The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Page 3

that you are one who may safely be trusted with
matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated.
This account of you we have from all quarters received. Be in your
chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear

a mask."
"This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that it
means?"
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has
data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of
theories to suit facts. But the note itself. What do you deduce from it?"
I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was
written.
"The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked,
endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper could
not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and
stiff."
"Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an English
paper at all. Hold it up to the light."
I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a large "G"
with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper.
"What do you make of that?" asked Holmes.
"The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather."
"Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 'Gesellschaft,' which is
the German for 'Company.' It is a customary contraction like our 'Co.'
'P,' of course, stands for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our
Continental Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his
shelves. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a
German-speaking country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad.
'Remarkable as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its
numerous glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you
make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue
triumphant cloud from his cigarette.

"The paper was made in Bohemia," I said.
"Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you note
the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of you we have
from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian could not have
written that. It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs. It only
remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who
writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing
his face. And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our
doubts."
As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and grating
wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes
whistled.
"A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing out of the
window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred and
fifty guineas apiece. There's money in this case, Watson, if there is
nothing else."
"I think that I had better go, Holmes."
"Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell.
And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to miss it."
"But your client--"
"Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he comes.
Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention."
A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the
passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud
and authoritative tap.
"Come in!" said Holmes.
A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches
in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich

with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad
taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and
fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was
thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and
secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming
beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were
trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of
barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He
carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the
upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black
vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for
his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of the
face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging
lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the
length of obstinacy.
"You had my