By . CONAN DOYLE

{1}

PART I

(_Being reprint reminiscences of JOHN H WATSON, M D , _late Army Medical Department ) {2}

CHAPTER I

MR SHERLOCK HOLMES

year 1878 my degree of Doctor of Medicine University of London, and proceeded to Netley course prescribed for surgeons army Having completed my studies there, duly attached Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon The regiment was stationed in India , and before join it, the second Afghan war had broken out On landing at Bombay, I learned that my corps had advanced passes, and was already deep enemy's country I followed, however, with officers who were same situation as myself, and succeeded in reaching Candahar in safety, where my regiment, and at once entered upon my new duties

The campaign brought honours and promotion to many, but it had nothing but misfortune and disaster removed from my brigade and attached Berkshires, I served fatal battle of Maiwand There struck shoulder by Jezail bullet, which shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery fallen hands murderous Ghazis had it not been devotion and courage shown by Murray, my orderly, who threw me across pack-horse, and succeeded in bringing me safely British lines

Worn with pain, and weak prolonged hardships which I had undergone, removed, with great train of wounded sufferers, base hospital at Peshawar Here I rallied, and had already improved as to walk wards, and even to bask little verandah, when struck down by enteric fever, that curse Indian possessions For months my life was despaired of, and when at last to myself and became convalescent, so weak and emaciated that medical board determined that not day lost in sending me back to England dispatched, accordingly, troopship "Orontes," and landed month later on Portsmouth jetty, with my health irretrievably ruined, but with permission from paternal government the next nine months in attempting to improve it

I had neither kith nor kin in England, and was therefore as free as air -- or as free as an income of eleven shillings and sixpence day will permit man Under such circumstances, I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers Empire are irresistibly drained There I stayed for at private hotel Strand, leading comfortless, meaningless existence, and spending such money as I had, considerably more freely than I ought So alarming did the state finances become, that I soon realized that either leave the metropolis and rusticate somewhere country, or that make complete alteration in my style of living Choosing the latter alternative, I began by making up my mind to leave the hotel, and up my quarters in some less pretentious and less expensive domicile

very day that I had come conclusion, standing Criterion Bar, when some one tapped me shoulder, and turning round I recognized young Stamford, who dresser under me at Barts The sight of friendly face great wilderness of London is pleasant thing indeed to lonely man In old days Stamford had never been particular crony , but now I hailed him with enthusiasm, and he, turn, appeared delighted me exuberance joy, I asked him to lunch with me Holborn, and we started off together in hansom

"Whatever been doing with yourself, Watson ? " he asked in undisguised wonder, rattled crowded London streets " as thin as lath and as brown as nut "

him short sketch adventures, and had hardly concluded it that we reached our destination

"Poor devil ! " , commiseratingly, after he had listened to my misfortunes " you now ? "

"Looking for lodgings " {3} I answered "Trying to solve the problem whether possible comfortable rooms at reasonable price "

"That's strange thing," remarked my companion; " the second man to-day that has used that expression "

"And who first ? " I asked

"A fellow working chemical laboratory up hospital bemoaning himself because get someone halves in some nice rooms which he had found, and which were purse "

"By Jove ! " I cried, "if he really wants someone to share the rooms expense, the very man for him prefer having partner to being alone "

Young Stamford looked rather strangely at me over his wine-glass "You don't know Sherlock Holmes yet," ; "perhaps care for him as constant companion "

"Why, what against him ? "

"Oh, I didn't say anything against him little queer ideas -- an enthusiast in some branches of science As far as decent fellow enough "

"A medical student, I suppose ? " said I

"No -- no idea what he intends in for I believe well up in anatomy, and first-class chemist; but, as far as , he has never taken out any systematic medical classes His studies are very desultory and eccentric, but he has amassed lot of out-of-the way knowledge which would astonish his professors "

"Did you never ask him what going in for ? " I asked

"No; man easy to draw out, though communicative enough fancy seizes him "

" like to meet him," "If to lodge with anyone, prefer man of studious and quiet habits not strong enough yet to stand much noise or excitement I had enough of both in Afghanistan to last me remainder natural existence How could I meet this friend of yours ? "

" sure laboratory," returned my companion "He either avoids the place for weeks, or else he works there from morning to night like, drive round together after luncheon "

"Certainly," I answered, conversation drifted away into other channels

As our way hospital after leaving the Holborn, Stamford few more particulars gentleman whom I proposed as fellow-lodger

"You mustn't blame me don't get on ," ; " nothing more of him than learned from meeting him occasionally laboratory You proposed this arrangement, so not hold me responsible "

" don't get on easy to part company," I answered "It seems , Stamford," I added, looking hard at my companion, "that some reason for washing your hands matter fellow's temper so formidable, or it ? Don't be mealy-mouthed "

" easy to express the inexpressible," he answered with laugh "Holmes is little too scientific tastes -- it approaches to cold-bloodedness imagine his giving friend little pinch latest vegetable alkaloid, not out of malevolence, you understand, but simply out of spirit of inquiry an accurate idea effects him justice, that take it himself same readiness He appears passion for definite and exact knowledge "

"Very right too "

"Yes, but it pushed to excess When it comes to beating the subjects dissecting-rooms with stick, certainly taking rather bizarre shape "

"Beating the subjects ! "

"Yes, how far bruises produced after death him at it with my own eyes "

"And yet you say medical student ? "