Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-15

Noi-iAeA ~ NNiiltf ; weekly
"She could tell us something II she
tCoUId"
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 =
be asked. tossing IL across
IL was from Norwood and ran as fol-
lows
Important fresh evidence to hand. Nc
Farlane's guilt definitely established. Id
wise you 20 abandon case. LESTRADE.
This Sounds serious" said I.
1T Is Iestrade's little cock "A doodle
OF victory" Holmes answered. with a
bitter smile. "And yet 1t may be pre-
mature 10 abandon the case. After all
important fresh evidence is two edg-
ed thing ana may possibly cut in a
very different direction from that which
Destrade hmsgines. Take your break
fast. Watson. and we will 20 out to-
gether and see what we can do. | feel
az II shall need your company and
your moral support today"
My friend had no breakfast himself.
in his more intense moments he would
permit himself no food. and | have
known him 10 presume upon his iron
strength until be has tainted from
pure hamilton. AT present I cannot
spare energy and nerve force for diges-
ton" he would say In anSwer TO my
medical remonstrances. / Vas not sur
prised. therefore. when this morning be
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 n suburban villa as had pic
tured. Within the gates Lestrade met
us, his face flushed wsSh victory, his
manner grossly triumphant
We'll, Mr.. Holmes. have you proved
Us 10 be wrong yet? Have you found
your tramp" he cried.
Il 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
little in front OF you this time, Mr..
Holmes"
thing unusual having occurred" said
Holmes
Lestrade laughed loudly.
You don't like being beaten any
more than the rest OF us do" said be.
"A man can't expect always TO hgve
II his own way. eau he, DR.. Watson ?
Step this way. II you please, gentle
men, and think 1 can convince you
once for all that il was John NcFar-
lane who did this crime"
he led US through this passage and
out into dark hall beyond.
This is where young McFarlsne
must have come out to get his hat
AMER the crime was done" said he.
Now, look at this" With dramatic
suddenness he struck a match and by
Its light exposed a stain OF blood upon
the wditewashed wall. As he held the
match nearer / saw that IL was more
Than stain. 1t was the we1 marked
print OF a thumb.
look at that with your magnifying
glass, Mr.. Holmes"
YES. am doing So"
"You are aware that no two thumb
marks are alike?"
n have heard something ofdhe 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 10
the blood stain It did not take a mag
nifymg glass TO see that the two were
undoubtedly from the same thumb. IL
was evident 10 me that our unfortunate
client was lost
That is fnaI," said Lestrsde.
Yes, that is nnal," i invotuntarily
echoed.
1T is fnal-" said Holmes.
Something In his tone caught nay ear,
and turned TO look at him. An sx-
traordinary change had come over bis
face. II was writing with inward
merriment His two eyes were shining
like stars. 1t seemed TO me that he
was making desperate efforts to re-
strain convuIsive attack OF laughter
Bear mel Dear mer' he said at