TheJulywhichimmediatelysucceededmymarriagewasmadememorablebythreecasesofinterestinwhichIhadtheprivilegeofbeingassociatedwithSherlockHolmes,andofstudyinghismethods.Ifindthemrecordedinmynotesundertheheadingsof'theadventureoftheSecondstain','theadventureofthenavaltreaty',and'theadventureofthetiredcaptain'.Thefirstofthese,however,dealswithinterestsofsuchimportance,andimplicatessomanyofthefirstfamiliesinthekingdom,thatformanyyearsitwillbeimpossibletomakeitpublic.Nocase,however,inwhichHolmeswaseverengagedhasillustratedthevalueofhisanalyticalmethodssoclearlyorhasimpressedthosewhowereassociatedwithhimsodeeply.IstillretainanalmostverbatimreportoftheinterviewinwhichhedemonstratedthetruefactsofthecasetoMonsieurDubuque,oftheParispolice,andfritzvonWaldbaum,thewell-knownspecialistofDantzig,bothofwhomhadwastedtheirenergiesuponwhatprovedtobeside-issues.Thenewcenturywillhavecome,however,beforethestorycanbesafelytold.Meanwhile,Ipassontotheseconduponmylist,whichpromisedalso,atonetime,tobeofnationalimportance,andwasmarkedbyseveralincidentswhichgiveitaquiteuniquecharacter.Duringmyschool-daysIhadbeenintimatelyassociatedwithaladnamedPercyPhelps,whowasofmuchthesameageasmyself,thoughhewastwoclassesaheadofme.Hewasaverybrilliantboy,andcarriedawayeveryprizewhichtheschoolhadtooffer,finishinghisexploitsbywinningascholarship,whichsenthimontocontinuehistriumphantcareeratCambridge.Hewas,Iremember,extremelywellconnectedandeverwhenwewerealllittleboystogether,weknewthathismother'sbrotherwasLordHoldhurst,thegreatConservativepolitician.Thisgaudyrelationshipdidhimlittlegoodatschoolonthecontrary,itseemedratherapiquantthingtoustochevyhimabouttheplaygroundandhithimovertheshinswithawicket.Butitwasanotherthingwhenhecameoutintotheworld.IheardvaguelythathisabilitiesandtheinfluencewhichhecommandedhadwonhimagoodpositionattheForeignOffice,andthenhepassedcompletelyoutofmyminduntilthefollowingletterrecalledhisexistence:

'BRIARBRAE,WOKING

'MYDEARWATSON,——Ihavenodoubtthatyoucanremember"tadpole"Phelps,whowasinthefifthformwhenyouwereinthethird.Itispossibleeventhatyoumayhaveheardthat,throughmyuncle'sinfluence,IobtainedagoodappointmentattheForeignOffice,andthatIwasinsituationoftrustandhonouruntilahorriblemisfortunecamesuddenlytoblastmycareer.

'Thereisnousewritingthedetailsofthatdreadfulevent.Intheeventofyouraccedingtomyrequest,itisprobablethatIshallhavenarratedthemtoyou.Ihaveonlyjustrecoveredfromnineweeksofbrainfever,andamstillexceedinglyweak.Doyouthinkthatyoucouldbringyourfriend,Mr.Holmes,downtoseeme?Ishouldliketohavehisopinionofthecase,thoughtheauthoritiesassuremethatnothingmorecanbedong.Dotrytobringhimdown,andassoonaspossible.EveryminuteseemsanhourwhileIliveinthishorriblesuspense.Assurehimthat,ifIhavenotaskedhisadvicesooner,itwasnotbecauseIdidnotappreciatehistalents,butbecauseIhavebeenoffmyheadversincetheblowfell.NowIamclearagain,thoughIdarenotthinkofittoomuchforfearofarelapse.IamstillsoweakthatIhavetowrite,asyousee,bydictating.Dotryandbringhim.'Youroldschoolfellow,PERCYPHELPS

TherewassomethingthattouchedmeasIreadthisletter,somethingpitiableinthereiteratedappealstobringHolmes.SomovedwasIthat,evenifithadbeenadifficultmatter,Ishouldhavetrieditbut,ofcourse,IknewwellthatHolmeslovedhisartso,thathewaseverasreadytobringhisaidashisclientcouldbetoreceiveit.Mywifeagreedwithmethatnotamomentshouldbelostinlayingthematterbeforehim,andso,withinanhourofbreakfast-time,IfoundmyselfbackoncemoreintheoldroomsinBakerStreet.

Holmeswasseatedathisside-tablecladinhisdressing-gownandworkinghardoverachemicalinvestigation.AlargecurvedretortwasboilingfuriouslyinthebluishflameofaBunsenburner,andthedistilleddropswerecondensingintoatwo-litremeasure.MyfriendhardlyglancedupasIentered,andI,seeingthathisinvestigationmustbeofimportance,seatedmyselfinanarm-chairandwaited.Hedippedintothisbottleorthat,drawingoutafewdropsofeachwithhisglasspipette,andfinallybroughtatest-tubecontainingasolutionovertothetable.Inhisrighthandhehadaslipoflitmus-paper.

'Youcomeatacrisis,Watson,'saidhe.'Ifthispaperremainsblue,alliswell.Ifitturnsred,itmeansaman'slife.'Hedippeditintothetest-tube,anditflushedatonceintoadull,dirtycrimson.'Hum!Ithoughtasmuch!'hecried.'Ishallbeatyourserviceinoneinstant,Watson.YouwillfindtobaccointhePersianslipper.'Heturnedtohisdeskandscribbledoffseveraltelegrams,whichwerehandedovertothepage-boy.Thenhethrewhimselfdowninthechairopposite,anddrewuphiskneesuntilhisfingersclaspedroundhislong,thinshins.

'Averycommonplacelittlemurder,'saidhe.'You'vegotsomethingbetter,Ifancy.Youarethestormypetrelofcrime,Watson.Whatisit?'

Ihandedhimtheletter,whichhereadwiththemostconcentratedattention.

'Itdoesnottellusverymuch,doesit?'heremarked,ashehandeditbacktome.

'Hardlyanything.'

'Andyetthewritingisnothisown.'

'Precisely.Itisawoman's.'

'Aman'ssurely!'Icried.

'No,awoman'sandawomanofrarecharacter.Yousee,atthecommencementofaninvestigation,itissomethingtoknowthatyourclientisinclosecontactwithsomeonewhoforgoodorevilhasanexceptionalnature.Myinterestisalreadyawakenedinthecase.Ifyouareready,wewillstartatonceforWokingandseethisdiplomatistwhoisinsuchevilcase,andtheladytowhomhedictateshisletters.'

WewerefortunateenoughtocatchanearlytrainatWaterloo,andinalittleunderanhourwefoundourselvesamongthefir-woodsandtheheatherofWoking.Briarbraeprovedtobealargedetachedhousestandinginextensivegrounds,withinafewminutes'walkofthestation.Onsendinginourcardswewereshownintoanelegantlyappointeddrawing-room,wherewewerejoinedinafewminutesbyaratherstoutman,whoreceiveduswithmuchhospitality.Hisagemayhavebeennearerfortythanthirty,buthischeeksweresoruddyandhiseyessomerry,thathestillconveyedtheimpressionofaplumpandmischievousboy.

'Iamsogladthatyouhavecome'saidhe,shakingourhandswitheffusion.'Percyhasbeeninquiringforyouallthemorning.Ah,pooroldchap,heclingstoanystraw.Hisfatherandmotheraskedmetoseeyou,forthemerementionofthesubjectisverypainfultothem.'

'Wehavehadnodetailsyet,'observedHolmes.'Iperceivethatyouarenotyourselfamemberofthefamily.'

Ouracquaintancelookedsurprised,andthenglancingdownhebegantolaugh.

'Ofcourseyousawthe"J.H."Monogramonmylocket,'saidhe.'ForamomentIthoughtyouhaddonesomethingclever.JosephHarrisonismyname,andasPercyistomarrymysisterAnnie,Ishallatleastbearelationbymarriage.Youwillfindmysisterinhisroom,forshehasnursedhimhand-and-footthesetwomonthsback.Perhapswehadbettergoinatonce,forIknowhowimpatientheis.'

Thechamberintowhichwewereshownwasonthesamefloorasthedrawing-room.Itwasfurnishedpartlyasasitting-andpartlyasabedroom,withflowersarrangeddaintilyineverynookandcorner.Ayoungman,verypaleandworn,waslyinguponasofaneartheopenwindow,throughwhichcametherichscentofthegardenandthebalmysummerair.Awomanwassittingbesidehim,androseasweentered.

'ShallIleave,Percy?'sheasked.

Heclutchedherhandtodetainher.'Howareyou,Watson?'saidhe,cordially.'Ishouldneverhaveknownyouunderthatmoustache,andIdaresayyouwouldnotbepreparedtosweartome.This,Ipresume,isyourcelebratedfriend,Mr.SherlockHolmes?'

Iintroducedhiminafewwords,andwebothsatdown.Thestoutyoungmanhadleftus,buthissisterstillremained,withherhandinthatoftheinvalid.Shewasastriking-lookingwoman,alittleshortandthickforsymmetry,butwithabeautifulolivecomplexion,large,darkItalianeyes,andawealthofdeepblackhair.Herrichtintsmadethewhitefaceofhercompanionthemorewornandhaggardbythecontrast.

'Iwon'twasteyourtime,'saidhe,raisinghimselfuponthesofa.'I'llplungeintothematterwithoutfurtherpreamble.Iwasahappyandsuccessfulman,Mr.Holmes,andontheeveofbeingmarried,whenasuddenanddreadfulmisfortunewreckedallmyprospectsinlife.

'Iwas,asWatsonmayhavetoldyou,intheForeignOffice,andthroughtheinfluenceofmyuncle,LordHoldhurst,Iroserapidlytoaresponsibleposition.WhenmyunclebecameForeignMinisterinthisAdministrationhegavemeseveralmissionsoftrust,andasIalwaysbroughtthemtoasuccessfulconclusion,hecameatlasttohavetheutmostconfidenceinmyabilityandtact.

'Nearlytenweeksago-tobemoreaccurate,onthe23rdofMay-hecalledmeintohisprivateroomand,aftercomplimentingmeuponthegoodworkwhichIhaddone,informedmethathehadanewcommissionoftrustformetoexecute.

'"This,"saidhe,takingagreyrollofpaperfromhisbureau,"istheoriginalofthatsecrettreatybetweenEnglandandItaly,ofwhich,Iregrettosay,somerumourshavealreadygotintothepublicPress.Itisofenormousimportancethatnothingfurthershouldleakout.TheFrenchorRussianEmbassieswouldpayanimmensesumlearnthecontentsofthesepapers.Theyshouldnotleavemybureauwereitnotthatitisabsolutelynecessarytohavethemcopied.Youhaveadeskinyouroffice?"

'"Yes,sir."

'"Thentakethetreatyandlockitupthere.Ishallgivedirectionsthatyoumayremainbehindwhentheothersgo,sothatyoumaycopyitatyourleisure,withoutfearofbeingoverlooked.Whenyouhavefinished,re-lockboththeoriginalandthedraftinthedesk,andhandthemovertopersonallyto-morrowmorning."

'Itookthepapersand-'

'Excusemeaninstant,'saidHolmes'wereyoualoneduringthisconversation?'

'Absolutely.'

'Inalargeroom?'

'Thirtyfeeteachway.'

'Inthecentre?'

'Yes,aboutit.'

'Andspeakinglow?'

'Myuncle'svoiceisalwaysremarkablylow.Ihardlyspokeatall.'

'Thankyou,'saidHolmes,shuttinghiseyes'praygoon.'

'Ididexactlywhathehadindicated,andwaiteduntiltheotherclerkshaddeparted.Oneoftheminmyroom,CharlesGorot,hadsomearrearsofworktomakeup,soIlefthimthereandwentouttodine.WhenIreturnedhewasgone.Iwasanxioustohurrymywork,forIknewthatJoseph,theMr.Harrisonwhomyousawjustnow,wasintown,andthathewouldtraveldowntoWokingbytheeleveno'clocktrain,andIwantedifpossibletocatchit.

'WhenIcametoexaminethetreatyIsawatoncethatitwasofsuchimportancethatmyunclehadbeenguiltyofnoexaggerationinwhathehadsaid.Withoutgoingintodetails,ImaysaythatitdefinedthepositionofGreatBritaintowardstheTripleAlliance,andforeshadowedthepolicywhichthiscountrywouldpursueintheeventoftheFrenchfleetgainingacompleteascendencyoverthatofItalyintheMediterranean.Thequestionstreatedinitwerepurelynaval.Attheendwerethesignaturesofthehighdignitarieswhohadsignedit.Iglancedmyeyesoverit,andthensettleddowntomytaskofcopying.

'Itwasalongdocument,writtenintheFrenchlanguage,andcontainingtwenty-sixseparatearticles.IcopiedasquicklyasIcould,butatnineo'clockIhadonlydoneninearticles,anditseemedhopelessformetoattempttocatchmytrain.Iwasfellingdrowsyandstupid,partlyfrommydinnerandalsofromtheeffectsofalongday'swork.Acupofcoffeewouldclearmybrain.Acommissionaireremainsallnightinalittlelodgeatthefootofthestairs,andisinthehabitofmakingcoffeeathisspirit-lampforanyoftheofficialswhomaybeworkingovertime.Irangthebell,therefore,tosummonhim.

'Tomysurprise,itwasawomanwhoansweredthesummons,alarge,coarse-faced,elderlywoman,inanapron.Sheexplainedthatshewasthecommissionaire'swife,whodidthecharing,andIgavehertheorderforthecoffee.

'Iwrotetwomorearticles,andthen,feelingmoredrowsythanever,Iroseandwalkedupanddowntheroomtostretchmylegs.Mycoffeehadnotyetcome,andIwonderedwhatthecauseofthedelaycouldbe.Openingthedoor,Istarteddownthecorridortofindout.TherewasastraightpassagedimlylitwhichledfromtheroominwhichIhadbeenworking,andwastheonlyexitfromit.Itendedincurvingstaircase,withthecommissionaire'slodgeinthepassageatthebottom.Half-waydownthisstaircaseisasmalllanding,withanotherpassagerunningintoitatrightangles.Thesecondoneleads,bymeansofasecondsmallstair,toaside-doorusedbyservants,andalsoasashortcutbyclerkswhencomingfromCharlesStreet.

'Hereisaroughchartoftheplace.'

'Thankyou.IthinkthatIquitefollowyou,'saidSherlockHolmes.

'Itisoftheutmostimportancethatyoushouldnoticethispoint.Iwentdownthestairsandintothehall,whereIfoundthecommissionairefastasleepinhisbox,withthekettleboilingfuriouslyuponthespirit-lamp,forthewaterwasspurtingoverthefloor.Ihadputoutmyhandandwasabouttoshaketheman,whowasstillsleepingsoundly,whenabelloverhisheadrangloudly,andhewokewithastart.

'"Mr.Phelps,sir!"saidhe,lookingatmeinbewilderment.

'"Icamedowntoseeifmycoffeewasready."

'"IwasboilingthekettlewhenIfellasleep,sir."Helookedatmeandthenupatthestillquiveringbell,withanever-growingastonishmentuponhisface.

'"Ifyouwashere,sir,thenwhorangthebell?"heasked.

'"Thebell!"Isaid."Whatbellisit?"

'"It'sthebelloftheroomyouwereworkingin."

'Acoldhandseemedtocloseroundmyheart.Someone,then,wasinthatroomwheremyprecioustreatylayuponthetable.Iranfranticallyupthestairsandalongthepassage.Therewasnooneinthecorridor,Mr.Holmes.Therewasnooneintheroom.AllwasexactlyasIleftit,saveonlythatthepaperscommittedtomycarehadbeentakenfromthedeskonwhichtheylay.Thecopywasthereandtheoriginalwasgone.'

Holmessatupinhischairandrubbedhishands.Icouldseethattheproblemwasentirelytohisheart.'Pray,whatdidyoudothen?'hemurmured.

'Irecognizedinaninstantthatthethiefmusthavecomeupthestairsfromtheside-door.OfcourseImusthavemethimifhehadcometheotherway.'

'Youweresatisfiedthathecouldnothavebeenconcealedintheroomallthetime,orinthecorridorwhichyouhavejustdescribedasdimlylighted?'

'Itisabsolutelyimpossible.Aratcouldnotconcealhimselfeitherintheroomorthecorridor.Thereisnocoveratall.'

'Thankyou.Prayproceed.'

'Thecommissionaire,seeingbymaypalefacethatsomethingwastobefeared,hadfollowedmeupstairs.NowwebothrushedalongthecorridoranddownthesteepstepswhichledtoCharlesStreet.Thedooratbottomwasclosedbutunlocked.Weflungitopenandrushedout.Icandistinctlyrememberthataswedidsotherecamethreechimesfromaneighbouringchurch.Itwasaquartertoten.'

'Thatisofenormousimportance,'saidHolmes,makinganoteuponhisshirtcuff.

'Thenightwasverydark,andathin,warmrainwasfalling.TherewasnooneinCharlesStreet,butagreattrafficwasgoingon,asusual,inWhitehall,attheextremity.Werushedalongthepavement,bareheadedaswewere,andatthefarcornerwefoundapolicemanstanding.

'"Arobberyhasbeencommitted,"Igasped."AdocumentofimmensevaluehasbeenstolenfromtheForeignOffice.Hasanyonepassedthisway?'

'"Ihavebeenstandinghereforaquarterofanhour,sir,"saidhe"onlyonepersonhaspassedduringthattime-awoman,tallandelderly,withaPaisleyShawl."

'"Ah,thatisonlymywife,"criedthecommissionaire."Hasnooneelsepassed?"

'"Noone."

'"Thenitmustbetheotherwaythatthethieftook,"criedthefellow,tuggingatmysleeve.

'ButIwasnotsatisfied,andtheattemptswhichhemadetodrawmeawayincreasedmysuspicions.

'"Whichwaydidthewomango?"Icried.

'"Idon'tknow,sir.Inoticedherpass,butIhadnospecialreasonforwatchingher.Sheseemedtobeinahurry."

'"Howlongagowasit?"

'"Oh,notverymanyminutes."

'"Withinthelastfive?"

'"Well,itcouldnotbemorethanfive."

'"You'reonlywastingyourtime,sir,andeveryminutenowisofimportance,"criedthecommissionaire."Takemywordforitthatmyoldwomanhasnothingtodowithit,andcomedowntotheotherendofthestreet.Well,ifyouwon't,Iwill,"andwiththatherushedoffintheotherdirection.

'ButIwasafterhiminaninstantandcaughthimbythesleeve.

'"Wheredoyoulive?"saidI.

'"No.16IvyLane,Brixton,"heanswered"butdon'tletyourselfbedrawnawayuponafalsescent,Mr.Phelps.Cometotheotherendofthestreet,andletusseeifwecanhearofanything."

'Nothingwastobelostbyfollowinghisadvice.Withthepolicemanwebothhurrieddown,butonlytofindthestreetfulloftraffic,manypeoplecomingandgoing,butallonlytooeagertogettoaplaceofsafetyuponsowetanight.Therewasnoloungerwhocouldtelluswhohadpassed.

'Thenwereturnedtotheoffice,andsearchedthestairsandthepassagewithoutresult.Thecorridorwhichledtotheroomwaslaiddownwithakindofcreamylinoleum,whichshowsanimpressionveryeasily.Weexamineditverycarefully,butfoundnooutlineofanyfootmark.'

'Haditbeenrainingalltheevening?'

'Sinceaboutseven.'

'Howisit,then,thatthewomanwhocameintotheroomaboutnineleftnotraceswithhermuddyboots?'

'Iamgladyouraisethepoint.Itoccurredtomeatthetime.Thecharwomenareinthehabitoftakingofftheirbootsatthecommissionaire'soffice,andputtingonlistslippers.'

'Thatisveryclear.Therewerenomarks,then,thoughthenightwasawetone?Thechainofeventsiscertainlyoneofextraordinaryinterest.Whatdidyoudonext?'

'Weexaminedtheroomalso.Therewasnopossibilityofasecretdoor,andthewindowsarequitethirtyfeetfromtheground.Bothofthemwerefastenedontheinside.Thecarpetpreventsanypossibilityofatrap-door,andtheceilingisoftheordinarywhite-washedkind.Iwillpledgemylifethatwhoeverstolemypaperscouldonlyhavecomethroughthedoor.'

'Howaboutthefireplace?'

'Theyusenone.Thereisastove.Thebell-ropehangsfromthewirejusttotherightofmydesk.Whoeverrangitmusthavecomerightuptothedesktodoit.Butwhyshouldanycriminalwishtoringthebell?Itisamostinsolublemystery.'

Certainlytheincidentwasunusual.Whatwereyournextsteps?Youexaminedtheroom,Ipresume,toseeiftheintruderhadleftanytraces-anycigar-end,ordroppedglove,orhairpin,orothertrifle?'

'Therewasofnothingofthesort.'

'Nosmell?'

'Well,weneverthoughtofthat.'

'Ah,ascentoftobaccowouldhavebeenworthagreatdealtousinsuchaninvestigation.'

'Ineversmokemyself,soIthinkIshouldhaveobserveditiftherehadbeenanysmelloftobacco.Therewasabsolutelynoclueofanykind.Theonlytangiblefactwasthatthecommissionaire'swife-Mrs.Tangeywasthename-hadhurriedoutoftheplace.Hecouldgivenoexplanationsavethatitwasaboutthetimewhenthewomanalwayswenthome.ThepolicemanandIagreedthatourbestplanwouldbetoseizethewomanbeforeshecouldgetridofthepapers,presumingthatshehadthem.

'ThealarmhadreachedScotlandYardbythistime,andMr.Forbes,thedetective,cameroundatonceandtookupthecasewithagreatdealofenergy.Wehiredahansom,andinhalfanhourwewereattheaddresswhichhadbeengiventous.Ayoungwomanopenedthedoor,whoprovedtobeMrs.Tangey'seldestdaughter.Hermotherhadtocomebackyet,andwewereshownintothefrontroomtowait.

'Abouttenminuteslateraknockcameatthedoor,andherewemadetheoneseriousmistakeforwhichweallowedthegirltodoso.Weheardhersay,"Mother,therearetwomeninthehousewaitingtoseeyou,"andaninstantafterwardsweheardthepatteroffeetrushingdownthepassage.Forbesflungopenthedoor,andwebothranintothebackroomorkitchen,butthewomanhadgottherebeforeus.Shestaredatuswithdefianteyes,andthensuddenlyrecognizingme,anexpressionofabsoluteastonishmentcameoverherface.

'"Why,ifitisn'tMr.Phelps,oftheoffice!"shecried.

Come,come,whodidyouthinkwewerewhenyouranawayfromus?"askedmycompanion.

Ithoughtyouwerethebrokers,"saidshe."We'vehadsometroublewithatradesman."

That'snotquitegoodenough,"answeredForbes."WehavereasontobelievethatyouhavetakenapaperofimportancefromtheForeignOffice,andthatyouraninhertodisposeofit.YoumustcomebackwithustoScotlandYardtobesearched."

'Itwasinvainthatsheprotestedandresisted.Afour-wheelerwasbrought,andweallthreedrovebackinit.Wehadfirstmadeanexaminationofthekitchen,andespeciallyofthekitchenfire,toseewhethershemighthavemadeawaywiththepapersduringtheinstantthatshewasalone.Therewerenosigns.However,ofanyashesorscraps.WhenwereachedScotlandYardshewashandedoveratoncetothefemalesearcher.Iwaitedinanagonyofsuspenseuntilshecamebackwithherreport.Therewerenosignsofthepapers.

'Then,forthefirsttime,thehorrorofmysituationcameinitsfullforceuponme.HithertoIhadbeensoconfidentofregainingthetreatyatoncethatIhadnotdaredtothinkofwhatwouldbetheconsequenceifIfailedtodoso.Butnowtherewasnothingmoretobedone,andIhadleisuretorealizemyposition.Itwashorrible!WatsontherewouldtellyouthatIwasanervous,sensitiveboyatschool.Itismynature.IthoughtofmyuncleandofhiscolleaguesintheCabinet,oftheshamewhichIhadbroughtuponhim,uponmyself,uponeveryoneconnectedwithme.WhatthoughtIwasthevictimofanextraordinaryaccident?Noallowanceismadeforaccidentswherediplomaticinterestsareatstake.Iwasruinedshamefully,hopelesslyruined.Idon'tknowwhatIdid.IfancyImusthavemadeascene.Ihaveadimrecollectionofagroupofofficialswhocrowdedroundmeendeavouringtosootheme.OneofthemdrovedownwithmetoWaterlooandsawmeintotheWokingtrain.IbelievethathewouldhavecomeallthewayhaditnotbeenthatDr.Ferrier,wholivesnearme,wasgoingdownbythatverytrain.Thedoctormostkindlytookchargeofme,anditwaswellhedidso,forIhadafitinthestation,andbeforewereachedhomeIwaspracticallyaravingmaniac.

'Youcanimaginethestateofthingsherewhentheywererousedfromtheirbedsbythedoctor'sringing,andfoundmeinthiscondition.PoorAnniehereandmymotherwerebroken-hearted.Dr.Ferrierhadjustheardenoughfromthedetectiveatthestationtobeabletogiveanideaofwhathadhappened,andhisstorydidnotmendmatters.ItwasevidenttoallthatIwasinforalongillness,soJosephwasbundledoutofthischeerybedroom,anditwasturnedintoasickroomforme.HereIhavelain,Mr.Holmes,forovernineweeks,unconscious,andravingwithbrainfever.IfithadnotbeenforMissHarrisonhereandforthedoctor'scareIshouldnotbespeakingtoyounow.shehasnursedmebyday,andahirednursehaslookedaftermebynight,forinmymadfitsIwascapableofanything.Slowlymyreasonhascleared,butitisonlyduringthelastthreedaysthatmymemoryhasquitereturned.SometimesIwishthatitneverhad.ThefirstthingIdidwastowiretoMr.Forbes,whohadthecaseinhand.Hecameoutandassuredmethat,thougheverythinghasbeendone,notraceofacluehasbeendiscovered.Thecommissionaireandhiswifehavebeenexaminedineverywaywithoutanylightbeingthrownuponthematter.ThesuspicionsofthepolicethenresteduponyoungGorot,who,asyoumayremember,stayedovertimeintheofficethatnight.HisremainingbehindandhisFrenchnamewerereallytheonlytwopointswhichcouldsuggestsuspicionbutasamatteroffact,Ididnotbeginworkuntilhehadgone,andhispeopleareofHuguenotextraction,butasEnglishinsympathyandtraditionasyouandIare.Nothingwasfoundtoimplicatehiminanyway,andtherethematterdropped.Iturntoyou,Mr.Holmes,asabsolutelymylasthope.Ifyoufailme,thenmyhonouraswellasmypositionareforeverforfeited.'

Theinvalidsankbackuponhiscushions,tiredoutbythislongrecital,whilehisnursepouredhimoutaglassofsomestimulatingmedicine.Holmessatsilentlywithhisheadthrownbackandhiseyesclosedinanattitudewhichmightseemlistlesstoastranger,butwhichIknewbetokenedthemostintenseabsorption.

'Yourstatementhasbeensoexplicit,'saidheatlast,'thatyouhavereallyleftmeveryfewquestionstoask.Thereisoneoftheveryutmostimportance,however.Didyoutellanyonethatyouhadthisspecialtasktoperform?'

'Noone.'

'NotMissHarrisonhere,forexample?'

'No.IhadnotbeenbacktoWokingbetweengettingtheorderandexecutingthecommission.'

'Andnoneofyourpeoplehadbychancebeentoseeyou?'

'None.'

'Didanyofthemknowtheirwayaboutintheoffice?'

'Oh,yesallofthemhadbeenshownoverit.'

'Still,ofcourse,ifyousaidnothingtoanyoneaboutthetreaty,theseinquiriesareirrelevant.'

'Isaidnothing.'

'Doyouknowanythingthatheisanoldsoldier.'

'Whatregiment?'

'Oh,Ihaveheard-ColdstreamGuards.'

'Thankyou.IhavenodoubtIcangetdetailsfromForbes.Theauthoritiesareexcellentatamassingfacts,thoughtheydonotalwaysusethemtoadvantage.Whatalovelythingaroseis!'

hewalkedpastthecouchtotheopenwindow,andheldupthedroopingstalkofamossrose,lookingdownatthedaintyblendofcrimsonandgreen.Itwasanewphaseofhischaractertome,forIhadneverbeforeseenhimshowanykeeninterestinnaturalobjects.

'Thereisnothinginwhichdeductionissonecessaryasinreligion,'saidhe,leaningwithhisbackagainsttheshutters.'Itcanbebuiltupasanexactsciencebythereasoner.OurhighestassuranceofthegoodnessofProvidenceseemstometorestintheflowers.Allotherthings,ourpowers,ourdesires,ourfood,arereallynecessaryforourexistenceinthefirstinstance.Butthisroseisanextra.Itssmellanditscolourareanembellishmentoflife,notaconditionofit.Itisonlygoodnesswhichgivesextras,andsoIsayagainthatwehavemuchtohopefromtheflowers.'

PercyPhelpsandhisnurselookedatHolmesduringthisdemonstrationwithsurpriseandagooddealofdisappointmentwrittenupontheirfaces.Hehadfallenintoareverie,withthemossrosebetweenhisfingers.Ithadlastedsomeminutesbeforetheyoungladybrokeinuponit.

'Doyouseeanyprospectofsolvingthismystery,Mr.Holmes?'sheasked,withatouchofasperityinhervoice.

'Oh,themystery!'heanswered,comingbackwithastarttotherealitiesoflife.'Well,itwouldbeabsurdtodenythatthecaseisaveryabstruseandcomplicatedonebutIcanpromiseyouthatIwilllookintothematterandletyouknowanypointswhichmaystrikeme.'

'Doyouseeanyclue?'

'Youhavefurnishedmewithseven,butofcourseImusttestthembeforeIcanpronounceupontheirvalue.'

'Yoususpectsomeone?'

'Isuspectmyself-'

'What?'

'Ofcomingtoconclusiontoorapidly.'

'ThengotoLondonandtestyourconclusions.'

'Youradviceisveryexcellent,MissHarrison,'saidHolmes,rising.'Ithink,Watson,wecannotdobetter.Donotallowyourselftoindulgeinfalsehopes,Mr.Phelps.Theaffairisaverytangledone.'

'IshallbeinafeveruntilIseeyouagain,'criedthediplomatist.

'Well,I'llcomeoutbythesametrainto-morrow,thoughit'smorethanlikelythatmyreportwillbeanegativeone.'

'Godblessyouforpromisingtocome,'criedourclient.'Itgivesmefreshlifetoknowthatsomethingisbeingdone.Bytheway,IhavehadaletterfromLordHoldhurst.'

'Ha!Whatdidhesay?'

'Hewascold,butnotharsh.Idaresaymysevereillnesspreventedhimfrombeingthat.Herepeatedthatthematterwasoftheutmostimportance,andaddedthatnostepswouldbetakenaboutmyfuture-bywhichhemeans,ofcourse,mydismissal-untilmyhealthwasrestoredandIhadanopportunityofrepairingmymisfortune.'

'Well,thatwasreasonableandconsiderate,'saidHolmes.'Come,Watson,forwehaveagoodday'sworkbeforeusintown.'

Mr.JosephHarrisondroveusdowntothestation,andweweresoonwhirlingupinaPortsmouthtrain.Holmeswassunkinprofoundthought,andhardlyopenedhismouthuntilwehadpassedClaphamJunction.

'It'saverycheeringthingtocomeintoLondonbyanyoftheselineswhichrunhighandallowyoutolookdownuponthehouseslikethis.'

Ithoughthewasjoking,fortheviewwassordidenough,buthesoonexplainedhimself.

'Lookatthosebig,isolatedclumpsofbuildingsrisingupabovetheslates,likebrickislandsinalead-colouredsea.'

'TheBoardschools.'

'Lighthouses,myboy!Beaconsofthefuture!Capsules,withhundredsofbrightlittleseedsineach,outofwhichwillspringthewiser,betterEnglandofthefuture.IsupposethatmanPhelpsdoesnotdrink?'

'Ishouldnotthinkso.'

'NorshouldI.Butweareboundtotakeeverypossibilityintoaccount.Thepoordevilhascertainlygothimselfintoverydeepwater,andit'saquestionwhetherweshalleverbeabletogethimashore.WhatdidyouthinkofMissHarrison?'

'Agirlofstrongcharacter.'

'Yes,butsheisagoodsort,orIammistaken.Sheandherbrotheraretheonlychildrenofaniron-mastersomewhereupNorthumberlandway.Phelpsgotengagedtoherwhentravellinglastwinter,andshecamedowntobeintroducedtohispeople,withherbrotherasescort.Thencamethesmash,andshestayedontonurseherlover,whilebrotherJoseph,findinghimselfprettysnug,stayedontoo.I'vebeenmakingafewindependentinquiries,yousee.Buttodaymustbeadayofinquiries.'

'Mypractice-'Ibegan.

'Oh,ifyoufindyourowncasesmoreinterestingthanmine-'saidHolmes,withsomeasperity.

'Iwasgoingtosaythatmypracticecouldgetalongverywellforadayortwo,sinceitistheslackesttimeintheyear.'

'Excellent,'saidhe,recoveringhisgoodhumour.'Thenwe'lllookintothismattertogether.IthinkthatweshouldbeginbyseeingForbes.Hecanprobablytellusallthedetailswewant,untilweknowfromwhatsidethecaseistobeapproached.'

'Yousaidyouhadaclue.'

'Well,wehaveseveral,butwecanonlytesttheirvaluebyfurtherinquiry.Themostdifficultcrimetotrackistheonewhichispurposeless.Now,thisisnotpurposeless.Whoisitthatprofitsbyit?ThereistheFrenchAmbassador,thereistheRussian,thereiswhoevermightsellittoeitherofthese,andthereisLordHoldhurst.'

'LordHoldhurst!'

'Well,itisjustconceivablethatastatesmanmightfindhimselfinapositionwherehewasnotsorrytohavesuchadocumentaccidentallydestroyed.'

'NotastatesmanwiththehonourablerecordofLordHoldhurst.'

'Itisapossibility,andwecannotaffordtodisregardit.Weshallseethenoblelordto-day,andfindoutifhecantellusanything.Meanwhile,Ihavealreadysetinquiriesuponfoot.'

'Already?'

'Yes,IsentwiresfromWokingstationtoeveryeveningpaperinLondon.Thisadvertisementwillappearineachofthem.'

Hehandedoverasheettornfromthenotebook.Onitwasscribbledinpencil:

'￡10Reward-ThenumberofthecabwhichdroppedafareatoraboutthedooroftheForeignOfficeinCharlesStreet,ataquartertotenintheeveningofMay23rd.Apply221BBakerStreet.'

'Youareconfidentthatthethiefcameinacab?'

'Ifnot,thereisnoharmdone.ButifMr.Phelpsiscorrectinstatingthatthereisnohiding-placeeitherintheroomorthecorridors,thenthepersonmusthavecomefromoutside.Ifhecamefromoutsideonsowetanight,andyetleftnotraceofdampuponthelinoleum,whichwasexaminedwithinafewminutesofhispassing,thenitisexceedinglyprobablethathecameinacab.Yes,Ithinkthatwemaysafelydeduceacab.'

'Itsoundsplausible.'

'ThatisoneofthecluesofwhichIspoke.Itmayleadustosomething.Andthen,ofcourse,thereisthebell-whichisthemostdistinctivefeatureofthecase.Whyshouldthebellring?Wasitthethiefthatdiditoutofbravado?Orwasitsomeonewhowaswiththethiefwhodiditinordertopreventthecrime?Orwasitanaccident?Orwasit-?'Hesankbackintothestateofintenseandsilentthoughtfromwhichhehademerged,butitseemedtome,accustomedasIwastohiseverymood,thatsomenewpossibilityhaddawnedsuddenlyuponhim.

Itwastwenty-pastthreewhenwereachedourterminus,andafterahastyluncheonatthebufferwepushedonatoncetoScotlandYard.HolmeshadalreadywiredtoForbes,andwefoundhimwaitingtoreceiveus:asmall,foxyman,withasharpbutbynomeansamiableexpression.Hewasdecidedlyfrigidinhismannertous,especiallywhenheheardtheerranduponwhichwehadcome.

'I'veheardofyourmethodsbeforenow,Mr.Holmes,'saidhe,tartly.'Youarereadyenoughtousealltheinformationthatthepolicecanlayatyourdisposal,andthenyoutrytofinishthecaseyourselfandbringdiscredituponthem.'

'Onthecontrary,'saidHolmes'outofmylastfifty-threecasesmynamehasonlyappearedinfour,andthepolicehavehadallthecreditinforty-nine.Idon'tblameyoufornotknowingthisforyouareyoungandinexperiencedbutifyouwishedtogetoninyournewdutiesyouwillworkwithme,andnotagainstme.'

'I'dbeverygladofahintortwo,'saidthedetective,changinghismanner.'I'vecertainlyhadnocreditfromthecasesofar.'

'Whatstepshaveyoutaken?'

'Tangey,thecommissionaire,hasbeenshadowed.HelefttheGuardswithagoodcharacter,andwecanfindnothingagainsthim.Hiswifeisabadlot,though.Ifancysheknowsmoreaboutthisthanappears.'

'Haveyoushadowedher?'

'Wehavesetoneofourwomenontoher.Mrs.Tangeydrinks,andourwomanhasbeenwithhertwicewhenshewellon,butshecouldgetnothingoutofher.'

'Iunderstandthattheyhavehadbrokersinthehouse?'

'Yes,buttheywerepaidoff.'

'Wheredidthemoneycomefrom?'

'Thatwasallright.Hispensionwasduetheyhavenotshownanysignofbeinginfunds.'

'WhatexplanationdidshegiveofhavingansweredthebellwhenMr.Phelpsrangforthecoffee?'

'Shesaidthatherhusbandwasverytiredandshewishedtorelievehim.'

'Well,certainlythatwouldagreewithhisbeingfound,alittlelater,asleepinhischair.Thereisnothingagainstthem,then,butthewoman'scharacter.Didyouaskherwhyshehurriedawaythatnight?Herhasteattractedtheattentionofthepolice-constable.'

'Shewaslaterthanusual,andwantedtogethome.'

'DidyoupointouttoherthatyouandMr.Phelps,whostartedatleasttwentyminutesafterher,gottherebeforeher?'

'Sheexplainsthatbythedifferencebetweenabusandahansom.'

'Didshemakeitclearwhy,onreachingherhouse,sheranintothebackkitchen?'

'Becauseshehadthemoneytherewithwhichtopayoffthebrokers.'

'Shehasatleastananswerforeverything.DidyouaskherwhetherinleavinghismetanyoneorsawanyoneloiteringaboutCharlesStreet?'

'Shesawnoonebuttheconstable.'

'Well,youseemtohavecross-examinedherprettythoroughly.Whatelsehaveyoudone?'

'Theclerk,Gorot,hasbeenshadowedallthesenineweeks,butwithoutresult.Wecanshownothingagainsthim.'

'Anythingelse?'

'Well,wehavenothingelsetogoupon-noevidenceofanykind.'

'Haveyouformedanytheoryabouthowthatbellrang?'

'Well,Imustconfessthatitbearsme.Itwasacoolhand,whoeveritwas,togoandgivethealarmlikethat.'

'Yes,itwasaqueerthingtodo.Manythankstoyouforwhatyouhavetoldme.IfIcanputthemanintoyourhandsyoushallhearfromme.Comealong,Watson!'

'Wherearewegoingtonow?'Iasked,aswelefttheoffice.

'WearenowgoingtointerviewLordHoldhurst,theCabinetMinisterandfuturePremierofEngland.'

WewerefortunateinfindingthatLordHoldhurstwasstillinhischambersatDowningStreet,andonHolmessendinginhiscardwewereinstantlyshownup.Thestatesmanreceiveduswiththatold-fashionedcourtesyforwhichheisremarkable,andseatedusonthetwoluxuriouseasychairsoneithersideofthefireplace.Standingontherugbetweenus,withhisslight,tallfigure,hissharp-featured,thoughtfulface,andhiscurlinghairprematurelytingedwithgrey,heseemedtorepresentthatnottoocommontype,anoblemanwhoisintruthnoble.

'Yournameisveryfamiliartome,Mr.Holmes,'saidhe,smiling.'And,ofcourse,Icannotpretendtobeignorantoftheobjectofyourvisit.Therehasonlybeenoneoccurrenceintheseofficeswhichcouldcallforyourattention.Inwhoseinterestareyouacting,mayIask?'

'InthatofMr.PercyPhelps,'answeredHolmes.

'Ah,myunfortunatenephew!Youcanunderstandthatourkinshipmakesitthemoreimpossibleformetoscreenhiminanyway.Ifearthattheincidentmusthaveaveryprejudicialeffectuponhiscareer.'

'Butifthedocumentisfound?'

'Ah,that,ofcourse,wouldbedifferent.'

'IhadoneortwoquestionswhichIwishedtoaskyou,LordHoldhurst.'

'Ishallbehappytogiveyouanyinformationinmypower.'

'Wasitinthisroomthatyougaveyourinstructionsastothecopyingofthedocument?'

'Itwas.'

'Thenyoucouldhardlyhavebeenoverheard?'

'Itisoutofthequestion.'

'Didyouevermentiontoanyonethatitwasyourintentiontogiveoutthetreatytobecopied?'

'Never.'

'Youarecertainofthat?'

'Absolutely.'

'Well,sinceyouneversaidso,andMr.Phelpsneversaidso,andnobodyelseknewanythingofthematter,thenthethief'spresenceintheroomwaspurelyaccidental.Hesawhischanceandhetookit.'

Thestatesmansmiled.'Youtakemeoutofmyprovincethere,'saidhe.

Holmesconsideredforamoment.'ThereisanotherveryimportantpointwhichIwishtodiscusswithyou,'saidhe.'Youfeared,asIunderstand,thatverygraveresultsmightfollowfromthedetailsofthistreatybecomingknown?'

Ashadowpassedovertheexpressivefaceofthestatesman.'Verygraveresults,indeed.'

'Andhavetheyoccurred?'

'Notyet.'

'Ifthetreatyhadreached,letussay,theFrenchorRussianForeignOffice,youwouldexpecttohearofit?'

'Ishould,'saidLordHoldhurst,withawryface.

'Sincenearlytenweekshaveelapsed,then,andnothinghasbeenheard,itisnotunfairtosupposethatforsomereasonthetreatyhasnotreachedthem?'

LordHoldhurstshruggedhisshoulders.

'Wecanhardlysuppose,Mr.Holmes,thatthethieftookthetreatyinordertoframeitandhangitup.'

'Perhapsheiswaitingforabetterprice.'

'Ifhewaitsalittlelongerhewillgetnopriceatall.Thetreatywillceasetobeasecretinafewmonths.'

'Thatismostimportant,'saidHolmes.'Ofcourseitisapossiblesuppositionthatthethiefhashadasuddenillness-'

'Anattackofbrainfever,forexample?'askedthestatesman,flashingaswiftglanceathim.

'Ididnotsayso,'saidHolmes,imperturbably.'Andnow,LordHoldhurst,wehavealreadytakenuptoomuchofyourvaluabletime,andweshallwishyouagoodday.'

'Everysuccesstoyourinvestigation,bethecriminalwhoitmay,'answeredthenobleman,ashebowedusoutatthedoor.

'He'safinefellow,'saidHolmes,aswecameoutintoWhitehall.'Buthehasastruggletokeepuphisposition.Heisfarfromrich,andhasmanycalls.Younoticed,ofcourse,thathisbootshadbeenre-soled?Now,Watson,Iwon'tdetainyoufromyourlegitimateworkanylonger.Ishalldonothingmoreto-day,unlessIhaveananswertomycabadvertisement.ButIshouldbeextremelyobligedtoyouifyouwouldcomedownwithmetoWokingto-morrow,bythesametrainwhichwetookto-day.'

Imethimaccordinglynextmorning,andwetravelleddowntoWokingtogether.Hehadhadnoanswertohisadvertisement,hesaid,andnofreshlighthadbeenthrownuponthecase.Hehad,whenhesowilledit,theutterimmobilityofcountenanceofaRedIndian,andIcouldnotgatherfromhisappearancewhetherhewassatisfiedornotwiththepositionofthecase.Hisconversation,Iremember,wasabouttheBertillonsystemofmeasurements,andheexpressedhisenthusiasticadmirationoftheFrenchsavant.

Wefoundourclientstillunderthechargeofhisdevotednurse,butlookingconsiderablybetterthanbefore.Herosefromthesofaandgreeteduswithoutdifficultywhenweentered.

'Anynews?'heasked,eagerly.

'Myreport,asIexpected,isanegativeone,'saidHolmes.'IhaveseenForbes,andIhaveseenyouruncle,andIhavesetoneortwotrainsofinquiryuponfootwhichmayleadtosomething.'

'Youhavenotlostheart,then?'

'Bynomeans.'

'Godblessyouforsayingthat!'criedMissHarrison.'Ifwekeepourcourageandourpatience,thetruthmustcomeout.'

'Wehavemoretotellyouthanyouhaveforus,'saidPhelps,re-seatinghimuponthecouch.

'Ihopedyoumighthavesomething.'

'Yes,wehavehadanadventureduringthenight,andonewhichmighthaveprovedtobeaseriousone.'Hisexpressiongrewverygraveashespoke,andalookofsomethingakintofearsprangupinhiseyes.'Doyouknow,'saidhe,'thatIbegintobelievethatIamtheunconsciouscentreofsomemonstrousconspiracy,andthatmylifeisaimedataswellasmyhonour?'

'Ah!'criedHolmes.

'Itsoundsincredible,forIhavenot,asfarasIknow,anenemyintheworld.Yetfromlastnight'sexperienceIcancometonootherconclusion.'

'Prayletmehearit.'

'YoumustknowthatlastnightwastheveryfirstnightthatIhaveeversleptwithoutanurseintheroom.IwassomuchbetterthatIthoughtIcoulddispensewithone.Ihadanight-lightburning,however.Well,abouttwointhemorningIhadsunkintoalightsleep,whenIwassuddenlyarousedbyaslightnoise.Itwaslikethesoundwhichamousemakeswhenitisgnawingaplank,andIlaylisteningtoitforsometimeundertheimpressionthatitmustcomefromthatcause.Thenitgrewlouder,andsuddenlytherecamefromthewindowasharpmetallicsnick.Isatupinamazement.Therecouldbenodoubtwhatthesoundswerenow.Thefaintoneshadbeencausedbysomeoneforcinganinstrumentthroughthesiltbetweenthesashes,andthesecondbythecatchbeingpressedback.

'Therewasapausethenforabouttenminutes,asifthepersonwerewaitingtoseewhetherthenoisehadawokenme.ThenIheardagentlecreakingasthewindowwasveryslowlyopened.Icouldstanditnolonger,formynervesarenotwhattheyusedtobe.Isprangoutofbedandflungopentheshutter.Amanwascrouchingatthewindow.Icouldseelittleofhim,forhewasgonelikeaflash.Hewaswrappedinsomesortofcloak,whichcameacrossthelowerpartofhisface.OnethingonlyIamsureof,andthatisthathehadsomeweaponinhishand.Itlookedtomelikealongknife.Idistinctlysawthegleamofitasheturnedtorun.'

'Thisismostinteresting,'saidHolmes.'Pray,whatdidyoudothen?'

'IshouldhavefollowedhimthroughtheopenwindowifIhadbeenstronger.Asitwas,Irangthebellandrousedthehouse.Ittookmesomelittletime,forthebellringsinthekitchen,andtheservantsallsleepupstairs.Ishouted,however,andthatbroughtJosephdown,andherousedtheothers.Josephandthegroomfoundmarksontheflower-bedoutsidethewindow,buttheweatherhasbeensodrylatelythattheyfoundithopelesstofollowthetrailacrossthegrass.There'saplace,however,onthewoodenfencewhichskirtstheroadwhichshowssigns,theytellme,asifsomeonehadgotoverandhadsnappedthetopoftherailindoingso.Ihavesaidnothingtothelocalpoliceyet,forIthoughtIhadbesthaveyouropinionfirst.'

Thistaleofourclient'sappearedtohaveanextraordinaryeffectuponSherlockHolmes.Herosefromhischairandpacedabouttheroominuncontrollableexcitement.

'Misfortunesnevercomesingly,'saidPhelps,smiling,thoughitwasevidentthathisadventurehadsomewhatshakenhim.

'Youhavecertainlyhadyourshare,'saidHolmes.'Doyouthinkyoucouldwalkroundthehousewithme?'

'Oh,yes,Ishouldlikealittlesunshine.Josephwillcometoo?'

'AndIalso,'saidMissHarrison.

'Iamafraidnot,'saidHolmes,shakinghishead.'IthinkImustaskyoutoremainsittingexactlywhereyouare.'

Theyoungladyresumedherseatwithanairofdispleasure.Herbrother,however,hadjoinedus,andwesetoffallfourtogether.Wepassedroundthelawntotheoutsideoftheyoungdiplomatist'swindow.Therewere,ashehadsaid,marksupontheflower-bed,buttheywerehopelesslyblurredandvague.Holmesstoopedoverthemforaninstant,andthenrose,shrugginghisshoulders.

'Idon'tthinkanyonecouldmakemuchofthis,'saidhe.'Letusgoroundthehouseandseewhythisparticularroomwaschosenbytheburglar.Ishouldhavethoughtthoselargerwindowsofthedrawing-roomanddining-roomwouldhavehadmoreattractionsforhim.'

'Theyaremorevisiblefromtheroad,'suggestedMr.JosephHarrison.

'Ah,yes,ofcourse.Thereisadoorherewhichhemighthaveattempted.Whatisitfor?'

'Itistheside-entrancefortradespeople.Ofcourse,itislockedatnight.'

'Haveyoueverhadanalarmlikethisbefore?'

'Never,'saidourclient.

'Doyoukeepplateinthehouse,oranythingtoattractburglars?'

'Nothingofvalue.'

Holmesstrolledroundthehousewithhishandsinhispockets,andanegligentairwhichwasunusualwithhim.

'Bytheway,'saidhetoJosephHarrison,'youfoundsomeplace,Iunderstand,wherethefellowscaledthefence.Letushavealookatthat.'

Theyoungmanledustoaspotwherethetopofoneofthewoodenrailshadbeencracked.Asmallfragmentofthewoodwashangingdown.Holmespulleditoffandexamineditcritically.

'Doyouthinkthatwasdonelastnight?Itlooksratherold,doesitnot?'

'Well,possiblyso.'

'Therearenomarksofanyonejumpingdownupontheotherside.No,Ifancyweshallgetnohelphere.Letusgobacktothebedroomandtalkthematterover.'

PercyPhelpswaswalkingveryslowly,leaninguponthearmofhisfuturebrother-in-law.Holmeswalkedswiftlyacrossthelawn,andwewereattheopenwindowofthebedroomlongbeforetheotherscameup.

'MissHarrison,'saidHolmes,speakingwiththeutmostintensityofmanner,'youmuststaywhereyouareallday.Letnothingpreventyoufromstayingwhereyouareallday.Itisofmostvitalimportance.'

'Certainly,ifyouwishit,Mr.Holmes,'saidthegirl,inastonishment.

'Whenyougotobedlockthedoorofthisroomontheoutsideandkeepthekey.Promisetodothis.'

'ButPercy?'

'HewillcometoLondonwithus.'

'AndIamtoremainhere?'

'Itisforhissake.Youcanservehim!Quick!Promise!'

shegaveanodofassentjustastheothertwocameup.

'Whydoyousitmopingthere,Annie?'criedherbrother.'Comeoutintothesunshine!'

'No,thankyou,Joseph.Ihaveaslightheadache,andthisroomisdeliciouslycoolandsoothing.'

'Whatdoyouproposenow,Mr.Holmes?'askedoutclient.

'Well,ininvestigatingthisminoraffairwemustnotlosesightofourmaininquiry.ItwouldbeaverygreathelptomeifyoucouldcomeuptoLondonwithus.'

'Atonce?'

'Well,assoonasyouconvenientlycan.Sayinanhour.'

'Ifeelquitestrongenough,ifIcanreallybeofanyhelp.'

'Thegreatestpossible.'

'Perhapsyouwouldlikemetostaythereto-night.'

'Iwasjustgoingtoproposeit.'

'Thenifmyfriendofthenightcomestorevisitme,hewillfindthebirdflown.Weareallinyourhands,Mr.Holmes,andyoumusttellusexactlywhatyouwouldlikedone.PerhapsyouwouldpreferthatJosephcamewithus,soastolookafterme?'

'Oh,nomyfriendWatsonisamedicalman,youknow,andhe'lllookafteryou.We'llhaveourlunchhere,ifyouwillpermitus,andthenweshallallthreesetofffortowntogether.'

Itwasarrangedashesuggested,thoughMissHarrisonexcusedherselffromleavingthebedroom,inaccordancewithHolmes'ssuggestion.Whattheobjectofmyfriend'smanoeuvreswasIcouldnotconceive,unlessitweretokeeptheladyawayfromPhelps,who,rejoicedbyhisreturninghealthandbytheprospectofaction,lunchedwithusinthedinning-room.Holmeshadastillmorestartlingsurpriseforus,however,forafteraccompanyingusdowntothestationandseeingusintoourcarriage,hecalmlyannouncedthathehadnointentionofleavingWoking.

'ThereareoneortwosmallpointswhichIshoulddesiretoclearupbeforeIgo,'saidhe.'Yourabsence,Mr.Phelps,willinsomewaysratherassistme.Watson,whenyoureachLondonyouwouldobligemebydrivingatoncetoBakerStreetwithourfriendhere,andremainingwithhimuntilIseeyouagain.Itisfortunatethatyouareoldschoolfellows,asyoumusthavemuchtotalkover.Mr.Phelpscanhavethesparebedroomto-night,andIshallbewithyouintimeforbreakfast,forthereisatrainwhichwilltakemeintoWaterlooateight.'

'ButhowaboutourinvestigationinLondon?'askedPhelps,ruefully.

'Wecandothatto-morrow.IthinkthatjustatpresentIcanbeofmoreimmediateusehere.'

'YoumighttellthematBriarbraethatIhopetobebackto-morrownight,'criedPhelps,aswebegantomovefromtheplatform.

'IhardlyexpecttogobacktoBriarbrae,'answeredHolmes,andwavedhishandtouscheerilyasweshotoutfromthestation.

PhelpsandItalkeditoveronourjourney,butneitherofuscoulddeviseasatisfactoryreasonforthisnewdevelopment.

'Isupposehewantstofindoutsomeclueastotheburglarylastnight,ifaburglaritwas.Formyself,Idon'tbelieveitwasanordinarythief.'

'Whatisyouridea,then?'

'Uponmyword,youmayputitdowntomyweaknervesornot,butIbelievethereissomedeeppoliticalintriguegoingonaroundme,andthat,forsomereasonthatpassesmyunderstanding,mylifeisaimedatbytheconspirators.Itsoundshigh-flownandabsurd,butconsiderthefacts!Whyshouldathieftrytobreakinatabedroomwindow,wheretherecouldbenohopeofanyplunder,andwhyshouldhecomewithalongknifeinhishand?'

'Youaresureitwasnotahousebreaker'sjemmy?'

'Oh,noitwasaknife.Isawtheflashofthebladequitedistinctly.'

'Butwhyonearthshouldyoubepursuedwithsuchanimosity?'

'Ah!Thatisthequestion.'

'Well,ifHolmestakesthesameview,thatwouldaccountforhisaction,woulditnot?Presumingthatyourtheoryiscorrect,ifhecanlayhishandsuponthemanwhothreatenedyoulastnight,hewillhavegonealongwaytowardsfindingwhotookthenavaltreaty.Itisabsurdtosupposethatyouhavetwoenemies,oneofwhomrobsyouwhiletheotherthreatensyourlife.'

'ButMr.HolmessaidthathewasnotgoingtoBriarbrae.'

'Ihaveknownhimforsometime,'saidI,'butIneverknewhimdoanythingyetwithoutaverygoodreason,'andwiththatourconversationdriftedoffintoothertopics.

Butitwasawearydayforme.Phelpswasstillweakafterhislongillness,andhismisfortunesmadehimquerulousandnervous.InvainIendeavouredtointeresthiminAfghanistan,inIndia,insocialquestions,inanythingwhichmighttakehismindoutofthegroove.Hewouldalwayscomebacktohislosttreatywondering,guessing,speculating,astowhatHolmeswasdoing,whatstepslordHoldhurstwastaking,whatnewsweshouldhaveinthemorning.Astheeveningworeonhisexcitementbecamequitepainful.

'YouhaveimplicitfaithinHolmes?'heasked.

'Ihaveseenhimdosomeremarkablethings.'

'Butheneverbroughtlightintoanythingquitesodarkasthis?'

'Oh,yesIhaveknownhimsolvequestionswhichpresentedfewercluesthanyours.'

'Butnotwheresuchlargeinterestsareatstake?'

'Idon'tknowthat.TomycertainknowledgehehasactedonbehalfofthreeofthereigningHousesofEuropeinveryvitalmatters.'

'Butyouknowhimwell,Watson.Heissuchaninscrutablefellow,thatIneverquiteknowwhattomakeofhim.Doyouthinkheishopeful?Doyouthinkheexpectstomakeasuccessofit?'

'Hehassaidnothing.'

'Thatisabadsign.'

'Onthecontrary,Ihavenoticedthatwhenheisoffthetrailhegenerallysaysso.Itiswhenheisonascent,andisnotquiteabsolutelysureyetthatitistherightone,thatheismosttaciturn.Now,mydearfellow,wecan'thelpmattersbymakingourselvesnervousaboutthem,soletmeimploreyoutogotobed,andsobefreshforwhatevermayawaitusto-morrow.

Iwasableatlasttopersuademycompaniontotakemyadvice,thoughIknewfromhisexcitedmannerthattherewasnotmuchhopeofsleepforhim.Indeed,hismoodwasinfectious,forIlaytossinghalfthenightmyself,broodingoverthisstrangeproblem,andinventingahundredtheories,eachofwhichwasmoreimpossiblethanthelast.WhyhadHolmesremainedatWoking?WhyhadheaskedMissHarrisontostayinthesick-roomallday?WhyhadhebeensocarefulnottoinformthepeopleatBriarbraethatheintendedtoremainnearthem?IcudgelledmybrainsuntilIfellasleepintheendeavourtofindsomeexplanationwhichwouldcoverallthesefacts.

Itwasseveno'clockwhenIawoke,andIsetoffatonceforPhelps'room,tofindhimhaggardandspentafterasleeplessnight.HisfirstquestionwaswhetherHolmeshadarrivedyet.

'He'llbeherewhenhepromised,'saidI,'andnotaninstantsoonerorlater.'

Andmywordsweretrue,forshortlyaftereightahansomdasheduptothedoorandourfriendgotoutofit.Standinginthewindow,wesawthathislefthandwasswathedinabandageandthathisfacewasverygrimandpale.Heenteredthehouse,butitwassomelittletimebeforehecameupstairs.

'Helookslikeabeatenman,'criedPhelps.

Iwasforcedtoconfessthathewasright.'Afterall,'saidI,'theclueofthematterliesprobablyhereintown.'

Phelpsgaveagroan.

'Idon'tknowhowitis,'saidhe,'butIhadhopedforsomuchfromhisreturn.Butsurelyhishandwasnottieduplikethatyesterday?Whatcanbethematter?'

'Youarenotwounded,Holmes?'Iasked,asmyfriendenteredtheroom.

'Tut,itisonlyascratchthroughmyownclumsiness,'heanswered,noddinghisgoodmorningtous.'Thiscaseofyours,Mr.Phelps,iscertainlyoneofthedarkestwhichIhaveeverinvestigated.'

'Ifearedthatyouwouldfinditbeyondyou.'

'Ithasbeenamostremarkableexperience.'

'Thatbandagetellsofadventures,'saidI.'Won'tyoutelluswhathashappened?'

'Afterbreakfast,mydearWatson.RememberthatIhavebreathedthirtymilesofSurreyairthismorning.Isupposetherehasbeennoanswertomycabmanadvertisement?Well,well,wecannotexpecttoscoreeverytime.'

Thetablewasalllaid,and,justasIwasabouttoring,Mrs.Hudsonenteredwiththeteaandcoffee.Afewminuteslatershebroughtinthecovers,andwealldrewuptothetable,Holmesravenous,Icurious,andPhelpsinthegloomieststateofdepression.

'Mrs.Hudsonhasrisentotheoccasion,'saidHolmes,uncoveringadishofcurriedchicken.'Hercuisineisalittlelimited,butshehasasgoodanideaofbreakfastasaScotchwoman.Whathaveyouthere,Watson?'

'Hamandeggs,'Ianswered.

'Good!Whatareyougoingtotake,Mr.Phelps:curriedfowl,eggs,orwillyouhelpyourself?'

'Thankyou,Icaneatnothing,'saidPhelps.

'Oh,come!Trythedishbeforeyou.'

'Thankyou,Iwouldreallyrathernot.'

'Well,then,'saidHolmes,withamischievoustwinkle,'Isupposethatyouhavenoobjectiontohelpingme?'

Phelpsraisedthecover,andashedidsoheutteredascream,andsattherestaringwithafaceaswhiteastheplateuponwhichhelooked.Acrossthecentreofitwaslyingalittlecylinderofblue-greypaper.Hecaughtitup,devoureditwithhiseyes,andthendancedmadlyabouttheroom,pressingittohisbosomandshriekingoutinhisdelight.Thenhefellbackintoanarm-chair,solimpandexhaustedwithhisownemotionsthatwehadtopourbrandydownhisthroattokeephimfromfainting.

'There!There!'saidHolmes,soothingly,pattinghimupontheshoulder.'ItwastoobadtospringitonyoulikethisbutWatsonherewilltellyouthatInevercanresistatouchofthedramatic.'

Phelpsseizedhishandandkissedit.'Godblessyou!'hecried'youhavesavedmyhonour.'

'Well,myownwasatstake,youknow,'saidHolmes.'Iassureyou,itisjustashatefultometofailinacaseasitcanbetoyoutoblunderoveracommission.'

Phelpsthrustawaythepreciousdocumentintotheinnermostpocketofhiscoat.

'Ihavenotthehearttointerruptyourbreakfastanyfurther,andyetIamdyingtoknowhowyougotitandwhereitwas.'

SherlockHolmesswallowedacupofcoffeeandturnedhisattentiontothehamandeggs.Thenherose,lithispipe,andsettledhimselfdownintohischair.

'I'lltellyouwhatIdidfirst,andhowIcametodoitafterwards,'saidhe.'AfterleavingyouatthestationIwentforacharmingwalkthroughsomeadmirableSurreyscenerytoaprettylittlevillagecalledRipley,whereIhadmyteaataninn,andtooktheprecautionoffillingmyflaskandofputtingapaperofsandwichesinmypocket.ThereIremaineduntilevening,whenIsetoffforWokingagainandfoundmyselfinthehigh-roadoutsideBriarbraejustaftersunset.

'Well,Iwaiteduntiltheroadwasclear-itisneveraveryfrequentedoneatanytime,Ifancy-andthenIclamberedoverthefenceintothegrounds.'

'Surelythegatewasopen?'ejaculatedPhelps.

'YesbutIhaveapeculiartasteinthesematters.Ichosetheplacewherethethreefirtreesstand,andbehindtheirscreenIgotoverwithouttheleastchanceofanyoneinthehousebeingabletoseeme.Icroucheddownamongthebushesontheotherside,andcrawledfromonetotheother-witnessthedisreputablestateofmytrouserknees-untilIhadreachedtheclumpofrhododendronsjustoppositetoyourbedroomwindow.ThereIsquatteddownandawaiteddevelopments.

'Theblindwasnotdowninyourroom,andIcouldseeMissHarrisonsittingtherereadingbythetable.Itwasaquarterpasttenwhensheclosedherbook,fastenedtheshutters,andretired.Iheardhershutthedoor,andfeltquitesurethatshehadturnedthekeyinthelock.'

'Thekey?'ejaculatedPhelps.

'Yes,IhadgivenMissHarrisoninstructionstolockthedoorontheoutsideandtakethekeywithherwhenshewenttobed.Shecarriedouteveryoneofmyinjunctionstotheletter,andcertainlywithoutherco-operationyouwouldnothavethatpaperinyourcoatpocket.Shedepartedthen,thelightswentout,andIwasleftsquattingintherhododendronbush.

'Thenightwasfine,butstillitwasaverywearyvigil.Ofcourse,ithasthesortofexcitementaboutitthatthesportsmanfeelswhenheliesbesidethewatercourseandwaitsforthebiggame.Itwasverylong,though-almostaslong,Watson,aswhenyouandIwaitedinthatdeadlyroomwhenwelookedintothelittleproblemofthe

SpeckledBand.quarters,andIthoughtmorethanoncethatithadstopped.Atlast,however,abouttwointhemorning,Isuddenlyheardthegentlesoundofaboltbeingpushedback,andthecreakingofakey.Amomentlatertheservants'doorwasopenedandMr.JosephHarrisonsteppedoutintothemoonlight.'

'Joseph!'ejaculatedPhelps.

'Hewasbare-headed,buthehadablackcloakthrownoverhisshoulder,sothathecouldconcealhisfaceinaninstantiftherewereanyalarm.Hewalkedontiptoeundertheshadowofthewall,andwhenhereachedthewindow,heworkedalong-bladedknifethroughthesashandpushedbackthecatch.Thenheflungopenthewindowand,puttinghisknifethroughthecrackintheshutters,hethrustthebarupandswungthemopen.

'FromwhereIlayIhadaperfectviewoftheinsideoftheroomandofeveryoneofhismovements.Helitthetwocandleswhichstanduponthemantelpiece,andthenheproceededtoturnbackthecornerofthecarpetintheneighbourhoodofthedoor.Presentlyhestoopedandpickedoutasquarepieceofboard,suchasisusuallylefttoenableplumberstogetatthejointsofthegaspipes.Thisonecovered,asamatteroffact,theT-jointwhichgivesoffthepipewhichsuppliesthekitchenunderneath.Outofthishiding-placehedrewthatlittlecylinderofpaper,pusheddowntheboard,rearrangedthecarpet,blewoutthecandles,andwalkedstraightintomyarmsasIstoodwaitingforhimoutsidethewindow.

'Well,hehasrathermoreviciousnessthanIgavehimcreditfor,hasMasterJoseph.Heflewatmewithhisknife,andIhadtograsshimtwice,andgotacutovertheknuckles,beforeIhadtheupperhandofhim.Helooked"murder"outoftheonlyeyehecouldseewithwhenwehadfinished,buthelistenedtoreasonandgaveupthepapers.HavinggotthemIletmymango,butIwiredfullparticularstoForbesthismorning.Ifheisquickenoughtocatchhisbird,wellandgood!Butif,asIshrewdlysuspect,hefindsthenestemptybeforehegetsthere,why,allthebetterfortheGovernment.IfancythatLordHoldhurst,forone,andMr.PercyPhelps,foranother,wouldverymuchratherthattheaffairnevergotsofarasapolice-court.'

'MyGod!'gaspedourclient.'Doyoutellmethatduringtheselongtenweeksofagony,thestolenpaperswerewithintheveryroomwithmeallthetime?'

'Soitwas.'

'AndJoseph!Josephavillainandathief!'

'Hum!IamafraidJoseph'scharacterisaratherdeeperandmoredangerousonethanonemightjudgefromhisappearance.FromwhatIhaveheardfromhimthismorning,Igatherthathehaslostheavilyindabblingwithstocks,andthatheisreadytodoanythingonearthtobetterhisfortunes.Beinganabsolutelyselfishman,whenachancepresenteditselfhedidnotalloweitherhissister'shappinessoryourreputationtoholdhishand.'

PercyPhelpssankbackinhischair.'Myheadwhirls,'saidhe'yourwordshavedazedme.'

'Theprincipaldifficultyinyourcase,'remarkedHolmes,inhisdidacticfashion,'layinthefactoftherebeingtoomuchevidence.Whatwasvitalwasoverlaidandhiddenbywhatwasirrelevant.Ofallthefactswhichwerepresentedtous,wehadtopickjustthosewhichwedeemedtobeessential,andthenpiecethemtogetherintheirorder,soastoreconstructthisveryremarkablechainofevents.IhadalreadybeguntosuspectJoseph,fromthefactthatyouhadintendedtotravelhomewithhimthatnight,andthatthereforeitwasalikelyenoughthingthatheshouldcallforyou-knowingtheForeignOfficewell-uponhisway.WhenIheardthatsomeonehadbeensoanxioustogetintothebedroom,inwhichnoonebutJosephcouldhaveconcealedanything-youtoldusinyournarrativehowyouhadturnedJosephoutwhenyouarrivedwiththedoctor-mysuspicionsallchangedtocertainties,especiallyastheattemptwasmadeonthefirstnightuponwhichthenursewasabsent,showingthattheintruderwaswellacquaintedwiththewaysofthehouse.'

'HowblindIhavebeen!'

'Thefactsofthecase,asfarasIhaveworkedthemout,arethese:ThisJosephHarrisonenteredtheofficethroughtheCharlesStreetdoor,andknowinghiswayhewalkedstraightintoyourroomtheinstantafteryouleftit.Findingnoonetherehepromptlyrangthebell,andattheinstantthathedidsohiseyescaughtthepaperuponthetable.AglanceshowedhimthatchancehadputinhiswayaStatedocumentofimmensevalue,andinaflashhehadthrustitintohispocketandwasgone.Afewminuteselapsed,asyouremember,beforethesleepycommissionairedrewyourattentiontothebell,andthosewerejustenoughtogivethethieftimetomakehisescape.

'HemadehiswaytoWokingbythefirsttrain,and,havingexaminedhisbooty,andassuredhimselfthatitreallywasofimmensevalue,heconcealeditinwhathethoughtwasaverysafeplace,withtheintentionoftakingitoutagaininadayortwo,andcarryingittotheFrenchEmbassy,orwhereverhethoughtthatalongpiecewastobehad.Thencameyoursuddenreturn.He,withoutamoment'swarning,wasbundledoutofhisroom,andfromthattimeonwardstherewerealwaysatleasttwoofyoutheretopreventhimfromregaininghistreasure.Thesituationtohimmusthavebeenamaddeningone.Butatlasthethoughthesawhischance.Hetiredtostealin,butwasbaffledbyyourwakefulness.Youmayrememberthatyoudidnottakeyourusualdraughtthatnight.'

'Iremember.'

'Ifancythathehadtakenstepstomakethatdraughtefficacious,andthathequiterelieduponyourbeingunconscious.Ofcourse,Iunderstoodthathewouldrepeattheattemptwheneveritcouldbedonewithsafety.Yourleavingtheroomgavehimthechancehewanted.IkeptMissHarrisoninitallday,sothathemightnotanticipateus.Then,havinggivenhimtheideathatthecoastwasclear,IkeptguardasIhavedescribed.Ialreadyknewthatthepaperswereprobablyintheroom,butIhadnodesiretoripupalltheplankingandskirtinginsearchofthem.Ilethimtakethem,therefore,fromthehiding-place,andsosavedmyselfaninfinityoftrouble.IsthereanyotherpointwhichIcanmakeclear?'

'Whydidhetrythewindowonthefirstoccasion,'Iasked,'whenhemighthaveenteredbythedoor?'

'Inreachingthedoorhewouldhavetopasssevenbedrooms.Ontheotherhand,hecouldgetoutontothelawnwithease.Anythingelse?'

'Youdonotthink,'askedPhelps,'thathehadanymurderousintention?Theknifewasonlymeantasatool.'

'Itmaybeso,'answeredHolmes,shrugginghisshoulders.'IcanonlysayforcertainthatMr.JosephHarrisonisagentlemantowhosemercyIshouldbeextremelyunwillingtotrust.'

THEEND

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