The Washington times., 1905-05-07
Copyright. 1893. by A Conan Doyle,
Copyright. 1894. by Harper & Brothers)

Shortly after my marriage I had
bought a connection in the Paddington
district. Old MIR. Farqukar from whom
l purchased 1t, had at one time an
excellent general practice; but his age.
and an affIiction Of the nature OF St.
yitusS dance. from which he suffered,
had very much thinned it. The public
not unnaturally goes on the principle
that he who would heal others must
himself be whole, and looks askance at
she curative powers OF the man whose
own case is beyond the reach of his
drugs Thus as my predecessor weak
ened, his practice declined, until when
I purchased it from him it had sunk
from twelve hundred to little more than
three hundred year. l had confidence,
however. IN my own youth and energy,
and was convinced that IN very few
years the concern would be as flourish
ing as ever.
For three months after taking over
the practice I was kept very closely at
work. and saw little OF my friend Sher-
lock Holmes, for / was too busy 10 visit
Baker street, ard he seldom went any
where himself save upon professional
business. | WAS surprised. therefore,
when, one morning in June, as 1 sat
ter breakfast. l heard the ringing of
The bal1 followed by The high, somewhat
strident tones Of nay old companion $
voice.
"Ali. my dear Watson" said he strid-
ing into the room, Il am very delight
ed 10 see you. trust that Mrs Watson
has entirely recovered from all the lit
tie excitements connected with our adj
venture of the Sign of the Four
Thank you, we are both very well. -
said I. shaking him warmly by the hand.
And / hope, a1so.'' he continued, sit
ting down in the rocking chair, that
the cares of medical practice have not
entirely obliterated the interest which
you used TO take in our little deductive
problems
's0n the contrary" I anwered, sit was
only last night that I was looking over
my old notes, and classifying some of
our past results
81 trust that you don't consider your
collection closed"
better than TO have some more Of such
experiences.
To-day, for eNample?''
eyes. today, If you like"
And as far off as Birmingham?
Certainly, If you wish it,
And tie practice?"
81 do rsly neighbor's when he goes. He
is always ready to work off the debt. ''
''Ha! nothing could be better" said
Holmes, leaning back in his chair and
looking keenly at me from under his
haf-elosed Ids. Il perceive that you
have been unweli lately. Summer colds
are always little trying
II was confined TO the house by a Sc
we're chill for three days last week. l
thought. however, that I had cast off
every trace of it
so you have. You look remarkably
robust
How, then. did you know of it?"
MY dear fellow, you know my math-
DDS"
"You deduced it. them"
Certainly"
And from what?"
Prom your slippers
/ glanced down at the new patent
feathers which I was wearing. How
on earth l began, but Holmes an
swered my question before 1t was ask
ed.
Your slippers are new" he said
You could not have had them more
than q few weeks. The soles which
you are at this moment presenting TO
me are slightly scorched. For a mo-
znent / though they might have go wet
and been burned IN the drying But
nAar las iastep there is q small circuls<