صفحة 16 من 657

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 note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a

strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He

looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to

address.

"Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and

colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me

in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?"

"You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman.

I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour

and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most

extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate

with you alone."