by Arthur Conan Doyle

Shortly after my marriage I had bought connection Paddington district Old Mr Farquhar, from whom I purchased it, had at an excellent general practice; but his age, and an affliction nature of St Vitus's dance he suffered, had thinned it The public not unnaturally goes principle that he heal others must himself be whole, and looks askance curative powers man whose own case is beyond the reach drugs Thus as my predecessor weakened his practice declined, until when I purchased it it had sunk from twelve hundred to little more than three hundred year I had confidence, however, in my own youth and energy, and was convinced that in very few years the concern as flourishing as ever

For three months after taking over the practice kept very closely at work, and saw little friend Sherlock Holmes, for too busy to visit Baker Street, and he seldom went anywhere himself save upon professional business surprised, therefore, when, one morning in June, as I sat reading the British Medical Journal after breakfast, I heard ring bell, followed high, somewhat strident tones old companion's voice

"Ah, my dear Watson," said he, striding room, " very delighted you ! I trust that Mrs Watson has entirely recovered from all the little excitements connected adventure Sign of Four "

" , both ," said I, shaking him warmly hand

"And , also," he continued, sitting down rocking-chair, " cares of medical practice entirely obliterated the interest which you used little deductive problems "

" contrary," I answered, " only last night that looking over my old notes, and classifying past results "

"I trust that you don't consider your collection closed "

"Not at all wish nothing better than some more experiences "

"To-day, for example ? "

"Yes, to-day, like "

"And as far off as Birmingham ? "

"Certainly, it "

" practice ? "

" my neighbour's when he goes always ready to work off the debt "

"Ha ! Nothing better," said Holmes, leaning back chair and looking keenly at me from under his half closed lids "I perceive that unwell lately Summer colds are always little trying "

" confined house by sever chill for three days last week , however, that I had cast off every trace of it "

"So You look remarkably robust "

"How, then, did of it ? "

"My dear fellow, my methods "

"You deduced it, then ? "

"Certainly "

"And from what ? "

"From your slippers "

I glanced down new patent leathers which wearing "How on earth--" I began, but Holmes answered my question before asked

"Your slippers are new," " had them more than few weeks The soles which moment presenting are slightly scorched For moment they got wet and been burned drying But near the instep small circular wafer of paper shopman's hieroglyphics upon it Damp would have removed this You had, then, been sitting feet outstretched fire, which man would hardly do even in so wet June if he were full health "

Like all Holmes's reasoning the thing seemed simplicity itself when once explained He read the thought upon my features, smile had tinge of bitterness

" afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain," said he "Results without causes are much more impressive ready to Birmingham, then ? "

"Certainly the case ? "

"You shall hear it all train My client is outside in four-wheeler come at once ? "

"In an instant " I scribbled note to my neighbour, rushed upstairs to explain the matter to my wife, and joined Holmes door-step

"Your neighbour is doctor," said he, nodding brass plate

"Yes; he bought practice as "

"An old-established one ? "

"Just the same as mine Both the houses were built "

"Ah ! Then you got hold best two "

" But how ? "

" steps, my boy Yours are worn three inches deeper than his But this gentleman cab is my client, Mr Hall Pycroft Allow me to introduce you to him Whip your horse up, cabby, for only just time to catch our train "

The man whom myself facing was well built, fresh- complexioned young fellow, with frank, honest face and slight, crisp, yellow moustache He wore very shiny top hat and neat suit of sober black, which made him look what --a smart young City man, class who labelled cockneys, but who our crack volunteer regiments, and who turn out more fine athletes and sportsmen than any body of men islands His round, ruddy face was naturally full of cheeriness, but the corners mouth seemed pulled down in half-comical distress not, however, until we were all in first-class carriage and well started upon our journey to Birmingham that able to learn what the trouble was which had driven him to Sherlock Holmes

" clear run here of seventy minutes," Holmes remarked " you, Mr Hall Pycroft, my friend your very interesting experience exactly told it , or with more detail if possible of use to hear the succession of events again case, Watson, prove something , or may prove nothing, but which, , presents those unusual and outr features which are as dear Now, Mr Pycroft, interrupt you again "

Our young companion looked at me with twinkle eye

The worst story is, said he, that I show myself up as such confounded fool it may work out all right, and I don't see that done otherwise; but if lost my crib and get nothing in exchange feel what soft Johnny I'm not at telling story, Dr Watson, but like this with me"

I used billet at Coxon & Woodhouse's, of Draper's Gardens, but they were let in early spring Venezuelan loan, as you remember, and came nasty cropper I five years, and old Coxon ripping good testimonial smash came, but we clerks were all turned adrift, the twenty-seven of us I tried here and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps same lay as myself, and perfect frost I taking three pounds week at Coxon's, and I had saved about seventy , but I soon worked my way and out other end fairly end tether at last, and could hardly find the stamps to answer the advertisements or the envelopes to stick them to I had worn out my boots paddling up office stairs, and I seemed just as far from getting billet as ever

At last vacancy at Mawson & Williams's, the great stock-broking firm in Lombard Street I dare say E C much in your line, but tell you richest house in London The advertisement was answered by letter only in my testimonial and application, but without the least hope of getting it Back came an answer by return, saying that if appear next Monday take over my new duties at once, provided that my appearance was satisfactory No one knows how these things are worked Some people say manager just plunges his hand heap and takes the first that comes Anyhow my innings , and I don't ever wish better pleased The screw was pound week rise, duties just same as at Coxon's

And now I come queer part business in diggings out Hampstead way, 17 Potter's Terrace Well, sitting doing smoke that very evening after I promised the appointment, when up came my landlady with card which had "Arthur Pinner, Financial Agent," printed upon it I had never heard the name before and imagine what with me; but, , I asked her to show him up In he walked, middle-sized, dark- haired, dark-eyed, black-bearded man, with touch Sheeny about his nose He had brisk kind of way and spoke sharply, like man who knew the value

" Mr Hall Pycroft, I believe ? " said he

"Yes, sir," I answered, pushing chair towards him

"Lately engaged at Coxon & Woodhouse's ? "

"Yes, sir "

"And now staff of Mawson's "

"Quite so "

"Well," said he, "the fact heard some really extraordinary stories financial ability You remember Parker, who used Coxon's manager ? never say enough "