"My first feeling, as just said, was one of pity and horror My second, , was rather one of professional satisfaction notes patient's pulse and temperature, tested the rigidity muscles, and examined his reflexes nothing markedly abnormal in any conditions, which harmonised with my former experiences I had obtained good results cases inhalation of nitrite of amyl, present seemed an admirable opportunity of testing its virtues The bottle was downstairs in my laboratory, so leaving my patient seated chair, I ran down it some little delay in finding it--five minutes, --and then I returned Imagine my amazement the room empty patient gone

" , my first act was to run waiting-room The son had gone also The hall door closed, but not shut My page who admits patients is new boy and by no means quick He waits downstairs, and runs show patients out when I ring the consulting-room bell He had heard nothing, affair remained complete mystery Mr Blessington cam in walk shortly afterwards, but anything to him , for, the truth, got way of late of holding as little communication as possible

"Well, I never thought that I anything more Russian son, so imagine my amazement when, very same hour this evening, they both came marching into my consulting-room, just had done before

"' that I owe you apologies abrupt departure yesterday, doctor,' said my patient

"'I confess that surprised at it,' said I

"'Well, the fact is,' he remarked, 'that when I recover attacks my mind is always very clouded all that has gone before I woke up in strange room, as it seemed , and made my way out street in sort of dazed way were absent '

"'And I,' said the son, 'seeing my father pass the door waiting-room, naturally thought consultation had come to an end not until we had reached home that I began to realise the true state of affairs '

"'Well,' said I, laughing, ' no harm done except that you puzzled me terribly; so , sir, would kindly step waiting-room happy our consultation brought to so abrupt an ending '

"'For half an hour or so I discussed that old gentleman's symptoms , and then, having prescribed for him, him go off arm son

" told you that Mr Blessington generally chose this hour day exercise in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs An instant later I heard him running down, and he burst into my consulting-room like man mad with panic

"'Who in my room ? ' he cried

"'No one,' said I

"'It's lie ! He yelled 'Come up and look ! '

"I passed over the grossness language, as half out mind with fear When I went upstairs he pointed to several footprints light carpet

"'D'you mean those are mine ? ' he cried

"They were certainly larger than any which he made, and were evidently quite fresh It rained hard this afternoon, , and my patients were the only people who called It must the case, then, man waiting-room had, for some unknown reason, while busy other, ascended room resident patient Nothing touched or taken, but there were the footprints intrusion was an undoubted fact

" Mr Blessington seemed more excited over the matter than thought possible, though enough to disturb anybody's peace of mind He actually sat crying in an arm-chair, and hardly get him coherently his suggestion that come round , and I at once saw the propriety of it, for certainly the incident is very singular one, though he appears to completely overtake its importance only come back with me in my brougham, to soothe him, though hardly to explain this remarkable occurrence "

Sherlock Holmes had listened long narrative with an intentness which showed me that his interest was keenly aroused His face was as impassive as ever, but his lids had drooped more heavily over his eyes, smoke had curled up more thickly pipe to emphasise each curious episode doctor's tale As our visitor concluded, Holmes sprang up without word, handed me my hat, picked his own table, and followed Dr Trevelyan door Within quarter of an hour we dripped door physician's residence in Brook Street, one sombre, flat-faced houses which one associates with West-End practice small page admitted us, and we began at once to ascend the broad, well-carpeted stair

But singular interruption brought us to standstill The light top was suddenly whisked out, and darkness came reedy, quivering voice

" pistol," it cried "I my word that I'll fire come any nearer "

"This really grows outrageous, Mr Blessington," cried Dr Trevelyan

"Oh, then you, doctor," said the voice, with great heave of relief "But those other gentlemen, are they what they pretend ? "

We were conscious of long scrutiny darkness

"Yes, yes, it's all right," said the voice at last " come up, and sorry precautions have annoyed you "

He relit the stair gas as he spoke, and we saw singular-looking man, whose appearance, as his voice, testified jangled nerves very fat, but had apparently at been much fatter, so skin hung about his face in loose pouches, like the cheeks of blood-hound of sickly colour, thin, sandy hair seemed to bristle up intensity emotion hand he held pistol, but he thrust it into his pocket advanced

"Good-evening, Mr Holmes," said he " obliged for coming round No one ever needed your advice more than I suppose that Dr Trevelyan has told you most unwarrantable intrusion into my rooms "

"Quite so," said Holmes " these tow men Mr Blessington, and why do they wish to molest you ? "

"Well, well," said the resident patient, in nervous fashion, " hard that hardly expect me to answer that, Mr Holmes "

" that you don't know ? "

"Come in here, please Just have the kindness to step in here "

He led the way into his bedroom, large and comfortably furnished

" that," said he, pointing to big black box end bed " never been very rich man, Mr Holmes--never made but one investment in my life, as Dr Trevelyan would tell you But I don't believe in bankers never trust banker, Mr Holmes Between ourselves, what little is box, so understand what it means when unknown people force themselves into my rooms "

Holmes looked at Blessington questioning way and shook his head

" possibly advise you try to deceive me," said he

"But told you everything "

Holmes turned heel with gesture of disgust "Good-night, Dr Trevelyan," said he

"And no advice ? " cried Blessington, in breaking voice

"My advice to your, sir, is the truth "

minute later we were street and walking for home We had crossed Oxford Street and were half way down Harley Street before get word from my companion

"Sorry to bring you out fool's errand, Watson," at last " an interesting case, too, bottom of it "

" make little of it," I confessed