The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-27

MT. Sherlock HOln1eSs lOF So- O< lution during the years of HIT our intimacy, there were only two which l was the means of introducing to his notice-that of Mir. Hather-
 ley's thumb and that of Col. Warburton's madness. Of these the lat ter may have afforded finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so strange in its inception and so dra- matic in It's details. that 1t may be the more worthy of being placed upon record. even if 1t gave my friend fewer openings ing by which he achieved such remark able results The story has, I believe, been told more than once in the news papers. but, like all such narratives. it's effect is much less striking, when set forth en bloc in single half-column of print than when the facts slowly evolve before Jour own eyes, and the mystery clears gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads on to the complete truth. At the time the eireum- stances made a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served to weaken the effect.
 It was in the summer of 's9 pot long after my marrige that the events oc- cured which l am now about to sum marize. 1 had returned to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes and his Baker street rooms, although l con- Einually visited him and occasionally even persuaded him to forego his bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us. My practice had steadily incresed and as [ happened to live at no great distance from Paddington Station, I got a few pa- tients from among the officials One of kliese whom l had cured of painful and lingering disease, was never weary of ad- eertising my virtues and of endeayoring to send me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence.
 f One morning, at little before o'clock, I was awakened by the maid tapping at the door, to announce that two men had rome from Paddington and were waiting In the consulting rocm. I dressed hur- fedy, for I knew by experience that rail- way cases were seldom trivial, and has tened down stairs. As l descended. my bid ally. the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him.
 i've got him here" he whispered, jerk Ing his thumb over his shoulder; Ines all light"
 "What is it, then?' I asked. for his manner suggested that 1t was some ftrange creature which he had caged up In my room.
 .It's a new patient" he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all Eafe and sound. I must go now. doctor; have my dooties just the same as you.' And off he went, this trusty tout, without even giving me time to thank him.
 1 entered my consulting room and
 
 He was quietly dressed in suit of heather tweed, with soft cloth cap, which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his hands he had hand kerchief which was mottled all over with blood stains. He was young, not more than five, and twenty I should say, with h strong, masculine face; but he was ex- ceedingly pale, and gave me the impress lon of a man who suffering from some strong agitation which 1t took all his strength of mind to control.
 q am sorry to knock you up so early, doctor" said he, but I have had very serious accident during the night. I came in by train this morning. and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave the maid card but I see that she has left 1t upon fhe side table,
 took 1t LID and glanced at it. "Mr. Vic tor Hather1ey, hydraulic engineer, 16A, victoria street (3rd 1oor).'' said |, sitting down In my library chair. You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which in itself Is a monnotonous occupa- tion."
 "oh my night could not be called mo- notonous." said he, and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with high ring ing note leaning back In his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical instincts rose up against that laugh.
 "Stop iti' I cried. pull yourself to- getherr' and I poured out some water from a carafe.
 It was useless, however He was off in one of those hysterical outbursts which come upon strong nature when some great crisis is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very weary and blushing hotly.
 q have been making a 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 cheeks.
 That's better!, said he. And now doctor, perhaps you would kindly at tend to my thumb, or rather to the place where the thumb used to be-
 He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my hardened nerves shudder to look at 1t. There  rid red, spongy surface where the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the roots.
 Good heavensn' I cried, this is a ter rible injury. It must have bed consider ably.''
 Yes, 1t did. I tainted when it was done, and I think that I must have been senseless for a long time. When 1 came to I found that 1t was still bleeding so tied one end of my handkerchief very tightly round the wrist, and braced it up with twig.
 "Excellentl You should have been a surgeon"
 ''It Is a question of hydraulics. you see, and came within my own province.''
 This has been done" said l, examining the wound, "by a very heavy. sharp in- strument"
 "A thing like a cleaver." said he.
 'An accident. I presumed?'
 By no means"
 What murderous attack?"
 Very murderous indeed"
 You horrify me-
 I sponged the wound. cleaned It, dressed it., and finally covered 1t with cot ton wadding and carboized bandages. He lay back without wincing. though he bit his lip from time to time.
 How is that?' I asked, when had fin- ished
 Capital Between your brandy and your bandage. I feel new man. l was very weak, but I have had good deal to go through
 Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently trying to your nerves.'