Знак чотирьох
I. The Science of Deduction
Hebalancedthewatchinhishand,gazedhardatthedial,openedtheback,andexaminedtheworks,firstwithhisnakedeyesandthenwithapowerfulconvexlens.Icouldhardlykeepfromsmilingathiscrestfallenfacewhenhefinallysnappedthecasetoandhandeditback.
“Therearehardlyanydata,”heremarked.“Thewatchhasbeenrecentlycleaned,whichrobsmeofmymostsuggestivefacts.”
“Youareright,”Ianswered.“Itwascleanedbeforebeingsenttome.”InmyheartIaccusedmycompanionofputtingforwardamostlameandimpotentexcusetocoverhisfailure.Whatdatacouldheexpectfromanuncleanedwatch?
“Thoughunsatisfactory,myresearchhasnotbeenentirelybarren,”heobserved,staringupattheceilingwithdreamy,lack-lustreeyes.“Subjecttoyourcorrection,Ishouldjudgethatthewatchbelongedtoyourelderbrother,whoinheriteditfromyourfather.”
“Thatyougather,nodoubt,fromtheH.W.upontheback?”
“Quiteso.TheW.suggestsyourownname.Thedateofthewatchisnearlyfiftyyearsback,andtheinitialsareasoldasthewatch:soitwasmadeforthelastgeneration.Jewelryusuallydescendstotheeldestson,andheismostlikelytohavethesamenameasthefather.Yourfatherhas,ifIrememberright,beendeadmanyyears.Ithas,therefore,beeninthehandsofyoureldestbrother.”
“Right,sofar,”saidI.“Anythingelse?”
“Hewasamanofuntidyhabits,—veryuntidyandcareless.
