"Is this a case worth chronicling, then Holmes?" panted Watson, as
they continued to stride down the London streets at a rapid pace.
"Now you see, Watson, all events of humankind are worth remembering, but it is best not to allow my intuition to take me just yet."
"Does that mean you have a feeling about this one?"
Holmes waved that idea away with an elegant gesture. "My dear Watson, the human emotion is a tricky, spiteful thing. It is really more of an obstacle than a privilege, as it can blind you to the most obvious of logistical solutions. Remember that always. But I believe that this case holds specific details that may prove to lead to a very interesting conclusion."
"Holmes, don't you think it might be prudent to take a hansom?" begged Watson. "And how do you believe that this case is different from any other?"
Holmes gave his infuriating small smile. "Aha, you see, Watson? You have allowed yourself to be blinded, probably by your anticipation to unravel this case. First, this man is one of the richest in the world. He is sure to be well guarded, and he would probably invest in some bodyguards. Second, what the devil was he doing gadding about on a dock? Men that rich usually waste away indoors, and if he were awaiting a shipment, certainly a clerk could have handled that low duty. Third, you are forgetting that he has already disappeared for ten years. Where was he during these ten years? No one knows. All that we know is that he shows up in England, rich as a King, and then marries and has two children."
"Two children?" Blustered Watson, as a hansom slowed and they got inside. "I only remember Elizabeth!"
The corner of Holmes' mouth twitched. "In the picture on the newspaper, the young lady had a locket around her neck. I noticed the inscription: Henry, Madeleine, Elizabeth & James. Logically, as it also referred to the girl as Elizabeth Nobleton, her maiden name, James must only be her brother."
Watson shook his head. "I don't know how you do it."
"Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary."
They rode in silence for the rest of the journey.
"Now you see, Watson, all events of humankind are worth remembering, but it is best not to allow my intuition to take me just yet."
"Does that mean you have a feeling about this one?"
Holmes waved that idea away with an elegant gesture. "My dear Watson, the human emotion is a tricky, spiteful thing. It is really more of an obstacle than a privilege, as it can blind you to the most obvious of logistical solutions. Remember that always. But I believe that this case holds specific details that may prove to lead to a very interesting conclusion."
"Holmes, don't you think it might be prudent to take a hansom?" begged Watson. "And how do you believe that this case is different from any other?"
Holmes gave his infuriating small smile. "Aha, you see, Watson? You have allowed yourself to be blinded, probably by your anticipation to unravel this case. First, this man is one of the richest in the world. He is sure to be well guarded, and he would probably invest in some bodyguards. Second, what the devil was he doing gadding about on a dock? Men that rich usually waste away indoors, and if he were awaiting a shipment, certainly a clerk could have handled that low duty. Third, you are forgetting that he has already disappeared for ten years. Where was he during these ten years? No one knows. All that we know is that he shows up in England, rich as a King, and then marries and has two children."
"Two children?" Blustered Watson, as a hansom slowed and they got inside. "I only remember Elizabeth!"
The corner of Holmes' mouth twitched. "In the picture on the newspaper, the young lady had a locket around her neck. I noticed the inscription: Henry, Madeleine, Elizabeth & James. Logically, as it also referred to the girl as Elizabeth Nobleton, her maiden name, James must only be her brother."
Watson shook his head. "I don't know how you do it."
"Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary."
They rode in silence for the rest of the journey.