The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-25


 father pass the door of the waiting room, naturally thought that the con- sulaion had come to an end. It was not until we had reached home that I began to realize the true state of affairs
 We'll said I. laughing, there is no harm done except that you puzzled me terribly so if you, sir, would kind ly step into the waiting room I shall be happy to continue our consultation which was brought to so abrupt an ending
 For half an hour or so I discussed the old gentleman's symptoms with him, and then, having prescribed for of his son.
 'I have told you that MT. Blessing ton generally chose this hour of the day for his exercise. He came in shortly afterwards and passed up- stairs. An instant later I heard him running down, and he burst into my consulting room like a man who is mad with panic.
 Who has been in my room ?'' he cried.
 $ No one,' said I.
 It's a lie' he yelled. Come up and looki'
 "I passed over the grossness of his language, as he seemed half out of his mind with fear. When I went up stairs with him he pointed to several footprints upon the light carpet.
 'D'you mean to say those are mine?' he cried.
 They were certainly very much larger than any which he could have made, and were evidently quite fresh. It rained hard this afternoon, as you know, and my patients were the only people who called It must have been the case, then, that the man in the waiting room had. for some unknown reason, while I was busy with the other, ascended to the room of my resident patient Nothing had been touched or taken, but there were the footprints to prove that the intrusion was an uudoubted fact
 'NMr. BieSsing1ton seemed more ex- cited over the matter than I should have thought possible, though of bodyiS peace of mind. He actually sat crying in an armchair, and I could hardly get him to speak CO herently. It was his suggestion that should come round to you, and of course I at once saw the propriety of 1t, for certainly the incident is a very singular one, though he appears to completely overuate its importance me in my brougha1n. you would at least be able to soothe him, though I can, hardly hope that you will be able to explain this remarkable oc-,
 Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long narrative with an intent ness which showed me that his in- tereSt was keenly aroused. His face had dropped more heavily over his eyes, and his smoke had curled up more thickly from his pipe to en- phasize each curious episode in the doctors tale. As our visitor conclud- ed, Holmes sprang up without O word, handed me my hat, picked his own from the table, and followed pr. Ire velyan to the door. Within quarter T., I,a the door of the physicians residence in Brook Street, lone of those Sombre houses which one associates with a West-End practice. A small once to ascend the broad, weH-car- peted stair.
 But a. singular Interruption brought us to a standstill- The light at the from the darkness came a reedy, quavering voice.
 ''I have a pistol it cried. q give you my word that I'll fire if you come
 This really crows outrageous. MT. cried pr. Trevelyan.
 'Oh, then it is you doctor" said the voice, with a great heave of relief. ''But these other gentlemen, are they what they pretend to be?''
 We were conscious of a long scru- tiny out of the darkness.
 ''Yes, yes, it's all right" said the voice at last. You can come up, and I am sorry if my precautions have annoyed you."
 He relit the stair gas as he spoke,.l and we saw before us a singular look ing man, whose appearance, as well as his voice, testified to his tangled nerves. He was very fat, but had ap- parently at some time been much fatter so that the skin hung about his face in loose pouches, like the cheeks of a bloodhound. He was of a sickly l1H %l,S !, ed to bristle up with the intensity of his emotion. In his hand he held a pistol, but he thrust it into his pocket as we advanced.
 Good evening, Mir. Holmes," said he .'I am sure I am very much obliged to you for coming around. No one ever needed your advice more than I do. l suppose that pr. TreveI- van has told you of this most unwar- rantabIe intrusion into my rooms.''
 Quite so.'' said Holmes. ''Who are these two men. MT. Blessington, and why do they wish to molest you ?''
 Well, well,'' said the resident pa tient, in a nervous fashion, "of course expect me to answer that, MT. 
 Do you mean, that you don't know?"
 Come in here, if you please. Just have the kindness to step in here."
 He led the way into his bedroom, which was large and comfortably fur- nished.
 You see that" said he, pointing to a big black box at the end of his bed. | "I have never been .. very rich man, MT. Holmes-never made but one in vestment in my life. as pr. TreveIyan would tell you. But I don't believe in bankers. I would never trust al banker, MT. Holmes. Between our selves, what little I have is in that box, so you can understand what it means to me when unknown people force themselves into my rooms"
 Holmes looked at Blessin gton in his questioning way and shook his head
 'I cannot possibly advise you if you try to deceive me- said he.
 tBut I have told you everything.''
 Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of disgust. Goodnight, pr. Trevelyan," said he
 And no advice for me?" cried in a breaking voice.