“The paper was made in Bohemia,” I said.

“Precisely.  And the man who wrote the note is a German.  Do you note the peculiar construction of the sentence—­’This account of you we have from all quarters received.’  A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that.  It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs.  It only remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face.  And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts.”

As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses’ hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell.  Holmes whistled.

“A pair, by the sound,” said he.  “Yes,” he continued, glancing out of the window.  “A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties.  A hundred and fifty guineas apiece.  There’s money in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else.”

“I think that I had better go, Holmes.”

“Not a bit, Doctor.  Stay where you are.  I am lost without my Boswell.  And this promises to be interesting.  It would be a pity to miss it.”

“But your client—­”

“Never mind him.  I may want your help, and so may he.  Here he comes.  Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention.”

A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door.  Then there was a loud and authoritative tap.

“Come in!” said Holmes.

A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules.  His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste.  Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl.  Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance.  He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered.  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?”