The September sun was shining brightly into the windows 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 an appointment 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 letter doesn't tell us anything about his business though he says it's very important.I hope we can help him.'

At exactly half past ten there was a knock on our front door.

'Good,'said Holmes.'Dr Mortimer is clearly a man who will not waste our time.'

We stood up as our visitor was brought into the room.

'Good morning,gentlemen,'he said.'I'm Dr James Mor timer,from Grimpen in Devonshire,and I think you must be Mr Sherlock Holmes.'He shook hands with Holmes,who said:

'How do you do,Dr Mortimer?May I introduce my good friend,Dr John Watson,who helps me with my cases.I hope you will allow him to listen to our conversation.'

'Of course,'said Mortimer,as he turned to me and shook hands.'I need your help very badly,Mr Holmes.If it will be useful for Dr Watson to hear what I have to say,please let him stay and listen.'

Mortimer did not look like a country doctor.He was very tall and thin.He had a long thin nose.His grey eyes were bright,and he wore gold glasses.His coat and trousers were old and worn.His face was young,but his shoulders were bent like an old man's and his head was pushed forward.He took some pa pers from his pocket,and said:

'Mr Holmes,I need your help and advice.Something very strange and frightening has been happening.'

'Sit down,Dr Mortimer,'said Holmes,'and tell us your problem.I'll help you if I can.'

9月的陽光明媚地照進(jìn)了貝克街221號B門的窗戶里，整個倫敦都在享受晚夏的美好時光。我已吃過早餐，此時正在看報紙。福爾摩斯同往常一樣，總是很晚才起床。他這時正在進(jìn)餐。我們正等待著一位預(yù)約好要在10點(diǎn)半時前來拜訪的客人；我不知道福爾摩斯在客人到來之前是否吃得完他的早餐。

福爾摩斯并不匆忙行事。他又看了一遍三天之前收到的那封來信。這是詹姆斯·摩梯末醫(yī)生寫來的。他請求能夠約個時間和福爾摩斯見次面。

“啊，華生，”福爾摩斯對我講道，“恐怕德文郡的這位醫(yī)生是不會給我們帶來任何有趣的事情的。雖然他說事情舉足輕重，但是他的信中并未說明他的來意。我希望我們能夠幫他的忙。”

正好10點(diǎn)半時，有人敲了敲我們的前門。

“嘿，”福爾摩斯道，“摩梯末醫(yī)生顯然并非一位即將浪費(fèi)我們時間的人?！?/p>

當(dāng)客人被帶進(jìn)屋時，我們起身迎接了他。

“早上好，先生們?！彼v道，“我是詹姆斯，摩梯末醫(yī)生，是從德文郡的格林盆來的；我想您一定就是歇洛克·福爾摩斯先生了。”他與福爾摩斯握了握手，福爾摩斯道：

“您好嗎，摩梯末醫(yī)生？我來介紹一下我的好朋友約翰·華生醫(yī)生，他一直在幫我辦案。我希望您能允許他來聽我們的談話?！?/p>

“當(dāng)然可以，”摩梯末邊說著話邊回頭與我握手?！拔壹毙枘膸椭柲λ瓜壬?。如我的話對華生醫(yī)生有用的話，那就請他留下來聽吧！”

摩梯末看上去并不像是一位鄉(xiāng)間醫(yī)生。他身材高大，身體瘦削，長著細(xì)長的鼻子。他那灰色的眼睛炯炯有神，他還戴著一副金絲眼鏡。他的外衣和褲子都已破舊、磨損不堪了。他的臉看上去還很年輕，但是已像老人一樣佝僂，而且頭還向前探著。他從口袋里取出一些手稿，并說道：

“福爾摩斯先生，我需要您的幫助和建議。發(fā)生了一件既奇怪又恐怖的事情?！?/p>

“坐下，摩梯末醫(yī)生，”福爾摩斯道，“并告訴我您的疑難問題。我將盡力幫助您?！?/p>