The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-11
PART ONE

Holmes had been seated for some
hours in silence with his long, thin
back curved over chemical vessel
in which he was brewing a particu-
larly malodorous product. His head
was sunk upon his breast, and he
looked from any point of view like
strange, lank bird, with dull gray
plumage and a black top-knot.
80, Watson" said he, suddenly,
you do not propose to invest in South
African securities?"
] gave start of establishment. Ac-
customed as | was to Holmes curious
faculties, this sudden intrusion into
my most intimate thoughts were ut
terly inexplicable.
How on earth do you know that?"
I asked.
He wheeled round upon his stool.
with a 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.
II am
Il ought to make you sign a paper
to that effect"
Why"
Because in five minutes you will
say that 1t Is all so absurdly simple"
am sure that l 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
professor addressing his class-"it is
not really difficult to construct a Sc
ries of differences. each dependent
upon It's predecessor and each simple
in itself. If, after doing so, one SIM
ply knocks out all the central infer
ences and presents ones audience
n with the starting point and tho con-
clusion, one may produce a startling,
though possibly a 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 in
vest 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: l. You had chalk be-
tween 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.
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 a month, and which
he desired you to share with him. 5.
Your check book is locked in my draw
er and you have not asked for the
key. 6. You do not propose to invest
your money in this manner"
How absurdly simple!" I cried.
Quite SOL" said he, little nettled.
Every problem becomes very child
ish when once 1t 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 more
to his chemical analysis.
look with amaZement at the abb
surd hieroglyphics upon the'paper.
Why, Holmes, it is child's draw.
ing" cried.
"Oh. that's 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 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 we're he
A heavy step was heard upon the
stairs, and an instant later there en-
tered a tall, ruddy, clean-shaven gen
ueman, whose clear eyes and florid
checks told of life led far from the
fogs of Baker street He seemed to
bring a Whit Of his strong, fresh
bracing, east-coast air with him as he
entered. 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 yor
make of these?" he cried. "They tolG
me that you were fond of queer mys
teries, and I don't think you can fine
queerer one than that sent the
paper on ahead, so that you nigh
have time to study it before came
at is certainly rather a curious pro
duction," said Holmes. AT first sigh