The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-18

silence with his long, thin back curved over
a chemical vessel in which he was brewing
~ - particularly malodorous product ms heao
was sunk upon his breast, and he looked from my
point of view like strange lank bird, with du grey
pumaee and a black top-knot
$50 Watson - said he, suddenly "you do not
propose to invest in South African seeuri.iesi
I gave start of astonshment. Accustomed as
wac 70 Holmes curious faculties, this sudden lntru
sion into nv most intimate thoughts was utterly IN
expcable,
.eHow on earth do you know thatF' asked
He wheeled round upon his stool, with steaming
test.tube in his hand, and gieam OIL aihueeneA' -
his deep set eyes
s.Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken
aback'' said he.
81 am"
''I ought to make you sign paper to that efeo''
sEWhy?'
q Because in five minutes you Wlli say thdt u 30 "
so absurdy simple. y
.eI am sure that l shall say nothing of the kind
'sYou see nv dear Watson '-he propped his test
tube in the rack and began to lecture with the ar
Of professor addressing class-'1t is not reay
difficult TO construct series of inferences each de-
pendent upon predecessor and each simple IN IT.
self. If after doing one simply KNOCKS out al
the central differences and presents one andlenee
with the starting point and the conclusion one may
produce startling though possibly meretriclous'
effect Now it was not really difficult by an inspec-
ton of the groove between your left forehnger ana
thumb to feel sure you did not propose to invest
YOUR small capital in the goldhelds
IL see no connection
.Verv likely not; but l quickly show you
close connection Here are the missing links of the
very simple chain l. You had chalk between your
left finger aud thumb when YOU returned from the
club last night. 2 You put chalk there when you
rIav billiards TO steady the cue. 3. You never play
billiards except with Thurstou. a. You told me, four
weeks ago that Thurston had option on some
South African property which would expire IN
month and which he desired YOU to share with him.
J. Your cheaue book is locked in my drawer, and you
have not asked for the key. 8. You do not propose
to invest your money in this manner
.'How absurdly simple'' cried
'Qute so, said he little nettled. +" Every prob
lem becomes very childish when once it is explained
to YOU Here unexplained one See what you
can make of that friend Watson - He tossed sheet
Of paper upon the table and turned once more 10
his chemical analysis.
looked with amazement at the absurd hierogvphics
upon the paper.
''why, Holmes, it is child's drawing 1 cried
''Oh that your ideal
>'What else should it be?'
''That is what Mr. Hilton Cubitt of Riding Thorpe
Manor Norfolk. is very anxious to know. This little
conundrum came by the first post, and he was to
follow by the next train. There ring at the bell,
Watson should not be very much surprised If this
were he. -
4 heavy step heard upon the stairs, and an
instant later there entered tall ruddy, clesn-shavcn
gentleman whose clear eyes and horld checks told OF
r life led far from the fogs of Baker Street He
seemed bring Whit of his strong fresh, braeing
east.coast air with him he entered Having shaken
hands with each of MS he about to sit down.
when his eve rested the paper with the curious
markings which ] had just examined and left upon
the table
s'Wen Mr. Holmes what do YOU make Of these?"
he cried "They told that you were fond of queer
mysteries and | don I think You find queerer
one than that. | sent the paper ahead, that
Won might have time to study it before came
"It is certainly rather curious production y said
Holmes. SAT first sight it would appear to be some
childish prank. 1t consists of number of absurd
little figures dancing the paper upon which they
drawn. Why should you attribute any Importance
grotesque object?'
81 should Mr.. Holmes But my wife does.
1t frightening her to death. She says nothing, but
| terror in her eyes That's why | want to
sift the matter to the bottom -
Holmes held up the that the sunlight shone
full upon it, 1t was page torn from note book.
The markings done in pencil, and in this