No. 9 The Adventure of the Resident Patient by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 9 The Adventure of the Resident Patient by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Arthur Conan Doyle

Glancing over the somewhat incoherent series Memoirs with_which I_have endeavoured illustrate few of_the mental peculiarities of_my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes, I_have_been struck by_the difficulty which I_have experienced picking out examples which shall every way answer purpose for those cases in_which Holmes has performed some tour de force analytical reasoning, and has demonstrated the value of_his peculiar methods investigation , the facts themselves have often been slight commonplace that I_could_not feel justified laying them before_the public on_the other hand , has frequently happened that has_been concerned some research where the facts have_been of_the most remarkable and dramatic character , but where the which has himself taken determining their causes less pronounced than I, his biographer , could wish the small matter which I_have chronicled under the heading "A study scarlet ," and_that other later one connected with_the loss of_the Gloria Scott, may serve examples of_this Scylla and Charybdis which are forever threatening the historian may_be that in_the business of_which I_am now about write the part which friend played is_not sufficiently accentuated ; and yet the whole train circumstances remarkable that I_cannot bring myself omit entirely from_this series

had_been , rainy day October our blinds were half - drawn , and Holmes lay curled upon_the sofa , reading and re-reading letter which had received by_the morning post for_myself , tern service India had trained stand heat better than cold , and thermometer 90 was hardship but the paper was uninteresting parliament had risen everybody was out town , and I yearned for_the glades of_the new forest the shingle Southsea depleted bank account had caused postpone holiday , and as_to companion , neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction him loved lie in_the very centre five millions people , with_his filaments stretching out and running through them , responsive every little rumour suspicion unsolved crime appreciation nature found place among his many gifts, and_his only change was when turned his mind from_the evil -doer of_the town track down his brother of_the country

Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation , I had tossed aside the barren paper , and leaning back chair , I fell into brown study suddenly companion 's voice broke upon thoughts

" you_are right , Watson," said " does seem very preposterous way settling dispute "

" most preposterous ! " I exclaimed , and then , suddenly realising how had echoed the inmost thought of_my soul , I sat chair and stared him amazement

" what_is this , Holmes ? " I cried " this_is beyond anything which I_could_have imagined "

laughed heartily perplexity

" you remember ," said , " that some little time ago, when I_read you the passage one Poe's sketches, in_which reasoner follows the unspoken thought of_his companion , you were inclined treat the matter mere tour de force of_the author remarking that i_was constantly in_the habit doing the same thing you expressed incredulity "

"Oh, ! "

" perhaps not with your tongue , dear Watson, but certainly with your eyebrows when I_saw you throw down your paper and enter upon train thought , i_was very happy to_have the opportunity reading off , and eventually breaking into_it , proof that I had_been rapport with_you "

but i_was still far from satisfied " in_the example which you read to_me ," said I, " the reasoner drew his conclusions from_the actions of_the man whom observed I remember right , stumbled over heap stones, looked at_the stars, and but I_have_been seated quietly chair , and what clews can I_have_given you ? "

" you_do yourself injustice the features are given man as_the means by_which shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants "

" do_you_mean to_say that you read train thoughts from features ? "

" your features, and especially your eyes perhaps you_cannot yourself recall how your reverie commenced ? "

" , I_cannot "

" then i_will tell you after throwing down your paper , which_was the action which drew attention to_you , you sat for half minute with vacant expression then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly - framed general Gordon , and I_saw by_the alteration your face that train thought had_been started but did_not lead very far your eyes turned across to_the unframed portrait Henry ward Beecher which stands upon_the top your books you then glanced at_the wall , and of_course your meaning was obvious you were thinking that if_the were framed would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon 's over there "

" you_have followed wonderfully ! " I exclaimed

" so_far I_could hardly have_gone astray but now your thoughts went back Beecher, and you looked hard across if_you were studying the character in_his features then your eyes ceased pucker , but you continued look across , and your face was thoughtful you were recalling the incidents Beecher's career i_was well aware that you_could_not do_this without thinking of_the mission which undertook on_behalf of_the north at_the_time of_the civil war , for I remember you expressing your passionate indignation at_the way in_which he_was received by_the more turbulent of_our people you felt strongly about_it that I_knew you_could_not think Beecher without thinking of_that also when moment later I_saw your eyes wander away from_the , I suspected that your mind had now turned to_the civil war , and when I observed that your lips set , your eyes sparkled , and your hands clinched, i_was positive that you were indeed thinking of_the gallantry which_was shown both sides in_that desperate struggle but then , again , your face grew sadder ; you shook your head you were dwelling upon_the sadness and horror and useless waste life your hand stole towards your own old wound , and smile quivered on_your lips, which showed that_the ridiculous side of_this method settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind at_this point I agreed with_you that_it_was preposterous , and was glad to_find that all deductions had_been correct "

" absolutely ! " said I " and now that you_have explained , I confess that I_am amazed before "

" it_was very superficial , dear Watson, I assure you I should_not have intruded upon your attention had you not shown some incredulity the other day but the evening has brought breeze with what do_you say ramble through London ? "

i_was weary of_our little sitting- room and gladly acquiesced for three hours strolled about together , watching the ever -changing kaleidoscope life ebbs and flows through fleet street and_the strand his characteristic talk , with its keen observance detail and subtle power inference held amused and enthralled it_was ten o'clock before reached baker street again brougham was waiting our door

" hum ! doctor 's-- general_practitioner , I perceive ," said Holmes " not been long practice , but has had good_deal to_do come consult , I fancy ! lucky came back ! "

i_was sufficiently conversant with Holmes's methods to_be_able to_follow his reasoning, and to_see that_the nature and state of_the various medical instruments in_the wicker basket which hung in_the lamplight inside the brougham had given him the data for_his swift deduction the light in_our window above showed that_this late visit was indeed intended for_us with some curiosity as_to what could_have sent brother medico to_us such hour , I followed Holmes into our sanctum

pale , taper - faced man with sandy whiskers rose from chair by_the fire as_we entered his age may not have_been more than three four and thirty, but his haggard expression and unhealthy hue told life which_has sapped his strength and robbed him of_his youth his manner was nervous and shy , like that sensitive gentleman , and_the thin white hand which laid on_the mantelpiece rose was_that artist rather than surgeon his dress was quiet and sombre--a black frock - coat , dark trousers , and touch colour about his necktie

" good - evening , doctor ," said Holmes, cheerily " I_am glad_to_see that you_have only been waiting very few_minutes "

" you spoke coachman , then ? "

" , was_the candle on_the side - table that told pray resume your seat and let know how I_can serve you "

" name doctor Percy Trevelyan," said our visitor , " and I live 403 brook street "

" are_you not the author monograph upon obscure nervous lesions ? " I asked

his pale cheeks flushed with pleasure hearing that his work was known to_me

"I seldom hear of_the work that i_thought it_was quite dead ," said " publishers gave_me most discouraging account of_its sale you_are yourself , I presume , medical man ? "

"A retired army surgeon "

" own hobby has always been nervous disease i_should wish to_make absolute speciality, but , of_course , man must take what he_can get first this , however , beside the question , Mr Sherlock Holmes, and I quite appreciate how valuable your time the fact is_that very singular train events has occurred recently house brook street , and - night they came such head that I_felt it_was quite impossible for_me wait another hour before asking for your advice and assistance "

Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe " you_are very welcome both ," said " pray let have detailed account what the circumstances are which_have disturbed you "

" one_or_two of_them are trivial ," said Dr Trevelyan, " that really I_am almost ashamed mention them but the matter inexplicable , and_the recent turn which has taken elaborate , that I_shall lay all before_you , and you shall judge what_is essential and what_is not

" I_am compelled , to_begin with , to_say something of_my own college career I_am London university man , you_know , and I_am_sure that your will not think that I_am unduly singing own praises I_say that student career was considered professors to_be very promising one after I had graduated I continued devote myself research , occupying minor position king 's college hospital , and i_was fortunate enough excite considerable interest into_the pathology catalepsy , and finally win the Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal by_the monograph nervous lesions to_which your friend has just alluded I should_not too far I were to_say that there_was general impression at_that_time that distinguished career lay before

" but the one great stumbling- block lay want capital as_you_will readily understand , specialist who aims high compelled start one dozen streets in_the Cavendish square quarter , all of_which entail enormous rents and furnishing expenses besides this preliminary outlay , he_must_be prepared to_keep himself for_some_years , and hire presentable carriage and horse to_do this_was quite beyond power , and I_could only hope_that economy I_might ten years' time save enough enable to_put plate suddenly , however , unexpected incident opened quite new prospect to_me

" this_was visit from gentleman of_the name Blessington, who was complete stranger to_me he_came up_to room one morning , and plunged into business instant

"' you_are the same Percy Trevelyan who has had distinguished career and own great prize lately ? ' said

"I bowed

"' answer frankly ,' continued , ' for you_will_find your interest to_do_so you_have all the cleverness which makes successful man have_you the tact ? '

" I_could_not help smiling at_the abruptness of_the question

"'I trust that I_have ,' I_said

"' any bad habits ? not drawn towards drink , eh ? '

"' really , sir ! ' I cried

"' quite right ! that 's all right ! but i_was bound ask with all these qualities , why are_you not practice ? '

"I shrugged shoulders

"' come , come ! ' said , in_his bustling way ' 's the old story more your brains than your pocket , eh ? what would you say I were start you brook street ? '

"I stared him astonishment

"'Oh, 's for_my sake , not for yours ,' cried 'I'll perfectly frank with_you , and if_it suits you it_will suit very_well I_have few thousands invest , d' see , and i_think I'll sink them you '

"' but why ? ' I gasped

"' well , 's just like any_other speculation , and safer than most '

"' what am I to_do , then ? '

"'I'll tell you I'll take_the house , furnish , pay the maids, and run the whole place all you_have to_do just wear out your chair in_the consulting- room I'll let pocket - money and everything then you hand over to_me three quarters what you earn , and you keep the other quarter for_yourself '

" this_was the strange proposal , Mr Holmes, with_which the man Blessington approached

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