The Venetian and the Dutch Women

The Venetian and the Dutch Women — Chapter 4 insertion

For The Frisian Codex — part I, ch. 4 — “The Man at Deptford” (1876, 22 years old Holmes with agent O4)

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The Dutchman took a deliberate drink and set down his glass.

“There is an old story of a Venetian who came into our country,” he said. “A diplomat, or a spy — with such men it is sometimes only the salary which makes the difference.”

Holmes smiled. “And when was this?”

“About fifteen hundred and six, if I remember rightly. He wrote home about the people he found. The women especially pleased his attention. Very handsome, he said. Tall, cheerful, industrious. They did their work well, and afterwards they knew also how to make pleasure.”

“How very generous of him.”

“Yes. But then comes the difficulty.” The Dutchman’s face remained perfectly grave. “He says the women are cold. Frigid. They have very little desire.”

Holmes raised an eyebrow. “You dispute his observation?”

“I dispute his success.”

There was a pause.

The Dutchman continued as if he were discussing the price of calves.

“You must read such gentlemen with care. Perhaps he was a little man. Perhaps not beautiful. Perhaps with a good purse of gold and much experience that the purse improves the face. He travels through Europe and everywhere the ladies become agreeable. Then he comes among the Holland women.”

“And they do not?”

“They do not.”

The corner of his mouth moved.

“So he writes to Venice: There is something wrong with the women.”

Holmes laughed.

“That,” he said, “is an inference for which you possess remarkably little evidence.”

“Certainly.”

“Yet you have just condemned the Venetian for precisely the same offence.”

“No. He made his conclusion about all the women.”

“And you?”

“I make mine only about him.”

Holmes regarded him for a moment.

“You have no evidence that he was small.”

“No.”

“Or ugly.”

“No.”

“Or accustomed to purchasing affection.”

“No.”

“Then upon what do you base the portrait?”

The Dutchman considered this.

“A man who must explain in writing why beautiful women do not want him has already given you something to work with.”

Holmes's amusement escaped him before he could prevent it.

“You are incorrigible.”

“No,” said the Dutchman. “Only married.”

He drank again.

After a moment Holmes said, “There is nevertheless a serious defect in your reasoning.”

“Good.”

“You are pleased?”

“Very. Now you are looking for what is wrong instead of looking for what proves you right.”