The Crooked Man

           Onesummernight,afewmonthsaftermymarriage,Iwasseatedbymyownhearthsmokingalastpipeandnoddingoveranovel,formyday’sworkhadbeenanexhaustingone.Mywifehadalreadygoneupstairs,andthesoundofthelockingofthehalldoorsometimebeforetoldmethattheservantshadalsoretired.IhadrisenfrommyseatandwasknockingouttheashesofmypipewhenIsuddenlyheardtheclangofthebell.

           Ilookedattheclock.Itwasaquartertotwelve.Thiscouldnotbeavisitoratsolateanhour.Apatientevidently,andpossiblyanall-nightsitting.WithawryfaceIwentoutintothehallandopenedthedoor.TomyastonishmentitwasSherlockHolmeswhostooduponmystep.

           "Ah,Watson,"saidhe,"IhopedthatImightnotbetoolatetocatchyou."

           "Mydearfellow,praycomein."

           "Youlooksurprised,andnowonder!Relieved,too,Ifancy!Hum!YoustillsmoketheArcadiamixtureofyourbachelordays,then!There’snomistakingthatfluffyashuponyourcoat.It‘seasytotellthatyouhavebeenaccustomedtowearauniform,Watson.You’llneverpassasapure-bredcivilianaslongasyoukeepthathabitofcarryingyourhandkerchiefinyoursleeve.Couldyouputmeupto-night?"

           "Withpleasure."

           "Youtoldmethatyouhadbachelorquartersforone,andIseethatyouhavenogentlemanvisitoratpresent.Yourhat-standproclaimsasmuch."

           "Ishallbedelightedifyouwillstay.