The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-10

Shortly after my marriage I had
bought connection in the Paddlngton
district Old Mr.. Farquhar, from whom
! purchased it, had at one time an ex-
cellent general practice; but his age and
an affliction of the nature of st. Vitus
dance from which he suffered, had very
much thinned it. The public not I'M
naturally goes on the principle that he
who would heal others must himself be
whole, and looks askance at the curative
powers Of the man whose own case is
beyond the reach of his drugs. Thus,
as my predecessor weakened, his prac-
tice declined, until when I purchased
it from him it had sunk from twelve
hundred to a little more than three huh
dred year. I had confidence, however,
IN my own youth and energy and was
convinced that in a very few years the
concern would be as fourishing as ever.
For three months after taking over
the practice l was kept very closely at
work and saw little Of my friend Sher-
lock Holmes, for [ was too busy to visit
Baker street, and he, seldom went any
business. l was surprised, therefore,
when, one morning. in June, as I.sat
reading the British Medical Journal
after breakfast, I heard ring at the
bell, followed by the high, somewhat
strident tones of my old companion s
voice.
''Ah, my dear Watson,'' said he,
strldlng into the room, 81 am very de-
lighted to see you! / trust that Mrs
Watson has entirely recovered from all
the little excitements connected with
our adventure of the Sign of the Four -
''Thank you, we are both very we'll, -
said I, shaking him warmly by the
hand.
"And I hope, also,'' he continued,
sitting down in the rocking chair, "thaff
the cares of medical practice have not
entirely obliterated the interest which
you used to take in our little deductive
con the contrary I answered, cit
was only last night that [ was looking
eyer my ya old ra notfs and classifying
III trust that you don It consider your
collection closed.''
"Not at all. T should wish nothing
better than to have some more of such
experiences
"Today, for exampleq"
eyes, today, if you like.''
"And as far off as Birmingham?'
NCertainly, if you wish it,
"And the practice?'
IT do my neighbours when he goes
Re is, always ready to work off the
"Ha! nothing could be better,'' said
Holmes, leaning back in his chair and
half-closed lids. II perceive that YOU
have been unweH lately. Summer colds
are always a little trying.'
~ was confined to the house by 8
severe chill for three days last week
I thought, however: that had cast of
every trace Of it. 49,. w. .-.
robust.''
elbow. then. did you know of it,
"My dear fellow, you know my meth
ods.''
= "You deduced it, then9'
Certainly.'
"And from what?'
"From your slippers.'
I glanced down at the new patent
feathers which I was wearing "Hov
swered my question before it was asked
"Your slippers are new,' he said
"You could not have had them NOR
than a few weeks The soles which yo1
are at this moment presenting to me ar
slightly scorched. For a moment
been burned in the drying. But nea
the instep there is a small circular wafe
Of paper with the shopman hiero
glyphics upon it. Damp would Of cours
have removed this. You had, then, bee,
sitting with your feet outstretched t
the fire, which man would hardly q
even in SO wet a June as this If h
were in his full health.'
Like all Holmes reasoning, the thin
seemed simplicity itself when it wa
once explained. He read the though
upon my features and his smile had
tinge of bitterness.
II am afraid that rather give my
self away when I explain,' said hi
tFResults without causes are much NOR
DIV IN +
Birmingham, then?'
b.. "Certainly. What is the case9o
"You shall hear it all in the trai1
Ny client is outside in a four-wheele
Can you come at once?' ,..
"In an instant. I scrubbed not
to my neighbor, rushed upstairs to. e1
plain the matter to my wife, and ioine
Holmes upon the doorstep.
Co.,. "Your neighbor is a doctor,' sal
he nodding at the brass plate.
eyes, he bought a practice as
did, T.
An old-established one9'
"Just the same as mine. Both hav
been ever since the houses We're built.
. 4 Al t,t the ], you got hold of the be'
IT think I did. But how do 70
"By the steps, my boy; Yours al
worn three inches deeper than his. B1
this gentleman in the cab is my ellen
Mr.. Hall Pycroft. Allow me to intr
duce you to him. Whip your horE
up, cabby, for we have only just tin
to catch our train. - =s
The man whom found myself facin
was well built, fresh, complexiocne
Young fellow, with frank, honest fat
and a slight, crisp, yellow mustache. I
Wore a Very shiny top hat and a ne'
suit of sober black, which made hi
look what he was-a smart, young cit