The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-03-09
lll-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
DANCING MAN.

Holmes had been seated for some
hours in silence with his long. thil
back curved over a chemical vessel ir
which he was brewing particularly
nalodorous product. His head was
sunk upon his breast, and he looked
from my point Of view like a strange
tank bird. with dull grey plumage and
q black top-knot.
! so, Watson" said he. suddenly, you
do not propose to invest in South Afri-
| can securities"
| gave a start of establishment. Ac-
customed as l was to Holmes curious
faculties. this sudden intrusion into my
most intimate thoughts was utterly in
lexplicable.
How on earth do you know that?"
| [ asked
| He wheeled around upon his stool,
with steaming test tube in his hand,
and a CLEAN of amusement in his deep
set eyes.
Now. Watson, confess yourself Ut
terly taken aback," said he.
Il ought to make you sign a paper to
that effect"
"Why?"
Because in five minutes you will say
that it is all so absurdly simple"
Il am sure that shall say nothing of
the kind.
Iou SEE, lily dedI WATSON +--lle
dropped his test tube in the rack, and
began to lecture with the air of pro-
lessor addressing his class-"it is not
really difficult to construct 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 startling
point and the conclusion. one may pro-
duce startling, though possibly
meretricious, effect. Now, it was not
really difficult, by an inspection of the
groove between your left forefinger and
thumb. to feel sure that you did not
propose to invest your small capital in
the gold fields"
Il see no connection"
Very likely not: but l can quickly
show you a close connection. Here
are the missing links of the very simple
chain: /. You had chalk between your
left finger and thumb when you re-
turned from the club last night 9.
You put chalk there when you play bill
lizards to steady the cue. 3. You never
play billiards except with Thurston.
4. You told me. four weeks ago, that
Thurston had an option on some South
African property which would expire
In q month, and which he desired you
to share with him. S. Your check
book Is locked In my drawer and you
have not asked for the key g. You do
not propose to invest your money in
this manner"
How absurdly simple!" I cried,
Quite So" said he, Il little nettled
Every problem becomes very childish
when once it Is explained to you. Here
Is an unexplained one. See what you
can make of that, friend Watson" He
tossed sheet of paper upon the table,
ana turned once more to his chemical
analysis.
I looked with amazement at the abb
surd hieroglyphics upon the paper
Why, Holmes, it is child's draw
.ng," cried.
q "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
ring at the bell, Watson. l should
not be very much surprised If this
were he"
A heavy step was heard upon the
stairs, and an instant later there en-
tered a tall. ruddy. clean shaven gen
leman, whose clear eyes and florid
cheeks told of a life led far from the
oring Whit of his strong, fresh, brac-
ing, east coast air with him as he en-
tered. Having shaken hands with each
II us, he was about to sit down, when
MS eye rested upon the paper with the
curious markings which had Just ex-
amined and left upon the table.
We'll, Mr.. Holmes. what do YOU
make of these?" he cried. They told
me that you We're fond Of queer mys
terles, and don't think you can find
\ queerer one than that. sent the
paper on ahead. SO that you might have
time. to study 1t before came"
1t Is certainly rather curious pro-
'duction." said Holmes.
AT first sight it would appear to be
some childish prank. 1t consists of
number Of absurd little figures dancing
across the paper upon which they are
drawn. Why would you attribute any
Importance to so grotesque an OBJ
ilect?''
Il never should, Mr.. Holmes. But
my wife does. 1t is frightening her
to death. She says nothing, but can
see terror In her eyes. That's why I
want to sift the matter to the bottom"
4 Holmes held up the paper SO that the
sunlight shone full upon it. 1t was a
page torn from q note book. The mark
lngs We're done in pencil, and ran this
way: