrokeinonourconversation。
　　"Seehere，mister，"saidhe，"Imakenocomplaintofbeingman—handledinthisfashion，butIwouldhaveyoucallthingsbytheirrightnames。YousayImurderedPeterCarey；
　　IsayIKILLEDPeterCarey，andthere’sallthedifference。
　　Maybeyoudon’tbelievewhatIsay。MaybeyouthinkIamjustslingingyouayarn。"
　　"Notatall，"saidHolmes。"Letushearwhatyouhavetosay。"
　　"It’ssoontold，and，bytheLord，everywordofitistruth。
　　IknewBlackPeter，andwhenhepulledouthisknifeIwhippedaharpoonthroughhimsharp，forIknewthatitwashimorme。
　　That’showhedied。Youcancallitmurder。Anyhow，I’dassoondiewitharoperoundmyneckaswithBlackPeter’sknifeinmyheart。"
　　"Howcameyouthere？"askedHolmes。
　　"I’lltellityoufromthebeginning。JustsitmeupalittlesoasIcanspeakeasy。Itwasin’83thatithappened——
　　Augustofthatyear。PeterCareywasmasteroftheSEAUNICORN，andIwasspareharpooner。Wewerecomingoutoftheice—packonourwayhome，withheadwindsandaweek’ssoutherlygale，whenwepickedupalittlecraftthathadbeenblownnorth。
　　Therewasonemanonher——alandsman。Thecrewhadthoughtshewouldfounder，andhadmadefortheNorwegiancoastinthedinghy。Iguesstheywerealldrowned。Well，wetookhimonboard，thisman，andheandtheskipperhadsomelongtalksinthecabin。Allthebaggagewetookoffwithhimwasonetinbox。
　　SofarasIknow，theman’snamewasnevermentioned，andonthesecondnighthedisappearedasifhehadneverbeen。Itwasgivenoutthathehadeitherthrownhimselfoverboardorfallenoverboardintheheavyweatherthatwewerehaving。Onlyonemanknewwhathadhappenedtohim，andthatwasme，forwithmyowneyesIsawtheskippertipuphisheelsandputhimovertherailinthemiddlewatchofadarknight，twodaysbeforewesightedtheShetlandlights。
　　"Well，Ikeptmyknowledgetomyselfandwaitedtoseewhatwouldcomeofit。WhenwegotbacktoScotlanditwaseasilyhushedup，andnobodyaskedanyquestions。Astrangerdiedbyanaccident，anditwasnobody’sbusinesstoinquire。ShortlyafterPeterCareygaveupthesea，anditwaslongyearsbeforeIcouldfindwherehewas。
　　Iguessedthathehaddonethedeedforthesakeofwhatwasinthattinbox，andthathecouldaffordnowtopaymewellforkeepingmymouthshut。
　　"IfoundoutwherehewasthroughasailormanthathadmethiminLondon，anddownIwenttosqueezehim。Thefirstnighthewasreasonableenough，andwasreadytogivemewhatwouldmakemefreeoftheseaforlife。Weweretofixitalltwonightslater。WhenIcameIfoundhimthreepartsdrunkandinaviletemper。Wesatdownandwedrankandweyarnedaboutoldtimes，butthemorehedrankthelessIlikedthelookonhisface。
　　Ispottedthatharpoonuponthewall，andIthoughtImightneeditbeforeIwasthrough。Thenatlasthebrokeoutatme，spittingandcursing，withmurderinhiseyesandagreatclasp—knifeinhishand。HehadnottimetogetitfromthesheathbeforeIhadtheharpoonthroughhim。Heavens！whatayellhegave；andhisfacegetsbetweenmeandmysleep！
　　Istoodthere，withhisbloodsplashingroundme，andIwaitedforabit；butallwasquiet，soItookheartoncemore。
　　Ilookedround，andtherewasthetinboxonashelf。IhadasmuchrighttoitasPeterCarey，anyhow，soItookitwithmeandleftthehut。LikeafoolIleftmybaccy—pouchuponthetable。
　　"NowI’lltellyouthequeerestpartofthewholestory。
　　IhadhardlygotoutsidethehutwhenIheardsomeonecoming，andIhidamongthebushes。Amancameslinkingalong，wentintothehut，gaveacryasifhehadseenaghost，andleggeditashardashecouldrununtilhewasoutofsight。
　　WhohewasorwhathewantedismorethanIcantell。
　　FormypartIwalkedtenmiles，gotatrainatTunbridgeWells，andsoreachedLondon，andnoonethewiser。
　　"Well，whenIcametoexaminetheboxIfoundtherewasnomoneyinit，andnothingbutpapersthatIwouldnotdaretosell。
　　IhadlostmyholdonBlackPeter，andwasstrandedinLondonwithoutashilling。Therewasonlymytradeleft。Isawtheseadvertisementsaboutharpoonersandhighwages，soIwenttotheshippingagents，andtheysentmehere。That’sallIknow，andIsayagainthatifIkilledBlackPeterthelawshouldgivemethanks，forIsavedthemthepriceofahempenrope。"
　　"Averyclearstatement，"saidHolmes，risingandlightinghispipe。"Ithink，Hopkins，thatyoushouldlosenotimeinconveyingyourprisonertoaplaceofsafety。Thisroomisnotwelladaptedforacell，andMr。PatrickCairnsoccupiestoolargeaproportionofourcarpet。"
　　"Mr。Holmes，"saidHopkins，"Idonotknowhowtoexpressmygratitude。EvennowIdonotunderstandhowyouattainedthisresult。"
　　"Simplybyhavingthegoodfortunetogettherightcluefromthebeginning。ItisverypossibleifIhadknownaboutthisnote—bookitmighthaveledawaymythoughts，asitdidyours。
　　ButallIheardpointedintheonedirection。Theamazingstrength，theskillintheuseoftheharpoon，therumandwater，theseal—skintobacco—pouch，withthecoarsetobacco——
　　allthesepointedtoaseaman，andonewhohadbeenawhaler。
　　Iwasconvincedthattheinitials`P。C。’uponthepouchwereacoincidence，andnotthoseofPeterCarey，sinceheseldomsmoked，andnopipewasfoundinhiscabin。YourememberthatIaskedwhetherwhiskyandbrandywereinthecabin。Yousaidtheywere。Howmanylandsmenaretherewhowoulddrinkrumwhentheycouldgettheseotherspirits？Yes，Iwascertainitwasaseaman。"
　　"Andhowdidyoufindhim？"
　　"Mydearsir，theproblemhadbecomeaverysimpleone。Ifitwereaseaman，itcouldonlybeaseamanwhohadbeenwithhimontheSEAUNICORN。SofarasIcouldlearnhehadsailedinnoothership。IspentthreedaysinwiringtoDundee，andattheendofthattimeIhadascertainedthenamesofthecrewoftheSEAUNICORNin1883。WhenIfoundPatrickCairnsamongtheharpoonersmyresearchwasnearingitsend。IarguedthatthemanwasprobablyinLondon，andthathewoulddesiretoleavethecountryforatime。IthereforespentsomedaysintheEast—end，devisedanArcticexpedition，putforthtemptingtermsforharpoonerswhowouldserveunderCaptainBasil——andbeholdtheresult！"
　　"Wonderful！"criedHopkins。"Wonderful！"
　　"YoumustobtainthereleaseofyoungNeliganassoonaspossible，"
　　saidHolmes。"IconfessthatIthinkyouowehimsomeapology。
　　Thetinboxmustbereturnedtohim，but，ofcourse，thesecuritieswhichPeterCareyhassoldarelostforever。There’sthecab，Hopkins，andyoucanremoveyourman。Ifyouwantmeforthetrial，myaddressandthatofWatsonwillbesomewhereinNorway——
　　I’llsendparticularslater。"
　　VII。———TheAdventureofCharlesAugustusMilverton。
　　ITisyearssincetheincidentsofwhichIspeaktookplace，andyetitiswithdiffidencethatIalludetothem。Foralongtime，evenwiththeutmostdiscretionandreticence，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletomakethefactspublic；butnowtheprincipalpersonconcernedisbeyondthereachofhumanlaw，andwithduesuppressionthestorymaybetoldinsuchfashionastoinjurenoone。ItrecordsanabsolutelyuniqueexperienceinthecareerbothofMr。SherlockHolmesandofmyself。ThereaderwillexcusemeifIconcealthedateoranyotherfactbywhichhemighttracetheactualoccurrence。
　　Wehadbeenoutforoneofoureveningrambles，HolmesandI，andhadreturnedaboutsixo’clockonacold，frostywinter’sevening。AsHolmesturnedupthelampthelightfelluponacardonthetable。Heglancedatit，andthen，withanejaculationofdisgust，threwitonthefloor。
　　Ipickeditupandread：——
　　CHARLESAUGUSTUSMILVERTON，APPLEDORETOWERS，AGENT。HAMPSTEAD。
　　"Whoishe？"Iasked。
　　"TheworstmaninLondon，"Holmesanswered，ashesatdownandstretchedhislegsbeforethefire。"Isanythingonthebackofthecard？"
　　Iturneditover。
　　"Willcallat6。30——C。A。M。，"Iread。
　　"Hum！He’saboutdue。Doyoufeelacreeping，shrinkingsensation，Watson，whenyoustandbeforetheserpentsintheZooandseetheslithery，gliding，venomouscreatures，withtheirdeadlyeyesandwicked，flattenedfaces？Well，that’showMilvertonimpressesme。I’vehadtodowithfiftymurderersinmycareer，buttheworstofthemnevergavemetherepulsionwhichIhaveforthisfellow。AndyetIcan’tgetoutofdoingbusinesswithhim——indeed，heishereatmyinvitation。"
　　"Butwhoishe？"
　　"I’lltellyou，Watson。Heisthekingofalltheblackmailers。
　　Heavenhelptheman，andstillmorethewoman，whosesecretandreputationcomeintothepowerofMilverton。Withasmilingfaceandaheartofmarblehewillsqueezeandsqueezeuntilhehasdrainedthemdry。Thefellowisageniusinhisway，andwouldhavemadehismarkinsomemoresavourytrade。Hismethodisasfollows：Heallowsittobeknownthatheispreparedtopayveryhighsumsforletterswhichcompromisepeopleofwealthorposition。Hereceivesthesewaresnotonlyfromtreacherousvaletsormaids，butfrequentlyfromgenteelruffianswhohavegainedtheconfidenceandaffectionoftrustingwomen。
　　Hedealswithnoniggardhand。Ihappentoknowthathepaidsevenhundredpoundstoafootmanforanotetwolinesinlength，andthattheruinofanoblefamilywastheresult。EverythingwhichisinthemarketgoestoMilverton，andtherearehundredsinthisgreatcitywhoturnwhiteathisname。Nooneknowswherehisgripmayfall，forheisfartoorichandfartoocunningtoworkfromhandtomouth。Hewillholdacardbackforyearsinordertoplayitatthemomentwhenthestakeisbestworthwinning。IhavesaidthatheistheworstmaninLondon，andIwouldaskyouhowcouldonecomparetheruffianwhoinhotbloodbludgeonshismatewiththisman，whomethodicallyandathisleisuretorturesthesoulandwringsthenervesinordertoaddtohisalreadyswollenmoney—bags？"
　　Ihadseldomheardmyfriendspeakwithsuchintensityoffeeling。
　　"Butsurely，"saidI，"thefellowmustbewithinthegraspofthelaw？"
　　"Technically，nodoubt，butpracticallynot。Whatwoulditprofitawoman，forexample，togethimafewmonths’
　　imprisonmentifherownruinmustimmediatelyfollow？Hisvictimsdarenothitback。Ifeverheblackmailedaninnocentperson，then，indeed，weshouldhavehim；butheisascunningastheEvilOne。No，no；wemustfindotherwaystofighthim。"
　　"Andwhyishehere？"
　　"Becauseanillustriousclienthasplacedherpiteouscaseinmyhands。ItistheLadyEvaBrackwell，themostbeautifulDEBUTANTEoflastseason。SheistobemarriedinafortnighttotheEarlofDovercourt。Thisfiendhasseveralimprudentletters——imprudent，Watson，nothingworse——whichwerewrittentoanimpecuniousyoungsquireinthecountry。
　　Theywouldsufficetobreakoffthematch。MilvertonwillsendtheletterstotheEarlunlessalargesumofmoneyispaidhim。
　　Ihavebeencommissionedtomeethim，and——tomakethebesttermsIcan。"
　　Atthatinstanttherewasaclatterandarattleinthestreetbelow。LookingdownIsawastatelycarriageandpair，thebrilliantlampsgleamingontheglossyhaunchesofthenoblechestnuts。Afootmanopenedthedoor，andasmall，stoutmaninashaggyastrachanovercoatdescended。Aminutelaterhewasintheroom。
　　CharlesAugustusMilvertonwasamanoffifty，withalarge，intellectualhead，around，plump，hairlessface，aperpetualfrozensmile，andtwokeengreyeyes，whichgleamedbrightlyfrombehindbroad，golden—rimmedglasses。TherewassomethingofMr。Pickwick’sbenevolenceinhisappearance，marredonlybytheinsincerityofthefixedsmileandbythehardglitterofthoserestlessandpenetratingeyes。Hisvoicewasassmoothandsuaveashiscountenance，asheadvancedwithaplumplittlehandextended，murmuringhisregretforhavingmissedusathisfirstvisit。Holmesdisregardedtheoutstretchedhandandlookedathimwithafaceofgranite。Milverton’ssmilebroadened；heshruggedhisshoulders，removedhisovercoat，foldeditwithgreatdeliberationoverthebackofachair，andthentookaseat。
　　"Thisgentleman？"saidhe，withawaveinmydirection。
　　"Isitdiscreet？Isitright？"
　　"Dr。Watsonismyfriendandpartner。"
　　"Verygood，Mr。Holmes。Itisonlyinyourclient’sintereststhatIprotested。Thematterissoverydelicate————"
　　"Dr。Watsonhasalreadyheardofit。"
　　"Thenwecanproceedtobusiness。YousaythatyouareactingforLadyEva。Hassheempoweredyoutoacceptmyterms？"
　　"Whatareyourterms？"
　　"Seventhousandpounds。"
　　"Andthealternative？"
　　"Mydearsir，itispainfulformetodiscussit；butifthemoneyisnotpaidonthe14ththerecertainlywillbenomarriageonthe18th。"Hisinsufferablesmilewasmorecomplacentthanever。
　　Holmesthoughtforalittle。
　　"Youappeartome，"hesaid，atlast，"tobetakingmatterstoomuchforgranted。Iam，ofcourse，familiarwiththecontentsoftheseletters。MyclientwillcertainlydowhatImayadvise。Ishallcounselhertotellherfuturehusbandthewholestoryandtotrusttohisgenerosity。"
　　Milvertonchuckled。
　　"YouevidentlydonotknowtheEarl，"saidhe。
　　FromthebaffledlookuponHolmes’sfaceIcouldseeclearlythathedid。
　　"Whatharmisthereintheletters？"heasked。
　　"Theyaresprightly——verysprightly，"Milvertonanswered。
　　"Theladywasacharmingcorrespondent。ButIcanassureyouthattheEarlofDovercourtwouldfailtoappreciatethem。
　　However，sinceyouthinkotherwise，wewillletitrestatthat。
　　Itispurelyamatterofbusiness。IfyouthinkthatitisinthebestinterestsofyourclientthattheselettersshouldbeplacedinthehandsoftheEarl，thenyouwouldindeedbefoolishtopaysolargeasumofmoneytoregainthem。"
　　Heroseandseizedhisastrachancoat。
　　Holmeswasgreywithangerandmortification。
　　"Waitalittle，"hesaid。"Yougotoofast。Wewouldcertainlymakeeveryefforttoavoidscandalinsodelicateamatter。"
　　Milvertonrelapsedintohischair。
　　"Iwassurethatyouwouldseeitinthatlight，"hepurred。
　　"Atthesametime，"Holmescontinued，"LadyEvaisnotawealthywoman。Iassureyouthattwothousandpoundswouldbeadrainuponherresources，andthatthesumyounameisutterlybeyondherpower。Ibeg，therefore，thatyouwillmoderateyourdemands，andthatyouwillreturnthelettersatthepriceI
　　indicate，whichis，Iassureyou，thehighestthatyoucanget。"
　　Milverton’ssmilebroadenedandhiseyestwinkledhumorously。
　　"Iamawarethatwhatyousayistrueaboutthelady’sresources，"saidhe。"Atthesametime，youmustadmitthattheoccasionofalady’smarriageisaverysuitabletimeforherfriendsandrelativestomakesomelittleeffortuponherbehalf。Theymayhesitateastoanacceptableweddingpresent。
　　Letmeassurethemthatthislittlebundleofletterswouldgivemorejoythanallthecandelabraandbutter—dishesinLondon。"
　　"Itisimpossible，"saidHolmes。
　　"Dearme，dearme，howunfortunate！"criedMilverton，takingoutabulkypocket—book。"Icannothelpthinkingthatladiesareill—advisedinnotmakinganeffort。Lookatthis！"Heheldupalittlenotewithacoat—of—armsupontheenvelope。"Thatbelongsto——well，perhapsitishardlyfairtotellthenameuntilto—morrowmorning。Butatthattimeitwillbeinthehandsofthelady’shusband。Andallbecauseshewillnotfindabeggarlysumwhichshecouldgetbyturningherdiamondsintopaste。ItISsuchapity。Now，yourememberthesuddenendoftheengagementbetweentheHonourableMissMilesandColonelDorking？OnlytwodaysbeforetheweddingtherewasaparagraphintheMORNINGPOSTtosaythatitwasalloff。
　　Andwhy？Itisalmostincredible，buttheabsurdsumoftwelvehundredpoundswouldhavesettledthewholequestion。
　　Isitnotpitiful？AndhereIfindyou，amanofsense，bogglingabouttermswhenyourclient’sfutureandhonourareatstake。Yousurpriseme，Mr。Holmes。"
　　"WhatIsayistrue，"Holmesanswered。"Themoneycannotbefound。SurelyitisbetterforyoutotakethesubstantialsumwhichIofferthantoruinthiswoman’scareer，whichcanprofityouinnoway？"
　　"Thereyoumakeamistake，Mr。Holmes。Anexposurewouldprofitmeindirectlytoaconsiderableextent。Ihaveeightortensimilarcasesmaturing。IfitwascirculatedamongthemthatIhadmadeasevereexampleoftheLadyEvaIshouldfindallofthemmuchmoreopentoreason。Youseemypoint？"
　　Holmessprangfromhischair。
　　"Getbehindhim，Watson！Don’tlethimout！Now，sir，letusseethecontentsofthatnote—book。"
　　Milvertonhadglidedasquickasarattothesideoftheroom，andstoodwithhisbackagainstthewall。
　　"Mr。Holmes，Mr。Holmes，"hesaid，turningthefrontofhiscoatandexhibitingthebuttofalargerevolver，whichprojectedfromtheinsidepocket。"Ihavebeenexpectingyoutodosomethingoriginal。Thishasbeendonesooften，andwhatgoodhasevercomefromit？IassureyouthatIamarmedtotheteeth，andIamperfectlypreparedtousemyweapons，knowingthatthelawwillsupportme。Besides，yoursuppositionthatIwouldbringthelettershereinanote—bookisentirelymistaken。Iwoulddonothingsofoolish。Andnow，gentlemen，Ihaveoneortwolittleinterviewsthisevening，anditisalongdrivetoHampstead。"Hesteppedforward，tookuphiscoat，laidhishandonhisrevolver，andturnedtothedoor。Ipickedupachair，butHolmesshookhisheadandIlaiditdownagain。
　　Withbow，asmile，andatwinkleMilvertonwasoutoftheroom，andafewmomentsafterweheardtheslamofthecarriagedoorandtherattleofthewheelsashedroveaway。
　　Holmessatmotionlessbythefire，hishandsburieddeepinhistrouserpockets，hischinsunkuponhisbreast，hiseyesfixedupontheglowingembers。Forhalfanhourhewassilentandstill。Then，withthegestureofamanwhohastakenhisdecision，hesprangtohisfeetandpassedintohisbedroom。
　　Alittlelaterarakishyoungworkmanwithagoateebeardandaswaggerlithisclaypipeatthelampbeforedescendingintothestreet。"I’llbebacksometime，Watson，"saidhe，andvanishedintothenight。IunderstoodthathehadopenedhiscampaignagainstCharlesAugustusMilverton；butIlittledreamedthestrangeshapewhichthatcampaignwasdestinedtotake。
　　ForsomedaysHolmescameandwentatallhoursinthisattire，butbeyondaremarkthathistimewasspentatHampstead，andthatitwasnotwasted，Iknewnothingofwhathewasdoing。
　　Atlast，however，onawild，tempestuousevening，whenthewindscreamedandrattledagainstthewindows，hereturnedfromhislastexpedition，andhavingremovedhisdisguisehesatbeforethefireandlaughedheartilyinhissilentinwardfashion。
　　"Youwouldnotcallmeamarryingman，Watson？"
　　"No，indeed！"
　　"You’llbeinterestedtohearthatIamengaged。"
　　"Mydearfellow！Icongrat————"
　　"ToMilverton’shousemaid。"
　　"Goodheavens，Holmes！"
　　"Iwantedinformation，Watson。"
　　"Surelyyouhavegonetoofar？"
　　"Itwasamostnecessarystep。Iamaplumberwitharisingbusiness，Escottbyname。Ihavewalkedoutwithhereachevening，andIhavetalkedwithher。Goodheavens，thosetalks！
　　However，IhavegotallIwanted。IknowMilverton’shouseasIknowthepalmofmyhand。"
　　"Butthegirl，Holmes？"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Youcan’thelpit，mydearWatson。Youmustplayyourcardsasbestyoucanwhensuchastakeisonthetable。However，IrejoicetosaythatIhaveahatedrivalwhowillcertainlycutmeouttheinstantthatmybackisturned。Whatasplendidnightitis！"
　　"Youlikethisweather？"
　　"Itsuitsmypurpose。Watson，ImeantoburgleMilverton’shouseto—night。"
　　Ihadacatchingofthebreath，andmyskinwentcoldatthewords，whichwereslowlyutteredinatoneofconcentratedresolution。Asaflashoflightninginthenightshowsupinaninstanteverydetailofawidelandscape，soatoneglanceIseemedtoseeeverypossibleresultofsuchanaction——thedetection，thecapture，thehonouredcareerendinginirreparablefailureanddisgrace，myfriendhimselflyingatthemercyoftheodiousMilverton。
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，Holmes，thinkwhatyouaredoing，"Icried。
　　"Mydearfellow，Ihavegiveniteveryconsideration。Iamneverprecipitateinmyactions，norwouldIadoptsoenergeticandindeedsodangerousacourseifanyotherwerepossible。
　　Letuslookatthematterclearlyandfairly。Isupposethatyouwilladmitthattheactionismorallyjustifiable，thoughtechnicallycriminal。Toburglehishouseisnomorethantoforciblytakehispocket—book——anactioninwhichyouwerepreparedtoaidme。"
　　Iturneditoverinmymind。
　　"Yes，"Isaid；"itismorallyjustifiablesolongasourobjectistotakenoarticlessavethosewhichareusedforanillegalpurpose。"
　　"Exactly。SinceitismorallyjustifiableIhaveonlytoconsiderthequestionofpersonalrisk。Surelyagentlemanshouldnotlaymuchstressuponthiswhenaladyisinmostdesperateneedofhishelp？"
　　"Youwillbeinsuchafalseposition。"
　　"Well，thatispartoftherisk。Thereisnootherpossiblewayofregainingtheseletters。Theunfortunateladyhasnotthemoney，andtherearenoneofherpeopleinwhomshecouldconfide。To—morrowisthelastdayofgrace，andunlesswecangetthelettersto—nightthisvillainwillbeasgoodashiswordandwillbringaboutherruin。Imust，therefore，abandonmyclienttoherfateorImustplaythislastcard。Betweenourselves，Watson，it’sasportingduelbetweenthisfellowMilvertonandme。Hehad，asyousaw，thebestofthefirstexchanges；butmyself—respectandmyreputationareconcernedtofightittoafinish。"
　　"Well，Idon’tlikeit；butIsupposeitmustbe，"saidI。
　　"Whendowestart？"
　　"Youarenotcoming。"
　　"Thenyouarenotgoing，"saidI。"Igiveyoumywordofhonour——andIneverbrokeitinmylife——thatIwilltakeacabstraighttothepolice—stationandgiveyouawayunlessyouletmesharethisadventurewithyou。"
　　"Youcan’thelpme。"
　　"Howdoyouknowthat？Youcan’ttellwhatmayhappen。
　　Anyway，myresolutionistaken。Otherpeoplebesideyouhaveself—respectandevenreputations。"
　　Holmeshadlookedannoyed，buthisbrowcleared，andheclappedmeontheshoulder。
　　"Well，well，mydearfellow，beitso。Wehavesharedthesameroomforsomeyears，anditwouldbeamusingifweendedbysharingthesamecell。Youknow，Watson，Idon’tmindconfessingtoyouthatIhavealwayshadanideathatIwouldhavemadeahighlyefficientcriminal。Thisisthechanceofmylifetimeinthatdirection。Seehere！"Hetookaneatlittleleathercaseoutofadrawer，andopeningitheexhibitedanumberofshininginstruments。"Thisisafirst—class，up—to—dateburglingkit，withnickel—platedjemmy，diamond—tippedglass—cutter，adaptablekeys，andeverymodernimprovementwhichthemarchofcivilizationdemands。Here，too，ismydarklantern。
　　Everythingisinorder。Haveyouapairofsilentshoes？"
　　"Ihaverubber—soledtennisshoes。"
　　"Excellent。Andamask？"
　　"Icanmakeacoupleoutofblacksilk。"
　　"Icanseethatyouhaveastrongnaturalturnforthissortofthing。Verygood；doyoumakethemasks。Weshallhavesomecoldsupperbeforewestart。Itisnownine—thirty。AtelevenweshalldriveasfarasChurchRow。Itisaquarterofanhour’swalkfromtheretoAppledoreTowers。Weshallbeatworkbeforemidnight。Milvertonisaheavysleeperandretirespunctuallyatten—thirty。Withanyluckweshouldbebackherebytwo，withtheLadyEva’slettersinmypocket。"
　　HolmesandIputonourdress—clothes，sothatwemightappeartobetwotheatre—goershomewardbound。InOxfordStreetwepickedupahansomanddrovetoanaddressinHampstead。
　　Herewepaidoffourcab，andwithourgreat—coatsbuttonedup，foritwasbitterlycoldandthewindseemedtoblowthroughus，wewalkedalongtheedgeoftheHeath。
　　"It’sabusinessthatneedsdelicatetreatment，"saidHolmes。
　　"Thesedocumentsarecontainedinasafeinthefellow’sstudy，andthestudyistheante—roomofhisbed—chamber。Ontheotherhand，likeallthesestout，littlemenwhodothemselveswell，heisaplethoricsleeper。Agatha——that’smyFIANCEE——saysitisajokeintheservants’hallthatit’simpossibletowakethemaster。Hehasasecretarywhoisdevotedtohisinterestsandneverbudgesfromthestudyallday。That’swhywearegoingatnight。Thenhehasabeastofadogwhichroamsthegarden。ImetAgathalatethelasttwoevenings，andshelocksthebruteupsoastogivemeaclearrun。Thisisthehouse，thisbigoneinitsowngrounds。Throughthegate——nowtotherightamongthelaurels。Wemightputonourmaskshere，Ithink。Yousee，thereisnotaglimmeroflightinanyofthewindows，andeverythingisworkingsplendidly。"
　　Withourblacksilkface—coverings，whichturnedusintotwoofthemosttruculentfiguresinLondon，westoleuptothesilent，gloomyhouse。Asortoftiledverandaextendedalongonesideofit，linedbyseveralwindowsandtwodoors。
　　"That’shisbedroom，"Holmeswhispered。"Thisdooropensstraightintothestudy。Itwouldsuitusbest，butitisboltedaswellaslocked，andweshouldmaketoomuchnoisegettingin。Comeroundhere。There’sagreenhousewhichopensintothedrawing—room。"