Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-03-16
IiI-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
DANCING MAN.

Holmes had been seated for some
hours in silence with his long, thin
pack curved over a chemical vessel in
which he was brewing a particularly
~malodorous product. His head was
sunk upon his breast, and he looked
from my point OF view like a strange.
lank bird, with a dull grey plumage and
a black top-knot.
80, Watson" said he. suddenly, you
do not propose to invest in South Afr-
can securities? p
/ gave a start of establishment. Ac-
customed as l was to Holmes curious
faculties, this sudden intrusion n my
most intimate thoughts was utterly in
explicable.
How on earth do you know that?"
I asked.
He Wheeled around upon his stool,
with a stenming test tube In his hand.
and a CLEAN OF amusement in his deep
set eyes.
Nov, 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 viii say
that It Is all so absurdly simple"
II am sure hat shall say nothing OF
the kind"
1Ou SGts NY uEdA w dNopAt
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 or
differences, each dependent upon its
predecessor and each simple in itself.
Ii, after doing so. n simply knocks
out all the central differences and pre-
SCENTS ones audience with the startling
point and the conclusion. n may pro-
luce a startling, though possibly a
meretricious, effect. Now, it was not
really difficult, by an inspection of the
groove between your left foretinger 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 | 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. 2.
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 OF some South
African property which would expire
in q month, and which he desired you
to share with him. 5. Your check
book is locked In my drawer, and you
nave not asked for the key. 6. You do
not propose to invest your money in
this manner
How absurdly simpIe!" / cried.
quite so" said he, a little nettled.
Every problem becomes very childish
when once 1t is explained TO you. Here
Is an unexplained n See what you
can make of that. friend Watson" He
tossed a sheet of paper upon the table,
and turned once more to his chemical
analysis.
/ looked with amazement at the ID
surd hieroglyphics upon the paper.
Why, Holmes, it is a child's draw
n.y." | cried.
ooh, that's your ideal"
what else should 1t 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. / should
not be very much surprised il this
were he
A heavy step was heard upon the
stairs, and an instant later there en-
tered a tall. rudy, clean shaven gem
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-
ktSs N06A 0Odoh ar Will nltH dS IG tn~
tered. Having shaker hands with each
of US. he was about 10 sit down. when
his eye rested upon the paper with the
curious markings. which I had just ex-
amined and left upon the table.
We'll, Mr.. Holmes. what do you
make OF these he cried. They told
me hat you were fond OF queer mys
%teries, n / don't think you can find
1 queerer one than that. / sent the |
paper on ahead. so that you might have
time TO study II before came"
1T Is certainly rather a curious pro-
1uction," said Holmes.
AT first sight 1t would appear TO be
some childish prank. 1t consists of a
number OF absurd little figures dancing
across the paper upon which they are
drawn. Why would you attribute any
Importance 10 so grotesque an OBJ
ject?"
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 l
want to sift the matter to the bottom"
Holmes held UP the pape- so that the
sunlight shone full upon IL. 1t was a
page torn from a note book. The mark
lngs were done In pencil. and ran this
way: