Знак четырех
I. The Science of Deduction
Hewasleftwithgoodprospects,buthethrewawayhischances,livedforsometimeinpovertywithoccasionalshortintervalsofprosperity,andfinally,takingtodrink,hedied.ThatisallIcangather.”
Isprangfrommychairandlimpedimpatientlyabouttheroomwithconsiderablebitternessinmyheart.
“Thisisunworthyofyou,Holmes,”Isaid.“Icouldnothavebelievedthatyouwouldhavedescendedtothis.Youhavemadeinquiresintothehistoryofmyunhappybrother,andyounowpretendtodeducethisknowledgeinsomefancifulway.Youcannotexpectmetobelievethatyouhavereadallthisfromhisoldwatch!Itisunkind,and,tospeakplainly,hasatouchofcharlatanisminit.”
“Mydeardoctor,”saidhe,kindly,“prayacceptmyapologies.Viewingthematterasanabstractproblem,Ihadforgottenhowpersonalandpainfulathingitmightbetoyou.Iassureyou,however,thatIneverevenknewthatyouhadabrotheruntilyouhandedmethewatch.”
“Thenhowinthenameofallthatiswonderfuldidyougetthesefacts?Theyareabsolutelycorrectineveryparticular.”
“Ah,thatisgoodluck.Icouldonlysaywhatwasthebalanceofprobability.Ididnotatallexpecttobesoaccurate.”
“Butitwasnotmereguess-work?”
“No,no:Ineverguess.Itisashockinghabit,—destructivetothelogicalfaculty.Whatseemsstrangetoyouisonlysobecauseyoudonotfollowmytrainofthoughtorobservethesmallfactsuponwhichlargeinferencesmaydepend.Forexample,Ibeganbystatingthatyourbrotherwascareless.
