Етюд у багряних тонах

The Science of Deduction.

           NomanlivesorhaseverlivedwhohasbroughtthesameamountofstudyandofnaturaltalenttothedetectionofcrimewhichIhavedone. Andwhatistheresult? Thereisnocrimetodetect,or,atmost,somebunglingvillainywithamotivesotransparentthatevenaScotlandYardofficialcanseethroughit.” 

           Iwasstillannoyedathisbumptiousstyleofconversation. Ithoughtitbesttochangethetopic. 

           “Iwonderwhatthatfellowislookingfor?”Iasked,pointingtoastalwart,plainly-dressedindividualwhowaswalkingslowlydowntheothersideofthestreet,lookinganxiouslyatthenumbers. Hehadalargeblueenvelopeinhishand,andwasevidentlythebearerofamessage. 

           “YoumeantheretiredsergeantofMarines,”saidSherlockHolmes. 

           “Bragandbounce!”thoughtItomyself.“HeknowsthatIcannotverifyhisguess.” 

           Thethoughthadhardlypassedthroughmymindwhenthemanwhomwewerewatchingcaughtsightofthenumberonourdoor,andranrapidlyacrosstheroadway. Weheardaloudknock,adeepvoicebelow,andheavystepsascendingthestair. 

           “ForMr.SherlockHolmes,”hesaid,steppingintotheroomandhandingmyfriendtheletter. 

           Herewasanopportunityoftakingtheconceitoutofhim. Helittlethoughtofthiswhenhemadethatrandomshot. “MayIask,mylad,”Isaid,intheblandestvoice,“whatyourtrademaybe?” 

           “Commissionaire,sir,”hesaid,gruffly.“Uniformawayforrepairs.” 

           “Andyouwere?”Iasked,withaslightlymaliciousglanceatmycompanion. 

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