The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-22
Part One.

OF all the problems which have been
submitted TO my friend Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes for solution during the years
of our intimacy, there were only two
which | was the means of introducing
to his notice-that of Mr.. Hatherley' 5
thumb and that of Colonel Warbur-
tons madness. OF these the latter may
have afforded a finer field for an
acute and original observer, but the
other was so strange in its inception
and so dramatic in its details, that 1t
may be the more worthy of being
placed upon record, even if it gave my
friend fewer openings for those deduc-
tive methods of reasoning by which
he achieved such remarkable results.
The story has, | believe, been told
more than once in the newspapers,
but like all such narratives, its effect
is much less striking when set forth
en- bloc in a single half-colurnn OF print
than when the facts slowly evolve be-
fore your own eyes, and the mystery
clears gradually away as each new dis
covery furnishes a step which leads on
to the complete truth. At the time
the circumstances made a deep i'm
preston upon me, and the lapse of
two years has hardly served to weak
en- the effect
1t was in the summer of SO, not
long after my marriage, that the
events occurred which | am now about
to summarize. ! had returned to civil
practice, and had finally abandoned
Holmes in his Baker street rooms, al
though | continually visited him, and
occasionally even persuaded him to
forego his Bohemian habits so far as
to come and visit us. Ny practice
had steadily increased, and as | hap
pened to live at no very great dis
lance from Paddington Station, l got
few patients from among the offic-
ials. One of these, whom | had cured
of a painful and lingering disease, was
never weary of advertising my vir-
tues, and of endeavoring to send me
on every sufferer over whom he
might have any influence.
One morning, at a little before
o'clock, | was awakened by the maid
tapping at the door, to announce that
two men had come from Paddington
and were waiting in the consulting
room. | dressed hurriedly, for
knew by experience railway cases
were seldom trivial, and FASTENED
downstairs. AS l descended, my old
ally, the guard, came out of the room
and closed the door tightly behind
| him.
I've got him here" he whispered
! jerking his thumb over his shoulder;
hes all right"
What is it, them" | asked. for his
manner suggested that it was some
. strange creature which he had cageC
! up in my room.
It's a new patient" he whispered
Il thought I'd bring him round my
self; then he couldn't slip away. There
he is, all safe and sound. | must g
now, doctor; l have my dooties, jus
the same as you" And off he went
this trusty tout, without even givins
me time to thank him.
! l entered my consulting-room AMI
found a gentleman seated by the table
He was quietly dressed in a suit o
heather tweed with a soft cloth cap
which he had laid down upon m.
books. Round one of his hands he hat
handkerchief wrapped, which wa
notified all over with blood-stains. HI
was young, not more than five-and
twenty. | should say, with a strong
masculine face; but he was exceed
sion of a man who was suffering from
some strong agitation, which it too
all his strength of mind to control.
Il am sorry to knock you up S
early, DOCTOR" said he. but l hav
had a very serious accident durin
the night. l came in by train thi
morning, and on inquiring at Padding
ton as to where I might find a doctor
worthy fellow very kindly escorte
me here. l gave the maid card, bu
l see that she has left it upon tn
side-table."
took it up and glanced at 1t. M
Victor Hatherley, hydraulic enginee
lisa, Victoria Street Esd floor" Tha
was the name. style, and abode of m
morning visitor. 81 regret that l hav
kept you waiting" said l. sitting dow
in my library-chair. You are fires
from a night journey, | understan