The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-03

n district. Old Mr.. Farquhar, from
.hom purchased it, had at one time
excellent general practice: but his
age. and an affection of the nature OF
6, yitus's dance from which he sui
<o.,d had very much thinned it. The
n,,hric not unnaturally goes on the
arincinle that he who would heal
pptbprs must himself be whole, and
.oots askance at the curative powers
IF the man whose own case is beyond
tba reach of his drugs Thus as my
nredecessor weakened his practice de-
fcIfned. until when I purchased at
trnrn him it had sunk from twelve
bnndred TO little more than three hum
drad = wear. I had confidence, how
ever. in my own youth and energy,
and was convinced that in a very few
~aors the concern would be as flourish
ing as ever.
For three months after taking over
the practice l was kept very closely
AT work. and saw little Of my friend
Sherlock Holmes, for / was too busy
70 visit Baker Street, and he seldom
went anywhere himself a V upon pro-
fessi0nal business. I was surprised,
therefore. when. one morning in June
as I sat reading the British Medical
Journal after breakfast, I heard a ring
at the bell, followed by the high.
somewhat strident tones Of my old
companions voice.
"Ah, my dear WATSON said he,
striding into the room, Il am very
delighted to see you. [ trust that
Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered
from all the little excitements con-
nected with our adventure Of the
Sign Of Four
THANK you, we are both very WELL"
said I, shaking him warmly by the
hand.
And [ hope. Also" he continued,
sitting down in the rocking-chair,
''that the cares of medical practice
have not entirely obIiterated the in
terest which you used to take in our
little deductive problems"
"On the contrary" I answered, sit
was only last night hat / was looking
over my old notes, and classifying
some Of our past results"
Il trust h you don't consider your
collection closed
Not at all. I should wish nothing
better than to have some more of
such experiences
To-day, for example?"
Yes. today, if you ike"
And as far off as Birmingham"
certainly, If You wish it."
And the praCtice?'
L w lily uCiSI1DoI . ~ItCO iC SoCo.
He Is always ready to work Off the
debt"
"Hat nothing could be better" said
Holmes, leaning back in his chair and
looking keenly at me from under his
half-closed lids 81 perceive that you
have been unwell lately. Summer colds
are always a little trying"
Il was confined to the house by a
severe chill for three days last week.
/ thought however that had east
OF every rae of it."
SO you have. You look remarkably
robust"
How, then, did you know of it,"
My dear fellow, you know my
methods"
You deduced it. them"
Certainly"
And from what
From your slippers"
glanced down at the patent
feathers which ! was wearing. How
on earth / began, but Holmes an
sWered my question before it was
asked.
Your slippers are new he said.
You could not have had them more
you are at this moment presenting &c
me are slightly scerched. Flo a mo-
ment L thought they might nave got
Wet and been burned in the drying
but near the instep there is a small
circular wafer of paper with the
Shopnnan's hierogfyphics upon It
ramp would Of course have removed
th4S, You had, then. been sitting with
your feet outstretched to the fire
winch a man would hardly do eve
III so wet a June as this if he were
IN MS full health"
Lake all of Holmes reasoning the
lhing seemed simplicity itself when i
was once explained. He read the
tNousht upon my features. and his
smile had a tinge Of bitterness.
l am afraid that I rather give my.
SFiI away when I expIaiE,' aid he
NeSults Tithcut causes are much
ndore Trrcssive. You are rea1y t.
~ome to birmingham, them"
certainly. What is the case?"
iou shall hear 1t all in the train.
~ cllent is outside in a four-wheeler
AN you come at once?
III an instant" 1 scrubbed a mote
ny neighbor, rushed upstairs to ex.
bfosf1 Thn ~ n ~ y - Tf dnC