Chapter 1. Mr. Sherlock Holmes

iting-cardafterwaitinganhourinyourroom.” “Andthedog?” “Hasbeeninthehabitofcarryingthisstickbehindhismaster.Beingaheavystickthedoghasheldittightlybythemiddle,andthemarksofhisteethareveryplainlyvisible.Thedog’sjaw,asshowninthespacebetweenthesemarks,istoobroadinmyopinionforaterrierandnotbroadenoughforamastiff.Itmayhavebeen—yes,byJove,itisacurly-hairedspaniel.” Hehadrisenandpacedtheroomashespoke.Nowhehaltedintherecessofthewindow.TherewassucharingofconvictioninhisvoicethatIglancedupinsurprise. “Mydearfellow,howcanyoupossiblybesosureofthat?” “FortheverysimplereasonthatIseethedoghimselfonourverydoor-step,andthereistheringofitsowner.Don’tmove,Ibegyou,Watson.Heisaprofessionalbrotherofyours,andyourpresencemaybeofassistancetome.Nowisthedramaticmomentoffate,Watson,whenyouhearastepuponthestairwhichiswalkingintoyourlife,andyouknownotwhetherforgoodorill.WhatdoesDr.JamesMortimer,themanofscience,askofSherlockHolmes,thespecialistincrime?Comein!” Theappearanceofourvisitorwasasurprisetome,sinceIhadexpectedatypicalcountrypractitioner.Hewasaverytall,thinman,withalongnoselikeabeak,whichjuttedoutbetweentwokeen,greyeyes,setcloselytogetherandsparklingbrightlyfrombehindapairofgold-rimmedglasses.Hewascladinaprofessionalbutratherslovenlyfashion,forhisfrock-coatwasdingyandhistrousersfrayed.Thoughyoung,hislongbackwasalreadybowed,andhewalkedwithaforwardthrustofhisheadandageneralairofpeeringbenevolence.AsheenteredhiseyesfelluponthestickinHolmes’shand,andherantowardsitwithanexclamationofjoy.“Iamsoveryglad,”saidhe.“IwasnotsurewhetherIhadleftithereorintheShippingOffice.Iwouldnotlosethatstickfortheworld.” “Apresentation,Isee,”saidHolmes. “Yes,sir.” “FromCharingCrossHospital?” “Fromoneortwofriendsthereontheoccasionofmymarriage.” “Dear,dear,that’sbad!”saidHolmes,shakinghishead. Dr.Mortimerblinkedthroughhisglassesinmildastonishment.“Whywasitbad?” “Onlythatyouhavedisarrangedourlittledeductions.Yourmarriage,yousay?” “Yes,sir.Imarried,andsoleftthehospital,andwithitallhopesofaconsultingpractice.Itwasnecessarytomakeahomeofmyown.” “Come,come,wearenotsofarwrong,after