The Adventure of the Dancing Men

Short storyHOLMES 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. 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."So, Watson," said he, suddenly, "you do not propose to invest in South African securities?"I gave a start of astonishment. Accustomed as I was to Holmes' curious faculties, this sudden intrusion into my most intimate thoughts was utterly 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 gleam of amusement in his deep-set eyes."Now, Watson, confess yourself utterly taken aback," said he."I am.""I ought to make you sign a paper to that effect.""Why?""Because in five minutes you will say that it is all so absurdly simple.""I am sure that I 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 series of inferences, each dependent upon its predecessor and each simple in itself.