by Arthur Conan Doyle

"It can't hurt now," was Mr Sherlock Holmes's comment when, tenth time in years, I asked his leave to reveal the following narrative So it at last I obtained permission on record , in some ways, the supreme moment friend's career

Both Holmes and I had weakness Turkish bath over smoke pleasant lassitude drying-room that found him less reticent and more human than anywhere else upper floor Northumberland Avenue establishment an isolated corner where two couches lie side by side, and that we lay upon September 3, 1902, the day when my narrative begins I had asked him whether anything was stirring, and for answer he had shot his long, thin, nervous arm sheets which enveloped him and had drawn an envelope inside pocket coat which hung beside him

"It some fussy, self-important fool; it matter of life or death," said he as he handed me the note " no more than this message tells me "

Carlton Club and dated the evening before what :

Sir James Damery presents his compliments to Mr Sherlock Holmes and will call upon him at 4:30 to-morrow Sir James begs matter he desires to consult Mr Holmes is very delicate and also He trusts, therefore, that Mr Holmes will make every effort to grant this interview, confirm it over the telephone Carlton Club

" not say that confirmed it, Watson," said Holmes as I returned the paper " anything man Damery ? "

"Only name is household word in society "

"Well, tell you little more than that He has rather reputation for arranging delicate matters which are kept papers remember his negotiations with Sir George Lewis over the Hammerford Will case man world with natural turn for diplomacy bound, therefore, to hope not false scent he has some real need assistance "

"Our ? "

"Well, so good, Watson "

" honoured "

"Then the hour -- 4:30 Until then put the matter out heads "

living in my own rooms in Queen Anne Street , but round at Baker Street time named Sharp half-hour, Colonel Sir James Damery was announced hardly necessary to describe him, for many will remember that large, bluff, honest personality, that broad, cleanshaven face, and, above all, that pleasant, mellow voice Frankness shone gray Irish eyes, and good humour played round his mobile, smiling lips His lucent top-hat, his dark frock-coat, indeed, every detail, pearl pin black satin cravat lavender spats over the varnished shoes, spoke meticulous care in dress famous The big, masterful aristocrat dominated the little room

" , prepared Dr Watson," he remarked with courteous bow "His collaboration very necessary, for dealing occasion, Mr Holmes, with man violence is familiar and , literally, stick at nothing say no more dangerous man in Europe "

" several opponents that flattering term applied," said Holmes with smile "Don't you smoke ? Then excuse me if I light my pipe If your man is more dangerous late Professor Moriarty, or living Colonel Sebastian Moran, then indeed worth meeting May I ask his name ? "

" ever heard of Baron Gruner ? "

"You mean the Austrian murderer ? "

Colonel Damery threw up his kid-gloved hands with laugh " no getting past you, Mr Holmes ! Wonderful ! So already sized him up as murderer ? "

" my business the details of Continental crime possibly have read what happened at Prague any doubts man's guilt ! purely technical legal point suspicious death of witness that saved him ! as sure that he killed his wife socalled 'accident' happened Splugen Pass I had seen him , also, that he had come to England and had presentiment that sooner or later find me some work Well, what has Baron Gruner been ? I presume this old tragedy come up again ? "

"No, more serious than that To revenge crime is important, but more so terrible thing, Mr Holmes, dreadful event, an atrocious situation, preparing itself eyes, to clearly understand whither lead and yet utterly unable to avert it Can human being be placed in more trying position ? "

"Perhaps not "

"Then sympathize client in whose interests acting "

" understand that you were merely an intermediary the principal ? "

" Mr Holmes, beg you not to press that question important that able to assure him that his honoured name in no way dragged matter His motives are, last degree, honourable and chivalrous, but he prefers to remain unknown not say that your fees assured given perfectly free hand Surely the actual name of your client is immaterial ? "

" sorry," said Holmes " accustomed mystery at one end cases, but it at both ends is too confusing , Sir James, that decline to act "

Our visitor was greatly disturbed His large, sensitive face was darkened with emotion and disappointment

"You hardly realize the effect of your own action, Mr Holmes," said he "You place me in most serious dilemma for perfectly certain that proud over the case if the facts, and yet promise forbids me from revealing them all May I, , lay all that ? "

"By all means, understood that I commit myself to nothing "

" understood first place, heard of General de Merville ? "

"De Merville of Khyber fame ? Yes, heard of him "

"He has daughter, Violet de Merville, young, rich, beautiful, accomplished, wonder-woman in every way It daughter, this lovely, innocent girl, whom endeavouring to save clutches of fiend "

"Baron Gruner has some hold over her, then ? "

"The strongest of all holds where woman is concerned -- the hold of love The fellow is, heard, extraordinarily handsome, with most fascinating manner gentle voice air of romance and mystery to woman said the whole sex at his mercy and to ample use fact "

"But how came such man to meet lady standing of Miss Violet de Merville ? "

" on Mediterranean yachting voyage The company, though select, paid their own passages the promoters hardly realized the Baron's true character until too late The villain attached himself lady, and effect that he has completely and absolutely won her heart that she loves him hardly expresses it She dotes upon him, obsessed by him Outside of him nothing on earth She will not hear one word against him Everything to cure her of her madness, but in vain To sum up, she proposes to marry him As of age and has will of iron, hard how her "

"Does she know Austrian episode ? "

"The cunning devil has told her every unsavoury public scandal past life, but always as himself out an innocent martyr She absolutely accepts his version and will listen to no other "

"Dear me ! But surely inadvertently let out the name of your client ? General de Merville "

Our visitor fidgeted chair