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My correspondence, however, is, as you know, a varied one, and I am somewhat upon my guard against any packages which reach me.

It was clear to me, however, that by pretending that he had really succeeded in his design I might surprise a confession.

That pretence I have carried out with the thoroughness of the true artist.

Thank you, Watson, you must help me on with my coat.

When we have finished at the police-station I think that something nutritious at Simpson's would not be out of place."

"But why Turkish?" asked Mr. Sherlock Holmes, gazing fixedly at my boots. I was reclining in a cane-backed chair at the moment, and my protruded feet had attracted his ever-active attention.

"English," I answered in some surprise. "I got them at Latimer's, in Oxford Street."

Holmes smiled with an expression of weary patience.

"The bath!" he said; "the bath! Why the relaxing and expensive Turkish rather than the invigorating home-made article?"

"Because for the last few days I have been feeling rheumatic and old. A Turkish bath is what we call an alterative in medicine-a fresh starting-point, a cleanser of the system.

"By the way, Holmes," I added, "I have no doubt the connection between my boots and a Turkish bath is a perfectly self-evident one to a logical mind, and yet I should be obliged to you if you would indicate it."

"The train of reasoning is not very obscure, Watson," said Holmes with a mischievous twinkle. "It belongs to the same elementary class of deduction which I should illustrate if I were to ask you who shared your cab in your drive this morning."

"I don't admit that a fresh illustration is an explanation," said I with some asperity.

"Bravo, Watson! A very dignified and logical remonstrance.

Let me see, what were the points? Take the last one first-the cab.

You observe that you have some splashes on the left sleeve and shoulder of your coat.

Had you sat in the centre of a hansom you would probably have had no splashes, and if you had they would certainly have been symmetrical.

Therefore it is clear that you sat at the side.

Therefore it is equally clear that you had a companion."

"That is very evident."

"Absurdly commonplace, is it not?"

"But the boots and the bath?"

"Equally childish.

You are in the habit of doing up your boots in a certain way.

Chapter 6. The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

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