Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-10-03


apould."
was Uttered with cigarette ends and
with the early editions Of the morning
papers. An open telegram lay upon the
table.
"What do you think Of this, Watson"
he asked. tossing it across.
It was from Norwood and ran as fol-
lows:
Important fresh evidence to hand. Nc
Farlane's guilt definitely established. Ad-
wise you to abandon case. LEsTRADE.
This sounds serious" said l.
1T is Lestrade's little cock-a-doodle
of victory" Holmes answered, with a
bitter smile. And yet it may be pre-
mature to abandon the case. After all,
important fresh evidence is two edg-
ed thing and may possibly cut In a
very different direction from that which
Lestrade imaglnes. Take your break
fast, Watson, and we will go out to-
gether and see what we can do. ] feel
as II shall need your company and
your moral support today"
MY friend had no breakfast himself.
for it was one Of his pecullarities that
In his more intense moments he would
permit himself no food, and l have
known him to presume upon his iron
strength until he has tainted from
pure inanition. "At present I cannot
spare energy and nerve force for diges-
tiOn," he would say in answer to my
medical remonstrances. | was not sur
prised, therefore. when this morning he
left his untouched meal behind him and
started with me for Norwood. crowd
of morbid sightseers were still gathered
round Deep Dene House. which was
Just such Il suburban villa us had pic
tureI. Within the gates Les;rade met
US, his face flushed with victory. his
mani.er grossly triumphant.
We'll, Mr.. Holmes, have you proved
us to be wrong yet? Have you found
your tramp" he cried
IL have formed 10 conclusion what
ever" my companion answered
"But we forlaed 0Crs yesterday. anu
now it proves to he correct. 50 YOU
must acknowledge that we have been
little in front Uf you this TIME. MI
holmes"
You certainly have TIE a!r Of some
thing unusual having occurred" said
iio,ncS.
LeStra,.e laughed loudly.
..\D,, h.,t.,,r hnnfnn ony
more than the rest of us do said he.
y man can't expect always to have
i. lis own way, can lie, DR.. Watson:
Ste? TIL; way, If yea please, gentle
once for all that it Was John McFar
lare who I'D this cr.N.e."
He led Us through the passage and
out into dark hall beyond.
IT'S l.; where young McFnrlane
must have cone ont TO set his hat
after the crime was Gene" said he.
"N,w, look ut this" With dramatic
suddenness lie struck match and by
it's light exposed 4 stain of blood upon
the whitewashed wall. AS he held the
match nearer l saw that it was more
than a stain. 1t was the well marked
print of Il thumb.
Look at that with your magnifying
glass, Mr.. Holmes"
"Yes. am doing So"
"You are aware that no two thumb
marks are alike?
II have heard something Of the kind"
"Well. then, will you please COM
pare that print with this wax impress
sion of young McFarlane's right thumb
taken by my orders this morning."
As he held the waXen print close to
the blood stain 1t did not take mag
nifylng glass to see that the two were
undoubtedly from the same thumb. 1t
was evident to me that our unfortunate
client was lost
THAT is final" said Lestrade.
"Yes, that is final," I involuntarily
echoed.
1T Is final" said Holmes.
Something In his tone caught my ear,
and 1 turned to look at him. An ex-
traordinary change had come over his
face. It was writhing with inward
merriment His two eyes were shining
like stars. 1t seemed to me that he
was making desperate efforts to re-
strain convulsive attack Of laughter.
Dear me! Dear me!' he said at
last. "Well, now, who would have
thought It? And how deceptive ap-
pearances may be, to be sure! Such
q nice young man to look at! It is a
lesson to us not to trust our own judg-
ment, is 1t not, Lestrade"
"Yes, some Of US are little too much
inclined to be cocksure, Mr.. E1lmes."
said Lestrade. The mans insolence
was maddsning. but we csuld not re-
sent II. r.