The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 37 (1/2)
”What! a murderous attack?”
”Very ed the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages He lay back without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time
”How is that?” I asked when I had finished
”Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new o through”
”Perhaps you had better not speak of theto your nerves”
”Oh, no, not now I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not much in the way of proof hich to back it up; and, even if they believe ue that it is a question whether justice will be done”
”Ha!” cried I, ”if it is anything in the nature of a problely recommend you to coo to the official police”
”Oh, I have heard of that fellow,” answered lad if he would take the h of course I ive me an introduction to him?”
”I'll do better I'll take you round to hied to you”
”We'll call a cab and go together We shall just be in time to have a little breakfast with him Do you feel equal to it?”
”Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story”
”Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an instant” I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly towith my new acquaintance to Baker Street
Sherlock Hol-rooony colu his before-breakfast pipe, which was cos and dottles left from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the enial fashi+on, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal
When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of brandy and water within his reach
”It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Mr Hatherley,” said he ”Pray, lie down there and make yourself absolutely at home Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant”
”Thank you,” said my patient, ”but I have felt another ed me, and I think that your breakfast has completed the cure I shall take up as little of your valuable time as possible, so I shall start at once uponarmchair with the weary, heavy-lidded expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opposite to hie story which our visitor detailed to us
”You must know,” said he, ”that I as in London By profession I aineer, and I have had considerable experience ofthe seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Matheson, the well-known fir served h my poor father's death, I determined to start in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Street
”I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in business a dreary experience Totwo years I have had three consultations and one small job, and that is absolutely all that s a until four in the afternoon, I waited in an to sink, and I came to believe that I should never have any practice at all
”Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the office,ished to see ht up a card, too, with the naraved upon it Close at his heels came the colonel hi thinness I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones Yet this emaciation seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured He was plainly but neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than thirty
”'Mr Hatherley?' said he, with so of a German accent