Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-01-30
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! FL.INTLOCK HOLMES


In contact with Fiintlock H0lnies. The
meeting made a great impression on me.
can feel il yet. We were going in oppo-
site directions and collided at the corner
OF Fleet street and Flodendoden lane.
Holmes apoIogized profusely.
.-sre you looking for troubleT' said he.
NO | replied, rubbing my injured
leg. Il am looking for roouis."
"Goodw said he. $50 am I. Ny name
Is Flintlock holmes. Let's go together;
it's safer that way. The sidewalks arc
slippery
! could not but note my new eompan-
Ions asusual appearance. His hawklike
eyes, his high forehead, his prominent
cheek bones-all impressed me as being
those Of a man. Later events proved
that | was not mistaken. Holmes kept
his seat in the underground and let a
woman stand. On the way, recolect,
he told me about the Baker street rooms,
how cozy they were and how cheap.
When we got to the house he had men
toned, Holmes, without warning. gave
me kick which propelled my body to
the top of the steps.
"Sorry to knock you up, Watson" he
remarked affably. but these fits of en-
ergy will come over me at times. en-
deavor to stop them, but can't"
His calling me by name stifed what
ever surprise may have felt at his PEE
culiar manner.
"How on earth did you come to know
my name?" | asked in establishment.
Its simplicity ITSELF" he said laugh
ingy. Il saw the name Watson on your
shoe straps when you stopped to turn up
your trousers"
''rrue," said l. ''the name is there, but
how could you tell it was not the name Of
the makerr'
Easily" said he ''It is a hobby of
mine to be exact. | therefore carry IN
my mind the name of every shoe dealer,
butcher, baker and so forth in London.
There is no shoe dealer named Watson.
The shoes are new. Hence you did not
buy them elsewhere. Eliminate the inn
possible and that which remains must be
the truth. You wrote the name on the
shoes yourself. fearful lest you might
leave them somewhere without marks of
Identification upon them. There is no
mystery about it,
Holmes" | said, you're a wonder"
lyon have guessed my occupation" he
remarked good humoredly. IL am a spe-
cialist in other peoples business, When
the police fail. people resort to me. When
| fail it is all up. Did you ring the door
bell. Watson?
No"
II thought as much. l deduced it.
"How?" | marveled.
''No one has come to the door," he said.
at is simplicity ITSELF
Holmes stepped forward and gave the
bell handle a vigorous pull. In a few
minutes n maid ushered us into the entry.
I'VE have come to look at the rooms,"
Holmes said. and we assembled the stairs.
Ibid You count the number OF steps on
the way up. Watson?' my friend asked.
NO" | replied in establishment. did
your
"Of course" he said. II always do. l
believe in details. The number of steps
in q fight may be little matter in itself,
but stairs. small as they are, invariably
lead to higher things"
By this time we were in the rooms.
They were indeed coy and comfortable.
The golden shafts of the late winter
sun streaming through the west windows
mellowed the already half ripe furniture.
l could see by the way Holmes shot his
eyes about that he was reckless man,
but | allowed no comment to escape my
lips. Holmes actions surprised me too
much for that Whipping out magnify
ing lens, he stretched himself out full
length on the floor. In an instant he was
up.
did you see it, Watson?" he yelled.
"Did you see it."
WHAT" l cried.
''The dust The room has not been
swept in two weeks" he said to the ter
rifed maid. Il can see traces of dust
everywhere | look with the aid of this
glass"
/ was about to marvel at his miracu-
lous deduction when the maid spoke:
II could tell that without a magnify
ing glass;" she said. Look at your
trousers
Holmes and I did so simultaneously.
The maid was right. The fronts of both
legs were covered with dust where
Holmes had come in contact with the
carpet He glanced ruefully at his pants.
you are a remarkable girl" he said to
the maid. Your powers of observation
are excellent. Still it matters little.
What is it Longfellow says-'Dust thou
art. to dust returuethT He is so ex-
pressive, Watson. | should recommend
you to study him."
II will" said |. But about the rooms?
Win they suit. do you think?'
"Exccllently for me-" said Holmes;
"but ] was thinking of you. VIII they
harmonic with your Indian fastest"
"This is too much. Holmesr' | cried
"How do you know that | have been in
IndiaT
ITS simplicity ITSELF" he replied. with
a laugh. you tried to work off a rupee
on the guard in the underground. Be-
sides, in the inner sole of your right shoe
there is a reddish clay which is peculiar
to India. have made study of mud,
and know"
Fright both times" I managed to
stammer; "in fact, when You explain
your deductions they seem absurdly sim
pie. can't understand it. You see SO
much"
mot more than other people, | fancy"
said Holmes. "You see as much, but
you do not observe. For instance, how
many buttons are there on your coatT
81 haven't the slightest notion"
"Ah there il is, as i told you. We'll,