The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-03-08
1.-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
NORWOOD ontinued.

NONWOOD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
This IL where young McFar-
lane must have come out TO
get his hat after the crime
was done" said ne. Now look ut this"
With dramatic suddenncss he struck a
match. and by It's light exposed a stain
of blood upon the whitewnshcd wall.
An he held the match nearer. I saw
that II was more than a stain. II was
The well marked print OF n thumb.
Look At that with your magnifying
glass, Mr. Holmes"
Yes. I am doing So"
You are aware that no two thumb
marks are nilke?"
Il have heard something OF the kind"
Well. then, will you please compare
that print with this wax impression OF
young McFarlRncs right thumb. taken
by my orders this morning.
As he held tho waxen print close
10 the blood stain. IL did not take n
magnifying glass to see that the two
were undoubtedly from the same
thumb. IL was evident to me that our
unfortunate client was lost.
That II Anal" said Lestrade.
Yes, that 10 nnal," I involuntarily
echoed.
1T In anal" said Holmes.
Something In his tone caught my
ear. and turned TO look at him. An
extraordinary change had come over his
face. II was writing with inward mer-
riment. His two eyes were shining
like stars. IL seemed TO me that he
was making desperate efforts
to restrain convulsive attack OF
laughter.
Dear mo! Dear me-" he said ut
last. Well. now. who would have
thought OF III And how deceptive APP
pearances may be. TO be sure! Such
n nice young man To look at! II In
lesson TO W. not To trust our own judg-
ment. Is ~ not. Lcstrade7"
Yes. some OF US are n little too much
inclined TO be cocksure. Mr. Holmes"
said Lestrade. The mans insolence
was mnddenins. but we could not re-
sent II.
what a provldentiai thing that this
young man should press his right
thumb against the wall In taking his
ural action. too, IL you come TO think
OF e." Holmes was outwardly calm.
but his whole body gave n wisgle OF
suppressed 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 constablc's
attention TO g."
Where was the night constable"
He remained on guard In the bed
room where the crime was committed.
so as Ia see that nothing was touched"
hut why didn't the police see this
mark yesterday"
We'll. we had no particular reason
20 make n careful examination OF the
hall Besides, It's not In "A very prom
incnt place, as you see"
NO. no-of course not. suppose
there is no doubt that the mark was
there yesterday"
Lestrade looked ut Holmes as {. he
thought he was going out OF his mind
l confess that I WAS myself surprised
both Mt his hilarious manner and at
his rather wild observation.
Il don't know whether you think that
McFarlune came out OF gaol In the dead
OF night In order To strengthen the EVIL
dence against himself" said Lestrade.
Il leave IL 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 Les
trade. Il am n practical man. Mr.
Holmes, and when I have got my EVIL
dence come TO my conclusions. II
you have anything To say. you will
find me writing my report In the sit
ting room
Holmes had recovered his equaa.m-
lily. though still seemed TO detect
CLEANS OF amusement In his express
sion.
Dear me. this In n very sad develop
ment, Watson. Il IL not" said he. And
Set there are singular points about IL
which hold out some hopes for our
client
Il am delighted to hear IT," said l.
heartily. Il was afraid Il Was all up
with him"
Il would hardly ~ 40 far as to say
that my dear Watson. The fact is
that there In one really serious flaw In
this evidence 20 which our friend Rt-
taches NO much importance
Indeed. Holmes! What H. IT,"
"Oply this: that I know that that
mark was not there when I examined
the hall yesterday. And now, Watson,
let US have a little stroll around I'm the
sunshine
With u confused brain. hut with 4,
heart Into watch some warmth OF hope
was returning, accompanied my
friend iE walk around the garden.
Holmes took each face of the house IA
turn. and examined II with great inter
eat. He then led the way inside, and
wen; over the whole building from base
ment To- attic. Most OF the rooms were
unfurnlShcd. but none the less Holmes
inspected them all infinitely. Finally, on
the top corridor. which ran outside
three untsnnuteI bed rooms. he again
was seized with n spasm OF merrlment
''Thcrr are really some very UNIQUE
features about this case, Watson"
said he. Il thiEi. u H. time now that
We took our friend i.estTndc into our
confidence. lie has had his little smile
at our expense. and perhaps We may
do ~ much by him. u my reading OF
this problem proves To h" correct. Yes
yes, ! think | see how We should APP
prnaCh It
The Sro'lgrd Yard Inspector was still
writing ~ tic parlor when Holmes IN.
ierrupIrd him.
Il undo stood that you were writing
report ~ this case" said he.
SO gm."
Don't YOU ,hirk II may l.t,.s pre-
mature ,nn'l help thinking that
yOur evidence II not complete"
lcstradc knew my friend too wcll
10 disregard his words lie laid down
hiF pen and looked curiously az hiru.
What du you mean. Mr.. Holmes 49,
only that there Is Un important Wit
ness whom you have not seen"
Can sou produD" idm"
4 think I car"
Then do 50"
Il wilt do my best How muu; ON.
stables hgv" yuu 80
Their arr thr." wiI.'i. all
Excellent" said Holmes May I
AK " they are NIL age. able budiaa
mem with powerful vpiccS-''
Il hav" no doubt they are though I