[ WP ] `` You 're thinking 3 things , all of which are wrong . ''

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 `` You're thinking of three things, all of which are wrong.'' 
 
 I stared at him for a moment. How could he have possibly known that I had come to three conclusions, much less known that all three would be incorrect. He was undoubtedly correct, of course, as he always was, but I still could not fathom how he could have reached it so quickly. Even after a year of apprenticeship studying his methods he still showed me that I had much to learn. 
 
 `` Come now, man, you must understand how it is I know that you are incorrect. Have I taught you nothing?'' He leaned forward and stared at me, smoke slowly rising from his cigarette and dissipating into the haze that now filled the room. He stared at me intently, something he always did when he was eagerly awaiting for revelation to strike me as it had done him. 
 
 `` I must confess I can not understand how you can know not only what I'm thinking but also that I'm incorrect,'' I said. `` You are correct in saying I had reached three possible solutions...'' 
 
 `` Obviously.'' 
 
 ``... but I only reached three because I can not see how there could be any other possibilities.'' 
 
 He let out a great sigh and leaned back in his chair, putting out his cigarette. `` I am disappointed, indeed. When I agreed to take you on as my apprentice it was as a favor to your uncle, but I am not sure you will ever improve.'' 
 
 `` If memory serves me correctly, my uncle was not much better than I at deduction even after years of working with you,'' I said in a huff, upset at the insult that had been leveled against my intellect. 
 
 He laughed heartily and looked at me. `` That was merely your uncle being modest in his accounts. I've always said that he had a flair for the dramatic and gave unfair accounts of everything that I was able to do. And as much as he elevated me in those memoirs he also underestimated his own abilities and contributions. Your uncle is as sharp as they come and my practice has suffered in his absence.'' 
 
 `` Fine, tell me what I was thinking, but more importantly, explain why I was incorrect in my conclusions.'' 
 
 He lit another cigarette and sat in silence for a moment, breathing in the tobacco. 
 
 `` Very well, Watson. I shall explain it all to you. And after this, I want no more doubts when it comes to the abilities of Sherlock Holmes.''
