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I had already noticed the peculiarities of the typewriter , and I wrote to the man himself at his business address asking him if he would come here . As I expected , his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but characteristic defects . The same post brought me a letter from Westhouse & Marbank , of Fenchurch Street , to say that the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé , James Windibank . Voilà tout ! ” “ And Miss Sutherland ? ” “ If I tell her she will not believe me . You may remember the old Persian saying , ‘ There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cub , and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman . ’ There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace , and as much knowledge of the world . ” IV . THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY We were seated at breakfast one morning , my wife and I , when the maid brought in a telegram . It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way : “ Have you a couple of days to spare ? Have just been wired for from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy . Shall be glad if you will come with me . Air and scenery perfect . Leave Paddington by the 11 : 15 . ” “ What do you say , dear ? ” said my wife , looking across at me . “ Will you go ? ” “ I really don’t know what to say . I have a fairly long list at present . ” “ Oh , Anstruther would do your work for you . You have been looking a little pale lately . I think that the change would do you good , and you are always so interested in Mr . Sherlock Holmes ’ cases . ” “ I should be ungrateful if I were not , seeing what I gained through one of them , ” I answered . “ But if I am to go , I must pack at once , for I have only half an hour . ” My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller . My wants were few and simple , so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab with my valise , rattling away to Paddington Station . Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and down the platform , his tall , gaunt figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey travelling - cloak and close - fitting cloth cap . “ It is really very good of you to come , Watson , ” said he . “ It makes a considerable difference to me , having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely . Local aid is always either worthless or else biassed . If you will keep the two corner seats I shall get the tickets . ” We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of papers which Holmes had brought with him . Among these he rummaged and read , with intervals of note - taking and of meditation , until we were past Reading . Then he suddenly rolled them all into a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack . “ Have you heard anything of the case ? ” he asked .
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