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。
