第2期:奇怪的病人(2)

It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the events occurred which I am now about to summarize. I had returned to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Street rooms,

although I continually visited him and occasionally even persuaded him to forego his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Station,

I got a few patients from among the officials. One of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease,

was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock,

I was awakened by the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs.

As I descended, my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him. I've got him here, he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder; he's all right.

What is it, then? I asked, for his manner suggested that it was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. It's a new patient, he whispered. I thought I'd bring him round myself; then he couldn't slip away.

There he is, all safe and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the same as you. And off he went, this trusty tout, without even giving me time to thank him.