by Arthur Conan Doyle

In choosing few typical cases which illustrate the remarkable mental qualities friend, Sherlock Holmes, endeavoured, as far as possible, to select those which presented the minimum of sensationalism, while offering fair field talents , however, unfortunately impossible entirely to separate the sensational criminal, and chronicler is left dilemma that either sacrifice details which are essential statement and so give false impression problem, or use matter which chance, and not choice, has provided him with short preface turn to my notes of what proved strange, though peculiarly terrible, chain of events

blazing hot day in August Baker Street was like an oven, glare sunlight yellow brickwork house across the road was painful eye hard were the same walls which loomed so gloomily fogs of winter Our blinds were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled sofa, reading and re-reading letter which he had received morning post , my term of service in India had trained me to stand heat better than cold, and thermometer at ninety was no hardship But the morning paper was uninteresting Parliament had risen Everybody was out of town, and I yearned glades New Forest or the shingle of Southsea depleted bank account had caused me to postpone my holiday, and my companion, neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him He loved to lie very centre of five millions of people, filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumour or suspicion of unsolved crime Appreciation of nature found no place among his many gifts, only change was when he turned his mind evil-doer town to track down his brother country

Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for conversation I had tossed aside the barren paper, and leaning back in my chair I fell into brown study Suddenly my companion's voice broke in upon my thoughts:

" right, Watson," said he "It does seem most preposterous way of settling dispute "

"Most preposterous ! " I exclaimed, and then suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost thought soul, I sat up in my chair and stared at him in blank amazement

"What , Holmes ? " I cried " beyond anything which imagined "

He laughed heartily at my perplexity

"You remember," said he, "that some little time ago when you the passage in one of Poe's sketches close reasoner follows the unspoken thoughts companion, you were inclined to treat the matter as mere tour-de-force author On my remarking that constantly habit of doing the same thing you expressed incredulity "

"Oh, no ! "

"Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson, but certainly with your eyebrows So when you throw down your paper and enter upon train of thought, very happy the oportunity of reading it off, and eventually of breaking , as proof that I in rapport "

But still far from satisfied " example which you read ," said I, "the reasoner drew his conclusions actions man whom he observed If I remember right, he stumbled over heap of stones, looked up stars, and so on But seated quietly in my chair, and what clues can you ? "

" yourself an injustice The features are given to man means he shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants "

" that you read my train of thoughts from my features ? "

"Your features and especially your eyes Perhaps yourself recall how your reverie commenced ? "

"No, "

"Then tell you After throwing down your paper, the action which drew my attention , you sat for half minute with vacant expression Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly framed picture of General Gordon, and alteration in your face that train of thought started But it lead very far Your eyes flashed across unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher which stands top of your books Then you glanced up wall, and your meaning was obvious You were thinking that portrait were framed it would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon's picture over there "

" followed me wonderfully ! " I exclaimed

" hardly astray But now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you looked hard across as were studying the character features Then your eyes ceased to pucker, but you continued to look across, and your face was thoughtful You were recalling the incidents of Beecher's career well aware that without thinking mission which he undertook North Civil War, for I remember your expressing your passionate indignation way received more turbulent people You felt so strongly that think of Beecher without thinking also When moment later your eyes wander away picture, I suspected that your mind had now turned Civil War, and when I observed that your lips set, your eyes sparkled, and your hands clenched positive that you were indeed thinking gallantry shown by both sides desperate struggle But then, again, your face grew sadder; you shook your head You were dwelling sadness and horror and useless waste of life Your hand stole towards your own old wound and smile quivered lips, which showed me ridiculous side method of settling international questions had forced itself upon your mind point I agreed preposterous and was glad that all my deductions correct "

"Absolutely ! " said I "And now that explained it, I confess that as amazed as before "

" very superficial, my dear Watson, I assure you I have intruded it upon your attention had you not shown some incredulity the other day But in my hands here little problem prove more difficult of solution than my small essay in thought reading observed paper short paragraph referring remarkable contents of packet sent post to Miss Cushing, of Cross Street, Croydon ? "

"No, nothing "

"Ah ! then overlooked it Just toss it over Here , under the financial column Perhaps good enough to read it aloud "

I picked up the paper which he had thrown back and read the paragraph indicated headed "A Gruesome Packet "

"Miss Susan Cushing, living at Cross Street, Croydon, made the victim of what regarded as peculiarly revolting practical joke unless some more sinister meaning should prove attached incident At two o'clock yesterday afternoon small packet, wrapped in brown paper, was handed in postman cardboard box was inside, filled with coarse salt On emptying this, Miss Cushing was horrified two human ears, apparently quite freshly severed The box sent by parcel post from Belfast morning before no indication sender, matter more mysterious as Miss Cushing, maiden lady of fifty, has led most retired life, and has so few acquaintances or correspondents rare event for her to receive anything post , however, when she resided at Penge, she let apart ments in her house to three young medical students, whom she was obliged rid of on account noisy and irregular habits The police are of opinion outrage may perpetrated upon Miss Cush ing youths, who owed her grudge and who hoped to frighten her by sending her these relics dissecting-rooms Some probability is lent theory fact that students came north of Ireland, and, best of Miss Cushing's belief, from Belfast meantime, the matter is being actively investigated, Mr Lestrade, very smart est detective officers, being in charge case "

" Daily Chronicle," said Holmes as I finished reading "Now friend Lestrade I had note , :