The Adventure of the Tired Captain A Sherlock Holmes Case Read Online Free PDF Page A

managed to save little of the six hundred pounds I had earned last year and we decided not to pursue that course. Setting up a new practice and supporting a wife were both expensive propositions.
    As we sat over our dessert and coffee, contented with each other’s company a concerned look passed over Mary’s face.
    “Whatever is the matter my dear? Is there something wrong with the apricot pie?”
    “John. I am positive that the man standing across the street under the lamp post is watching us.”
    I furtively glanced at the man in question. He appeared to be more interested in cleaning his fingernails with a large jackknife than in observing us. “Are you certain? Other than his choice of manicuring implements he looks harmless enough.”
    She yawned in a most unladylike manner.
    “It has indeed been a long day,” I said, embarrassed.
    She yawned again.
    “We shall make an early night of it,” I said puzzled by her behavior.
    She looked at me, exasperated. “John, you know that it is almost impossible for one not to yawn when observing somebody else do it. You, yourself just did it and the man across the street just did it twice.”
    Understanding slowly dawned on me and my wife giggled. “That is wonderful, Mary,” I said.
    “It is a little trick that Mr. Holmes once taught me.”
    “I also think that it is the same man who has been watching our house. He is dressed differently and has been to the barber but there is no mistake. See his left hand; the one which is holding the knife, you will notice he is missing the middle finger of that hand. Also notice how he limps slightly with his left leg as he paces up and down the pavement. I happened to observe that the man who was watching our house also was missing the middle finger of his left hand and he had a limp. I remember thinking that it must be a terrible hardship to push such a large cart while suffering from such an affliction.”
    “Do you not think that you could be mistaken, Mary? There might be a thousand such men in London. During my time in the Army Medical Department I had to amputate many fingers, not to mention whole arms and legs. And spending countless hours pushing a barrow has caused many a man to develop a limp.”
    “I am the daughter of an army officer,” she said in a more irritable tone than I thought the situation called for. “I know that men in war suffer terribly but there is no mistake John, this is the same man.”
    “He is certainly a most disreputable and dangerous looking person. I think perhaps I shall go out and give him a good thrashing,” I said finally convinced.
    “For what reason , John? He hasn’t actually done anything.”
    “Nothing, except to frighten my wife to within an inch of her life,” I added.
    “Let us eat our dessert and perhaps he will be gone by the time we leave,” she replied.
    In silence we finished the excellent pastry, and paid the bill. The fog had lifted and as the night was a warm one we decided to walk some of the way. There was no sign of the stranger but I could feel his presence. My years spent with Holmes had sharpened my own senses.
    It was well after dark when we arrived home and Mary decided to retire to her bed. As one of our upstairs windows faced the street I sat for a time in the darkened room hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had watched us from the pavement opposite Simpson’s. I remained there for some time staring out at the empty street until weariness overcame me, and I joined Mary in our bedroom.
    Regardless of whether or not the man was again in front of our house tomorrow morning, I resolved to speak to Holmes on the matter. Mary would surely be safe in our own home during the daylight hours.
    It was not until noon the next day before I was free to visit Baker Street. To my surprise Mrs. Hudson told me that Holmes was in and was expecting me. I could smell his pipe as I climbed the seventeen steps to his first floor chambers.
    “Watson my good fellow , pray