Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-06

hours in silence with his long, thin back
curved over a chemical vessel in which
he was brewing a particularly malodor-
Gus product. His head was sunk upon
his breast, and he looked from my point
Of view like a strange, lank bird, with
dull gray plumage and black top
knot.
80. Watson said he, suddenly,
''you do not propose to invest in South
African securities?"
l gave start of astonishment. Ac-
customed as / was to Holmes curious
faculties, this sudden intrusion into my
most intimate thoughts were utterly
inexplicable.
"How on earth do you know that7" /
asked.
He wheeled round upon his stool,
with a steaming test-tube in his hand
and a gleam of amusement in his deep
set eyes.
Now, Watson, confess yourself utter
ly taken aback," said he.
"Ia am"
Il ought to make you sign paper to
that effect"
"Why?" .
Because in five minutes you will say
tudt III Is I'LL so hpsuIOiN
~ 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 pro-
fessor addressing his class--"lt is not
really difficult to construct series
of inferences, each dependent upon ITS
predecessor and each simple in itself.
il, after doing so, one simply knocks
out all the central differences and pre-
sents ones audience with the starting
point and the conclusion, one may. pro-
duce startling, though possibly a
. meretricious effect. Now, IT was not
really difficult, by an inspection OF the
groove between your left forehnger and
thumb, to feel sure that YOU did not
propose to invest your small capital
in the goldhelds."
81 see no connection.
''Very likely not; but | can quickly
show you close connection. Here
are the missing links of the very simple
chain; |. You had chalk between your
left finger and thumb when you returned
from the club last night 2. You put
chalk there when you play billiards to
steady the cue 3. You never play
billiards except with Thurston. a. 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
drawer. and YOU have not asked for the
kew. 6. You do not propose to invest
your money in this manner
How absurdly simplel" ! cried.
Quite sou said he, 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,
and turned once more to his chemical
analysis.
|. looked with amusement at the
absurd hieroglyphics upon the paper
why, Holmes, it is childs draw
ing" l 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
a ring at the bell. Watson. ] should not
be verv much surprised If this were he.
A heavy step was heard upon the
stairs, and an instant later there entered
a tall, ruddy, clean-shaven gentleman
whose clear ewes and ford cheeks tolc
of life led far from fogs of Baker street
He seemed to bring Whit OF his strong
fresh, bracing, east-coast air with HIM a'
he entered. Having shaken hands Will
each of us, he was about TO SIT down
when his eve rested upon the paper wltl
the curious markings, which | had lus'
examined and left upon the table.
We'll, Mr.. Holmes, what do yol
make of these" he cried. They told
me that YOU were fond of queer mys
teries, and l don't think you can hnt
queerer one than that. sent TIT
paper on ahead. so that you might have
time to study it before l came"
ut is certainly rather curious pro
duction," said Holmes. "At first sigh
il would appear to be some childisi
prank. II consists of number o
absurd little figures dancing across th'
paper upon which they are drawn
why should you attribute any I'm
portance to so grotesque an object?
II never should, Mr.. Holmes. Blu
my wife does. 1t is frightening her 4
death. She says nothing, but ] cal
sec terror in her eyes. That's why
want to sift the matter to the bottom.
Holmes held up the paper so that tn
sunlight shone full upon 1t. 1t was
page torn from a notebook. TIL
markings were done in pencil, and ral
in this waV.