Calico Classics Illustrated: Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of Baskervilles
1 Mr Sherlock Holmes I stood near the fi re examining the walking stick our visitor had left the night before Just under the uneven round head of the stick a silver band circled the fi ne wood The engraving on the band read To James Mortimer M R C S From his friends of the C C H 1884 Well Watson what do you make if it asked Mr Sherlock Holmes Holmes sat with his back to me at the breakfast table I had made no sound picking up the stick How did you do that I demanded With the help of a well-polished silver coffee pot he said But do tell me what you have concluded from your examination of the stick We missed the owner’s visit so it will be 4
interesting to see what we can learn from what he left behind I think I said carefully Dr Mortimer is an elderly country doctor who does a great deal of his visiting on foot The stick is worn The doctor is well thought of since this stick was given as a mark of appreciation Perfectly sound Holmes said Warming to my topic I added I believe he has given some medical help to a hunt club since the stick was given by the C C H I believe we will learn that the H is for Hunt Watson you excel yourself Holmes said as he pushed back his chair You have the remarkable ability to inspire genius and I am in your debt I was proud to have mastered his system of deduction Holmes rose and carried the cane to the window in order to look it over through his magnifying glass 5
Interesting though elementary he said as he settled in his favorite corner of the settee Oh did something escape me I asked I am afraid my dear Watson that when I said you inspire genius I meant that your mistakes help guide me toward the truth Though this man is certainly a country doctor who walks a great deal Then I was right To that extent he said Since he is a medical man the stick was almost certainly given to him by the Charing Cross Hospital or C C H Now what does that suggest That he practiced in town before moving to the country Certainly that but we can assume the stick was likely awarded at the time of the moving to a country practice Now since a celebrated doctor or administrator rarely moves from a thriving position to the country we might assume this was upon his moving from a position of senior student to his own practice 6
