The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-26

tied one end of my handkerchief very
tightly round the wrist, and braced it
up with a twig.''
-'EExcellent! You should have been
surgeon"
cit is question Of hydraulics, you
see and came within my own prov
ince.'
''This Las been done,'' said I, exam
lining the wound, "by very heavy
and sharp instrument
GA thing like cleaver,' said he.
I'Ar accident, / presumef'
"By no means. #
"Whatta murderous attackS'
every murderous, indeed.'
"You horrify me-
I sponged the wound, cleaned it,
dressed it and finally covered it over
with cotton wadding and carbollzed
bandages. He lay back without win
cling, though he bit his lip from time
to time. 49,
. Chow is that7" I asked, when I had
finished. ~. 1850
"Capital Between your brandy and
your bandage, I feel a new man: !
was very weak, but l have had good
deal to 60 through
"Perhaps you had better not speak
Of the matter. It is evidently trying
to your nerves. -a.. =.
TOh no, not now. T shall have to
tell my tale to the police; but, between
ourselves, if it were not for the con-
vincing evidence of this wound OF mine
| should be surprised If they belleved
my statement; for it is very extraor-
binary one, and I have not much in the
way of proof with which to back 1t up;
and, even if they believe me, the cleWs
which / can give them are so vague that
it is question whether justice will be
done.'
NHa!n cried I, eff it is anything in
the nature of problem which you de-
sire to see solved, should strongly rec
ommend you to come to my friend, MI.
Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the
official police. :,
answered nv visitor, "and I should
be very glad if he would take the mat
official police as well. Would you give
me an introduction to him?'
"I'U do better. I'll take you round
II should be immensely obliged tc
you
We shall just be in time to nave
little breakfast with him. DO you rec
equal to it7'' =,
eyes; I shall not feel easy until
have told my story
"Then my servant will call a cab ant
| I shall be with you in an instant.
| I rushed upstairs, explained the matter
shortly to my wife, and in five minutes
was inside a hanson, driving with my
new acquaintance to Baker street.
| Sherlock Holmes was, as l expected
lounging about his sitting room IN HI
umn of the Times and smoking his be
fore-breakfast pipe, which was com
! posed of all the plugs and dottels LET
! from his smokes Of the day before
all carefully dried and collected on thu
! corner Of the mantelpiece. He received
us in his quietly genial fashion, OF
dered fresh rashers and eggs and Jolne(
us in a hearty meal. When it was con
Guided he settled our new aequai1nt
meath his head and laid a glass o
brandy and water within his reach.
:'It is easy to see that your expert
ence has been no common one, MI
Hatherley, said he. "Pray, lie dow
there and make yourself absolutely a
home. Tell us what you can, but sto
when you are tired and keep up you
strength with little stimulant. -
"Thank you,'',, said my patient, . bu
tor bandaged me, and [ think tina
your breakfast has completed the cure
1 shall take up as little Of your valu
able time as possible, so shall star
at once upon my peculiar experiences.
Holmes sat in his big armchair wit
the weary, heavy-lidded expressio
which yelled his keen and eager na
ture, while I sat opposite to him, an
story which our visitor detailed to- us.
WYou must know,' said he, "tha
T am an orphan and a bachelor, resit
ing alone in lodgings in London. B
profession I am an hydraulic enginee
and 1 have had considerable eXperlenc
Of my work during the seven years tina
I was apprenticed to Venner & Math'
, son, the well-known firm, of Greer
witch. Two years ago, having serve s
my time, and having also come INT
fathers death, determined to sta
,, in business for myself, and took pr
fessional chambers in Victoria street:
t 81 suppose that every one finds n
3 first independent start in business
dreary experience. To me it has bee
exceptionally so. During two years
). have had three consultations and OF
:, small job, and that is absolutely a
t that my profession has brought m
+, Ny gross takings amount to t27 II
Every day, from nine in the morni1
|
n in my little den, until at last my hea
h began to sink, and I came to belle
that I should never have any practi
y at all.
!. Yesterday, however, just as W
thinking Of leaving the office, Il
4 clerk entered to say there was a ge
tleman waiting who wished to see I
e upon business He brought up a cal
= too, with the name of HColonel Lysa
d der Stark engraved upon it. Close
his heels came the colonel himself,
man rather over the middle size, b
of an exceeding thinness. [ do n
# think that have ever seen so tn
r. a man. His whole face sharpen
% away into nose and chin, and the SIX
&C. of his cheeks was drawn avn quite a+ ter y
g emaciation seemed to be his natur
habit, and due to no disease, for his e
Il was bright, his step brisk and his be-
c. ing assured. He was plainly but nea'
G, dressed, and his age, I should judi
would be nearer 40 than 80.
{" Mr.. Hatherley9' said he, W
y something of German accent. Y
have been recommended to me, \
ID Hatherley, as being man who is I
"a only proficient in his profession, but
\ also discreet and capable Of preservi
secret
~ bowed, feeling as fattered as a
I'd young man would at such an addre
" MAY I ask who it was who gave me
y good character9'
le * well. perhaps it is better that
u should not tell you that just at t
I'd source that you are both an Orphan a
~ a bachelor, and are residing alone
it. London.