And by this he often confounds readers who are familiar with elementary concepts of logic. After all, deductive thinking is a conclusion leading from the general to the particular. The simplest example of such reasoning: we know about the force of gravity of the Earth; we have general idea about the fact that water falls down, and does not rush up; repeatedly observed the process of falling water. These general messages allow us to imagine in a logical way what (private) looks like, although we have never seen it.

But the well-known Sherlock Holmes uses completely different types of inference, rather, better known as induction, that is, the ascent from the particular to the general. From the dirt on his boots, the detective concludes that the man came from countryside, according to the shoemaker's patches and tags, that the owner of the shoes is not a rich man, and from the railway ticket sticking out of his pocket, he concludes that he came to London by train. In his solution of crimes, the famous detective goes through the following causal chain: cigar ash - smoker - his motives - the identity of the smoker. And in the end he makes a conclusion: the criminal is Mr. X. In the case of the notorious deduction of Holmes, the reflections would go in a completely different way: Mr. X is very similar to the criminal, while other people involved in this case do not. His past is dark. He had a motive to kill the victim. He has no alibi at the time of the crime. Therefore, the killer is Mr. X.

So what deductive method does Holmes use in the process of solving the crime? At first, it seems that on the basis of the smallest details, he recreates the picture of the crime, as if it were being played out again before his eyes. For example, in the case of the loss of the treasure of Agra: on the trail of a small foot with protruding fingers, the detective guesses that the person who left the trail is not tall and has never worn shoes. One more mental effort, and here you are: the criminal is a pygmy with

It would seem that pure induction takes place here - the ascent from the particular to the general (from private evidence to the general picture of the crime). Whereas the deductive method is a descent from the general to the particular. But in fact, there is no contradiction here. Holmes says: "All life is an uninterrupted chain of cause and effect, and we can study the nature of this chain by its one link alone." Remember the water and Niagara Falls example? Here's another one important quote from Conan Doyle, where the literary hero says this about his method: “All crimes show great generic resemblance. They (the agents of Scotland Yard) acquaint me with the circumstances of this or that case. Knowing the details of 1000 cases, it would be strange not to solve the 1001st.”

Thus, Holmes's deductive method assumes knowledge of the underlying crimes (e.g., murder, theft, forgery). His murders are classified according to the "family tree" into murders out of jealousy, for profit, out of revenge, etc. Later it turns out that the murder for the sake of obtaining the inheritance of the duke and the murder committed for the sake of possessing the inheritance of the esquire also have their own specifics, and so on, down to the smallest detail. The detective, or rather, the author, being an Englishman and having an idea of ​​the insular (i.e., adopted in the British Isles), proceeds from the fact that a new, as yet unsolved crime had a precedent in the past, and you just need to adjust it to this form .

We can say with certainty that, despite external induction, Holmes uses the deductive method in his logical calculations. Playing the violin or smoking by the fireplace, the ingenious detective ponders: in which category should this or that crime be attributed? Revenge? Jealousy? Thirst for profit? Sherlock discards everything that doesn't fit like wheat is sifted from the husk until the only correct grain remains in his hands. And he himself says about his method: “I throw aside everything impossible, and what remains is the answer to the question, no matter how fantastic it may seem.”

I'm listening, Small. What's the matter? he replied, taking a cigar out of his mouth.

Do you know, - I began, - to which official should I report the hidden treasures? I know where half a million pounds lie, and since I myself cannot use them, I thought; wouldn't it be better to turn them over to the authorities? Maybe I'll get a shorter sentence for this.

You say Small, half a million? - The major even stopped breathing, and he looked at me intently to see if I was serious.

Yes, in precious stones and pearls. They lie there and lie. And no one knows about them. Their owner is a convict, outlaw. So in fact they belong to the first person who finds them.

They belong to the government, Small,” the major said in a changed voice, “to the government, and no one else.

But he said it so uncertainly, haltingly, that I realized that the major had fallen for the bait.

So you advise me, sir, to report the jewels to the Governor General? - I said, pretending to be a simpleton.

Don't be in a hurry, Small, so you don't have to regret it later. Tell me about it in detail. To give correct advice, I must know everything.

I told him the whole story with some modifications so that he wouldn't guess where it happened. When I finished, he stood for a long time, as if in tetanus, and thought. From the movement of his lips, I realized what a struggle was going on in him.

This is a very important matter, Small,” he said at last. - Not a word about him. I will come to you soon. And then we'll talk.

He came to me two days later, late at night, with Captain Morstan.

I'd like Captain Morstan to hear this story from you, Small," said the Major.

I repeated word for word what I had told the major.

Sounds real, doesn't it? he asked the captain. - I would probably believe it.

Captain Morstan nodded without saying anything.

Listen, Small, the major began. - The captain and I discussed everything and came to the conclusion that the governor general had nothing to do with it. This is your own business, and you are free to do as you see fit. But I would like to ask you this, what price would you offer for your treasures? We could go after them, or at least take care of their safety. Unless, of course, we agree on the terms.

He spoke in a cold, indifferent tone, but his eyes shone with excitement and greed.

You see, gentlemen, I replied, trying to speak calmly too, but feeling no less excited. “A man in my position needs one thing - freedom. This is my condition: freedom for me and my friends. Then we will take you as a share and divide the treasure into five equal parts. You two will get a fifth.

Hmm, fifth? the major said. - That's not a lot.

Fifty thousand pounds for one, I said.

But how can we free you? You know very well that you are asking for the impossible.

Nothing like that, I replied. - Everything is thought out to the smallest detail. Only one thing prevents the escape - there is no boat suitable for a long journey, and food that would be enough for several days. It is easy to find the right boat in Calcutta or Madras. You will bring her here. We will dive at night and if you ferry us to any place on the Indian coast, consider that you have earned your share.

If you were alone, - said the major.

All four or none,” I said. We vowed to stand up for each other and always work together.

See, Morstan, said the Major. Small is master of his word. He doesn't leave his friends. I think we can rely on him.

It's a dirty business, said the captain. - But you are right, the money will save our officer's honor.

All right, Small, said the major. We will try to do what you ask. But first, of course, we have to make sure that what you're talking about is not fiction. Tell me where the treasures are hidden. I will take a month's leave and go to India on a supply ship.

Wait, wait," I said, getting calmer the more worried he got. - I must have the consent of my friends. I told you: all four or none.

Nonsense! the Major exclaimed. - What do these black-eyed have to do with our gentlemen's agreement.

Black or green, I said, but they are my friends and we swore never to leave each other.

The matter was finally settled on the second date, in the presence of Mohammed Singh, Abdullah Khap and Dost Akbar. We once again discussed everything and decided the following: we give both Major Solt and Captain Morsten the plan of that part of the Agra fortress where the treasures are hidden. Major Sholto is going to India to make sure that my story is correct. If the chest is in place, he buys a small yacht and provisions and sails to Rutland Island, where we will wait for him. Then he returns to his duties. A little later, Captain Morstan goes on vacation. We meet him in Agra and share the treasure. He takes his part and the major's part and goes back to the Andaman Islands. Having adopted such a plan, we swore not to break it on pain of eternal torment. I sat up all night with paper and ink, and by the morning two plans were ready, signed by the "sign of four", that is, Abdullah, Akbar, Mohammed and myself.

But I seem to have tired you gentlemen with a long story, and my friend Mr. Jones, I see, is anxious to put me behind bars. I'll try to be brief. Major Sholto left for India and never returned to the Andaman Islands. Captain Morstan soon showed me his name on the passenger list of the packet boat that had left for England. It turned out that his uncle died, leaving him an inheritance, and he resigned. He thought he would never see us again. After all, he committed such meanness and betrayed all of us, including his friend. Morsten traveled to India shortly after that and, of course, he did not find the chest in the cache, the villain stole it without fulfilling the conditions on which we revealed the secret to him. Since that day, I have lived only for vengeance. I thought about it day and night. Revenge on Sholto became my only, all-consuming passion. I was not afraid of anything - neither the court nor the gallows. Run at all costs, find Sholto, slit his throat with my own hand - that's what I dreamed of. Even the treasures of Agra faded before the sweet picture of the massacre of Sholto.

I have planned a lot in this life, and I have always succeeded in everything. But many more dull, monotonous years passed before fate smiled at me. I already told you that I picked up something on the medical side. One day, when Dr. Somerton lay in an attack of malaria, the prisoners picked up a tiny native in the forest. He was mortally ill and went to die in the forest. I took him in my arms, although he exuded malice like a serpent. I treated him for two months and, imagine, put him on his feet. He became very attached to me and, apparently, did not want to return to the forests, because day and day he hung around near my hut. I learned a few words of his language from him, which made him even more attached. Tonga, as he was called, was an excellent sailor. He had a large, spacious canoe. When I saw how attached he was to me and that he was ready for anything for me, I began to seriously think about escaping. We came up with a plan with him. He was supposed to drive his boat at night to an old, abandoned pier, which was not guarded, and pick me up there. I told him to take some bottles of gourds with him. fresh water, lots of sweet potatoes, coconuts and sweet potatoes.

Little Tonga was a loyal, reliable friend. No one has ever had and never will have such friends. At night, as we agreed, he drove the boat to the pier. But it so happened that that night a sentry was posted - one Afghan who never missed an opportunity to insult or hit me. I swore vengeance on him long ago, and now that hour has come. Fate deliberately pushed us against each other in the last minutes of my life on the island so that I could get even with him. He stood on the shore. back to me, with a carbine over my shoulder. I looked around for a stone that I could use to blow his brains out, but I couldn't find it. Then a wild thought came into my head, I realized what should be my weapon. I sat down on the ground in the dark and untied my wooden leg. After making three big jumps, I attacked him. He managed to put a carbine to his shoulder, but I swung a piece of wood and crushed his skull. There was a gouge on my piece of wood where I had struck. We both fell because I couldn't keep my balance. I got up and saw that he was lying motionless. I hurried to the boat, and an hour later we were already far out to sea. Tonga took all his possessions, all his weapons and all the gods. Among other things, I found with him a long bamboo spear and several mats woven from coconut palm leaves, from which I made some kind of sail. For ten days we rushed across the sea, on the eleventh we were picked up by a merchant ship sailing from Singapore to Jeddah with a load of pilgrims from Malaya. It was a motley company, and Tonga and I soon got lost among them. They had one very good quality- they didn't ask questions.

If I start telling all the adventures that I and my little friend had to go through, you will not thank me, because I will not be finished before dawn. Wherever fate takes us! But we couldn't get to London. And all the time of wanderings I did not forget the main goal. I saw Sholto at night in my dreams. A thousand times at night in my sleep I killed him. Finally, three or four years ago, we found ourselves in England. It wasn't hard for me to find out where Sholto lived. Then I began to find out what had become of the treasure. I struck up a friendship with one of his household members. I won't name names, I don't want anyone else to rot in jail. I soon learned that the treasure was intact and in Sholto's possession. Then I began to think how to attack him. But Sholto was cunning. He always kept two professional boxers as gatekeepers, and he always had his sons and a Hindu servant with him.

And then I find out that he is dying. Like a madman, I rushed to Pondicherry Lodge: could he escape me in this way? I crept into the garden and peered into his window. He was lying on his bed, both of his sons were standing to the left and to the right. I got to the point where I almost threw myself at all three, but then I looked at him - he saw me in the window, his jaw dropped, and I realized that everything in this world was over for Major Sholto. That same night, I nevertheless climbed into his bedroom and rummaged through all the papers - I was looking for some indication where he hid our treasures. But I didn't find anything. And then the thought occurred to me that if I ever met my Sikh friends, they would be pleased to know that I managed to leave evidence of our hatred in the major's room. And I wrote on a piece of paper "the sign of four", as it was on our cards, and pinned the paper on the chest of the deceased. Even in the grave, let him remember those four whom he deceived and robbed.

We made a living by going to fairs and poor Tonga showed himself for money. A black cannibal, he ate raw meat in front of an audience and danced his martial dances. So by the end of the day we always had a whole bunch of coins. I still kept in touch with Pondicherry Lodge, but there was no news from there. I only knew that his sons were still searching. Finally, the news that we have been waiting for so long has arrived. Treasures have been found. They ended up in the attic, above the ceiling of Bartholomew Sholto's chemistry lab. I immediately arrived at the place and inspected everything. I realized that I couldn't get up there with my foot. I learned, however, about the dormer window on the roof, and also that Mr. Sholto was having dinner downstairs. And I thought that with the help of Tonga everything would be very easy to do. I took it with me and tied it around my waist with a rope, which we had the foresight to take. Tonga climbed like a cat and very soon he was on the roof. But, unfortunately, Mr. Bartholomew Sholto was still in the office, and it cost him his life. Tonga thought he did a very good job of killing him. When I climbed the rope into the room, he was strutting around as proud as a rooster. And he was very surprised when I called him a bloodthirsty devil and began to beat him with the free end of the rope. Then I took the treasure chest and lowered it down, then I went down myself, writing "the sign of four" on a piece of paper and leaving it on the table. I wanted to show that the jewels are finally back to those who rightfully own them. Tonga pulled out the rope, locked the window, and left through the roof just as he had come.

I don't know what else to add to my story. I heard a boatman praise Smith's Aurora for its speed. And I thought that this is exactly what we need. I arranged with the elder Smith, hired a boat and promised to pay him well if he would take us safe and sound to the ship that was leaving for Brazil. He, of course, guessed that the matter was unclean, but he was not privy to the mystery of the Norwood murder. All that I have told you, gentlemen, is the true truth, and I did not do it to amuse you: you did me a disservice, but because my only salvation is to tell everything exactly as it was, so that all the world knew how Major Sholto had deceived me and that I was absolutely innocent of his son's death.

A wonderful story, said Sherlock Holmes. - It is quite a worthy finale for no less remarkable business. In the second half of your story, there is nothing new for me, except perhaps that you brought the rope with you. I didn't know this. By the way, I thought that Tonga had lost all its thorns. And he fired another one at us.

The one that remained in the tube. The rest he lost.

Understood, said Holmes. How did it not occur to me.

Any other questions? asked our prisoner kindly.

No thanks, no more, my friend replied.

Listen, Holmes, said Ethelney Jones, you are a man who must be pleased. Everyone knows that you have no equal in terms of solving crimes. But duty is duty, and I have already committed so many violations of the order in pleasing you and your friend. I'll be much calmer if I put our narrator in a safe place. The cab is still waiting, and two policemen are sitting below. Much obliged to you and your friend for the help. It goes without saying that your presence at the trial is essential. Good night.

Good night, gentlemen, said Small.

You go first, Small,” Jones said cautiously as they left the room. “I don't want you to hit me over the head with your piece of wood like you did in the Andaman Islands.

That's the end of our little drama, - I said, after we smoked silently for some time. - I'm afraid, Holmes, that this is the last time I had the opportunity to study your method. Miss Morstan did me the honor of agreeing to be my wife.

Holmes let out a cry of despair.

I was so afraid of this! - he said. - No, I can't congratulate you.

You don't like my choice? I asked, slightly hurt.

Like. I must say that Miss Morstan is a charming girl and could be a real help in our affairs. She certainly has the data for this. You noticed that on the very first day she brought us from all her father’s papers nothing but a plan of the Agra fortress. But love is an emotional thing, and as such it is the opposite of pure and cold reason. And I, as you know, put the mind above all. As for me, I never marry, so as not to lose my clarity of mind.

I hope, I said, laughing, that my mind will pass this test. But you, Holmes, look very tired again.

Yes, there is a reaction. Now I'll be like a squeezed lemon all week.

How strange you alternate periods of what I, speaking of another person, would call laziness, with periods full of the most active and intense activity.

Yes, - he said, - I have the qualities of both a great lazy person and a notorious fighter. I often think of Goethe's words: Schade, dass die Natur nur einen Menschen ausr dir schuf, denn zum wurdigen Mann war und zum Schelmen der Stoff. By the way, - returning to the Norwood case, - they, as I expected, did have an assistant in the house. And this is none other than the butler Lal Rao. So, Jones still has the honor of catching one large fish.

How unfairly the prize was distributed! I noticed. - Everything in this business is made by you. But I got a wife. And the glory will go to Jones. What is left for you?

To me? Holmes said. - And me - an ampoule with cocaine.

And he stretched out his narrow white hand to the dressing-case.

Notes

1 Magnificent, masterful, brilliant (French).

2 Bad taste leads to crime (French).

3 "There are no more insufferable fools than those who are not completely devoid of mind" (French). F. La Rochefoucauld. Maxims and Moral Reflections.

4 "We're used to people mocking things they don't understand" (German)

5 What a pity that nature made you one person: you would have enough material for both the righteous and the scoundrel (German).

The deductive method of Sherlock Holmes:

• Based on all the facts and evidence, a complete picture of the crime is built.
• Starting from the received picture of the crime, the only defendant corresponding to it is searched.

In terms of terminology, Holmes rather used the "inductive method" (the general judgment is made on the basis of particulars: cigarette butt-weapon-motive-personality, therefore, Mr. X is a criminal). The deduction, in this case, would look like this: Mr X - only person with a dark past surrounded by the victim, therefore, it was he who committed the crime.

When compiling an idea about the picture of the crime, Holmes uses strict logic, which allows one to restore a single picture from disparate and insignificant details, as if he had seen the incident with his own eyes.

With one drop of water, a person who knows how to think logically can draw a conclusion about the possibility of existence Atlantic Ocean or Niagara Falls, even if he had never seen or heard of either. Every life is a huge chain of causes and effects, and we can know its nature by one link.

- "A study in Scarlet"

"An observer who has thoroughly studied one link in a series of events should be able to accurately establish all the other links - both previous and subsequent. But in order to bring the art of thinking to highest point, it is necessary that the thinker be able to use all the established facts, and for this he needs the most extensive knowledge ... "

- "Five orange seeds"

The key points of the method are observation and expert knowledge in many practical and applied fields of science, often related to forensic science. Here, Holmes's specific approach to understanding the world is manifested, purely professional and pragmatic, which seems more than strange to people who are unfamiliar with the personality of Holmes. Possessing the deepest knowledge in such areas specific to forensic science as soil science or typography, Holmes does not know elementary things. For example, Holmes is not aware of the fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun, because this information is completely useless in his work.

It seems to me that human brain looks like a small empty attic that you can furnish however you want. The fool will drag in there any junk that comes to hand, and there will be nowhere to stick useful, necessary things, or at best you won’t get to the bottom of them among all this rubble. And an intelligent person carefully selects what he puts in his brain attic.

- "A study in Scarlet"

Further, using his method, which Holmes calls deductive, he calculates the criminal. His usual line of reasoning is: "Give up all the impossible, what remains is the answer, no matter how incredible it may seem."

- "Sign of Four"

For example, when investigating the case of the loss of Agra's treasures, Holmes is faced with a situation where the offender, according to signs and evidence left, turns out to be a short man with a foot that never knew shoes. Having discarded all options, Holmes stops at the only one: this is a short savage from the Andaman Islands - no matter how paradoxical this option may look.

Holmes's unusual ability to make startling guesses from the smallest clues causes constant amazement of Watson and the readers of the stories. The detective uses and trains this ability not only during the investigation, but also in everyday life. As a rule, later Holmes thoroughly explains the course of his thoughts, which after the fact seems obvious and elementary.

Consequence

In most cases, Holmes is faced with carefully planned and complexly executed crimes. At the same time, the set of crimes is quite wide - Holmes investigates murders, thefts, extortion, and sometimes he comes across situations that at first glance (or ultimately) have no corpus delicti at all (the incident with the King of Bohemia, the case of Mary Sutherland, the story of a man with split lip, the case of Lord St. Simon).

Sherlock Holmes prefers to act alone, in one person performing all the functions of the investigation. He is assisted by John Hamish Watson and the staff of Scotland Yard, but this is not of a fundamental nature. Holmes finds evidence and, as an expert, assesses the involvement of the defendants in the crime. Interrogates witnesses. In addition, Holmes often acts directly as an agent of the detective, searching for evidence and defendants, and also participates in the arrest. Holmes is no stranger to various tricks - he uses makeup, wigs, changes his voice. In some cases, he has to resort to full reincarnation, which requires the skill of an actor.

In some cases, a group of London street boys work for Holmes. Basically, Holmes uses them as spies to assist him in investigating cases.

Holmes maintains a detailed file of crimes and criminals, and also writes monographs as a forensic scientist.