No 9 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Of all the problems been submitted to my friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years intimacy, there were only two which I means of introducing notice--that of Mr Hatherley's thumb, of Colonel Warburton's madness the latter afforded finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details the more worthy of being placed upon record, even gave my friend fewer openings deductive methods of reasoning he achieved such remarkable results The story has, I believe, been told more than once newspapers, but, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when set forth en bloc in single half-column of print than facts slowly evolve own eyes, mystery clears gradually away as each new discovery furnishes step which leads on complete truth the circumstances made deep impression upon me, lapse of two years has hardly served to weaken the effect

summer of '89, not long after my marriage, events occurred which now about to summarise I had returned to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes Baker Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits as and visit us My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Station, I got few patients from officials , whom I had cured of painful and lingering disease, was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send me on every sufferer over whom any influence

One morning, at little before seven o'clock, awakened maid tapping door to announce that two men had come from Paddington and were waiting consulting-room I dressed hurriedly, for by experience that railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs As I descended, my old ally, the guard, came room and closed the door tightly behind him

"I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder; "he's all right "

" it, then ? " I asked, manner suggested some strange creature which he had caged up in my room

"It's new patient," he whispered " I'd bring him round myself; then he couldn't slip away There , all safe and sound go now, Doctor; my dooties, just the same " And off he went, this trusty tout, without even giving me time to thank him

I entered my consulting-room and found gentleman seated table quietly dressed in suit of heather tweed with soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books Round one hands he had handkerchief wrapped, mottled all over with bloodstains young, not more than five-and-twenty, say, with strong, masculine face; but exceedingly pale and the impression of man who was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his strength of mind to control

" sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but very serious accident during the night in by train , and on inquiring at Paddington where find doctor, worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here the maid card, but that she has left it side-table "

it up and glanced at it " Mr Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, 16A Victoria Street (3d floor) " That name, style, and abode morning visitor " that kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair " fresh from night journey, I understand, in itself monotonous occupation "

"Oh, my night called monotonous," said he, and laughed He laughed very heartily, with high, ringing note, leaning back chair and shaking his sides All my medical instincts rose up against that laugh

"Stop it ! " I cried; "pull yourself together ! " and I poured out some water from caraffe

useless, however off in one hysterical outbursts which come upon strong nature when some great crisis is over and gone Presently to himself once more, very weary and pale-looking

" making fool of myself," he gasped

"Not at all Drink this " I dashed some brandy water, colour began back bloodless cheeks

"That's better ! " said he "And now, Doctor, perhaps kindly attend to my thumb, or rather place where my thumb used "

He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand It gave even my hardened nerves shudder to look at it There were four protruding fingers and horrid red, spongy surface where the thumb It hacked or torn right out roots

"Good heavens ! " I cried, " terrible injury It bled considerably "

"Yes, it did I fainted when it , and that been senseless When to still bleeding, so I tied one end handkerchief very tightly round the wrist and braced it up with twig "

"Excellent ! You surgeon "

" question of hydraulics, , and came within my own province "

"This ," said I, examining the wound, "by very heavy and sharp instrument "

"A thing like cleaver," said he

"An accident, I presume ? "

"By no means "

"What ! murderous attack ? "

"Very murderous indeed "

"You horrify me "

I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages He lay back without wincing, though he bit his lip

"How ? " I asked when I had finished

"Capital ! Between your brandy and your bandage, new man very weak, but through "

"Perhaps you had better not speak matter evidently trying to your nerves "

"Oh, no, not now my tale police; but, between ourselves, convincing evidence wound , surprised believed my statement, is very extraordinary one, and much way of proof to back it up; and, even believe me, the clews which give them are so vague question whether justice "

"Ha ! " cried I, " anything nature of problem which solved, strongly recommend you to my friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes, go official police "

"Oh, heard fellow," answered my visitor, "and if matter up, though use the official police Would you an introduction to him ? "

"I'll do better I'll take you round to him myself "

" immensely obliged "

"We'll call cab and go together just be little breakfast feel equal ? "

"Yes; feel easy until told my story "

"Then my servant will call cab, and in an instant " I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wife, and in five minutes was inside hansom, driving with my new acquaintance to Baker Street

Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sitting room dressing-gown, reading the agony column Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, composed of all the plugs and dottles left smokes day before, all carefully dried and collected corner mantelpiece He received us quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in hearty meal When concluded he settled our new acquaintance sofa, placed pillow beneath his head, and laid glass of brandy and water within his reach

" easy that your experience no common one, Mr Hatherley," said he "Pray, lie down there and make yourself absolutely at home Tell us what , but stop tired and keep up your strength with little stimulant "

" ," said my patient "but felt another man doctor bandaged me, and that your breakfast has completed the cure take up as little of your valuable time as possible, so start at once upon my peculiar experiences "

Holmes sat big armchair weary, heavy-lidded expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and we listened in silence strange story which our visitor detailed