Thesefewinquiriesproved，however，tobeamorelengthyproceedingthanHolmeshadimagined，forhedidnotreturntotheinnuntilnearlynineo’clock。Hewaspaleanddejected，stainedwithdust，andexhaustedwithhungerandfatigue。
Acoldsupperwasreadyuponthetable，andwhenhisneedsweresatisfiedandhispipealighthewasreadytotakethathalfcomicandwhollyphilosophicviewwhichwasnaturaltohimwhenhisaffairsweregoingawry。Thesoundofcarriagewheelscausedhimtoriseandglanceoutofthewindow。Abroughamandpairofgreysundertheglareofagas—lampstoodbeforethedoctor’sdoor。
\"It’sbeenoutthreehours，\"saidHolmes；\"startedathalf—pastsix，andhereitisbackagain。Thatgivesaradiusoftenortwelvemiles，andhedoesitonce，orsometimestwice，aday。\"
\"Nounusualthingforadoctorinpractice。\"
\"ButArmstrongisnotreallyadoctorinpractice。Heisalecturerandaconsultant，buthedoesnotcareforgeneralpractice，whichdistractshimfromhisliterarywork。