Этюд в багровых тонах

The Science of Deduction.

           Beforeturningtothosemoralandmentalaspectsofthematterwhichpresentthegreatestdifficulties,lettheenquirerbeginbymasteringmoreelementaryproblems. Lethim,onmeetingafellow-mortal,learnataglancetodistinguishthehistoryoftheman,andthetradeorprofessiontowhichhebelongs. Puerileassuchanexercisemayseem,itsharpensthefacultiesofobservation,andteachesonewheretolookandwhattolookfor. Byaman’sfingernails,byhiscoat-sleeve,byhisboot,byhistrouserknees,bythecallositiesofhisforefingerandthumb,byhisexpression,byhisshirtcuffsbyeachofthesethingsaman’scallingisplainlyrevealed. Thatallunitedshouldfailtoenlightenthecompetentenquirerinanycaseisalmostinconceivable.” 

           “Whatineffabletwaddle!”Icried,slappingthemagazinedownonthetable,“Ineverreadsuchrubbishinmylife.” 

           “Whatisit?”askedSherlockHolmes. 

           “Why,thisarticle,”Isaid,pointingatitwithmyeggspoonasIsatdowntomybreakfast. “Iseethatyouhavereaditsinceyouhavemarkedit. Idon’tdenythatitissmartlywritten.Itirritatesmethough. Itisevidentlythetheoryofsomearm-chairloungerwhoevolvesalltheseneatlittleparadoxesintheseclusionofhisownstudy.Itisnotpractical. IshouldliketoseehimclappeddowninathirdclasscarriageontheUnderground,andaskedtogivethetradesofallhisfellow-travellers. Iwouldlayathousandtooneagainsthim.” 

           “Youwouldloseyourmoney,”SherlockHolmesremarkedcalmly. 

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 20 из 164