From: kathyli@sdcrsi.cray.com (the Rev. Mom)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.holmes
Subject: "How Watson Learned the Trick"
Date: 15 Sep 92 04:29:56 GMT
Organization: CRS San Diego UUCP Gateway

Ah, hell, if I'm gonna be typing stuff in...

Here's another bit from the UNCOLLECTED SH. One of those two
special-occasion things.  Someone was putting together a
dollhouse for the queen, and in its library, they wanted to put
little books. Doyle was requested to write one. He did.
Here's the story.  Enjoy.

--Kathy Li aka the Rev. Mom

------------

"How Watson Learned the Trick"

   Watson had been watching his companion intently ever since he
had sat down to the breakfast table.  Holmes happened to look up
and catch his eye.
   "Well, Watson, what are you thinking about?" he asked.
   "About you."
   "Me?"
   "Yes, Holmes, I was thinking how superficial are those tricks
of yours, and how wonderful it is that the public should continue
to show interest in them."
   "I quite agree," said Holmes. "In fact, I have a recollection
that I have myself made a similar remark."
   "Your methods," said Watson severely, "are really easily
acquired."
   "No doubt," Holmes answered with a smile.  "Perhaps you will
yourself give an example of this method of reasoning."
   "With pleasure," said Watson. "I am able to say that you were
greatly preoccupied when you got up this morning."
   ~Excellent!" said Holmes.  "How could you possibly know that?"
   "Because you are usually a very tidy man and yet you have
forgotten to shave."
   "Dear me! How very clever!" said Holmes.  "I had no idea,
Watson, that you were so apt a pupil. Has your eagle eye detected
anything more?"
   "Yes, Holmes.  You have a client named Barlow, and you have
not been successful in his case."
   "Dear me, how could you know that?"
   "I saw the name outside his envelope.  When you opened it you
gave a groan and thrust it into your pocket with a frown on your
face."
   "Admirable! You are indeed observant. Any other points?"
   "I fear, Holmes, that you have taken to financial
speculation."
   "How *could* you tell that, Watson?"
   "You opened the paper, turned to the financial page, and gave
a loud exclamation of interest."
   "Well, that is very clever of you, Watson.  Any more?"
   "Yes, Holmes, you have put on your black coat, instead of your
dressing gown, which proves that you are expecting some important
visitor at once."
   "Anything more?"
   "I have no doubt that I could find other points, Holmes, but I
only give you these few, in order to show you that there are
other people in the world who can be as clever as you."
   "And some not so clever," said Holmes.  "I admit that they are
few, but I am afraid, my dear Watson, that I must count you among
them."
   "What do you mean, Holmes?"
   "Well, my dear fellow, I fear your deductions have not been so
happy as I should have wished."
   "You mean that I was mistaken."
   "Just a little that way, I fear. Let us take the points in
their order: I did not shave because I have sent my razor to be
sharpened. I put on my coat because I have, worse luck, an early
meeting with my dentist.  His name is Barlow, and the letter was
to confirm the appointment.  The cricket page is beside the
financial one, and I turned to it to find if Surrey was holding
its own against Kent.  But go on, Watson, go on!  It's a very
superficial trick, and no doubt you will soon acquire it."
   

-- 
------------------------|  "It is one of the elementary principles of practical 
kathyli@sdcrsi.cray.com | reasoning," he remarked, "that when the impossible
------------------------| has been eliminated the residuum, *however improbable*
                          must contain the truth.    --"The Lost Special" 
Newsgroups: alt.fan.holmes