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。
返回顶部