The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-29
PART FIVE.

SOncIusuS III MS Io0c CduSuS my
car. and l turned to look at him. An
extraordinary change had come over
his face. 1: was writhing with inward
merriment His two eyes were shin
ing like stars. 1t seemed to me that
he was making desperate efforts to re-
strain a convulslve attack OF laughter.
Dear me! Dear met" he said at last.
We'll, now, who would have thought
it? And how receptive appearances
may be, TO be sure! Such nice
young man to look at. 1t is lesson
10 US not to trust our own Judgment,
is it not, Lestrade?"
Eyes, some of us are little too
much inclined to be cocksure. Mr..
Holiness" said Lestrade. The mans
insolence was maddening, but we
could not resent it
What a providential thing that this
young man should press his right
thumb against the wall in taking his
hat from the peg! Such a very natural
action, too if you come to think OF it
Holmes was outwardly calm, but his
whole body gave a wriggle OF sup
pressed excitement as he spoke. "By
the way, Lestrade, who made this re-
lnarkable discovery"
ct was the house keeper, Mrs. Lex
ington. who drew the night constable's
attention to it."
Where was the night constable %
HE remained on guard in the 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, VIC had no particular reason
to make a careful examination of the
hall. Besides, it's not in very prorni-
nent place. as you see"
mo, no--of course not. 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 | was myself surprised
both at his hilarious manner and at
his rather wild observation.
Il don't know whether you think
that McFarlane came out of Jail in
the dead of the night in order to
strengthen the evidence against him.
self" said Lestrade II leave it 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 a practical man, MIR.
Holmes. and when have got my evil
dence I come to my conclusions. If
you have anything TO say, you will find
ne writing my report i'm the sitting
ROOM
Holmes had recovered his equanim-
ity, though I still seemed to detect
CLEANS of amusement in his express
sion
Dear me, this is a 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"
Il am delighted to hear il. said l.
heartily. Il was afraid it was all up
with him."
Il would hardly 60 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 I know that that
mark was not there when I examined
the hall yesterday. And now, Watson,
let us have a little stroll round in the
sunshine"
With a confused brain, but with a
heart into which some warmth of hope
was returning, I accompanied my
friend in walk, round the garden.
Holmes took each face of the house in
turn, and examined it with great in
terest. he then led the way inside,
and went over the whole building from
basement to attic. Most of the rooms
were unfinished, but none the less
Holmes inspected them all minutely
Finally, on the top corridor, which ran
outside three untenanted bedrooms, he