File:A Master of Magic by Sadie Shaw.jpg

Summary

Transcription:

"Mr. Holmes will see you," the servant said pleasantly. "But he does not know who I am, and besides how can he tell that I came to see him without even seeing me?" I persisted. "Oh, you know he is the Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and all he said was, 'An American, so show her up.' " "How can he know I am American?" I thought as I walked up the long flight of stairs. I was shown into a small but cosy room where I saw a man sitting in a large armchair and smoking.

He looked at me a moment and then said unexpectedly, "Why, hello! How did you enjoy your trip, Sadie?" I thought I should choke, I was so astonished. "How in the world do you know I have just taken a trip, and that my name is Sadie," I asked, breathlessly. "Simple, simple," he said. "You must remember that you are wearing a brooch with your name on it and that you have a very marked American accent which you would lose if you stayed here three weeks. I suppose you wonder how I knew that you were American before I saw you. We Englishmen have a certain way of knocking which Americans never can imitate. I knew you were American by your knock." He went on to tell me many startling facts which surprised me so much that at last I became very nervous. I departed still more impressed by Mr. Holmes' wonderful deductions.

— Sadie Shaw, 2833 Harriet Avenue.

A Seventh Grade,

Whittier School.