New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10
THE ENGINEERS THUMB.
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

were only two which | was the means OF lhtIo-
ducing to his notice, that of Mr.. llatherley 5
thumb and that of Colonel Warburtons madness
OF these the latter may have afforded finer iicid
for an acute and original observer, but the other
was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in
its details that it may be the more worthy OF
heing placed upon record, if it gave my friend
fewer openings for those deductive methods OF
reasoning by which he achieved such remarkaole
results The story has, / believe, been told more
than once in newspapers but, like all such narra-
tives, it's effect is much less striking whch SET
forth en- bloc in a single half-column OF pIlhO
than when the facts slowly evolve before your
own eyes and the mystery clears gradually away
as each new discovery furnishes step which
leads on to the complete truth. At the time the
circumstances made deep impression upon me-
and the lapse of two years has hardly served 10
weaken the effect.
1t was in the summer of 50, not long after my
marriage. that the events occurred which / am
now about TO summarize / had returned 10 civil
practice. and had finally abandoned Holmes in
his Bakerst. rooms. although continually visited
him. and occasionally even persuaded him TO
foreco his Bohemian habits so far as to come ana
visit U.S. My practice had steadily increased ana
as l happened to live at no very great distance
from Paddington Station, l got a fcw patients
from among the officials. One of these whom
had cured of painful and lingering disease was
never weary Of advertising my virtues. ana OF
endeavoriDg to send me on every sufferer over
whom he might have any influence.
One morning. at little before o'clock, |
was awakened by the maid tapping at the door,
to announce that two men had come from Padding
ton, and were waiting in the consulting room
dressed hurriedly, for | knew by experience That
railway cases were seldom trivial, and haS'eAcd
downstairs As l descended, my old ally, the
guard, came out of the room and closed the door
tightly behind him.
1--WE got him here" he whispered Jerking ms
thumb over his shoulder: hes all right
What is it, them" I asked, for his manner
suggested that it was some strange creature winch
he had Gagged up in my room.
Its a new patient" he whispered " l thought
I'd bring him round myself; then lie couldn't
slip away. There he is all safe and sound.
must go now. doctor, have my dootles. JUS the
same as you" And off he went, this trusty tout
without even giving me time to thank him.
/ entered my consulting room, and found a
gentleman seated 10y the table He was quietly
dressed in suit Of heather tweed with soit
cloth cap. which lie had laid down upon my
books. Round one of his hands he had handker-
chief wrapped, which was notified all over with
blood stains He was young. not more than five
y,
face but he was exceedingly pale, and gave me
the impression of man who was suffering from
some strong agitation, which it took all his
strength Of mind to control
Il am sorry TO knock YOU up so early, doctor,
said he. 4" But | have had very serious accl-
dent during the night. | came in by train this
morning, and on inquirng at Paddington az 10
where might find doctor worthy fellow very
kindly escorted me here. gave the maid a card.
but see that she has left it upon the side table"
/ took it up and glanced at it. Mr. Victor
Hatherley, hydraulic engineer Ga Nictora-st.
I'D floor" That the name, style, and abode
of my morning visitor. i regret that / have
kept you waiting said !, sitting down in my
library chair. You are fresh from a night
journey, | understand. which is in itself
monotonous occupation
"Oh my night could not be called mOnOtonous"
said he, and laughed. He laughed very heartily
with a high ringing note leaning back in his
chair, and shaking his sides. All my medical
instincts rose up against that laugh.
stop it," / cried. Pull yourself together"
and poured out some water from caraffe
1t was useless, however. lie was off in one OF
those hysterica outbursts which come upon a
strong nature when some great crisis is over and
gone. Presently lie came to himself once more.
very weary and blushing hotly.
Il have been making fool of myself" he
gasped.
Not at all. Drink this I dashed some
brandy into the water, and the color began to
come back to his blOOdless checks.
That's better" said he And now. doctor,
perhaps you would kindly attend to my thumb.
or rather to the place where my thumb used to
be-"
lie unwound the handkerchief and held out his
hand II gave even my hardened nerves shudder
to look at it, There were four protruding fingers
and horrid red spongy surface where the thumb
should have been. 1t had been hacked or torn
right out from the roots.
Great heavens" / cried, this is a terrible
injury 1t must have bled considerably"
ayes, it did. tainted when it was done and
I think that must have been scnseless for a long
time. When ] came to / found that it still
bleeding, so / tied one end of my handkerchief
very tightly round the wrist, and braced it up
with twig"
Excellent! You should have been surgeon"
1T is a question of hydraulics you See and
came within my own province"
This has been DONE" said /, examining the
wound, by very heavy and sharp instrument"
a thing like cleaver," said he.
AN accident | presume?"
BY no means"
"What, q murderous attack"
"VeIy murderous, indeed"
"You horrify me-"
sponged the wound cleaned It, dressed it;
and finally covered it over with cotton wadding
and carboized bandagcs lie lay back without
wincing though lie bit his lip from time to time.
How is that?" 1 asked, when had finished.
Capital! Between your brandy and your
bandagc, l feel new man. | was very weak.
but have had good deal TO 90 through"
Perhaps you had better not speak of the
matter 1t is evidently trying to your fcrves."
"Oh, no not now | shall have TO tell my tale
TO the police: but, between ourselves. if it were
not for the convincing evidence of this wound of
mine, should he surprised if they believed my
statement, for it is very extraordinary one, and
Ill. IL E,..ith Oh