it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not much in the way of proof
with which to back it up; and, even if they believe me, the clues which
I can give them are so vague that it is a question whether justice will
be done.
Ha! cried I, if it is anything in the nature of a problem which you
desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to come to my
friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the official police.
Oh, I have heard of that fellow, answered my visitor, and I should
be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of course I must
use the official police as well. Would you give me an introduction to
him?
I ll do better. I ll take you round to him myself.
I should be immensely obliged 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 to my wife,
and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my new
acquaintance to Baker Street.
Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sitting-room in
his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of _The Times_ and smoking
his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of all the plugs and
dottles left from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried and
collected on the corner of the mantelpiece. He received us in his
quietly genial fashion, 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
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