Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-01


Dear me! Dear me!' he said at
last "well, now, who would have
thought Il? And how deceptive ap.
pearances may be. to be sure! Such
q nice young man to look at! 1t is a
lesson to us not to trust our own judg.
ment. is It not, Lcstrade"
Yes. some Of us are little too much
inclined to be cocksure. Mr.. Holiness"
said Lestrade. The mans insolence
was maddening, but we could not re.
goat, It
"wbat a providential thing that this
young man should press his right
thumb against the wall In taking his
hat from the peg. Such very natural
action, too, II you come to think Of It,"
Holmes was outwardly calm, but his
whole body gave Il wriggle Of sup
pressed excitement us he spoke. by
the way, Lestrade. who made this re-
markable discovery
1T was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lex.
attention to it,"
"Where was the night constable?"
"He remained on guard in the bed
room where the crime was committed
90 as to see that nothing was touched"
But why didn't the police see this
mark yesterday"
"Well, we had no particular reason
to make careful examination of the
hall. Besides. it's not in a very promi-
nent place, as you sec.'
mo, no--of course not. i suppose
there is no doubt that the mark was
there yesterday"
Lestrade looked at Holmes as II he
thought he was going out Of his mind.
I confess that was myself surprised
both at his hilarious manner and at
his rather wild observation.
II don't know whether you think that
McFarlane came out Of Jail In the
dead of night in order to strengthen
the evidence against himself" said
Lestrade. Il leave it to any expert
in the world whether that is not the
mark OF his thumb"
1T is unquestionably the mark Of
his thumb
There, that's enough" said Lestrade.
81 am a practical man, Mr.. Holmes.
and when I have got my evidence l
come to my conclusions. II you have
anything to say you will find me writ
ing my report in the sitting room"
Holmes had recovered his equanlmi-
ty, though still seemed to detect
CLEANS Of amusement in his express
sion.
"Dear me-. this is a very sad devel-
opment. Watson, Ia 1t nOt?" said he.
"And vet there are singular points
about it which hold out some hopes for
our client"
II am delighted to hear It," said I
heartily. Il was afraid it was all up
with him."
II would hardly 60 so far as to say
that. my dear Watson. The fact is that
there Is one really serious flaw in this
evidence to which our friend attaches
30 much Importance.
Indeed. Holmes! What Is IT."
"Only this. that l know that that
mark was not there when examined
the hall yesterday. And now, Watson,
let us have a little stroll round In the
sunshine"
With a confused brain, but with a
heart into which some warmth Of hope
was returning, I accompanied my
friend In walk round the garden.
Holmes took each face Of the house In
turn and examined it with great inter
est. He then led the way inside and
went over the whole building from
basement to attic. Most of the rooms
were unfinished, but none the less
Holmes inspected them all infinitely
Finally, on the top corridor. which rar
outside three untenanted bedrooms, he
again was seized with a spasm of mer
riment.
There are really some very UNIQUE
features about this case, Watson" said
he. Il think 1t Is time now that We
took our friend Lestrade into our conf
dence. He has had his little smile Al
our expense. and perhaps we may de-
as much by him II my reading Of this
problem proves to be correct. Yes. yes
] think l see how we should approach
It,"
The Scotland Yard detective was Still
writing in the parlor when Holmes in
terrupted him.
II understood that you were writing
report Of this case" said he.
80 am"
Don't you think II may be q little
premature: can't help thinking tina
your evidence Is not complete"
Lestrade knew my friend too we'll I,
disregard his words. He laid down hi
pen and looked curlously at him.
What do you mean. Mr.. Holmes?"
"Only that there is an important wit
ness whom you have not seen."
"Can you produce him!"
II think l can"
Then do So"
II will do my best. How many con
stables have you?"
"There are three within call"
Excellent" said Holmes. NAV
ask IL they are all large. ablebodiet
men with powerful voices?"
II have no doubt they are. though
fail to see what their voices have to d.
with It,"
Perhaps l can help you to see tina
and one or two other things az we'll,
said Holmes. kindly summon you
men. and will try"
Five minutes later three policeme
had assembled In the hall.
I'm the clubhouse you will find cor
Afderah le Uuantitv ~ ctra wv" aai