The Song My Paddle Sings

"Power of Observation"

Passage from the novel, "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes"

One summer night, a few months after my marriage, I was seated by my own hearth...

I suddenly heard the clang of the bell.

I looked at the clock. It was a quarter to twelve. This could not be a visitor at so late an hour... With a wry face I went out into the hall and opened the door. To my astonishment it was Sherlock Holmes who stood upon my step.

"Ah, Watson," said he, "I hoped that I might not be too late to catch you."

"My dear fellow, pray come in."

"You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, too, I fancy... Could you put me up to-night?"

"With pleasure"...

I was well aware that nothing but business of importance would have brought him to me at such an hour, so I waited patiently until he should come round to it.

"I see that you are professionally rather busy just now," said he, glancing very keenly across at me.

"Yes, I've had a busy day," I answered. "It may seem very foolish in your eyes," I added, "but really I don't know how you deduced it."

Holmes chuckled to himself.

"I have the advantage of knowing your habits, my dear Watson," said he...

"Excellent!" I cried.

"Elementary," said he. "It is one of those instances where the reasoner can produce an effect which seems remarkable to his neighbor, because the latter has missed the one little point which is the basis of the deduction."

Reading Comprehension Questions

1) Which of the following is the setting of the above passage?

a. Sherlock Holmes's house

b. Watson's house

c. the police station

d. Watson's office

2) When Watson comes to the door, Sherlock Holmes says, "You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, too, I fancy..." Why does he say that Watson is "relieved"?

a. Watson probably suspected a burglar at such a late hour

b. Watson thought that Sherlock Holmes never wanted to see him

c. Watson probably thought it was someone wanting to borrow money

d. Watson was worried that Sherlock Holmes was missing

3) In the above passage, Sherlock Holmes correctly observes that Watson has been busy. When Watson is surprised by this, Sherlock Holmes explains that which of the following is the secret of his conclusions?

a. he has been following Watson all day

b. he has spoken with Watson's neighbors

c. he notices details that others miss

d. he and Watson have the same work habits

4) In the above passage, Watson believes that Sherlock Holmes has come for which of the following reasons?

a. to escape the bad weather

b. to tell him something serious

c. to casually visit with a friend

d. to escape great danger

5) The above passage is told from which Point of View?

a. 1^st person with Watson

b. 1^st person with Sherlock Holmes

c. 3^rd person limited

d. 3^rd person omniscient

6) Based on the context of the above passage, Watson most likely feels which way about Sherlock Holmes?

a. cautious distrust

b. parental responsibility

c. absolute disgust

d. immense respect

Answer Key