The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-24
Part One


Shortly after my marriage I had
bought connection in the Paddington
district Old Mr.. Farquhar, from
whom I purchased it, had at one time
an excellent general practice; but his
age, and an affliction of the nature of
st. Vitus's dance from which he suf-
fered, 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 the curative powers
of the man whose own case is beyond
the reach OF his drugs. Thus as my
predecessor weakened his practice de-
clined, until when | purchased it from
him it had sunk from twelve hundred
10 little more than three hundred a
year / had confidence, however, in
my own youth and energy, and was
convinced that in a very few years the
cnocern would be as f1ourishing as
ever.
For three months after taking over
the practice 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 anywhere himself save upon pro-
fessional business | was surprised,
therefore, when, one morning in June,
as | sat reading the British Medical
Journal after breakfast, heard a ring
at the bell, followed by the high, some
what strident tones of my old compan-
ions voice
'Ah, my dear Watson" said he,
striding into the room, Il am very de-
lighted to see you! l trust that Mrs.
Watson is we'll"
Thank you, we are both very WELL"
said !, shaking him warmly by the
hand.
And hope. also" he continued, sit
ting down in the rockingham that
the cares of medical practice have not
entirely obliterated the interest which
you used to take in our little deductive
problems"
'On the contrary" I answered. at
was only last night that I was looking
over my old notes, and classifying
some of our past results"
i trust that you don't consider your
collection closed"
Not at all. | should wish nothing
better than to have some more of such
experiences"
Today, for example?'
Yes. today. if you like"
And as far off as Birmingham"
Certainly, if you wish it,"
And the practice?"
i do my neighbours 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
half-closed lids. Il perceive that you
have been unwell lately. Summer colds
are always little trying"
Il was confined to the house by
severe chill for three days last week.
] thought, however, that had cast off
every trace of it."
so you have. You look remarkably
robust"
How, then, did you know of it?"
Ny dear fellow, you know my
methods"
You deduced it, them"
Certainly"
And from WHAT"
From your slippers
| glanced down at the new patent
feathers which I was wearing. How
on earth" | began, but Holmes an.
sWered my question before it was
asked.
AOdi SiippCIS dIE new, ne Sd1Q.
You could not have had them more
than few weeks. The soles which
YOU are at this moment presenting to
me are slightly scorched. For a mo-
ment | thought they might have got
wet and been burned in the drying.
But near the instep there is a small
circular wafer of paper with the shop
mans hierogryphics upon it. Damp
would of course have removed this
You had, then, been sitting with your
feet outstretched to the fire, which
man would hardly do even in so wet
June as this if he were in his full
health"
Like all Holiness reasoning the
thing seemed simplicity itself when it
was once explained He read the
thought upon my features, and his
smile had a tinge of bitterness.
Il am afraid that I rather give my
self away when | explain" said he.
Results without causes are much
more impressive. You are ready to
come 70 Birmingham, them"
Certainly. What is the case?"
You shall hear it all in the train.
My client is outside in four-wheeler.
Can you come at once?"
In an instant" I scrubbed a note
to my neighbor, rushed upstairs to ex-
plain the matter to my wife, and
Joined Holmes upon the doorstep.