Sherlock Holmes sat down and lit his pipe " very welcome to both," said he "Pray let me have detailed account of what the circumstances are disturbed you "

" are so trivial," said Dr Trevelyan, "that really almost ashamed to mention them But the matter is so inexplicable, recent turn which it has taken is so elaborate, that lay it all , and you shall judge essential and not

" compelled, with, something own college career London University man, , and that your will not think that unduly singing my own praises if that my student career was considered by my professors very promising one After I had graduated I continued to devote myself to research, occupying minor position in King's College Hospital, and fortunate enough to excite considerable interest by my research pathology of catalepsy, and finally to win the Bruce Pinkerton prize and medal monograph on nervous lesions your friend has just alluded I go too far if I were that general impression that distinguished career lay before me

"But the one great stumbling-block lay in my want of capital readily understand, specialist who aims high is compelled to start in one of dozen streets Cavendish Square quarter, all entail enormous rents and furnishing expenses Besides this preliminary outlay, prepared himself , and to hire presentable carriage and horse quite beyond my power, and only by economy in ten years' time save enough to enable me up my plate Suddenly, however, an unexpected incident opened up quite new prospect

" visit from gentleman name of Blessington, who was complete stranger my room one morning, and plunged into business in an instant

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

"I bowed

"'Answer my frankly,' he continued, 'for it to your interest all the cleverness which makes successful man the tact ? '

" help smiling abruptness question

"'I trust that my share,'

"'Any bad habits ? Not drawn towards drink, eh ? '

"'Really, sir ! ' I cried

"'Quite right ! That's all right ! But bound to ask With all these qualities, why not in practice ? '

"I shrugged my shoulders

"'Come, come ! ' said he, bustling way 'It's the old story More in your brains than in your pocket, eh ? What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street ? '

"I stared at him in astonishment

"'Oh, it's sake, not for yours,' he cried 'I'll be perfectly frank , and suits you suit me few thousands to invest, d'ye see, and I'll sink them in you '

"'But why ? ' I gasped

"'Well, it's just like speculation, and safer than most '

"'What am I , then ? '

"'I'll tell you I'll house, furnish it, pay the maids, and run the whole place All is just to wear out your chair consulting-room I'll let pocket-money and everything Then you hand over three quarters of what you earn, and you keep the other quarter '

" the strange proposal, Mr Holmes, the man Blessington approached me I won't weary you account of how we bargained and negotiated It ended in my moving house next Lady-day, and starting in practice on the same conditions as he had suggested He cam himself to live with me character of resident patient His heart was weak, it appears, and constant medical supervision He turned the two best rooms first floor into sitting-room and bedroom for himself man of singular habits, shunning company and very seldom going out His life was irregular, but in one respect regularity itself Every evening, same hour, he walked consulting-room, examined the books, put down five and three-pence for every guinea that I had earned, and carried the rest off strong-box own room

" say with confidence that he never had occasion to regret his speculation first success few good cases reputation which I had won hospital brought me rapidly front, and few years him rich man

" , Mr Holmes, past history and my relations with Mr Blessington It only remains now you what has occurred to bring me her to-night

"Some Mr Blessington came down in, as it seemed , state of considerable agitation He spoke of some burglary which, , committed West End, and he appeared, I remember, quite unnecessarily excited , declaring that day pass before add stronger bolts to our windows and doors For week he continued in peculiar state of restlessness, peering continually windows, and ceasing to short walk which had usually been the prelude dinner manner it struck me that in mortal dread of something or somebody, but when I questioned him point he became so offensive that compelled to drop the subject Gradually, as time passed, his fears appeared to die away, and he had renewed his former habits, when fresh event reduced him pitiable state of prostration he now lies

"What happened Two I received the letter which I now read Neither address nor date is attached

"'A Russian nobleman now resident in England,' it runs, ' to avail himself professional assistance of Dr Percy Trevelyan He victim to cataleptic attacks, , as is well known, Dr Trevelyan is an authority He proposes at about quarter past six to-morrow evening, if Dr Trevelyan will make it convenient at home '

"This letter interest me deeply, because the chief difficulty study of catalepsy rareness disease believe, than, that in my consulting-room when, appointed hour, the page showed patient

an elderly man, thin, demure, and common-place--by no means the conception one forms of Russian nobleman much more struck appearance companion tall young man, surprisingly handsome, with dark, fierce face, limbs and chest of Hercules He had his hand under the other's arm entered, and helped him to chair with tenderness which one would hardly have expected appearance

"' excuse my coming in, doctor,' said he , speaking English with slight lisp ' my father, health is matter most overwhelming importance '

" touched filial anxiety ' , perhaps, care to remain during the consultation ? ' said I

"'Not world,' he cried with gesture of horror ' more painful than express If I were my father in dreadful seizures convinced that never survive it My own nervous system is an exceptionally sensitive one With your permission, remain waiting-room while you go into my father's case '