Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-10-06

|
mo, no-of course not. l suppose
there is no doubt that the mark was
there yesterday"
Lestrade looked at Holmes rs if he
thought he was going out of his mind.
| confess that | was myself surprised
both at his hilarious manner and at his
rather wild observation.
r don't know whether you think !
that McFa rlane CAME out of jail in
| the dead of the night in order to strength
en- the evidence against himself" said
Lestradc. 81 leave IT to any expert |
in the world whether that is not the |
mark of his thumb"
1T is unQucstionably the mark OF his
| thumb"
There, that's enough" said Les
| trade. 81 am practical man, MIR. |
Holmes, and when have got my evl.
dence | come to my conclusions. III
you have anything to say, you VIII ma
me writing my report IN the sitting
| room"
Holmes had recovered his equanim-
ty, though | still seemed to detect
| CLEANS of amusement in his expression
| Dear me, this is very sad devlop--
ment, Watson, is it not?" said he. And
vet there are singular points about 1t
which hold out some hopes for our
chent"
IL am delighted to hear it" said |,
heartily. 81 was afraid it was all up
with him"
Il would hardly 60 so far rs to say
that, my dear Watson. The fact s.
that there is one> really serious flaw
in this evidence to which our friend
attaches 90 much importance"
Indeed, Holiness What is it2"
"Only this: that | know that that
mark was not there when ] examined
the hall yesterday. And now, Watson,
let us have little stroll round III the
sunshine"
With a confused brain, hut W tn a.
heart into which some warmth of hope
was returning. | 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
we're unfinished, but none the less
Holmes inspected them all infinitely.
Finally, on the top corridor, which ran
outside three untenanted bedrooms, he
again was seized with a spasm of mer-
riment.
There are really some very unique
features about this case, Watson said
he. II think it is time now that We
rock our friend Lestrade into our con-
fdence. He has had his little smile AT
our expense, and perhaps we may do
as much by him, if my reading of this
problem proves to be correct. Yes, Yes,
think | see how we should approach
it."
The Scotland Yard inspector was
still writing in the parlor when Holmes
interrupted him.
Il understood that you were writing
a report of this. case, said he.
so ] am"
1 Don't you think it may be n little
prematurep can't help thinking that
your evidence is not complete.
Lestrade knew my friend too well TO
: disregard his words. He laid down his
pen and looked curiously at him.
What do you mean, Mr.. Holiness
: Only that there is an important
witness whom you have not seen"
Can YOU produce him?"
i think can"
"Then do so"
Il will do my best. How many
constab,cs have you'T
There are three within cal"
Excellent" said Holmes. May |
ask if they are all largo able-bodied
men with powerful voices?"
Il have no doubt they are, though |
, fail 10 see what their voices have to
do with It"
Perhaps ! can help you TO see that
. and one or two other things as well.
j said Holmes. Kindly summon your
men, and will try"
: Five minutes later. three policemen
had assembled in the hall
: In the clubhouse you will lind con-
siderable quantity of straw, SAID
e Holmes. Il will ask YOU to carry il
}, two bundles of it. think it will be o.
y the greatest assistance In producing
the witness whom l require. Thanh
you very much. / believe you have
some matches in your pocket, Watson
:, Now, Mr.. Lestrade, will ask you all t
i accompany me to the top landing"
;. AS | have said, there was broad
t. corridor there, which ran outside three
t empty bedrooms. At one end OF The
= corridor we were all marshalled b,
: Sherlock Holmes, the constables grin
ming and Lestrade staring at my frienC
Il with amazement. expectation, and de
II rision chasing each other across hi
IS features Holmes stood before us Will
G the air of coniurer who is performing
is q trick.
It Would YOU kindly send one Of you
constables for two buckets of water
70 Put the straw on the floor here, fre'
r. from the wall on either side. Now
s think that we are all ready"
d Lestrade's face had begun to grow
red and angry.
S II don't know whether you are play
IT ing game with us, MI. Sherlock Holmes,
is said he. eff you know anything, yol
al can surely say it without all thus tom
j." foolery."
is Il assure you, my good Lestrade
D. that j have an excellent reason 10
y everything do. You may possibly re
E. member that you chaffed me little
some hours ago, when the sun scenes
x on your side of the hedge, so you mus
g not grudge me little pomp and cere
mony now. Might ! ask you, Watson
to open that window, and then TO pu
J. match TO the edge of the straw
!, did so, and driven by the draught
coil of gray smoke swirled down tn
ie corridor while tho dry straw crack e,