The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-26

traordinary chan. had come over his
face. 1t was YritAing with inward
merriment His two eyes were shining
like stars. 1t seemed to me that he
was making desperate Efforts to re-
strain a convulsive attack of laughter
Dear me! Dear mer' he said at
last. well, now, who would have
thought it? And how deceptive ap-
pearances may be, to be sure! Such
nice young man to look at, 1t is a
lesson to lis not to trust our own judg-
ment, is it not. Lestrade:"
Yes. some of us are little too much
inclined to be cocksure, Mr.. Holmes"
said LeStrade. The mans insolence
was maddening, but we could not re-
sent it.
i What proyidential 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 if you come to think of it."
Holmes was outwardly calm. but his
whole body gave wriegle of sup
pressed excitement as he spoke by
the way, Lestrade, who made this re-
markable discovery"
1t was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lex
ingtOn, who drew the night constables
attention TO it,
Where was the night constable?'
He remained on guard in the bed
room where the crime was committed
SO 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 a careful examination of the
hall. Besides, it's not in very promi-
nent place. as you see."
NO, no-of course not. l suppose
there is no doubt that the mark was
there yesterday:"
LeStrade looked at Holmes as if he
thought he was going out Of his mind.
l confess that was myself surprised
both at his hilarious manner and at
his rather wild observation.
81 don't know whether you think that
McFarlane came oJt of jail ! he
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"
TT is unquestionably the mark of
his thumb
There that's enough" said Lestrade.
Il am practical man. Mr.. Holmes,
and when | have got my evidence |
conc to my conclusions. If you have
any thing to say you will find me writ
/ ing my report in the sitting ROOM"
Holmes had recovered his equanimi-
ty. though | still seemed to detect
CLEANS of amusement in his express
SION
Dear me. this is Il very sad devel-
opment, Watson, is it not" said he.
"And yet there are singular points
about it which hold out some hopes for
our client
81 am delighted to hear it," said /
heartily. 81 was afraid it was all UP
with him."
Il would hardly go 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
so much Importance"
Indeed Holmes! What is it?'
"Only this. that | know that that
mark was not there when l examined
the hall yesterday. And now, Watson
let us Lave little stroll round in the
sunshine
With confused BRAN, but with Il
heart into which some warmth of hon"
was returning, I accompanied my
friend in a 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 ran
outside three untenanted bedrooms, he
ngain was seized with a spasm of mer.
riment.
"There are really some very unique
features about this case, Watson" said
he. Il think it is time now that we
took our friend Lestrade into our conf
uCACC. nc mas htu Llo illtiS SliiiO ~
our expense. and perhaps we may dc
as much by him if my reading of this
problem proves to be correct. Yes, yes
| think see how we should approach
it."
The Scotland Yard detective was still
writing in the parlor when Holmes in
terrupted him.
at understood that you were writing
a report of this case" said he.
$50 am"
Don't you think it may be little
premature? l can't help thinking that
your evidence is not complete"
Lestrade knew my friend too well t.
disregard his words He laid down his
pen and looked curiously 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!"
Il think | can"
"Then do So"
~ will do my best. How many con
sta bles have you?"
"There are three within call"
'IGxcellentr' said Holmes. MAY
ask if they are all large, ablebodie(
men with powerful voices?"
81 have no doubt they are, though
fail to see what their voices have to d.
with It,"