“Every problem becomes very childish when once it is explained to you. You do not propose to invest your money in this manner.” Your cheque-book is locked in my drawer, and you have not asked for the key. 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. You never play billiards except with Thurston. You put chalk there when you play billiards to steady the cue. You had chalk between your left finger and thumb when you returned from the club last night. Here are the missing links of the very simple chain: 1. “Very likely not but I can quickly show you a close connection. 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 goldfields.” If, after doing so, one simply knocks out all the central inferences and presents one’s audience with the starting-point and the conclusion, one may produce a startling, though possibly a meretricious, effect. “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 series of inferences, each dependent upon its predecessor and each simple in itself. ![]() “I am sure that I shall say nothing of the kind.” “Because in five minutes you will say that it is all so absurdly simple.” “I ought to make you sign a paper to that effect.” “Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken aback,” said he. He wheeled round upon his stool, with a steaming test-tube in his hand and a gleam of amusement in his deep-set eyes. “How on earth do you know that?” I asked. Accustomed as I was to Holmes’s curious faculties, this sudden intrusion into my most intimate thoughts was utterly inexplicable. “So, Watson,” said he, suddenly, “you do not propose to invest in South African securities?” His head was sunk upon his breast, and he looked from my point of view like a strange, lank bird, with dull grey plumage and a black top-knot. ![]() HOLMES had been seated for some hours in silence with his long, thin back curved over a chemical vessel in which he was brewing a particularly malodorous product. You should visit Browse Happy and update your internet browser today! The embedded audio player requires a modern internet browser.
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