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

what 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 1t. y
Holmes was outwardly calm, but his
whole body gave wriggle 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 g
attention to it."
Where was the night constable"
"He remained on guard in the bed
room where the crime was committed
50 as to see that nothing was touched" J"
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 a very promi-
nent place, as you see."
"NO, no-of course not. 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.
! confess that l was myself surprised
both at his hilarious manner and at
his rather wild observation.
81 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. II leave 1t 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.
II am practical man, Mr.. Holmes,
and when l have got my evidence l
come to my conclusions. If you have
anything to say you will find me writ
ing my report in the sitting room.'
Holmes had recovered his equanimi-
ty, though l still seemed to detect
CLEANS Of amusement in his express
sion.
Dear me, this Is 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"
~ am delighted to hear It," said I
heartily. "I was afraid 1t was all up
with him."
81 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 examined
the hall yesterday And now, Watson,
let us have little stroll round in the
sunshine"
With confused brain, but with
heart into which some warmth of hope
was returning 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 unfurnished, but none the less
Holmes inspected them all minutely.
Finally, on the top corridor, which ran
outside three untenantcd 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 it is time now that we
took our friend Lestrade into our conf
dence. He has had his little smile at
our expense. and perhaps we may do
us much by him if 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 We're writing
q report of this caSe," said he.
80 | am"
Don't you think it may he little
premature: l can't help thinking that
your evidence is not complete"
Lestrade knew my friend too we'll to
disregard his words. He laid down his
pen and looked curiously ut him.
"W'hat do you mean. Mr.. Holmes"
inv tst fNf
ness whom you have not seen."
Can you produce him"
81 think l can"
"Then do So"
81 will do my best. How many con-
stables have you?"
There are three within call"
Excellent said Holmes. "May /
ask if they are all large, ablebodied
men with powerful voices?"
IL have no doubt they are, though
fail to see what their voices have to do
with It,"
Perhaps l can help you to see that
and one or two other things as we'll"
said Holmes. kindly summon your
men, and will try"
Five minutes later three policemen
had assembled in the hall.
I'm the outhouse you will find a con-
siderable quantity Of straw" said
Holmes. II will ask you to carry in
two bundles Of it. think it will be
Of the greatest assistance in producing
the witness whom / require. Thank
you very much. I believe you have
some matches in your pocket. Watson.
Now, Mr.. Lestrade, I will ask you all
to accompany me to the top landing"
AS l have said, there was a broad
corridor there, which ran outside three
empty bedrooms. At one end Of the
corridor we were all marshaled by
Sherlock Holmes, the constables grin
ming and Lestrade staring at my friend
with amazement, expectation and deri-
sion chasing each other across his fea-
lures. Holmes stood before us with
the air Of conjurer who is perform.
ing trick.
would you kindly send one of your
constables for two buckets of water!