Evening star., 1925-03-15
r. SHERLOCK HOLMES was

M X. SHERLOth HOIlMES was
Nn always of opinion that l
!" should publish the singular
4 facts connected with Prof.
Presbury, if only to dispel
once for all the ugly rumors which
some 20 years ago aSitated the uni
Versity and were echoed in the learned
societies of London. There were how
ever, certain obstacles in the way, and
the true history of this curious case
remained entombed in the tin box
which contained so many records
of my friends adventures.
Now we have at last obtained per
mission to ventilate the facts which
formed one of the very last cases
handled by Holmes before his retire
ment from practice. Even now a Ger
tain reticenCe and discretion have to
be observed IN laying the matter be-
fore the public.
1t was one Sunday evening early in
September of the year 1902 that | re-
ceived one of Holmes laconic mes
Sages, Come at once if convenient
If inconvenient come all the same.
s. H The relations between US in
those latter days We're peculiar. He
was a. man of habits-narrow and con-
centrated habits-and l had become
one of them. As an institution ! was
like the violin. the shag tobacco, the
others perhaps less eXcusa BILE.
When it was a case Of active work
and A. comrade was needed upon whose
nerve he could place some reliance,
my role was obvious. But apart from
this | had uses. l was "a milestone
for his mind, l stimulated him. He
liked to think aloud in my presence.
His remarks could hardly be said to
De made to me-many of them would
nave been as appropriately addressed
TO his bedstead-but none the less,
haVlng formed the habit it had be-
come in some way helpful that l
should register and interject
If L irritated him by a certain me-
thodtcat sfowness in my mentality.
that irritation served only to make
his own ftame-like intuitions and i'm
pressions flash up the more vividly
and swiftly. Such was my humble role
In our alliance.
WHEN arrived at Baker street
wv found him huddled up in his
armchair with updrawn knees. his
pipe IN his mouth and his brow fur
roWed with thought. 1t was clear
that he was in the throes of some
NeXatiouS problem. With a wave of
his hand he indicated my old arm
chair, but otherwise for half an hour
- S~'S nv SiSLL that ne was aware
OF my presence. Then with a start he
seemed to come from his reverie. and
with his usual whimsical smile he
greeted me back to what had once
been my home
You will excuse a certain abstrac-
ton of mind, my dear Watson" said
ne. some curious facts have been
submitted TO me within the last "a
hours, and they in turn have given
general character. l have serious
thoughts of writing a small mono
graph upon the uses of dogs in the
work of the detective"
But surely, Holmes, this has been
explored, said l. "Bloodhounds.-
sleuth hounds"
mo, no, Watson, that side of the
matter is, of course, obvious. But
there Is another which is far more
subtle. You may recollect that in the
case which you. in your sensational
way, coupled with the Copper Beeches,
L was able, by watching the mind of
the child, to form a deduction as to
the criminal habits of the very SNUG
and respectable father"
yes, L remember it WELL
My line of thoughts about dogs is
Analogous. A dog reflects the family
life. Who ever saw a frisky dog in a
gloomy family, or a sad dog in
happy one? Snarling people have
snarling dogs, dangerous people have
dangerous ones. And their passing
moods may reflect the passing moods
OF others"
1 shook my head. Surely, Holmes,
this is a little far-fetched"
He had refilled his pipe and re-
sumed his seat, taking no notice of
my comment.
The practical application of what
! have said is very close to the prob
lem which 1 am investigating 1t is
a tangled skein, you understand, and
I am looking for a loose end. One
possible loose end lies in the question
why does Prof. Presbury's faithful
wolf-hound Roy endeavor to bite
him."
l sank back in my chair in some
disappointment. Was it for so trivial
q question as this that l had been
summoned?
THE same old watson" said he.
FYou never learn that the gravest is
sues may depend upon the smallest
things. But it is not on the face of 1T
strange that a staid, elderly philoso-
pher-you've heard of Presbury, of
course, the famous Camford physiolo-
gist?-that such a man, whose friend
has been his devoted wolfhound,
should now have been twice attacked
by his own dog. What do you make
of it?"
The dog is ILL.,"
Well that has to be considered.
But he attacks no one else, nor does
he apparently modest his master, save
on very special occasions. Curious,
watson; very curious. But young
Mr. Bennett is before his time if that
longer chat with you before he
came."
THERE was a quick step on the
stairs, a sharp tap at the door,
and a moment later the new client
presented himself. He was a tall.
handsome youth about 80, we'll dressed
and elegant, but with something IN
his bearing which suggested the shy
ness of the student rather than the
self possession of the man of the
world. He shook hands with Holmes,
and then. looked with some surprise
At me-"
This matter is very delicate, Mr..
Holmes he said. Consider the re-
sation in which I stand to Prof.
Presbury, both privately and pub
1ioly. I really can hardly justify my
self if l speak before any third per-
SON."
Have no fear, Mr.. Bennett. Dr.
Watson is the very soul of discretion
and / can assure you that this is
matter in which 1 am very likely to
need an assistant
"As you like, Mr.. Holmes. You
will. am sure, understand my hav-
ing some reserves in the matter.
You will appreciate it, Watson,
when T fell YOU that this gentleman