Етюд у багряних тонах
The Science of Deduction.
Nowandagainacaseturnsupwhichisalittlemorecomplex. ThenIhavetobustleaboutandseethingswithmyowneyes. YouseeIhavealotofspecialknowledgewhichIapplytotheproblem,andwhichfacilitatesmatterswonderfully. Thoserulesofdeductionlaiddowninthatarticlewhicharousedyourscorn,areinvaluabletomeinpracticalwork. Observationwithmeissecondnature. YouappearedtobesurprisedwhenItoldyou,onourfirstmeeting,thatyouhadcomefromAfghanistan.”
“Youweretold,nodoubt.”
“Nothingofthesort. IknewyoucamefromAfghanistan. Fromlonghabitthetrainofthoughtsransoswiftlythroughmymind,thatIarrivedattheconclusionwithoutbeingconsciousofintermediatesteps. Thereweresuchsteps,however. Thetrainofreasoningran,‘Hereisagentlemanofamedicaltype,butwiththeairofamilitaryman. Clearlyanarmydoctor,then. Hehasjustcomefromthetropics,forhisfaceisdark,andthatisnotthenaturaltintofhisskin,forhiswristsarefair. Hehasundergonehardshipandsickness,ashishaggardfacesaysclearly. Hisleftarmhasbeeninjured.Heholdsitinastiffandunnaturalmanner. WhereinthetropicscouldanEnglisharmydoctorhaveseenmuchhardshipandgothisarmwounded? ClearlyinAfghanistan.’ Thewholetrainofthoughtdidnotoccupyasecond. IthenremarkedthatyoucamefromAfghanistan,andyouwereastonished.”
“Itissimpleenoughasyouexplainit,”Isaid,smiling. “YouremindmeofEdgarAllenPoe’sDupin.
