“Ah！“saidhe，“IforgotthatIhadnotseenyouforsomeweeks。
ItisalittlesouvenirfromtheKingofBohemia，inreturnformyassistanceinthecaseoftheIreneAdlerpapers。”
“Andthering？“Iasked，glancingataremarkablebrilliantwhichsparkleduponhisfinger。
“ItwasfromthereigningfamilyofHolland，thoughthematterinwhichIservedthemwasofsuchdelicacythatIcannotconfideiteventoyou，whohavebeengoodenoughtochronicleoneortwoofmylittleproblems。”
“Andhaveyouanyonhandjustnow？“Iaskedwithinterest。
“Sometenortwelve，butnonewhichpresentanyfeaturesofinterest。Theyareimportant，youunderstand，withoutbeinginteresting。IndeedIhavefoundthatitisusuallyinunimportantmattersthatthereisafieldfortheobservation，andforthequickanalysisofcauseandeffectwhichgivesthecharmtoaninvestigation。Thelargercrimesareapttobethesimpler，forthebiggerthecrime，themoreobvious，asarule，isthemotive。
Inthesecases，saveforoneratherintricatematterwhichhasbeenreferredtomefromMarseilles，thereisnothingwhichpresentsanyfeaturesofinterest。Itispossible，however，thatImayhavesomethingbetterbeforeverymanyminutesareover，forthisisoneofmyclients，orIammuchmistaken。”
Hehadrisenfromhischair，andwasstandingbetweenthepartedblinds，gazingdownintothedull，neutral-tintedLondonstreet。
Lookingoverhisshoulder，Isawthatonthepavementoppositetherestoodalargewomanwithaheavyfurboaroundherneck，andalargecurlingredfeatherinabroad-brimmedhatwhichwastiltedinacoquettishDuchess-of-Devonshirefashionoverherear。
Fromunderthisgreatpanoplyshepeepedupinanervous，hesitatingfashionatourwindows，whileherbodyoscillatedbackwardandforward，andherfingersfidgetedwithherglovebuttons。Suddenly，withaplunge，asoftheswimmerwholeavesthebank，shehurriedacrosstheroad，andweheardthesharpclangofthebell。
“Ihaveseenthosesymptomsbefore，“saidHolmes，throwinghiscigaretteintothefire。“Oscillationuponthepavementalwaysmeansanaffairedecoeur。Shewouldlikeadvice，butisnotsurethatthematterisnottoodelicateforcommunication。Andyetevenherewemaydiscriminate。Whenawomanhasbeenseriouslywrongedbyaman，shenolongeroscillates，andtheusualsymptomisabrokenbellwire。Herewemaytakeitthatthereisalovematter，butthatthemaidenisnotsomuchangryasperplexedorgrieved。Buthereshecomesinpersontoresolveourdoubts。”
Ashespoke，therewasatapatthedoor，andtheboyinbuttonsenteredtoannounceMissMarySutherland，whiletheladyherselfloomedbehindhissmallblackfigurelikeafull-sailedmerchantmanbehindatinypilotboat。SherlockHolmeswelcomedherwiththeeasycourtesyforwhichhewasremarkable，andhavingclosedthedoor，andbowedherintoanarmchair，helookedheroverintheminuteandyetabstractedfashionwhichwaspeculiartohim。
“Doyounotfind，“hesaid，“thatwithyourshortsightitisalittletryingtodosomuchtypewriting？“
“Ididatfirst，“sheanswered，“butnowIknowwherethelettersarewithoutlooking。”Then，suddenlyrealizingthefullpurportofhiswords，shegaveaviolentstart，andlookedupwithfearandastonishmentuponherbroad，good-humoredface。“You”veheardaboutme，Mr。Holmes，“shecried，“elsehowcouldyouknowallthat？“
“Nevermind，“saidHolmes，laughing，“itismybusinesstoknowthings。PerhapsIhavetrainedmyselftoseewhatothersoverlook。
Ifnot，whyshouldyoucometoconsultme？“
“Icametoyou，sir，becauseIheardofyoufromMrs。Etherege，whosehusbandyoufoundsoeasilywhenthepoliceandeveryonehadgivenhimupfordead。Oh，Mr。Holmes，Iwishyouwoulddoasmuchforme。I”mnotrich，butstillIhaveahundredayearinmyownright，besidesthelittlethatImakebythemachine，andIwouldgiveitalltoknowwhathasbecomeofMr。HosmerAngel。”
“Whydidyoucomeawaytoconsultmeinsuchahurry？“askedSherlockHolmes，withhisfingertipstogether，andhiseyestotheceiling。
AgainastartledlookcameoverthesomewhatvacuousfaceofMissMarySutherland。“Yes，Ididbangoutofthehouse，“shesaid，“foritmademeangrytoseetheeasywayinwhichMr。Windibank——
thatis，myfather——tookitall。Hewouldnotgotothepolice，andhewouldnotgotoyou，andsoatlast，ashewoulddonothing，andkeptonsayingthattherewasnoharmdone，itmadememad，andIjustonwithmythingsandcamerightawaytoyou。”
“Yourfather？“saidHolmes。“Yourstepfather，surely，sincethenameisdifferent。”
“Yes，mystepfather。Icallhimfather，thoughitsoundsfunny，too，forheisonlyfiveyearsandtwomonthsolderthanmyself。”
“Andyourmotherisalive？“
“Oh，yes；motherisaliveandwell。Iwasn”tbestpleased，Mr。
Holmes，whenshemarriedagainsosoonafterfather”sdeath，andamanwhowasnearlyfifteenyearsyoungerthanherself。FatherwasaplumberintheTottenhamCourtRoad，andheleftatidybusinessbehindhim，whichmothercarriedonwithMr。Hardy，theforeman；
butwhenMr。Windibankcamehemadehersellthebusiness，forhewasverysuperior，beingatravelerinwines。Theygotfourthousandsevenhundredforthegood-willandinterest，whichwasn”tnearasmuchasfathercouldhavegotifhehadbeenalive。”
IhadexpectedtoseeSherlockHolmesimpatientunderthisramblingandinconsequentialnarrative，but，onthecontrary，hehadlistenedwiththegreatestconcentrationofattention。
“Yourownlittleincome，“heasked，“doesitcomeoutofthebusiness？“
“Oh，no，sir。Itisquiteseparate，andwasleftmebymyUncleNedinAuckland。ItisinNewZealandstock，payingfourandhalfpercent。Twothousandfivehundredpoundswastheamount，butI
canonlytouchtheinterest。”
“Youinterestmeextremely，“saidHolmes。“Andsinceyoudrawsolargeasumasahundredayear，withwhatyouearnintothebargain，younodoubttravelalittle，andindulgeyourselfineveryway。Ibelievethatasingleladycangetonverynicelyuponanincomeofaboutsixtypounds。”
“Icoulddowithmuchlessthanthat，Mr。Holmes，butyouunderstandthataslongasIliveathomeIdon”twishtobeaburdentothem，andsotheyhavetheuseofthemoneyjustwhileI
amstayingwiththem。Ofcoursethatisonlyjustforthetime。
Mr。Windibankdrawsmyinteresteveryquarter，andpaysitovertomother，andIfindthatIcandoprettywellwithwhatIearnattypewriting。Itbringsmetwopenceasheet，andIcanoftendofromfifteentotwentysheetsinaday。”
“Youhavemadeyourpositionverycleartome，“saidHolmes。“Thisismyfriend，DoctorWatson，beforewhomyoucanspeakasfreelyasbeforemyself。KindlytellusnowallaboutyourconnectionwithMr。HosmerAngel。”
AflushstoleoverMissSutherland”sface，andshepickednervouslyatthefringeofherjacket。“Imethimfirstatthegasfitters”
ball，“shesaid。“Theyusedtosendfatherticketswhenhewasalive，andthenafterwardstheyrememberedus，andsentthemtomother。Mr。Windibankdidnotwishustogo。Heneverdidwishustogoanywhere。HewouldgetquitemadifIwantedsomuchastojoinaSundaySchooltreat。ButthistimeIwassetongoing，andIwouldgo，forwhatrighthadhetoprevent？Hesaidthefolkwerenotfitforustoknow，whenallfather”sfriendsweretobethere。AndhesaidthatIhadnothingfittowear，whenIhadmypurpleplushthatIhadneversomuchastakenoutofthedrawer。
Atlast，whennothingelsewoulddo，hewentofftoFranceuponthebusinessofthefirm；butwewent，motherandI，withMr。Hardy，whousedtobeourforeman，anditwasthereImetMr。HosmerAngel。”
“Isuppose，“saidHolmes，“thatwhenMr。WindibankcamebackfromFrance，hewasveryannoyedatyourhavinggonetotheball？“
“Oh，well，hewasverygoodaboutit。Helaughed，Iremember，andshruggedhisshoulders，andsaidtherewasnousedenyinganythingtoawoman，forshewouldhaveherway。”
“Isee。Thenatthegasfitters”ballyoumet，asIunderstand，agentlemancalledMr。HosmerAngel？“
“Yes，sir。Imethimthatnight，andhecallednextdaytoaskifwehadgothomeallsafe，andafterthatwemethim——thatistosay，Mr。Holmes，Imethimtwiceforwalks，butafterthatfathercamebackagain，andMr。HosmerAngelcouldnotcometothehouseanymore。”
“No？“
“Well，youknow，fatherdidn”tlikeanythingofthesort。Hewouldn”thaveanyvisitorsifhecouldhelpit，andheusedtosaythatawomanshouldbehappyinherownfamilycircle。Butthen，asIusedtosaytomother，awomanwantsherowncircletobeginwith，andIhadnotgotmineyet。”
“ButhowaboutMr。HosmerAngel？Didhemakenoattempttoseeyou？“
“Well，fatherwasgoingofftoFranceagaininaweek，andHosmerwroteandsaidthatitwouldbesaferandbetternottoseeeachotheruntilhehadgone。Wecouldwriteinthemeantime，andheusedtowriteeveryday。Itookthelettersinthemorning，sotherewasnoneedforfathertoknow。”
“Wereyouengagedtothegentlemanatthistime？“
“Oh，yes，Mr。Holmes。Wewereengagedafterthefirstwalkthatwetook。Hosmer——Mr。Angel——wasacashierinanofficeinLeadenhallStreet——and”
“Whatoffice？“
“That”stheworstofit，Mr。Holmes；Idon”tknow。”
“Wheredidhelive，then？“
“Hesleptonthepremises。”
“Andyoudon”tknowhisaddress？“
“No——exceptthatitwasLeadenhallStreet。”
“Wheredidyouaddressyourletters，then？“
“TotheLeadenhallStreetPostOffice，tobelefttillcalledfor。
Hesaidthatiftheyweresenttotheofficehewouldbechaffedbyalltheotherclerksabouthavinglettersfromalady，soIofferedtotypewritethem，likehedidhis，buthewouldn”thavethat，forhesaidthatwhenIwrotethemtheyseemedtocomefromme，butwhentheyweretypewrittenhealwaysfeltthatthemachinehadcomebetweenus。Thatwilljustshowyouhowfondhewasofme，Mr。
Holmes，andthelittlethingsthathewouldthinkof。”
“Itwasmostsuggestive，“saidHolmes。“Ithaslongbeenanaxiomofminethatthelittlethingsareinfinitelythemostimportant。
CanyourememberanyotherlittlethingsaboutMr。HosmerAngel？“
“Hewasaveryshyman，Mr。Holmes。Hewouldratherwalkwithmeintheeveningthaninthedaylight，forhesaidthathehatedtobeconspicuous。Veryretiringandgentlemanlyhewas。Evenhisvoicewasgentle。He”dhadthequinsyandswollenglandswhenhewasyoung，hetoldme，andithadlefthimwithaweakthroatandahesitating，whisperingfashionofspeech。Hewasalwayswelldressed，veryneatandplain，buthiseyeswereweak，justasmineare，andheworetintedglassesagainsttheglare。”
“Well，andwhathappenedwhenMr。Windibank，yourstepfather，returnedtoFrance？“
“Mr。HosmerAngelcametothehouseagain，andproposedthatweshouldmarrybeforefathercameback。Hewasindreadfulearnest，andmademeswear，withmyhandsontheTestament，thatwhateverhappenedIwouldalwaysbetruetohim。Mothersaidhewasquiterighttomakemeswear，andthatitwasasignofhispassion。
Motherwasallinhisfavorfromthefirst，andwasevenfonderofhimthanIwas。Then，whentheytalkedofmarryingwithintheweek，Ibegantoaskaboutfather；buttheybothsaidnevertomindaboutfather，butjusttotellhimafterwardsandmothersaidshewouldmakeitallrightwithhim。Ididn”tquitelikethat，Mr。
Holmes。ItseemedfunnythatIshouldaskhisleave，ashewasonlyafewyearsolderthanme；butIdidn”twanttodoanythingonthesly，soIwrotetofatheratBordeaux，wherethecompanyhasitsFrenchoffices，butthelettercamebacktomeontheverymorningofthewedding。”
“Itmissedhim，then？“
“Yes，sir，forhehadstartedtoEnglandjustbeforeitarrived。”
“Ha！thatwasunfortunate。Yourweddingwasarranged，then，fortheFriday。Wasittobeinchurch？“
“Yes，sir，butveryquietly。ItwastobeatSt。Saviour”s，nearKing”sCross，andweweretohavebreakfastafterwardsattheSt。
PancrasHotel。Hosmercameforusinahansom，butasthereweretwoofus，heputusbothintoit，andsteppedhimselfintoafour-
wheeler，whichhappenedtobetheonlyothercabinthestreet。Wegottothechurchfirst，andwhenthefour-wheelerdroveupwewaitedforhimtostepout，butheneverdid，andwhenthecabmangotdownfromtheboxandlooked，therewasnoonethere！Thecabmansaidthathecouldnotimaginewhathadbecomeofhim，forhehadseenhimgetinwithhisowneyes。ThatwaslastFriday，Mr。Holmes，andIhaveneverseenorheardanythingsincethentothrowanylightuponwhatbecameofhim。”
“Itseemstomethatyouhavebeenveryshamefullytreated，“saidHolmes。
“Oh，no，sir！Hewastoogoodandkindtoleavemeso。Why，allthemorninghewassayingtomethat，whateverhappened，Iwastobetrue；andthatevenifsomethingquiteunforeseenoccurredtoseparateus，IwasalwaystorememberthatIwaspledgedtohim，andthathewouldclaimhispledgesoonerorlater。Itseemedstrangetalkforaweddingmorning，butwhathashappenedsincegivesameaningtoit。”
“Mostcertainlyitdoes。Yourownopinionis，then，thatsomeunforeseencatastrophehasoccurredtohim？“
“Yes，sir。Ibelievethatheforesawsomedanger，orelsehewouldnothavetalkedso。AndthenIthinkthatwhatheforesawhappened。”
“Butyouhavenonotionastowhatitcouldhavebeen？“
“None。”
“Onemorequestion。Howdidyourmothertakethematter？“
“Shewasangry，andsaidthatIwasnevertospeakofthematteragain。”
“Andyourfather？Didyoutellhim？“
“Yes，andheseemedtothink，withme，thatsomethinghadhappened，andthatIshouldhearofHosmeragain。Ashesaid，whatinterestcouldanyonehaveinbringingmetothedoorofthechurch，andthenleavingme？Now，ifhehadborrowedmymoney，orifhehadmarriedmeandgotmymoneysettledonhim，theremightbesomereason；butHosmerwasveryindependentaboutmoney，andneverwouldlookatashillingofmine。Andyetwhatcouldhavehappened？Andwhycouldhenotwrite？Oh！itdrivesmehalfmadtothinkof，andIcan”tsleepawinkatnight。”Shepulledalittlehandkerchiefoutofhermuff，andbegantosobheavilyintoit。
“Ishallglanceintothecaseforyou，“saidHolmes，rising，“andI
havenodoubtthatweshallreachsomedefiniteresult。Lettheweightofthematterrestuponmenow，anddonotletyourminddwelluponitfurther。Aboveall，trytoletMr。HosmerAngelvanishfromyourmemory，ashehasdonefromyourlife。”
“Thenyoudon”tthinkI”llseehimagain？“
“Ifearnot。”
“Thenwhathashappenedtohim？“
“Youwillleavethatquestioninmyhands。Ishouldlikeanaccuratedescriptionofhim，andanylettersofhiswhichyoucanspare。”
“IadvertisedforhiminlastSaturday”sChronicle，“saidshe。
“Hereistheslip，andherearefourlettersfromhim。”
“Thankyou。Andyouraddress？“
“No。31LyonPlace，Camberwell。”
“Mr。Angel”saddressyouneverhad，Iunderstand。Whereisyourfather”splaceofbusiness？“
“HetravelsforWesthouse&Marbank，thegreatclaretimportersofFenchurchStreet。”
“Thankyou。Youhavemadeyourstatementveryclearly。Youwillleavethepapershere，andremembertheadvicewhichIhavegivenyou。Letthewholeincidentbeasealedbook，anddonotallowittoaffectyourlife。”
“Youareverykind，Mr。Holmes，butIcannotdothat。IshallbetruetoHosmer。Heshallfindmereadywhenhecomesback。”
Forallthepreposteroushatandthevacuousface，therewassomethingnobleinthesimplefaithofourvisitorwhichcompelledourrespect。Shelaidherlittlebundleofpapersuponthetable，andwentherway，withapromisetocomeagainwhenevershemightbesummoned。
SherlockHolmessatsilentforafewminuteswithhisfingertipsstillpressedtogether，hislegsstretchedoutinfrontofhim，andhisgazedirectedupwardtotheceiling。Thenhetookdownfromtheracktheoldandoilyclaypipe，whichwastohimasacounselor，and，havinglightedit，heleanedbackinhischair，withthickbluecloudwreathsspinningupfromhim，andalookofinfinitelanguorinhisface。
“Quiteaninterestingstudy，thatmaiden，“heobserved。“Ifoundhermoreinterestingthanherlittleproblem，which，bytheway，isratheratriteone。Youwillfindparallelcases，ifyouconsultmyindex，inAndoverin”77，andtherewassomethingofthesortatTheHaguelastyear。Oldasistheidea，however，therewereoneortwodetailswhichwerenewtome。Butthemaidenherselfwasmostinstructive。”
“Youappearedtoreadagooddealuponherwhichwasquiteinvisibletome，“Iremarked。
“Notinvisible，butunnoticed，Watson。Youdidnotknowwheretolook，andsoyoumissedallthatwasimportant。Icanneverbringyoutorealizetheimportanceofsleeves，thesuggestivenessofthumbnails，orthegreatissuesthatmayhangfromabootlace。
Now，whatdidyougatherfromthatwoman”sappearance？Describeit。”
“Well，shehadaslate-colored，broad-brimmedstrawhat，withafeatherofabrickishred。Herjacketwasblack，withblackbeadsseweduponitandafringeoflittleblackjetornaments。Herdresswasbrown，ratherdarkerthancoffeecolor，withalittlepurpleplushattheneckandsleeves。Herglovesweregrayish，andwerewornthroughattherightforefinger。HerbootsIdidn”tobserve。Shehadsmallround，hanginggoldearrings，andageneralairofbeingfairlywell-to-do，inavulgar，comfortable，easygoingway。”
SherlockHolmesclappedhishandssoftlytogetherandchuckled。
“”Ponmyword，Watson，youarecomingalongwonderfully。Youhavereallydoneverywellindeed。Itistruethatyouhavemissedeverythingofimportance，butyouhavehituponthemethod，andyouhaveaquickeyeforcolor。Nevertrusttogeneralimpressions，myboy，butconcentrateyourselfupondetails。Myfirstglanceisalwaysatawoman”ssleeve。Inamanitisperhapsbetterfirsttotakethekneeofthetrouser。Asyouobserve，thiswomanhadplushuponhersleeve，whichisamostusefulmaterialforshowingtraces。Thedoublelinealittleabovethewrist，wherethetypewritistpressesagainstthetable，wasbeautifullydefined。
Thesewingmachine，ofthehandtype，leavesasimilarmark，butonlyontheleftarm，andonthesideofitfarthestfromthethumb，insteadofbeingrightacrossthebroadestpart，asthiswas。Ithenglancedatherface，andobservingthedintofapince-nezateithersideofhernose，Iventuredaremarkuponshortsightandtypewriting，whichseemedtosurpriseher。”
“Itsurprisedme。”
“But，surely，itwasveryobvious。Iwasthenmuchsurprisedandinterestedonglancingdowntoobservethat，thoughthebootswhichshewaswearingwerenotunlikeeachother，theywerereallyoddones，theonehavingaslightlydecoratedtoecapandtheotheraplainone。Onewasbuttonedonlyinthetwolowerbuttonsoutoffive，andtheotheratthefirst，third，andfifth。Now，whenyouseethatayounglady，otherwiseneatlydressed，hascomeawayfromhomewithoddboots，half-buttoned，itisnogreatdeductiontosaythatshecameawayinahurry。”
“Andwhatelse？“Iasked，keenlyinterested，asIalwayswas，bymyfriend”sincisivereasoning。
“Inoted，inpassing，thatshehadwrittenanotebeforeleavinghome，butafterbeingfullydressed。Youobservedthatherrightglovewastornattheforefinger，butyoudidnot，apparently，seethatbothgloveandfingerwerestainedwithvioletink。Shehadwritteninahurry，anddippedherpentoodeep。Itmusthavebeenthismorning，orthemarkwouldnotremainclearuponthefinger。
Allthisisamusing，thoughratherelementary，butImustgobacktobusiness，Watson。WouldyoumindreadingmetheadvertiseddescriptionofMr。HosmerAngel？“
Iheldthelittleprintedsliptothelight。“Missing，“itsaid，“onthemorningofthefourteenth，agentlemannamedHosmerAngel。
Aboutfivefeetseveninchesinheight；stronglybuilt，sallowcomplexion，blackhair，alittlebaldinthecenter，bushyblackside-whiskersandmustache；tintedglasses；slightinfirmityofspeech。Wasdressed，whenlastseen，inblackfrock-coatfacedwithsilk，blackwaistcoat，goldAlbertchain，andgrayHarristweedtrousers，withbrowngaitersoverelastic-sidedboots。KnowntohavebeenemployedinanofficeinLeadenhallStreet。Anybodybringing，“etc。，etc。
“Thatwilldo，“saidHolmes。“Astotheletters，“hecontinued，glancingoverthem，“theyareverycommonplace。AbsolutelynoclewinthemtoMr。Angel，savethathequotesBalzaconce。Thereisoneremarkablepoint，however，whichwillnodoubtstrikeyou。”
“Theyaretypewritten，“Iremarked。
“Notonlythat，butthesignatureistypewritten。Lookattheneatlittle”HosmerAngel”atthebottom。Thereisadate，yousee，butnosuperscriptionexceptLeadenhallStreet，whichisrathervague。
Thepointaboutthesignatureisverysuggestive——infact，wemaycallitconclusive。”
“Ofwhat？“
“Mydearfellow，isitpossibleyoudonotseehowstronglyitbearsuponthecase？“
“IcannotsaythatIdo，unlessitwerethathewishedtobeabletodenyhissignatureifanactionforbreachofpromisewereinstituted。”
“No，thatwasnotthepoint。However，Ishallwritetwoletterswhichshouldsettlethematter。OneistoafirmintheCity，theotheristotheyounglady”sstepfather，Mr。Windibank，askinghimwhetherhecouldmeetushereatsixo”clockto-morrowevening。Itisjustaswellthatweshoulddobusinesswiththemalerelatives。
Andnow，doctor，wecandonothinguntiltheanswerstothoseletterscome，sowemayputourlittleproblemupontheshelffortheinterim。”
Ihadhadsomanyreasonstobelieveinmyfriend”ssubtlepowersofreasoning，andextraordinaryenergyinaction，thatIfeltthathemusthavesomesolidgroundsfortheassuredandeasydemeanorwithwhichhetreatedthesingularmysterywhichhehadbeencalledupontofathom。OnceonlyhadIknownhimtofail，inthecaseoftheKingofBohemiaandtheIreneAdlerphotograph，butwhenI
lookedbacktotheweirdbusinessofthe“SignoftheFour，“andtheextraordinarycircumstancesconnectedwiththe“StudyinScarlet，“Ifeltthatitwouldbeastrangetangleindeedwhichhecouldnotunravel。
Ilefthimthen，stillpuffingathisblackclaypipe，withtheconvictionthatwhenIcameagainonthenexteveningIwouldfindthatheheldinhishandsalltheclewswhichwouldleaduptotheidentityofthedisappearingbridegroomofMissMarySutherland。
Aprofessionalcaseofgreatgravitywasengagingmyownattentionatthetime，andthewholeofnextdayIwasbusyatthebedsideofthesufferer。Itwasnotuntilcloseuponsixo”clockthatIfoundmyselffree，andwasabletospringintoahansomanddrivetoBakerStreet，halfafraidthatImightbetoolatetoassistatthedenouementofthelittlemystery。IfoundSherlockHolmesalone，however，halfasleep，withhislong，thinformcurledupintherecessesofhisarmchair。Aformidablearrayofbottlesandtest-
tubes，withthepungent，cleanlysmellofhydrochloricacid，toldmethathehadspenthisdayinthechemicalworkwhichwassodeartohim。
“Well，haveyousolvedit？“IaskedasIentered。
“Yes。Itwasthebisulphateofbaryta。”
“No，no；themystery！“Icried。
“Oh，that！IthoughtofthesaltthatIhavebeenworkingupon。
Therewasneveranymysteryinthematter，though，asIsaidyesterday，someofthedetailsareofinterest。Theonlydrawbackisthatthereisnolaw，Ifear，thatcantouchthescoundrel。”
“Whowashe，then，andwhatwashisobjectindesertingMissSutherland？“
Thequestionwashardlyoutofmymouth，andHolmeshadnotyetopenedhislipstoreply，whenweheardaheavyfootfallinthepassage，andatapatthedoor。
“Thisisthegirl”sstepfather，Mr。JamesWindibank，“saidHolmes。
“Hehaswrittentometosaythathewouldbehereatsix。Comein！“
Themanwhoenteredwasasturdy，middle-sizedfellow，somethirtyyearsofage，cleanshaven，andsallow-skinned，withabland，insinuatingmanner，andapairofwonderfullysharpandpenetratinggrayeyes。Heshotaquestioningglanceateachofus，placedhisshinytophatuponthesideboard，and，withaslightbow，sidleddownintothenearestchair。
“Goodevening，Mr。JamesWindibank，“saidHolmes。“Ithinkthistypewrittenletterisfromyou，inwhichyoumadeanappointmentwithmeforsixo”clock？“
“Yes，sir。IamafraidthatIamalittlelate，butIamnotquitemyownmaster，youknow。IamsorrythatMissSutherlandhastroubledyouaboutthislittlematter，forIthinkitisfarbetternottowashlinenofthesortinpublic。Itwasquiteagainstmywishesthatshecame，butsheisaveryexcitable，impulsivegirl，asyoumayhavenoticed，andsheisnoteasilycontrolledwhenshehasmadeuphermindonapoint。Ofcourse，Ididnotmindyousomuch，asyouarenotconnectedwiththeofficialpolice，butitisnotpleasanttohaveafamilymisfortunelikethisnoisedabroad。
Besides，itisauselessexpense，forhowcouldyoupossiblyfindthisHosmerAngel？“
“Onthecontrary，“saidHolmes，quietly，“IhaveeveryreasontobelievethatIwillsucceedindiscoveringMr。HosmerAngel。”
Mr。Windibankgaveaviolentstart，anddroppedhisgloves。“Iamdelightedtohearit，“hesaid。
“Itisacuriousthing，“remarkedHolmes，“thatatypewriterhasreallyquiteasmuchindividualityasaman”shandwriting。Unlesstheyarequitenewnotwoofthemwriteexactlyalike。Somelettersgetmorewornthanothers，andsomewearonlyononeside。
Now，youremarkinthisnoteofyours，Mr。Windibank，thatineverycasethereissomelittleslurringoverthee，andaslightdefectinthetailofther。Therearefourteenothercharacteristics，butthosearethemoreobvious。”
“Wedoallourcorrespondencewiththismachineattheoffice，andnodoubtitisalittleworn，“ourvisitoranswered，glancingkeenlyatHolmeswithhisbrightlittleeyes。
“AndnowIwillshowyouwhatisreallyaveryinterestingstudy，Mr。Windibank，“Holmescontinued。“Ithinkofwritinganotherlittlemonographsomeofthesedaysonthetypewriteranditsrelationtocrime。ItisasubjecttowhichIhavedevotedsomelittleattention。Ihaveherefourletterswhichpurporttocomefromthemissingman。Theyarealltypewritten。Ineachcase，notonlyarethee”sslurredandther”stailless，butyouwillobserve，ifyoucaretousemymagnifyinglens，thatthefourteenothercharacteristicstowhichIhavealludedarethereaswell。”
Mr。Windibanksprungoutofhischair，andpickeduphishat。“I
cannotwastetimeoverthissortoffantastictalk，Mr。Holmes，“hesaid。“Ifyoucancatchtheman，catchhim，andletmeknowwhenyouhavedoneit。”
“Certainly，“saidHolmes，steppingoverandturningthekeyinthedoor。“Iletyouknow，then，thatIhavecaughthim！“
“What！where？“shoutedMr。Windibank，turningwhitetohislips，andglancingabouthimlikearatinatrap。
“Oh，itwon”tdo——reallyitwon”t，“saidHolmes，suavely。“Thereisnopossiblegettingoutofit，Mr。Windibank。Itisquitetootransparent，anditwasaverybadcomplimentwhenyousaidthatitwasimpossibleformetosolvesosimpleaquestion。That”sright！
Sitdown，andletustalkitover。”
Ourvisitorcollapsedintoachair，withaghastlyface，andaglitterofmoistureonhisbrow。“It——it”snotactionable，“hestammered。
“Iamverymuchafraidthatitisnot；butbetweenourselves，Windibank，itwasascruel，andselfish，andheartlessatrickinapettywayasevercamebeforeme。Now，letmejustrunoverthecourseofevents，andyouwillcontradictmeifIgowrong。”
Themansathuddledupinhischair，withhisheadsunkuponhisbreast，likeonewhoisutterlycrushed。Holmesstuckhisfeetuponthecornerofthemantelpiece，and，leaningbackwithhishandsinhispockets，begantalking，rathertohimself，asitseemed，thantous。
“Themanmarriedawomanverymucholderthanhimselfforhermoney，“saidhe，“andheenjoyedtheuseofthemoneyofthedaughteraslongasshelivedwiththem。Itwasaconsiderablesum，forpeopleintheirposition，andthelossofitwouldhavemadeaseriousdifference。Itwasworthanefforttopreserveit。
Thedaughterwasofagood，amiabledisposition，butaffectionateandwarmheartedinherways，sothatitwasevidentthatwithherfairpersonaladvantages，andherlittleincome，shewouldnotbeallowedtoremainsinglelong。Nowhermarriagewouldmean，ofcourse，thelossofahundredayear，sowhatdoesherstepfatherdotopreventit？Hetakestheobviouscourseofkeepingherathome，andforbiddinghertoseekthecompanyofpeopleofherownage。Butsoonhefoundthatthatwouldnotanswerforever。Shebecamerestive，insisteduponherrights，andfinallyannouncedherpositiveintentionofgoingtoacertainball。Whatdoeshercleverstepfatherdothen？Heconceivesanideamorecreditabletohisheadthantohisheart。Withtheconnivanceandassistanceofhiswife，hedisguisedhimself，coveredthosekeeneyeswithtintedglasses，maskedthefacewithamustacheandapairofbushywhiskers，sunkthatclearvoiceintoaninsinuatingwhisper，anddoublysecureonaccountofthegirl”sshortsight，heappearsasMr。HosmerAngel，andkeepsoffotherloversbymakinglovehimself。”
“Itwasonlyajokeatfirst，“groanedourvisitor。“Weneverthoughtthatshewouldhavebeensocarriedaway。”
“Verylikelynot。Howeverthatmaybe，theyoungladywasverydecidedlycarriedaway，andhavingquitemadeuphermindthatherstepfatherwasinFrance，thesuspicionoftreacheryneverforaninstantenteredhermind。Shewasflatteredbythegentleman”sattentions，andtheeffectwasincreasedbytheloudlyexpressedadmirationofhermother。ThenMr。Angelbegantocall，foritwasobviousthatthemattershouldbepushedasfarasifwouldgo，ifarealeffectweretobeproduced。Thereweremeetings，andanengagement，whichwouldfinallysecurethegirl”saffectionsfromturningtowardanyoneelse。Butthedeceptioncouldnotbekeptupforever。ThesepretendedjourneystoFrancewererathercumbrous。
Thethingtodowasclearlytobringthebusinesstoanendinsuchadramaticmannerthatitwouldleaveapermanentimpressionupontheyounglady”smind，andpreventherfromlookinguponanyothersuitorforsometimetocome。HencethosevowsoffidelityexacteduponaTestament，andhencealsotheallusionstoapossibilityofsomethinghappeningontheverymorningofthewedding。JamesWindibankwishedMissSutherlandtobesoboundtoHosmerAngel，andsouncertainastohisfate，thatfortenyearstocome，atanyrate，shewouldnotlistentoanotherman。Asfarasthechurchdoorhebroughther，andthen，ashecouldgonofarther，heconvenientlyvanishedawaybytheoldtrickofsteppinginatonedoorofafour-wheelerandoutattheother。Ithinkthatthatwasthechainofevents，Mr。Windibank！“
OurvisitorhadrecoveredsomethingofhisassurancewhileHolmeshadbeentalking，andherosefromhischairnowwithacoldsneeruponhispaleface。
“Itmaybeso，oritmaynot，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe；“butifyouaresoverysharpyououghttobesharpenoughtoknowthatitisyouwhoarebreakingthelawnow，andnotme。Ihavedonenothingactionablefromthefirst，butaslongasyoukeepthatdoorlockedyoulayyourselfopentoanactionforassaultandillegalconstraint。”
“Thelawcannot，asyousay，touchyou，“saidHolmes，unlockingandthrowingopenthedoor，“yetthereneverwasamanwhodeservedpunishmentmore。Iftheyoungladyhasabrotherorafriend，heoughttolayawhipacrossyourshoulders。ByJove！“hecontinued，flushingupatthesightofthebittersneerupontheman”sface，“itisnotpartofmydutiestomyclient，buthere”sahuntingcrophandy，andIthinkIshalljusttreatmyselfto”Hetooktwoswiftstepstothewhip，butbeforehecouldgraspittherewasawildclatterofstepsuponthestairs，theheavyhalldoorbanged，andfromthewindowwecouldseeMr。JamesWindibankrunningatthetopofhisspeeddowntheroad。
“There”sacold-bloodedscoundrel！“saidHolmes，laughingashethrewhimselfdownintohischaironcemore。“Thatfellowwillrisefromcrimetocrimeuntilhedoessomethingverybadandendsonagallows。Thecasehas，insomerespects，beennotentirelydevoidofinterest。”
“Icannotnowentirelyseeallthestepsofyourreasoning，“I
remarked。
“Well，ofcourseitwasobviousfromthefirstthatthisMr。HosmerAngelmusthavesomestrongobjectforhiscuriousconduct，anditwasequallyclearthattheonlymanwhoreallyprofitedbytheincident，asfaraswecouldsee，wasthestepfather。Thenthefactthatthetwomenwerenevertogether，butthattheonealwaysappearedwhentheotherwasaway，wassuggestive。Sowerethetintedspectaclesandthecuriousvoice，whichbothhintedatadisguise，asdidthebushywhiskers。Mysuspicionswereallconfirmedbyhispeculiaractionintypewritinghissignature，which，ofcourse，inferredthathishandwritingwassofamiliartoherthatshewouldrecognizeeventhesmallestsampleofit。Youseealltheseisolatedfacts，togetherwithmanyminorones，allpointedinthesamedirection。”
“Andhowdidyouverifythem？“
“Havingoncespottedmyman，itwaseasytogetcorroboration。I
knewthefirmforwhichthismanworked。Havingtakentheprinteddescription，Ieliminatedeverythingfromitwhichcouldbetheresultofadisguise，——thewhiskers，theglasses，thevoice，——andI
sentittothefirmwitharequestthattheywouldinformmewhetheritansweredtothedescriptionofanyoftheirtravelers。
Ihadalreadynoticedthepeculiaritiesofthetypewriter，andI
wrotetothemanhimselfathisbusinessaddress，askinghimifhewouldcomehere。AsIexpected，hisreplywastypewritten，andrevealedthesametrivialbutcharacteristicdefects。ThesamepostbroughtmealetterfromWesthouse&Marbank，ofFenchurchStreet，tosaythatthedescriptiontalliedineveryrespectwiththatoftheiremployee，JamesWindibank。Voilatout！“
“AndMissSutherland？“
“IfItellhershewillnotbelieveme。YoumayremembertheoldPersiansaying，”Thereisdangerforhimwhotakeththetigercub，anddangeralsoforwhososnatchethadelusionfromawoman。”
ThereisasmuchsenseinHafizasinHorace，andasmuchknowledgeoftheworld。”
AScandalinBohemiaI
ToSherlockHolmessheisalwaysTHEwoman。Ihaveseldomheardhimmentionherunderanyothername。Inhiseyessheeclipsesandpredominatesthewholeofhersex。ItwasnotthathefeltanyemotionakintoloveforIreneAdler。Allemotions，andthatoneparticularly，wereabhorrenttohiscold，precisebutadmirablybalancedmind。Hewas，Itakeit，themostperfectreasoningandobservingmachinethattheworldhasseen；butasalover，hewouldhaveplacedhimselfinafalseposition。Heneverspokeofthesofterpassions，savewithagibeandasneer。Theywereadmirablethingsfortheobserver——excellentfordrawingtheveilfrommen”smotivesandactions。Butforthetrainedreasonertoadmitsuchintrusionsintohisowndelicateandfinelyadjustedtemperamentwastointroduceadistractingfactorwhichmightthrowadoubtuponallhismentalresults。Gritinasensitiveinstrument，oracrackinoneofhisownhigh-powerlenses，wouldnotbemoredisturbingthatastrongemotioninanaturesuchashis。Andyettherewasbutonewomantohim，andthatwomanwasthelateIreneAdler，ofdubiousandquestionablememory。
IhadseenlittleofHolmeslately。Mymarriagehaddriftedusawayfromeachother。Myowncompletehappiness，andthehome-
centeredinterestswhichriseuparoundthemanwhofirstfindshimselfmasterofhisownestablishment，weresufficienttoabsorballmyattention；whileHolmes，wholoathedeveryformofsocietywithhiswholeBohemiansoul，remainedinourlodgingsinBakerStreet，buriedamonghisoldbooks，andalternatingfromweektoweekbetweencocaineandambition，thedrowsinessofthedrugandthefierceenergyofhisownkeennature。Hewasstill，asever，deeplyattractedbythestudyofcrime，andoccupiedhisimmensefacultiesandextraordinarypowersofobservationinfollowingoutthoseclews，andclearingupthosemysteries，whichhadbeenabandonedashopelessbytheofficialpolice。FromtimetotimeI
heardsomevagueaccountofhisdoings；ofhissummonstoOdessainthecaseoftheTrepoffmurder，ofhisclearingupofthesingulartragedyoftheAtkinsonbrothersatTrincomalee，andfinallyofthemissionwhichhehadaccomplishedsodelicatelyandsuccessfullyforthereigningfamilyofHolland。Beyondthesesignsofhisactivity，however，whichImerelysharedwithallthereadersofthedailypress，Iknewlittleofmyformerfriendandcompanion。
Onenight——itwasonthe20thofMarch，1888——IwasreturningfromajourneytoapatientforIhadnowreturnedtocivilpractice，whenmywayledmethroughBakerStreet。AsIpassedthewell-
remembereddoor，whichmustalwaysbeassociatedinmymindwithmywooing，andwiththedarkincidentsoftheStudyinScarlet，IwasseizedwithakeendesiretoseeHolmesagain，andtoknowhowhewasemployinghisextraordinarypowers。Hisroomswerebrilliantlylighted，andevenasIlookedup，Isawhistall，sparefigurepasstwiceinadarksilhouetteagainsttheblind。Hewaspacingtheroomswiftly，eagerly，withhisheadsunkuponhischest，andhishandsclaspedbehindhim。Tome，whoknewhiseverymoodandhabit，hisattitudeandmannertoldtheirownstory。Hewasatworkagain。Hehadrisenoutofhisdrug-createddreams，andwashotuponthescentofsomenewproblem。Irangthebell，andwasshownuptothechamberwhichhadformerlybeeninpartmyown。
Hismannerwasnoteffusive。Itseldomwas；buthewasglad，I
think，toseeme。Withhardlyawordspoken，butwithakindlyeye，hewavedmetoanarmchair，threwacrosshiscaseofcigars，andindicatedaspiritcaseandagasogeneinthecorner。Thenhestoodbeforethefire，andlookedmeoverinhissingularintrospectivefashion。
“Wedlocksuitsyou，“heremarked。“Ithink，Watson，thatyouhaveputonsevenandahalfpoundssinceIsawyou。”
“Seven，“Ianswered。
“Indeed，Ishouldhavethoughtalittlemore。Justatriflemore，Ifancy，Watson。Andinpracticeagain，Iobserve。Youdidnottellmethatyouintendedtogointoharness。”
“Thenhowdoyouknow？“
“Iseeit，Ideduceit。HowdoIknowthatyouhavebeengettingyourselfverywetlately，andthatyouhaveamostclumsyandcarelessservantgirl？“
“MydearHolmes，“saidI，“thisistoomuch。Youwouldcertainlyhavebeenburnedhadyoulivedafewcenturiesago。ItistruethatIhadacountrywalkonThursdayandcamehomeinadreadfulmess；butasIhavechangedmyclothes，Ican”timaginehowyoudeduceit。AstoMaryJane，sheisincorrigible，andmywifehasgivenhernotice；butthereagainIfailtoseehowyouworkitout。”
Hechuckledtohimselfandrubbedhislongnervoushandstogether。
“Itissimplicityitself，“saidhe，“myeyestellmethatontheinsideofyourleftshoe，justwherethefirelightstrikesit，theleatherisscoredbysixalmostparallelcuts。Obviouslytheyhavebeencausedbysomeonewhohasverycarelesslyscrapedroundtheedgesofthesoleinordertoremovecrustedmudfromit。Hence，yousee，mydoubledeductionthatyouhadbeenoutinvileweather，andthatyouhadaparticularlymalignantboot-slickingspecimenoftheLondonslavey。Astoyourpractice，ifagentlemanwalksintomyrooms，smellingofiodoform，withablackmarkofnitrateofsilveruponhisrightforefinger，andabulgeonthesideofhistophattoshowwherehehassecretedhisstethoscope，ImustbedullindeedifIdonotpronouncehimtobeanactivememberofthemedicalprofession。”
Icouldnothelplaughingattheeasewithwhichheexplainedhisprocessofdeduction。“WhenIhearyougiveyourreasons，“I
remarked，“thethingalwaysappearstomesoridiculouslysimplethatIcouldeasilydoitmyself，thoughateachsuccessiveinstanceofyourreasoningIambaffled，untilyouexplainyourprocess。Andyet，Ibelievethatmyeyesareasgoodasyours。”
“Quiteso，“heanswered，lightingacigarette，andthrowinghimselfdownintoanarmchair。“Yousee，butyoudonotobserve。Thedistinctionisclear。Forexample，youhavefrequentlyseenthestepswhichleadupfromthehalltothisroom。”
“Frequently。”
“Howoften？“
“Well，somehundredsoftimes。”
“Thenhowmanyarethere？“
“Howmany？Idon”tknow。”
“Quiteso！Youhavenotobserved。Andyetyouhaveseen。Thatisjustmypoint。Now，Iknowthereareseventeensteps，becauseI
havebothseenandobserved。Bytheway，sinceyouareinterestedintheselittleproblems，andsinceyouaregoodenoughtochronicleoneortwoofmytriflingexperiences，youmaybeinterestedinthis。”Hethrewoverasheetofthickpink-tintednotepaperwhichhadbeenlyingopenuponthetable。“Itcamebythelastpost，“saidhe。“Readitaloud。”
Thenotewasundated，andwithouteithersignatureoraddress。
“Therewillcalluponyouto-night，ataquartertoeighto”clock，“
itsaid，“agentlemanwhodesirestoconsultyouuponamatteroftheverydeepestmoment。YourrecentservicestooneoftheroyalhousesofEuropehaveshownthatyouareonewhomaysafelybetrustedwithmatterswhichareofanimportancewhichcanhardlybeexaggerated。Thisaccountofyouwehavefromallquartersreceived。Beinyourchamber，then，atthathour，anddonottakeitamissifyourvisitorwearsamask。”
“Thisisindeedamystery，“Iremarked。“Whatdoyouimaginethatitmeans？“
“Ihavenodatayet。Itisacapitalmistaketotheorizebeforeonehasdata。Insensiblyonebeginstotwistfactstosuittheories，insteadoftheoriestosuitfacts。Butthenoteitself——
whatdoyoudeducefromit？“
Icarefullyexaminedthewriting，andthepaperuponwhichitwaswritten。
“Themanwhowroteitwaspresumablywelltodo，“Iremarked，endeavoringtoimitatemycompanion”sprocesses。“Suchpapercouldnotbeboughtunderhalfacrownapacket。Itispeculiarlystrongandstiff。”
“Peculiar——thatistheveryword，“saidHolmes。“ItisnotanEnglishpaperatall。Holdituptothelight。”
Ididso，andsawalargeEwithasmallg，aPandalargeGwithasmalltwovenintothetextureofthepaper。
“Whatdoyoumakeofthat？“askedHolmes。
“Thenameofthemaker，nodoubt；orhismonogram，rather。”
“Notall。TheGwiththesmalltstandsfor”Gesellschaft”whichistheGermanfor”Company。”Itisacustomarycontractionlikeour”Co。”P，ofcourse，standsfor”Papier。”NowfortheEg。Letusglanceatour”ContinentalGazetteer。”Hetookdownaheavybrownvolumefromhisshelves。“Eglow，Eglonitz——hereweare，Egria。ItisinaGerman-speakingcountry——inBohemia，notfarfromCarlsbad。”RemarkableasbeingthesceneofthedeathofWallenstein，andforitsnumerousglassfactoriesandpapermills。”
Ha！ha！myboy，whatdoyoumakeofthat？“Hiseyessparkled，andhesentupagreatbluetriumphantcloudfromhiscigarette。
“ThepaperwasmadeinBohemia，“Isaid。
“Precisely。AndthemanwhowrotethenoteisaGerman。Doyounotethepeculiarconstructionofthesentence——”Thisaccountofyouwehavefromallquartersreceived”？AFrenchmanorRussiancouldnothavewrittenthat。ItistheGermanwhoissouncourteoustohisverbs。Itonlyremains，therefore，todiscoverwhatiswantedbythisGermanwhowritesuponBohemianpaper，andpreferswearingamasktoshowinghisface。Andherehecomes，ifIamnotmistaken，toresolveallourdoubts。”
Ashespoketherewasthesharpsoundofhorses”hoofsandgratingwheelsagainstthecurb，followedbyasharppullatthebell。
Holmeswhistled。
“Apair，bythesound，“saidhe。“Yes，“hecontinued，glancingoutofthewindow。“Anicelittlebroughamandapairofbeauties。A
hundredandfiftyguineasapiece。There”smoneyinthiscase，Watson，ifthereisnothingelse。”
“IthinkIhadbettergo，Holmes。”
“Notabit，doctor。Staywhereyouare。IamlostwithoutmyBoswell。Andthispromisestobeinteresting。Itwouldbeapitytomissit。”
“Butyourclient”
“Nevermindhim。Imaywantyourhelp，andsomayhe。Herehecomes。Sitdowninthatarmchair，doctor，andgiveusyourbestattention。”
Aslowandheavystep，whichhadbeenhearduponthestairsandinthepassage，pausedimmediatelyoutsidethedoor。Thentherewasaloudandauthoritativetap。
“Comein！“saidHolmes。
Amanenteredwhocouldhardlyhavebeenlessthansixfeetsixinchesinheight，withthechestandlimbsofaHercules。Hisdresswasrichwitharichnesswhichwould，inEngland，belookeduponasakintobadtaste。Heavybandsofastrakhanwereslashedacrossthesleevesandfrontofhisdouble-breastedcoat，whilethedeepbluecloakwhichwasthrownoverhisshoulderswaslinedwithflame-coloredsilk，andsecuredattheneckwithabroochwhichconsistedofasingleflamingberyl。Bootswhichextendedhalfwayuphiscalves，andwhichweretrimmedatthetopswithrichbrownfur，completedtheimpressionofbarbaricopulencewhichwassuggestedbyhiswholeappearance。Hecarriedabroad-brimmedhatinhishand，whileheworeacrosstheupperpartofhisface，extendingdownpastthecheek-bones，ablackvisardmask，whichhehadapparentlyadjustedthatverymoment，forhishandwasstillraisedtoitasheentered。Fromthelowerpartofthefaceheappearedtobeamanofstrongcharacter，withathick，hanginglip，andalong，straightchin，suggestiveofresolutionpushedtothelengthofobstinacy。
“Youhadmynote？“heasked，withadeep，harshvoiceandastronglymarkedGermanaccent。“ItoldyouthatIwouldcall。”Helookedfromonetotheotherofus，asifuncertainwhichtoaddress。
“Praytakeaseat，“saidHolmes。“Thisismyfriendandcolleague，DoctorWatson，whoisoccasionallygoodenoughtohelpmeinmycases。WhomhaveIthehonortoaddress？“
“YoumayaddressmeastheCountvonKramm，aBohemiannobleman。I
understandthatthisgentleman，yourfriend，isamanofhonoranddiscretion，whomImaytrustwithamatterofthemostextremeimportance。Ifnot，Ishouldmuchprefertocommunicatewithyoualone。”
Irosetogo，butHolmescaughtmebythewristandpushedmebackintomychair。“Itisboth，ornone，“saidhe。“Youmaysaybeforethisgentlemananythingwhichyoumaysaytome。”
Thecountshruggedhisbroadshoulders。“ThenImustbegin，“saidhe，“bybindingyoubothtoabsolutesecrecyfortwoyears；attheendofthattimethematterwillbeofnoimportance。AtpresentitisnottoomuchtosaythatitisofsuchweightthatitmayhaveaninfluenceuponEuropeanhistory。”
“Ipromise，“saidHolmes。
“AndI。”
“Youwillexcusethismask，“continuedourstrangevisitor。“Theaugustpersonwhoemploysmewisheshisagenttobeunknowntoyou，andImayconfessatoncethatthetitlebywhichIhavejustcalledmyselfisnotexactlymyown。”
“Iwasawareofit，“saidHolmes，dryly。
“Thecircumstancesareofgreatdelicacy，andeveryprecautionhastobetakentoquenchwhatmightgrowtobeanimmensescandal，andseriouslycompromiseoneofthereigningfamiliesofEurope。Tospeakplainly，thematterimplicatesthegreatHouseofOrmstein，hereditarykingsofBohemia。”
“Iwasalsoawareofthat，“murmuredHolmes，settlinghimselfdowninhisarmchair，andclosinghiseyes。
Ourvisitorglancedwithsomeapparentsurpriseatthelanguid，loungingfigureofthemanwhohadbeen，nodoubt，depictedtohimasthemostincisivereasonerandmostenergeticagentinEurope。
Holmesslowlyreopenedhiseyesandlookedimpatientlyathisgiganticclient。
“Ifyourmajestywouldcondescendtostateyourcase，“heremarked，“Ishouldbebetterabletoadviseyou。”
Themansprungfromhischair，andpacedupanddowntheroominuncontrollableagitation。Then，withagestureofdesperation，hetorethemaskfromhisfaceandhurleditupontheground。
“Youareright，“hecried，“Iamtheking。WhyshouldIattempttoconcealit？“
“Why，indeed？“murmuredHolmes。“YourmajestyhadnotspokenbeforeIwasawarethatIwasaddressingWilhelmGottsreichSigismondvonOrmstein，GrandDukeofCassel-Felstein，andhereditaryKingofBohemia。”
“Butyoucanunderstand，“saidourstrangevisitor，sittingdownoncemoreandpassinghishandoverhishigh，whiteforehead，“youcanunderstandthatIamnotaccustomedtodoingsuchbusinessinmyownperson。YetthematterwassodelicatethatIcouldnotconfideittoanagentwithoutputtingmyselfinhispower。IhavecomeincognitofromPragueforthepurposeofconsultingyou。”
“Then，prayconsult，“saidHolmes，shuttinghiseyesoncemore。
“Thefactsarebrieflythese：Somefiveyearsago，duringalengthyvisittoWarsaw，Imadetheacquaintanceofthewell-knownadventuressIreneAdler。Thenameisnodoubtfamiliartoyou。”
“Kindlylookherupinmyindex，doctor，“murmuredHolmes，withoutopeninghiseyes。Formanyyearshehadadoptedasystemfordocketingallparagraphsconcerningmenandthings，sothatitwasdifficulttonameasubjectorapersononwhichhecouldnotatoncefurnishinformation。InthiscaseIfoundherbiographysandwichedinbetweenthatofaHebrewrabbiandthatofastaffcommanderwhohadwrittenamonographuponthedeep-seafishes。
“Letmesee！“saidHolmes。“Hum！BorninNewJerseyintheyear1858。Contralto——hum！LaScala——hum！PrimadonnaImperialOperaofWarsaw——yes！Retiredfromoperaticstage——ha！LivinginLondon——quiteso！Yourmajesty，asIunderstand，becameentangledwiththisyoungperson，wrotehersomecompromisingletters，andisnowdesirousofgettingthoselettersback。”
“Preciselyso。Buthow”
“Wasthereasecretmarriage？“
“None。”
“Nolegalpapersorcertificates？“
“None。”
“ThenIfailtofollowyourmajesty。Ifthisyoungpersonshouldproduceherlettersforblackmailingorotherpurposes，howisshetoprovetheirauthenticity？“
“Thereisthewriting。”
“Pooh-pooh！Forgery。”
“Myprivatenotepaper。”
“Stolen。”
“Myownseal。”
“Imitated。”
“Myphotograph。”
“Bought。”
“Wewerebothinthephotograph。”
“Oh，dear！Thatisverybad。Yourmajestyhasindeedcommittedanindiscretion。”
“Iwasmad——insane。”
“Youhavecompromisedyourselfseriously。”
“Iwasonlycrownprincethen。Iwasyoung。Iambutthirtynow。”
“Itmustberecovered。”
“Wehavetriedandfailed。”
“Yourmajestymustpay。Itmustbebought。”
“Shewillnotsell。”
“Stolen，then。”
“Fiveattemptshavebeenmade。Twiceburglarsinmypayransackedherhouse。Oncewedivertedherluggagewhenshetraveled。Twiceshehasbeenwaylaid。Therehasbeennoresult。”
“Nosignofit？“
“Absolutelynone。”
Holmeslaughed。“Itisquiteaprettylittleproblem，“saidhe。
“Butaveryseriousonetome，“returnedtheking，reproachfully。
“Very，indeed。Andwhatdoessheproposetodowiththephotograph？“
“Toruinme。”
“Buthow？“
“Iamabouttobemarried。”
“SoIhaveheard。”
“ToClotildeLothmanvonSaxe-Meiningen，seconddaughteroftheKingofScandinavia。Youmayknowthestrictprinciplesofherfamily。Sheisherselftheverysoulofdelicacy。Ashadowofadoubtastomyconductwouldbringthemattertoanend。”
“AndIreneAdler？“
“Threatenstosendthemthephotograph。Andshewilldoit。I
knowthatshewilldoit。Youdonotknowher，butshehasasoulofsteel。Shehasthefaceofthemostbeautifulofwomenandthemindofthemostresoluteofmen。RatherthanIshouldmarryanotherwoman，therearenolengthstowhichshewouldnotgo——
none。”
“Youaresureshehasnotsentityet？“
“Iamsure。”
“Andwhy？“
“Becauseshehassaidthatshewouldsenditonthedaywhenthebetrothalwaspubliclyproclaimed。ThatwillbenextMonday。”
“Oh，thenwehavethreedaysyet，“saidHolmes，withayawn。“Thatisveryfortunate，asIhaveoneortwomattersofimportancetolookintojustatpresent。Yourmajestywill，ofcourse，stayinLondonforthepresent？“
“Certainly。YouwillfindmeattheLangham，underthenameoftheCountvonKramm。”
“ThenIshalldropyoualinetoletyouknowhowweprogress。”
“Praydoso；Ishallbeallanxiety。”
“Then，astomoney？“
“Youhavecarteblanche。”
“Absolutely？“
“ItellyouthatIwouldgiveoneoftheprovincesofmykingdomtohavethatphotograph。”
“Andforpresentexpenses？“
Thekingtookaheavychamois-leatherbagfromunderhiscloak，andlaiditonthetable。
“Therearethreehundredpoundsingold，andsevenhundredinnotes，“hesaid。
Holmesscribbledareceiptuponasheetofhisnotebook，andhandedittohim。
“Andmademoiselle”saddress？“heasked。
“IsBrionyLodge，SerpentineAvenue，St。John”sWood。”
Holmestookanoteofit。“Oneotherquestion，“saidhe，thoughtfully。“Wasthephotographacabinet？“
“Itwas。”
“Then，good-night，yourmajesty，andItrustthatweshallsoonhavesomegoodnewsforyou。Andgood-night，Watson，“headded，asthewheelsoftheroyalbroughamrolleddownthestreet。“Ifyouwillbegoodenoughtocallto-morrowafternoon，atthreeo”clock，Ishouldliketochatthislittlematteroverwithyou。”
II
Atthreeo”clockpreciselyIwasatBakerStreet，butHolmeshadnotyetreturned。Thelandladyinformedmethathehadleftthehouseshortlyaftereighto”clockinthemorning。Isatdownbesidethefire，however，withtheintentionofawaitinghim，howeverlonghemightbe。Iwasalreadydeeplyinterestedinhisinquiry，for，thoughitwassurroundedbynoneofthegrimandstrangefeatureswhichwereassociatedwiththetwocrimeswhichI
havealreadyrecorded，still，thenatureofthecaseandtheexaltedstationofhisclientgaveitacharacterofitsown。
Indeed，apartfromthenatureoftheinvestigationwhichmyfriendhadonhand，therewassomethinginhismasterlygraspofasituation，andhiskeen，incisivereasoning，whichmadeitapleasuretometostudyhissystemofwork，andtofollowthequick，subtlemethodsbywhichhedisentangledthemostinextricablemysteries。SoaccustomedwasItohisinvariablesuccessthattheverypossibilityofhisfailinghadceasedtoenterintomyhead。
Itwascloseuponfourbeforethedooropened，andadrunken-
lookinggroom，ill-kemptandside-whiskered，withaninflamedfaceanddisreputableclothes，walkedintotheroom。AccustomedasI
wastomyfriend”samazingpowersintheuseofdisguises，IhadtolookthreetimesbeforeIwascertainthatitwasindeedhe。Withanodhevanishedintothebedroom，whenceheemergedinfiveminutestweed-suitedandrespectable，asofold。Puttinghishandsintohispockets，hestretchedouthislegsinfrontofthefire，andlaughedheartilyforsomeminutes。
“Well，really！“hecried，andthenhechoked，andlaughedagainuntilhewasobligedtolieback，limpandhelpless，inthechair。
“Whatisit？“
“It”squitetoofunny。IamsureyoucouldneverguesshowI
employedmymorning，orwhatIendedbydoing。”
“Ican”timagine。Isupposethatyouhavebeenwatchingthehabits，and，perhaps，thehouse，ofMissIreneAdler。”
“Quiteso，butthesequelwasratherunusual。Iwilltellyou，however。Ileftthehousealittleaftereighto”clockthismorninginthecharacterofagroomoutofwork。Thereisawonderfulsympathyandfreemasonryamonghorseymen。Beoneofthem，andyouwillknowallthatthereistoknow。IsoonfoundBrionyLodge。Itisabijouvilla，withagardenattheback，butbuiltoutinthefrontrightuptotheroad，twostories。Chubblocktothedoor。Largesittingroomontherightside，wellfurnished，withlongwindowsalmosttothefloor，andthosepreposterousEnglishwindowfastenerswhichachildcouldopen。
Behindtherewasnothingremarkable，savethatthepassagewindowcouldbereachedfromthetopofthecoach-house。Iwalkedrounditandexamineditcloselyfromeverypointofview，butwithoutnotinganythingelseofinterest。
“Ithenloungeddownthestreet，andfound，asIexpected，thattherewasamewsinalanewhichrunsdownbyonewallofthegarden。Ilentthehostlersahandinrubbingdowntheirhorses，andIreceivedinexchangetwo-pence，aglassofhalfandhalf，twofillsofshagtobacco，andasmuchinformationasIcoulddesireaboutMissAdler，tosaynothingofhalfadozenotherpeopleintheneighborhood，inwhomIwasnotintheleastinterested，butwhosebiographiesIwascompelledtolistento。”
“AndwhatofIreneAdler？“Iasked。
“Oh，shehasturnedallthemen”sheadsdowninthatpart。Sheisthedaintiestthingunderabonnetonthisplanet。SosaytheSerpentineMews，toaman。Shelivesquietly，singsatconcerts，drivesoutatfiveeveryday，andreturnsatsevensharpfordinner。Seldomgoesoutatothertimes，exceptwhenshesings。
Hasonlyonemalevisitor，butagooddealofhim。Heisdark，handsome，anddashing；nevercallslessthanonceaday，andoftentwice。HeisaMr。GodfreyNortonoftheInnerTemple。Seetheadvantagesofacabmanasaconfidant。TheyhaddrivenhimhomeadozentimesfromSerpentineMews，andknewallabouthim。WhenI
hadlistenedtoallthattheyhadtotell，IbegantowalkupanddownnearBrionyLodgeoncemore，andtothinkovermyplanofcampaign。
“ThisGodfreyNortonwasevidentlyanimportantfactorinthematter。Hewasalawyer。Thatsoundedominous。Whatwastherelationbetweenthem，andwhattheobjectofhisrepeatedvisits？
Wasshehisclient，hisfriend，orhismistress？Iftheformer，shehadprobablytransferredthephotographtohiskeeping。Ifthelatter，itwaslesslikely。OntheissueofthisquestiondependedwhetherIshouldcontinuemyworkatBrionyLodge，orturnmyattentiontothegentleman”schambersintheTemple。Itwasadelicatepoint，anditwidenedthefieldofmyinquiry。IfearthatIboreyouwiththesedetails，butIhavetoletyouseemylittledifficulties，ifyouaretounderstandthesituation。”
“Iamfollowingyouclosely，“Ianswered。
“Iwasstillbalancingthematterinmymind，whenahansomcabdroveuptoBrionyLodge，andagentlemansprungout。Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeman，dark，aquiline，andmustached——evidentlythemanofwhomIhadheard。Heappearedtobeinagreathurry，shoutedtothecabmantowait，andbrushedpastthemaidwhoopenedthedoor，withtheairofamanwhowasthoroughlyathome。
“Hewasinthehouseabouthalfanhour，andIcouldcatchglimpsesofhiminthewindowsofthesittingroom，pacingupanddown，talkingexcitedlyandwavinghisarms。OfherIcouldseenothing。
Presentlyheemerged，lookingevenmoreflurriedthanbefore。Ashesteppeduptothecab，hepulledagoldwatchfromhispocketandlookedatitearnestly。”Drivelikethedevil！”heshouted，”firsttoGross&Hankey”sinRegentStreet，andthentotheChurchofSt。MonicaintheEdgewareRoad。Halfaguineaifyoudoitintwentyminutes！”
“Awaytheywent，andIwasjustwonderingwhetherIshouldnotdowelltofollowthem，whenupthelanecameaneatlittlelandau，thecoachmanwithhiscoatonlyhalfbuttoned，andhistieunderhisear，whileallthetagsofhisharnesswerestickingoutofthebuckles。Ithadn”tpulledupbeforesheshotoutofthehalldoorandintoit。Ionlycaughtaglimpseofheratthemoment，butshewasalovelywoman，withafacethatamanmightdiefor。
“”TheChurchofSt。Monica，John”shecried；”andhalfasovereignifyoureachitintwentyminutes。”
“Thiswasquitetoogoodtolose，Watson。IwasjustbalancingwhetherIshouldrunforit，orwhetherIshouldperchbehindherlandau，whenacabcamethroughthestreet。Thedriverlookedtwiceatsuchashabbyfare；butIjumpedinbeforehecouldobject。”TheChurchofSt。Monica”saidI，”andhalfasovereignifyoureachitintwentyminutes。”Itwastwenty-fiveminutestotwelve，andofcourseitwasclearenoughwhatwasinthewind。