IN the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor Medicine University London and proceeded to Netley go through course prescribed for surgeons in army. Having completed studies there was duly attached Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regiment stationed India at time before could join it second Afghan war had broken out. On landing Bombay learned that corps advanced passes already deep enemy’s country. followed however with many other officers who were same situation myself succeeded reaching Candahar safety where found regiment once entered upon new duties. campaign brought honours promotion many but me it nothing misfortune disaster. removed from brigade Berkshires whom served fatal battle Maiwand. There struck on shoulder by a Jezail bullet which shattered bone grazed subclavian artery. should have fallen into hands murderous Ghazis not been devotion courage shown Murray orderly threw across pack-horse bringing safely British lines. Worn pain weak prolonged hardships undergone removed great train wounded sufferers base hospital Peshawar. Here rallied improved so far be able walk about wards even bask little verandah when down enteric fever curse our Indian possessions. For months life despaired of last came myself became convalescent emaciated medical board determined day lost sending back England. dispatched accordingly troopship “Orontes” landed month later Portsmouth jetty health irretrievably ruined permission paternal government spend next nine attempting improve it. neither kith nor kin England therefore free air—or an income eleven shillings sixpence will permit man be. Under such circumstances naturally gravitated cesspool all loungers idlers Empire are irresistibly drained. stayed some time private hotel Strand leading comfortless meaningless existence spending money had considerably more freely than ought. So alarming did state finances become soon realized must either leave metropolis rusticate somewhere country or make complete alteration style living. Choosing latter alternative began making up mind hotel take quarters less pretentious expensive domicile. very come this conclusion standing Criterion Bar one tapped shoulder turning round recognized young Stamford dresser under Barts. sight friendly face wilderness London is pleasant thing indeed lonely man. In old days Stamford never particular crony mine now hailed him enthusiasm he his turn appeared delighted see me. exuberance joy asked lunch Holborn we started off together hansom. “Whatever you doing yourself Watson?” he undisguised wonder rattled crowded streets. “You thin lath brown nut.” gave short sketch adventures hardly concluded reached destination. “Poor devil!” said commiseratingly after listened misfortunes. “What now?” “Looking lodgings.” 3 answered. “Trying solve problem whether possible get comfortable rooms reasonable price.” “That’s strange thing” remarked companion “you to-day has used expression me.” “And first?” asked. “A fellow working chemical laboratory hospital. He bemoaning himself morning because someone halves nice found too much purse.” “By Jove!” cried “if really wants share expense am him. prefer having partner being alone.” Young looked rather strangely over wine-glass. don’t know Sherlock Holmes yet” said “perhaps would care constant companion.” “Why what there against him?” “Oh didn’t say anything queer ideas—an enthusiast branches science. As decent enough.” student suppose?” said I. “No—I no idea intends for. believe well anatomy first-class chemist but know taken out any systematic classes. His desultory eccentric amassed lot out-of-the way knowledge astonish professors.” “Did ask going for?” “No easy draw out though can communicative enough fancy seizes him.” “I like meet him” said. “If lodge anyone studious quiet habits. strong yet stand noise excitement. both Afghanistan remainder natural existence. How friend yours?” “He sure laboratory” returned companion. avoids place weeks else works night. If like shall drive luncheon.” “Certainly” answered conversation drifted away channels. made leaving few particulars gentleman proposed fellow-lodger. mustn’t blame if meeting occasionally laboratory. You arrangement hold responsible.” part company” “It seems me Stamford” added looking hard companion “that reason washing your matter. Is fellow’s temper formidable it? Don’t mealy-mouthed it.” express inexpressible” answered laugh. “Holmes scientific tastes—it approaches cold-bloodedness. imagine giving pinch latest vegetable alkaloid malevolence understand simply spirit inquiry order accurate effects. To do justice think readiness. appears passion definite exact knowledge.” “Very right too.” “Yes may pushed excess. When comes beating subjects dissecting-rooms stick certainly taking bizarre shape.” “Beating subjects!” verify how bruises produced death. saw own eyes.” student?” “No. Heaven knows objects are. But here are form impressions spoke turned narrow lane passed small side-door opened wing It familiar ground needed guiding ascended bleak stone staircase long corridor its vista whitewashed wall dun-coloured doors. Near further end low arched passage branched led This lofty chamber lined littered countless bottles. Broad tables scattered about bristled retorts test-tubes Bunsen lamps their blue flickering flames. only student room bending distant table absorbed work. At sound steps glanced sprang feet cry pleasure. “I’ve it! I’ve it” shouted running towards us test-tube hand. re-agent precipitated hoemoglobin 4 else.” Had discovered gold greater delight shone features. “Dr. Watson Mr. Holmes” introducing us. “How you?” cordially gripping hand strength given credit. Afghanistan perceive.” earth that?” astonishment. “Never mind” chuckling himself. “The question hoemoglobin. No doubt significance discovery mine?” interesting chemically doubt” “but practically——” man most practical medico-legal years. gives infallible test blood stains. Come now!” seized coat-sleeve eagerness drew working. “Let fresh blood” digging bodkin finger drawing resulting drop pipette. “Now add quantity litre water. perceive mixture appearance pure proportion cannot million. doubt obtain characteristic reaction.” vessel white crystals then added drops transparent fluid. instant contents assumed dull mahogany colour brownish dust bottom glass jar. “Ha! ha!” clapping hands child toy. delicate test” remarked. “Beautiful! beautiful! Guiacum clumsy uncertain. microscopic examination corpuscles. valueless stains hours old. Now act new. invented hundreds men walking ago paid penalty crimes.” “Indeed!” murmured. “Criminal cases continually hinging point. A suspected crime perhaps committed. linen clothes examined them. Are they stains mud rust fruit they? That puzzled expert why? Because reliable test. Now Holmes’ test longer difficulty.” eyes fairly glittered put heart bowed applauding crowd conjured imagination. congratulated” remarked surprised enthusiasm. “There case Von Bischoff Frankfort year. hung Then Mason Bradford notorious Muller Lefevre Montpellier Samson New Orleans. name score decisive.” seem calendar crime” might start paper those Call ‘Police News Past.’” interesting reading made too” Holmes sticking piece plaster prick finger. careful” continued smile “for dabble poisons good deal.” held noticed mottled similar pieces plaster discoloured acids. “We business” sitting high three-legged stool pushing another direction foot. “My diggings complaining you thought better bring together.” seemed sharing eye suite Baker Street” “which suit ground. smell tobacco hope?” always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself” enough. generally chemicals experiments. Would annoy means.” see—what shortcomings. dumps times open mouth end. sulky that. Just let alone I’ll right. What confess now? It’s just two fellows worst begin live laughed cross-examination. keep bull pup” “and object rows nerves shaken sorts ungodly hours extremely lazy. set vices I’m well principal ones present.” “Do include violin-playing category rows?” asked anxiously. depends player” well-played violin treat gods—a badly-played one——” that’s right” merry consider settled—that is agreeable you.” “When them?” “Call noon to-morrow we’ll settle everything” “All right—noon exactly” I shaking We left among chemicals walked hotel. way” suddenly stopping “how deuce Afghanistan?” My companion smiled enigmatical smile. peculiarity” people wanted finds things out.” “Oh! mystery it?” rubbing hands. “This piquant. obliged together. ‘The proper study mankind man’ know.” him then” bade good-bye. “You’ll find knotty problem though. wager learns Good-bye.” “Good-bye” strolled interested acquaintance.