The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19


 served to strengthen 1t. By the way, there is one curious little point about those papers which may serve us as the starting-point for an inquiry. On looking over the bank-book 1 found that the low state of the balance was principally due to large cheques which have been made out during the last year to MT. Cornelius. l con- fess that | should be interested to know who this MT. Cornelius may be with whom a retired builder has such very large transactions. Is 1t possi- ble that he has had hand in the affair? Cornelius might be broker, but we have found no scrip to corre- spond with these large payments. Failing any other indication. my re- searches must now take the direc- ton of an inquiry at the bank for the gentleman who has cashed these cheques. But I fear, my dear -eiIow, that our case will end inglorlously by Lestrade hanging our client, which will certainly be q triumph for Scot land Yard''
 l do not know how far Sherlock Holmes took any sleep that night but when I came down to breakfast I found him pale and harassed, his bright eyes the brighter for the dark shadows round them. The carpet round his chair was filtered with cigarette ends and with the early edi- tions of the morning papers. An open telegram lay upon the table.
 What do you think of this, Wat son?" he asked tossing it across.
 It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:
 Important fresh evidence to hand McFarlanes guilt definitely estab- lished. Advise you to abandon case -Lestrade."
 .This sounds serious" said l.
 '1t is Lestrade's little cock-a-doodle of victory, Holmes answered. with bitter smile. And yet it may be premature to abandon the case. After all, important fresh evidence Is a two-edged thing, and may possi- bly, cut in a very different direction to that which Lestrade imagines Take your breakfast, Watson, and we will go out together and see what we can do. l feel as If I shall need your company and your moral support to- day.
 Fly friend had no breakfast himself for it was one of his pecularities that in his more intense moments he would permit himself no food, and I have known him presume upon his iron strength until he has fainted from pure hamilton. At present l cannot spare energy and nerve force for d. gestion," he would say in answer to my medical remonstrances. l was not surprised therefore, when this morning he left his untouched meal behind him, and started with me for Norwood. A crowd of morbid sight seers were still gathered round Deep Dene House, which was Just such suburban villa as T had pictured. Within the gates Lestrade met us his face flushed with victory, his manner grossly triumphant
 'sWell Mr Holmes, have you proved us to be wrong. yet? Have you found your tramp?' he cried.
 'I have formed no conclusion what ever" my companion answered.
 "But we formed ours yesterday. and now 1t proves to be correct, so you must acknowledge that we have been a little in front of you this time, MT. Holmes.'
 sYou certainly have the air of some | thing unusual having occurred" said Holmes.
 Lestrade laughed loudly.
 .You don't like being beaten any more than the rest of us do" said he. "A man can't expect always to have it his own way, can he, Dr. Watson? Step this way, if you please, gentle men, and I think can convince you once for all that it was John McFar- lane that did the crime"
 He jed us through the passage and out into a dark hall beyond
 "This is where young McFarlane must nave come out to get his hat after the crime was done" said he. "Now look at this.' With dramatic suddenness he struck match, and by it's light exposed a stain of blood upon the whitewashed wall. As he held the match nearer I saw that it was more than stain. It was the wel-marked print of a thumb.
 Look at that with your magnify ing glass, MT. Holiness"
 "Yes, I am doing so.''
 You are aware that no two thumb marks are alilxe2"
 "I have heard something of the kind.'
 Well, then. will you please compare that print with this wax impression