The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-02-26

~ some hours in silence with
HS1I his long, thin back curved
III I'll over a chemical vessel in
II Il III which he was brewing a
E7EzZ particularly malodorous pro-
e Ea@$IM duct. His head was sunk
--zaa@ upon his breast, and he
looked from my point of view like "A
strange, lank bird, with dull grey
plumage and q black top-knot.
so, watson said he, suddenly,
you do not propose TO invest in South
African securities"
I gave a start of establishment. Ac-
customed as l was to Holmes curious
faculties this sudden intrusion into
my most intimate thoughts was ut
terly inexpIicable.
How ON earth do you know that?'
I asked.
He wheeled round upon his stool. with
a steaming test-tube in his hand, ana
"A CLEAN of amusement in his deep-set
eyes.
Now. Watson, confess yourself ut
terly taken aback," said he.
Il am
4 ought to make you sign paper
TO that effect"
"Why?"
Because in five minutes you will say
that it is ali so absurdly simple
II am sure that 1 shall say nothing
OF the kind"
You see. my dear Watson"-he
propped his test-tube in the rack. and
began TO lecture with the air OF a pro-
fessor addressing his class-''it is not
really difficult to construct a series of
differences. each dependent upon its
predecessor and each simple in itself.
If. after doing so, one simply knocks
out all the central differences and pre-
sents ones audience with the starting
Doint and the conclusion. one may pro-
ii .,
1neretricious. effect. Now. it was not
really difficult, by an inspection of the
groove between your left fOre6nger and
thumb. to feel sure that you did not
propose to invest your small capital in
the gold fields
II see no connection"
Very likely not: but I can quickly
show you "A close connection. Here are
the missing links of the very simple
chain: 1. You had chalk between
your left finger and thumb when you
returned from the club last night .
You put chalk there when you play
billiards to steady the cue. 8 You
never play billiards except with Thurs
ton. 4 You told me. four weeks ago,
that ThurstOn had an option on some
South African property which would
expire in a month, and which he de-
sired you to share with him. ,. Your
cheque book is locked in my drawer,
and you have not asked for the key
s. You do not propose to invest your
money in this manner
How absurdly simplei'' I cried
quite sol" said he. a little nettled.
Every problem becomes very childish
when once il is explained to you. Here
is an unexplained one. See what you
can make OF that, friend Watson" He
tossed a sheet of paper upon the table
and turned once moresto his chemical
analysis.
/ looked with amazement at the alb
surd hieroglyphics upon the paper.
Why, Holmes, it is d child's draw
fms" I criede
''Oh. that's your idea
What else should it be?"
THAT is what Mr.. Hilton Cubitt, of
Riding Thorpe Manor, Norfolk, is very
anxious to know. This little conun-
drum came by the first post. and he
was to follow by the next train. There's
a ring at the bell, Watson. L should
not be very much surprised if this
were he"
\ heavy step was heard upon the
stairs, and an instant later there en-
tered Il tall, ruddy, clean-shaven gen
tleman, whose clear eyes and fiorid
cheeks told of a life led far from the
fogs of Baker street. He seemed to
bring a Whit of his strong. fresh, brac-
ing, east coast air with him as he en-
tered. Having shaken hands with each
of us. he was about to sit down. when
his eye rested upon the paper with
the curious markings. which / had Just
, examined and left upon the table.
= ''Wen, Mr. Holmes. what do YOU
make of these2'' he cried. "Thev told
me that YOU were fond of queer mys-
teries. and L don't think you can find
a qUeerer one than that. I sent the
paper on ahead, so that you might have
time to study it before 1 came
1T is certainly rather a curious pro-
duction,' said Holmes. AT first sight
is would appear to be some childish
prank. 1t consists of a number of alb
surd little figures dancing across the
paper upon which they are drawn
Why should you attribute any import
ance to SO grOtesque an object2"
Il never should. Mr.. Holmes. But
my wife does. 1t is frightening her to
death. She says nothing, but I can see
terror in her eyes. That's why / want
10 sift the matter to the bottom"
Holmes held up the paper so that
the sunlight Shone full upon il. It was
a page torn from a note book The
markings were done in pencil, and ran
in this way