davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
"Dut it was net mere guess worls?n

But it was net mere guess worli?'
mo, no; never guess. 1t is shccil-
ing habit-dcstructive to the logical
faculty. What seems strange TO you is
only So because you do not follow my
train CT thought or observe the small
facts upon which large i,fcrenccs may
depend. For example, began by stat
ing that your brother was careless.
When you observe the lower part of
that watch case you notice that it is not
only dinted in two places, but it is cut
and marked all over from the habit of
keeping other hard objects, such as
coins or keys, in the same pocket.
Surely it is no great feat to assume that
n man who treats fifty-guinea watch
so cavalierly must be Il careless man.
Neither is it very far-fetcbed infer
cncc that n man who inherits one ar
ticle of such value is pretty well pro-
vided for in other respects"
nodded to show that followed his
reasoning.
'It is very customary for pawn
brokers in England, when they take
watch, to scratch the number of the
ticket with pin point upon the inside
of the case. 1t is more handy than the
label, as there is no risk of the number
being lost or transposed. There arc no
less than four such numbers visible to
my lens on the inside of this case. In
fcrcncc-thats your brother was often
at low water. Secondary inicrencc-
that lie had occasional bursts of pros
perity, or he could not have redeemed
the pledge. Finally, ask you to look
at the inner plate, which contains the
key-holc. Look at the thousands of
scratches all round the holc-marks
where the key has slipped. What sober
mans key could have scored those
grooves? But you will never see a
drunhard's watch without them. He
winds it at night. and he leaves these
traces OF his unsteady hand. Where is
the mystery in all tii;s?'
1T is clear rs daylight. answered.
II regret the injustice which did you.
should have had more faith in your
marvellous faculty. May ask whether
you have any professional inquiry on
foot ut prcsent?"
None. Hence the cocaine. can
not live without brain work. What
else is there to live for? Stand at the
window here. Was there ever such q
drcury. dismal, unpycfitablc world? See
how the yellow fog swirls down the
street and drifts across duu-colorcd
houses. What could be more hopeless
ly prosaic and material? What is the
use OF having powers, doctor, when one
has no field upon which to exert them?
Crime is commonplace and existence is
commonplace and no qualities save
those which are commonplace have any
function upon Garth"
had opened my mouth to reply to
this TRADE, when, with u crisp knock,
our landlady entered, bearing card
upon the brass salver.
"a young lady for you, SIR she said.
addressing my companion.
Miss Mary Morstan," he read.
"Ilum! ] have no recollection of the
name. Ask the young lady to step up.
Mrs. Hudson. Don't go. doctor. shall
prefer that you remain"
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03

away. Standing ut the window, I
watched her walking briskly down tho
street, until the gray tIrban and white
feather were but q spcck in the sombcr
crowd.
"What very attractive woman!"
exclaimed. turning to my companion.
leaning back with dropping cyelids.
"Is shc?" he said, languidly. II did not
observe"
"You really are an automaton-n cal
culating machine!" cried. There is
something positively inhunlan in you
at times"
lie smiled gently. at is of the first
importance" he said, not to allow
your Judgment to be biased by per.
sonal qualities. A client is to me mere
unit-a factor in n problem. The emo
tionul qualities sarcantagonistic to clear
reasoning. assure you that the most
winning woman l ever knew wa5
hanged for poisoning three little chill
drcu for their insurance money, and
the most rcpcllcnt man of my acquaint-
ancc is 4 philanthropist who has spent
nearly quarter OF a million upon the
London poor"
''In this case, however"
~ never make exceptions. An ex-
ception disprovcs the rule. Have you
ever had occasion to study character in
handwriting? What do you make of
this fellows scribblc?"
1T is Icgihlc and regular" l an
swcred. ~ man Of business habits md
some force Of character"
Holmes shook his head. Look at
his long letters" he said. They hard
ly rise above the common herd. That
d might be an u. ana that l anc Men
of character always diffcrcntiatc their
long letters, however illcgibly they may
write. There is vacillation in his ks
and sclf-cstccm in his capitals. I am
going out now. l have some few refer
cnccs to make. let INC recommend
this bools-onc OF the moot remarkable
ever renncd. II is Winwood Rca'lc's
'Martyr,lon Of Man. shall be back
in nn hour"
sat in the window with the volume
in my hand, but my thoughts were far
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03

cryptogram or the most intricate
analysis, and l am in my own proper
atmosphere. can dispense then with
artificial stimulants. But abhor the
tluil routine Of existence. crave for
mental exaltation. That is why have
chosen my own particular profession
or rather created it, for am the only
one in the world"
.''rhc only unofficial detective?"
said. raising my eyebrows.
''The only unofficial consulting de-
tcctivc," he answered. II am the last
and highest court of appeal in detec-
,io,. When Grcgson or Lcstrade or
Athclney Jones are out Of their depths
which, by the way, is their normal
state-the matter is laid before me.
examine the IA, rs an expert, and pro-
nouncc specialists opinion. claim
no credit in such eases. My name fig
ures in nnoncwspapcr. The work itself,
the pleasure of finding field for my
peculiar powers. is my highest reward.
But you have yourself had some expert
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
CHATTER III.
n QUEST or A SOLUTION

IN QUEST or SOLUTION.
II was ha1f-past nvc before Holmes
returned. LID WINS bright, eager and
In excellent spirits-a mood which In
his case altcrnatcd with fits of tho
blacl;cst depression.
There IL no great mystery In this
natter" he said. taking the cup Of tea
which had poured out for him. 'Thc
facts appear to admit Of only one cx-
PLANTATION"
what! you have solved II nlready?"
well, that will bc too much to any
I have discovered suggestive fact,
that Is all. II is, however, very sug-
gcstivc. Tho details arc still TO be add
ed. ! have Just found, on consulting
the back flcs OF tho Times, that Mai.
Sholto. Of Upper Norwood, late OF the
Thirty fourth bombay infantry, died
upon the :sth Of April, 1882"
II may bc very obtusc, Holmes, but
! fail to see what this suggcsts."
MOP You surprisc me. Look at II
In this way, then. Capt. Morstan dis
appears Tho only person In London
whom hc- could have visited Is Mai.
Sholto. Maj. Sholto donics having
heard that he wns In London. Four
ycnrs later Sholto dies. within week
Of his death Capt. Morston's daughter
receives valuable present, which lis re-
pcatcd from yenr to year, and now cul-
inmates in letter which describes her
as wrongcd woman. What wrong
can IL refer TO except this deprivation
Of her father? And why should tho
presents begin Immediately after
Sholto's death, unless II is That Sholto's
heir knows something Of the mystery,
and desires TO mako compensation?
Have you any alternative theory which
will meet tho facts?"
"But what strange compensation
And how strangely madci Why, too,
should he write letter now. rather
than six years ngo2 Again, the letter
speaks OF giving her Justice. What
Justice Gun she have? II IL too much
to suppose that her father Ia still alive.
There is no other injustice In her case
that you know Of"
"Therc nrc difficulties; there arc
certainly diflicultics," said Sherlock
Holmes, pcnsively. '1lut our cxpedi-
tion OF tonight will solve them all.
All, hero Is n four-whcclcr, and Miss
sforstan is inside. Are you all ready?
Then we had better 60 down, for II y
little past the hour"
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03

unrnvel little domestic complication.
She was much impressed by your kind
ness md skill"
"Mrs. Cecil Forester" he repeated,
thoughtfnlly. 81 believe that was Of
some slight service to her. The case,
however, us remember it. was very
simple one"
''She did not think 10. But at least
you cannot say the same OF mine. 1
can hardly imagine anything more
strange, more utterly inexplicable,
than the situation in which find my
self"
Holmes rubbed his hands, and his
eyes glistened. lie leaned forward In
his chair with an expression Of extraor-
binary concentration upon his clear.
cut, hawls-liltc features. estate your
case, "said he, In brisk, business tones
! felt that my position was ap crn-
barrassing one. "You will, am sure,
excuse me-" I said. riaing from my
chair.
To my surprise the young lady held
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03

TIE back, and examined the works,
first with his naked eyes and then
with a powerful convex lens. could
hardly keep from smiling at his crest
fallen face when he finally snapped
the case to and handed it back.
There are hardly any data" he re-
marked. The watch has been recent
ly cleaned, which robs me of my most
suggestive facts"
.'You :rc right" answered. ''It was
cleaned before being sent to me-" In
my heart I accused my companion
of putting forward a most lame and
ilnpotcnt excuse to cover his failure.
What data could he expect from an un-
cleaned watch?
Though unsatisfactory my research
has rot been entirely barren" he OBJ
scrved. staring up at the ceiling with
dreamy, lacli-lustcr eyes. "Subjcct to
your correction, ! should judge that
the watch belonged to your elder
brother, who inherited it from your ia
ther."
That you gather, no doubt, from
the II. w upon the back?'
Quite so. The w. suggests your
own name. The date of the watch is
nearly fifty years back. and the initials
urc as old as the watch; SO it WAX made
for the last generation. Jcyclry usu-
ally lcsccnis to the eldest son. and he
is mort likely to have the sam, name
as the father. Your father has, il
remember right, been dead many years.
1t has. therefore, been in the hands of
your eldest brother"
Right, so far" said I. anything
clsc?'
''Ife WAS man of untidy habits
very untily and careless. He was left
with good prospects, but he threw
away his chances, lived for some time
in poverty, with occasional short inter-
walls of prosperity. and finally, taking
to drink, he died. That is all can
gather"
sprang from my chair and limped
inpaticntly about the room with con-
siderable bitterness in my heart.
This is unworthy of yon, Holiness"
said. 81 could not have believed that
you would have descended to this. You
have made inquiries into the history of
my unhappy brother, and you now pre-
tend to deducc this knowledge in some
fanciful way. You cannot expect me
10 DcilcVc tHit you nlVc rcuu ull uuiS
from his old watch! 1t is unlsind, and,
to speak plainly, has touch Of charla-
tanism in it."
MY dear doctor" said he, kindly,
''pray accept my apologies. Viewing
the matter as an abstract problem, I
had forgotten how personal and pain
full thing it might be to you. assure
you, however, that never even knew
that you had brother until you
handed me the watch"
''Thcn how in the name Of all that is
wonderful did you get these facts?
They are. absolutely correct in every
particular"
''Ah, that is good luck. could only
say what was the balance of probabil-
ity. I did not at all expect to be so ac-
cura,e.'
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
impulse upon my part, and have men
toned 1t to no one -

impulse upon my part, and have men
toned it to no one"
at is simplicity ITSELF" he remarked,
chuckling at my surprise-''so absurd
ly simple that an explanation is super
fiuous: and yet tit may serve to define the
limits Of observation and of deduction.
Observation tells me that you have n
little reddish mould adherlng to your
instcp. Just opposite the Seymour
street Office they have taken up the
pavement and thrown up some earth
which lies in such a way that it is diff
cult to avoid trcading in it in entering.
The earth is OF this peculiar reddish
nowhere else in the neighborhood. So
duction.'
Glow, then, did you deduce the tele-
gram?"
"Why, of course I knew that you
had not written n letter, since ] sat op-
posite to you all morning. l see also
in your open desk there that you have
Il sheet of stamps and u thick bundle
of postcards. What could you go into
the post Office for, then, but to send a
wire? Eliminate all other factors, and
the one which remains must be the
truth
I'm this case it certainly is so," re-
piled, after u little thought. The
thing. hawevcr, is, as you say, of the
simplest. Would you think me imper-
tincnt If were to put your theories to
q more severe test?"
''on the contrary" he answered, sit
wOull prevent Inc from t:'.ing n Sec
end doac CT cocaine. sh, aid be de-
lighted to look into any problem which
you might submit to me-
II have heard you say that it is diff
cult for n man to have any object in
daily usc without leaving the impress
Of his individuality upon it in such a
way that trained observer might
read it. Now, have here n watch
which has recently come into my pos
session. Would you have the kindness
to let me have an opinion upon the
character or habits uf the late owner?"
handed him over the watch, with
some slight feeling of amusement in
my heart. for the test was. rs thought,
an impossible one, and intended it as
lesson against the somewhat dog
matte tone which he occasionally as
sumed. lie balanced the watch in his
hand, gazed hard at the dial, opened
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
CHATTER II.
THE STATEMENT OF THE CASE.

THE hTATEMf.SI oF III. SAsE.
Miss Morstan entered the room with
q firm step and an outward composurc
of manner. She was blonde young
lady, small. dainty. well gloved. and
dressed in the most perfect taste.
There was, however, a plaincss and
simplicity about her costume which
bore with it suggestion OF limited
means. The dress was u somber gray
ish beige, untrimmcd and unbraided,
and she wore small turban of the
same dull hue. relieved only by n sus-
picion Of white feather in the side. Her
face had neither regularity OF feature
nor beauty Of complexion. but her ex-
precision was sweet and amiable. and
her large blue eyes were singularly
spiritual and sympathetic. In an ex-
pcricncc of women which extends over
many nations and three separate con-
tincnts. have never looked upon q
face which gave n clearer promise OF q
refined and sensitive nature. could
not but observe that as she took the
scat which Sherlock Holmes placed for
her, her lip trcmhlcd, her hand quiv-
cred, and She showed every sign Of in
tense inward agitation.
~ have como to you, Mr.. Holiness"
she said, because you once enabled
my employer, Mrs. Cecil Forester. to
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03

from the daring spcculationn Of tho
writer. My mind ran upon our lato
visitor-bcr smiles, the deep rich tones
Of her voice. the strange mystery which
ovcrhung her life. II she were seven
teen Mt the time Of her fathers disap-
pcarnncc she must be scvcn-and-twcnty
now-n sweet age, when youth has
lost its sclf-consciousncss and become n
little sobcrcd by experience. So sat
and musci. until such dangerous
thoughts cnmc into my head that
hurried away to my desk and plunged
furiously into the latest treatise upon
pathology. What WINS I, un army sur
gcon with weak leg and weaker
banking account. that 1 should dare to
think OF such things? She was unit.
a factor. nothing more. II my future
were black, Il was better surely to face
IL like n man than Ia attempt to bright
cn 1t by mere will-o-the-wisps Of the
imagination.
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
CHAPTER ]


die, and rolled back his left shirt-cuff.
thoughtfully upon the sinewy fore
with innumerablc puncturc marks.
Finally he thrust the sharp point
home, pressed down the tiny piston,
and sank back into the velvet-lined
armchair with a long sigh OF satisfac-
tion.
Three times day for many months
had witnessed this performance, but
custom had not reconciled my mind to
it. On the contrary, from day to day
l had become more irritable at the
sight, and my conscience swellcd night
ly within me at the thought that had
lacked the courage to protest. Again
and again / had registered n vow that
l should deliver my soul upon the sub
)ect, but there was that in the cool,
nonchalant air of my companion which
made him the last man with whom one
would care to take anything approach
ing to liberty. His great powers, his
mastcrly manner, and the experience
which had had of his many eXtraor-
dinary qualities, all made me difiident
Yet upon that afternoon, whether it
was the Bcaune which had taken with
my lunch, or the additional cxaspcrn.
tion produced by the extreme delibera.
tion of his manner, suddenly felt that
could hold out no longer.
(which is it to-day?" aslicd-''mor-
/ inc or cocaine?"
lie raised his eyes languidly from the
old black-lctter volume which he had
opened. ut is cocaine" he said, ~
seven per cent. solution. Would you
care to try it?"
mo, indeed" answered, brusquely.
My constitution has not got over the
Afghan campaign yet. cannot afford
to throw any extra strain upon it."
He smiled ut my vehemence. per.
haps you are right, Watson" he said.
~ suppose that its influence is physic-
ally "a bad one. / find it, however,
SO transccndcntly stimulating and
clarifying to the mind that its sec
ondnry action is matter of small mo-
ment." --~ss.s -~>- ,-~,ts+r-.e
"But consider!" said, earnestly.
'Count the cost! Your brain may, as
you say, be reused and excited, but it
is a pathological and morbid process,
which involves increased tissue-change
and may at last leave a permanent
weakness. You know, too, what a
black reaction comes upoh you. Surely
the game ais hardly worth the candle.
Why should you, for mere passing
pleasure, risk the loss Of those great
powers with which you have been en-
dowed? Remember that ! speak not
only as one comrade to another, but as
u medical man to one for whose con-
stitution he is to some extent answer
able
He did not seem offended. On the
contrary, he put his finger tips to-
gether and leaned his elbows on the
arms of his chair, like one who has n
relish for conversation.
"My mind" he said, "rebels at stag
nation. Give me problems, give me
work, give me the most abstruse
The Delta independent., 1895-07-03
THE SCIENCE OF DEDUcTIo,

Il L Il l. y Y N
HOLMES took
his bottle from
the corner o I
the IN a II t e !
piece and his
h y o d C r m i C
syringe fro IN
its neat moroc-
CO cuse. With
his long, white,
nervous fingers
he adjusted the
6alipofn n-aa-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-17

We can keep you clean-Peerless
Steam Laundry, 112 and ia w. Eighth.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-17
{ O THE MODEL SUPPLY STORE THE MODEL SUPPLY s

room whether the case on trial is suited
to their ideas OF modesty or not
o. P. NJ. Wiley, who was once day
clerk at the Copeland. but who is en-
ployed in a Denver hotel, was married
last night at Parsons to a Miss Raber.
The Topeka cycling house says tubing
is higher this year than ever and conse-
queutly there will be no reduction in
prices of standard wheels next year.
The two young tramps who were ar
rested Sunday night, have secured homes
as the result of the JOURNALS article.
1t is to be hoped they will try to deserve
them.
The Rock Island depot pcrters are sor-
~ that Dr. McClintock entered the mat
rimonial state, for the reason that they
had to work several hours extra clean
ing up the rice from the depot floor.
People have begun to suspect that DR..
Mitchell didn't know what he vas talk
ing about when he said that this diph-
iberia was mild. But he is so obstinate
he won't admit it. A wise man some
times changes his opinion, etc.
Topeka people vent to Atchison's corn
carnival, Emporia's encampment, and
will go to Leavenworth's apple festival.
Now we want our neighbours of Atchi-
son, Emporia, and Leavenwo-th to come
to our September Festival next year.
They shall do as they please, sat what
they please and drink what they please.
Even Wichita can come and drink what
she pleases.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-17
SNAP SHOTS AT HOME NEWS.

John Griffith and Lee Jones are great
friends
pardon me-" said the convict to the
governor.
The Salvation Army in Topeka has 20
members.
1t seems that Topeka will never have
d good football team.
DR.. aud Mrs. Tobias have quit scolding
each other. That's right.
Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon is to lecture
at Detroit about November 1.
John M. Wright, deputy county clerk,
is attending court at Leavenworth.
Riester and Dunn, two of Notes
Giants. seem to be wintering in Topeka.
The men are seeing who can relate the
biggest stories about putting up stove
pipes,
A Topeka doctor has sign in front
OF his Office which reads open all
night"
Prof Worrall will go to Leavsnworth
next Wednesday to decorate the Million
club train.
Topeka is becoming noted as place
where people disappear temporarily. 1t
is go large.
Ex-Governor Waite of Colorado is to
speak in Topeka next Tuesday evening
October 20.
Painted on a mirror in an up town bar
Der shop is the inscription 'N o sore faces
shaved here"
Sanitary officer Nels Mcconnell uses
a horse and cart to make his rounds and
he gets around.
The Topeka Equal Suffrage associa-
t;cn is holding a meeting at the Throop
this afternoon.
There is a big crow roost in the direc-
ton of the asylum, and focks travel there
every night to sleep.
A man bought large box at the Santa
Fe unclaimed freight sale which con-
tanned empty hat boxes.
Judge ]. l. Eldridge and Major A.
Downing read original poems at Ma
tioual Union social last night
The American Sons of the Revolution
held meeting at the rooms of the state
historical society last evening.
A small barn belonging to Andy Smith
at 419 Madison street burned at O'clock
last evening. The loss was $50.
People are not registering very fast
Deputy Whitaker says he will not keep
the office open at night this fall.
The state board of education is to hold
meeting in Topeka next Monday to
consider $50 applications for state and
institute certificates.
J William Taylor is to go on the road
| November l for Cleveland bicycle
house and Fl. G. Lescher is 10 take charge
of his bicycle store.
Major Henry Inman is devoting his
entire attention to his book, the "Santa Fe
Trail" and expects to have it ready fol-
the publishers before Jan. l.
SaveraI thousand dollars worth al
models are stored in portion of the
stone building occupied by the mechani-
cal department of the Santa Fe.
Bailiff John Coyne of the district court
| tells people who come into the court