The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-09
BY A. CONAN DOYLE

b. a. Conan Doyle Aad Cellisrs weekly.
li.-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
NORWOOD BUlLDER-Ccntinued.
This is where young McFar-
lame must have come out to
get his a after the crime
was done" said he. Nov look at this
With dramatic ~suddenness he struck a
match, INT by it's light exposed a stain
Of blood upon the w-hitewasl1ed wall.
AS he held the match nearer. I saw
that 1t was more than q stain. 1t was
the we'll marked print of a thumb.
Look at that with your magntfying
glass. Nj. Holiness
Yes, I am doing So"
You are aware that no two thumb
marks are alike?"
Il have heard something of the kind
Well. then, will you please compare
that print with this wax impression OF
young M~cFarlane's right thumb. taken
by my orders this m~orning?"
AS he held the waxen print close
to the blood stain. 1t did not take a
alaEnifying glass to see that h two
were undoubtedly from the am
thumb. 1t was evident to me that our
unfortunate client was lost.
is final" said Lestrade.
Yes. that Is final." I involuntarily
echoed.
1t Is flnal," said Holmes.
Something iii his one caught my
ear, and I turned to look at him. An
extraordinary change had come owe his
face. It was writhing with inward mer-
riment. His two eyes were shining
like stars. It seemed to me h a he
vas making desperate efforts
laughter.
Dear me! Dear mel" he said at
last. We'll. now. who would have
thought OF it7 And how deceptive APP
~pearances may be. to be sure! Such
a nice young nan to look at! It is a
lesson to US not to trust our own judy
ment, Is 1t not. Lestrade?"
Yes, some Of us are a little too much
inclined to be cocksure. MI. Holmes"
said Lestrade. The mans insolence
vas maddening. but we could not re-
sent Il.
"Wha q prpvidential thing that this
young maj should press his right
thumb against the wall in taking his
hat from the peg! Such a very nat
ural action. too. II you como to think
OF It" Holmes was outwardly calm.
but his whole body gave a wfggle 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 h night constable's
attention to 1t"
Where was the night constable"
He remained on guard in h 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"
We'll, we had no particular reason
to make q careful examination of the
hall. Besides, It's not in a very prom
inent place, as you see."
No. no--of course not. I 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 l was myself surprised
both at his hilarious name and at
his rather wild observation.
Il don't know whether you think that
McEarlane came out OF a gaolfn the dead
OF night In order to strengthen the evil
'dence against himself" said Lestrade.
Il leave 1t to any expert in the world
whether that Is not the mark OF his
TT IL unquestionably the mark Of his
thumb
There. that's enough" said Les
trade. II am q practical man, Mr..
Holmes. and when ] have got my evil
I come to my conclusions. II
lind me writing my report in the sit
ting roOm.'
Holmes had recovered his equan;m-.
1'N, though ! still seemed to detect
SlEdll8 VI amusement IN ms express
sion.
Dear me. this is a very sac Develop
sncnt, Watson. Is 1t not ?'' said he. And
Yet there are singular points about it
which hold out some hopes for u
client"
7 am delighted to hear it,. said l..
heartily. "a was afraid 1t was ali up
Il would hardly go SO far as 10 say
that, my dear Watson. The. fact Is
that there 10 one really serious flaw in
taches 80 much Importance"
Indeed. Holmes! What ia II ?'
Only this: that I know thai tina,
mark was not there when I examined
the hall yesterday. And now. Watson,
let us have a little stroll around in the
sunshine
With a confused brain, but with a
heart into which some warmth of hope
was returning. 1 accompanied my
friend IN q walk around the garden.
Holmes took each face OF The house in
t.in. and examined 1t with great inter
sst. He then led h way inside. and
won't over the whole building from base
iNeat to attic. Most of the rooms were
nnfiirnished, but none the less Holmes
inspected them all infinitely. Finally, on
the top corridor. which ran outside
three untenanted bed IONS he again
vas seized with a spasm of merriment.
There are really some very unique
eature about this case, Watson
said he. 81 think 1t is time now that
we took our friend Lestrade into our
confidence. He has had his little smile
at cur expense. and perhaps we may
do; as much by him. il my reading of
this problem proves to be correct. Yes,
yes. I think ! see how we ehould APP
prsa,h It,"
l'..e Scotland Yard inspector was still !
viking In the parlor when Holmes in
terrupted him.
Il understood that you were writing !
a report OF this case" said he.
SO LAM"
Don't you think 1T may a lttt..s pre-
mature? can't help thinking that
Your evidence is not complete"
I4estrade Knew my friend too well
to disregard his words. He laid down
his pen and looked c%uriously at him.
What do o mean, Mr.. Holmes %
only that there is an important wit