I thought, at any rate, that I should call you and give you the chance." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him.

I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room.

A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the window, rose as we entered.
"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily.

"My name is Sherlock Holmes.

This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr.Watson, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself.