by Arthur Conan Doyle

The ideas friend Watson, though limited, are exceedingly pertinacious he has worried me to write an experience own Perhaps rather invited this persecution, since often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures "Try it yourself, Holmes ! " he has retorted, and compelled to admit that, having taken my pen in my hand, begin to the matter presented as may interest the reader The following case can hardly fail , strangest happenings in my collection though it chanced that Watson had no note of it collection Speaking old friend and biographer, take this opportunity to remark that if I burden myself with companion in my various little inquiries done out of sentiment or caprice, but it Watson has some remarkable characteristics own modesty he small attention amid his exaggerated estimates own performances confederate who foresees your conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one each development comes as perpetual surprise, and the future is always closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate

from my notebook in January, 1903, just conclusion Boer War, that I had my visit from Mr James M Dodd, big, fresh, sunburned, upstanding Briton The good Watson had deserted me for wife, the only selfish action which recall association alone

my habit to sit with my back window and my visitors opposite chair, where the light falls full upon them Mr James M Dodd seemed somewhat at loss how the interview attempt to help him, silence more time for observation found it wise to impress clients with sense of power, and so him some conclusions

"From South Africa, sir, I perceive "

"Yes, sir," he answered, with some surprise

"Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy "

"Exactly "

"Middlesex Corps, "

" so Mr Holmes, wizard "

I smiled at his bewildered expression

"When gentleman of virile appearance enters my room tan upon his face as an English sun could never give, and handkerchief sleeve instead of pocket, difficult him You wear short beard, which shows that you regular the cut of riding-man Middlesex, your card has already shown me that stockbroker from Throgmorton Street What other regiment would you join ? "

" everything "

" no more than you, but trained myself to notice what However, Mr Dodd, not to discuss the science of observation that you called upon me happening at Tuxbury Old Park ? "

" Mr Holmes -- ! "

"My , no mystery Your letter came heading, and fixed this appointment in very pressing terms clear that something sudden and important had occurred "

"Yes, indeed But the letter was written afternoon, and has happened since then If Colonel Emsworth kicked me out --"

"Kicked you out ! "

"Well, that was what it amounted to hard nail, is Colonel Emsworth The greatest martinet Army day, and day of rough language, too I couldn't have stuck the colonel for Godfrey's sake "

I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair

"Perhaps explain what talking about "

My client grinned mischievously

"I had got way of supposing that everything without being told," said he "But the facts, and to God that me what they mean I've been awake all night puzzling my brain, more the more incredible does it become

"When I joined up in January, 1901 -- just two -- young Godfrey Emsworth had joined the same squadron Colonel Emsworth's only son -- Emsworth the Crimean V C -- and he had the fighting blood in him, so no wonder he volunteered not finer lad regiment We formed friendship -- the sort of friendship which can only be made when one lives the same life and shares the same joys and sorrows my mate -- means Army We took the rough smooth together for year of hard fighting Then hit with bullet from an elephant gun action near Diamond Hill outside-Pretoria I got one letter hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton Since then not word -- not one word, Mr Holmes, for six months and more, and he my closest pal

"Well, war was over, and we all got back, father and asked where Godfrey was No answer I waited bit and then again I had reply, short and gruff Godfrey had gone on voyage round the world, and not likely that back for year That was all

"I wasn't satisfied, Mr Holmes The whole thing seemed so damned unnatural good lad, and drop pal like that not like him Then, again, I happened that heir to lot of money, and also that his father and always hit it off too well The old man was sometimes bully, and young Godfrey had spirit to stand it No, I wasn't satisfied, and I determined that get root matter It happened, however, that my own affairs needed lot of straightening out, after two years' absence, and so only this week that up Godfrey's case again But since taken it up I mean to drop everything it through "

Mr James M Dodd appeared the sort of person whom it better as friend than as an enemy His blue eyes were stern square jaw had set hard as he spoke

"Well, what done ? " I asked

"My first move was down home, Tuxbury Old Park, near Bedford, and how the ground lay mother, therefore -- I had had quite enough curmudgeon of father -- and clean frontal attack: Godfrey was my chum, I had great deal of interest which tell her common experiences, neighbourhood, would there be any objection, et cetera ? In reply I had quite an amiable answer from her and an offer me up night That was what took me down on Monday

"Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible -- five miles from anywhere no trap station, so I had to walk, carrying my suitcase, and nearly dark before I arrived great wandering house, standing in considerable park judge of all sorts of ages and styles, starting on half-timbered Elizabethan foundation and ending in Victorian portico Inside all panelling and tapestry and half-effaced old pictures, house of shadows and mystery butler, old Ralph, who seemed same age house, and his wife, who older She Godfrey's nurse, and I had heard him speak of her as second only mother affections, so drawn to her of her queer appearance The mother I liked also -- gentle little white mouse of woman only the colonel himself whom I barred