I. The Science of Deduction

           SherlockHolmestookhisbottlefromthecornerofthemantel-pieceandhishypodermicsyringefromitsneatmoroccocase.Withhislong,white,nervousfingersheadjustedthedelicateneedle,androlledbackhisleftshirt-cuff.Forsomelittletimehiseyesrestedthoughtfullyuponthesinewyforearmandwristalldottedandscarredwithinnumerablepuncture-marks.Finallyhethrustthesharppointhome,presseddownthetinypiston,andsankbackintothevelvet-linedarm-chairwithalongsighofsatisfaction.

           ThreetimesadayformanymonthsIhadwitnessedthisperformance,butcustomhadnotreconciledmymindtoit.Onthecontrary,fromdaytodayIhadbecomemoreirritableatthesight,andmyconscienceswellednightlywithinmeatthethoughtthatIhadlackedthecouragetoprotest.AgainandagainIhadregisteredavowthatIshoulddelivermysouluponthesubject,buttherewasthatinthecool,nonchalantairofmycompanionwhichmadehimthelastmanwithwhomonewouldcaretotakeanythingapproachingtoaliberty.Hisgreatpowers,hismasterlymanner,andtheexperiencewhichIhadhadofhismanyextraordinaryqualities,allmademediffidentandbackwardincrossinghim.

           Yetuponthatafternoon,whetheritwastheBeaunewhichIhadtakenwithmylunch,ortheadditionalexasperationproducedbytheextremedeliberationofhismanner,IsuddenlyfeltthatIcouldholdoutnolonger.

           “Whichisitto-day?”Iasked,—“morphineorcocaine?”

           Heraisedhiseyeslanguidlyfromtheoldblack-lettervolumewhichhehadopened.“Itiscocaine,”hesaid,—“aseven-per-cent.solution.