by Arthur Conan Doyle

[In publishing these short sketches based numerous cases my companion's singular gifts us the listeners to, and eventually the actors in, some strange drama, only natural that dwell rather upon his successes than upon his failures And this not sake reputations--for, indeed, when at his wits' end that his energy versatility were most admirable--but because where he failed it happened too often that no one else succeeded, and tale was left forever without conclusion Now and again, however, it chanced that even when he erred, the truth was still discovered noted of some half-dozen cases kind the Adventure Musgrave Ritual which about to recount are the two which present the strongest features of interest ]

Sherlock Holmes was man who seldom took exercise for exercise's sake Few men were capable of greater muscular effort, and undoubtedly finest boxers weight that ever seen; but he looked upon aimless bodily exertion as waste of energy, and he seldom bestirred himself save when some professional object served Then absolutely untiring and indefatigable That kept himself in training under such circumstances is remarkable, but his diet was usually sparest, habits were simple verge of austerity Save occasional use of cocaine, he had no vices, and he only turned drug as protest against the monotony of existence when cases were scanty papers uninteresting

One day in early spring he had so fare relaxed go for walk with me Park, where the first faint shoots of green were breaking out elms, sticky spear-heads chestnuts were just beginning to burst into their five-fold leaves For two hours we rambled about together, in silence most part, as befits two men intimately nearly five before we were back in Baker Street once more

"Beg pardon, sir," said our page-boy, as he opened the door "There's been gentleman here asking , sir "

Holmes glanced reproachfully at me " for afternoon walks ! " said he " gentleman gone, then ? "

"Yes, sir "

"Didn't you ask him in ? "

"Yes, sir; in "

"How long did he wait ? "

"Half an hour, sir very restless gentleman, sir, a-walkin' and a-stampin' all the time here waitin' outside the door, sir, and hear him At last he out passage, and he cries, ' man never goin' ? ' Those were his very words, sir 'You'll only need to wait little longer,' says I 'Then I'll wait open air, for half choked,' says he 'I'll be back before long ' And he ups and he outs, and all I wouldn't hold him back "

"Well, well, you best," said Holmes, walked into our room "It's very annoying, though, Watson badly in need of case, and this looks, man's impatience, it were of importance Hullo ! That's not your pipe table left his behind him nice old brier with good long stem of what the tobacconists call amber I wonder real amber mouthpieces in London ? Some people think that fly in sign Well, been disturbed mind to leave pipe behind him which he evidently values highly "

"How that he values it highly ? " I asked

"Well, put the original cost pipe at seven and sixpence Now it has, , been twice mended, once wooden stem and once amber Each mends, done, observe, with silver bands, cost more pipe did originally The man must value the pipe highly when he prefers to patch it up rather than buy new one same money "

"Anything else ? " I asked, for Holmes was turning the pipe about hand, and staring at it peculiar pensive way

He held it up and tapped long, thin fore-finger, as professor might who was lecturing on bone

"Pipes are occasionally of extraordinary interest," said he "Nothing has more individuality, save perhaps watches and bootlaces The indications here, however, are neither very marked nor The owner is obviously muscular man, left-handed, with an excellent set of teeth, careless habits, and with no need to practise economy "

My friend threw out the information in very offhand way, but that he cocked his eye at me if I had followed his reasoning

" man well-to-do if he smokes seven-shilling pipe," said I

" Grosvenor mixture at eightpence an ounce," Holmes answered, knocking little out palm "As he might get an excellent smoke for half the price, he has no need to practise economy "

" other points ? "

"He habit of lighting his pipe at lamps and gas-jets You quite charred all down one side match that Why should man hold match side pipe ? But light it at lamp without getting the bowl charred And all right side pipe I gather that left-handed man You hold your own pipe lamp, how naturally you, being right-handed, hold the left side flame once the other way, but not as constancy This has always been held so Then he has bitten through his amber It takes muscular, energetic fellow, and one with good set of teeth, to But if not mistaken I hear him stair, so something more interesting than his pipe to study "

An instant later our door opened, and tall young man entered the room well but quietly dressed in dark-grey suit, and carried brown wide-awake hand put him at about thirty, though really older

"I beg your pardon," said he, with some embarrassment; "I suppose knocked Yes, knocked The fact little upset, and put it all down " He passed his hand over his forehead like man half dazed, and then fell rather than sat down upon chair

" that slept for night or two," said Holmes, easy, genial way "That tries man's nerves more than work, and more even than pleasure May I ask how ? "

" your advice, sir I don't know what and my whole life seems to to pieces "

"You wish to employ me as consulting detective ? "

"Not that only your opinion as judicious man--as man world what I ought next to God you'll me "

He spoke in little, sharp, jerky outbursts, and it seemed that at all was very painful to him, his will all through was overriding his inclinations

"It's very delicate thing," said he "One like of one's domestic affairs to strangers It seems dreadful to discuss the conduct of one's wife with two men whom never seen before It's horrible But I've got end tether, and advice "

"My Grant Munro--" began Holmes

Our visitor sprang char "What ! " he cried, " my mane ? "