by Arthur Conan Doyle

One summer night, after my marriage, seated by my own hearth smoking last pipe and nodding over novel, day's work an exhausting one My wife had already gone upstairs, sound locking hall door before told me servants had also retired I had risen from my seat and was knocking out the ashes pipe when I suddenly heard the clang bell

I looked clock quarter to twelve This visitor at so late an hour patient, evidently, and possibly an all-night sitting With wry face I went out hall and opened the door To my astonishment Sherlock Holmes who stood upon my step

"Ah, Watson," said he, "I hoped that I too late to catch you "

"My dear fellow, pray come in "

"You look surprised, and no wonder ! Relieved, too, I fancy ! Hum ! You still smoke the Arcadia mixture of your bachelor days then ! There's no mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat It's easy that accustomed to wear uniform, Watson You'll never pass as pure-bred civilian as long keep that habit of carrying your handkerchief in your sleeve Could you put me up tonight ? "

"With pleasure "

"You told me that you had bachelor quarters , and that no gentleman visitor at present Your hat-stand proclaims "

" delighted stay "

" I'll fill the vacant peg then Sorry that you've had the British workman house He's token of evil Not the drains, ? "

"No, the gas "

"Ah ! He has left two nail-marks boot upon your linoleum just where the light strikes it No, , I had some supper at Waterloo, but I'll smoke pipe with pleasure "

I handed him my pouch, and he seated himself opposite and smoked for in silence well aware that nothing but business of importance brought him at such an hour, so I waited patiently until come round

" that professionally rather busy just now," said he, glancing very keenly across at me

"Yes, I've had busy day," I answered "It may seem very foolish in your eyes," I added, "but really I don't know how you deduced it "

Holmes chuckled to himself

" the advantage of knowing your habits, my dear Watson," said he "When your round is short one you walk, and when long one you use hansom As I perceive that your boots, although used, are by no means dirty, doubt that at present busy enough to justify the hansom "

"Excellent ! " I cried

"Elementary," said he " one instances where the reasoner can produce an effect which seems remarkable neighbour, because the latter has missed the one little point the basis deduction The same said, my dear fellow, effect of little sketches of your, entirely meretricious, depending as it does upon your retaining in your own hands some factors problem which are never imparted reader Now, at present position same readers, for I hold hand several threads of strangest cases which ever perplexed man's brain, and yet I lack the which are needful to complete my theory But I'll have them, Watson, I'll have them ! " His eyes kindled and slight flush sprang into his thin cheeks For an instant only When I glanced again his face had resumed that red-Indian composure which had made regard him as machine rather than man

"The problem presents features of interest," said he " even say exceptional features of interest already looked matter, come, as , within sight solution accompany me last step of considerable service "

" delighted "

"Could you go as far as Aldershot to-morrow ? "

" Jackson would take my practice "

" to start 11 10 from Waterloo "

" time "

"Then, if too sleepy, sketch of what has happened, and of what remains "

" sleepy came quite wakeful now "

" compress the story as far as without omitting anything vital case conceivable that even have read some account matter supposed murder of Colonel Barclay, Royal Munsters, at Aldershot, which investigating "

" heard nothing of it "

"It excited much attention yet, except locally The facts are only two days old Briefly these:

"The Royal Munsters is, , famous Irish regiments British army It did wonders both Crimea Mutiny, and has distinguished itself upon every possible occasion commanded Monday night by James Barclay, gallant veteran, who started as full private, was raised to commissioned rank bravery Mutiny, and so lived to command the regiment he had once carried musket

"Colonel Barclay had married when sergeant, wife, whose maiden name was Miss Nancy Devoy, daughter of former colour-sergeant same corps , therefore, as imagined, some little social friction young couple (for they were still young) found themselves in their new surroundings They appear, however, quickly adapted themselves, and Mrs Barclay has always, I understand, been as popular ladies regiment as her husband was brother officers add that she was woman of great beauty, even now, when she married for upwards of thirty years, still of striking and queenly appearance

"Colonel Barclay's family life appears uniformly happy one Major Murphy, I owe most facts, assures me that he has never heard of any misunderstanding pair whole, he thinks that Barclay's devotion wife was greater than his wife's to Barclay acutely uneasy if he were absent from her for day She, other hand, though devoted and faithful, was less obtrusively affectionate But they were regarded regiment very model of middle-aged couple absolutely nothing in their mutual relations people tragedy

"Colonel Barclay himself seems to some singular traits character dashing, jovial old solder usual mood, but there were occasions to show himself capable of considerable violence and vindictiveness This side nature, however, appears never turned towards his wife Another fact, which had struck Major Murphy and three out of five other officers I conversed, singular sort of depression which came upon him at times major expressed it, the smile had often been struck mouth, by some invisible hand, when he joining the gayeties and chaff mess-table For days on end, mood was on him, he sunk deepest gloom This and certain tinge of superstition were the only unusual traits character which his brother officers had observed The latter peculiarity took the form of dislike to being left alone, especially after dark This puerile feature in nature conspicuously manly had often given rise to comment and conjecture