The Case Begins

The September sun wasHydraulic power unitsshining brightlyHydraulic power packinto the win－dows of 221B Baker Street，and London was enjoying a beautiful late summer．I had finished my breakfast and was reading the newspaper．As usual，Holmes had got up late，and was still eating．We were expecting a visitor at half past ten，and I wondered whether Holmes would finish his breakfast be－ fore our visitor arrived．

Holmes was in no hurry．He was reading once again a letter he had received three days ago．It was from Dr James Mortimer，who asked for anHydraulic power unitsappointment with Holmes．

‘Well，Watson，’Holmes said to me，‘I'm afraid that a doc－ tor from Devonshire won't bring us anything of real interest．His letterHydraulic power packdoesn't tell us anything about his business though he says it's very important．I hope we can help him．’

At exactly half past tenHydraulic power unitsthere was a knock on our front door．