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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11128 ***
+
+
+
+
+THE RED THUMB MARK
+
+
+BY R. AUSTIN FREEMAN
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose
+other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are
+interested in problems of crime and their solutions; and the story
+itself differs in no respect from others of its class, excepting in that
+an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary
+life, both in the characters and in the incidents.
+
+Nevertheless it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in
+drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of
+finger-prints and their evidential value; misapprehensions the extent of
+which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several
+Continental commercial houses have actually substituted finger-prints
+for signed initials.
+
+The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including
+the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are, of
+course, taken from Mr. Galton's great and important work on
+finger-prints; to which the reader who is interested in the subject is
+referred for much curious and valuable information.
+
+In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend
+Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain
+photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal
+Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in
+criminal trials.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER I
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+CHAPTER II
+THE SUSPECT
+
+CHAPTER III
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+CHAPTER IV
+CONFIDENCES
+
+CHAPTER V
+THE "THUMBOGRAPH"
+
+CHAPTER VI
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+CHAPTER VII
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+CHAPTER IX
+THE PRISONER
+
+CHAPTER X
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+CHAPTER XI
+THE AMBUSH
+
+CHAPTER XII
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+MURDER BY POST
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+CHAPTER XV
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+AT LAST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+
+"Conflagratam An° 1677. Fabricatam An° 1698. Richardo Powell Armiger
+Thesaurar." The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath
+the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarised the history of one of
+the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk and as I, somewhat
+absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between
+admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet
+dignity of the building, and an effort to reconstitute the dead and gone
+Richard Powell, and the stirring times in which he played his part.
+
+I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became
+occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, in its wig and obsolete
+habiliments, to the old-world surroundings that it seemed to complete
+the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted
+in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand,
+and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, he looked up
+and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the
+incurious gaze that casual strangers bestow on one another; then there
+was a flash of mutual recognition; the impassive and rather severe face
+of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching
+itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended in
+cordial greeting.
+
+"My dear Jervis," he exclaimed, as we clasped hands warmly, "this is a
+great and delightful surprise. How often have I thought of my old
+comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo! here he is,
+thrown up on the sounding beach of the Inner Temple, like the proverbial
+bread cast upon the waters."
+
+"Your surprise, Thorndyke, is nothing to mine," I replied, "for your
+bread has at least returned as bread; whereas I am in the position of a
+man who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it return in the
+form of a buttered muffin or a Bath bun. I left a respectable medical
+practitioner and I find him transformed into a bewigged and begowned
+limb of the law."
+
+Thorndyke laughed at the comparison.
+
+"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he. "Say, rather, that
+you left him a chrysalis and come back to find him a butterfly. But the
+change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under
+the gown of Solon, as you will understand when I explain my
+metamorphosis; and that I will do this very evening, if you have no
+engagement."
+
+"I am one of the unemployed at present," I said, "and quite at your
+service."
+
+"Then come round to my chambers at seven," said Thorndyke, "and we will
+have a chop and a pint of claret together and exchange autobiographies.
+I am due in court in a few minutes."
+
+"Do you reside within that noble old portico?" I asked.
+
+"No," replied Thorndyke. "I often wish I did. It would add several
+inches to one's stature to feel that the mouth of one's burrow was
+graced with a Latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over.
+No; my chambers are some doors further down--number 6A"--and he turned
+to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row.
+
+At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndyke taking his way
+with fluttering gown towards the Law Courts, while I directed my steps
+westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent.
+
+The soft-voiced bell of the Temple clock was telling out the hour of
+seven in muffled accents (as though it apologised for breaking the
+studious silence) as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and
+turned into King's Bench Walk.
+
+The paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly
+before the doorway of number 6A, in which, though the wig had now given
+place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in
+recognising my friend.
+
+"Punctual to the moment, as of old," said he, meeting me half-way. "What
+a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been
+taking the air in Fountain Court, and will now introduce you to my
+chambers. Here is my humble retreat."
+
+We passed in through the common entrance and ascended the stone stairs
+to the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door, above
+which my friend's name was written in white letters.  "Rather a
+forbidding exterior," remarked Thorndyke, as he inserted the latchkey,
+"but it is homely enough inside."
+
+The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a baize-covered inner door,
+which Thorndyke pushed open and held for me to pass in.
+
+"You will find my chambers an odd mixture," said Thorndyke, "for they
+combine the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory and a
+workshop."
+
+"And a restaurant," added a small, elderly man, who was decanting a
+bottle of claret by means of a glass syphon: "you forgot that, sir."
+
+"Yes, I forgot that, Polton," said Thorndyke, "but I see you have not."
+He glanced towards a small table that had been placed near the fire and
+set out with the requisites for our meal.
+
+"Tell me," said Thorndyke, as we made the initial onslaught on the
+products of Polton's culinary experiments, "what has been happening to
+you since you left the hospital six years ago?"
+
+"My story is soon told," I answered, somewhat bitterly. "It is not an
+uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I
+had paid my examination and registration fees the coffer was absolutely
+empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains--to use
+Johnson's phrase--the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of
+avarice, there is a vast difference in practice between the potential
+and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes
+as an assistant, sometimes as a _locum tenens_. Just now I've got no
+work to do, and so have entered my name on Turcival's list of
+eligibles."
+
+Thorndyke pursed up his lips and frowned.
+
+"It's a wicked shame, Jervis," said he presently, "that a man of your
+abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his
+time on odd jobs like some half-qualified wastrel."
+
+"It is," I agreed. "My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked
+and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother? If
+poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty
+thousand candle-power luminary, your brilliancy is apt to be obscured."
+
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," grunted Thorndyke, and he remained for a
+time in deep thought.
+
+"And now," said I, "let us have your promised explanation. I am
+positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances
+has converted John Evelyn Thorndyke from a medical practitioner into a
+luminary of the law."
+
+Thorndyke smiled indulgently.
+
+"The fact is," said he, "that no such transformation has occurred. John
+Evelyn Thorndyke is still a medical practitioner."
+
+"What, in a wig and gown!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, a mere sheep in wolf's clothing," he replied. "I will tell you how
+it has come about. After you left the hospital, six years ago, I stayed
+on, taking up any small appointments that were going--assistant
+demonstrator--or curatorships and such like--hung about the chemical and
+physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile
+took my M.D. and D.Sc. Then I got called to the bar in the hope of
+getting a coronership, but soon after this, old Stedman retired
+unexpectedly--you remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical
+jurisprudence--and I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise,
+I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my
+mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that
+might come."  "And what has come?" I asked.
+
+"Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice," he replied.
+"At first I only got an occasional analysis in a doubtful poisoning
+case, but, by degrees, my sphere of influence has extended until it now
+includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical
+science can be brought to bear upon law."
+
+"But you plead in court, I observe," said I.
+
+"Very seldom," he replied. "More usually I appear in the character of
+that _bête noir_ of judges and counsel--the scientific witness. But in
+most instances I do not appear at all; I merely direct investigations,
+arrange and analyse the results, and prime the counsel with facts and
+suggestions for cross-examination."
+
+"A good deal more interesting than acting as understudy for an absent
+g.p.," said I, a little enviously. "But you deserve to succeed, for you
+were always a deuce of a worker, to say nothing of your capabilities."
+
+"Yes, I worked hard," replied Thorndyke, "and I work hard still; but I
+have my hours of labour and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils
+of general practitioners, who are liable to be dragged away from the
+dinner table or roused out of your first sleep by--confound it all! who
+can that be?"
+
+For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation,
+there came a smart rapping at the outer door.
+
+"Must see who it is, I suppose," he continued, "though one expects
+people to accept the hint of a closed oak."
+
+He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no
+means gracious inquiry.
+
+"It's rather late for a business call," said an apologetic voice
+outside, "but my client was anxious to see you without delay."
+
+"Come in, Mr. Lawley," said Thorndyke, rather stiffly, and, as he held
+the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men--one
+middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance and of a typically legal aspect,
+and the other a fine, handsome young fellow of very prepossessing
+exterior, though at present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently
+in a state of profound agitation.
+
+"I am afraid," said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner
+table, "that our visit--for which I am alone responsible--is a most
+unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndyke,
+pray tell us, and my business must wait."
+
+Thorndyke had cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he
+now replied in a much more genial tone--
+
+"I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to
+inconveniencing us, why, my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you
+are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours
+his own unreservedly."
+
+I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to
+take a walk on the Embankment and return later, but the young man
+interrupted me.
+
+"Pray don't go away on my account," he said. "The facts that I am about
+to lay before Dr. Thorndyke will be known to all the world by this time
+to-morrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy."
+
+"In that case," said Thorndyke, "let us draw our chairs up to the fire
+and fall to business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner and were
+waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this
+moment."
+
+We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Polton had set the coffee on
+the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without
+preamble.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SUSPECT
+
+
+"I had better," said he, "give you a general outline of the case as it
+presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben
+Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions
+that you may wish to put to him.
+
+"Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle,
+John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner and dealer in precious
+metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work
+carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the
+testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South
+Africa.
+
+"About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter--another nephew
+of John Hornby--left school, and both were articled to their uncle, with
+the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house; and they
+have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions
+of considerable responsibility.
+
+"And now for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's
+establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some
+accredited representative of the firm--generally either Mr. Reuben or
+Mr. Walter--who has been despatched to meet the ship, and conveyed
+either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course
+every effort is made to have as little gold as possible on the premises,
+and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity;
+but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have often
+to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are furnished with
+a large and powerful safe or strong room for their reception. This safe
+is situated in the private office under the eye of the principal, and,
+as an additional precaution, the caretaker, who acts as night-watchman,
+occupies a room directly over the office, and patrols the building
+periodically through the night.
+
+"Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It
+happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested
+in a diamond mine, and, although transactions in precious stones form no
+part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent
+parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby, to be either
+deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers.
+
+"A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been
+despatched by the _Elmina Castle_, and it appeared that the parcel was
+an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and
+value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks
+at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the
+stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this
+was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and
+locked up in the safe."
+
+"Who placed them in the safe?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his
+return from the docks."
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "and what happened next?"
+
+"Well, on the following morning, when the safe was opened, the diamonds
+had disappeared."
+
+"Had the place been broken into?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. The place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had
+made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was,
+outwardly, quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys and
+locked again after the stones were removed."
+
+"And in whose custody were the keys of the safe?" inquired Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but, on occasions, when he
+was absent from the office, he handed them over to one of his
+nephews--whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this
+occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he
+locked up the safe, after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time
+when it was opened by him on the following morning."
+
+"And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Why, yes," said Mr. Lawley, with an uncomfortable glance at his client,
+"unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the
+diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for
+there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe and one or two
+bloody smears on a piece of paper, and, in addition, a remarkably clear
+imprint of a thumb."  "Also in blood?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes. The thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops and
+then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in
+taking hold of it or otherwise."
+
+"Well, and what next?"
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair, "to make a long story
+short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Reuben
+Hornby."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had
+better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further."
+
+He took from a drawer a small paper-covered notebook, on the cover of
+which he wrote "Reuben Hornby," and then, laying the book open on a
+blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes.
+
+"Now," he said, when he had finished, "with reference to this
+thumb-print. There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification?"
+
+"None whatever," replied Mr. Lawley. "The Scotland Yard people, of
+course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director
+of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those
+in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print
+does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their
+possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the
+ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb--which is a remarkably distinct
+and characteristic one--is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering
+identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with
+the thumb-print of Mr. Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print
+beyond any possible doubt."
+
+"Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the
+thumb-print could have been introduced by any person?"
+
+"No," answered the lawyer. "It is quite impossible. The paper on which
+the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had
+pencilled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it
+on the parcel before he closed up the safe."
+
+"Was anyone present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No, he was alone," answered the lawyer. "He saw at a glance that the
+diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the
+thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for
+the police."
+
+"Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark,
+since it was so distinct and conspicuous?"
+
+"No, I think not," answered Mr. Lawley. "The paper was lying face
+downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it
+up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print.
+Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it,
+and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the marked
+surface downwards--probably when the parcel was transferred to the other
+hand."
+
+"You mentioned," said Thorndyke, "that the experts at Scotland Yard have
+identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how
+they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison?"
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Lawley. "Thereby hangs a very curious tale of
+coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there was so
+simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take
+thumb-prints of all the employees in the works; but this Mr. Hornby
+refused to sanction--rather quixotically, as it seems to me--saying that
+he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now
+it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly
+interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and
+considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the
+thumb-prints taken.
+
+"However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching
+to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete
+confidence and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter
+would probably have remained a mystery but for a very odd circumstance.
+
+"You may have seen on the bookstalls and in shop windows an appliance
+called a 'Thumbograph,' or some such name, consisting of a small book of
+blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together
+with an inking pad."
+
+"I have seen those devices of the Evil One," said Thorndyke, "in fact, I
+have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station."
+
+"Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John
+Hornby, purchased one of these toys--"
+
+"As a matter of fact," interrupted Reuben, "it was my cousin Walter who
+bought the thing and gave it to her."
+
+"Well, that is not material," said Mr. Lawley (though I observed that
+Thorndyke made a note of the fact in his book); "at any rate, Mrs.
+Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill
+it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now
+it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday
+at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the
+opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the
+thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at
+Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary,
+not only in the interests of justice but in the interests of the young
+men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the
+police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown
+by actual comparison that the thumb-print could not have been made by
+either of them. Moreover, it seemed that both the young men had
+expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been
+forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She
+suddenly remembered the 'Thumbograph,' and thinking to set the question
+at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the
+detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben (among
+others), and, as the detective had with him a photograph of the
+incriminating mark, the comparison was made then and there; and you may
+imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement when it was made clear that
+the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every
+particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe.
+
+"At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene and was, of course,
+overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would
+have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds
+out of his own funds, but, as that would have amounted practically to
+compounding a felony, he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result, a
+warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this
+morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bow Street and charged
+with the robbery."
+
+"Was any evidence taken?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. Only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, bail
+having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each."
+
+Thorndyke was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative.
+Like me, he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's
+manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position
+indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of
+the case.
+
+"What have you advised your client to do?" Thorndyke asked presently.
+
+"I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the
+clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself
+that there is no defence possible."
+
+The young man flushed crimson, but made no remark.
+
+"But let us be clear how we stand," said Thorndyke. "Are we defending an
+innocent man or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man
+who admits that he is guilty?"
+
+Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"That question can be best answered by our client himself," said he.
+
+Thorndyke directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking--
+
+"You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby,
+but I must know what position you intend to adopt."  Here I again
+proposed to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me.
+
+"There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis," he said. "My position
+is that I did not commit this robbery and that I know nothing whatever
+about it or about the thumb-print that was found in the safe. I do not,
+of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming
+evidence against me, but I do, nevertheless, declare in the most solemn
+manner before God, that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have
+no knowledge of it whatever."
+
+"Then I take it that you did not plead 'guilty'?" said Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly not; and I never will," replied Reuben hotly.
+
+"You would not be the first innocent man, by very many, who has entered
+that plea," remarked Mr. Lawley. "It is often the best policy, when the
+defence is hopelessly weak."
+
+"It is a policy that will not be adopted by me," rejoined Reuben. "I may
+be, and probably shall be, convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue
+to maintain my innocence, whatever happens. Do you think," he added,
+turning to Thorndyke, "that you can undertake my defence on that
+assumption?"
+
+"It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the
+case," replied Thorndyke.
+
+"And--if I may ask the question--" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
+find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"
+
+"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
+eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and
+if I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence,
+I should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
+evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
+hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
+upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
+be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."
+
+"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
+resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
+guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
+a defence."
+
+"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
+"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
+to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
+you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"
+
+Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
+I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
+skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
+large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
+client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
+in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
+the aid of a pocket lens.
+
+"A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly,
+as he finished his examination, "but I don't perceive any trace of a
+scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jervis? The
+robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small
+cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is
+worth noting."
+
+He handed me the lens and I scrutinised every part of each hand without
+being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound.
+
+"There is one other matter that must be attended to before you go," said
+Thorndyke, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. "I will take
+one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information."
+
+In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some lair
+unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and, having received his
+instructions, retired, and presently returned carrying a box, which he
+laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndyke drew forth a bright
+copper plate mounted on a slab of hard wood, a small printer's roller, a
+tube of finger-print ink, and a number of cards with very white and
+rather glazed surfaces.
+
+"Now, Mr. Hornby," said he, "your hands, I see, are beyond criticism as
+to cleanliness, but we will, nevertheless, give the thumb a final
+polish."
+
+Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a
+well-soaked badger-hair nail-brush, and, having rinsed it in water,
+dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of
+chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a
+drop of the thick ink on to the copper plate and spread it out with the
+roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching
+the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of
+the cards.
+
+When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took
+Reuben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked
+plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he
+directed me to hold steady on the table, he repeated the pressure, when
+there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of
+the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with
+microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands, which
+appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges.
+This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of
+which thus received six impressions. Thorndyke then took one or two
+rolled prints, _i.e._ prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the
+inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of
+the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "that we may be furnished with all the
+necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood."
+
+The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndyke,
+having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized
+drop of blood on to a card.
+
+"There," said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the
+needle into a little shallow pool, "it is not every lawyer who is
+willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client."
+
+He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a
+number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it.
+
+"We are now," said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb,
+"furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you
+will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business
+concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for
+having detained you so long with these experiments."
+
+The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly
+concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they
+were at an end.
+
+"I have been highly interested," he said mendaciously, "though I confess
+I do not quite fathom your intentions. And, by the way, I should like to
+have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not
+mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes."
+
+"Not at all," said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by
+the lawyer's pretence. "Don't hurry on my account; my time is my own--at
+present." He held out his hand to Thorndyke, who grasped it cordially.
+
+"Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. "Do not be unreasonably
+sanguine, but at the same time, do not lose heart. Keep your wits about
+you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a
+bearing on the case."
+
+The young man then took his leave, and, as the door closed after him,
+Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndyke.
+
+"I thought I had better have a word with you alone," he said, "just to
+hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude
+has puzzled me completely."
+
+"What line would you propose?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "the position
+seems to be this: our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds and
+has been found out; at least, that is how the matter presents itself to
+me."
+
+"That is not how it presents itself to me," said Thorndyke drily. "He
+may have taken the diamonds or he may not. I have no means of judging
+until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I
+hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we
+postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen
+what line of defence it is possible to adopt."
+
+"As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, "but I am afraid
+you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only
+make his fall the harder--to say nothing of our own position. We don't
+want to make ourselves ridiculous in court, you know."
+
+"I don't, certainly," agreed Thorndyke. "However, I will look into the
+matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two."
+
+He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and
+when the footsteps at length died away, he closed it sharply and turned
+to me with an air of annoyance.
+
+"The 'young rogue,'" he remarked, "does not appear to me to have been
+very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jervis, I
+understand you are out of employment just now?"
+
+"That is so," I answered.
+
+"Would you care to help me--as a matter of business, of course--to work
+up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand and your assistance
+would be of great value to me."
+
+I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "come round to breakfast to-morrow and we will
+settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now let
+us light our pipes and finish our yarns as though agitated clients and
+thick-headed solicitors had no existence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+
+When I arrived at Thorndyke's chambers on the following morning, I found
+my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the
+table, while at the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for
+examining plate-cultures of micro-organisms, on the wide stage of which
+was one of the cards bearing six thumb-prints in blood. A condenser
+threw a bright spot of light on the card, which Thorndyke had been
+examining when I knocked, as I gathered from the position of the chair,
+which he now pushed back against the wall.
+
+"I see you have commenced work on our problem," I remarked as, in
+response to a double ring of the electric bell, Polton entered with the
+materials for our repast.
+
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke. "I have opened the campaign, supported, as
+usual, by my trusty chief-of-staff; eh! Polton?"
+
+The little man, whose intellectual, refined countenance and dignified
+bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea-tray that he carried,
+smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affectionate admiration at my
+friend, replied--
+
+"Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet.
+There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement
+too, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your
+breakfast."
+
+"A wonderful man that, Jervis," my friend observed as his assistant
+retired. "Looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously
+intended by Nature to be a professor of physics. As an actual fact he
+was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he
+is mechanical factotum to a medical jurist. He is my right-hand, is
+Polton; takes an idea before you have time to utter it--but you will
+make his more intimate acquaintance by-and-by."
+
+"Where did you pick him up?" I asked.
+
+"He was an in-patient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably
+ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave
+him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was I
+took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and
+his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for."
+
+"What are the photographs he was referring to?" I asked.
+
+"He is making an enlarged _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints on
+bromide paper and a negative of the same size in case we want the print
+repeated."
+
+"You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby,"
+said I, "though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me
+his case seems as hopeless a one as it is possible to conceive. One
+doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost
+unthinkable."
+
+"It does certainly look like a hopeless case," Thorndyke agreed, "and I
+see no way out of it at present. But I make it a rule, in all cases, to
+proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry--collect
+facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification. And I
+always endeavour to keep a perfectly open mind.
+
+"Now, in the present case, assuming, as we must, that the robbery has
+actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses: (1) that
+the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby; (2) that it was committed by
+Walter Hornby; (3) that it was committed by John Hornby, or (4) that it
+was committed by some other person or persons.
+
+"The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present and confine
+myself to the examination of the other three."
+
+"You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the
+diamonds out of his own safe?" I exclaimed.
+
+"I incline at present to no one theory of the matter," replied
+Thorndyke. "I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the
+diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them."
+
+"But surely he was responsible to the owners."
+
+"Not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have
+difficulty in proving. You see, he was what is called a gratuitous
+bailee, and in such a case no responsibility for loss lies with the
+bailee unless there has been gross negligence."
+
+"But the thumb-mark, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed. "How can you possibly
+get over that?"
+
+"I don't know that I can," answered Thorndyke calmly; "but I see you are
+taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a
+finger-print as a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof, beyond
+which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A
+finger-print is merely a fact--a very important and significant one, I
+admit--but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be
+weighed and measured with reference to its evidential value."
+
+"And what do you propose to do first?"
+
+"I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumb-print is
+identical in character with that of Reuben Hornby--of which, however,
+I have very little doubt, for the finger-print experts may fairly be
+trusted in their own speciality."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance,
+and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your
+new duties."
+
+He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four
+small, paper-covered notebooks, laid them before me on the table.
+
+"One of these books," said he, "we will devote to data concerning Reuben
+Hornby. You will find out anything you can--anything, mind, no matter
+how trivial or apparently irrelevant--in any way connected with him and
+enter it in this book." He wrote on the cover "Reuben Hornby" and passed
+the book to me. "In this second book you will, in like manner, enter
+anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and, in the third book,
+data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that
+for stray facts connected with the case but not coming under either of
+the other headings. And now let us look at the product of Polton's
+industry."
+
+He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by eight
+broad, done on glazed bromide paper and mounted flatly on stiff card. It
+showed a greatly magnified _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints, in
+which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands
+and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could
+be seen only with the aid of a lens, were plainly visible to the naked
+eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black
+lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each
+square being distinguished by a number.
+
+"Excellent, Polton," said Thorndyke approvingly; "a most admirable
+enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb-print in
+contact with a numbered micrometer divided into square twelfths of an
+inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares are here
+each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these
+micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining
+cheques, doubtful signatures and such like. I see you have packed up the
+camera and the microscope, Polton; have you put in the micrometer?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Polton, "and the six-inch objective and the
+low-power eye-piece. Everything is in the case; and I have put 'special
+rapid' plates into the dark-slides in case the light should be bad."
+
+"Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland Yard lions in their den,"
+said Thorndyke, putting on his hat and gloves.
+
+"But surely," said I, "you are not going to drag that great microscope
+to Scotland Yard, when you only want eight diameters. Haven't you a
+dissecting microscope or some other portable instrument?"
+
+"We have a most delightful instrument of the dissecting type, of
+Polton's own make--he shall show it to you. But I may have need of a
+more powerful instrument--and here let me give you a word of warning:
+whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials. We
+are seeking information, not giving it, you understand."
+
+At this moment the little brass knocker on the inner door--the outer
+oak being open--uttered a timid and apologetic rat-tat.
+
+"Who the deuce can that be?" muttered Thorndyke, replacing the
+microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it
+somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then
+perceived a lady standing on the threshold.
+
+"Dr. Thorndyke?" she inquired, and as my colleague bowed, she continued,
+"I ought to have written to ask for an appointment but the matter is
+rather urgent--it concerns Mr. Reuben Hornby and I only learned from him
+this morning that he had consulted you."
+
+"Pray come in," said Thorndyke. "Dr. Jervis and I were just setting out
+for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my
+colleague, who is working up the case with me."
+
+Our visitor, a tall handsome girl of twenty or thereabouts, returned my
+bow and remarked with perfect self-possession, "My name is Gibson--Miss
+Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character and need not
+detain you many minutes."
+
+She seated herself in the chair that Thorndyke placed for her, and
+continued in a brisk and business-like manner--
+
+"I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the
+last six years I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no
+relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to
+Mrs. Hornby, though, as I was only fifteen at the time, I need hardly
+say that my duties were not very onerous; in fact, I think Mrs. Hornby
+took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a
+livelihood, and she had no children of her own.
+
+"Three years ago I came into a little fortune which rendered me
+independent; but I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked
+to be allowed to remain with them, and there I have been ever since in
+the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal
+of their nephews, who spend a good part of their time at the house, and
+I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Reuben has fallen
+upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this:
+I do not believe that Reuben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out of
+character with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that he
+is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion."
+
+"In what way?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"By supplying the sinews of war," replied Miss Gibson. "I understand
+that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense."
+
+"I am afraid you are quite correctly informed," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Well, Reuben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it
+is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise
+me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his
+innocence if I make myself responsible for any costs that he is unable
+to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter, if it
+could be avoided."
+
+"Your friendship is of an eminently practical kind, Miss Gibson," said
+my colleague, with a smile. "As a matter of fact, the costs are no
+affair of mine. If the occasion arose for the exercise of your
+generosity you would have to approach Mr. Reuben's solicitor through the
+medium of your guardian, Mr. Hornby, and with the consent of the
+accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will arise, although I am
+very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance
+in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently
+impertinent questions."
+
+"I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered
+necessary to ask," our visitor replied.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "I will venture to inquire if any special
+relations exist between you and Mr. Reuben."
+
+"You look for the inevitable motive in a woman," said Miss Gibson,
+laughing and flushing a little. "No, there have been no tender passages
+between Reuben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends; in fact,
+there is what I may call a tendency in another direction--Walter
+Hornby."
+
+"Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?"
+
+"Oh, no," she replied; "but he has asked me to marry him--he has asked
+me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere
+attachment to me."
+
+She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing
+asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently
+noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined--
+
+"Of course he has. Why not?"
+
+"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
+my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
+Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
+takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
+quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."
+
+"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
+smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man--which, I
+take it, he is not."
+
+Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied--
+
+"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
+means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
+should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet--well, I
+have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
+value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
+will."
+
+"And do I understand that you refused him?"
+
+"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
+nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."
+
+"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
+some years?"
+
+"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.
+
+"And what sort of character do you give him?"
+
+"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
+I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
+to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
+inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
+the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
+keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
+further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
+us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
+head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
+Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
+assistance whenever we need it."
+
+After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
+more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
+watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
+camera case to me and made for the door.  "How the time goes!" he
+exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it hasn't been wasted,
+Jervis, hey?"
+
+"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.
+
+"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
+as you could desire--what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
+psychological problem--and it is your business to work it out, too."
+
+"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"
+
+Thorndyke nodded.
+
+"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
+preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
+pass unscrutinised."
+
+"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
+Hornby, I should say."
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
+Walter has not inspired a grand passion."
+
+"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
+would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."
+
+"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."
+
+"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
+that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
+something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of
+hers, 'speaking from my own observation,' seemed to imply that her
+observations of him were not in entire agreement with somebody else's."
+
+"Good man!" exclaimed Thorndyke, slapping me on the back, to the
+undissembled surprise of a policeman whom we were passing; "that is what
+I had hoped for in you--the capacity to perceive the essential
+underneath the obvious. Yes; somebody has been saying something about
+our client, and the thing that we have to find out is, what is it that
+has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a
+pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson."
+
+"By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant?" I asked foolishly.
+
+Thorndyke grinned in my face. "Why didn't you?" he retorted.
+
+"No," I rejoined, "I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning.
+Let me carry the microscope for a time; it is making your arm ache, I
+see."
+
+"Thanks," said he, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers; "it
+is rather ponderous."
+
+"I can't make out what you want with this great instrument," I said. "A
+common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six-inch
+objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters."
+
+"Two, with the draw-tube closed," replied Thorndyke, "and the low-power
+eye-piece brings it up to four. Polton made them both for me for
+examining cheques, bank-notes and other large objects. But you will
+understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to
+make no comments."
+
+We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard, and were
+passing up the narrow thoroughfare, when we encountered a uniformed
+official who halted and saluted my colleague.
+
+"Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, doctor," said he
+genially. "I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in
+hand."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "I am going to see what can be done for the
+defence."
+
+"Well," said the officer as he ushered us into the building, "you've
+given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you
+can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say."
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "there is no such thing. You mean that
+there is a _prima facie_ case against the accused."
+
+"Put it that way if you like," replied the officer, with a sly smile,
+"but I think you will find this about the hardest nut you ever tried
+your teeth on--and they're pretty strong teeth too, I'll say that. You
+had better come into Mr. Singleton's office," and he conducted us along
+a corridor and into a large, barely-furnished room, where we found a
+sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing table.
+
+"How-d'ye-do, doctor?" said the latter, rising and holding out his hand.
+"I can guess what you've come for. Want to see that thumb-print, eh?"
+
+"Quite right," answered Thorndyke, and then, having introduced me, he
+continued: "We were partners in the last game, but we are on opposite
+sides of the board this time."
+
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Singleton; "and we are going to give you check-mate."
+
+He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio, from which he
+extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be
+a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block, and bore the pencilled
+inscription: "Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01. J. H." At one end
+was a dark, glossy blood-stain, made by the falling of a good-sized
+drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb
+having been pressed on it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears
+and a remarkably distinct and clean print of a thumb.
+
+Thorndyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinising
+the thumb-print and the smears in turn, but making no remark, while Mr.
+Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity.
+
+"Not much difficulty in identifying that mark," the official at length
+observed.
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke; "it is an excellent impression and a very
+distinctive pattern, even without the scar."
+
+"Yes," rejoined Mr. Singleton; "the scar makes it absolutely conclusive.
+You have a print with you, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke, and he drew from a wide flap-pocket the
+enlarged photograph, at the sight of which Mr. Singleton's face
+broadened into a smile.
+
+"You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that," he remarked; "not
+that you gain anything by so much enlargement; three diameters is ample
+for studying the ridge-patterns. I see you have divided it up into
+numbered squares--not a bad plan; but ours--or rather Galton's, for we
+borrowed the method from him--is better for this purpose."
+
+He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print
+which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was
+marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen,
+each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some
+other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
+
+"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr. Singleton, "is
+better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed
+at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or
+the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or
+unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark
+our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph,
+which will do as well."
+
+"I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said
+Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Singleton, "if you would rather have one of
+your own taking. I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And
+now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me. Inspector Johnson
+will give you any assistance you may require."
+
+"And see that I don't pocket the original," added Thorndyke, with a
+smile at the inspector who had shown us in.
+
+"Oh, I'll see to that," said the latter, grinning; and, as Mr. Singleton
+returned to his table, Thorndyke unlocked the microscope case and drew
+forth the instrument.
+
+"What, are you going to put it under the microscope?" exclaimed Mr.
+Singleton, looking round with a broad smile.
+
+"Must do something for my fee, you know," replied Thorndyke, as he set
+up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives to the triple
+nose-piece.  "You observe that there is no deception," he added to the
+inspector, as he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it
+between two slips of glass.
+
+"I'm watching you, sir," replied the officer, with a chuckle; and he did
+watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndyke laid the
+glass slips on the microscope stage and proceeded to focus.
+
+I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my
+colleague's proceedings. After a preliminary glance with the six-inch
+glass, he swung round the nose-piece to the half-inch objective and
+slipped in a more powerful eye-piece, and with this power he examined
+the blood-stains carefully, and then moved the thumb-print into the
+field of vision. After looking at this for some time with deep
+attention, he drew from the case a tiny spirit lamp which was evidently
+filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit
+it I recognised the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced
+one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment, and having placed
+the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the
+spectroscope. Evidently my friend was fixing the position of the "D"
+line (or sodium line) in the spectrum.
+
+Having completed the adjustments, he now examined afresh the
+blood-smears and the thumb-print, both by transmitted and reflected
+light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his
+notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamp in the case and
+brought forth the micrometer--a slip of rather thin glass about three
+inches by one and a half--which he laid over the thumb-print in the
+place of the upper plate of glass.
+
+Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing
+its appearance with that of the lines on the large photograph, which he
+held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and
+readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me--
+
+"I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our
+print, so, with Inspector Johnson's assistance, we will take a
+photograph which we can examine at our leisure."
+
+He extracted the camera--a quarter-plate instrument--from its case and
+opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a
+horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany
+with three brass feet, on which he placed the camera, and which brought
+the latter to a level with the eye-piece of the microscope.
+
+The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black
+leather, and into this the eye-piece end of the microscope was now
+passed, the sleeve being secured round the barrel of the microscope by a
+stout indiarubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight
+connection.
+
+Everything was now ready for taking the photograph. The light from the
+window having been concentrated on the thumb-print by means of a
+condenser, Thorndyke proceeded to focus the image on the ground-glass
+screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the
+objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter.
+
+"I will ask you to sit down and remain quite still while I make the
+exposure," he said to me and the inspector. "A very little vibration is
+enough to destroy the sharpness of the image."
+
+We seated ourselves accordingly, and Thorndyke then removed the cap,
+standing motionless, watch in hand, while he exposed the first plate.
+
+"We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite
+perfect," he said, as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter.
+
+He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way,
+and then, having removed the micrometer and replaced it by a slip of
+plain glass, he made two more exposures.
+
+"There are two plates left," he remarked, as he drew out the second dark
+slide. "I think I will take a record of the blood-stain on them."
+
+He accordingly made two more exposures--one of the larger blood-stain
+and one of the smaller smears.
+
+"There," said he, with an air of satisfaction, as he proceeded to pack
+up what the inspector described as his "box of tricks." "I think we have
+all the data that we can squeeze out of Scotland Yard, and I am very
+much obliged to you, Mr. Singleton, for giving so many facilities to
+your natural enemy, the counsel for the defence."
+
+"Not our natural enemies, doctor," protested Mr. Singleton. "We work for
+a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
+defence. You know that perfectly well."
+
+"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
+by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
+am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
+go' this time."
+
+"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
+to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
+building.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+CONFIDENCES
+
+
+During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
+his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
+detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
+suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
+however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
+saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
+man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
+and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers he immediately handed over the camera to
+Polton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plates,
+and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without
+delay.
+
+We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndyke
+suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a
+smile of quiet amusement.
+
+"It has just been borne in upon me, Jervis," said he, "that you are the
+most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of
+silence."
+
+"If silence is the test of companionability," I answered, with a grin,
+"I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic
+terms."
+
+He laughed cheerfully and rejoined--
+
+"You are pleased to be sarcastic, I observe; but I maintain my position.
+The capacity to preserve an opportune silence is the rarest and most
+precious of social accomplishments. Now, most men would have plied me
+with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard,
+whereas you have allowed me to sort out, without interruption, a mass of
+evidence while it is still fresh and impressive, to docket each item and
+stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a
+ridiculous oversight."
+
+"What is that?" I asked.
+
+"The 'Thumbograph.' I never ascertained whether the police have it or
+whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"Does it matter?" I inquired.
+
+"Not much; only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent
+pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital
+this afternoon and Polton has his hands full, it would be a good plan
+for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens--that is the address, I think--and
+if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her, and
+extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Messieurs
+Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye
+lifting. Find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of
+those three gentlemen, regardless of all scruples of delicacy.
+Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors."
+
+"And with regard to the 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Find out who has it, and, if it is still in Mrs. Hornby's possession,
+get her to lend it to us or--what might, perhaps, be better--get her
+permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"It shall be done according to your word," said I. "I will furbish up my
+exterior, and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the
+character of Paul Pry."
+
+About an hour later I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's
+house in Endsley Gardens listening to the jangling of the bell that I
+had just set in motion.
+
+"Miss Gibson, sir?" repeated the parlourmaid in response to my question.
+"She _was_ going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If you
+will step in, I will go and see."
+
+I followed her into the drawing-room, and, threading my way amongst the
+litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies
+nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's
+shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the
+parlourmaid's report.
+
+I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself
+entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated
+myself on my timely arrival.
+
+"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis," she said,
+holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner, "but you are very
+welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something?"
+
+"On the contrary," I replied, "I have come to ask you something."
+
+"Well, that is better than nothing," she said, with a shade of
+disappointment. "Won't you sit down?"
+
+I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scrofulous aspect, and
+opened my business without preamble.
+
+"Do you remember a thing called a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Indeed I do," she replied with energy. "It was the cause of all this
+trouble."
+
+"Do you know if the police took possession of it?"
+
+"The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the finger-print experts
+might examine it and compare the two thumb-prints; and they wanted to
+keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of its being
+used in evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really
+had no further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves
+when they had Reuben in custody; in fact, he volunteered to have a print
+taken at once, as soon as he was arrested, and that was done."
+
+"So the 'Thumbograph' is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession?"
+
+"Yes, unless she has destroyed it. She spoke of doing so."
+
+"I hope she has not," said I, in some alarm, "for Dr. Thorndyke is
+extremely anxious, for some reason, to examine it."
+
+"Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told
+her you were here. Have you any idea what Dr. Thorndyke's reason is for
+wanting to see it?"
+
+"None whatever," I replied. "Dr. Thorndyke is as close as an oyster. He
+treats me as he treats every one else--he listens attentively, observes
+closely, and says nothing."
+
+"It doesn't sound very agreeable," mused Miss Gibson; "and yet he seemed
+very nice and sympathetic."
+
+"He _is_ very nice and sympathetic," I retorted with some emphasis, "but
+he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his clients' secrets."
+
+"I suppose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
+she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
+observation.
+
+I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
+when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
+somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
+entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.
+
+"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
+and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
+You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"
+
+"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau. What
+did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"
+
+Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
+be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.
+
+"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
+your nephew's defence, you know."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
+a dear. Do you agree with her?"
+
+Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
+noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
+
+"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
+the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
+respect."
+
+"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
+recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
+repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
+is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
+Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
+show to Dr. Thorndyke?"  "Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I
+would do anything--anything--to help our poor boy. I will never believe
+that he could be guilty of theft--common, vulgar theft. There has been
+some dreadful mistake--I am convinced there has--I told the detectives
+so. I assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and
+that they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such
+an action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him
+since he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone
+is. Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds?
+and they were not even cut."
+
+Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
+eyes.
+
+"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to see this little
+book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
+reflections.
+
+"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
+the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
+feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
+Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
+to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
+'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
+return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
+from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."
+
+"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
+'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."
+
+"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
+return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
+fire. I wish never to see it again."
+
+But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
+that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
+custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.
+
+"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
+examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to put
+it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not go
+out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to ask
+for your permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
+for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
+I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know--is he not, Juliet,
+dear?"
+
+"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
+would rather take the photograph himself."
+
+"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
+person would not be of much use to him."
+
+"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
+just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
+photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
+clever, I assure you."
+
+"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
+Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."
+
+"It is excessively good of you--" I began.
+
+"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
+evening?"
+
+"We should very much," I replied. "My colleague could then examine it
+and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much
+trouble."
+
+"It is nothing of the kind," said Miss Gibson. "You would not mind
+coming with me this evening, would you, aunt?"
+
+"Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to
+enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch,
+declared that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make
+my adieux, and she then remarked--
+
+"If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might
+arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along."
+
+I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds
+later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously
+after us from the open door.
+
+"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think?" Miss Gibson asked, as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered. "If anything should
+render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram. I could wish
+that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference."
+
+Miss Gibson laughed softly--and a very pleasant and musical laugh it
+was.
+
+"Yes," she agreed. "Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult
+to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little
+failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and
+generosity from her as I have."
+
+"I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am. After all, a little
+diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults in a
+generous and amiable woman of her age."
+
+Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a
+little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence.
+Presently she turned to me with some suddenness and a very earnest
+expression, and said--
+
+"I want to ask you a question, Dr. Jervis, and please forgive me if I
+beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my
+favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thorndyke has any kind of
+hope or expectation of being able to save poor Reuben from the dreadful
+peril that threatens him."
+
+This was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider it
+before replying.
+
+"I should like," I replied at length, "to tell you as much as my duty to
+my colleague will allow me to; but that is so little that it is hardly
+worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence:
+Dr. Thorndyke has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he
+would, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had
+considered it a hopeless one."
+
+"That is a very encouraging view of the matter," said she, "which, had,
+however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your
+visit to Scotland Yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching; I am so
+terribly anxious and troubled."
+
+"I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I
+know very little; but I have an idea that Dr. Thorndyke is not
+dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts,
+though I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home he
+developed a sudden desire to examine the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Thank you, Dr. Jervis," she said gratefully. "You have cheered me more
+than I can tell you, and I won't ask you any more questions. Are you
+sure I am not bringing you out of the way?"
+
+"Not at all," I answered hastily. "The fact is, I had hoped to have a
+little chat with you when we had disposed of the 'Thumbograph,' so I can
+regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of
+pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you."
+
+She gave me a little ironical bow as she inquired--
+
+"And, in short, I may take it that I am to be pumped?"
+
+"Come, now," I retorted. "You have been plying the pump handle pretty
+vigorously yourself. But that is not my meaning at all. You see, we are
+absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of
+course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters. But, after
+all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our
+client, for instance. He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but
+he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then
+you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and
+we are at once on firmer ground."
+
+"I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one
+else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character. Would
+they have influenced you in your attitude towards him?"
+
+"Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to
+inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin."
+
+"That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an
+air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire--
+
+"May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
+Reuben's disadvantage?"
+
+She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent
+pensively on the ground. At length she said, not without some hesitation
+of manner--
+
+"It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair. But
+it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a
+barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends. And
+I have blamed myself for letting it influence me--perhaps unjustly--in
+my opinion of him. I will tell you about it, though I expect you will
+think me very foolish.
+
+"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months
+ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you
+understand. But we were on the footing of relatives, so there was
+nothing out of the way in it. Reuben is a keen student of ancient and
+mediaeval art, in which I also am much interested, so we used to visit
+the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from
+comparing our views and impressions of what we saw.
+
+"About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day and, with a very
+serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between
+Reuben and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but nevertheless,
+I told him the truth, that Reuben and I were just friends and nothing
+more.
+
+"'If that is the case,' said he, looking mighty grave, 'I would advise
+you not to be seen about with him quite so much.'
+
+"'And why not?' I asked very naturally.
+
+"'Why, the fact is,' said Walter, 'that Reuben is a confounded fool. He
+has been chattering to the men at the club and seems to have given them
+the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting
+her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-souled philosopher
+above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to
+her blandishments and her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for
+your own guidance,' he continued, 'and I expect this to go no farther.
+You mustn't be annoyed with Reuben. The best of young men will often
+behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt the fellows have
+grossly exaggerated what he said; but I thought it right to put you on
+your guard.'
+
+"Now this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I
+wanted to have it out with Reuben then and there. But Walter refused to
+sanction this--'there was no use in making a scene' he said--and he
+insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence; so what
+was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Reuben as I always had done,
+but this I found impossible; my womanly pride was much too deeply hurt.
+And yet I felt it the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts
+of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. And
+although it was most unlike Reuben in some respects, it was very like
+him in others; for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men
+who marry for a livelihood. So I have remained on the horns of a dilemma
+and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done?"
+
+I rubbed my chin in some embarrassment at this question. Needless to
+say, I was most disagreeably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and
+not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to
+his secret disparagement of his cousin; but I was obviously not in a
+position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case.
+
+"The position appears to be this," I said, after a pause, "either Reuben
+has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied
+deliberately about him."
+
+"Yes," she agreed, "that is the position; but which of the two
+alternatives appears to you the more probable?"
+
+"That is very difficult to say," I answered. "There is a certain kind of
+cad who is much given to boastful rhodomontade concerning his conquests.
+We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight, but I must
+say that Reuben Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man at all.
+Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have adopted, if
+he had really heard such rumours, was to have had the matter out with
+Reuben, instead of coming secretly to you with whispered reports. That
+is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but, of course, I may be quite wrong. I
+gather that our two young friends are not inseparable companions?"
+
+"Oh, they are very good friends, but you see, their interests and views
+of life are quite different. Reuben, although an excellent worker in
+business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a
+scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs--decidedly
+long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby
+said."
+
+"He takes photographs, for instance," I suggested.
+
+"Yes. But not ordinary amateur photographs; his work is more technical
+and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful
+series of micro-photographs of sections of metalliferous rocks which he
+reproduced for publication by the collotype process, and even printed
+off the plates himself."
+
+"I see. He must be a very capable fellow."
+
+"He is, very," she assented, "and very keen on making a position; but I
+am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not
+a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it?"
+
+I agreed that it was not.
+
+"Excessive keenness in money affairs," proceeded Miss Gibson oracularly,
+"is apt to lead a young man into bad ways--oh, you need not smile, Dr.
+Jervis, at my wise saws; it is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact
+is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich
+inclines him to try what looks like a quick and easy method of making
+money. He had a friend--a Mr. Horton--who is a dealer on the Stock
+Exchange and who 'operates' rather largely--'operate' I believe is the
+expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common
+gambling--and I have more than once suspected Walter of being concerned
+in what Mr. Horton calls 'a little flutter.'"
+
+"That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding," I remarked,
+with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore untempted.
+
+"No," she agreed, "it isn't. But your gambler always thinks he is going
+to win--though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
+a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
+far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
+Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
+punctually."
+
+She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
+to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
+she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'
+
+
+"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
+conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
+gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.
+
+"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
+consumer."
+
+I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
+facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.
+
+"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I
+suppose?" said Thorndyke--"while the matter was still fresh?"
+
+"I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within
+five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson."
+
+"Good!" said Thorndyke. "And now let us see what you have collected."
+
+He glanced quickly through the entries in the two books, referring back
+once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then
+he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod.
+
+"Our information, then," he said, "amounts to this: Reuben is an
+industrious worker at his business and, in his leisure, a student of
+ancient and medieval art; possibly a babbling fool and a cad or, on the
+other hand, a maligned and much-abused man.  "Walter Hornby is
+obviously a sneak and possibly a liar; a keen man of business, perhaps a
+flutterer round the financial candle that burns in Throgmorton Street;
+an expert photographer and a competent worker of the collotype process.
+You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I wonder if you see
+the bearing of the facts that you have collected."
+
+"I think I see the bearing of some of them," I answered; "at least, I
+have formed certain opinions."
+
+"Then keep them to yourself, _mon ami_, so that I need not feel as if I
+ought to unbosom myself of my own views."
+
+"I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndyke," I replied, "and
+should have none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your
+opinions and theories are the property of your client and not to be used
+for the entertainment of your friends."
+
+Thorndyke patted me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly
+pleased, and said, with evident sincerity, "I am really grateful to you
+for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent
+with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I
+am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can
+do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink
+the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods!
+here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour
+of roasted flesh. Rump steak I ween," he added, sniffing, "food meet for
+the mighty Shamash (that pun was fortuitous, I need not say) or a
+ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Polton, how it is that
+your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have
+command of a special brand of ox?"
+
+The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as
+full of lines as a ground-plan of Clapham Junction.
+
+"Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir," he replied. "I
+usually bruise it in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the
+fibre too much, and then I heat up the little cupel furnace to about 600
+C, and put the steak in on a tripod."
+
+Thorndyke laughed outright. "The cupel furnace, too," he exclaimed.
+"Well, well, 'to what base uses'--but I don't know that it is a base use
+after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of
+ten by eight 'process' plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two
+ladies here this evening with a document."
+
+"Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Polton, with an alarmed
+expression.
+
+"I expect I shall have to," answered Thorndyke.
+
+"Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit," said Polton, who
+evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine and feminine
+view as to the proper appearance of working premises.
+
+"And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on the case?" said
+Thorndyke, when his voracity had become somewhat appeased.
+
+"Yes," I answered; and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I
+could remember it.
+
+"Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic," Thorndyke remarked, "and
+it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we
+show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard,
+then to the whole world. We know what their trump card is and can
+arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand."
+
+"You speak of the police as your antagonists; I noticed that at the
+'Yard' this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the
+position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender,
+not to fix the crime on some particular person."
+
+"That would seem to be so," replied Thorndyke, "but in practice it is
+otherwise. When the police have made an arrest they work for a
+conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs; it
+is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one--especially since
+the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be
+estimated by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement
+is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is
+of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not
+engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is
+trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without
+regard to its actual truth or even to the lawyer's own belief on the
+subject. That is what produces so much friction between lawyers and
+scientific witnesses; neither can understand the point of view of the
+other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this; it has
+gone half-past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room
+presentable."
+
+"I notice you don't use your office much," I remarked.
+
+"Hardly at all, excepting as a repository for documents and stationery.
+It is very cheerless to talk in an office, and nearly all my business is
+transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is
+no need for such formalities. All right, Polton; we shall be ready for
+you in five minutes."
+
+The Temple bell was striking eight as, at Thorndyke's request, I threw
+open the iron-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps
+came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for our two
+visitors, and led them into the room.
+
+"I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Hornby, when I had
+done the honours of introduction; "I have heard so much about you from
+Juliet--"
+
+"Really, my dear aunt," protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with
+a look of comical alarm, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous
+impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice
+and had been received with undeserved indulgence and consideration."
+
+"You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby, "but I
+suppose it doesn't matter."
+
+"We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favourable report of us,
+whatever may have been the actual form of expression," said Thorndyke,
+with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered her with
+smiling confusion, "and we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much
+trouble to help us."
+
+"It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure," replied Mrs. Hornby;
+and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened,
+like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out
+into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed chairs
+for the two ladies, and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed a stony
+gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Hornby's wrist.
+
+"Is the 'Thumbograph' in your bag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, in response
+to this mute appeal.
+
+"Of course it is, my dear Juliet," replied the elder lady. "You saw me
+put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are. Did you think I should
+have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are
+really very secure, you know, although I daresay they are safer than
+pockets, especially now that it is the fashion to have the pocket at the
+back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a
+pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know,
+to make a snatch and--in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I
+knew a lady--Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet--no, it wasn't Mrs.
+Moggridge, that was another affair, it was Mrs.--Mrs.--dear me, how
+silly of me!--now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You
+must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the
+Hawley-Johnsons'--I think it was the Hawley-Johnsons', or else it was
+those people, you know--"
+
+"Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph'?" interrupted
+Miss Gibson.
+
+"Why, of course, Juliet, dear. What else did we come here for?" With a
+slightly injured expression, Mrs. Hornby opened the little bag and
+commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents on to
+the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a
+visiting list, a packet of _papier poudré_, and when she had laid the
+last-mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into
+Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling
+discovery.
+
+"I remember the woman's name," she said in an impressive voice. "It was
+Gudge--Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of--"
+
+Here Miss Gibson made an unceremonious dive into the open bag and fished
+out a tiny parcel wrapped in notepaper and secured with a silk thread.
+
+"Thank you," said Thorndyke, taking it from her hand just as Mrs. Hornby
+was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread and drew from its
+wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbograph"
+stamped upon the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby
+rose and stood beside him.
+
+"That," said she, as she opened the book at the first page, "is the
+thumb-mark of a Miss Colley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is
+a little smeared--she said Reuben jogged her elbow, but I don't think he
+did; at any rate he assured me he did not, and, you know--"
+
+"Ah! Here is one we are looking for," interrupted Thorndyke, who had
+been turning the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling
+comments; "a very good impression, too, considering the rather rough
+method of producing it."
+
+He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the
+mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered
+through it at the thumb-print that he was looking for something. A
+moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had
+sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and
+composed air and made no remark, there was a sparkle of the eye and a
+scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I
+had begun to recognise beneath the impassive mask that he presented to
+the world.
+
+"I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he
+said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, "and, as I
+may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you
+and Miss Gibson to sign your names--as small as possible--on the page
+which bears Mr. Reuben's thumb-mark. That will anticipate any suggestion
+that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands."
+
+"It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such
+suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain
+pen in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and
+handed the pen to Miss Gibson, who signed underneath.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "we will take an enlarged photograph of this
+page with the thumb-mark; not that it is necessary that it should be
+done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the
+photograph will be wanted, and as my man is expecting us and has the
+apparatus ready, we may as well despatch the business at once."
+
+To this both the ladies readily agreed (being, in fact, devoured by
+curiosity with regard to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly
+proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the
+ingenious Polton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur.
+
+It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me
+with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we
+entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small
+woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of
+mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I
+noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike
+neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndyke's observation,
+for his face relaxed into a grim smile as his eye travelled over the
+bare benches and the clean-swept floor.
+
+From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of
+which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shelves of
+reagents that covered the wall, and the flasks, retorts and other
+apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a
+drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large,
+massively-constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the
+lens, was fixed, and an easel or copyholder travelled on parallel guides
+towards, or away, from it, on a long stand.
+
+This apparatus Thorndyke proceeded to explain to our visitors while
+Polton was fixing the "Thumbograph" in a holder attached to the easel.
+
+"You see," he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, "I have a
+good deal to do with signatures, cheques and disputed documents of
+various kinds. Now a skilled eye, aided by a pocket-lens, can make out
+very minute details on a cheque or bank-note; but it is not possible to
+lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very
+convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the
+magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original.
+Small things, when magnified, develop quite unexpected characters; for
+instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but
+have you ever noticed the little white spots in the upper corner of a
+penny stamp, or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of
+the wreath?"
+
+Miss Gibson admitted that she had not.
+
+"Very few people have, I suppose, excepting stamp-collectors," continued
+Thorndyke; "but now just glance at this and you will find these
+unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed
+her a photograph, which he had taken from a drawer, showing a penny
+stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches.
+
+While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded
+with his work. The "Thumbograph" having been fixed in position, the
+light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted with a parabolic
+reflector, was concentrated on it, and the camera racked out to its
+proper distance.
+
+"What are those figures intended to show?" inquired Miss Gibson,
+indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides.
+
+"They show the amount of magnification or reduction," Thorndyke
+explained. "When the pointer is opposite 0, the photograph is the same
+size as the object photographed; when it points to, say, x 4, the
+photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while
+if it should point to, say, ÷ 4, the photograph will be one-fourth the
+length of the object. It is now, you see, pointing to x 8, so the
+photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb-mark."
+
+By this time Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus and,
+when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image on the
+focussing screen, we withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to
+bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and
+the plate developed. Here, after an interval, we were joined by Polton,
+who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could
+be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb-mark.
+
+This Thorndyke scrutinised eagerly, and having pronounced it
+satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was
+attained, and thanked her for the trouble she had taken.
+
+"I am very glad we came," said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we
+walked slowly up Mitre Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorndyke;
+"and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has
+made me realise that something is being done and that Dr. Thorndyke
+really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely."
+
+"And very properly so," I replied. "I, too, although I really know
+nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would
+not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had
+not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking
+a hopeful view."
+
+"Thank you for saying that," she rejoined warmly; "and you will let me
+have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you?" She looked in my face
+so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and,
+indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully
+justify my colleague's reticence towards me.
+
+However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so, when we emerged
+into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a hansom, I
+could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see
+her again at the earliest opportunity--a promise which my inner
+consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled.
+
+"You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend,"
+Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back towards his chambers. "You are
+an insinuating dog, Jervis."
+
+"She is very frank and easy to get on with," I replied.
+
+"Yes. A good girl and a clever girl, and comely to look upon withal. I
+suppose it would be superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your
+eye?"
+
+"I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud," I
+replied sulkily.
+
+"Of course you wouldn't; hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic
+member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to
+Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"No," I answered.
+
+"It might be worth while to find out," said Thorndyke; and then he
+relapsed into silence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+
+Thorndyke's hint as to the possible danger foreshadowed by my growing
+intimacy with Juliet Gibson had come upon me as a complete surprise, and
+had, indeed, been resented by me as somewhat of an impertinence.
+Nevertheless, it gave me considerable food for meditation, and I
+presently began to suspect that the watchful eyes of my observant friend
+might have detected something in my manner towards Miss Gibson
+suggestive of sentiments that had been unsuspected by myself.
+
+Of course it would be absurd to suppose that any real feeling could have
+been engendered by so ridiculously brief an acquaintance. I had only met
+the girl three times, and even now, excepting for business relations,
+was hardly entitled to more than a bow of recognition. But yet, when I
+considered the matter impartially and examined my own consciousness, I
+could not but recognise that she had aroused in me an interest which
+bore no relation to the part that she had played in the drama that was
+so slowly unfolding. She was undeniably a very handsome girl, and her
+beauty was of a type that specially appealed to me--full of dignity and
+character that gave promise of a splendid middle age. And her
+personality was in other ways not less attractive, for she was frank and
+open, sprightly and intelligent, and though evidently quite
+self-reliant, was in nowise lacking in that womanly softness that so
+strongly engages a man's sympathy.
+
+In short, I realised that, had there been no such person as Reuben
+Hornby, I should have viewed Miss Gibson with uncommon interest.
+
+But, unfortunately, Reuben Hornby was a most palpable reality, and,
+moreover, the extraordinary difficulties of his position entitled him to
+very special consideration by any man of honour. It was true that Miss
+Gibson had repudiated any feelings towards Reuben other than those of
+old-time friendship; but young ladies are not always impartial judges of
+their own feelings, and, as a man of the world, I could not but have my
+own opinion on the matter--which opinion I believed to be shared by
+Thorndyke. The conclusions to which my cogitations at length brought me
+were: first, that I was an egotistical donkey, and, second, that my
+relations with Miss Gibson were of an exclusively business character and
+must in future be conducted on that basis, with the added consideration
+that I was the confidential agent, for the time being, of Reuben Hornby,
+and in honour bound to regard his interests as paramount.
+
+"I am hoping," said Thorndyke, as he held out his hand for my teacup,
+"that these profound reflections of yours are connected with the Hornby
+affair; in which case I should expect to hear that the riddle is solved
+and the mystery made plain."
+
+"Why should you expect that?" I demanded, reddening somewhat, I suspect,
+as I met his twinkling eye. There was something rather disturbing in
+the dry, quizzical smile that I encountered and the reflection that I
+had been under observation, and I felt as much embarrassed as I should
+suppose a self-conscious water-flea might feel on finding itself on the
+illuminated stage of a binocular microscope.
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "you have not spoken a word for the
+last quarter of an hour; you have devoured your food with the relentless
+regularity of a sausage-machine, and you have, from time to time, made
+the most damnable faces at the coffee-pot--though there I'll wager the
+coffee-pot was even with you, if I may judge by the presentment that it
+offers of my own countenance."
+
+I roused myself from my reverie with a laugh at Thorndyke's quaint
+conceit and a glance at the grotesquely distorted reflection of my face
+in the polished silver.
+
+"I am afraid I _have_ been a rather dull companion this morning," I
+admitted apologetically.
+
+"By no means," replied Thorndyke, with a grin. "On the contrary, I have
+found you both amusing and instructive, and I only spoke when I had
+exhausted your potentialities as a silent entertainer."
+
+"You are pleased to be facetious at my expense," said I.
+
+"Well, the expense was not a very heavy one," he retorted. "I have been
+merely consuming a by-product of your mental activity--Hallo! that's
+Anstey already."
+
+A peculiar knock, apparently delivered with the handle of a
+walking-stick on the outer door, was the occasion of this exclamation,
+and as Thorndyke sprang up and flung the door open, a clear, musical
+voice was borne in, the measured cadences of which proclaimed at once
+the trained orator.
+
+"Hail, learned brother!" it exclaimed. "Do I disturb you untimely at
+your studies?" Here our visitor entered the room and looked round
+critically. "'Tis even so," he declared. "Physiological chemistry and
+its practical applications appears to be the subject. A physico-chemical
+inquiry into the properties of streaky bacon and fried eggs. Do I see
+another learned brother?"
+
+He peered keenly at me through his pince-nez, and I gazed at him in some
+embarrassment.
+
+"This is my friend Jervis, of whom you have heard me speak," said
+Thorndyke. "He is with us in this case, you know."
+
+"The echoes of your fame have reached me, sir," said Anstey, holding out
+his hand. "I am proud to know you. I should have recognised you
+instantly from the portrait of your lamented uncle in Greenwich
+Hospital."
+
+"Anstey is a wag, you understand," explained Thorndyke, "but he has
+lucid intervals. He'll have one presently if we are patient."
+
+"Patient!" snorted our eccentric visitor, "it is I who need to be
+patient when I am dragged into police courts and other sinks of iniquity
+to plead for common thieves and robbers like a Kennington Lane
+advocate."
+
+"You've been talking to Lawley, I see," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes, and he tells me that we haven't a leg to stand upon."
+
+"No, we've got to stand on our heads, as men of intellect should. But
+Lawley knows nothing about the case."
+
+"He thinks he knows it all," said Anstey.
+
+"Most fools do," retorted Thorndyke. "They arrive at their knowledge by
+intuition--a deuced easy road and cheap travelling too. We reserve our
+defence--I suppose you agree to that?"
+
+"I suppose so. The magistrate is sure to commit unless you have an
+unquestionable _alibi_."
+
+"We shall put in an _alibi_, but we are not depending on it."
+
+"Then we had better reserve our defence," said Anstey; "and it is time
+that we wended on our pilgrimage, for we are due at Lawley's at
+half-past ten. Is Jervis coming with us?"
+
+"Yes, you'd better come," said Thorndyke. "It's the adjourned hearing of
+poor Hornby's case, you know. There won't be anything done on our side,
+but we may be able to glean some hint from the prosecution."
+
+"I should like to hear what takes place, at any rate," I said, and we
+accordingly sallied forth together in the direction of Lincoln's Inn, on
+the north side of which Mr. Lawley's office was situated.
+
+"Ah!" said the solicitor, as we entered, "I am glad you've come; I was
+getting anxious--it doesn't do to be late on these occasions, you know.
+Let me see, do you know Mr. Walter Hornby? I don't think you do." He
+presented Thorndyke and me to our client's cousin, and as we shook
+hands, we viewed one another with a good deal of mutual interest.
+
+"I have heard about you from my aunt," said he, addressing himself more
+particularly to me. "She appears to regard you as a kind of legal
+Maskelyne and Cooke. I hope, for my cousin's sake, that you will be able
+to work the wonders that she anticipates. Poor old fellow! He looks
+pretty bad, doesn't he?"
+
+I glanced at Reuben, who was at the moment talking to Thorndyke, and as
+he caught my eye he held out his hand with a warmth that I found very
+pathetic. He seemed to have aged since I had last seen him, and was
+pale and rather thinner, but he was composed in his manner and seemed to
+me to be taking his trouble very well on the whole.
+
+"Cab's at the door, sir," a clerk announced.
+
+"Cab," repeated Mr. Lawley, looking dubiously at me; "we want an
+omnibus."
+
+"Dr. Jervis and I can walk," Walter Hornby suggested. "We shall probably
+get there as soon as you, and it doesn't matter if we don't."
+
+"Yes, that will do," said Mr. Lawley; "you two walk down together. Now
+let us go."
+
+We trooped out on to the pavement, beside which a four-wheeler was drawn
+up, and as the others were entering the cab, Thorndyke stood close
+beside me for a moment.
+
+"Don't let him pump you," he said in a low voice, without looking at me;
+then he sprang into the cab and slammed the door.
+
+"What an extraordinary affair this is," Walter Hornby remarked, after we
+had been walking in silence for a minute or two; "a most ghastly
+business. I must confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it."
+
+"How is that?" I asked.
+
+"Why, do you see, there are apparently only two possible theories of the
+crime, and each of them seems to be unthinkable. On the one hand there
+is Reuben, a man of the most scrupulous honour, as far as my experience
+of him goes, committing a mean and sordid theft for which no motive can
+be discovered--for he is not poor, nor pecuniarily embarrassed nor in
+the smallest degree avaricious. On the other hand, there is this
+thumb-print, which, in the opinion of the experts, is tantamount to the
+evidence of an eye-witness that he did commit the theft. It is
+positively bewildering. Don't you think so?"
+
+"As you put it," I answered, "the case is extraordinarily puzzling."
+
+"But how else would you put it?" he demanded, with ill-concealed
+eagerness.
+
+"I mean that, if Reuben is the man you believe him to be, the thing is
+incomprehensible."
+
+"Quite so," he agreed, though he was evidently disappointed at my
+colourless answer.
+
+He walked on silently for a few minutes and then said: "I suppose it
+would not be fair to ask if you see any way out of the difficulty? We
+are all, naturally anxious about the upshot of the affair, seeing what
+poor old Reuben's position is."
+
+"Naturally. But the fact is that I know no more than you do, and as to
+Thorndyke, you might as well cross-examine a Whitstable native as put
+questions to him."
+
+"Yes, so I gathered from Juliet. But I thought you might have gleaned
+some notion of the line of defence from your work in the laboratory--the
+microscopical and photographic work I mean."
+
+"I was never in the laboratory until last night, when Thorndyke took me
+there with your aunt and Miss Gibson; the work there is done by the
+laboratory assistant, and his knowledge of the case, I should say, is
+about as great as a type-founder's knowledge of the books that he is
+helping to produce. No; Thorndyke is a man who plays a single-handed
+game and no one knows what cards he holds until he lays them on the
+table."
+
+My companion considered this statement in silence while I congratulated
+myself on having parried, with great adroitness, a rather inconvenient
+question. But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion
+to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
+
+"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty
+miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own
+personal worries."
+
+"Has he any special trouble besides this, then?" I asked.
+
+"Why, haven't you heard? I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't
+have spoken--not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is
+public property in the city. The fact is that his financial affairs are
+a little entangled just now."
+
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
+
+"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will
+pull through all right. It is the usual thing, you know--investments, or
+perhaps one should say speculations. He appears to have sunk a lot of
+capital in mines--thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it
+seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him
+with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility
+of a dead loss if they don't revive. Then there are these infernal
+diamonds. He is not morally responsible, we know; but it is a question
+if he is not legally responsible, though the lawyers think he is not.
+Anyhow, there is going to be a meeting of the creditors to-morrow."
+
+"And what do you think they will do?"
+
+"Oh, they will, most probably, let him go on for the present; but, of
+course, if he is made accountable for the diamonds there will be nothing
+for it but to 'go through the hoop,' as the sporting financier
+expresses it."
+
+"The diamonds were of considerable value, then?"
+
+"From twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds' worth vanished with that
+parcel."
+
+I whistled. This was a much bigger affair than I had imagined, and I was
+wondering if Thorndyke had realised the magnitude of the robbery, when
+we arrived at the police court.
+
+"I suppose our friends have gone inside," said Walter. "They must have
+got here before us."
+
+This supposition was confirmed by a constable of whom we made inquiry,
+and who directed us to the entrance to the court. Passing down a passage
+and elbowing our way through the throng of idlers, we made for the
+solicitor's box, where we had barely taken our seats when the case was
+called.
+
+Unspeakably dreary and depressing were the brief proceedings that
+followed, and dreadfully suggestive of the helplessness of even an
+innocent man on whom the law has laid its hand and in whose behalf its
+inexorable machinery has been set in motion.
+
+The presiding magistrate, emotionless and dry, dipped his pen while
+Reuben, who had surrendered to his bail, was placed in the dock and the
+charge read over to him. The counsel representing the police gave an
+abstract of the case with the matter-of-fact air of a house-agent
+describing an eligible property. Then, when the plea of "not guilty" had
+been entered, the witnesses were called. There were only two, and when
+the name of the first, John Hornby, was called, I glanced towards the
+witness-box with no little curiosity.
+
+I had not hitherto met Mr. Hornby, and as he now entered the box, I saw
+an elderly man, tall, florid, and well-preserved, but strained and wild
+in expression and displaying his uncontrollable agitation by continual
+nervous movements which contrasted curiously with the composed demeanour
+of the accused man. Nevertheless, he gave his evidence in a perfectly
+connected manner, recounting the events connected with the discovery of
+the crime in much the same words as I had heard Mr. Lawley use, though,
+indeed, he was a good deal more emphatic than that gentleman had been in
+regard to the excellent character borne by the prisoner.
+
+After him came Mr. Singleton, of the finger-print department at Scotland
+Yard, to whose evidence I listened with close attention. He produced the
+paper which bore the thumb-print in blood (which had previously been
+identified by Mr. Hornby) and a paper bearing the print, taken by
+himself, of the prisoner's left thumb. These two thumb-prints, he
+stated, were identical in every respect.
+
+"And you are of opinion that the mark on the paper that was found in Mr.
+Hornby's safe, was made by the prisoner's left thumb?" the magistrate
+asked in dry and business-like tones.
+
+"I am certain of it."
+
+"You are of opinion that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"No mistake is possible, your worship. It is a certainty."
+
+The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister
+rose.  "We reserve our defence, your worship."
+
+The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed
+the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept
+bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the
+next case was called.
+
+By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make
+his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the
+filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his
+friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
+
+"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three were,
+for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the
+warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual
+impassivity. "But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your
+innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world--though this is
+for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one."
+
+Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the
+moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the
+breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a
+hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
+
+"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay,
+and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he
+exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
+
+"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I
+answered, without much conviction, however. "It may happen to the best
+of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law."
+
+"That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry,"
+he rejoined. "The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as
+innocent; but how does it treat him? You heard how the magistrate
+addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him _Mr_.
+Hornby. You know what will happen to Reuben at Holloway. He will be
+ordered about by warders, will have a number label fastened on to his
+coat, he will be locked in a cell with a spy-hole in the door, through
+which any passing stranger may watch him; his food will be handed to him
+in a tin pan with a tin knife and spoon; and he will be periodically
+called out of his cell and driven round the exercise yard with a mob
+composed, for the most part, of the sweepings of the London slums. If he
+is acquitted, he will be turned loose without a suggestion of
+compensation or apology for these indignities or the losses he may have
+sustained through his detention."
+
+"Still I suppose these evils are unavoidable," I said.
+
+"That may or may not be," he retorted. "My point is that the presumption
+of innocence is a pure fiction; that the treatment of an accused man,
+from the moment of his arrest, is that of a criminal. However," he
+concluded, hailing a passing hansom, "this discussion must be adjourned
+or I shall be late at the hospital. What are you going to do?"
+
+"I shall get some lunch and then call on Miss Gibson to let her know the
+real position."
+
+"Yes, that will be kind, I think; baldly stated, the news may seem
+rather alarming. I was tempted to thrash the case out in the police
+court, but it would not have been safe. He would almost certainly have
+been committed for trial after all, and then we should have shown our
+hand to the prosecution."
+
+He sprang into the hansom and was speedily swallowed up in the traffic,
+while I turned back towards the police court to make certain inquiries
+concerning the regulations as to visitors at Holloway prison. At the
+door I met the friendly inspector from Scotland Yard, who gave me the
+necessary information, whereupon with a certain homely little French
+restaurant in my mind I bent my steps in the direction of Soho.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+
+When I arrived at Endsley Gardens, Miss Gibson was at home, and to my
+unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
+moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
+verge of insanity--an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
+tendencies.
+
+"It is good of you to come--though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
+said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
+human--both you and Dr. Thorndyke--so free from professional stiffness.
+My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."
+
+"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
+but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
+dry enough."
+
+"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
+advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"
+
+"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
+Thorndyke for his pains."
+
+"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
+happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
+agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
+where is Reuben?"
+
+"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
+that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
+it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
+defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
+could revise their own plans accordingly."
+
+"I see that," said she dejectedly, "but I am dreadfully disappointed. I
+had hoped that Dr. Thorndyke would get the case dismissed. What has
+happened to Reuben?"
+
+This was the question that I had dreaded, and now that I had to answer
+it I cleared my throat and bent my gaze nervously on the floor.
+
+"The magistrate refused bail," I said after an uncomfortable pause.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Consequently Reuben has been--er--detained in custody."
+
+"You don't mean to say that they have sent him to prison?" she exclaimed
+breathlessly.
+
+"Not as a convicted prisoner, you know. He is merely detained pending
+his trial."
+
+"But in prison?"
+
+"Yes," I was forced to admit; "in Holloway prison."
+
+She looked me stonily in the face for some seconds, pale and wide-eyed,
+but silent; then, with a sudden catch in her breath, she turned away,
+and, grasping the edge of the mantel-shelf, laid her head upon her arm
+and burst into a passion of sobbing.
+
+Now I am not, in general, an emotional man, nor even especially
+impulsive; but neither am I a stock or a stone or an effigy of wood;
+which I most surely must have been if I could have looked without being
+deeply moved on the grief, so natural and unselfish, of this strong,
+brave, loyal-hearted woman. In effect, I moved to her side and, gently
+taking in mine the hand that hung down, murmured some incoherent words
+of consolation in a particularly husky voice.
+
+Presently she recovered herself somewhat and softly withdrew her hand,
+as she turned towards me drying her eyes.
+
+"You must forgive me for distressing you, as I fear I have," she said;
+"for you are so kind, and I feel that you are really my friend and
+Reuben's."
+
+"I am indeed, dear Miss Gibson," I replied, "and so, I assure you, is my
+colleague."
+
+"I am sure of it," she rejoined. "But I was so unprepared for this--I
+cannot say why, excepting that I trusted so entirely in Dr.
+Thorndyke--and it is so horrible and, above all, so dreadfully
+suggestive of what may happen. Up to now the whole thing has seemed like
+a nightmare--terrifying, but yet unreal. But now that he is actually in
+prison, it has suddenly become a dreadful reality and I am overwhelmed
+with terror. Oh! poor boy! What will become of him? For pity's sake, Dr.
+Jervis, tell me what is going to happen."
+
+What could I do? I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to
+Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all
+he had said. Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own
+counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities. But I could
+not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
+
+"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said. "I have it
+from Dr. Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is
+hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world. But I did not have
+this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
+
+"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart."
+
+"And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it
+distress you too much. Try to think of it as of a surgical operation,
+which is a dreadful thing in itself, but is accepted in lieu of
+something which is immeasurably more dreadful."
+
+"I will try to do as you tell me," she answered meekly; "but it is so
+shocking to think of a cultivated gentleman like Reuben, herded with
+common thieves and murderers, and locked in a cage like some wild
+animal. Think of the ignominy and degradation!"
+
+"There is no ignominy in being wrongfully accused," I said--a little
+guiltily, I must own, for Thorndyke's words came back to me with all
+their force. But regardless of this I went on: "An acquittal will
+restore him to his position with an unstained character, and nothing but
+the recollection of a passing inconvenience to look back upon."
+
+She gave her eyes a final wipe, and resolutely put away her
+handkerchief.
+
+"You have given me back my courage," she said, "and chased away my
+terror. I cannot tell you how I feel your goodness, nor have I any
+thank-offering to make, except the promise to be brave and patient
+henceforth, and trust in you entirely."
+
+She said this with such a grateful smile, and looked withal so sweet and
+womanly that I was seized with an overpowering impulse to take her in my
+arms. Instead of this I said with conscious feebleness: "I am more than
+thankful to have been able to give you any encouragement--which you must
+remember comes from me second-hand, after all. It is to Dr. Thorndyke
+that we all look for ultimate deliverance."
+
+"I know. But it is you who came to comfort me in my trouble, so, you
+see, the honours are divided--and not divided quite equally, I fear, for
+women are unreasoning creatures, as, no doubt, your experience has
+informed you. I think I hear my aunt's voice, so you had better escape
+before your retreat is cut off. But before you go, you must tell me how
+and when I can see Reuben. I want to see him at the earliest possible
+moment. Poor fellow! He must not be allowed to feel that his friends
+have forgotten him even for a single instant."
+
+"You can see him to-morrow, if you like," I said; and, casting my good
+resolutions to the winds, I added: "I shall be going to see him myself,
+and perhaps Dr. Thorndyke will go."
+
+"Would you let me call at the Temple and go with you? Should I be much
+in the way? It is rather an alarming thing to go to a prison alone."
+
+"It is not to be thought of," I answered. "If you will call at the
+Temple--it is on the way--we can drive to Holloway together. I suppose
+you are resolved to go? It will be rather unpleasant, as you are
+probably aware."
+
+"I am quite resolved. What time shall I come to the Temple?"
+
+"About two o'clock, if that will suit you."
+
+"Very well. I will be punctual; and now you must go or you will be
+caught."
+
+She pushed me gently towards the door and, holding out her hand, said--
+ "I haven't thanked you half enough and I never can. Good-bye!"
+
+She was gone, and I stood alone in the street, up which yellowish
+wreaths of fog were beginning to roll. It had been quite clear and
+bright when I entered the house, but now the sky was settling down into
+a colourless grey, the light was failing and the houses dwindling into
+dim, unreal shapes that vanished at half their height. Nevertheless I
+stepped out briskly and strode along at a good pace, as a young man is
+apt to do when his mind is in somewhat of a ferment. In truth, I had a
+good deal to occupy my thoughts and, as will often happen both to young
+men and old, those matters that bore most directly upon my own life and
+prospects were the first to receive attention.
+
+What sort of relations were growing up between Juliet Gibson and me? And
+what was my position? As to hers, it seemed plain enough; she was
+wrapped up in Reuben Hornby and I was her very good friend because I was
+his. But for myself, there was no disguising the fact that I was
+beginning to take an interest in her that boded ill for my peace of
+mind.
+
+Never had I met a woman who so entirely realised my conception of what a
+woman should be, nor one who exercised so great a charm over me. Her
+strength and dignity, her softness and dependency, to say nothing of her
+beauty, fitted her with the necessary weapons for my complete and utter
+subjugation. And utterly subjugated I was--there was no use in denying
+the fact, even though I realised already that the time would presently
+come when she would want me no more and there would remain no remedy for
+me but to go away and try to forget her.
+
+But was I acting as a man of honour? To this I felt I could fairly
+answer "yes," for I was but doing my duty, and could hardly act
+differently if I wished to. Besides, I was jeopardising no one's
+happiness but my own, and a man may do as he pleases with his own
+happiness. No; even Thorndyke could not accuse me of dishonourable
+conduct.
+
+Presently my thoughts took a fresh turn and I began to reflect upon what
+I had heard concerning Mr. Hornby. Here was a startling development,
+indeed, and I wondered what difference it would make in Thorndyke's
+hypothesis of the crime. What his theory was I had never been able to
+guess, but as I walked along through the thickening fog I tried to fit
+this new fact into our collection of data and determine its bearings and
+significance.
+
+In this, for a time, I failed utterly. The red thumb-mark filled my
+field of vision to the exclusion of all else. To me, as to everyone else
+but Thorndyke, this fact was final and pointed to a conclusion that was
+unanswerable. But as I turned the story of the crime over and over,
+there came to me presently an idea that set in motion a new and very
+startling train of thought.
+
+Could Mr. Hornby himself be the thief? His failure appeared sudden to
+the outside world, but he must have seen difficulties coming. There,
+indeed, was the thumb-mark on the leaf which he had torn from his
+pocket-block. Yes! but who had seen him tear it off? No one. The fact
+rested on his bare statement.
+
+But the thumb-mark? Well, it was possible (though unlikely)--still
+possible--that the mark might have been made accidentally on some
+previous occasion and forgotten by Reuben, or even unnoticed. Mr. Hornby
+had seen the "Thumbograph," in fact his own mark was in it, and so would
+have had his attention directed to the importance of finger-prints in
+identification. He might have kept the marked paper for future use, and,
+on the occasion of the robbery, pencilled a dated inscription on it, and
+slipped it into the safe as a sure means of diverting suspicion. All
+this was improbable in the highest degree, but then so was every other
+explanation of the crime; and as to the unspeakable baseness of the
+deed, what action is too base for a gambler in difficulties?
+
+I was so much excited and elated by my own ingenuity in having formed an
+intelligible and practicable theory of the crime, that I was now
+impatient to reach home that I might impart my news to Thorndyke and see
+how they affected him. But as I approached the centre of the town the
+fog grew so dense that all my attention was needed to enable me to
+thread my way safely through the traffic; while the strange, deceptive
+aspect that it lent to familiar objects and the obliteration of
+landmarks made my progress so slow that it was already past six o'clock
+when I felt my way down Middle Temple Lane and crept through Crown
+Office Row towards my colleague's chambers.
+
+On the doorstep I found Polton peering with anxious face into the blank
+expanse of yellow vapour.
+
+"The Doctor's late, sir," said he. "Detained by the fog, I expect. It
+must be pretty thick in the Borough."
+
+(I may mention that, to Polton, Thorndyke was The Doctor. Other inferior
+creatures there were, indeed, to whom the title of "doctor" in a way,
+appertained; but they were of no account in Polton's eyes. Surnames were
+good enough for them.)
+
+"Yes, it must be," I replied, "judging by the condition of the Strand."
+
+I entered and ascended the stairs, glad enough of the prospect of a warm
+and well-lighted room after my comfortless groping in the murky streets,
+and Polton, with a final glance up and down the walk reluctantly
+followed.
+
+"You would like some tea, sir, I expect?" said he, as he let me in
+(though I had a key of my own now).
+
+I thought I should, and he accordingly set about the preparations in his
+deft methodical way, but with an air of abstraction that was unusual
+with him.
+
+"The Doctor said he should be home by five," he remarked, as he laid the
+tea-pot on the tray.
+
+"Then he is a defaulter," I answered. "We shall have to water his tea."
+
+"A wonderful punctual man, sir, is the Doctor," pursued Polton. "Keeps
+his time to the minute, as a rule, he does."
+
+"You can't keep your time to a minute in a 'London Particular,'" I said
+a little impatiently, for I wished to be alone that I might think over
+matters, and Polton's nervous flutterings irritated me somewhat. He was
+almost as bad as a female housekeeper.
+
+The little man evidently perceived my state of mind, for he stole away
+silently, leaving me rather penitent and ashamed, and, as I presently
+discovered on looking out of the window, resumed his vigil on the
+doorstep. From this coign of vantage he returned after a time to take
+away the tea-things; and thereafter, though it was now dark as well as
+foggy, I could hear him softly flitting up and down the stairs with a
+gloomy stealthiness that at length reduced me to a condition as
+nervously apprehensive as his own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+
+The Temple clock had announced in soft and confidential tones that it
+was a quarter to seven, in which statement it was stoutly supported by
+its colleague on our mantelpiece, and still there was no sign of
+Thorndyke. It was really a little strange, for he was the soul of
+punctuality, and moreover, his engagements were of such a kind as
+rendered punctuality possible. I was burning with impatience to impart
+my news to him, and this fact, together with the ghostly proceedings of
+Polton, worked me up to a state of nervous tension that rendered either
+rest or thought equally impossible. I looked out of the window at the
+lamp below, glaring redly through the fog, and then, opening the door,
+went out on to the landing to listen.
+
+At this moment Polton made a silent appearance on the stairs leading
+from the laboratory, giving me quite a start; and I was about to retire
+into the room when my ear caught the tinkle of a hansom approaching from
+Paper Buildings.
+
+The vehicle drew nearer, and at length stopped opposite the house, on
+which Polton slid down the stairs with the agility of a harlequin. A few
+moments later I heard his voice ascending from the hall--
+
+"I do hope, sir, you're not much hurt?"
+
+I ran down the stairs and met Thorndyke coming up slowly with his right
+hand on Polton's shoulder. His clothes were muddy, his left arm was in a
+sling, and a black handkerchief under his hat evidently concealed a
+bandage.
+
+"I am not really hurt at all," Thorndyke replied cheerily, "though very
+disreputable to look at. Just came a cropper in the mud, Jervis," he
+added, as he noted my dismayed expression. "Dinner and a clothes-brush
+are what I chiefly need." Nevertheless, he looked very pale and shaken
+when he came into the light on the landing, and he sank into his
+easy-chair in the limp manner of a man either very weak or very
+fatigued.
+
+"How did it happen?" I asked when Polton had crept away on tip-toe to
+make ready for dinner.
+
+Thorndyke looked round to make sure that his henchman had departed, and
+said--
+
+"A queer affair, Jervis; a very odd affair indeed. I was coming up from
+the Borough, picking my way mighty carefully across the road on account
+of the greasy, slippery mud, and had just reached the foot of London
+Bridge when I heard a heavy lorry coming down the slope a good deal too
+fast, considering that it was impossible to see more than a dozen yards
+ahead, and I stopped on the kerb to see it safely past. Just as the
+horses emerged from the fog, a man came up behind and lurched violently
+against me and, strangely enough, at the same moment passed his foot in
+front of mine. Of course I went sprawling into the road right in front
+of the lorry. The horses came stamping and sliding straight on to me,
+and, before I could wriggle out of the way, the hoof of one of them
+smashed in my hat--that was a new one that I came home in--and
+half-stunned me. Then the near wheel struck my head, making a dirty
+little scalp wound, and pinned down my sleeve so that I couldn't pull
+away my arm, which is consequently barked all the way down. It was a
+mighty near thing, Jervis; another inch or two and I should have been
+rolled out as flat as a starfish."
+
+"What became of the man?" I asked, wishing I could have had a brief
+interview with him.
+
+"Lost to sight though to memory dear: he was off like a lamplighter. An
+alcoholic apple-woman picked me up and escorted me back to the hospital.
+It must have been a touching spectacle," he added, with a dry smile at
+the recollection.
+
+"And I suppose they kept you there for a time to recover?"
+
+"Yes; I went into dry dock in the O. P. room, and then old Langdale
+insisted on my lying down for an hour or so in case any symptoms of
+concussion should appear. But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
+Still, it was a queer affair."
+
+"You mean the man pushing you down in that way?"
+
+"Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine."
+
+"You don't think it was intentional, surely?" I said.
+
+"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it
+seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton
+reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
+
+After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my
+colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new
+information would produce on him. The result was, on the whole,
+disappointing. He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no
+symptoms of excitement.
+
+"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh?" he said, when I had
+finished. "He ought to know better at his age. Did you learn how long he
+had been in difficulties?"
+
+"No. But it can hardly have been quite sudden and unforeseen."
+
+"I should think not," Thorndyke agreed. "A sudden slump often proves
+disastrous to the regular Stock Exchange gambler who is paying
+differences on large quantities of unpaid-for stock. But it looks as if
+Hornby had actually bought and paid for these mines, treating them as
+investments rather than speculations, in which case the depreciation
+would not have affected him in the same way. It would be interesting to
+know for certain."
+
+"It might have a considerable bearing on the present case, might it
+not?"
+
+"Undoubtedly," said Thorndyke. "It might bear on the case in more ways
+than one. But you have some special point in your mind, I think."
+
+"Yes. I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up
+gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form
+at the time of the robbery."
+
+"That is well considered," said my colleague. "But what is the special
+bearing on the case supposing it was so?"
+
+"On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr. Hornby was in actual
+pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me
+possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber."
+
+"I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing
+himself and regarding me with lively interest.
+
+"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at
+the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in
+fact, it is almost fantastic."
+
+"Never mind that," said he. "A sound thinker gives equal consideration
+to the probable and the improbable."
+
+Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it
+had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to
+observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his
+little nods of approval at each point that I made.
+
+When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and
+the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the
+data. At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the
+red embers--
+
+"This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity. We
+may disregard the improbability, seeing that the alternative theories
+are almost equally improbable, and the fact that emerges, and that
+gratifies me more than I can tell you, is that you are gifted with
+enough scientific imagination to construct a possible train of events.
+Indeed, the improbability--combined, of course, with possibility--really
+adds to the achievement, for the dullest mind can perceive the
+obvious--as, for instance, the importance of a finger-print. You have
+really done a great thing, and I congratulate you; for you have
+emancipated yourself, at least to some extent, from the great
+finger-print obsession, which has possessed the legal mind ever since
+Galton published his epoch-making monograph. In that work I remember he
+states that a finger-print affords evidence requiring no
+corroboration--a most dangerous and misleading statement which has been
+fastened upon eagerly by the police, who have naturally been delighted
+at obtaining a sort of magic touchstone by which they are saved the
+labour of investigation. But there is no such thing as a single fact
+that 'affords evidence requiring no corroboration.' As well might one
+expect to make a syllogism with a single premise."  "I suppose they
+would hardly go so far as that," I said, laughing.
+
+"No," he admitted. "But the kind of syllogism that they do make is
+this--
+
+"'The crime was committed by the person who made this finger-print.
+
+"'But John Smith is the person who made the finger-print.
+
+"'Therefore the crime was committed by John Smith.'"
+
+"Well, that is a perfectly good syllogism, isn't it?" I asked.
+
+"Perfectly," he replied. "But, you see, it begs the whole question,
+which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this
+finger-print?' That is where the corroboration is required."
+
+"That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference
+to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance."
+
+"Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable
+clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated. Take our
+present case, for instance. Without the thumb-print, the robbery might
+have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever. But the
+existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some
+person having access to his finger-prints."
+
+"Yes, I see. Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the
+perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one?"  "Quite," replied
+Thorndyke. "I have entertained it from the first; and the new facts that
+you have gathered increase its probability. You remember I said that
+four hypotheses were possible: that the robbery was committed either by
+Reuben, by Walter, by John Hornby, or by some other person. Now, putting
+aside the 'some other person' for consideration only if the first three
+hypotheses fail, we have left, Reuben, Walter, and John. But if we leave
+the thumb-print out of the question, the probabilities evidently point
+to John Hornby, since he, admittedly, had access to the diamonds,
+whereas there is nothing to show that the others had. The thumb-print,
+however, transfers the suspicion to Reuben; but yet, as your theory
+makes evident, it does not completely clear John Hornby. As the case
+stands, the balance of probabilities may be stated thus: John Hornby
+undoubtedly had access to the diamonds, and therefore might have stolen
+them. But if the thumb-mark was made after he closed the safe and before
+he opened it again, some other person must have had access to them, and
+was probably the thief.
+
+"The thumb-mark is that of Reuben Hornby, a fact that establishes a
+_prima facie_ probability that he stole the diamonds. But there is no
+evidence that he had access to them, and if he had not, he could not
+have made the thumb-mark in the manner and at the time stated.
+
+"But John Hornby may have had access to the previously-made thumb-mark
+of Reuben, and may possibly have obtained it; in which case he is almost
+certainly the thief.
+
+"As to Walter Hornby, he may have had the means of obtaining Reuben's
+thumb-mark; but there is no evidence that he had access either to the
+diamonds or to Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. The _prima facie_
+probabilities in his case, therefore, are very slight."
+
+"The actual points at issue, then," I said, "are, whether Reuben had any
+means of opening the safe, and whether Mr. Hornby ever did actually have
+the opportunity of obtaining Reuben's thumb-mark in blood on his
+memorandum block."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke. "Those are the points--with some others--and
+they are likely to remain unsettled. Reuben's rooms have been searched
+by the police, who failed to find any skeleton or duplicate keys; but
+this proves nothing, as he would probably have made away with them when
+he heard of the thumb-mark being found. As to the other matter, I have
+asked Reuben, and he has no recollection of ever having made a
+thumb-mark in blood. So there the matter rests."
+
+"And what about Mr. Hornby's liability for the diamonds?"
+
+"I think we may dismiss that," answered Thorndyke. "He had undertaken no
+liability and there was no negligence. He would not be liable at law."
+
+After my colleague retired, which he did quite early, I sat for a long
+time pondering upon this singular case in which I found myself involved.
+And the more I thought about it the more puzzled I became. If Thorndyke
+had no more satisfactory explanation to offer than that which he had
+given me this evening, the defence was hopeless, for the court was not
+likely to accept his estimate of the evidential value of finger-prints.
+Yet he had given Reuben something like a positive assurance that there
+would be an adequate defence, and had expressed his own positive
+conviction of the accused man's innocence. But Thorndyke was not a man
+to reach such a conviction through merely sentimental considerations.
+The inevitable conclusion was that he had something up his sleeve--that
+he had gained possession of some facts that had escaped my observation;
+and when I had reached this point I knocked out my pipe and betook
+myself to bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE PRISONER
+
+
+On the following morning, as I emerged from my room, I met Polton coming
+up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
+laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
+friend's chamber.
+
+"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
+presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
+I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
+must take the proper precautions--rest and a low diet--until I see that
+no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
+send round the necessary letters, can't you?"
+
+I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
+friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
+contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
+resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
+of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
+hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
+Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
+despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
+from my colleague.
+
+Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
+to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught
+the tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.
+
+"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
+with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
+and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
+you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
+services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
+waiting."
+
+I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
+pulled up and flung open the doors.
+
+"Holloway Prison--main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
+footboard.
+
+"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
+and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
+fellow-passenger.
+
+"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
+yet."
+
+"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
+a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."
+
+I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
+than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
+circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided
+approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a
+very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting
+arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had
+acted temporarily as medical officer.
+
+"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the
+question of the advisability of this visit on your part?"
+
+"Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and
+appreciate your motive in wishing to do so."
+
+"Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me to
+prepare you for the ordeal. I am afraid it will give you a terrible
+shock."
+
+"Indeed?" said she. "Is it so bad? Tell me what it will be like."
+
+"In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose
+of a prison like Holloway. We are going to see an innocent man--a
+cultivated and honourable gentleman. But the ordinary inmates of
+Holloway are not innocent men; for the most part, the remand cases on
+the male side are professional criminals, while the women are either
+petty offenders or chronic inebriates. Most of them are regular
+customers at the prison--such is the idiotic state of the law--who come
+into the reception-room like travellers entering a familiar hostelry,
+address the prison officers by name and demand the usual privileges and
+extra comforts--the 'drunks,' for instance, generally ask for a dose of
+bromide to steady their nerves and a light in the cell to keep away the
+horrors. And such being the character of the inmates, their friends who
+visit them are naturally of the same type--the lowest outpourings of the
+slums; and it is not surprising to find that the arrangements of the
+prison are made to fit its ordinary inmates. The innocent man is a
+negligible quantity, and no arrangements are made for him or his
+visitors."
+
+"But shall we not be taken to Reuben's cell?" asked Miss Gibson.
+
+"Bless you! no," I answered; and, determined to give her every
+inducement to change her mind, I continued: "I will describe the
+procedure as I have seen it--and a very dreadful and shocking sight I
+found it, I can tell you. It was while I was acting as a prison doctor
+in the Midlands that I had this experience. I was going my round one
+morning when, passing along a passage, I became aware of a strange,
+muffled roar from the other side of the wall.
+
+"'What is that noise?' I asked the warder who was with me.
+
+"'Prisoners seeing their friends,' he answered. 'Like to have a look at
+them, sir?'
+
+"He unlocked a small door and, as he threw it open, the distant, muffled
+sound swelled into a deafening roar. I passed through the door and found
+myself in a narrow alley at one end of which a warder was sitting. The
+sides of the alley were formed by two immense cages with stout wire
+bars, one for the prisoners and the other for the visitors; and each
+cage was lined with faces and hands, all in incessant movement, the
+faces mouthing and grimacing, and the hands clawing restlessly at the
+bars. The uproar was so terrific that no single voice could be
+distinguished, though every one present was shouting his loudest to make
+himself heard above the universal din. The result was a very strange and
+horrid illusion, for it seemed as if no one was speaking at all, but
+that the noise came from outside, and that each one of the faces--low,
+vicious faces, mostly--was silently grimacing and gibbering, snapping
+its jaws and glaring furiously at the occupants of the opposite cage. It
+was a frightful spectacle. I could think of nothing but the
+monkey-house at the Zoo. It seemed as if one ought to walk up the alley
+and offer nuts and pieces of paper to be torn to pieces."
+
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Miss Gibson. "And do you mean to say that we shall
+be turned loose into one of these cages with a herd of other visitors?"
+
+"No. You are not turned loose anywhere in a prison. The arrangement is
+this: each cage is divided by partitions into a number of small boxes or
+apartments, which are numbered. The prisoner is locked in one box and
+his visitor in the corresponding box opposite. They are thus confronted,
+with the width of the alley between them; they can see one another and
+talk but cannot pass any forbidden articles across--a very necessary
+precaution, I need hardly say."
+
+"Yes, I suppose it is necessary, but it is horrible for decent people.
+Surely they ought to be able to discriminate."
+
+"Why not give it up and let me take a message to Reuben? He would
+understand and be thankful to me for dissuading you."
+
+"No, no," she said quickly; "the more repulsive it is the greater the
+necessity for me to go. He must not be allowed to think that a trifling
+inconvenience or indignity is enough to scare his friends away. What
+building is that ahead?"
+
+We had just swung round from Caledonian Road into a quiet and
+prosperous-looking suburban street, at the end of which rose the tower
+of a castellated building.
+
+"That is the prison," I replied. "We are looking at it from the most
+advantageous point of view; seen from the back, and especially from the
+inside, it is a good deal less attractive."  Nothing more was said
+until the cab drove into the courtyard and set us down outside the great
+front gates. Having directed the cabman to wait for us, I rang the bell
+and we were speedily admitted through a wicket (which was immediately
+closed and locked) into a covered court closed in by a second gate,
+through the bars of which we could see across an inner courtyard to the
+actual entrance to the prison. Here, while the necessary formalities
+were gone through, we found ourselves part of a numerous and very motley
+company, for a considerable assemblage of the prisoners' friends was
+awaiting the moment of admission. I noticed that my companion was
+observing our fellow-visitors with a kind of horrified curiosity, which
+she strove, however, and not unsuccessfully, to conceal; and certainly
+the appearance of the majority furnished eloquent testimony to the
+failure of crime as a means of worldly advancement. Their present
+position was productive of very varied emotions; some were silent and
+evidently stricken with grief; a larger number were voluble and excited,
+while a considerable proportion were quite cheerful and even inclined to
+be facetious.
+
+At length the great iron gate was unlocked and our party taken in charge
+by a warder, who conducted us to that part of the building known as "the
+wing"; and, in the course of our progress, I could not help observing
+the profound impression made upon my companion by the circumstance that
+every door had to be unlocked to admit us and was locked again as soon
+as we had passed through.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, as we neared our destination, "that you had
+better let me see Reuben first; I have not much to say to him and shall
+not keep you waiting long."
+
+"Why do you think so?" she asked, with a shade of suspicion.
+
+"Well," I answered, "I think you may be a little upset by the interview,
+and I should like to see you into your cab as soon as possible
+afterwards."
+
+"Yes," she said; "perhaps you are right, and it is kind of you to be so
+thoughtful on my account."
+
+A minute later, accordingly, I found myself shut into a narrow box, like
+one of those which considerate pawnbrokers provide for their more
+diffident clients, and in a similar, but more intense, degree, pervaded
+by a subtle odour of uncleanness. The woodwork was polished to an
+unctuous smoothness by the friction of numberless dirty hands and soiled
+garments, and the general appearance--taken in at a glance as I
+entered--was such as to cause me to thrust my hands into my pockets and
+studiously avoid contact with any part of the structure but the floor.
+The end of the box opposite the door was closed in by a strong grating
+of wire--excepting the lower three feet, which was of wood--and looking
+through this, I perceived, behind a second grating, Reuben Hornby,
+standing in a similar attitude to my own. He was dressed in his usual
+clothes and with his customary neatness, but his face was unshaven and
+he wore, suspended from a button-hole, a circular label bearing the
+characters "B.31"; and these two changes in his exterior carried with
+them a suggestiveness as subtle as it was unpleasant, making me more
+than ever regretful that Miss Gibson had insisted on coming.
+
+"It is exceedingly good of you, Dr. Jervis, to come and see me," he said
+heartily, making himself heard quite easily, to my surprise, above the
+hubbub of the adjoining boxes; "but I didn't expect you here. I was told
+I could see my legal advisers in the solicitor's box."
+
+"So you could," I answered. "But I came here by choice because I have
+brought Miss Gibson with me."  "I am sorry for that," he rejoined, with
+evident disapproval; "she oughtn't to have come among these riff-raff."
+
+"I told her so, and that you wouldn't like it, but she insisted."
+
+"I know," said Reuben. "That's the worst of women--they will make a
+beastly fuss and sacrifice themselves when nobody wants them to. But I
+mustn't be ungrateful; she means it kindly, and she's a deuced good
+sort, is Juliet."
+
+"She is indeed," I exclaimed, not a little disgusted at his cool,
+unappreciative tone; "a most noble-hearted girl, and her devotion to you
+is positively heroic."
+
+The faintest suspicion of a smile appeared on the face seen through the
+double grating; on which I felt that I could have pulled his nose with
+pleasure--only that a pair of tongs of special construction would have
+been required for the purpose.
+
+"Yes," he answered calmly, "we have always been very good friends."
+
+A rejoinder of the most extreme acidity was on my lips. Damn the fellow!
+What did he mean by speaking in that supercilious tone of the loveliest
+and sweetest woman in the world? But, after all, one cannot trample on a
+poor devil locked up in a jail on a false charge, no matter how great
+may be the provocation. I drew a deep breath, and, having recovered
+myself, outwardly at least, said--
+
+"I hope you don't find the conditions here too intolerable?"  "Oh, no,"
+he answered. "It's beastly unpleasant, of course, but it might easily be
+worse. I don't mind if it's only for a week or two; and I am really
+encouraged by what Dr. Thorndyke said. I hope he wasn't being merely
+soothing."
+
+"You may take it that he was not. What he said, I am sure he meant. Of
+course, you know I am not in his confidence--nobody is--but I gather
+that he is satisfied with the defence he is preparing."
+
+"If he is satisfied, I am," said Reuben, "and, in any case, I shall owe
+him an immense debt of gratitude for having stood by me and believed in
+me when all the world--except my aunt and Juliet--had condemned me."
+
+He then went on to give me a few particulars of his prison life, and
+when he had chatted for a quarter of an hour or so, I took my leave to
+make way for Miss Gibson.
+
+Her interview with him was not as long as I had expected, though, to be
+sure, the conditions were not very favourable either for the exchange of
+confidences or for utterances of a sentimental character. The
+consciousness that one's conversation could be overheard by the
+occupants of adjacent boxes destroyed all sense of privacy, to say
+nothing of the disturbing influence of the warder in the alley-way.
+
+When she rejoined me, her manner was abstracted and very depressed, a
+circumstance that gave me considerable food for reflection as we made
+our way in silence towards the main entrance. Had she found Reuben as
+cool and matter-of-fact as I had? He was assuredly a very calm and
+self-possessed lover, and it was conceivable that his reception of the
+girl, strung up, as she was, to an acute pitch of emotion, might have
+been somewhat in the nature of an anticlimax. And then, was it possible
+that the feeling was on her side only? Could it be that the priceless
+pearl of her love was cast before--I was tempted to use the colloquial
+singular and call him an "unappreciative swine!" The thing was almost
+unthinkable to me, and yet I was tempted to dwell upon it; for when a
+man is in love--and I could no longer disguise my condition from
+myself--he is inclined to be humble and to gather up thankfully the
+treasure that is rejected of another.
+
+I was brought up short in these reflections by the clank of the lock in
+the great iron gate. We entered together the gloomy vestibule, and a
+moment later were let out through the wicket into the courtyard; and as
+the lock clicked behind us, we gave a simultaneous sigh of relief to
+find ourselves outside the precincts of the prison, beyond the domain of
+bolts and bars.
+
+I had settled Miss Gibson in the cab and given her address to the
+driver, when I noticed her looking at me, as I thought, somewhat
+wistfully.
+
+"Can't I put you down somewhere?" she said, in response to a
+half-questioning glance from me.
+
+I seized the opportunity with thankfulness and replied--
+
+"You might set me down at King's Cross if it is not delaying you;" and
+giving the word to the cabman, I took my place by her side as the cab
+started and a black-painted prison van turned into the courtyard with
+its freight of squalid misery.
+
+"I don't think Reuben was very pleased to see me," Miss Gibson remarked
+presently, "but I shall come again all the same. It is a duty I owe both
+to him and to myself."
+
+I felt that I ought to endeavour to dissuade her, but the reflection
+that her visits must almost of necessity involve my companionship,
+enfeebled my will. I was fast approaching a state of infatuation.
+
+"I was so thankful," she continued, "that you prepared me. It was a
+horrible experience to see the poor fellow caged like a wild beast, with
+that dreadful label hanging from his coat; but it would have been
+overwhelming if I had not known what to expect."
+
+As we proceeded, her spirits revived somewhat, a circumstance that she
+graciously ascribed to the enlivening influence of my society; and I
+then told her of the mishap that had befallen my colleague.
+
+"What a terrible thing!" she exclaimed, with evidently unaffected
+concern. "It is the merest chance that he was not killed on the spot. Is
+he much hurt? And would he mind, do you think, if I called to inquire
+after him?"
+
+I said that I was sure he would be delighted (being, as a matter of
+fact, entirely indifferent as to his sentiments on the subject in my
+delight at the proposal), and when I stepped down from the cab at King's
+Cross to pursue my way homewards, there already opened out before me the
+prospect of the renewal of this bitter-sweet and all too dangerous
+companionship on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+
+A couple of days sufficed to prove that Thorndyke's mishap was not to be
+productive of any permanent ill consequences; his wounds progressed
+favourably and he was able to resume his ordinary avocations.
+
+Miss Gibson's visit--but why should I speak of her in these formal
+terms? To me, when I thought of her, which I did only too often, she was
+Juliet, with perhaps an adjective thrown in; and as Juliet I shall
+henceforth speak of her (but without the adjective) in this narrative,
+wherein nothing has been kept back from the reader--Juliet's visit,
+then, had been a great success, for my colleague was really pleased by
+the attention, and displayed a quiet geniality that filled our visitor
+with delight.
+
+He talked a good deal of Reuben, and I could see that he was
+endeavouring to settle in his own mind the vexed question of her
+relations with and sentiments towards our unfortunate client; but what
+conclusions he arrived at I was unable to discover, for he was by no
+means communicative after she had left. Nor was there any repetition of
+the visit--greatly to my regret--since, as I have said, he was able, in
+a day or two, to resume his ordinary mode of life.
+
+The first evidence I had of his renewed activity appeared when I
+returned to the chambers at about eleven o'clock in the morning, to find
+Polton hovering dejectedly about the sitting-room, apparently
+perpetrating as near an approach to a "spring clean" as could be
+permitted in a bachelor establishment.
+
+"Hallo, Polton!" I exclaimed, "have you contrived to tear yourself away
+from the laboratory for an hour or two?"
+
+"No, sir," he answered gloomily. "The laboratory has torn itself away
+from me."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked.
+
+"The Doctor has shut himself in and locked the door, and he says I am
+not to disturb him. It will be a cold lunch to-day."
+
+"What is he doing in there?" I inquired.
+
+"Ah!" said Polton, "that's just what I should like to know. I'm fair
+eaten up with curiosity. He is making some experiments in connection
+with some of his cases, and when the Doctor locks himself in to make
+experiments, something interesting generally follows. I should like to
+know what it is this time."
+
+"I suppose there is a keyhole in the laboratory door?" I suggested, with
+a grin.
+
+"Sir!" he exclaimed indignantly. "Dr. Jervis, I am surprised at you."
+Then, perceiving my facetious intent, he smiled also and added: "But
+there _is_ a keyhole if you'd like to try it, though I'll wager the
+Doctor would see more of you than you would of him."
+
+"You are mighty secret about your doings, you and the Doctor," I said.
+
+"Yes," he answered. "You see, it's a queer trade this of the Doctor's,
+and there are some queer secrets in it. Now, for instance, what do you
+make of this?"
+
+He produced from his pocket a leather case, whence he took a piece of
+paper which he handed to me. On it was a neatly executed drawing of what
+looked like one of a set of chessmen, with the dimensions written on the
+margin.
+
+"It looks like a pawn--one of the Staunton pattern," I said.
+
+"Just what I thought; but it isn't. I've got to make twenty-four of
+them, and what the Doctor is going to do with them fairly beats me."
+
+"Perhaps he has invented some new game," I suggested facetiously.  "He
+is always inventing new games and playing them mostly in courts of law,
+and then the other players generally lose. But this is a puzzler, and no
+mistake. Twenty-four of these to be turned up in the best-seasoned
+boxwood! What can they be for? Something to do with the experiments he
+is carrying on upstairs at this very moment, I expect." He shook his
+head, and, having carefully returned the drawing to his pocket-book,
+said, in a solemn tone--"Sir, there are times when the Doctor makes me
+fairly dance with curiosity. And this is one of them."
+
+Although not afflicted with a curiosity so acute as that of Polton, I
+found myself speculating at intervals on the nature of my colleague's
+experiments and the purpose of the singular little objects which he had
+ordered to be made; but I was unacquainted with any of the cases on
+which he was engaged, excepting that of Reuben Hornby, and with the
+latter I was quite unable to connect a set of twenty-four boxwood
+chessmen. Moreover, on this day, I was to accompany Juliet on her second
+visit to Holloway, and that circumstance gave me abundant mental
+occupation of another kind.
+
+At lunch, Thorndyke was animated and talkative but not communicative. He
+"had some work in the laboratory that he must do himself," he said, but
+gave no hint as to its nature; and as soon as our meal was finished, he
+returned to his labours, leaving me to pace up and down the walk,
+listening with ridiculous eagerness for the sound of the hansom that was
+to transport me to the regions of the blest, and--incidentally--to
+Holloway Prison.
+
+When I returned to the Temple, the sitting-room was empty and hideously
+neat, as the result of Polton's spring-cleaning efforts. My colleague
+was evidently still at work in the laboratory, and, from the
+circumstance that the tea-things were set out on the table and a kettle
+of water placed in readiness on the gas-ring by the fireplace, I
+gathered that Polton also was full of business and anxious not to be
+disturbed.
+
+Accordingly, I lit the gas and made my tea, enlivening my solitude by
+turning over in my mind the events of the afternoon.
+
+Juliet had been charming--as she always was--frank, friendly and
+unaffectedly pleased to have my companionship. She evidently liked me
+and did not disguise the fact--why should she indeed?--but treated me
+with a freedom, almost affectionate, as though I had been a favourite
+brother; which was very delightful, and would have been more so if I
+could have accepted the relationship. As to her feelings towards me, I
+had not the slightest misgiving, and so my conscience was clear; for
+Juliet was as innocent as a child, with the innocence that belongs to
+the direct, straightforward nature that neither does evil itself nor
+looks for evil motives in others. For myself, I was past praying for.
+The thing was done and I must pay the price hereafter, content to
+reflect that I had trespassed against no one but myself. It was a
+miserable affair, and many a heartache did it promise me in the lonely
+days that were to come, when I should have said "good-bye" to the Temple
+and gone back to my old nomadic life; and yet I would not have had it
+changed if I could; would not have bartered the bitter-sweet memories
+for dull forgetfulness.
+
+But other matters had transpired in the course of our drive than those
+that loomed so large to me in the egotism of my love. We had spoken of
+Mr. Hornby and his affairs, and from our talk there had emerged certain
+facts of no little moment to the inquiry on which I was engaged.
+
+"Misfortunes are proverbially sociable," Juliet had remarked, in
+reference to her adopted uncle. "As if this trouble about Reuben were
+not enough, there are worries in the city. Perhaps you have heard of
+them."
+
+I replied that Walter had mentioned the matter to me.
+
+"Yes," said Juliet rather viciously; "I am not quite clear as to what
+part that good gentleman has played in the matter. It has come out,
+quite accidentally, that he had a large holding in the mines himself,
+but he seems to have 'cut his loss,' as the phrase goes, and got out of
+them; though how he managed to pay such large differences is more than
+we can understand. We think he must have raised money somehow to do it."
+
+"Do you know when the mines began to depreciate?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, it was quite a sudden affair--what Walter calls 'a slump'--and it
+occurred only a few days before the robbery. Mr. Hornby was telling me
+about it only yesterday, and he recalled it to me by a ridiculous
+accident that happened on that day."
+
+"What was that?" I inquired.
+
+"Why, I cut my finger and nearly fainted," she answered, with a
+shamefaced little laugh. "It was rather a bad cut, you know, but I
+didn't notice it until I found my hand covered with blood. Then I turned
+suddenly faint, and had to lie down on the hearthrug--it was in Mr.
+Hornby's study, which I was tidying up at the time. Here I was found by
+Reuben, and a dreadful fright it gave him at first; and then he tore up
+his handkerchief to tie up the wounded finger, and you never saw such an
+awful mess as he got his hands in. He might have been arrested as a
+murderer, poor boy, from the condition he was in. It will make your
+professional gorge rise to learn that he fastened up the extemporised
+bandage with red tape, which he got from the writing table after rooting
+about among the sacred papers in the most ruthless fashion.
+
+"When he had gone I tried to put the things on the table straight again,
+and really you might have thought some horrible crime had been
+committed; the envelopes and papers were all smeared with blood and
+marked with the print of gory fingers. I remembered it afterwards, when
+Reuben's thumb-mark was identified, and thought that perhaps one of the
+papers might have got into the safe by accident; but Mr. Hornby told me
+that was impossible; he tore the leaf off his memorandum block at the
+time when he put away the diamonds."
+
+Such was the gist of our conversation as the cab rattled through the
+streets on the way to the prison; and certainly it contained matter
+sufficiently important to draw away my thoughts from other subjects,
+more agreeable, but less relevant to the case. With a sudden remembrance
+of my duty, I drew forth my notebook, and was in the act of committing
+the statements to writing, when Thorndyke entered the room.
+
+"Don't let me interrupt you, Jervis," said he. "I will make myself a cup
+of tea while you finish your writing, and then you shall exhibit the
+day's catch and hang your nets out to dry."
+
+I was not long in finishing my notes, for I was in a fever of impatience
+to hear Thorndyke's comments on my latest addition to our store of
+information. By the time the kettle was boiling my entries were
+completed, and I proceeded forthwith to retail to my colleague those
+extracts from my conversation with Juliet that I have just recorded.
+
+He listened, as usual, with deep and critical attention.
+
+"This is very interesting and important," he said, when I had finished;
+"really, Jervis, you are a most invaluable coadjutor. It seems that
+information, which would be strictly withheld from the forbidding
+Jorkins, trickles freely and unasked into the ear of the genial Spenlow.
+Now, I suppose you regard your hypothesis as having received very
+substantial confirmation?"
+
+"Certainly, I do."
+
+"And very justifiably. You see now how completely you were in the right
+when you allowed yourself to entertain this theory of the crime in spite
+of its apparent improbability. By the light of these new facts it has
+become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could
+only be shown that Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on
+the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability. The obvious
+moral is, never disregard the improbable. By the way, it is odd that
+Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him. Of
+course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone,
+but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked
+him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any
+papers."
+
+"I must try to find out if Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was on the
+table and among the marked papers," I said.
+
+"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the
+information will be forthcoming."
+
+My colleague's manner rather disappointed me. He had heard my report
+with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet
+he seemed to attach to the new and--as they appeared to me--highly
+important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical. Of
+course, his calmness might be assumed; but this did not seem likely, for
+John Thorndyke was far too sincere and dignified a character to
+cultivate in private life the artifices of the actor. To strangers,
+indeed, he presented habitually a calm and impassive exterior; but this
+was natural to him, and was but the outward sign of his even and
+judicial habit of mind.
+
+No; there was no doubt that my startling news had left him unmoved, and
+this must be for one of two reasons: either he already knew all that I
+had told him (which was perfectly possible), or he had some other and
+better means of explaining the crime. I was turning over these two
+alternatives, not unobserved by my watchful colleague, when Polton
+entered the room; a broad grin was on his face, and a drawing-board,
+that he carried like a tray, bore twenty-four neatly turned boxwood
+pieces.
+
+Thorndyke at once entered into the unspoken jest that beamed from the
+countenance of his subordinate.
+
+"Here is Polton with a problem for you, Jervis," he said. "He assumes
+that I have invented a new parlour game, and has been trying to work out
+the moves. Have you succeeded yet, Polton?"
+
+"No, sir, I haven't; but I suspect that one of the players will be a man
+in a wig and gown."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," said Thorndyke; "but that doesn't take you very
+far. Let us hear what Dr. Jervis has to say."
+
+"I can make nothing of them," I answered. "Polton showed me the drawing
+this morning, and then was terrified lest he had committed a breach of
+confidence, and I have been trying ever since, without a glimmer of
+success, to guess what they can be for."
+
+"H'm," grunted Thorndyke, as he sauntered up and down the room, teacup
+in hand, "to guess, eh? I like not that word 'guess' in the mouth of a
+man of science. What do you mean by a 'guess'?"
+
+His manner was wholly facetious, but I professed to take his question
+seriously, and replied--
+
+"By a guess, I mean a conclusion arrived at without data."
+
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed, with mock sternness. "Nobody but an utter
+fool arrives at a conclusion without data."
+
+"Then I must revise my definition instantly," I rejoined. "Let us say
+that a guess is a conclusion drawn from insufficient facts."
+
+"That is better," said he; "but perhaps it would be better still to say
+that a guess is a particular and definite conclusion deduced from facts
+which properly yield only a general and indefinite one. Let us take an
+instance," he continued. "Looking out of the window, I see a man walking
+round Paper Buildings. Now suppose I say, after the fashion of the
+inspired detective of the romances, 'That man is a stationmaster or
+inspector,' that would be a guess. The observed facts do not yield the
+conclusion, though they do warrant a conclusion less definite and more
+general."
+
+"You'd have been right though, sir!" exclaimed Polton, who had stepped
+forward with me to examine the unconscious subject of the demonstration.
+"That gent used to be the stationmaster at Camberwell. I remember him
+well."  The little man was evidently greatly impressed.
+
+"I happen to be right, you see," said Thorndyke; "but I might as easily
+have been wrong."
+
+"You weren't though, sir," said Polton. "You spotted him at a glance."
+
+In his admiration of the result he cared not a fig for the correctness
+of the means by which it had been attained.
+
+"Now why do I suggest that he is a stationmaster?" pursued Thorndyke,
+disregarding his assistant's comment.
+
+"I suppose you were looking at his feet," I answered. "I seem to have
+noticed that peculiar, splay-footed gait in stationmasters, now that you
+mention it."
+
+"Quite so. The arch of the foot has given way; the plantar ligaments
+have become stretched and the deep calf muscles weakened. Then, since
+bending of the weakened arch causes discomfort, the feet have become
+turned outwards, by which the bending of the foot is reduced to a
+minimum; and as the left foot is the more flattened, so it is turned out
+more than the right. Then the turning out of the toes causes the legs to
+splay outward from the knees downwards--a very conspicuous condition in
+a tall man like this one--and you notice that the left leg splays out
+more than the other.
+
+"But we know that depression of the arch of the foot is brought about by
+standing for long periods. Continuous pressure on a living structure
+weakens it, while intermittent pressure strengthens it; so the man who
+stands on his feet continuously develops a flat instep and a weak calf,
+while the professional dancer or runner acquires a high instep and a
+strong calf. Now there are many occupations which involve prolonged
+standing and so induce the condition of flat foot: waiters,
+hall-porters, hawkers, policemen, shop-walkers, salesmen, and station
+officials are examples. But the waiter's gait is characteristic--a
+quick, shuffling walk which enables him to carry liquids without
+spilling them. This man walks with a long, swinging stride; he is
+obviously not a waiter. His dress and appearance in general exclude the
+idea of a hawker or even a hall-porter; he is a man of poor physique and
+so cannot be a policeman. The shop-walker or salesman is accustomed to
+move in relatively confined spaces, and so acquires a short, brisk step,
+and his dress tends to rather exuberant smartness; the station official
+patrols long platforms, often at a rapid pace, and so tends to take long
+strides, while his dress is dignified and neat rather than florid. The
+last-mentioned characteristics, you see, appear in the subject of our
+analysis; he agrees with the general description of a stationmaster. But
+if we therefore conclude that he _is_ a stationmaster, we fall into the
+time-honoured fallacy of the undistributed middle term--the fallacy that
+haunts all brilliant guessers, including the detective, not only of
+romance, but too often also of real life. All that the observed facts
+justify us in inferring is that this man is engaged in some mode of life
+that necessitates a good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."
+
+"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
+"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
+With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
+departure.
+
+"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
+guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
+less striking result."
+
+"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
+present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
+firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
+wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
+pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
+no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
+nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
+material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
+the subject?"
+
+Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
+inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
+reflected for a few moments.
+
+"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
+at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
+form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
+more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
+this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
+exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
+recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
+lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
+in having these things made--as you will before long--you will probably
+be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
+forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
+say myself) after the day's labour."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+
+"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
+Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
+solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
+place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
+_post-mortem_ and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
+inquest shall take place directly after the _post-mortem_, so that we
+shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."
+
+"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.
+
+"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
+you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
+entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
+of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
+are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
+little expense."
+
+"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.
+
+"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow--what is the matter? Does that fall
+foul of any arrangement of yours?"
+
+"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
+the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
+observe.
+
+"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."
+
+"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
+suit your plans."
+
+"_Cherchez la_--h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.
+
+"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
+so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
+asking me to dine with them _en famille_ to-morrow evening, and I sent
+off an acceptance an hour ago."
+
+"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
+"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
+expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
+keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."
+
+"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
+station, I suppose?"
+
+"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
+not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
+really it is not necessary."
+
+"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "so please don't try to
+dissuade me. I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought
+that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done
+nothing but idle about and amuse myself. The opportunity of doing
+something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip."
+
+Thorndyke chuckled indulgently. "You shall do as you please, my dear
+boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of
+idleness. When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will
+be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
+Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can
+assure you."
+
+"It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to
+learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a
+mere object of charity.
+
+"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to
+help me in this case, I will set you your task. The case, as I have
+said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the
+simplicity for granted. Here is the letter from the solicitors giving
+the facts as far as they are known at present. On the shelves there you
+will find Casper, Taylor, Guy and Ferrier, and the other authorities on
+medical jurisprudence, and I will put out one or two other books that
+you may find useful. I want you to extract and make classified notes of
+everything that may bear on such a case as the present one may turn out
+to be. We must go prepared to meet any contingency that may arise. This
+is my invariable practice, and even if the case turns out to be quite
+simple, the labour is never wasted, for it represents so much experience
+gained."
+
+"Casper and Taylor are pretty old, aren't they?" I objected.
+
+"So is suicide," he retorted drily. "It is a capital mistake to neglect
+the old authorities. 'There were strong men before Agamemnon,' and some
+of them were uncommonly strong, let me tell you. Give your best
+attention to the venerable Casper and the obsolete Taylor and you will
+not be without your reward."
+
+As a result of these injunctions, I devoted the remainder of the day to
+the consideration of the various methods by which a man might contrive
+to effect his exit from the stage of human activities. And a very
+engrossing study I found it, and the more interesting in view of the
+problem that awaited solution on the morrow; but yet not so engrossing
+but that I was able to find time to write a long, rather intimate and
+minutely explanatory letter to Miss Gibson, in which I even mentioned
+the hour of our return as showing the impossibility of my keeping my
+engagement. Not that I had the smallest fear of her taking offence, for
+it is an evidence of my respect and regard for her that I cancelled the
+appointment without a momentary doubt that she would approve of my
+action; but it was pleasant to write to her at length and to feel the
+intimacy of keeping her informed of the details of my life.
+
+The case, when we came to inquire into it on the spot, turned out to be
+a suicide of the most transparent type; whereat both Thorndyke and I
+were, I think, a little disappointed--he at having apparently done so
+little for a very substantial fee, and I at having no opportunity for
+applying my recently augmented knowledge.
+
+"Yes," said my colleague, as we rolled ourselves up in our rugs in
+adjacent corners of the railway carriage, "it has been a flat affair,
+and the whole thing could have been managed by the local solicitor. But
+it is not a waste of time after all, for, you see, I have to do many a
+day's work for which I get not a farthing of payment, nor even any
+recognition, so that I do not complain if I occasionally find myself
+receiving more payment than my actual services merit. And as to you, I
+take it that you have acquired a good deal of valuable knowledge on the
+subject of suicide, and knowledge, as the late Lord Bacon remarked with
+more truth than originality, is power."
+
+To this I made no reply, having just lit my pipe and feeling uncommonly
+drowsy; and, my companion having followed my example, we smoked in
+silence, becoming more and more somnolent, until the train drew up in
+the terminus and we turned out, yawning and shivering, on to the
+platform.
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed Thorndyke, drawing his rug round his shoulders; "this
+is a cheerless hour--a quarter past one. See how chilly and miserable
+all these poor devils of passengers look. Shall we cab it or walk?"
+
+"I think a sharp walk would rouse our circulation after sitting huddled
+up in the carriage for so long," I answered.
+
+"So do I," said Thorndyke, "so let us away; hark forward! and also Tally
+Ho! In fact one might go so far as to say Yoicks! That gentleman appears
+to favour the strenuous life, if one may judge by the size of his
+sprocket-wheel."
+
+He pointed to a bicycle that was drawn up by the kerb in the approach--a
+machine of the road-racer type, with an enormous sprocket-wheel,
+indicating a gear of, at least, ninety.
+
+"Some scorcher or amateur racer, probably," I said, "who takes the
+opportunity of getting a spin on the wood pavement when the streets are
+empty." I looked round to see if I could identify the owner, but the
+machine appeared to be, for the moment, taking care of itself.  King's
+Cross is one of those districts of which the inhabitants are slow in
+settling down for the night, and even at a quarter past one in the
+morning its streets are not entirely deserted. Here and there the
+glimmer of a street lamp or the far-reaching ray from a tall electric
+light reveals the form of some nocturnal prowler creeping along with
+cat-like stealthiness, or bursting, cat-like, into unmelodious song. Not
+greatly desirous of the society of these roysterers, we crossed quickly
+from the station into the Gray's Inn Road, now silent and excessively
+dismal in aspect, and took our way along the western side. We had turned
+the curve and were crossing Manchester Street, when a series of yelps
+from ahead announced the presence of a party of merry-makers, whom we
+were not yet able to see, however, for the night was an exceptionally
+dark one; but the sounds of revelry continued to increase in volume as
+we proceeded, until, as we passed Sidmouth Street, we came in sight of
+the revellers. They were some half-dozen in number, all of them roughs
+of the hooligan type, and they were evidently in boisterous spirits,
+for, as they passed the entrance to the Royal Free Hospital, they halted
+and battered furiously at the gate. Shortly after this exploit they
+crossed the road on to our side, whereupon Thorndyke caught my arm and
+slackened his pace.
+
+"Let them draw ahead," said he. "It is a wise precaution to give all
+hooligan gangs a very wide berth at this time of night. We had better
+turn down Heathcote Street and cross Mecklenburgh Square."
+
+We continued to walk on at reduced speed until we reached Heathcote
+Street, into which we turned and so entered Mecklenburgh Square, where
+we mended our pace once more.
+
+"The hooligan," pursued Thorndyke, as we walked briskly across the
+silent square, "covers a multitude of sins, ranging from highway robbery
+with violence and paid assassination (technically known as 'bashing')
+down to the criminal folly of the philanthropic magistrate, who seems to
+think that his function in the economy of nature is to secure the
+survival of the unfittest. There goes a cyclist along Guildford Street.
+I wonder if that is our strenuous friend from the station. If so, he has
+slipped past the hooligans."
+
+We were just entering Doughty Street, and, as Thorndyke spoke, a man on
+a bicycle was visible for an instant at the crossing of the two streets.
+When we reached Guildford Street we both looked down the long,
+lamp-lighted vista, but the cyclist had vanished.
+
+"We had better go straight on into Theobald's Road," said Thorndyke, and
+we accordingly pursued our way up the fine old-world street, from whose
+tall houses our footfalls echoed, so that we seemed to be accompanied by
+an invisible multitude, until we reached that part where it
+unaccountably changes its name and becomes John Street.
+
+"There always seems to me something very pathetic about these old
+Bloomsbury streets," said Thorndyke, "with their faded grandeur and
+dignified seediness. They remind me of some prim and aged gentlewoman in
+reduced circumstances who--Hallo! What was that?"
+
+A faint, sharp thud from behind had been followed instantly by the
+shattering of a ground-floor window in front.
+
+We both stopped dead and remained, for a couple of seconds, staring into
+the gloom, from whence the first sound had come; then Thorndyke darted
+diagonally across the road at a swift run and I immediately followed.
+
+At the moment when the affair happened we had gone about forty yards up
+John Street, that is, from the place where it is crossed by Henry
+Street, and we now raced across the road to the further corner of the
+latter street. When we reached it, however, the little thoroughfare was
+empty, and, as we paused for a moment, no sound of retreating footsteps
+broke the silence.
+
+"The shot certainly came from here!" said Thorndyke; "come on," and he
+again broke into a run. A few yards up the street a mews turns off to
+the left, and into this my companion plunged, motioning me to go
+straight on, which I accordingly did, and in a few paces reached the top
+of the street. Here a narrow thoroughfare, with a broad, smooth
+pavement, bears off to the left, parallel with the mews, and, as I
+arrived at the corner and glanced up the little street, I saw a man on a
+bicycle gliding swiftly and silently towards Little James' Street.
+
+With a mighty shout of "Stop thief!" I started in hot pursuit, but,
+though the man's feet were moving in an apparently leisurely manner, he
+drew ahead at an astonishing pace, in spite of my efforts to overtake
+him; and it then dawned upon me that the slow revolutions of his feet
+were due, in reality, to the unusually high gear of the machine that he
+was riding. As I realised this, and at the same moment recalled the
+bicycle that we had seen in the station, the fugitive swung round into
+Little James' Street and vanished.
+
+The speed at which the man was travelling made further pursuit utterly
+futile, so I turned and walked back, panting and perspiring from the
+unwonted exertion. As I re-entered Henry Street, Thorndyke emerged from
+the mews and halted on seeing me.
+
+"Cyclist?" he asked laconically, as I came up.
+
+"Yes," I answered; "riding a machine geared up to about ninety."
+
+"Ah! he must have followed us from the station," said Thorndyke. "Did
+you notice if he was carrying anything?"
+
+"He had a walking-stick in his hand. I didn't see anything else."
+
+"What sort of walking-stick?"
+
+"I couldn't see very distinctly. It was a stoutish stick--I should say a
+Malacca, probably--and it had what looked like a horn handle. I could
+see that as he passed a street lamp."
+
+"What kind of lamp had he?"
+
+"I couldn't see; but, as he turned the corner, I noticed that it seemed
+to burn very dimly."
+
+"A little vaseline, or even oil, smeared on the outside of the glass
+will reduce the glare of a lamp very appreciably," my companion
+remarked, "especially on a dusty road. Ha! here is the proprietor of the
+broken window. He wants to know, you know."
+
+We had once more turned into John Street and now perceived a man,
+standing on the wide doorstep of the house with the shattered window,
+looking anxiously up and down the street.
+
+"Do either of you gents know anything about this here?" he asked,
+pointing to the broken pane.
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "we happened to be passing when it was done; in
+fact," he added, "I rather suspect that the missile, whatever it was,
+was intended for our benefit."
+
+"Oh!" said the man. "Who done it?"
+
+"That I can't say," replied Thorndyke. "Whoever he was, he made off on a
+bicycle and we were unable to catch him."
+
+"Oh!" said the man once more, regarding us with growing suspicion. "On a
+bicycle, hay! Dam funny, ain't it? What did he do it with?"
+
+"That is what I should like to find out," said Thorndyke. "I see this
+house is empty."
+
+"Yes, it's empty--leastways it's to let. I'm the caretaker. But what's
+that got to do with it?"
+
+"Merely this," answered Thorndyke, "that the object--stone, bullet or
+whatever it may have been--was aimed, I believe, at me, and I should
+like to ascertain its nature. Would you do me the favour of permitting
+me to look for it?"
+
+The caretaker was evidently inclined to refuse this request, for he
+glanced suspiciously from my companion to me once or twice before
+replying, but, at length, he turned towards the open door and gruffly
+invited us to enter.
+
+A paraffin lamp was on the floor in a recess of the hall, and this our
+conductor took up when he had closed the street door.
+
+"This is the room," he said, turning the key and thrusting the door
+open; "the library they call it, but it's the front parlour in plain
+English." He entered and, holding the lamp above his head, stared
+balefully at the broken window.
+
+Thorndyke glanced quickly along the floor in the direction that the
+missile would have taken, and then said--
+
+"Do you see any mark on the wall there?"
+
+As he spoke, he indicated the wall opposite the window, which obviously
+could not have been struck by a projectile entering with such extreme
+obliquity; and I was about to point out this fact when I fortunately
+remembered the great virtue of silence.
+
+Our friend approached the wall, still holding up the lamp, and
+scrutinised the surface with close attention; and while he was thus
+engaged, I observed Thorndyke stoop quickly and pick up something, which
+he deposited carefully, and without remark, in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+"I don't see no bruise anywhere," said the caretaker, sweeping his hand
+over the wall.
+
+"Perhaps the thing struck this wall," suggested Thorndyke, pointing to
+the one that was actually in the line of fire. "Yes, of course," he
+added, "it would be this one--the shot came from Henry Street."
+
+The caretaker crossed the room and threw the light of his lamp on the
+wall thus indicated.
+
+"Ah! here we are!" he exclaimed, with gloomy satisfaction, pointing to a
+small dent in which the wall-paper was turned back and the plaster
+exposed; "looks almost like a bullet mark, but you say you didn't hear
+no report."
+
+"No," said Thorndyke, "there was no report; it must have been a
+catapult."
+
+The caretaker set the lamp down on the floor and proceeded to grope
+about for the projectile, in which operation we both assisted; and I
+could not suppress a faint smile as I noted the earnestness with which
+Thorndyke peered about the floor in search of the missile that was
+quietly reposing in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+We were deep in our investigations when there was heard an
+uncompromising double knock at the street door, followed by the loud
+pealing of a bell in the basement.
+
+"Bobby, I suppose," growled the caretaker. "Here's a blooming fuss about
+nothing." He caught up the lamp and went out, leaving us in the dark.
+
+"I picked it up, you know," said Thorndyke, when we were alone.
+
+"I saw you," I answered.
+
+"Good; I applaud your discretion," he rejoined. The caretaker's
+supposition was correct. When he returned, he was accompanied by a burly
+constable, who saluted us with a cheerful smile and glanced facetiously
+round the empty room.
+
+"Our boys," said he, nodding towards the broken window; "they're playful
+lads, that they are. You were passing when it happened, sir, I hear."
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke; and he gave the constable a brief account of
+the occurrence, which the latter listened to, notebook in hand.
+
+"Well," said he when the narrative was concluded, "if those hooligan
+boys are going to take to catapults they'll make things lively all
+round."
+
+"You ought to run some of 'em in," said the caretaker.
+
+"Run 'em in!" exclaimed the constable in a tone of disgust; "yes! And
+then the magistrate will tell 'em to be good boys and give 'em five
+shillings out of the poor-box to buy illustrated Testaments. I'd
+Testament them, the worthless varmints!"
+
+He rammed his notebook fiercely into his pocket and stalked out of the
+room into the street, whither we followed.
+
+"You'll find that bullet or stone when you sweep up the room," he said,
+as he turned on to his beat; "and you'd better let us have it. Good
+night, sir."
+
+He strolled off towards Henry Street, while Thorndyke and I resumed our
+journey southward.
+
+"Why were you so secret about that projectile?" I asked my friend as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"Partly to avoid discussion with the caretaker," he replied; "but
+principally because I thought it likely that a constable would pass the
+house and, seeing the light, come in to make inquiries."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then I should have had to hand over the object to him."
+
+"And why not? Is the object a specially interesting one?"
+
+"It is highly interesting to me at the present moment," replied
+Thorndyke, with a chuckle, "because I have not examined it. I have a
+theory as to its nature, which theory I should like to test before
+taking the police into my confidence."
+
+"Are you going to take me into your confidence?" I asked.
+
+"When we get home, if you are not too sleepy," he replied.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers, Thorndyke desired me to light up and
+clear one end of the table while he went up to the workshop to fetch
+some tools. I turned back the table cover, and, having adjusted the gas
+so as to light this part of the table, waited in some impatience for my
+colleague's return. In a few minutes he re-entered bearing a small vice,
+a metal saw and a wide-mouthed bottle.
+
+"What have you got in that bottle?" I asked, perceiving a metal object
+inside it.
+
+"That is the projectile, which I have thought fit to rinse in distilled
+water, for reasons that will presently appear."
+
+He agitated the bottle gently for a minute or so, and then, with a pair
+of dissecting forceps, lifted out the object and held it above the
+surface of the water to drain, after which he laid it carefully on a
+piece of blotting-paper.
+
+I stooped over the projectile and examined it with great curiosity,
+while Thorndyke stood by regarding me with almost equal interest.
+
+"Well," he said, after watching me in silence for some time, "what do
+you see?"
+
+"I see a small brass cylinder," I answered, "about two inches long and
+rather thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. One end is conical, and
+there is a small hole at the apex which seems to contain a steel point;
+the other end is flat, but has in the centre a small square projection
+such as might fit a watch-key. I notice also a small hole in the side of
+the cylinder close to the flat end. The thing looks like a miniature
+shell, and appears to be hollow."
+
+"It is hollow," said Thorndyke. "You must have observed that, when I
+held it up to drain, the water trickled out through the hole at the
+pointed end."
+
+"Yes, I noticed that."
+
+"Now take it up and shake it."
+
+I did so and felt some heavy object rattle inside it.
+
+"There is some loose body inside it," I said, "which fits it pretty
+closely, as it moves only in the long diameter."
+
+"Quite so; your description is excellent. And now, what is the nature of
+this projectile?"
+
+"I should say it is a miniature shell or explosive bullet."
+
+"Wrong!" said Thorndyke. "A very natural inference, but a wrong one."
+
+"Then what is the thing?" I demanded, my curiosity still further
+aroused.
+
+"I will show you," he replied. "It is something much more subtle than an
+explosive bullet--which would really be a rather crude
+appliance--admirably thought out and thoroughly well executed. We have
+to deal with a most ingenious and capable man."
+
+I was fain to laugh at his enthusiastic appreciation of the methods of
+his would-be assassin, and the humour of the situation then appeared to
+dawn on him, for he said, with an apologetic smile--
+
+"I am not expressing approval, you must understand, but merely
+professional admiration. It is this class of criminal that creates the
+necessity for my services. He is my patron, so to speak; my ultimate
+employer. For the common crook can be dealt with quite efficiently by
+the common policeman!"
+
+While he was speaking he had been fitting the little cylinder between
+two pads of tissue-paper in the vice, which he now screwed up tight.
+Then, with the fine metal saw, he began to cut the projectile,
+lengthwise, into two slightly unequal parts. This operation took some
+time, especially since he was careful not to cut the loose body inside,
+but at length the section was completed and the interior of the cylinder
+exposed, when he released it from the vice and held it up before me with
+an expression of triumph.
+
+"Now, what do you make it?" he demanded.
+
+I took the object in my fingers and looked at it closely, but was at
+first more puzzled than before. The loose body I now saw to be a
+cylinder of lead about half an inch long, accurately fitting the inside
+of the cylinder but capable of slipping freely backwards and forwards.
+The steel point which I had noticed in the hole at the apex of the
+conical end, was now seen to be the pointed termination of a slender
+steel rod which projected fully an inch into the cavity of the cylinder,
+and the conical end itself was a solid mass of lead.
+
+"Well?" queried Thorndyke, seeing that I was still silent.
+
+"You tell me it is not an explosive bullet," I replied, "otherwise I
+should have been confirmed in that opinion. I should have said that the
+percussion cap was carried by this lead plunger and struck on the end of
+that steel rod when the flight of the bullet was suddenly arrested."
+
+"Very good indeed," said Thorndyke. "You are right so far that this is,
+in fact, the mechanism of a percussion shell.
+
+"But look at this. You see this little rod was driven inside the bullet
+when the latter struck the wall. Let us replace it in its original
+position."
+
+He laid the end of a small flat file against the end of the rod and
+pressed it firmly, when the rod slid through the hole until it projected
+an inch beyond the apex of the cone. Then he handed the projectile back
+to me.
+
+A single glance at the point of the steel rod made the whole thing
+clear, and I gave a whistle of consternation; for the "rod" was a fine
+tube with a sharply pointed end.
+
+"The infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed; "it is a hypodermic needle."
+
+"Yes. A veterinary hypodermic, of extra large bore. Now you see the
+subtlety and ingenuity of the whole thing. If he had had a reasonable
+chance he would certainly have succeeded."
+
+"You speak quite regretfully," I said, laughing again at the oddity of
+his attitude towards the assassin.
+
+"Not at all," he replied. "I have the character of a single-handed
+player, but even the most self-reliant man can hardly make a
+_post-mortem_ on himself. I am merely appreciating an admirable piece of
+mechanical design most efficiently carried out. Observe the
+completeness of the thing, and the way in which all the necessities of
+the case are foreseen and met. This projectile was discharged from a
+powerful air-gun--the walking-stick form--provided with a force-pump and
+key. The barrel of that gun was rifled."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"Well, to begin with, it would be useless to fit a needle to the
+projectile unless the latter was made to travel with the point forwards;
+but there is direct evidence that the barrel was rifled. You notice the
+little square projection on the back surface of the cylinder. That was
+evidently made to fit a washer or wad--probably a thin plate of soft
+metal which would be driven by the pressure from behind into the grooves
+of the rifling and thus give a spinning motion to the bullet. When the
+latter left the barrel, the wad would drop off, leaving it free."
+
+"I see. I was wondering what the square projection was for. It is, as
+you say, extremely ingenious."
+
+"Highly ingenious," said Thorndyke, enthusiastically, "and so is the
+whole device. See how perfectly it would have worked but for a mere
+fluke and for the complication of your presence. Supposing that I had
+been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance. In
+that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
+You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose?"
+
+"I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the
+process."
+
+"Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late
+train--which he seems to have done--and he waits for me at the terminus.
+Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal
+poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and
+sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be
+drawn up and the liquid will follow it. You notice that the upper side
+of the piston is covered with vaseline--introduced through the hole, no
+doubt--which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth,
+and make the cylinder secure from leakage. On my arrival, he follows me
+on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded
+neighbourhood. Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a
+corner, and shoots at pretty close range. It doesn't matter where he
+hits me; all parts are equally vital, so he can aim at the middle of my
+back. Then the bullet comes spinning through the air point foremost; the
+needle passes through the clothing and enters the flesh, and, as the
+bullet is suddenly stopped, the heavy piston flies down by its own great
+momentum and squirts out a jet of the poison into the tissues. The
+bullet then disengages itself and drops on to the ground.
+
+"Meanwhile, our friend has mounted his bicycle and is off, and when I
+feel the prick of the needle, I turn, and, without stopping to look for
+the bullet, immediately give chase. I am, of course, not able to
+overtake a man on a racing machine, but still I follow him some
+distance. Then the poison begins to take effect--the more rapidly from
+the violent exercise--and presently I drop insensible. Later on, my body
+is found. There are no marks of violence, and probably the
+needle-puncture escapes observation at the _post-mortem_, in which case
+the verdict will be death from heart-failure. Even if the poison and the
+puncture are discovered, there is no clue. The bullet lies some streets
+away, and is probably picked up by some boy or passing stranger, who
+cannot conjecture its use, and who would never connect it with the man
+who was found dead. You will admit that the whole plan has been worked
+out with surprising completeness and foresight."  "Yes," I answered;
+"there is no doubt that the fellow is a most infernally clever
+scoundrel. May I ask if you have any idea who he is?"
+
+"Well," Thorndyke replied, "seeing that, as Carlyle has unkindly pointed
+out, clever people are not in an overwhelming majority, and that, of the
+clever people whom I know, only a very few are interested in my
+immediate demise, I am able to form a fairly probable conjecture."
+
+"And what do you mean to do?"
+
+"For the present I shall maintain an attitude of masterly inactivity and
+avoid the night air."
+
+"But, surely," I exclaimed, "you will take some measures to protect
+yourself against attempts of this kind. You can hardly doubt now that
+your accident in the fog was really an attempted murder."
+
+"I never did doubt it, as a matter of fact, although I prevaricated at
+the time. But I have not enough evidence against this man at present,
+and, consequently, can do nothing but show that I suspect him, which
+would be foolish. Whereas, if I lie low, one of two things will happen;
+either the occasion for my removal (which is only a temporary one) will
+pass, or he will commit himself--will put a definite clue into my hands.
+Then we shall find the air-cane, the bicycle, perhaps a little stock of
+poison, and certain other trifles that I have in my mind, which will be
+good confirmatory evidence, though insufficient in themselves. And now,
+I think, I must really adjourn this meeting, or we shall be good for
+nothing to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+
+It was now only a week from the date on which the trial was to open. In
+eight days the mystery would almost certainly be solved (if it was
+capable of solution), for the trial promised to be quite a short one,
+and then Reuben Hornby would be either a convicted felon or a free man,
+clear of the stigma of the crime.
+
+For several days past, Thorndyke had been in almost constant possession
+of the laboratory, while his own small room, devoted ordinarily to
+bacteriology and microscopical work was kept continually locked; a state
+of things that reduced Polton to a condition of the most extreme nervous
+irritation, especially when, as he told me indignantly, he met Mr.
+Anstey emerging from the holy of holies, grinning and rubbing his hands
+and giving utterance to genial but unparliamentary expressions of amused
+satisfaction.
+
+I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him
+better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a
+nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found
+him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty
+standard of conduct. His admiration for Thorndyke was unbounded, and I
+could see that the two men collaborated with the utmost sympathy and
+mutual satisfaction.
+
+But although I regarded Mr. Anstey with feelings of the liveliest
+friendship, I was far from gratified when, on the morning of which I am
+writing, I observed him from our sitting-room window crossing the
+gravelled space from Crown Office Row and evidently bearing down on our
+chambers. For the fact is that I was awaiting the arrival of Juliet, and
+should greatly have preferred to be alone at the moment, seeing that
+Thorndyke had already gone out. It is true that my fair enslaver was not
+due for nearly half-an-hour, but then, who could say how long Anstey
+would stay, or what embarrassments might arise from my efforts to
+escape? By all of which it may be perceived that my disease had reached
+a very advanced stage, and that I was unequal to those tactics of
+concealment that are commonly attributed to the ostrich.
+
+A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my
+peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man
+to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever. He shook my
+hand with mock solemnity, and, seating himself upon the edge of the
+table, proceeded to roll a cigarette with exasperating deliberation.
+
+"I infer," said he, "that our learned brother is practising parlour
+magic upstairs, or peradventure he has gone on a journey?"
+
+"He has a consultation this morning," I answered. "Was he expecting
+you?"
+
+"Evidently not, or he would have been here. No, I just looked in to ask
+a question about the case of your friend Hornby. You know it comes on
+for trial next week?"
+
+"Yes; Thorndyke told me. What do you think of Hornby's prospects? Is he
+going to be convicted, or will he get an acquittal?"
+
+"_He_ will be entirely passive," replied Anstey, "but _we_"--here he
+slapped his chest impressively--"are going to secure an acquittal. You
+will be highly entertained, my learned friend, and Mr. The Enemy will be
+excessively surprised." He inspected the newly-made cigarette with a
+critical air and chuckled softly.
+
+"You seem pretty confident," I remarked.
+
+"I am," he answered, "though Thorndyke considers failure
+possible--which, of course, it is if the jury-box should chance to be
+filled with microcephalic idiots and the judge should prove incapable of
+understanding simple technical evidence. But we hope that neither of
+these things will happen, and, if they do not, we feel pretty safe. By
+the way, I hope I am not divulging your principal's secrets?"
+
+"Well," I replied, with a smile, "you have been more explicit than
+Thorndyke ever has."
+
+"Have I?" he exclaimed, with mock anxiety; "then I must swear you to
+secrecy. Thorndyke is so very close--and he is quite right too. I never
+cease admiring his tactics of allowing the enemy to fortify and
+barricade the entrance that he does _not_ mean to attack. But I see you
+are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go--though
+not to that particular destination."
+
+"Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand?" I asked malignantly.
+
+"What! those foul Trichinopolies? Not while brown paper is to be
+obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig."
+
+I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care
+and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down
+the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
+
+He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate
+rat-tat from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth. I
+ran to the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the
+threshold.
+
+"May I come in?" she asked. "I want to have a few words with you before
+we start."
+
+I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and
+the hand that she held out to me trembled.
+
+"I am greatly upset, Dr. Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I
+had placed for her. "Mr. Lawley has been giving us his views of poor
+Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay."
+
+"Hang Mr. Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily. "What made
+you go to him, Miss Gibson?"
+
+"I didn't go to him; he came to us. He dined with us last night--he and
+Walter--and his manner was gloomy in the extreme. After dinner Walter
+took him apart with me and asked him what he really thought of the case.
+He was most pessimistic. 'My dear sir,' he said, 'the only advice I can
+give you is that you prepare yourself to contemplate disaster as
+philosophically as you can. In my opinion your cousin is almost certain
+to be convicted.' 'But,' said Walter, 'what about the defence? I
+understood that there was at least a plausible case.' Mr. Lawley
+shrugged his shoulders. 'I have a sort of _alibi_ that will go for
+nothing, but I have no evidence to offer in answer to that of the
+prosecution, and no case; and I may say, speaking in confidence, that I
+do not believe there is any case. I do not see how there can be any
+case, and I have heard nothing from Dr. Thorndyke to lead me to suppose
+that he has really done anything in the matter.' Is this true, Dr.
+Jervis? Oh! do tell me the real truth about it! I have been so miserable
+and terrified since I heard this, and I was so full of hope before. Tell
+me, is it true? Will Reuben be sent to prison after all?"
+
+In her agitation she laid her hands on my arm and looked up into my face
+with her grey eyes swimming with tears, and was so piteous, so trustful,
+and, withal, so bewitching that my reserve melted like snow before a
+July sun.
+
+"It is not true," I answered, taking her hands in mine and speaking
+perforce in a low tone that I might not betray my emotion. "If it were,
+it would mean that I have wilfully deceived you, that I have been false
+to our friendship; and how much that friendship has been to me, no one
+but myself will ever know."
+
+She crept a little closer to me with a manner at once penitent and
+wheedling.
+
+"You are not going to be angry with me, are you? It was foolish of me to
+listen to Mr. Lawley after all you have told me, and it did look like a
+want of trust in you, I know. But you, who are so strong and wise, must
+make allowance for a woman who is neither. It is all so terrible that I
+am quite unstrung; but say you are not really displeased with me, for
+that would hurt me most of all."
+
+Oh! Delilah! That concluding stroke of the shears severed the very last
+lock, and left me--morally speaking--as bald as a billiard ball.
+Henceforth I was at her mercy and would have divulged, without a
+scruple, the uttermost secrets of my principal, but that that astute
+gentleman had placed me beyond the reach of temptation.
+
+"As to being angry with you," I answered, "I am not, like Thorndyke, one
+to essay the impossible, and if I could be angry it would hurt me more
+than it would you. But, in fact, you are not to blame at all, and I am
+an egotistical brute. Of course you were alarmed and distressed; nothing
+could be more natural. So now let me try to chase away your fears and
+restore your confidence.
+
+"I have told you what Thorndyke said to Reuben: that he had good hopes
+of making his innocence clear to everybody. That alone should have been
+enough."
+
+"I know it should," murmured Juliet remorsefully; "please forgive me for
+my want of faith."
+
+"But," I continued, "I can quote you the words of one to whose opinions
+you will attach more weight. Mr. Anstey was here less than half-an-hour
+ago--"
+
+"Do you mean Reuben's counsel?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And what did he say? Oh, do tell me what he said."
+
+"He said, in brief, that he was quite confident of obtaining an
+acquittal, and that the prosecution would receive a great surprise. He
+seemed highly pleased with his brief, and spoke with great admiration of
+Thorndyke."
+
+"Did he really say that--that he was confident of an acquittal?" Her
+voice was breathless and unsteady, and she was clearly, as she had said,
+quite unstrung. "What a relief it is," she murmured incoherently; "and
+so very, very kind of you!" She wiped her eyes and laughed a queer,
+shaky little laugh; then, quite suddenly, she burst into a passion of
+sobbing.
+
+Hardly conscious of what I did, I drew her gently towards me, and rested
+her head on my shoulder whilst I whispered into her ear I know not what
+words of consolation; but I am sure that I called her "dear Juliet," and
+probably used other expressions equally improper and reprehensible.
+Presently she recovered herself, and, having dried her eyes, regarded me
+somewhat shamefacedly, blushing hotly, but smiling very sweetly
+nevertheless.
+
+"I am ashamed of myself," she said, "coming here and weeping on your
+bosom like a great baby. It is to be hoped that your other clients do
+not behave in this way."
+
+Whereat we both laughed heartily, and, our emotional equilibrium being
+thus restored, we began to think of the object of our meeting.
+
+"I am afraid I have wasted a great deal of time," said Juliet, looking
+at her watch. "Shall we be too late, do you think?"
+
+"I hope not," I replied, "for Reuben will be looking for us; but we must
+hurry."
+
+I caught up my hat, and we went forth, closing the oak behind us, and
+took our way up King's Bench Walk in silence, but with a new and
+delightful sense of intimate comradeship. I glanced from time to time at
+my companion, and noted that her cheek still bore a rosy flush, and when
+she looked at me there was a sparkle in her eye, and a smiling softness
+in her glance, that stirred my heart until I trembled with the intensity
+of the passion that I must needs conceal. And even while I was feeling
+that I must tell her all, and have done with it, tell her that I was her
+abject slave, and she my goddess, my queen; that in the face of such a
+love as mine no man could have any claim upon her; even then, there
+arose the still, small voice that began to call me an unfaithful steward
+and to remind me of a duty and trust that were sacred even beyond love.
+
+In Fleet Street I hailed a cab, and, as I took my seat beside my fair
+companion, the voice began to wax and speak in bolder and sterner
+accents.
+
+"Christopher Jervis," it said, "what is this that you are doing? Are you
+a man of honour or nought but a mean, pitiful blackguard? You, the
+trusted agent of this poor, misused gentleman, are you not planning in
+your black heart how you shall rob him of that which, if he is a man at
+all, must be more to him than his liberty, or even his honour? Shame on
+you for a miserable weakling! Have done with these philanderings and
+keep your covenants like a gentleman--or, at least, an honest man!"
+
+At this point in my meditations Juliet turned towards me with a coaxing
+smile.
+
+"My legal adviser seems to be revolving some deep and weighty matter,"
+she said.
+
+I pulled myself together and looked at her--at her sparkling eyes and
+rosy, dimpling cheeks, so winsome and lovely and lovable.
+
+"Come," I thought, "I must put an end to this at once, or I am lost."
+But it cost me a very agony of effort to do it--which agony, I trust,
+may be duly set to my account by those who may sit in judgement on me.
+
+"Your legal adviser, Miss Gibson," I said (and at that "Miss Gibson" I
+thought she looked at me a little queerly), "has been reflecting that he
+has acted considerably beyond his jurisdiction."
+
+"In what respect?" she asked.
+
+"In passing on to you information which was given to him in very strict
+confidence, and, in fact, with an implied promise of secrecy on his
+part."
+
+"But the information was not of a very secret character, was it?"
+
+"More so than it appeared. You see, Thorndyke thinks it so important not
+to let the prosecution suspect that he has anything up his sleeve, that
+he has kept even Mr. Lawley in the dark, and he has never said as much
+to me as Anstey did this morning."
+
+"And now you are sorry you told me; you think I have led you into a
+breach of trust. Is it not so?" She spoke without a trace of petulance,
+and her tone of dignified self-accusation made me feel a veritable worm.
+
+"My dear Miss Gibson," I expostulated, "you entirely misunderstand me. I
+am not in the least sorry that I told you. How could I have done
+otherwise under the circumstances? But I want you to understand that I
+have taken the responsibility of communicating to you what is really a
+professional secret, and that you are to consider it as such."
+
+"That was how I understood it," replied Juliet; "and you may rely upon
+me not to utter a syllable on the subject to anyone."
+
+I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation,
+gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the
+incident of the cigar.
+
+"And are Dr. Thorndyke's cigars so extraordinarily bad?" she asked.
+
+"Not at all," I replied; "only they are not to every man's taste. The
+Trichinopoly cheroot is Thorndyke's one dissipation, and, I must say, he
+takes it very temperately. Under ordinary circumstances he smokes a
+pipe; but after a specially heavy day's work, or on any occasion of
+festivity or rejoicing, he indulges in a Trichinopoly, and he smokes the
+very best that can be got."
+
+"So even the greatest men have their weaknesses," Juliet moralised; "but
+I wish I had known Dr. Thorndyke's sooner, for Mr. Hornby had a large
+box of Trichinopoly cheroots given to him, and I believe they were
+exceptionally fine ones. However, he tried one and didn't like it, so he
+transferred the whole consignment to Walter, who smokes all sorts and
+conditions of cigars."
+
+So we talked on from one commonplace to another, and each more
+conventional than the last. In my nervousness, I overdid my part, and
+having broken the ice, proceeded to smash it to impalpable fragments.
+Endeavouring merely to be unemotional and to avoid undue intimacy of
+manner, I swung to the opposite extreme and became almost stiff; and
+perhaps the more so since I was writhing with the agony of repression.
+
+Meanwhile a corresponding change took place in my companion. At first
+her manner seemed doubtful and bewildered; then she, too, grew more
+distant and polite and less disposed for conversation. Perhaps her
+conscience began to rebuke her, or it may be that my coolness suggested
+to her that her conduct had not been quite of the kind that would have
+commended itself to Reuben. But however that may have been, we continued
+to draw farther and farther apart; and in that short half-hour we
+retraced the steps of our growing friendship to such purpose that, when
+we descended from the cab at the prison gate, we seemed more like
+strangers than on the first day that we met. It was a miserable ending
+to all our delightful comradeship, and yet what other end could one
+expect in this world of cross purposes and things that might have been?
+In the extremity of my wretchedness I could have wept on the bosom of
+the portly warder who opened the wicket, even as Juliet had wept upon
+mine; and it was almost a relief to me, when our brief visit was over,
+to find that we should not return together to King's Cross as was our
+wont, but that Juliet would go back by omnibus that she might do some
+shopping in Oxford Street, leaving me to walk home alone.
+
+I saw her into her omnibus, and stood on the pavement looking wistfully
+at the lumbering vehicle as it dwindled in the distance. At last, with a
+sigh of deepest despondency, I turned my face homeward, and, walking
+like one in a dream, retraced the route over which I had journeyed so
+often of late and with such different sensations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MURDER BY POST
+
+
+The next few days were perhaps the most unhappy that I have known. My
+life, indeed, since I had left the hospital had been one of many
+disappointments and much privation. Unfulfilled desires and ambitions
+unrealised had combined with distaste for the daily drudgery that had
+fallen to my lot to embitter my poverty and cause me to look with gloomy
+distrust upon the unpromising future. But no sorrow that I had hitherto
+experienced could compare with the grief that I now felt in
+contemplating the irretrievable ruin of what I knew to be the great
+passion of my life. For to a man like myself, of few friends and deep
+affections, one great emotional upheaval exhausts the possibilities of
+nature; leaving only the capacity for feeble and ineffective echoes. The
+edifice of love that is raised upon the ruins of a great passion can
+compare with the original no more than can the paltry mosque that
+perches upon the mound of Jonah with the glories of the palace that lies
+entombed beneath.  I had made a pretext to write to Juliet and had
+received a reply quite frank and friendly in tone, by which I knew that
+she had not--as some women would have done--set the blame upon me for
+our temporary outburst of emotion. And yet there was a subtle difference
+from her previous manner of writing that only emphasised the finality of
+our separation.
+
+I think Thorndyke perceived that something had gone awry, though I was
+at great pains to maintain a cheerful exterior and keep myself occupied,
+and he probably formed a pretty shrewd guess at the nature of the
+trouble; but he said nothing, and I only judged that he had observed
+some change in my manner by the fact that there was blended with his
+usual quiet geniality an almost insensible note of sympathy and
+affection.
+
+A couple of days after my last interview with Juliet, an event occurred
+which served, certainly, to relieve the tension and distract my
+thoughts, though not in a very agreeable manner.
+
+It was the pleasant, reposeful hour after dinner when it was our custom
+to sit in our respective easy chairs and, as we smoked our pipes,
+discuss some of the many topics in which we had a common interest. The
+postman had just discharged into the capacious letter-box an avalanche
+of letters and circulars, and as I sat glancing through the solitary
+letter that had fallen to my share, I looked from time to time at
+Thorndyke and noticed, as I had often done before, with some surprise, a
+curious habit that he had of turning over and closely scrutinising every
+letter and package before he opened it.
+
+"I observe, Thorndyke," I now ventured to remark, "that you always
+examine the outside of a letter before looking at the inside. I have
+seen other people do the same, and it has always appeared to me a
+singularly foolish proceeding. Why speculate over an unopened letter
+when a glance at the contents will tell you all there is to know?"
+
+"You are perfectly right," he answered, "if the object of the inspection
+is to discover who is the sender of the letter. But that is not my
+object. In my case the habit is one that has been deliberately
+cultivated--not in reference to letters only, but to everything that
+comes into my hands--the habit of allowing nothing to pass without a
+certain amount of conscious attention. The observant man is, in reality,
+the attentive man, and the so-called power of observation is simply the
+capacity for continuous attention. As a matter of fact, I have found in
+practice, that the habit is a useful one even in reference to letters;
+more than once I have gleaned a hint from the outside of a letter that
+has proved valuable when applied to the contents. Here, for instance, is
+a letter which has been opened after being fastened up--apparently by
+the aid of steam. The envelope is soiled and rubbed, and smells faintly
+of stale tobacco, and has evidently been carried in a pocket along with
+a well-used pipe. Why should it have been opened? On reading it I
+perceive that it should have reached me two days ago, and that the date
+has been skilfully altered from the thirteenth to the fifteenth. The
+inference is that my correspondent has a highly untrustworthy clerk."
+
+"But the correspondent may have carried the letter in his own pocket," I
+objected.
+
+"Hardly," replied Thorndyke. "He would not have troubled to steam his
+own letter open and close it again; he would have cut the envelope and
+addressed a fresh one. This the clerk could not do, because the letter
+was confidential and was addressed in the principal's handwriting. And
+the principal would have almost certainly added a postscript; and,
+moreover, he does not smoke. This, however, is all very obvious; but
+here is something rather more subtle which I have put aside for more
+detailed examination. What do you make of it?"
+
+He handed me a small parcel to which was attached by string a
+typewritten address label, the back of which bore the printed
+inscription, "James Bartlett and Sons, Cigar Manufacturers, London and
+Havana."
+
+"I am afraid," said I, after turning the little packet over and
+examining every part of it minutely, "that this is rather too subtle for
+me. The only thing that I observe is that the typewriter has bungled the
+address considerably. Otherwise this seems to me a very ordinary packet
+indeed."
+
+"Well, you have observed one point of interest, at any rate," said
+Thorndyke, taking the packet from me. "But let us examine the thing
+systematically and note down what we see. In the first place, you will
+notice that the label is an ordinary luggage label such as you may buy
+at any stationer's, with its own string attached. Now, manufacturers
+commonly use a different and more substantial pattern, which is attached
+by the string of the parcel. But that is a small matter. What is much
+more striking is the address on the label. It is typewritten and, as you
+say, typed very badly. Do you know anything about typewriters?"
+
+"Very little."
+
+"Then you do not recognise the machine? Well, this label was typed with
+a Blickensderfer--an excellent machine, but not the form most commonly
+selected for the rough work of a manufacturer's office; but we will let
+that pass. The important point is this: the Blickensderfer Company make
+several forms of machine, the smallest and lightest of which is the
+literary, specially designed for the use of journalists and men of
+letters. Now this label was typed with the literary machine, or, at
+least, with the literary typewheel; which is really a very remarkable
+circumstance indeed."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"By this asterisk, which has been written by mistake, the inexpert
+operator having pressed down the figure lever instead of the one for
+capitals. The literary typewheel is the only one that has an asterisk,
+as I noticed when I was thinking of purchasing a machine. Here, then, we
+have a very striking fact, for even if a manufacturer chose to use a
+'Blick' in his factory, it is inconceivable that he should select the
+literary form in preference to the more suitable 'commercial' machine."
+
+"Yes," I agreed; "it is certainly very singular."
+
+"And now," pursued Thorndyke, "to consider the writing itself. It has
+been done by an absolute beginner. He has failed to space in two places,
+he has written five wrong letters, and he has written figures instead of
+capitals in two instances."
+
+"Yes; he has made a shocking muddle of it. I wonder he didn't throw the
+label away and type another."
+
+"Precisely," said Thorndyke. "And if we wish to find out why he did not,
+we have only to look at the back of the label. You see that the name of
+the firm, instead of being printed on the label itself in the usual
+manner, is printed on a separate slip of paper which is pasted on the
+label--a most foolish and clumsy arrangement, involving an immense waste
+of time. But if we look closely at the printed slip itself we perceive
+something still more remarkable; for that slip has been cut down to fit
+the label, and has been cut with a pair of scissors. The edges are not
+quite straight, and in one place the 'overlap,' which is so
+characteristic of the cut made with scissors, can be seen quite
+plainly."
+
+He handed the packet to me with a reading-lens, through which I could
+distinctly make out the points he had mentioned.
+
+"Now I need not point out to you," he continued, "that these slips
+would, ordinarily, have been trimmed by the printer to the correct size
+in his machine, which would leave an absolutely true edge; nor need I
+say that no sane business man would adopt such a device as this. The
+slip of paper has been cut with scissors to fit the label, and it has
+then been pasted on to the surface that it has been made to fit, when
+all this waste of time and trouble--which, in practice, means
+money--could have been saved by printing the name on the label itself."
+
+"Yes, that is so; but I still do not see why the fellow should not have
+thrown away this label and typed another."
+
+"Look at the slip again," said Thorndyke. "It is faintly but evenly
+discoloured and, to me, has the appearance of having been soaked in
+water. Let us, for the moment, assume that it has been. That would look
+as if it had been removed from some other package, which again would
+suggest that the person using it had only the one slip, which he had
+soaked off the original package, dried, cut down and pasted on the
+present label. If he pasted it on before typing the address--which he
+would most probably have done--he might well be unwilling to risk
+destroying it by soaking it a second time."
+
+"You think, then, there is a suspicion that the package may have been
+tampered with?"
+
+"There is no need to jump to conclusions," replied Thorndyke. "I merely
+gave this case as an instance showing that careful examination of the
+outside of a package or letter may lead us to bestow a little extra
+attention on the contents. Now let us open it and see what those
+contents are."
+
+With a sharp knife he divided the outside cover, revealing a stout
+cardboard box wrapped in a number of advertisement sheets. The box, when
+the lid was raised, was seen to contain a single cigar--a large
+cheroot--packed in cotton wool.
+
+"A 'Trichy,' by Jove!" I exclaimed. "Your own special fancy, Thorndyke."
+
+"Yes; and another anomaly, at once, you see, which might have escaped
+our notice if we had not been on the _qui vive_."
+
+"As a matter of fact, I _don't_ see," said I. "You will think me an
+awful blockhead, but I don't perceive anything singular in a cigar
+manufacturer sending a sample cigar."
+
+"You read the label, I think?" replied Thorndyke. "However, let us look
+at one of these leaflets and see what they say. Ah! here we are:
+'Messrs. Bartlett and Sons, who own extensive plantations on the island
+of Cuba, manufacture their cigars exclusively from selected leaves grown
+by themselves.' They would hardly make a Trichinopoly cheroot from leaf
+grown in the West Indies, so we have here a striking anomaly of an East
+Indian cigar sent to us by a West Indian grower."
+
+"And what do you infer from that?"
+
+"Principally that this cigar--which, by the way, is an uncommonly fine
+specimen and which I would not smoke for ten thousand pounds--is
+deserving of very attentive examination." He produced from his pocket a
+powerful doublet lens, with the aid of which he examined every part of
+the surface of the cigar, and finally, both ends.  "Look at the small
+end," he said, handing me the cigar and the lens, "and tell me if you
+notice anything."
+
+I focussed the lens on the flush-cut surface of closely-rolled leaf, and
+explored every part of it minutely.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, "that the leaf is opened slightly in the
+centre, as if a fine wire had been passed up it."
+
+"So it appeared to me," replied Thorndyke; "and, as we are in agreement
+so far, we will carry our investigations a step further."
+
+He laid the cigar down on the table, and, with the keen, thin-bladed
+penknife, neatly divided it lengthwise into two halves.
+
+"_Ecce signum_!" exclaimed Thorndyke, as the two parts fell asunder; and
+for a few moments we stood silently regarding the dismembered cheroot.
+For, about half an inch from the small end, there appeared a little
+circular patch of white, chalky material which, by the even manner in
+which it was diffused among the leaf, had evidently been deposited from
+a solution.
+
+"Our ingenious friend again, I surmise," said Thorndyke at length,
+taking up one of the halves and examining the white patch through his
+lens. "A thoughtful soul, Jervis, and original too. I wish his talents
+could be applied in some other direction. I shall have to remonstrate
+with him if he becomes troublesome."  "It is your duty to society,
+Thorndyke," I exclaimed passionately, "to have this infernal,
+cold-blooded scoundrel arrested instantly. Such a man is a standing
+menace to the community. Do you really know who sent this thing?"
+
+"I can form a pretty shrewd guess, which, however, is not quite the same
+thing. But, you see, he has not been quite so clever this time, for he
+has left one or two traces by which his identity might be ascertained."
+
+"Indeed! What traces has he left?"
+
+"Ah! now there is a nice little problem for us to consider." He settled
+himself in his easy chair and proceeded to fill his pipe with the air of
+a man who is about to discuss a matter of merely general interest.
+
+"Let us consider what information this ingenious person has given us
+about himself. In the first place, he evidently has a strong interest in
+my immediate decease. Now, why should he feel so urgent a desire for my
+death? Can it be a question of property? Hardly; for I am far from a
+rich man, and the provisions of my will are known to me alone. Can it
+then be a question of private enmity or revenge? I think not. To the
+best of my belief I have no private enemies whatever. There remains only
+my vocation as an investigator in the fields of legal and criminal
+research. His interest in my death must, therefore, be connected with my
+professional activities. Now, I am at present conducting an exhumation
+which may lead to a charge of murder; but if I were to die to-night the
+inquiry would be carried out with equal efficiency by Professor Spicer
+or some other toxicologist. My death would not affect the prospects of
+the accused. And so in one or two other cases that I have in hand; they
+could be equally well conducted by someone else. The inference is that
+our friend is not connected with any of these cases, but that he
+believes me to possess some exclusive information concerning
+him--believes me to be the one person in the world who suspects and can
+convict him. Let us assume the existence of such a person--a person of
+whose guilt I alone have evidence. Now this person, being unaware that I
+have communicated my knowledge to a third party, would reasonably
+suppose that by making away with me he had put himself in a position of
+security.
+
+"Here, then, is our first point. The sender of this offering is probably
+a person concerning whom I hold certain exclusive information.
+
+"But see, now, the interesting corollary that follows from this. I,
+alone, suspect this person; therefore I have not published my
+suspicions, or others would suspect him too. Why, then, does he suspect
+me of suspecting him, since I have not spoken? Evidently, he too must be
+in possession of exclusive information. In other words, my suspicions
+are correct; for if they were not, he could not be aware of their
+existence.
+
+"The next point is the selection of this rather unusual type of cigar.
+Why should he have sent a Trichinopoly instead of an ordinary Havana
+such as Bartletts actually manufacture? It looks as if he were aware of
+my peculiar predilection, and, by thus consulting my personal tastes,
+had guarded against the chance of my giving the cigar to some other
+person. We may, therefore, infer that our friend probably has some
+knowledge of my habits.
+
+"The third point is, What is the social standing of this gentle
+stranger, whom we will call X? Now, Bartletts do not send their
+advertisements and samples to Thomas, Richard and Henry. They send,
+chiefly, to members of the professions and men of means and position. It
+is true that the original package might have been annexed by a clerk,
+office boy or domestic servant; but the probabilities are that X
+received the package himself, and this is borne out by the fact that he
+was able to obtain access to a powerful alkaloidal poison--such as this
+undoubtedly is."
+
+"In that case he would probably be a medical man or a chemist," I
+suggested.
+
+"Not necessarily," replied Thorndyke. "The laws relating to poisons are
+so badly framed and administered that any well-to-do person, who has the
+necessary knowledge, can obtain almost any poison that he wants. But
+social position is an important factor, whence we may conclude that X
+belongs, at least, to the middle class.
+
+"The fourth point relates to the personal qualities of X. Now it is
+evident, from this instance alone, that he is a man of exceptional
+intelligence, of considerable general information, and both ingenious
+and resourceful. This cigar device is not only clever and original, but
+it has been adapted to the special circumstances with remarkable
+forethought. Thus the cheroot was selected, apparently, for two
+excellent reasons: first, that it was the most likely form to be smoked
+by the person intended, and second, that it did not require to have the
+end cut off--which might have led to a discovery of the poison. The plan
+also shows a certain knowledge of chemistry; the poison was not intended
+merely to be dissolved in the moisture of the mouth. The idea evidently
+was that the steam generated by the combustion of the leaf at the
+distal end, would condense in the cooler part of the cigar and dissolve
+the poison, and the solution would then be drawn into the mouth. Then
+the nature of the poison and certain similarities of procedure seem to
+identify X with the cyclist who used that ingenious bullet. The poison
+in this case is a white, non-crystalline solid; the poison contained in
+the bullet was a solution of a white, non-crystalline solid, which
+analysis showed to be the most poisonous of all akaloids.
+
+"The bullet was virtually a hypodermic syringe; the poison in this cigar
+has been introduced, in the form of an alcoholic or ethereal solution,
+by a hypodermic syringe. We shall thus be justified in assuming that the
+bullet and the cigar came from the same person; and, if this be so, we
+may say that X is a person of considerable knowledge, of great ingenuity
+and no mean skill as a mechanician--as shown by the manufacture of the
+bullet.
+
+"These are our principal facts--to which we may add the surmise that he
+has recently purchased a second-hand Blickensderfer of the literary form
+or, at least, fitted with a literary typewheel."
+
+"I don't quite see how you arrive at that," I said, in some surprise.
+
+"It is merely a guess, you know," he replied, "though a probable one. In
+the first place he is obviously unused to typing, as the numerous
+mistakes show; therefore he has not had the machine very long. The type
+is that which is peculiar to the Blickensderfer, and, in one of the
+mistakes, an asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
+literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
+of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
+have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
+letters which are the most used--the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
+is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
+the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
+second-hand."
+
+"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."
+
+"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
+secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
+having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
+the machine, should we ever meet with it."
+
+He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
+lens.
+
+"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
+times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
+each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
+summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type--caused,
+probably, by its striking some small, hard object."
+
+"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
+valuable point for identification."
+
+"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
+joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
+premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
+has placed at our disposal.
+
+"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
+information.
+
+"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.
+
+"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.
+
+"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
+skill.
+
+"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
+fitted with a literary typewheel.  "Sixth: That machine, whether his
+own or some other person's property, can be identified by a
+characteristic mark on the small 'e.'
+
+"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
+expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
+able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"
+
+"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
+suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
+society--to say nothing of your clients, whose interests would suffer by
+your death--to have this fellow laid by the heels before he does any
+mischief."
+
+"Yes; I shall have to interfere if he becomes really troublesome, but I
+have reasons for wishing to leave him alone at present."
+
+"You do really know who he is, then?"
+
+"Well, I think I can solve the equation that I have just offered to you
+for solution. You see, I have certain data, as you suggest, which you do
+not possess. There is, for instance, a certain ingenious gentleman
+concerning whom I hold what I believe to be exclusive information, and
+my knowledge of him does not make it appear unlikely that he might be
+the author of these neat little plans."
+
+"I am much impressed," I said, as I put away my notebook, after having
+jotted down the points that Thorndyke had advised me to consider--"I am
+much impressed by your powers of observation and your capacity for
+reasoning from apparently trivial data; but I do not see, even now, why
+you viewed that cigar with such immediate and decided suspicion. There
+was nothing actually to suggest the existence of poison in it, and yet
+you seemed to form the suspicion at once and to search for it as though
+you expected to find it."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "to a certain extent you are right. The idea
+of a poisoned cigar was not new to me--and thereby hangs a tale."
+
+He laughed softly and gazed into the fire with eyes that twinkled with
+quiet amusement. "You have heard me say," he resumed, after a short
+pause, "that when I first took these chambers I had practically nothing
+to do. I had invented a new variety of medico-legal practice and had to
+build it up by slow degrees, and the natural consequence was that, for a
+long time, it yielded nothing but almost unlimited leisure. Now, that
+leisure was by no means wasted, for I employed it in considering the
+class of cases in which I was likely to be employed, and in working out
+theoretical examples; and seeing that crimes against the person have
+nearly always a strong medical interest, I gave them special attention.
+For instance, I planned a series of murders, selecting royal personages
+and great ministers as the victims, and on each murder I brought to bear
+all the special knowledge, skill and ingenuity at my command. I inquired
+minutely into the habits of my hypothetical victims; ascertained who
+were their associates, friends, enemies and servants; considered their
+diet, their residences, their modes of conveyance, the source of their
+clothing and, in fact, everything which it was necessary to know in
+order to achieve their deaths with certainty and with absolute safety to
+the murderer."
+
+"How deeply gratified and flattered those great personages would have
+felt," I remarked, "if they had known how much attention they were
+receiving."
+
+"Yes; I suppose it would have been somewhat startling, to the Prime
+Minister, for instance, to have learned that he was being watched and
+studied by an attentive observer and that the arrangements for his
+decease had been completed down to the minutest detail. But, of course,
+the application of the method to a particular case was the essential
+thing, for it brought into view all the incidental difficulties, in
+meeting which all the really interesting and instructive details were
+involved. Well, the particulars of these crimes I wrote out at length,
+in my private shorthand, in a journal which I kept for the purpose--and
+which, I need not say, I locked up securely in my safe when I was not
+using it. After completing each case, it was my custom to change sides
+and play the game over again from the opposite side of the board; that
+is to say, I added, as an appendix to each case, an analysis with a
+complete scheme for the detection of the crime. I have in my safe at the
+present moment six volumes of cases, fully indexed; and I can assure you
+that they are not only highly instructive reading, but are really
+valuable as works of reference."
+
+"That I can readily believe," I replied, laughing heartily,
+nevertheless, at the grotesqueness of the whole proceeding, "though they
+might have proved rather incriminating documents if they had passed out
+of your possession."
+
+"They would never have been read," rejoined Thorndyke. "My shorthand is,
+I think, quite undecipherable; it has been so made intentionally with a
+view to secrecy."
+
+"And have any of your theoretical cases ever turned up in real life?"
+
+"Several of them have, though very imperfectly planned and carried out
+as a rule. The poisoned cigar is one of them, though, of course I
+should never have adopted such a conspicuous device for presenting it;
+and the incident of the other night is a modification--for the worse--of
+another. In fact, most of the intricate and artistic crimes with which I
+have had to deal professionally have had their more complete and
+elaborate prototypes in my journals."
+
+I was silent for some time, reflecting on the strange personality of my
+gifted friend and the singular fitness that he presented for the part he
+had chosen to play in the drama of social life; but presently my
+thoughts returned to the peril that overshadowed him, and I came back,
+once more, to my original question.
+
+"And now, Thorndyke," I said, "that you have penetrated both the motives
+and the disguise of this villain, what are you going to do? Is he to be
+put safely under lock and key, or is he to be left in peace and security
+to plan some other, and perhaps more successful, scheme for your
+destruction?"
+
+"For the present," replied Thorndyke, "I am going to put these things in
+a place of safety. To-morrow you shall come with me to the hospital and
+see me place the ends of the cigar in the custody of Dr. Chandler, who
+will make an analysis and report on the nature of the poison. After that
+we shall act in whatever way seems best."
+
+Unsatisfactory as this conclusion appeared, I knew it was useless to
+raise further objections, and, accordingly, when the cigar with its
+accompanying papers and wrappings had been deposited in a drawer, we
+dismissed it, if not from our thoughts, at least from our conversation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+The morning of the trial, so long looked forward to, had at length
+arrived, and the train of events which it has been my business to
+chronicle in this narrative was now fast drawing to an end. To me those
+events had been in many ways of the deepest moment. Not only had they
+transported me from a life of monotonous drudgery into one charged with
+novelty and dramatic interest; not only had they introduced me to a
+renascence of scientific culture and revived under new conditions my
+intimacy with the comrade of my student days; but, far more momentous
+than any of these, they had given me the vision--all too fleeting--of
+happiness untold, with the reality of sorrow and bitter regret that
+promised to be all too enduring.
+
+Whence it happened that on this morning my thoughts were tinged with a
+certain greyness. A chapter in my life that had been both bitter and
+sweet was closing, and already I saw myself once more an Ishmaelite and
+a wanderer among strangers.
+
+This rather egotistical frame of mind, however, was soon dispelled when
+I encountered Polton, for the little man was in a veritable twitter of
+excitement at the prospect of witnessing the clearing up of the
+mysteries that had so severely tried his curiosity; and even Thorndyke,
+beneath his habitual calm, showed a trace of expectancy and pleasurable
+anticipation.
+
+"I have taken the liberty of making certain little arrangements on your
+behalf," he said, as we sat at breakfast, "of which I hope you will not
+disapprove. I have written to Mrs. Hornby, who is one of the witnesses,
+to say that you will meet her at Mr. Lawley's office and escort her and
+Miss Gibson to the court. Walter Hornby may be with them, and, if he is,
+you had better leave him, if possible, to come on with Lawley."
+
+"You will not come to the office, then?"
+
+"No. I shall go straight to the court with Anstey. Besides, I am
+expecting Superintendent Miller from Scotland Yard, who will probably
+walk down with us."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," I said; "for I have been rather uneasy at the
+thought of your mixing in the crowd without some kind of protection."
+
+"Well, you see that I am taking precautions against the assaults of the
+too-ingenious X, and, to tell the truth--and also to commit a flagrant
+bull--I should never forgive myself if I allowed him to kill me before I
+had completed Reuben Hornby's defence. Ah, here is Polton--that man is
+on wires this morning; he has been wandering in and out of the rooms
+ever since he came, like a cat in a new house."
+
+"It's quite true, sir," said Polton, smiling and unabashed, "so it's no
+use denying it. I have come to ask what we are going to take with us to
+the court."
+
+"You will find a box and a portfolio on the table in my room," replied
+Thorndyke. "We had better also take a microscope and the micrometers,
+though we are not likely to want them; that is all, I think."
+
+"A box and a portfolio," repeated Polton in a speculative tone. "Yes,
+sir, I will take them with me." He opened the door and was about to
+pass out, when, perceiving a visitor ascending the stairs, he turned
+back.
+
+"Here's Mr. Miller, from Scotland Yard, sir; shall I show him in?"
+
+"Yes, do." He rose from his chair as a tall, military-looking man
+entered the room and saluted, casting, at the same time, an inquiring
+glance in my direction.
+
+"Good morning, Doctor," he said briskly. "I got your letter and couldn't
+make much of it, but I have brought down a couple of plain-clothes men
+and a uniform man, as you suggested. I understand you want a house
+watched?"
+
+"Yes, and a man, too. I will give you the particulars presently--that
+is, if you think you can agree to my conditions."
+
+"That I act entirely on my own account and make no communication to
+anybody? Well, of course, I would rather you gave me all the facts and
+let me proceed in the regular way; but if you make conditions I have no
+choice but to accept them, seeing that you hold the cards."
+
+Perceiving that the matter in hand was of a confidential nature, I
+thought it best to take my departure, which I accordingly did, as soon
+as I had ascertained that it wanted yet half-an-hour to the time at
+which Mrs. Hornby and Juliet were due at the lawyer's office.
+
+Mr. Lawley received me with stiffness that bordered on hostility. He was
+evidently deeply offended at the subordinate part that he had been
+compelled to play in the case, and was at no great pains to conceal the
+fact.
+
+"I am informed," said he, in a frosty tone, when I had explained my
+mission, "that Mrs. Hornby and Miss Gibson are to meet you here. The
+arrangement is none of my making; none of the arrangements in this case
+are of my making. I have been treated throughout with a lack of ceremony
+and confidence that is positively scandalous. Even now, I--the
+solicitor for the defence--am completely in the dark as to what defence
+is contemplated, though I fully expect to be involved in some ridiculous
+fiasco. I only trust that I may never again be associated with any of
+your hybrid practitioners. _Ne sutor ultra crepidam_, sir, is an
+excellent motto; let the medical cobbler stick to his medical last."
+
+"It remains to be seen what kind of boot he can turn out on the legal
+last," I retorted.
+
+"That is so," he rejoined; "but I hear Mrs. Hornby's voice in the outer
+office, and as neither you nor I have any time to waste in idle talk, I
+suggest that you make your way to the court without delay. I wish you
+good morning!"
+
+Acting on this very plain hint, I retired to the clerks' office, where I
+found Mrs. Hornby and Juliet, the former undisguisedly tearful and
+terrified, and the latter calm, though pale and agitated.
+
+"We had better start at once," I said, when we had exchanged greetings.
+"Shall we take a cab, or walk?"
+
+"I think we will walk, if you don't mind," said Juliet. "Mrs. Hornby
+wants to have a few words with you before we go into court. You see, she
+is one of the witnesses, and she is terrified lest she should say
+something damaging to Reuben."
+
+"By whom was the subpoena served?" I asked.
+
+"Mr. Lawley sent it," replied Mrs. Hornby, "and I went to see him about
+it the very next day, but he wouldn't tell me anything--he didn't seem
+to know what I was wanted for, and he wasn't at all nice--not at all."
+
+"I expect your evidence will relate to the 'Thumbograph,'" I said.
+"There is really nothing else in connection with the case that you have
+any knowledge of."
+
+"That is just what Walter said," exclaimed Mrs. Hornby. "I went to his
+rooms to talk the matter over with him. He is very upset about the whole
+affair, and I am afraid he thinks very badly of poor Reuben's prospects.
+I only trust he may be wrong! Oh dear! What a dreadful thing it is, to
+be sure!" Here the poor lady halted to mop her eyes elaborately, to the
+surprise and manifest scorn of a passing errand boy.
+
+"He was very thoughtful and sympathetic--Walter, I mean, you know,"
+pursued Mrs. Hornby, "and most helpful. He asked me all I knew about
+that horrid little book, and took down my answers in writing. Then he
+wrote out the questions I was likely to be asked, with my answers, so
+that I could read them over and get them well into my head. Wasn't it
+good of him! And I made him print them with his machine so that I could
+read them without my glasses, and he did it beautifully. I have the
+paper in my pocket now."
+
+"I didn't know Mr. Walter went in for printing," I said. "Has he a
+regular printing press?"
+
+"It isn't a printing press exactly," replied Mrs. Hornby; "it is a small
+thing with a lot of round keys that you press down--Dickensblerfer, I
+think it is called--ridiculous name, isn't it? Walter bought it from one
+of his literary friends about a week ago; but he is getting quite clever
+with it already, though he does make a few mistakes still, as you can
+see."  She halted again, and began to search for the opening of a
+pocket which was hidden away in some occult recess of her clothing, all
+unconscious of the effect that her explanation had produced on me. For,
+instantly, as she spoke, there flashed into my mind one of the points
+that Thorndyke had given me for the identification of the mysterious X.
+"He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand
+Blickensderfer, fitted with a literary typewheel." The coincidence was
+striking and even startling, though a moment's reflection convinced me
+that it was nothing more than a coincidence; for there must be hundreds
+of second-hand "Blicks" on the market, and, as to Walter Hornby, he
+certainly could have no quarrel with Thorndyke, but would rather be
+interested in his preservation on Reuben's account.
+
+These thoughts passed through my mind so rapidly that by the time Mrs.
+Hornby had run her pocket to earth I had quite recovered from the
+momentary shock.
+
+"Ah! here it is," she exclaimed triumphantly, producing an obese Morocco
+purse. "I put it in here for safety, knowing how liable one is to get
+one's pocket picked in these crowded London streets." She opened the
+bulky receptacle and drew it out after the manner of a concertina,
+exhibiting multitudinous partitions, all stuffed with pieces of paper,
+coils of tape and sewing silk, buttons, samples of dress materials and
+miscellaneous rubbish, mingled indiscriminately with gold, silver, and
+copper coins.
+
+"Now just run your eye through that, Dr. Jervis," she said, handing me a
+folded paper, "and give me your advice on my answers."
+
+I opened the paper and read: "The Committee of the Society for the
+Protection of Paralysed Idiots, in submitting this--"
+
+"Oh! that isn't it; I have given you the wrong paper. How silly of me!
+That is the appeal of--you remember, Juliet, dear, that troublesome
+person--I had, really, to be quite rude, you know, Dr. Jervis; I had to
+tell him that charity begins at home, although, thank Heaven! none of us
+are paralysed, but we must consider our own, mustn't we? And then--"
+
+"Do you think this is the one, dear?" interposed Juliet, in whose pale
+cheek the ghost of a dimple had appeared. "It looks cleaner than most of
+the others."
+
+She selected a folded paper from the purse which Mrs. Hornby was holding
+with both hands extended to its utmost, as though she were about to
+produce a burst of music, and, opening it, glanced at its contents.
+
+"Yes, this is your evidence," she said, and passed the paper to me.
+
+I took the document from her hand and, in spite of the conclusion at
+which I had arrived, examined it with eager curiosity. And at the very
+first glance I felt my head swim and my heart throb violently. For the
+paper was headed: "Evidence respecting the Thumbograph," and in every
+one of the five small "e's" that occurred in that sentence I could see
+plainly by the strong out-door light a small break or interval in the
+summit of the loop.
+
+I was thunderstruck.
+
+One coincidence was quite possible and even probable; but the two
+together, and the second one of so remarkable a character, were beyond
+all reasonable limits of probability. The identification did not seem to
+admit of a doubt, and yet--
+
+"Our legal adviser appears to be somewhat preoccupied," remarked Juliet,
+with something of her old gaiety of manner; and, in fact, though I held
+the paper in my hand, my gaze was fixed unmeaningly on an adjacent
+lamp-post. As she spoke, I pulled myself together, and, scanning the
+paper hastily, was fortunate enough to find in the first paragraph
+matter requiring comment.
+
+"I observe, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "that in answer to the first question,
+'Whence did you obtain the "Thumbograph"?' you say, 'I do not remember
+clearly; I think I must have bought it at a railway bookstall.' Now I
+understood that it was brought home and given to you by Walter himself."
+
+"That was what I thought," replied Mrs. Hornby, "but Walter tells me
+that it was not so, and, of course, he would remember better than I
+should."
+
+"But, my dear aunt, I am sure he gave it to you," interposed Juliet.
+"Don't you remember? It was the night the Colleys came to dinner, and we
+were so hard pressed to find amusement for them, when Walter came in and
+produced the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Yes, I remember quite well now," said Mrs. Hornby. "How fortunate that
+you reminded me. We must alter that answer at once."
+
+"If I were you, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "I would disregard this paper
+altogether. It will only confuse you and get you into difficulties.
+Answer the questions that are put, as well as you can, and if you don't
+remember, say so."
+
+"Yes, that will be much the wisest plan," said Juliet. "Let Dr. Jervis
+take charge of the paper and rely on your own memory."  "Very well, my
+dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I will do what you think best, and you can
+keep the paper, Dr. Jervis, or throw it away."
+
+I slipped the document into my pocket without remark, and we proceeded
+on our way, Mrs. Hornby babbling inconsequently, with occasional
+outbursts of emotion, and Juliet silent and abstracted. I struggled to
+concentrate my attention on the elder lady's conversation, but my
+thoughts continually reverted to the paper in my pocket, and the
+startling solution that it seemed to offer of the mystery of the
+poisoned cigar.
+
+Could it be that Walter Hornby was in reality the miscreant X? The thing
+seemed incredible, for, hitherto, no shadow of suspicion had appeared to
+fall on him. And yet there was no denying that his description tallied
+in a very remarkable manner with that of the hypothetical X. He was a
+man of some means and social position; he was a man of considerable
+knowledge and mechanical skill, though as to his ingenuity I could not
+judge. He had recently bought a second-hand Blickensderfer which
+probably had a literary typewheel, since it was purchased from a
+literary man; and that machine showed the characteristic mark on the
+small "e." The two remaining points, indeed, were not so clear.
+Obviously I could form no opinion as to whether or not Thorndyke held
+any exclusive information concerning him, and, with reference to his
+knowledge of my friend's habits, I was at first inclined to be doubtful
+until I suddenly recalled, with a pang of remorse and self-accusation,
+the various details that I had communicated to Juliet and that she might
+easily, in all innocence, have handed on to Walter. I had, for instance,
+told her of Thorndyke's preference for the Trichinopoly cheroot, and of
+this she might very naturally have spoken to Walter, who possessed a
+supply of them. Again, with regard to the time of our arrival at King's
+Cross, I had informed her of this in a letter which was in no way
+confidential, and again there was no reason why the information should
+not have been passed on to Walter, who was to have been one of the party
+at the family dinner. The coincidence seemed complete enough, in all
+truth; yet it was incredible that Reuben's cousin could be so
+blackhearted a villain or could have any motive for these dastardly
+crimes.
+
+Suddenly a new idea struck me. Mrs. Hornby had obtained access to this
+typewriting machine; and if Mrs. Hornby could do so, why not John
+Hornby? The description would, for the most part, fit the elder man as
+well as the younger, though I had no evidence of his possessing any
+special mechanical skill; but my suspicions had already fastened upon
+him, and I remembered that Thorndyke had by no means rejected my theory
+which connected him with the crime.
+
+At this point, my reflections were broken in upon by Mrs. Hornby, who
+grasped my arm and uttered a deep groan. We had reached the corner of
+the Old Bailey, and before us were the frowning walls of Newgate. Within
+those walls, I knew--though I did not mention the fact--that Reuben
+Hornby was confined with the other prisoners who were awaiting their
+trial; and a glance at the massive masonry, stained to a dingy grey by
+the grime of the city, put an end to my speculations and brought me back
+to the drama that was so nearly approaching its climax.
+
+Down the old thoroughfare, crowded with so many memories of hideous
+tragedy; by the side of the gloomy prison; past the debtors' door with
+its forbidding spiked wicket; past the gallows gate with its festoons
+of fetters; we walked in silence until we reached the entrance to the
+Sessions House.
+
+Here I was not a little relieved to find Thorndyke on the look-out for
+us, for Mrs. Hornby, in spite of really heroic efforts to control her
+emotion, was in a state of impending hysteria, while Juliet, though
+outwardly calm and composed, showed by the waxen pallor of her cheeks
+and a certain wildness of her eyes that all her terror was reviving; and
+I was glad that they were spared the unpleasantness of contact with the
+policemen who guarded the various entrances.
+
+"We must be brave," said Thorndyke gently, as he took Mrs. Hornby's
+hand, "and show a cheerful face to our friend who has so much to bear
+and who bears it so patiently. A few more hours, and I hope we shall see
+restored, not only his liberty, but his honour. Here is Mr. Anstey, who,
+we trust, will be able to make his innocence apparent."
+
+Anstey, who, unlike Thorndyke, had already donned his wig and gown,
+bowed gravely, and, together, we passed through the mean and grimy
+portals into a dark hall. Policemen in uniform and unmistakable
+detectives stood about the various entries, and little knots of people,
+evil-looking and unclean for the most part, lurked in the background or
+sat on benches and diffused through the stale, musty air that
+distinctive but indescribable odour that clings to police vans and
+prison reception rooms; an odour that, in the present case, was
+pleasantly mingled with the suggestive aroma of disinfectants. Through
+the unsavoury throng we hurried, and up a staircase to a landing from
+which several passages diverged. Into one of these passages--a sort of
+"dark entry," furnished with a cage-like gate of iron bars--we passed
+to a black door, on which was painted the inscription, "Old Court.
+Counsel and clerks."
+
+Anstey held the door open for us, and we passed through into the court,
+which at once struck me with a sense of disappointment. It was smaller
+than I had expected, and plain and mean to the point of sordidness. The
+woodwork was poor, thinly disguised by yellow graining, and slimy with
+dirt wherever a dirty hand could reach it. The walls were distempered a
+pale, greenish grey; the floor was of bare and dirty planking, and the
+only suggestions of dignity or display were those offered by the canopy
+over the judge's seat--lined with scarlet baize and surmounted by the
+royal arms--the scarlet cushions of the bench, and the large, circular
+clock in the gallery, which was embellished with a gilded border and
+asserted its importance by a loud, aggressive tick.
+
+Following Anstey and Thorndyke into the well of the court, we were
+ushered into one of the seats reserved for counsel--the third from the
+front--where we sat down and looked about us, while our two friends
+seated themselves in the front bench next to the central table. Here, at
+the extreme right, a barrister--presumably the counsel for the
+prosecution--was already in his place and absorbed in the brief that lay
+on the desk before him. Straight before us were the seats for the jury,
+rising one above the other, and at their side the witness-box. Above us
+on the right was the judge's seat, and immediately below it a structure
+somewhat resembling a large pew or a counting-house desk, surmounted by
+a brass rail, in which a person in a grey wig--the clerk of the
+court--was mending a quill pen. On our left rose the dock--suggestively
+large and roomy--enclosed at the sides with high glazed frames; and
+above it, near the ceiling, was the spectators' gallery.
+
+"What a hideous place!" exclaimed Juliet, who separated me from Mrs.
+Hornby. "And how sordid and dirty everything looks!"
+
+"Yes," I answered. "The uncleanness of the criminal is not confined to
+his moral being; wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of actual,
+physical dirt. It is not so long ago that the dock and the bench alike
+used to be strewn with medicinal herbs, and I believe the custom still
+survives of furnishing the judge with a nosegay as a preventive of
+jail-fever."
+
+"And to think that Reuben should be brought to a place like this!"
+Juliet continued bitterly; "to be herded with such people as we saw
+downstairs!"
+
+She sighed and looked round at the benches that rose behind us, where a
+half-dozen reporters were already seated and apparently in high spirits
+at the prospect of a sensational case.
+
+Our conversation was now interrupted by the clatter of feet on the
+gallery stairs, and heads began to appear over the wooden parapet.
+Several junior counsel filed into the seats in front of us; Mr. Lawley
+and his clerk entered the attorney's bench; the ushers took their stand
+below the jury-box; a police officer seated himself at a desk in the
+dock; and inspectors, detectives and miscellaneous officers began to
+gather in the entries or peer into the court through the small glazed
+openings in the doors.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+
+The hum of conversation that had been gradually increasing as the court
+filled suddenly ceased. A door at the back of the dais was flung open;
+counsel, solicitors, and spectators alike rose to their feet; and the
+judge entered, closely followed by the Lord Mayor, the sheriff, and
+various civic magnates, all picturesque and gorgeous in their robes and
+chains of office. The Clerk of Arraigns took his place behind his table
+under the dais; the counsel suspended their conversation and fingered
+their briefs; and, as the judge took his seat, lawyers, officials, and
+spectators took their seats, and all eyes were turned towards the dock.
+
+A few moments later Reuben Hornby appeared in the enclosure in company
+with a warder, the two rising, apparently, from the bowels of the earth,
+and, stepping forward to the bar, stood with a calm and self-possessed
+demeanour, glancing somewhat curiously around the court. For an instant
+his eye rested upon the group of friends and well-wishers seated behind
+the counsel, and the faintest trace of a smile appeared on his face; but
+immediately he turned his eyes away and never again throughout the trial
+looked in our direction.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns now rose and, reading from the indictment which
+lay before him on the table, addressed the prisoner--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, you stand indicted for that you did, on the ninth or
+tenth day of March, feloniously steal a parcel of diamonds of the goods
+and chattels of John Hornby. Are you guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied Reuben.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns, having noted the prisoner's reply, then
+proceeded--
+
+"The gentlemen whose names are about to be called will form the jury who
+are to try you. If you wish to object to any of them, you must do so as
+each comes to the book to be sworn, and before he is sworn. You will
+then be heard."
+
+In acknowledgment of this address, which was delivered in clear, ringing
+tones, and with remarkable distinctness, Reuben bowed to the clerk, and
+the process of swearing-in the jury was commenced, while the counsel
+opened their briefs and the judge conversed facetiously with an
+official in a fur robe and a massive neck chain.
+
+Very strange, to unaccustomed eyes and ears, was the effect of this
+function--half solemn and half grotesque, with an effect intermediate
+between that of a religious rite and that of a comic opera. Above the
+half-suppressed hum of conversation the clerk's voice arose at regular
+intervals, calling out the name of one of the jurymen, and, as its owner
+stood up, the court usher, black-gowned and sacerdotal of aspect,
+advanced and proffered the book. Then, as the juryman took the volume in
+his hand, the voice of the usher resounded through the court like that
+of a priest intoning some refrain or antiphon--an effect that was
+increased by the rhythmical and archaic character of the formula--
+
+"Samuel Seppings!"
+
+A stolid-looking working-man rose and, taking the Testament in his hand,
+stood regarding the usher while that official sang out in a solemn
+monotone--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have
+in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence. So help
+you God!"
+
+"James Piper!" Another juryman rose and was given the Book to hold; and
+again the monotonous sing-song arose--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make, etc."
+
+"I shall scream aloud if that horrible chant goes on much longer,"
+Juliet whispered. "Why don't they all swear at once and have done with
+it?"
+
+"That would not meet the requirements," I answered. "However, there are
+only two more, so you must have patience."
+
+"And you will have patience with me, too, won't you? I am horribly
+frightened. It is all so solemn and dreadful."
+
+"You must try to keep up your courage until Dr. Thorndyke has given his
+evidence," I said. "Remember that, until he has spoken, everything is
+against Reuben; so be prepared."
+
+"I will try," she answered meekly; "but I can't help being terrified."
+
+The last of the jurymen was at length sworn, and when the clerk had once
+more called out the names one by one, the usher counting loudly as each
+man answered to his name, the latter officer turned to the Court and
+spectators, and proclaimed in solemn tones--
+
+"If anyone can inform my Lords the King's justices, the King's
+attorney-general, or the King's serjeant, ere this inquest be now taken
+between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, of any
+treason, murder, felony or misdemeanour, committed or done by him, let
+him come forth and he shall be heard; for the prisoner stands at the bar
+upon his deliverance."
+
+This proclamation was followed by a profound silence, and after a brief
+interval the Clerk of Arraigns turned towards the jury and addressed
+them collectively--
+
+"Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner at the bar stands indicted by the
+name of Reuben Hornby, for that he, on the ninth or tenth of March,
+feloniously did steal, take and carry away a parcel of diamonds of the
+goods of John Hornby. To this indictment he has pleaded that he is not
+guilty, and your charge is to inquire whether he be guilty or not and to
+hearken to the evidence."
+
+When he had finished his address the clerk sat down, and the judge, a
+thin-faced, hollow-eyed elderly man, with bushy grey eyebrows and a very
+large nose, looked attentively at Reuben for some moments over the tops
+of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. Then he turned towards the counsel nearest
+the bench and bowed slightly.
+
+The barrister bowed in return and rose, and for the first time I
+obtained a complete view of Sir Hector Trumpler, K.C., the counsel for
+the prosecution. His appearance was not prepossessing nor--though he was
+a large man and somewhat florid as to his countenance--particularly
+striking, except for a general air of untidiness. His gown was slipping
+off one shoulder, his wig was perceptibly awry, and his pince-nez
+threatened every moment to drop from his nose.
+
+"The case that I have to present to you, my lord and gentlemen of the
+jury," he began in a clear, though unmusical voice, "is one the like of
+which is but too often met with in this court. It is one in which we
+shall see unbounded trust met by treacherous deceit, in which we shall
+see countless benefactions rewarded by the basest ingratitude, and in
+which we shall witness the deliberate renunciation of a life of
+honourable effort in favour of the tortuous and precarious ways of the
+criminal. The facts of the case are briefly as follows: The prosecutor
+in this case--most unwilling prosecutor, gentlemen--is Mr. John Hornby,
+who is a metallurgist and dealer in precious metals. Mr. Hornby has two
+nephews, the orphan sons of his two elder brothers, and I may tell you
+that since the decease of their parents he has acted the part of a
+father to both of them. One of these nephews is Mr. Walter Hornby, and
+the other is Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the bar. Both of these
+nephews were received by Mr. Hornby into his business with a view to
+their succeeding him when he should retire, and both, I need not say,
+occupied positions of trust and responsibility.
+
+"Now, on the evening of the ninth of March there was delivered to Mr.
+Hornby a parcel of rough diamonds of which one of his clients asked him
+to take charge pending their transfer to the brokers. I need not burden
+you with irrelevant details concerning this transaction. It will suffice
+to say that the diamonds, which were of the aggregate value of about
+thirty thousand pounds, were delivered to him, and the unopened package
+deposited by him in his safe, together with a slip of paper on which he
+had written in pencil a memorandum of the circumstances. This was on the
+evening of the ninth of March, as I have said. Having deposited the
+parcel, Mr. Hornby locked the safe, and shortly afterwards left the
+premises and went home, taking the keys with him.
+
+"On the following morning, when he unlocked the safe, he perceived with
+astonishment and dismay that the parcel of diamonds had vanished. The
+slip of paper, however, lay at the bottom of the safe, and on picking it
+up Mr. Hornby perceived that it bore a smear of blood, and in addition,
+the distinct impression of a human thumb. On this he closed and locked
+the safe and sent a note to the police station, in response to which a
+very intelligent officer--Inspector Sanderson--came and made a
+preliminary examination. I need not follow the case further, since the
+details will appear in the evidence, but I may tell you that, in effect,
+it has been made clear, beyond all doubt, that the thumb-print on that
+paper was the thumb-print of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+He paused to adjust his glasses, which were in the very act of falling
+from his nose, and hitch up his gown, while he took a leisurely survey
+of the jury, as though he were estimating their impressionability. At
+this moment I observed Walter Hornby enter the court and take up a
+position at the end of our bench nearest the door; and, immediately
+after, Superintendent Miller came in and seated himself on one of the
+benches opposite.
+
+"The first witness whom I shall call," said Sir Hector Trumpler, "is
+John Hornby."
+
+Mr. Hornby, looking wild and agitated, stepped into the witness-box, and
+the usher, having handed him the Testament, sang out--
+
+"The evidence you shall give to the court and jury sworn, between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar shall be the truth,
+the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+Mr. Hornby kissed the Book, and, casting a glance of unutterable misery
+at his nephew, turned towards the counsel.
+
+"Your name is John Hornby, is it not?" asked Sir Hector.
+
+"It is."
+
+"And you occupy premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+
+"Yes. I am a dealer in precious metals, but my business consists
+principally in the assaying of samples of ore and quartz and bars of
+silver and gold."
+
+"Do you remember what happened on the ninth of March last?"
+
+"Perfectly. My nephew Reuben--the prisoner--delivered to me a parcel of
+diamonds which he had received from the purser of the _Elmina Castle_,
+to whom I had sent him as my confidential agent. I had intended to
+deposit the diamonds with my banker, but when the prisoner arrived at my
+office, the banks were already closed, so I had to put the parcel, for
+the night, in my own safe. I may say that the prisoner was not in any
+way responsible for the delay."
+
+"You are not here to defend the prisoner," said Sir Hector. "Answer my
+questions and make no comments, if you please. Was anyone present when
+you placed the diamonds in the safe?"
+
+"No one was present but myself."
+
+"I did not ask if you were present when you put them in," said Sir
+Hector (whereupon the spectators sniggered and the judge smiled
+indulgently). "What else did you do?"
+
+"I wrote in pencil on a leaf of my pocket memorandum block, 'Handed in
+by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01,' and initialled it. Then I tore the leaf
+from the block and laid it on the parcel, after which I closed the safe
+and locked it."
+
+"How soon did you leave the premises after this?"
+
+"Almost immediately. The prisoner was waiting for me in the outer
+office--"
+
+"Never mind where the prisoner was; confine your answers to what is
+asked. Did you take the keys with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"When did you next open the safe?"
+
+"On the following morning at ten o'clock."
+
+"Was the safe locked or unlocked when you arrived?"
+
+"It was locked. I unlocked it."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual about the safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Had the keys left your custody in the interval?"
+
+"No. They were attached to a key-chain, which I always wear."
+
+"Are there any duplicates of those keys?--the keys of the safe, I mean."
+
+"No, there are no duplicates."
+
+"Have the keys ever gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Yes. If I have had to be absent from the office for a considerable
+time, it has been my custom to hand the keys to one of my nephews,
+whichever has happened to be in charge at the time."
+
+"And never to any other person?"
+
+"Never to any other person."
+
+"What did you observe when you opened the safe?"
+
+"I observed that the parcel of diamonds had disappeared."
+
+"Did you notice anything else?"
+
+"Yes. I found the leaf from my memorandum block lying at the bottom of
+the safe. I picked it up and turned it over, and then saw that there
+were smears of blood on it and what looked like the print of a thumb in
+blood. The thumb-mark was on the under-surface, as the paper lay at the
+bottom of the safe."
+
+"What did you do next?"
+
+"I closed and locked the safe, and sent a note to the police station
+saying that a robbery had been committed on my premises."
+
+"You have known the prisoner several years, I believe?"
+
+"Yes; I have known him all his life. He is my eldest brother's son."
+
+"Then you can tell us, no doubt, whether he is left-handed or
+right-handed?"
+
+"I should say he was ambidextrous, but he uses his left hand by
+preference."
+
+"A fine distinction, Mr. Hornby; a very fine distinction. Now tell me,
+did you ascertain beyond all doubt that the diamonds were really gone?"
+
+"Yes; I examined the safe thoroughly, first by myself and afterwards
+with the police. There was no doubt that the diamonds had really gone."
+
+"When the detective suggested that you should have the thumb-prints of
+your two nephews taken, did you refuse?"
+
+"I refused."
+
+"Why did you refuse?"
+
+"Because I did not choose to subject my nephews to the indignity.
+Besides, I had no power to make them submit to the proceeding."
+
+"Had you any suspicions of either of them?"
+
+"I had no suspicions of anyone."
+
+"Kindly examine this piece of paper, Mr. Hornby," said Sir Hector,
+passing across a small oblong slip, "and tell us if you recognise it."
+
+Mr. Hornby glanced at the paper for a moment, and then said--
+
+"This is the memorandum slip that I found lying at the bottom of the
+safe."
+
+"How do you identify it?"
+
+"By the writing on it, which is in my own hand, and bears my initials."
+
+"Is it the memorandum that you placed on the parcel of diamonds?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Was there any thumb-mark or blood-smear on it when you placed it in the
+safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Was it possible that there could have been any such marks?"
+
+"Quite impossible. I tore it from my memorandum block at the time I
+wrote upon it."
+
+"Very well." Sir Hector Trumpler sat down, and Mr. Anstey stood up to
+cross-examine the witness.
+
+"You have told us, Mr. Hornby," said he, "that you have known the
+prisoner all his life. Now what estimate have you formed of his
+character?"
+
+"I have always regarded him as a young man of the highest
+character--honourable, truthful, and in every way trustworthy. I have
+never, in all my experience of him, known him to deviate a
+hair's-breadth from the strictest honour and honesty of conduct."
+
+"You regarded him as a man of irreproachable character. Is that so?"
+
+"That is so; and my opinion of him is unchanged."
+
+"Has he, to your knowledge, any expensive or extravagant habits?"
+
+"No. His habits are simple and rather thrifty."
+
+"Have you ever known him to bet, gamble, or speculate?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Has he ever seemed to be in want of money?"
+
+"No. He has a small private income, apart from his salary, which I know
+he does not spend, since I have occasionally employed my broker to
+invest his savings."
+
+"Apart from the thumb-print which was found in the safe, are you aware
+of any circumstances that would lead you to suspect the prisoner of
+having stolen the diamonds?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the
+perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.
+
+"Inspector Sanderson!"
+
+The dapper police officer stepped briskly into the box, and having been
+duly sworn, faced the prosecuting counsel with the air of a man who was
+prepared for any contingency.
+
+"Do you remember," said Sir Hector, after the usual preliminaries had
+been gone through, "what occurred on the morning of the tenth of March?"
+
+"Yes. A note was handed to me at the station at 10.23 a.m. It was from
+Mr. John Hornby, and stated that a robbery had occurred at his premises
+in St. Mary Axe. I went to the premises and arrived there at 10.31 a.m.
+There I saw the prosecutor, Mr. John Hornby, who told me that a parcel
+of diamonds had been stolen from the safe. At his request I examined the
+safe. There were no signs of its having been forced open; the locks
+seemed to be quite uninjured and in good order. Inside the safe, on the
+bottom, I found two good-sized drops of blood, and a slip of paper with
+pencil-writing on it. The paper bore two blood-smears and a print of a
+human thumb in blood."
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the counsel, passing a small slip across to
+the witness.
+
+"Yes," replied the inspector, after a brief glance at the document.
+
+"What did you do next?"  "I sent a message to Scotland Yard acquainting
+the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department with the facts, and
+then went back to the station. I had no further connection with the
+case."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the judge glanced at Anstey.
+
+"You tell us," said the latter, rising, "that you observed two
+good-sized drops of blood on the bottom of the safe. Did you notice the
+condition of the blood, whether moist or dry?"
+
+"The blood looked moist, but I did not touch it. I left it undisturbed
+for the detective officers to examine."
+
+The next witness called was Sergeant Bates, of the Criminal
+Investigation Department. He stepped into the box with the same ready,
+business-like air as the other officer, and, having been sworn,
+proceeded to give his evidence with a fluency that suggested careful
+preparation, holding an open notebook in his hand but making no
+references to it.
+
+"On the tenth of March, at 12.8 p.m., I received instructions to proceed
+to St. Mary Axe to inquire into a robbery that had taken place there.
+Inspector Sanderson's report was handed to me, and I read it in the cab
+on my way to the premises. On arriving at the premises at 12.30 p.m., I
+examined the safe carefully. It was quite uninjured, and there were no
+marks of any kind upon it. I tested the locks and found them perfect;
+there were no marks or indications of any picklock having been used. On
+the bottom of the inside I observed two rather large drops of a dark
+fluid. I took up some of the fluid on a piece of paper and found it to
+be blood. I also found, in the bottom of the safe, the burnt head of a
+wax match, and, on searching the floor of the office, I found, close by
+the safe, a used wax match from which the head had fallen. I also found
+a slip of paper which appeared to have been torn from a perforated
+block. On it was written in pencil, 'Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m.
+9.3.01. J.H.' There were two smears of blood on the paper and the
+impression of a human thumb in blood. I took possession of the paper in
+order that it might be examined by the experts. I inspected the office
+doors and the outer door of the premises, but found no signs of forcible
+entrance on any of them. I questioned the housekeeper, but obtained no
+information from him. I then returned to headquarters, made my report
+and handed the paper with the marks on it to the Superintendent."
+
+"Is this the paper that you found in the safe?" asked the counsel, once
+more handing the leaflet across.
+
+"Yes; this is the paper."
+
+"What happened next?"
+
+"The following afternoon I was sent for by Mr. Singleton, of the
+Finger-print Department. He informed me that he had gone through the
+files and had not been able to find any thumb-print resembling the one
+on the paper, and recommended me to endeavour to obtain prints of the
+thumbs of any persons who might have been concerned in the robbery. He
+also gave me an enlarged photograph of the thumb-print for reference if
+necessary. I accordingly went to St. Mary Axe and had an interview with
+Mr. Hornby, when I requested him to allow me to take prints of the
+thumbs of all the persons employed on the premises, including his two
+nephews. This he refused, saying that he distrusted finger-prints and
+that there was no suspicion of anyone on the premises. I asked if he
+would allow his nephews to furnish their thumb-prints privately, to
+which he replied, 'Certainly not.'"
+
+"Had you then any suspicion of either of the nephews?"
+
+"I thought they were both open to some suspicion. The safe had certainly
+been opened with false keys, and as they had both had the real keys in
+their possession it was possible that one of them might have taken
+impressions in wax and made counterfeit keys."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I called on Mr. Hornby several times and urged him, for the sake of his
+nephews' reputations, to sanction the taking of the thumb-prints; but he
+refused very positively and forbade them to submit, although I
+understood that they were both willing. It then occurred to me to try if
+I could get any help from Mrs. Hornby, and on the fifteenth of March I
+called at Mr. Hornby's private house and saw her. I explained to her
+what was wanted to clear her nephews from the suspicion that rested on
+them, and she then said that she could dispose of those suspicions at
+once, for she could show me the thumb-prints of the whole family: she
+had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"A 'Thumbograph'?" repeated the judge. "What is a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.
+
+"A 'Thumbograph,' my lord," said he, "is a book, like this, in which
+foolish people collect the thumb-prints of their more foolish
+acquaintances."
+
+He passed the volume up to the judge, who turned over the leaves
+curiously and then nodded to the witness.
+
+"Yes. She said she had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Then she fetched from a drawer a small red-covered book which she
+showed to me. It contained the thumb-prints of all the family and some
+of her friends."
+
+"Is this the book?" asked the judge, passing the volume down to the
+witness.
+
+The sergeant turned over the leaves until he came to one which he
+apparently recognised, and said--
+
+"Yes, m'lord; this is the book. Mrs. Hornby showed me the thumb-prints
+of various members of the family, and then found those of the two
+nephews. I compared them with the photograph that I had with me and
+discovered that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby was in
+every respect identical with the thumb-print shown in the photograph."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I asked Mrs. Hornby to lend me the 'Thumbograph' so that I might show
+it to the Chief of the Finger-print Department, to which she consented.
+I had not intended to tell her of my discovery, but, as I was leaving,
+Mr. Hornby arrived home, and when he heard of what had taken place, he
+asked me why I wanted the book, and then I told him. He was greatly
+astonished and horrified, and wished me to return the book at once. He
+proposed to let the whole matter drop and take the loss of the diamonds
+on himself; but I pointed out that this was impossible as it would
+practically amount to compounding a felony. Seeing that Mrs. Hornby was
+so distressed at the idea of her book being used in evidence against her
+nephew, I promised her that I would return it to her if I could obtain a
+thumb-print in any other way.
+
+"I then took the 'Thumbograph' to Scotland Yard and showed it to Mr.
+Singleton, who agreed that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby
+was in every respect identical with the thumb-print on the paper found
+in the safe. On this I applied for a warrant for the arrest of Reuben
+Hornby, which I executed on the following morning. I told the prisoner
+what I had promised Mrs. Hornby, and he then offered to allow me to take
+a print of his left thumb so that his aunt's book should not have to be
+used in evidence."
+
+"How is it, then," asked the judge, "that it has been put in evidence?"
+
+"It has been put in by the defence, my lord," said Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I see," said the judge. "'A hair of the dog that bit him.' The
+'Thumbograph' is to be applied as a remedy on the principle that
+_similia similibus curantur_. Well?"
+
+"When I arrested him, I administered the usual caution, and the prisoner
+then said, 'I am innocent. I know nothing about the robbery.'"
+
+The counsel for the prosecution sat down, and Anstey rose to
+cross-examine.
+
+"You have told us," said he, in his clear musical voice, "that you found
+at the bottom of the safe two rather large drops of a dark fluid which
+you considered to be blood. Now, what led you to believe that fluid to
+be blood?"
+
+"I took some of the fluid up on a piece of white paper, and it had the
+appearance and colour of blood."
+
+"Was it examined microscopically or otherwise?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge."
+
+"Was it quite liquid?"
+
+"Yes, I should say quite liquid."
+
+"What appearance had it on paper?"
+
+"It looked like a clear red liquid of the colour of blood, and was
+rather thick and sticky."
+
+Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the
+name of Francis Simmons, was called.
+
+"You are the housekeeper at Mr. Hornby's premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+asked Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual on the night of the ninth of March?"
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Did you make your usual rounds on that occasion?"
+
+"Yes. I went all over the premises several times during the night, and
+the rest of the time I was in a room over the private office."
+
+"Who arrived first on the morning of the tenth?"
+
+"Mr. Reuben. He arrived about twenty minutes before anybody else."
+
+"What part of the building did he go to?"
+
+"He went into the private office, which I opened for him. He remained
+there until a few minutes before Mr. Hornby arrived, when he went up to
+the laboratory."
+
+"Who came next?"
+
+"Mr. Hornby, and Mr. Walter came in just after him."
+
+The counsel sat down, and Anstey proceeded to cross-examine the witness.
+
+"Who was the last to leave the premises on the evening of the ninth?"
+
+"I am not sure."
+
+"Why are you not sure?"
+
+"I had to take a note and a parcel to a firm in Shoreditch. When I
+started, a clerk named Thomas Holker was in the outer office and Mr.
+Walter Hornby was in the private office. When I returned they had both
+gone."
+
+"Was the outer door locked?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Had Holker a key of the outer door?"
+
+"No. Mr. Hornby and his two nephews had each a key, and I have one. No
+one else had a key."
+
+"How long were you absent?"
+
+"About three-quarters of an hour."
+
+"Who gave you the note and the parcel?"
+
+"Mr. Walter Hornby."
+
+"When did he give them to you?"
+
+"He gave them to me just before I started, and told me to go at once for
+fear the place should be closed before I got there."
+
+"And was the place closed?"
+
+"Yes. It was all shut up, and everybody had gone."
+
+Anstey resumed his seat, the witness shuffled out of the box with an air
+of evident relief, and the usher called out, "Henry James Singleton."
+
+Mr. Singleton rose from his seat at the table by the solicitors for the
+prosecution and entered the box. Sir Hector adjusted his glasses, turned
+over a page of his brief, and cast a steady and impressive glance at the
+jury.
+
+"I believe, Mr. Singleton," he said at length, "that you are connected
+with the Finger-print Department at Scotland Yard?"
+
+"Yes. I am one of the chief assistants in that department."
+
+"What are your official duties?"
+
+"My principal occupation consists in the examination and comparison of
+the finger-prints of criminals and suspected persons. These
+finger-prints are classified by me according to their characters and
+arranged in files for reference."
+
+"I take it that you have examined a great number of finger-prints?"
+
+"I have examined many thousands of finger-prints, and have studied them
+closely for purposes of identification."
+
+"Kindly examine this paper, Mr. Singleton" (here the fatal leaflet was
+handed to him by the usher); "have you ever seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. It was handed to me for examination at my office on the tenth of
+March."
+
+"There is a mark upon it--the print of a finger or thumb. Can you tell
+us anything about that mark?"
+
+"It is the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at
+the bar."
+
+"You are quite sure of that?"
+
+"I am quite sure."
+
+"Do you swear that the mark upon that paper was made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Could it not have been made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No; it is impossible that it could have been made by any other person."
+
+At this moment I felt Juliet lay a trembling hand on mine, and, glancing
+at her, I saw that she was deathly pale. I took her hand in mine and,
+pressing it gently, whispered to her, "Have courage; there is nothing
+unexpected in this."
+
+"Thank you," she whispered in reply, with a faint smile; "I will try;
+but it is all so horribly unnerving."
+
+"You consider," Sir Hector proceeded, "that the identity of this
+thumb-print admits of no doubt?"  "It admits of no doubt whatever,"
+replied Mr. Singleton.
+
+"Can you explain to us, without being too technical, how you have
+arrived at such complete certainty?"
+
+"I myself took a print of the prisoner's thumb--having first obtained
+the prisoner's consent after warning him that the print would be used in
+evidence against him--and I compared that print with the mark on this
+paper. The comparison was made with the greatest care and by the most
+approved method, point by point and detail by detail, and the two prints
+were found to be identical in every respect.
+
+"Now it has been proved by exact calculations--which calculations I have
+personally verified---that the chance that the print of a single finger
+of any given person will be exactly like the print of the same finger of
+any other given person is as one to sixty-four thousand millions. That
+is to say that, since the number of the entire human race is about
+sixteen hundred millions, the chance is about one to four that the
+print of a single finger of any one person will be identical with that
+of the same finger of any other member of the human race.
+
+"It has been said by a great authority--and I entirely agree with the
+statement--that a complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two
+prints of a single finger affords evidence requiring no corroboration
+that the persons from whom they were made are the same.
+
+"Now, these calculations apply to the prints of ordinary and normal
+fingers or thumbs. But the thumb from which these prints were taken is
+not ordinary or normal. There is upon it a deep but clean linear
+scar--the scar of an old incised wound--and this scar passes across the
+pattern of the ridges, intersecting the latter at certain places and
+disturbing their continuity at others. Now this very characteristic scar
+is an additional feature, having a set of chances of its own. So that we
+have to consider not only the chance that the print of the prisoner's
+left thumb should be identical with the print of some other person's
+left thumb--which is as one to sixty-four thousand millions--but the
+further chance that these two identical thumb-prints should be traversed
+by the impression of a scar identical in size and appearance, and
+intersecting the ridges at exactly the same places and producing
+failures of continuity in the ridges of exactly the same character. But
+these two chances, multiplied into one another, yield an ultimate chance
+of about one to four thousand trillions that the prisoner's left thumb
+will exactly resemble the print of some other person's thumb, both as to
+the pattern and the scar which crosses the pattern; in other words such
+a coincidence is an utter impossibility."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler took off his glasses and looked long and steadily at
+the jury as though he should say, "Come, my friends; what do you think
+of that?" Then he sat down with a jerk and turned towards Anstey and
+Thorndyke with a look of triumph.
+
+"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
+seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Anstey.
+
+Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
+counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
+satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
+he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
+detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
+faintest shadow of a smile.
+
+"Herbert John Nash!"
+
+A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
+the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.
+
+"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
+believe, Mr. Nash?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"
+
+"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
+the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"I am certain that no mistake is possible."
+
+Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
+seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
+the margin of his brief.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
+in the ink.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."
+
+Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said--
+
+"I call witnesses, my lord."
+
+The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
+his brief introductory speech--
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
+Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
+the evidence of my witnesses without delay."
+
+There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
+broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
+quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
+whisper--
+
+"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
+can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
+lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."
+
+"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
+innocence as ever."
+
+"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some means of proving
+his innocence."
+
+"Yes. I suppose so," she rejoined in a dejected whisper. "At any rate we
+shall soon know now."
+
+At this moment the usher's voice was heard calling out the name of the
+first witness for the defence.
+
+"Edmund Horford Rowe!"
+
+A keen-looking, grey-haired man, with a shaven face and close-cut
+side-whiskers, stepped into the box and was sworn in due form.
+
+"You are a doctor of medicine, I believe," said Anstey, addressing the
+witness, "and lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the South London
+Hospital?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you had occasion to study the properties of blood?"
+
+"Yes. The properties of blood are of great importance from a
+medico-legal point of view."
+
+"Can you tell us what happens when a drop of blood--say from a cut
+finger--falls upon a surface such as the bottom of an iron safe?"
+
+"A drop of blood from a living body falling upon any non-absorbent
+surface will, in the course of a few minutes, solidify into a jelly
+which will, at first, have the same bulk and colour as the liquid
+blood."
+
+"Will it undergo any further change?"
+
+"Yes. In a few minutes more the jelly will begin to shrink and become
+more solid so that the blood will become separated into two parts, the
+solid and the liquid. The solid part will consist of a firm, tough jelly
+of a deep red colour, and the liquid part will consist of a pale yellow,
+clear, watery liquid."
+
+"At the end, say, of two hours, what will be the condition of the drop
+of blood?"
+
+"It will consist of a drop of clear, nearly colourless liquid, in the
+middle of which will be a small, tough, red clot."
+
+"Supposing such a drop to be taken up on a piece of white paper, what
+would be its appearance?"
+
+"The paper would be wetted by the colourless liquid, and the solid clot
+would probably adhere to the paper in a mass."
+
+"Would the blood on the paper appear as a clear, red liquid?"
+
+"Certainly not. The liquid would appear like water, and the clot would
+appear as a solid mass sticking to the paper."
+
+"Does blood always behave in the way you have described?"
+
+"Always, unless some artificial means are taken to prevent it from
+clotting."
+
+"By what means can blood be prevented from clotting or solidifying?"
+
+"There are two principal methods. One is to stir or whip the fresh blood
+rapidly with a bundle of fine twigs. When this is done, the fibrin--the
+part of the blood that causes solidification--adheres to the twigs, and
+the blood that remains, though it is unchanged in appearance, will
+remain liquid for an indefinite time. The other method is to dissolve a
+certain proportion of some alkaline salt in the fresh blood, after which
+it no longer has any tendency to solidify."
+
+"You have heard the evidence of Inspector Sanderson and Sergeant Bates?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Inspector Sanderson has told us that he examined the safe at 10.31 a.m.
+and found two good-sized drops of blood on the bottom. Sergeant Bates
+has told us that he examined the safe two hours later, and that he took
+up one of the drops of blood on a piece of white paper. The blood was
+then quite liquid, and, on the paper, it looked like a clear, red liquid
+of the colour of blood. What should you consider the condition and
+nature of that blood to have been?"
+
+"If it was really blood at all, I should say that it was either
+defibrinated blood--that is, blood from which the fibrin has been
+extracted by whipping--or that it had been treated with an alkaline
+salt."
+
+"You are of opinion that the blood found in the safe could not have been
+ordinary blood shed from a cut or wound?"
+
+"I am sure it could not have been."
+
+"Now, Dr. Rowe, I am going to ask you a few questions on another
+subject. Have you given any attention to finger-prints made by bloody
+fingers?"
+
+"Yes. I have recently made some experiments on the subject."
+
+"Will you give us the results of those experiments?"
+
+"My object was to ascertain whether fingers wet with fresh blood would
+yield distinct and characteristic prints. I made a great number of
+trials, and as a result found that it is extremely difficult to obtain a
+clear print when the finger is wetted with fresh blood. The usual result
+is a mere red blot showing no ridge pattern at all, owing to the blood
+filling the furrows between the ridges. But if the blood is allowed to
+dry almost completely on the finger, a very clear print is obtained."
+
+"Is it possible to recognise a print that has been made by a nearly dry
+finger?"
+
+"Yes; quite easily. The half-dried blood is nearly solid and adheres to
+the paper in a different way from the liquid, and it shows minute
+details, such as the mouths of the sweat glands, which are always
+obliterated by the liquid."
+
+"Look carefully at this paper, which was found in the safe, and tell me
+what you see."
+
+The witness took the paper and examined it attentively, first with the
+naked eye and then with a pocket-lens.
+
+"I see," said he, "two blood-marks and a print, apparently of a thumb.
+Of the two marks, one is a blot, smeared slightly by a finger or thumb;
+the other is a smear only. Both were evidently produced with quite
+liquid blood. The thumb-print was also made with liquid blood."
+
+"You are quite sure that the thumb-print was made with liquid blood?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"Is there anything unusual about the thumb-print?"
+
+"Yes. It is extraordinarily clear and distinct. I have made a great
+number of trials and have endeavoured to obtain the clearest prints
+possible with fresh blood; but none of my prints are nearly as distinct
+as this one."
+
+Here the witness produced a number of sheets of paper, each of which was
+covered with the prints of bloody fingers, and compared them with the
+memorandum slip.
+
+The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat
+down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression
+on his face, to cross-examine.
+
+"You say that the blood found in the safe was defibrinated or
+artificially treated. What inference do you draw from that fact?"
+
+"I infer that it was not dropped from a bleeding wound."
+
+"Can you form any idea how such blood should have got into the safe?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+"You say that the thumb-print is a remarkably distinct one. What
+conclusion do you draw from that?"
+
+"I do not draw any conclusion. I cannot account for its distinctness at
+all."
+
+The learned counsel sat down with rather a baffled air, and I observed a
+faint smile spread over the countenance of my colleague.
+
+"Arabella Hornby."
+
+A muffled whimpering from my neighbour on the left hand was accompanied
+by a wild rustling of silk. Glancing at Mrs. Hornby, I saw her stagger
+from the bench, shaking like a jelly, mopping her eyes with her
+handkerchief and grasping her open purse. She entered the witness-box,
+and, having gazed wildly round the court, began to search the
+multitudinous compartments of her purse.
+
+"The evidence you shall give," sang out the usher--whereat Mrs. Hornby
+paused in her search and stared at him apprehensively--"to the court and
+jury sworn, between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the
+bar shall be the truth,--"
+
+"Certainly," said Mrs. Hornby stiffly, "I--"
+
+"--the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+He held out the Testament, which she took from him with a trembling hand
+and forthwith dropped with a resounding bang on to the floor of the
+witness-box, diving after it with such precipitancy that her bonnet
+jammed violently against the rail of the box.
+
+She disappeared from view for a moment, and then rose from the depths
+with a purple face and her bonnet flattened and cocked over one ear like
+an artillery-man's forage cap.
+
+"Kiss the Book, if you please," said the usher, suppressing a grin by an
+heroic effort, as Mrs. Hornby, encumbered by her purse, her handkerchief
+and the Testament, struggled to unfasten her bonnet-strings. She clawed
+frantically at her bonnet, and, having dusted the Testament with her
+handkerchief, kissed it tenderly and laid it on the rail of the box,
+whence it fell instantly on to the floor of the court.
+
+"I am really very sorry!" exclaimed Mrs. Hornby, leaning over the rail
+to address the usher as he stooped to pick up the Book, and discharging
+on to his back a stream of coins, buttons and folded bills from her open
+purse; "you will think me very awkward, I'm afraid."
+
+She mopped her face and replaced her bonnet rakishly on one side, as
+Anstey rose and passed a small red book across to her.
+
+"Kindly look at that book, Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"I'd rather not," said she, with a gesture of repugnance. "It is
+associated with matters of so extremely disagreeable a character--"
+
+"Do you recognise it?"
+
+"Do I recognise it! How can you ask me such a question when you must
+know--"
+
+"Answer the question," interposed the judge. "Do you or do you not
+recognise the book in your hand?"
+
+"Of course I recognise it. How could I fail to--"
+
+"Then say so," said the judge.
+
+"I have said so," retorted Mrs. Hornby indignantly.
+
+The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued--"It is called a
+'Thumbograph,' I believe."
+
+"Yes: the name 'Thumbograph' is printed on the cover, so I suppose that
+is what it is called."
+
+"Will you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?"
+
+For one moment Mrs. Hornby stared wildly at her interrogator; then she
+snatched a paper from her purse, unfolded it, gazed at it with an
+expression of dismay, and crumpled it up in the palm of her hand.
+
+"You are asked a question," said the judge.
+
+"Oh! yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "The Committee of the Society--no, that is
+the wrong one--I mean Walter, you know--at least--"
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.
+
+"You were speaking of the committee of some society," interposed the
+judge. "What society were you referring to?"
+
+Mrs. Hornby spread out the paper and, after a glance at it, replied--
+
+"The Society of Paralysed Idiots, your worship," whereat a rumble of
+suppressed laughter arose from the gallery.
+
+"But what has that society to do with the 'Thumbograph'?" inquired the
+judge.
+
+"Nothing, your worship. Nothing at all."
+
+"Then why did you refer to it?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," said Mrs. Hornby, wiping her eyes with the
+paper and then hastily exchanging it for her handkerchief.
+
+The judge took off his glasses and gazed at Mrs. Hornby with an
+expression of bewilderment. Then he turned to the counsel and said in a
+weary voice--"Proceed, if you please, Mr. Anstey."
+
+"Can you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?" said the latter in persuasive accents.
+
+"I thought it was Walter, and so did my niece, but Walter says it was
+not, and he ought to know, being young and having a most excellent
+memory, as I had myself when I was his age, and really, you know, it
+can't possibly matter where I got the thing--"
+
+"But it does matter," interrupted Anstey. "We wish particularly to
+know."
+
+"If you mean that you wish to get one like it--"
+
+"We do not," said Anstey. "We wish to know how that particular
+'Thumbograph' came into your possession. Did you, for instance, buy it
+yourself, or was it given to you by someone?"
+
+"Walter says I bought it myself, but I thought he gave it to me, but he
+says he did not, and you see--"
+
+"Never mind what Walter says. What is your own impression?"
+
+"Why I still think that he gave it to me, though, of course, seeing that
+my memory is not what it was--"
+
+"You think that Walter gave it to you?"
+
+"Yes, in fact I feel sure he did, and so does my niece."
+
+"Walter is your nephew, Walter Hornby?"
+
+"Yes, of course. I thought you knew."
+
+"Can you recall the occasion on which the 'Thumbograph' was given to
+you?"
+
+"Oh yes, quite distinctly. We had some people to dinner--some people
+named Colley--not the Dorsetshire Colleys, you know, although they are
+exceedingly nice people, as I have no doubt the other Colleys are, too,
+when you know them, but we don't. Well, after dinner we were a little
+dull and rather at a loss, because Juliet, my niece, you know, had cut
+her finger and couldn't play the piano excepting with the left hand, and
+that is so monotonous as well as fatiguing, and the Colleys are not
+musical, excepting Adolphus, who plays the trombone, but he hadn't got
+it with him, and then, fortunately, Walter came in and brought the
+'Thumbograph' and took all our thumb-prints and his own as well, and we
+were very much amused, and Matilda Colley--that is the eldest daughter
+but one--said that Reuben jogged her elbow, but that was only an
+excuse--"
+
+"Exactly," interrupted Anstey. "And you recollect quite clearly that
+your nephew Walter gave you the 'Thumbograph' on that occasion?"
+
+"Oh, distinctly; though, you know, he is really my husband's nephew--"
+
+"Yes. And you are sure that he took the thumb-prints?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"And you are sure that you never saw the 'Thumbograph' before that?"
+
+"Never. How could I? He hadn't brought it."
+
+"Have you ever lent the 'Thumbograph' to anyone?"
+
+"No, never. No one has ever wanted to borrow it, because, you see--"
+
+"Has it never, at any time, gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that; in fact, I have often thought, though I hate
+suspecting people, and I really don't suspect anybody in particular, you
+know, but it certainly was very peculiar and I can't explain it in any
+other way. You see, I kept the 'Thumbograph' in a drawer in my writing
+table, and in the same drawer I used to keep my handkerchief-bag--in
+fact I do still, and it is there at this very moment, for in my hurry
+and agitation, I forgot about it until we were in the cab, and then it
+was too late, because Mr. Lawley--"
+
+"Yes. You kept it in a drawer with your handkerchief-bag."
+
+"That was what I said. Well, when Mr. Hornby was staying at Brighton he
+wrote to ask me to go down for a week and bring Juliet--Miss Gibson, you
+know--with me. So we went, and, just as we were starting, I sent Juliet
+to fetch my handkerchief-bag from the drawer, and I said to her,
+'Perhaps we might take the thumb-book with us; it might come in useful
+on a wet day.' So she went, and presently she came back and said that
+the 'Thumbograph' was not in the drawer. Well, I was so surprised that I
+went back with her and looked myself, and sure enough the drawer was
+empty. Well, I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came
+home again, as soon as we got out of the cab, I gave Juliet my
+handkerchief-bag to put away, and presently she came running to me in a
+great state of excitement. 'Why, Auntie,' she said,' the "Thumbograph"
+is in the drawer; somebody must have been meddling with your writing
+table.' I went with her to the drawer, and there, sure enough, was the
+'Thumbograph.' Somebody must have taken it out and put it back while we
+were away."
+
+"Who could have had access to your writing table?"
+
+"Oh, anybody, because, you see, the drawers were never locked. We
+thought it must have been one of the servants."
+
+"Had anyone been to the house during your absence?"
+
+"No. Nobody, except, of course, my two nephews; and neither of them had
+touched it, because we asked them, and they both said they had not."
+
+"Thank you." Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another
+correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when
+Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.
+
+"You made some reference," said he, "to a society--the Society of
+Paralysed Idiots, I think, whatever that may be. Now what caused you to
+make that reference?"
+
+"It was a mistake; I was thinking of something else."
+
+"I know it was a mistake. You referred to a paper that was in your
+hand."
+
+"I did not refer to it, I merely looked at it. It is a letter from the
+Society of Paralysed Idiots. It is nothing to do with me really, you
+know; I don't belong to the society, or anything of that sort."
+
+"Did you mistake that paper for some other paper?"
+
+"Yes, I took it for a paper with some notes on it to assist my memory."
+
+"What kind of notes?"
+
+"Oh, just the questions I was likely to be asked."
+
+"Were the answers that you were to give to those questions also written
+on the paper?"
+
+"Of course they were. The questions would not have been any use without
+the answers."
+
+"Have you been asked the questions that were written on the paper?"
+
+"Yes; at least, some of them."
+
+"Have you given the answers that were written down?"
+
+"I don't think I have--in fact, I am sure I haven't, because, you see--"
+
+"Ah! you don't think you have." Sir Hector Trumpler smiled significantly
+at the jury, and continued--
+
+"Now who wrote down those questions and answers?"
+
+"My nephew, Walter Hornby. He thought, you know--"
+
+"Never mind what he thought. Who advised or instructed him to write them
+down?"
+
+"Nobody. It was entirely his own idea, and very thoughtful of him, too,
+though Dr. Jervis took the paper away from me and said I must rely on my
+memory."
+
+Sir Hector was evidently rather taken aback by this answer, and sat down
+suddenly, with a distinctly chapfallen air.
+
+"Where is this paper on which the questions and answers are written?"
+asked the judge. In anticipation of this inquiry I had already handed it
+to Thorndyke, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
+on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
+Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
+passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
+that he had written "X = W.H."
+
+As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
+glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
+strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
+his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.
+
+"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
+whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
+compare it with his notes.
+
+"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
+making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
+with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."
+
+There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
+court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
+usher called out--
+
+"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"
+
+"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
+to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"
+
+"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
+Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
+the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
+"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."
+
+"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
+the worst very soon now, at any rate."
+
+"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
+defence really is."
+
+"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
+and I--though not ordinarily a religious man--murmured "Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+
+As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
+unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
+what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
+the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
+attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
+now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
+had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
+flowing gown or awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
+court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
+looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
+at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
+distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
+massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
+the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
+it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
+of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
+and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.
+
+"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
+believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.
+
+"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."
+
+"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"
+
+"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."
+
+"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
+safe?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
+treated--probably by defibrination."
+
+"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I can."
+
+"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
+on the paper that was found in the safe?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"
+
+"Yes. A great deal of attention."
+
+"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
+Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."
+
+"Did you examine it thoroughly?"
+
+"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
+their permission, I took several photographs of it."
+
+"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"
+
+"There is."
+
+"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
+the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree to that statement?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."
+
+"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."
+
+At this statement the judge paused for a moment, pen in hand, and stared
+at Thorndyke with his mouth slightly open, while the two experts looked
+at one another with raised eyebrows.
+
+"By what means do you consider that the mark was produced?"
+
+"By means of a stamp, either of indiarubber or, more probably, of
+chromicized gelatine."
+
+Here Polton, who had been, by degrees, rising to an erect posture, smote
+his thigh a resounding thwack and chuckled aloud, a proceeding that
+caused all eyes, including those of the judge, to be turned on him.
+
+"If that noise is repeated," said the judge, with a stony stare at the
+horrified offender--who had shrunk into the very smallest space that I
+have ever seen a human being occupy--"I shall cause the person who made
+it to be removed from the court."
+
+"I understand, then," pursued Anstey, "that you consider the
+thumb-print, which has been sworn to as the prisoner's, to be a
+forgery?"
+
+"Yes. It is a forgery."
+
+"But is it possible to forge a thumb-print or a finger-print?"
+
+"It is not only possible, but quite easy to do."
+
+"As easy as to forge a signature, for instance?"  "Much more so, and
+infinitely more secure. A signature, being written with a pen, requires
+that the forgery should also be written with a pen, a process demanding
+very special skill and, after all, never resulting in an absolute
+_facsimile_. But a finger-print is a stamped impression--the finger-tip
+being the stamp; and it is only necessary to obtain a stamp identical in
+character with the finger-tip, in order to produce an impression which
+is an absolute _facsimile_, in every respect, of the original, and
+totally indistinguishable from it."
+
+"Would there be no means at all of detecting the difference between a
+forged finger-print and the genuine original?"
+
+"None whatever; for the reason that there would be no difference to
+detect."
+
+"But you have stated, quite positively, that the thumb-print on this
+paper is a forgery. Now, if the forged print is indistinguishable from
+the original, how are you able to be certain that this particular print
+is a forgery?"
+
+"I was speaking of what is possible with due care, but, obviously, a
+forger might, through inadvertence, fail to produce an absolute
+_facsimile_ and then detection would be possible. That is what has
+happened in the present case. The forged print is not an absolute
+_facsimile_ of the true print. There is a slight discrepancy. But, in
+addition to this, the paper bears intrinsic evidence that the
+thumb-print on it is a forgery."  "We will consider that evidence
+presently, Dr. Thorndyke. To return to the possibility of forging a
+finger-print, can you explain to us, without being too technical, by
+what methods it would be possible to produce such a stamp as you have
+referred to?"
+
+"There are two principal methods that suggest themselves to me. The
+first, which is rather crude though easy to carry out, consists in
+taking an actual cast of the end of the finger. A mould would be made by
+pressing the finger into some plastic material, such as fine modelling
+clay or hot sealing wax, and then, by pouring a warm solution of
+gelatine into the mould, and allowing it to cool and solidify, a cast
+would be produced which would yield very perfect finger-prints. But this
+method would, as a rule, be useless for the purpose of the forger, as it
+could not, ordinarily, be carried out without the knowledge of the
+victim; though in the case of dead bodies and persons asleep or
+unconscious or under an anaesthetic, it could be practised with success,
+and would offer the advantage of requiring practically no technical
+skill or knowledge and no special appliances. The second method, which
+is much more efficient, and is the one, I have no doubt, that has been
+used in the present instance, requires more knowledge and skill.
+
+"In the first place it is necessary to obtain possession of, or access
+to, a genuine finger-print. Of this finger-print a photograph is taken,
+or rather, a photographic negative, which for this purpose requires to
+be taken on a reversed plate, and the negative is put into a special
+printing frame, with a plate of gelatine which has been treated with
+potassium bichromate, and the frame is exposed to light.
+
+"Now gelatine treated in this way--chromicized gelatine, as it is
+called--has a very peculiar property. Ordinary gelatine, as is well
+known, is easily dissolved in hot water, and chromicized gelatine is
+also soluble in hot water as long as it is not exposed to light; but on
+being exposed to light, it undergoes a change and is no longer capable
+of being dissolved in hot water. Now the plate of chromicized gelatine
+under the negative is protected from the light by the opaque parts of
+the negative, whereas the light passes freely through the transparent
+parts; but the transparent parts of the negative correspond to the black
+marks on the finger-print, and these correspond to the ridges on the
+finger. Hence it follows that the gelatine plate is acted upon by light
+only on the parts corresponding to the ridges; and in these parts the
+gelatine is rendered insoluble, while all the rest of the gelatine is
+soluble. The gelatine plate, which is cemented to a thin plate of metal
+for support, is now carefully washed with hot water, by which the
+soluble part of the gelatine is dissolved away leaving the insoluble
+part (corresponding to the ridges) standing up from the surface. Thus
+there is produced a _facsimile_ in relief of the finger-print having
+actual ridges and furrows identical in character with the ridges and
+furrows of the finger-tip. If an inked roller is passed over this
+relief, or if the relief is pressed lightly on an inked slab, and then
+pressed on a sheet of paper, a finger-print will be produced which will
+be absolutely identical with the original, even to the little white
+spots which mark the orifices of the sweat glands. It will be impossible
+to discover any difference between the real finger-print and the
+counterfeit because, in fact, no difference exists."
+
+"But surely the process you have described is a very difficult and
+intricate one?"
+
+"Not at all; it is very little more difficult than ordinary carbon
+printing, which is practised successfully by numbers of amateurs.
+Moreover, such a relief as I have described--which is practically
+nothing more than an ordinary process block--could be produced by any
+photo-engraver. The process that I have described is, in all essentials,
+that which is used in the reproduction of pen-and-ink drawings, and any
+of the hundreds of workmen who are employed in that industry could make
+a relief-block of a finger-print, with which an undetectable forgery
+could be executed."
+
+"You have asserted that the counterfeit finger-print could not be
+distinguished from the original. Are you prepared to furnish proof that
+this is the case?"
+
+"Yes. I am prepared to execute a counterfeit of the prisoner's
+thumb-print in the presence of the Court."
+
+"And do you say that such a counterfeit would be indistinguishable from
+the original, even by the experts?"
+
+"I do."
+
+Anstey turned towards the judge. "Would your lordship give your
+permission for a demonstration such as the witness proposes?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the judge. "The evidence is highly material. How do
+you propose that the comparison should be made?" he added, addressing
+Thorndyke.
+
+"I have brought, for the purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
+sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
+propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
+thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
+propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
+Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."
+
+"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
+objection to offer, Sir Hector?"
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
+sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
+enthusiasm--
+
+"We have no objection to offer, my lord."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
+from the court while the prints are being made."
+
+In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
+and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
+small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.
+
+"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
+two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
+your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."
+
+"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
+for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
+the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
+jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."
+
+In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
+dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.
+
+"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
+your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
+lordship."
+
+He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
+the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
+gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
+delight.
+
+The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
+the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
+table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
+were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
+"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
+twinkle of amusement and triumph.
+
+"Are those all stamps?" inquired the judge, glancing curiously at the
+array of turned-wood handles.
+
+"They are all stamps, my lord," replied Thorndyke, "and each is taken
+from a different impression of the prisoner's thumb."
+
+"But why so many?" asked the judge.
+
+"I have multiplied them," answered Thorndyke, as he squeezed out a drop
+of finger-print ink on to the slab and proceeded to roll it out into a
+thin film, "to avoid the tell-tale uniformity of a single stamp. And I
+may say," he added, "that it is highly important that the experts should
+not be informed that more than one stamp has been used."
+
+"Yes, I see that," said the judge. "You understand that, Sir Hector," he
+added, addressing the counsel, who bowed stiffly, clearly regarding the
+entire proceeding with extreme disfavour.
+
+Thorndyke now inked one of the stamps and handed it to the judge, who
+examined it curiously and then pressed it on a piece of waste paper, on
+which there immediately appeared a very distinct impression of a human
+thumb.  "Marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Most ingenious! Too ingenious!" He
+chuckled softly and added, as he handed the stamp and the paper to the
+foreman of the jury: "It is well, Dr. Thorndyke, that you are on the
+side of law and order, for I am afraid that, if you were on the other
+side, you would be one too many for the police. Now, if you are ready,
+we will proceed. Will you, please, stamp an impression in square number
+three."
+
+Thorndyke drew a stamp from its compartment, inked it on the slab, and
+pressed it neatly on the square indicated, leaving there a sharp, clear
+thumb-print.
+
+The process was repeated on nine other squares, a different stamp being
+used for each impression. The judge then marked the ten corresponding
+squares of the other two sheets of paper, and having checked them,
+directed the foreman to exhibit the sheet bearing the false thumb-prints
+to the jury, together with the marked sheet which they were to retain,
+to enable them to check the statements of the expert witnesses. When
+this was done, the prisoner was brought from the dock and stood beside
+the table. The judge looked with a curious and not unkindly interest at
+the handsome, manly fellow who stood charged with a crime so sordid and
+out of character with his appearance, and I felt, as I noted the look,
+that Reuben would, at least, be tried fairly on the evidence, without
+prejudice or even with some prepossession in his favour.
+
+With the remaining part of the operation Thorndyke proceeded carefully
+and deliberately. The inking-slab was rolled afresh for each impression,
+and, after each, the thumb was cleansed with petrol and thoroughly
+dried; and when the process was completed and the prisoner led back to
+the dock, the twenty squares on the paper were occupied by twenty
+thumb-prints, which, to my eye, at any rate, were identical in
+character.
+
+The judge sat for near upon a minute poring over this singular document
+with an expression half-way between a frown and a smile. At length, when
+we had all returned to our places, he directed the usher to bring in the
+witnesses.
+
+I was amused to observe the change that had come over the experts in the
+short interval. The confident smile, the triumphant air of laying down a
+trump card, had vanished, and the expression of both was one of anxiety,
+not unmixed with apprehension. As Mr. Singleton advanced hesitatingly to
+the table, I recalled the words that he had uttered in his room at
+Scotland Yard; evidently his scheme of the game that was to end in an
+easy checkmate, had not included the move that had just been made.
+
+"Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "here is a paper on which there are
+twenty thumb-prints. Ten of them are genuine prints of the prisoner's
+left thumb and ten are forgeries. Please examine them and note down in
+writing which are the true prints and which are the forgeries. When you
+have made your notes the paper will be handed to Mr. Nash."
+
+"Is there any objection to my using the photograph that I have with me
+for comparison, my lord?" asked Mr. Singleton.
+
+"I think not," replied the judge. "What do you say, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.
+
+Mr. Singleton accordingly drew from his pocket an enlarged photograph of
+the thumb-print and a magnifying glass, with the aid of which he
+explored the bewildering array of prints on the paper before him; and as
+he proceeded I remarked with satisfaction that his expression became
+more and more dubious and worried. From time to time he made an entry on
+a memorandum slip beside him, and, as the entries accumulated, his frown
+grew deeper and his aspect more puzzled and gloomy.
+
+At length he sat up, and taking the memorandum slip in his hand,
+addressed the judge.
+
+"I have finished my examination, my lord."
+
+"Very well. Mr. Nash, will you kindly examine the paper and write down
+the results of your examination?"
+
+"Oh! I wish they would make haste," whispered Juliet. "Do you think they
+will be able to tell the real from the false thumb-prints?"
+
+"I can't say," I replied; "but we shall soon know. They looked all alike
+to me."
+
+Mr. Nash made his examination with exasperating deliberateness, and
+preserved throughout an air of stolid attention; but at length he, too,
+completed his notes and handed the paper back to the usher.
+
+"Now, Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "let us hear your conclusions. You
+have been sworn."
+
+Mr. Singleton stepped into the witness-box, and, laying his notes on the
+ledge, faced the judge.
+
+"Have you examined the paper that was handed to you?" asked Sir Hector
+Trumpler.
+
+"I have."
+
+"What did you see on the paper?"
+
+"I saw twenty thumb-prints, of which some were evident forgeries, some
+were evidently genuine, and some were doubtful."
+
+"Taking the thumb-prints _seriatim_, what have you noted about them?"
+
+Mr. Singleton examined his notes and replied--"The thumb-print on square
+one is evidently a forgery, as is also number two, though it is a
+passable imitation. Three and four are genuine; five is an obvious
+forgery. Six is a genuine thumb-print; seven is a forgery, though a good
+one; eight is genuine; nine is, I think, a forgery, though it is a
+remarkably good imitation. Ten and eleven are genuine thumb-marks;
+twelve and thirteen are forgeries; but as to fourteen I am very
+doubtful, though I am inclined to regard it as a forgery. Fifteen is
+genuine, and I think sixteen is also; but I will not swear to it.
+Seventeen is certainly genuine. Eighteen and nineteen I am rather
+doubtful about, but I am disposed to consider them both forgeries.
+Twenty is certainly a genuine thumb-print."
+
+As Mr. Singleton's evidence proceeded, a look of surprise began to make
+its appearance on the judge's face, while the jury glanced from the
+witness to the notes before them and from their notes to one another in
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+As to Sir Hector Trumpler, that luminary of British jurisprudence was
+evidently completely fogged; for, as statement followed statement, he
+pursed up his lips and his broad, red face became overshadowed by an
+expression of utter bewilderment.
+
+For a few seconds he stared blankly at his witness and then dropped on
+to his seat with a thump that shook the court.
+
+"You have no doubt," said Anstey, "as to the correctness of your
+conclusions? For instance, you are quite sure that the prints one and
+two are forgeries?"
+
+"I have no doubt."
+
+"You swear that those two prints are forgeries?"
+
+Mr. Singleton hesitated for a moment. He had been watching the judge and
+the jury and had apparently misinterpreted their surprise, assuming it
+to be due to his own remarkable powers of discrimination; and his
+confidence had revived accordingly.
+
+"Yes," he answered; "I swear that they are forgeries."
+
+Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the
+judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.
+
+Mr. Nash, who had listened with manifest satisfaction to the evidence,
+stepped into the box with all his original confidence restored. His
+selection of the true and the false thumb-prints was practically
+identical with that of Mr. Singleton, and his knowledge of this fact led
+him to state his conclusions with an air that was authoritative and even
+dogmatic.
+
+"I am quite satisfied of the correctness of my statements," he said, in
+reply to Anstey's question, "and I am prepared to swear, and do swear,
+that those thumb-prints which I have stated to be forgeries, are
+forgeries, and that their detection presents no difficulty to an
+observer who has an expert acquaintance with finger-prints."
+
+"There is one question that I should like to ask," said the judge, when
+the expert had left the box and Thorndyke had re-entered it to continue
+his evidence. "The conclusions of the expert witnesses--manifestly _bona
+fide_ conclusions, arrived at by individual judgement, without collusion
+or comparison of results--are practically identical. They are virtually
+in complete agreement. Now, the strange thing is this: their conclusions
+are wrong in every instance" (here I nearly laughed aloud, for, as I
+glanced at the two experts, the expression of smug satisfaction on their
+countenances changed with lightning rapidity to a ludicrous spasm of
+consternation); "not sometimes wrong and sometimes right, as would have
+been the case if they had made mere guesses, but wrong every time. When
+they are quite certain, they are quite wrong; and when they are
+doubtful, they incline to the wrong conclusion. This is a very strange
+coincidence, Dr. Thorndyke. Can you explain it?"
+
+Thorndyke's face, which throughout the proceedings had been as
+expressionless as that of a wooden figurehead, now relaxed into a dry
+smile.
+
+"I think I can, my lord," he replied. "The object of a forger in
+executing a forgery is to produce deception on those who shall examine
+the forgery."
+
+"Ah!" said the judge; and _his_ face relaxed into a dry smile, while the
+jury broke out into unconcealed grins.
+
+"It was evident to me," continued Thorndyke, "that the experts would be
+unable to distinguish the real from the forged thumb-prints, and, that
+being so, that they would look for some collateral evidence to guide
+them. I, therefore, supplied that collateral evidence. Now, if ten
+prints are taken, without special precautions, from a single finger, it
+will probably happen that no two of them are exactly alike; for the
+finger being a rounded object of which only a small part touches the
+paper, the impressions produced will show little variations according to
+the part of the finger by which the print is made. But a stamp such as I
+have used has a flat surface like that of a printer's type, and, like a
+type, it always prints the same impression. It does not reproduce the
+finger-tip, but a particular print of the finger, and so, if ten prints
+are made with a single stamp, each print will be a mechanical repetition
+of the other nine. Thus, on a sheet bearing twenty finger-prints, of
+which ten were forgeries made with a single stamp, it would be easy to
+pick out the ten forged prints by the fact that they would all be
+mechanical repetitions of one another; while the genuine prints could be
+distinguished by the fact of their presenting trifling variations in the
+position of the finger.
+
+"Anticipating this line of reasoning, I was careful to make each print
+with a different stamp and each stamp was made from a different
+thumb-print, and I further selected thumb-prints which varied as widely
+as possible when I made the stamps. Moreover, when I made the real
+thumb-prints, I was careful to put the thumb down in the same position
+each time as far as I was able; and so it happened that, on the sheet
+submitted to the experts, the real thumb-prints were nearly all alike,
+while the forgeries presented considerable variations. The instances in
+which the witnesses were quite certain were those in which I succeeded
+in making the genuine prints repeat one another, and the doubtful cases
+were those in which I partially failed."
+
+"Thank you, that is quite clear," said the judge, with a smile of deep
+content, such as is apt to appear on the judicial countenance when an
+expert witness is knocked off his pedestal. "We may now proceed, Mr.
+Anstey."
+
+"You have told us," resumed Anstey, "and have submitted proofs, that it
+is possible to forge a thumb-print so that detection is impossible. You
+have also stated that the thumb-print on the paper found in Mr. Hornby's
+safe is a forgery. Do you mean that it _may_ be a forgery, or that it
+actually is one?"
+
+"I mean that it actually is a forgery."
+
+"When did you first come to the conclusion that it was a forgery?"
+
+"When I saw it at Scotland Yard. There are three facts which suggested
+this conclusion. In the first place the print was obviously produced
+with liquid blood, and yet it was a beautifully clear and distinct
+impression. But such an impression could not be produced with liquid
+blood without the use of a slab and roller, even if great care were
+used, and still less could it have been produced by an accidental smear.
+
+"In the second place, on measuring the print with a micrometer, I found
+that it did not agree in dimensions with a genuine thumb-print of Reuben
+Hornby. It was appreciably larger. I photographed the print with the
+micrometer in contact and on comparing this with a genuine thumb-print,
+also photographed with the same micrometer in contact, I found that the
+suspected print was larger by the fortieth of an inch, from one given
+point on the ridge-pattern to another given point. I have here
+enlargements of the two photographs in which the disagreement in size is
+clearly shown by the lines of the micrometer. I have also the micrometer
+itself and a portable microscope, if the Court wishes to verify the
+photographs."
+
+"Thank you," said the judge, with a bland smile; "we will accept your
+sworn testimony unless the learned counsel for the prosecution demands
+verification."
+
+He received the photographs which Thorndyke handed up and, having
+examined them with close attention, passed them on to the jury.
+
+"The third fact," resumed Thorndyke, "is of much more importance, since
+it not only proves the print to be a forgery, but also furnishes a very
+distinct clue to the origin of the forgery, and so to the identity of
+the forger." (Here the court became hushed until the silence was so
+profound that the ticking of the clock seemed a sensible interruption. I
+glanced at Walter, who sat motionless and rigid at the end of the bench,
+and perceived that a horrible pallor had spread over his face, while his
+forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.) "On looking at the
+print closely, I noticed at one part a minute white mark or space. It
+was of the shape of a capital S and had evidently been produced by a
+defect in the paper--a loose fibre which had stuck to the thumb and been
+detached by it from the paper, leaving a blank space where it had been.
+But, on examining the paper under a low power of the microscope, I found
+the surface to be perfect and intact. No loose fibre had been detached
+from it, for if it had, the broken end or, at least, the groove in which
+it had lain, would have been visible. The inference seemed to be that
+the loose fibre had existed, not in the paper which was found in the
+safe, but in the paper on which the original thumb-mark had been made.
+Now, as far as I knew, there was only one undoubted thumb-print of
+Reuben Hornby's in existence--the one in the 'Thumbograph.' At my
+request, the 'Thumbograph' was brought to my chambers by Mrs. Hornby,
+and, on examining the print of Reuben Hornby's left thumb, I perceived
+on it a minute, S-shaped white space occupying a similar position to
+that in the red thumb-mark; and when I looked at it through a powerful
+lens, I could clearly see the little groove in the paper in which the
+fibre had lain and from which it had been lifted by the inked thumb. I
+subsequently made a systematic comparison of the marks in the two
+thumb-prints; I found that the dimensions of the mark were
+proportionally the same in each--that is to say, the mark in the
+'Thumbograph' print had an extreme length of 26/1000 of an inch and an
+extreme breadth of 14.5/1000 of an inch, while that in the red
+thumb-mark was one-fortieth larger in each dimension, having an extreme
+length of 26.65/1000 of an inch and an extreme breadth of 14.86/1000 of
+an inch; that the shape was identical, as was shown by superimposing
+tracings of greatly enlarged photographs of each mark on similar
+enlargements of the other; and that the mark intersected the ridges of
+the thumb-print in the same manner and at exactly the same parts in the
+two prints."
+
+"Do you say that--having regard to the facts which you have stated--it
+is certain that the red thumb-mark is a forgery?"
+
+"I do; and I also say that it is certain that the forgery was executed
+by means of the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Might not the resemblances be merely a coincidence?"
+
+"No. By the law of probabilities which Mr. Singleton explained so
+clearly in his evidence, the adverse chances would run into untold
+millions. Here are two thumb-prints made in different places and at
+different times--an interval of many weeks intervening. Each of them
+bears an accidental mark which is due not to any peculiarity of the
+thumb, but to a peculiarity of the paper. On the theory of coincidences
+it is necessary to suppose that each piece of paper had a loose fibre of
+exactly identical shape and size and that this fibre came, by accident,
+in contact with the thumb at exactly the same spot. But such a
+supposition would be more opposed to probabilities even than the
+supposition that two exactly similar thumb-prints should have been made
+by different persons. And then there is the further fact that the paper
+found in the safe had no loose fibre to account for the mark."
+
+"What is your explanation of the presence of defibrinated blood in the
+safe?"
+
+"It was probably used by the forger in making the thumb-print, for which
+purpose fresh blood would be less suitable by reason of its clotting. He
+would probably have carried a small quantity in a bottle, together with
+the pocket slab and roller invented by Mr. Galton. It would thus be
+possible for him to put a drop on the slab, roll it out into a thin film
+and take a clean impression with his stamp. It must be remembered that
+these precautions were quite necessary, since he had to make a
+recognisable print at the first attempt. A failure and a second trial
+would have destroyed the accidental appearance, and might have aroused
+suspicion."
+
+"You have made some enlarged photographs of the thumb-prints, have you
+not?"
+
+"Yes. I have here two enlarged photographs, one of the 'Thumbograph'
+print and one of the red thumb-print. They both show the white mark very
+clearly and will assist comparison of the originals, in which the mark
+is plainly visible through a lens."
+
+He handed the two photographs up to the judge, together with the
+'Thumbograph,' the memorandum slip, and a powerful doublet lens with
+which to examine them.
+
+The judge inspected the two original documents with the aid of the lens
+and compared them with the photographs, nodding approvingly as he made
+out the points of agreement. Then he passed them on to the jury and made
+an entry in his notes.
+
+While this was going on my attention was attracted by Walter Hornby. An
+expression of terror and wild despair had settled on his face, which was
+ghastly in its pallor and bedewed with sweat. He looked furtively at
+Thorndyke and, as I noted the murderous hate in his eyes, I recalled our
+midnight adventure in John Street and the mysterious cigar.
+
+Suddenly he rose to his feet, wiping his brow and steadying himself
+against the bench with a shaking hand; then he walked quietly to the
+door and went out. Apparently, I was not the only onlooker who had been
+interested in his doings, for, as the door swung to after him,
+Superintendent Miller rose from his seat and went out by the other door.
+
+"Are you cross-examining this witness?" the judge inquired, glancing at
+Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"No, my lord," was the reply.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"Only one, my lord," replied Anstey--"the prisoner, whom I shall put in
+the witness-box, as a matter of form, in order that he may make a
+statement on oath."
+
+Reuben was accordingly conducted from the dock to the witness-box, and,
+having been sworn, made a solemn declaration of his innocence. A brief
+cross-examination followed, in which nothing was elicited, but that
+Reuben had spent the evening at his club and gone home to his rooms
+about half-past eleven and had let himself in with his latchkey. Sir
+Hector at length sat down; the prisoner was led back to the dock, and
+the Court settled itself to listen to the speeches of the counsel.
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury," Anstey commenced in his clear,
+mellow tones, "I do not propose to occupy your time with a long speech.
+The evidence that has been laid before you is at once so intelligible,
+so lucid, and so conclusive, that you will, no doubt, arrive at your
+verdict uninfluenced by any display of rhetoric either on my part or on
+the part of the learned counsel for the prosecution.
+
+"Nevertheless, it is desirable to disentangle from the mass of evidence
+those facts which are really vital and crucial.
+
+"Now the one fact which stands out and dominates the whole case is this:
+The prisoner's connection with this case rests solely upon the police
+theory of the infallibility of finger-prints. Apart from the evidence of
+the thumb-print there is not, and there never was, the faintest breath
+of suspicion against him. You have heard him described as a man of
+unsullied honour, as a man whose character is above reproach; a man who
+is trusted implicitly by those who have had dealings with him. And this
+character was not given by a casual stranger, but by one who has known
+him from childhood. His record is an unbroken record of honourable
+conduct; his life has been that of a clean-living, straightforward
+gentleman. And now he stands before you charged with a miserable, paltry
+theft; charged with having robbed that generous friend, the brother of
+his own father, the guardian of his childhood and the benefactor who has
+planned and striven for his well-being; charged, in short, gentlemen,
+with a crime which every circumstance connected with him and every trait
+of his known character renders utterly inconceivable. Now upon what
+grounds has this gentleman of irreproachable character been charged with
+this mean and sordid crime? Baldly stated, the grounds of the accusation
+are these: A certain learned and eminent man of science has made a
+statement, which the police have not merely accepted but have, in
+practice, extended beyond its original meaning. That statement is as
+follows: 'A complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two prints
+of a single finger ... affords evidence requiring no corroboration, that
+the persons from whom they were made are the same.'
+
+"That statement, gentlemen, is in the highest degree misleading, and
+ought not to have been made without due warning and qualification. So
+far is it from being true, in practice, that its exact contrary is the
+fact; the evidence of a finger-print, in the absence of corroboration,
+is absolutely worthless. Of all forms of forgery, the forgery of a
+finger-print is the easiest and most secure, as you have seen in this
+court to-day. Consider the character of the high-class forger--his
+skill, his ingenuity, his resource. Think of the forged banknotes, of
+which not only the engraving, the design and the signature, but even the
+very paper with its private watermarks, is imitated with a perfection
+that is at once the admiration and the despair of those who have to
+distinguish the true from the false; think of the forged cheque, in
+which actual perforations are filled up, of which portions are cut out
+bodily and replaced by indistinguishable patches; think of these, and
+then of a finger-print, of which any photo-engraver's apprentice can
+make you a forgery that the greatest experts cannot distinguish from the
+original, which any capable amateur can imitate beyond detection after a
+month's practice; and then ask yourselves if this is the kind of
+evidence on which, without any support or corroboration, a gentleman of
+honour and position should be dragged before a criminal court and
+charged with having committed a crime of the basest and most sordid
+type.  "But I must not detain you with unnecessary appeals. I will
+remind you briefly of the salient facts. The case for the prosecution
+rests upon the assertion that the thumb-print found in the safe was made
+by the thumb of the prisoner. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner, there is not only no case against him but no suspicion of any
+kind.
+
+"Now, was that thumb-print made by the prisoner's thumb? You have had
+conclusive evidence that it was not. That thumb-print differed in the
+size, or scale, of the pattern from a genuine thumb-print of the
+prisoner's. The difference was small, but it was fatal to the police
+theory; the two prints were not identical.
+
+"But, if not the prisoner's thumb-print, what was it? The resemblance of
+the pattern was too exact for it to be the thumb-print of another
+person, for it reproduced not only the pattern of the ridges on the
+prisoner's thumb, but also the scar of an old wound. The answer that I
+propose to this question is, that it was an intentional imitation of the
+prisoner's thumb-print, made with the purpose of fixing suspicion on the
+prisoner, and so ensuring the safety of the actual criminal. Are there
+any facts which support this theory? Yes, there are several facts which
+support it very strongly.
+
+"First, there are the facts that I have just mentioned. The red
+thumb-print disagreed with the genuine print in its scale or dimensions.
+It was not the prisoner's thumb-print; but neither was it that of any
+other person. The only alternative is that it was a forgery.
+
+"In the second place, that print was evidently made with the aid of
+certain appliances and materials, and one of those materials, namely
+defibrinated blood, was found in the safe.
+
+"In the third place, there is the coincidence that the print was one
+which it was possible to forge. The prisoner has ten digits--eight
+fingers and two thumbs. But there were in existence actual prints of the
+two thumbs, whereas no prints of the fingers were in existence; hence it
+would have been impossible to forge a print of any of the fingers. So it
+happens that the red thumb-print resembled one of the two prints of
+which forgery was possible.
+
+"In the fourth place, the red thumb-print reproduces an accidental
+peculiarity of the 'Thumbograph' print. Now, if the red thumb-print is a
+forgery, it must have been made from the 'Thumbograph' print, since
+there exists no other print from which it could have been made. Hence we
+have the striking fact that the red thumb-print is an exact
+replica--including accidental peculiarities--of the only print from
+which a forgery could have been made. The accidental S-shaped mark in
+the 'Thumbograph' print is accounted for by the condition of the paper;
+the occurrence of this mark in the red thumb-print is not accounted for
+by any peculiarity of the paper, and can be accounted for in no way,
+excepting by assuming the one to be a copy of the other. The conclusion
+is thus inevitable that the red thumb-print is a photo-mechanical
+reproduction of the 'Thumbograph' print.
+
+"But there is yet another point. If the red thumb-print is a forgery
+reproduced from the 'Thumbograph' print, the forger must at some time
+have had access to the 'Thumbograph.' Now, you have heard Mrs. Hornby's
+remarkable story of the mysterious disappearance of the 'Thumbograph'
+and its still more mysterious reappearance. That story can have left no
+doubt in your minds that some person had surreptitiously removed the
+'Thumbograph' and, after an unknown interval, secretly replaced it. Thus
+the theory of forgery receives confirmation at every point, and is in
+agreement with every known fact; whereas the theory that the red
+thumb-print was a genuine thumb-print, is based upon a gratuitous
+assumption, and has not had a single fact advanced in its support.
+
+"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has been
+proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you for a
+verdict in accordance with that proof."
+
+As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the
+gallery. It subsided instantly on a gesture of disapproval from the
+judge, and a silence fell upon the court, in which the clock, with
+cynical indifference, continued to record in its brusque monotone the
+passage of the fleeting seconds.
+
+"He is saved, Dr. Jervis! Oh! surely he is saved!" Juliet exclaimed in
+an agitated whisper. "They must see that he is innocent now."
+
+"Have patience a little longer," I answered. "It will soon be over now."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler was already on his feet and, after bestowing on the
+jury a stern hypnotic stare, he plunged into his reply with a really
+admirable air of conviction and sincerity.  "My lord and gentlemen of
+the jury: The case which is now before this Court is one, as I have
+already remarked, in which human nature is presented in a highly
+unfavourable light. But I need not insist upon this aspect of the case,
+which will already, no doubt, have impressed you sufficiently. It is
+necessary merely for me, as my learned friend has aptly expressed it, to
+disentangle the actual facts of the case from the web of casuistry that
+has been woven around them.
+
+"Those facts are of extreme simplicity. A safe has been opened and
+property of great value abstracted from it. It has been opened by means
+of false keys. Now there are two men who have, from time to time, had
+possession of the true keys, and thus had the opportunity of making
+copies of them. When the safe is opened by its rightful owner, the
+property is gone, and there is found the print of the thumb of one of
+these two men. That thumb-print was not there when the safe was closed.
+The man whose thumb-print is found is a left-handed man; the print is
+the print of a left thumb. It would seem, gentlemen, as if the
+conclusion were so obvious that no sane person could be found to contest
+it; and I submit that the conclusion which any sane person would arrive
+at--the only possible conclusion--is, that the person whose thumb-print
+was found in the safe is the person who stole the property from the
+safe. But the thumb-print was, admittedly, that of the prisoner at the
+bar, and therefore the prisoner at the bar is the person who stole the
+diamonds from the safe.
+
+"It is true that certain fantastic attempts have been made to explain
+away these obvious facts. Certain far-fetched scientific theories have
+been propounded and an exhibition of legerdemain has taken place which,
+I venture to think, would have been more appropriate to some place of
+public entertainment than to a court of justice. That exhibition has, no
+doubt, afforded you considerable amusement. It has furnished a pleasing
+relaxation from the serious business of the court. It has even been
+instructive, as showing to what extent it is possible for plain facts to
+be perverted by misdirected ingenuity. But unless you are prepared to
+consider this crime as an elaborate hoax--as a practical joke carried
+out by a facetious criminal of extraordinary knowledge, skill and
+general attainments--you must, after all, come to the only conclusion
+that the facts justify: that the safe was opened and the property
+abstracted by the prisoner. Accordingly, gentlemen, I ask you, having
+regard to your important position as the guardians of the well-being and
+security of your fellow-citizens, to give your verdict in accordance
+with the evidence, as you have solemnly sworn to do; which verdict, I
+submit, can be no other than that the prisoner is guilty of the crime
+with which he is charged."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the jury, who had listened to his speech with
+solid attention, gazed expectantly at the judge, as though they should
+say: "Now, which of these two are we to believe?"
+
+The judge turned over his notes with an air of quiet composure, writing
+down a word here and there as he compared the various points in the
+evidence. Then he turned to the jury with a manner at once persuasive
+and confidential--
+
+"It is not necessary, gentlemen," he commenced, "for me to occupy your
+time with an exhaustive analysis of the evidence. That evidence you
+yourselves have heard, and it has been given, for the most part, with
+admirable clearness. Moreover, the learned counsel for the defence has
+collated and compared that evidence so lucidly, and, I may say, so
+impartially, that a detailed repetition on my part would be
+superfluous. I shall therefore confine myself to a few comments which
+may help you in the consideration of your verdict.
+
+"I need hardly point out to you that the reference made by the learned
+counsel for the prosecution to far-fetched scientific theories is
+somewhat misleading. The only evidence of a theoretical character was
+that of the finger-print experts. The evidence of Dr. Rowe and of Dr.
+Thorndyke dealt exclusively with matters of fact. Such inferences as
+were drawn by them were accompanied by statements of the facts which
+yielded such inferences.
+
+"Now, an examination of the evidence which you have heard shows, as the
+learned counsel for the defence has justly observed, that the entire
+case resolves itself into a single question, which is this: 'Was the
+thumb-print that was found in Mr. Hornby's safe made by the thumb of the
+prisoner, or was it not?' If that thumb-print was made by the prisoner's
+thumb, then the prisoner must, at least, have been present when the safe
+was unlawfully opened. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner's thumb, there is nothing to connect him with the crime. The
+question is one of fact upon which it will be your duty to decide; and I
+must remind you, gentlemen, that you are the sole judges of the facts of
+the case, and that you are to consider any remarks of mine as merely
+suggestions which you are to entertain or to disregard according to your
+judgement.
+
+"Now let us consider this question by the light of the evidence. This
+thumb-print was either made by the prisoner or it was not. What evidence
+has been brought forward to show that it was made by the prisoner? Well,
+there is the evidence of the ridge-pattern. That pattern is identical
+with the pattern of the prisoner's thumb-print, and even has the
+impression of a scar which crosses the pattern in a particular manner
+in the prisoner's thumb-print. There is no need to enter into the
+elaborate calculations as to the chances of agreement; the practical
+fact, which is not disputed, is that if this red thumb-print is a
+genuine thumb-print at all, it was made by the prisoner's thumb. But it
+is contended that it is not a genuine thumb-print; that it is a
+mechanical imitation--in fact a forgery.
+
+"The more general question thus becomes narrowed down to the more
+particular question: 'Is this a genuine thumb-print or is it a forgery?'
+Let us consider the evidence. First, what evidence is there that it is a
+genuine thumb-print? There is none. The identity of the pattern is no
+evidence on this point, because a forgery would also exhibit identity of
+pattern. The genuineness of the thumb-print was assumed by the
+prosecution, and no evidence has been offered.
+
+"But now what evidence is there that the red thumb-print is a forgery?
+
+"First, there is the question of size. Two different-sized prints could
+hardly be made by the same thumb. Then there is the evidence of the use
+of appliances. Safe-robbers do not ordinarily provide themselves with
+inking-slabs and rollers with which to make distinct impressions of
+their own fingers. Then there is the accidental mark on the print which
+also exists on the only genuine print that could have been used for the
+purpose of forgery, which is easily explained on the theory of a
+forgery, but which is otherwise totally incomprehensible. Finally, there
+is the strange disappearance of the 'Thumbograph' and its strange
+reappearance. All this is striking and weighty evidence, to which must
+be added that adduced by Dr. Thorndyke as showing how perfectly it is
+possible to imitate a finger-print.
+
+"These are the main facts of the case, and it is for you to consider
+them. If, on careful consideration, you decide that the red thumb-print
+was actually made by the prisoner's thumb, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner guilty; but if, on weighing the evidence, you
+decide that the thumb-print is a forgery, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner not guilty. It is now past the usual luncheon
+hour, and, if you desire it, you can retire to consider your verdict
+while the Court adjourns."
+
+The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
+stood up.
+
+"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.
+
+The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
+brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
+addressed the jury.
+
+"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"
+
+"We are," replied the foreman.
+
+"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
+Reuben.
+
+A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
+disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud--a strange,
+unnatural laugh--and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
+so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
+Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.
+
+After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
+commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
+calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
+have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
+charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
+evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
+possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
+innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
+the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
+rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
+Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
+by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
+have been very different.
+
+"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
+was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
+but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
+his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
+very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
+half-past two."
+
+The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
+the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
+was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
+stairs into the body of the court.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AT LAST
+
+
+"We had better let the people clear off," said Thorndyke, when the first
+greetings were over and we stood around Reuben in the fast-emptying
+court. "We don't want a demonstration as we go out."
+
+"No; anything but that, just now," replied Reuben. He still held Mrs.
+Hornby's hand, and one arm was passed through that of his uncle, who
+wiped his eyes at intervals, though his face glowed with delight.
+
+"I should like you to come and have a little quiet luncheon with me at
+my chambers--all of us friends together," continued Thorndyke.
+
+"I should be delighted," said Reuben, "if the programme would include a
+satisfactory wash."
+
+"You will come, Anstey?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and
+in his right mind--that is to say, in his usual whimsical,
+pseudo-frivolous character.
+
+"That question savours of gluttony," answered Thorndyke. "Come and see."
+
+"I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run
+off now, as I have to look in at my chambers."
+
+"How shall we go?" asked Thorndyke, as his colleague vanished through
+the doorway. "Polton has gone for a four-wheeler, but it won't hold us
+all."
+
+"It will hold four of us," said Reuben, "and Dr. Jervis will bring
+Juliet; won't you, Jervis?"
+
+The request rather took me aback, considering the circumstances, but I
+was conscious, nevertheless, of an unreasonable thrill of pleasure and
+answered with alacrity: "If Miss Gibson will allow me, I shall be very
+delighted." My delight was, apparently, not shared by Juliet, to judge
+by the uncomfortable blush that spread over her face. She made no
+objection, however, but merely replied rather coldly: "Well, as we can't
+sit on the roof of the cab, we had better go by ourselves."
+
+The crowd having by this time presumably cleared off, we all took our
+way downstairs. The cab was waiting at the kerb, surrounded by a group
+of spectators, who cheered Reuben as he appeared at the doorway, and we
+saw our friends enter and drive away. Then we turned and walked quickly
+down the Old Bailey towards Ludgate Hill.  "Shall we take a hansom?" I
+asked.
+
+"No; let us walk," replied Juliet; "a little fresh air will do us good
+after that musty, horrible court. It all seems like a dream, and yet
+what a relief--oh! what a relief it is."
+
+"It is rather like the awakening from a nightmare to find the morning
+sun shining," I rejoined.
+
+"Yes; that is just what it is like," she agreed; "but I still feel dazed
+and shaken."
+
+We turned presently down New Bridge Street, towards the Embankment,
+walking side by side without speaking, and I could not help comparing,
+with some bitterness, our present stiff and distant relations with the
+intimacy and comradeship that had existed before the miserable incident
+of our last meeting.
+
+"You don't look so jubilant over your success as I should have
+expected," she said at length, with a critical glance at me; "but I
+expect you are really very proud and delighted, aren't you?"
+
+"Delighted, yes; not proud. Why should I be proud? I have only played
+jackal, and even that I have done very badly."
+
+"That is hardly a fair statement of the facts," she rejoined, with
+another quick, inquisitive look at me; "but you are in low spirits
+to-day--which is not at all like you. Is it not so?"
+
+"I am afraid I am a selfish, egotistical brute," was my gloomy reply. "I
+ought to be as gay and joyful as everyone else to-day, whereas the fact
+is that I am chafing over my own petty troubles. You see, now that this
+case is finished, my engagement with Dr. Thorndyke terminates
+automatically, and I relapse into my old life--a dreary repetition of
+journeying amongst strangers--and the prospect is not inspiriting. This
+has been a time of bitter trial to you, but to me it has been a green
+oasis in the desert of a colourless, monotonous life. I have enjoyed the
+companionship of a most lovable man, whom I admire and respect above all
+other men, and with him have moved in scenes full of colour and
+interest. And I have made one other friend whom I am loth to see fade
+out of my life, as she seems likely to do."
+
+"If you mean me," said Juliet, "I may say that it will be your own fault
+if I fade out of your life. I can never forget all that you have done
+for us, your loyalty to Reuben, your enthusiasm in his cause, to say
+nothing of your many kindnesses to me. And, as to your having done your
+work badly, you wrong yourself grievously. I recognised in the evidence
+by which Reuben was cleared to-day how much you had done, in filling in
+the details, towards making the case complete and convincing. I shall
+always feel that we owe you a debt of the deepest gratitude, and so will
+Reuben, and so, perhaps, more than either of us, will someone else."
+
+"And who is that?" I asked, though with no great interest. The gratitude
+of the family was a matter of little consequence to me.
+
+"Well, it is no secret now," replied Juliet. "I mean the girl whom
+Reuben is going to marry. What is the matter, Dr. Jervis?" she added, in
+a tone of surprise.
+
+We were passing through the gate that leads from the Embankment to
+Middle Temple Lane, and I had stopped dead under the archway, laying a
+detaining hand upon her arm and gazing at her in utter amazement.
+
+"The girl that Reuben is going to marry!" I repeated. "Why, I had always
+taken it for granted that he was going to marry you."
+
+"But I told you, most explicitly, that was not so!" she exclaimed with
+some impatience.
+
+"I know you did," I admitted ruefully; "but I thought--well, I imagined
+that things had, perhaps, not gone quite smoothly and--"
+
+"Did you suppose that if I had cared for a man, and that man had been
+under a cloud, I should have denied the relation or pretended that we
+were merely friends?" she demanded indignantly.
+
+"I am sure you wouldn't," I replied hastily. "I was a fool, an idiot--by
+Jove, what an idiot I have been!"
+
+"It was certainly very silly of you," she admitted; but there was a
+gentleness in her tone that took away all bitterness from the reproach.
+
+"The reason of the secrecy was this," she continued; "they became
+engaged the very night before Reuben was arrested, and, when he heard of
+the charge against him, he insisted that no one should be told unless,
+and until, he was fully acquitted. I was the only person who was in
+their confidence, and as I was sworn to secrecy, of course I couldn't
+tell you; nor did I suppose that the matter would interest you. Why
+should it?"
+
+"Imbecile that I am," I murmured. "If I had only known!"
+
+"Well, if you _had_ known," said she; "what difference could it have
+made to you?"
+
+This question she asked without looking at me, but I noted that her
+cheek had grown a shade paler.
+
+"Only this," I answered. "That I should have been spared many a day and
+night of needless self-reproach and misery."
+
+"But why?" she asked, still keeping her face averted. "What had you to
+reproach yourself with?"
+
+"A great deal," I answered, "if you consider my supposed position. If
+you think of me as the trusted agent of a man, helpless and deeply
+wronged--a man whose undeserved misfortunes made every demand upon
+chivalry and generosity; if you think of me as being called upon to
+protect and carry comfort to the woman whom I regarded as, virtually,
+that man's betrothed wife; and then if you think of me as proceeding
+straightway, before I had known her twenty-four hours, to fall
+hopelessly in love with her myself, you will admit that I had something
+to reproach myself with."
+
+She was still silent, rather pale and very thoughtful, and she seemed to
+breathe more quickly than usual.
+
+"Of course," I continued, "you may say that it was my own look-out, that
+I had only to keep my own counsel, and no one would be any the worse.
+But there's the mischief of it. How can a man who is thinking of a woman
+morning, noon and night; whose heart leaps at the sound of her coming,
+whose existence is a blank when she is away from him--a blank which he
+tries to fill by recalling, again and again, all that she has said and
+the tones of her voice, and the look that was in her eyes when she
+spoke--how can he help letting her see, sooner or later, that he cares
+for her? And if he does, when he has no right to, there is an end of
+duty and chivalry and even common honesty."
+
+"Yes, I understand now," said Juliet softly. "Is this the way?" She
+tripped up the steps leading to Fountain Court and I followed
+cheerfully. Of course it was not the way, and we both knew it, but the
+place was silent and peaceful, and the plane-trees cast a pleasant shade
+on the gravelled court. I glanced at her as we walked slowly towards the
+fountain. The roses were mantling in her cheeks now and her eyes were
+cast down, but when she lifted them to me for an instant, I saw that
+they were shining and moist.
+
+"Did you never guess?" I asked.
+
+"Yes," she replied in a low voice, "I guessed; but--but then," she
+added shyly, "I thought I had guessed wrong."
+
+We walked on for some little time without speaking again until we came
+to the further side of the fountain, where we stood listening to the
+quiet trickle of the water, and watching the sparrows as they took their
+bath on the rim of the basin. A little way off another group of sparrows
+had gathered with greedy joy around some fragments of bread that had
+been scattered abroad by the benevolent Templars, and hard by a more
+sentimentally-minded pigeon, unmindful of the crumbs and the marauding
+sparrows, puffed out his breast and strutted and curtsied before his
+mate with endearing gurgles.
+
+Juliet had rested her hand on one of the little posts that support the
+chain by which the fountain is enclosed and I had laid my hand on hers.
+Presently she turned her hand over so that mine lay in its palm; and so
+we were standing hand-in-hand when an elderly gentleman, of dry and
+legal aspect, came up the steps and passed by the fountain. He looked at
+the pigeons and then he looked at us, and went his way smiling and
+shaking his head.
+
+"Juliet," said I.
+
+She looked up quickly with sparkling eyes and a frank smile that was yet
+a little shy, too.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why did he smile--that old gentleman--when he looked at us?"
+
+"I can't imagine," she replied mendaciously.
+
+"It was an approving smile," I said. "I think he was remembering his own
+spring-time and giving us his blessing."
+
+"Perhaps he was," she agreed. "He looked a nice old thing." She gazed
+fondly at the retreating figure and then turned again to me. Her cheeks
+had grown pink enough by now, and in one of them a dimple displayed
+itself to great advantage in its rosy setting.
+
+"Can you forgive me, dear, for my unutterable folly?" I asked presently,
+as she glanced up at me again.
+
+"I am not sure," she answered. "It was dreadfully silly of you."
+
+"But remember, Juliet, that I loved you with my whole heart--as I love
+you now and shall love you always."
+
+"I can forgive you anything when you say that," she answered softly.
+
+Here the voice of the distant Temple clock was heard uttering a polite
+protest. With infinite reluctance we turned away from the fountain,
+which sprinkled us with a parting benediction, and slowly retraced our
+steps to Middle Temple Lane and thence into Pump Court.
+
+"You haven't said it, Juliet," I whispered, as we came through the
+archway into the silent, deserted court.
+
+"Haven't I, dear?" she answered; "but you know it, don't you? You know I
+do."
+
+"Yes, I know," I said; "and that knowledge is all my heart's desire."
+
+She laid her hand in mine for a moment with a gentle pressure and then
+drew it away; and so we passed through into the cloisters.
+
+
+THE END
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11128 ***
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+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <title>
+      The Red Thumb Mark | Project Gutenberg
+    </title>
+    <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover">
+    <style> /* <![CDATA[ */
+    <!--
+    * { font-family:   Times;}
+    P { margin-top:    .75em;
+        font-size:     12pt;
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+    HR  { width: 33%; }
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+</head>
+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11128 ***</div>
+
+
+<h1>THE RED THUMB MARK</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>BY R. AUSTIN FREEMAN</h2>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="PRF"><!-- PRF --></a>
+<h2>
+	PREFACE
+</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose
+other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are
+interested in problems of crime and their solutions; and the story
+itself differs in no respect from others of its class, excepting in that
+an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary
+life, both in the characters and in the incidents.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nevertheless it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in
+drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of
+finger-prints and their evidential value; misapprehensions the extent of
+which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several
+Continental commercial houses have actually substituted finger-prints
+for signed initials.
+</p>
+<p>
+The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including
+the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are, of
+course, taken from Mr. Galton's great and important work on
+finger-prints; to which the reader who is interested in the subject is
+referred for much curious and valuable information.
+</p>
+<p>
+In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend
+Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain
+photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal
+Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in
+criminal trials.
+</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<a name="TOC"><!-- TOC --></a>
+<h2>
+	CONTENTS
+</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I</a><br>
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II</a><br>
+THE SUSPECT
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III</a><br>
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV</a><br>
+CONFIDENCES
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V</a><br>
+THE "THUMBOGRAPH"
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI</a><br>
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII</a><br>
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII</a><br>
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX</a><br>
+THE PRISONER
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X</a><br>
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI</a><br>
+THE AMBUSH
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII</a><br>
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII</a><br>
+MURDER BY POST
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV</a><br>
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV</a><br>
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH16">CHAPTER XVI</a><br>
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH17">CHAPTER XVII</a><br>
+AT LAST
+</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER I
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"Conflagratam An&deg; 1677. Fabricatam An&deg; 1698. Richardo Powell Armiger
+Thesaurar." The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath
+the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarised the history of one of
+the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk and as I, somewhat
+absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between
+admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet
+dignity of the building, and an effort to reconstitute the dead and gone
+Richard Powell, and the stirring times in which he played his part.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became
+occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, in its wig and obsolete
+habiliments, to the old-world surroundings that it seemed to complete
+the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted
+in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand,
+and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, he looked up
+and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the
+incurious gaze that casual strangers bestow on one another; then there
+was a flash of mutual recognition; the impassive and rather severe face
+of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching
+itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended in
+cordial greeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear Jervis," he exclaimed, as we clasped hands warmly, "this is a
+great and delightful surprise. How often have I thought of my old
+comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo! here he is,
+thrown up on the sounding beach of the Inner Temple, like the proverbial
+bread cast upon the waters."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your surprise, Thorndyke, is nothing to mine," I replied, "for your
+bread has at least returned as bread; whereas I am in the position of a
+man who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it return in the
+form of a buttered muffin or a Bath bun. I left a respectable medical
+practitioner and I find him transformed into a bewigged and begowned
+limb of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke laughed at the comparison.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he. "Say, rather, that
+you left him a chrysalis and come back to find him a butterfly. But the
+change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under
+the gown of Solon, as you will understand when I explain my
+metamorphosis; and that I will do this very evening, if you have no
+engagement."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am one of the unemployed at present," I said, "and quite at your
+service."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then come round to my chambers at seven," said Thorndyke, "and we will
+have a chop and a pint of claret together and exchange autobiographies.
+I am due in court in a few minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you reside within that noble old portico?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," replied Thorndyke. "I often wish I did. It would add several
+inches to one's stature to feel that the mouth of one's burrow was
+graced with a Latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over.
+No; my chambers are some doors further down&mdash;number 6A"&mdash;and he turned
+to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndyke taking his way
+with fluttering gown towards the Law Courts, while I directed my steps
+westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent.
+</p>
+<p>
+The soft-voiced bell of the Temple clock was telling out the hour of
+seven in muffled accents (as though it apologised for breaking the
+studious silence) as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and
+turned into King's Bench Walk.
+</p>
+<p>
+The paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly
+before the doorway of number 6A, in which, though the wig had now given
+place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in
+recognising my friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Punctual to the moment, as of old," said he, meeting me half-way. "What
+a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been
+taking the air in Fountain Court, and will now introduce you to my
+chambers. Here is my humble retreat."
+</p>
+<p>
+We passed in through the common entrance and ascended the stone stairs
+to the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door, above
+which my friend's name was written in white letters.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Rather a forbidding exterior," remarked Thorndyke, as he inserted the
+latchkey, "but it is homely enough inside."
+</p>
+<p>
+The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a baize-covered inner door,
+which Thorndyke pushed open and held for me to pass in.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will find my chambers an odd mixture," said Thorndyke, "for they
+combine the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory and a
+workshop."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And a restaurant," added a small, elderly man, who was decanting a
+bottle of claret by means of a glass syphon: "you forgot that, sir."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I forgot that, Polton," said Thorndyke, "but I see you have not."
+He glanced towards a small table that had been placed near the fire and
+set out with the requisites for our meal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Tell me," said Thorndyke, as we made the initial onslaught on the
+products of Polton's culinary experiments, "what has been happening to
+you since you left the hospital six years ago?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My story is soon told," I answered, somewhat bitterly. "It is not an
+uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I
+had paid my examination and registration fees the coffer was absolutely
+empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains&mdash;to use
+Johnson's phrase&mdash;the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of
+avarice, there is a vast difference in practice between the potential
+and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes
+as an assistant, sometimes as a <i>locum tenens</i>. Just now I've got no
+work to do, and so have entered my name on Turcival's list of
+eligibles."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke pursed up his lips and frowned.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's a wicked shame, Jervis," said he presently, "that a man of your
+abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his time
+on odd jobs like some half-qualified wastrel."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is," I agreed. "My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked
+and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother? If
+poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty
+thousand candle-power luminary, your brilliancy is apt to be obscured."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," grunted Thorndyke, and he remained for a
+time in deep thought.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said I, "let us have your promised explanation. I am
+positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances
+has converted John Evelyn Thorndyke from a medical practitioner into a
+luminary of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke smiled indulgently.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The fact is," said he, "that no such transformation has occurred. John
+Evelyn Thorndyke is still a medical practitioner."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What, in a wig and gown!" I exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, a mere sheep in wolf's clothing," he replied. "I will tell you how
+it has come about. After you left the hospital, six years ago, I stayed
+on, taking up any small appointments that were going&mdash;assistant
+demonstrator&mdash;or curatorships and such like&mdash;hung about the chemical and
+physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile
+took my M.D. and D.Sc. Then I got called to the bar in the hope of
+getting a coronership, but soon after this, old Stedman retired
+unexpectedly&mdash;you remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical
+jurisprudence&mdash;and I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise,
+I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my
+mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that
+might come."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what has come?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice," he replied.
+"At first I only got an occasional analysis in a doubtful poisoning
+case, but, by degrees, my sphere of influence has extended until it now
+includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical
+science can be brought to bear upon law."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But you plead in court, I observe," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very seldom," he replied. "More usually I appear in the character of
+that <i>b&ecirc;te noir</i> of judges and counsel&mdash;the scientific witness. But in
+most instances I do not appear at all; I merely direct investigations,
+arrange and analyse the results, and prime the counsel with facts and
+suggestions for cross-examination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A good deal more interesting than acting as understudy for an absent
+g.p.," said I, a little enviously. "But you deserve to succeed, for you
+were always a deuce of a worker, to say nothing of your capabilities."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I worked hard," replied Thorndyke, "and I work hard still; but I
+have my hours of labour and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils
+of general practitioners, who are liable to be dragged away from the
+dinner table or roused out of your first sleep by&mdash;confound it all! who
+can that be?"
+</p>
+<p>
+For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation,
+there came a smart rapping at the outer door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Must see who it is, I suppose," he continued, "though one expects
+people to accept the hint of a closed oak."
+</p>
+<p>
+He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no
+means gracious inquiry.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's rather late for a business call," said an apologetic voice
+outside, "but my client was anxious to see you without delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come in, Mr. Lawley," said Thorndyke, rather stiffly, and, as he held
+the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men&mdash;one
+middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance and of a typically legal aspect,
+and the other a fine, handsome young fellow of very prepossessing
+exterior, though at present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently
+in a state of profound agitation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner
+table, "that our visit&mdash;for which I am alone responsible&mdash;is a most
+unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndyke,
+pray tell us, and my business must wait."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke had cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he
+now replied in a much more genial tone&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to
+inconveniencing us, why, my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you
+are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours
+his own unreservedly."
+</p>
+<p>
+I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to
+take a walk on the Embankment and return later, but the young man
+interrupted me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Pray don't go away on my account," he said. "The facts that I am about
+to lay before Dr. Thorndyke will be known to all the world by this time
+to-morrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In that case," said Thorndyke, "let us draw our chairs up to the fire
+and fall to business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner and were
+waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this
+moment."
+</p>
+<p>
+We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Polton had set the coffee on
+the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without
+preamble.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER II
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE SUSPECT
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"I had better," said he, "give you a general outline of the case as it
+presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben
+Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions
+that you may wish to put to him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle,
+John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner and dealer in precious
+metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work
+carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the
+testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South
+Africa.
+</p>
+<p>
+"About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter&mdash;another nephew
+of John Hornby&mdash;left school, and both were articled to their uncle, with
+the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house; and they
+have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions
+of considerable responsibility.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's
+establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some
+accredited representative of the firm&mdash;generally either Mr. Reuben or
+Mr. Walter&mdash;who has been despatched to meet the ship, and conveyed
+either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course
+every effort is made to have as little gold as possible on the premises,
+and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity;
+but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have
+often to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are
+furnished with a large and powerful safe or strong room for their
+reception. This safe is situated in the private office under the eye of
+the principal, and, as an additional precaution, the caretaker, who acts
+as night-watchman, occupies a room directly over the office, and patrols
+the building periodically through the night.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It
+happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested
+in a diamond mine, and, although transactions in precious stones form no
+part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent
+parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby, to be either
+deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been
+despatched by the <i>Elmina Castle</i>, and it appeared that the parcel was
+an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and
+value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks
+at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the
+stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this
+was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and
+locked up in the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who placed them in the safe?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his
+return from the docks."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "and what happened next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, on the following morning, when the safe was opened, the diamonds
+had disappeared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had the place been broken into?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. The place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had
+made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was,
+outwardly, quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys and
+locked again after the stones were removed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And in whose custody were the keys of the safe?" inquired Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but, on occasions, when he
+was absent from the office, he handed them over to one of his
+nephews&mdash;whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this
+occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he
+locked up the safe, after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time
+when it was opened by him on the following morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, yes," said Mr. Lawley, with an uncomfortable glance at his client,
+"unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the
+diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for
+there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe and one or two
+bloody smears on a piece of paper, and, in addition, a remarkably clear
+imprint of a thumb."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Also in blood?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. The thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops and
+then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in
+taking hold of it or otherwise."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, and what next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair, "to make a long story
+short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Reuben
+Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ha!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had
+better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further."
+</p>
+<p>
+He took from a drawer a small paper-covered notebook, on the cover of
+which he wrote "Reuben Hornby," and then, laying the book open on a
+blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now," he said, when he had finished, "with reference to this
+thumb-print. There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever," replied Mr. Lawley. "The Scotland Yard people, of
+course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director
+of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those
+in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print
+does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their
+possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the
+ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb&mdash;which is a remarkably distinct
+and characteristic one&mdash;is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering
+identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with
+the thumb-print of Mr. Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print
+beyond any possible doubt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the
+thumb-print could have been introduced by any person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," answered the lawyer. "It is quite impossible. The paper on which
+the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had
+pencilled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it
+on the parcel before he closed up the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was anyone present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, he was alone," answered the lawyer. "He saw at a glance that the
+diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the
+thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for
+the police."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark,
+since it was so distinct and conspicuous?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, I think not," answered Mr. Lawley. "The paper was lying face
+downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it
+up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print.
+Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it,
+and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the marked
+surface downwards&mdash;probably when the parcel was transferred to the other
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mentioned," said Thorndyke, "that the experts at Scotland Yard have
+identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how
+they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said Mr. Lawley. "Thereby hangs a very curious tale of
+coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there was so
+simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take
+thumb-prints of all the employees in the works; but this Mr. Hornby
+refused to sanction&mdash;rather quixotically, as it seems to me&mdash;saying that
+he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now
+it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly
+interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and
+considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the
+thumb-prints taken.
+</p>
+<p>
+"However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching
+to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete
+confidence and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter
+would probably have remained a mystery but for a very odd circumstance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You may have seen on the bookstalls and in shop windows an appliance
+called a 'Thumbograph,' or some such name, consisting of a small book of
+blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together
+with an inking pad."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have seen those devices of the Evil One," said Thorndyke, "in fact, I
+have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John
+Hornby, purchased one of these toys&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"As a matter of fact," interrupted Reuben, "it was my cousin Walter who
+bought the thing and gave it to her."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is not material," said Mr. Lawley (though I observed that
+Thorndyke made a note of the fact in his book); "at any rate, Mrs.
+Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill
+it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now
+it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday
+at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the
+opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the
+thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at
+Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary,
+not only in the interests of justice but in the interests of the young
+men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the
+police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown
+by actual comparison that the thumb-print could not have been made by
+either of them. Moreover, it seemed that both the young men had
+expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been
+forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She
+suddenly remembered the 'Thumbograph,' and thinking to set the question
+at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the
+detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben (among
+others), and, as the detective had with him a photograph of the
+incriminating mark, the comparison was made then and there; and you may
+imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement when it was made clear that
+the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every
+particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene and was, of course,
+overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would
+have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds
+out of his own funds, but, as that would have amounted practically to
+compounding a felony, he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result, a
+warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this
+morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bow Street and charged
+with the robbery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was any evidence taken?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, bail
+having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative.
+Like me, he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's
+manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position
+indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of
+the case.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you advised your client to do?" Thorndyke asked presently.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the
+clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself
+that there is no defence possible."
+</p>
+<p>
+The young man flushed crimson, but made no remark.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But let us be clear how we stand," said Thorndyke. "Are we defending an
+innocent man or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man
+who admits that he is guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That question can be best answered by our client himself," said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby,
+but I must know what position you intend to adopt."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I again proposed to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis," he said. "My position
+is that I did not commit this robbery and that I know nothing whatever
+about it or about the thumb-print that was found in the safe. I do not,
+of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming
+evidence against me, but I do, nevertheless, declare in the most solemn
+manner before God, that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have
+no knowledge of it whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I take it that you did not plead 'guilty'?" said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not; and I never will," replied Reuben hotly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You would not be the first innocent man, by very many, who has entered
+that plea," remarked Mr. Lawley. "It is often the best policy, when the
+defence is hopelessly weak."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a policy that will not be adopted by me," rejoined Reuben. "I may
+be, and probably shall be, convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue
+to maintain my innocence, whatever happens. Do you think," he added,
+turning to Thorndyke, "that you can undertake my defence on that
+assumption?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the
+case," replied Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And&mdash;if I may ask the question&mdash;" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
+find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
+eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and if
+I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence, I
+should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
+evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
+hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
+upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
+be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
+resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
+guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
+a defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
+"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
+to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
+you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
+I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
+skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
+large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
+client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
+in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
+the aid of a pocket lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly,
+as he finished his examination, "but I don't perceive any trace of a
+scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jervis? The
+robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small
+cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is
+worth noting."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed me the lens and I scrutinised every part of each hand without
+being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is one other matter that must be attended to before you go," said
+Thorndyke, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. "I will take
+one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information."
+</p>
+<p>
+In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some lair
+unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and, having received his
+instructions, retired, and presently returned carrying a box, which he
+laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndyke drew forth a bright
+copper plate mounted on a slab of hard wood, a small printer's roller, a
+tube of finger-print ink, and a number of cards with very white and
+rather glazed surfaces.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Mr. Hornby," said he, "your hands, I see, are beyond criticism as
+to cleanliness, but we will, nevertheless, give the thumb a final
+polish."
+</p>
+<p>
+Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a
+well-soaked badger-hair nail-brush, and, having rinsed it in water,
+dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of
+chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a
+drop of the thick ink on to the copper plate and spread it out with the
+roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching
+the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of
+the cards.
+</p>
+<p>
+When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took
+Reuben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked
+plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he
+directed me to hold steady on the table, he repeated the pressure, when
+there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of
+the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with
+microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands, which
+appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges.
+This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of
+which thus received six impressions. Thorndyke then took one or two
+rolled prints, <i>i.e.</i> prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the
+inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of
+the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "that we may be furnished with all the
+necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndyke,
+having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized
+drop of blood on to a card.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There," said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the
+needle into a little shallow pool, "it is not every lawyer who is
+willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client."
+</p>
+<p>
+He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a
+number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are now," said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb,
+"furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you
+will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business
+concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for
+having detained you so long with these experiments."
+</p>
+<p>
+The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly
+concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they were
+at an end.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have been highly interested," he said mendaciously, "though I confess
+I do not quite fathom your intentions. And, by the way, I should like to
+have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not
+mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by
+the lawyer's pretence. "Don't hurry on my account; my time is my own&mdash;at
+present." He held out his hand to Thorndyke, who grasped it cordially.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. "Do not be unreasonably
+sanguine, but at the same time, do not lose heart. Keep your wits about
+you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a
+bearing on the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+The young man then took his leave, and, as the door closed after him,
+Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought I had better have a word with you alone," he said, "just to
+hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude
+has puzzled me completely."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What line would you propose?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "the position
+seems to be this: our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds and
+has been found out; at least, that is how the matter presents itself to
+me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is not how it presents itself to me," said Thorndyke drily. "He
+may have taken the diamonds or he may not. I have no means of judging
+until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I
+hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we
+postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen
+what line of defence it is possible to adopt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, "but I am afraid
+you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only
+make his fall the harder&mdash;to say nothing of our own position. We don't
+want to make ourselves ridiculous in court, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't, certainly," agreed Thorndyke. "However, I will look into the
+matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two."
+</p>
+<p>
+He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and
+when the footsteps at length died away, he closed it sharply and turned
+to me with an air of annoyance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The 'young rogue,'" he remarked, "does not appear to me to have been
+very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jervis, I
+understand you are out of employment just now?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you care to help me&mdash;as a matter of business, of course&mdash;to work
+up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand and your assistance
+would be of great value to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "come round to breakfast to-morrow and we will
+settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now let
+us light our pipes and finish our yarns as though agitated clients and
+thick-headed solicitors had no existence."
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER III
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+When I arrived at Thorndyke's chambers on the following morning, I found
+my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the
+table, while at the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for
+examining plate-cultures of micro-organisms, on the wide stage of which
+was one of the cards bearing six thumb-prints in blood. A condenser
+threw a bright spot of light on the card, which Thorndyke had been
+examining when I knocked, as I gathered from the position of the chair,
+which he now pushed back against the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see you have commenced work on our problem," I remarked as, in
+response to a double ring of the electric bell, Polton entered with the
+materials for our repast.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke. "I have opened the campaign, supported, as
+usual, by my trusty chief-of-staff; eh! Polton?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man, whose intellectual, refined countenance and dignified
+bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea-tray that he carried,
+smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affectionate admiration at my
+friend, replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet.
+There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement
+too, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your
+breakfast."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A wonderful man that, Jervis," my friend observed as his assistant
+retired. "Looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously
+intended by Nature to be a professor of physics. As an actual fact he
+was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he
+is mechanical factotum to a medical jurist. He is my right-hand, is
+Polton; takes an idea before you have time to utter it&mdash;but you will
+make his more intimate acquaintance by-and-by."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Where did you pick him up?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He was an in-patient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably
+ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave
+him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was I
+took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and
+his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are the photographs he was referring to?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is making an enlarged <i>facsimile</i> of one of the thumb-prints on
+bromide paper and a negative of the same size in case we want the print
+repeated."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby,"
+said I, "though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me
+his case seems as hopeless a one as it is possible to conceive. One
+doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost
+unthinkable."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It does certainly look like a hopeless case," Thorndyke agreed, "and I
+see no way out of it at present. But I make it a rule, in all cases, to
+proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry&mdash;collect
+facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification. And I
+always endeavour to keep a perfectly open mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, in the present case, assuming, as we must, that the robbery has
+actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses: (1) that
+the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby; (2) that it was committed by
+Walter Hornby; (3) that it was committed by John Hornby, or (4) that it
+was committed by some other person or persons.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present and confine
+myself to the examination of the other three."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the
+diamonds out of his own safe?" I exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I incline at present to no one theory of the matter," replied
+Thorndyke. "I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the
+diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely he was responsible to the owners."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have
+difficulty in proving. You see, he was what is called a gratuitous
+bailee, and in such a case no responsibility for loss lies with the
+bailee unless there has been gross negligence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the thumb-mark, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed. "How can you possibly
+get over that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't know that I can," answered Thorndyke calmly; "but I see you are
+taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a
+finger-print as a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof, beyond
+which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A
+finger-print is merely a fact&mdash;a very important and significant one, I
+admit&mdash;but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be
+weighed and measured with reference to its evidential value."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you propose to do first?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumb-print is
+identical in character with that of Reuben Hornby&mdash;of which, however, I
+have very little doubt, for the finger-print experts may fairly be
+trusted in their own speciality."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance,
+and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your
+new duties."
+</p>
+<p>
+He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four
+small, paper-covered notebooks, laid them before me on the table.
+</p>
+<p>
+"One of these books," said he, "we will devote to data concerning Reuben
+Hornby. You will find out anything you can&mdash;anything, mind, no matter
+how trivial or apparently irrelevant&mdash;in any way connected with him and
+enter it in this book." He wrote on the cover "Reuben Hornby" and passed
+the book to me. "In this second book you will, in like manner, enter
+anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and, in the third book,
+data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that
+for stray facts connected with the case but not coming under either of
+the other headings. And now let us look at the product of Polton's
+industry."
+</p>
+<p>
+He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by eight
+broad, done on glazed bromide paper and mounted flatly on stiff card. It
+showed a greatly magnified <i>facsimile</i> of one of the thumb-prints, in
+which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands
+and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could
+be seen only with the aid of a lens, were plainly visible to the naked
+eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black
+lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each
+square being distinguished by a number.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Excellent, Polton," said Thorndyke approvingly; "a most admirable
+enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb-print in
+contact with a numbered micrometer divided into square twelfths of an
+inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares are here
+each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these
+micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining
+cheques, doubtful signatures and such like. I see you have packed up the
+camera and the microscope, Polton; have you put in the micrometer?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, sir," replied Polton, "and the six-inch objective and the
+low-power eye-piece. Everything is in the case; and I have put 'special
+rapid' plates into the dark-slides in case the light should be bad."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland Yard lions in their den,"
+said Thorndyke, putting on his hat and gloves.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely," said I, "you are not going to drag that great microscope
+to Scotland Yard, when you only want eight diameters. Haven't you a
+dissecting microscope or some other portable instrument?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have a most delightful instrument of the dissecting type, of
+Polton's own make&mdash;he shall show it to you. But I may have need of a
+more powerful instrument&mdash;and here let me give you a word of warning:
+whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials. We
+are seeking information, not giving it, you understand."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment the little brass knocker on the inner door&mdash;the outer oak
+being open&mdash;uttered a timid and apologetic rat-tat.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who the deuce can that be?" muttered Thorndyke, replacing the
+microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it
+somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then
+perceived a lady standing on the threshold.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Dr. Thorndyke?" she inquired, and as my colleague bowed, she continued,
+"I ought to have written to ask for an appointment but the matter is
+rather urgent&mdash;it concerns Mr. Reuben Hornby and I only learned from
+him this morning that he had consulted you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Pray come in," said Thorndyke. "Dr. Jervis and I were just setting out
+for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my
+colleague, who is working up the case with me."
+</p>
+<p>
+Our visitor, a tall handsome girl of twenty or thereabouts, returned my
+bow and remarked with perfect self-possession, "My name is Gibson&mdash;Miss
+Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character and need not
+detain you many minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+She seated herself in the chair that Thorndyke placed for her, and
+continued in a brisk and business-like manner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the
+last six years I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no
+relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to
+Mrs. Hornby, though, as I was only fifteen at the time, I need hardly
+say that my duties were not very onerous; in fact, I think Mrs. Hornby
+took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a
+livelihood, and she had no children of her own.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Three years ago I came into a little fortune which rendered me
+independent; but I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked
+to be allowed to remain with them, and there I have been ever since in
+the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal
+of their nephews, who spend a good part of their time at the house, and
+I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Reuben has fallen
+upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this:
+I do not believe that Reuben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out
+of character with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that
+he is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In what way?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By supplying the sinews of war," replied Miss Gibson. "I understand
+that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid you are quite correctly informed," said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, Reuben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it
+is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise
+me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his
+innocence if I make myself responsible for any costs that he is unable
+to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter, if it
+could be avoided."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your friendship is of an eminently practical kind, Miss Gibson," said
+my colleague, with a smile. "As a matter of fact, the costs are no
+affair of mine. If the occasion arose for the exercise of your
+generosity you would have to approach Mr. Reuben's solicitor through the
+medium of your guardian, Mr. Hornby, and with the consent of the
+accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will arise, although I am
+very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance
+in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently
+impertinent questions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered
+necessary to ask," our visitor replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "I will venture to inquire if any special
+relations exist between you and Mr. Reuben."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You look for the inevitable motive in a woman," said Miss Gibson,
+laughing and flushing a little. "No, there have been no tender passages
+between Reuben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends; in fact,
+there is what I may call a tendency in another direction&mdash;Walter
+Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, no," she replied; "but he has asked me to marry him&mdash;he has asked
+me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere
+attachment to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing
+asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently
+noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course he has. Why not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
+my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
+Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
+takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
+quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
+smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man&mdash;which, I
+take it, he is not."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
+means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
+should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet&mdash;well, I
+have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
+value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
+will."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And do I understand that you refused him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
+nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
+some years?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what sort of character do you give him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
+I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
+to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
+inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
+the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
+keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
+further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
+us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
+head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
+Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
+assistance whenever we need it."
+</p>
+<p>
+After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
+more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
+watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
+camera case to me and made for the door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How the time goes!" he exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it
+hasn't been wasted, Jervis, hey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
+as you could desire&mdash;what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
+psychological problem&mdash;and it is your business to work it out, too."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke nodded.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
+preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
+pass unscrutinised."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
+Hornby, I should say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
+Walter has not inspired a grand passion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
+would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
+that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
+something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of
+hers, 'speaking from my own observation,' seemed to imply that her
+observations of him were not in entire agreement with somebody else's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good man!" exclaimed Thorndyke, slapping me on the back, to the
+undissembled surprise of a policeman whom we were passing; "that is what
+I had hoped for in you&mdash;the capacity to perceive the essential
+underneath the obvious. Yes; somebody has been saying something about
+our client, and the thing that we have to find out is, what is it that
+has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a
+pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant?" I asked foolishly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke grinned in my face. "Why didn't you?" he retorted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," I rejoined, "I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning.
+Let me carry the microscope for a time; it is making your arm ache, I
+see."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thanks," said he, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers; "it
+is rather ponderous."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't make out what you want with this great instrument," I said. "A
+common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six-inch
+objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Two, with the draw-tube closed," replied Thorndyke, "and the low-power
+eye-piece brings it up to four. Polton made them both for me for
+examining cheques, bank-notes and other large objects. But you will
+understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to
+make no comments."
+</p>
+<p>
+We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard, and were
+passing up the narrow thoroughfare, when we encountered a uniformed
+official who halted and saluted my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, doctor," said he
+genially. "I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "I am going to see what can be done for the
+defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the officer as he ushered us into the building, "you've
+given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you
+can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "there is no such thing. You mean that
+there is a <i>prima facie</i> case against the accused."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Put it that way if you like," replied the officer, with a sly smile,
+"but I think you will find this about the hardest nut you ever tried
+your teeth on&mdash;and they're pretty strong teeth too, I'll say that. You
+had better come into Mr. Singleton's office," and he conducted us along
+a corridor and into a large, barely-furnished room, where we found a
+sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing table.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How-d'ye-do, doctor?" said the latter, rising and holding out his hand.
+"I can guess what you've come for. Want to see that thumb-print, eh?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite right," answered Thorndyke, and then, having introduced me, he
+continued: "We were partners in the last game, but we are on opposite
+sides of the board this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Singleton; "and we are going to give you check-mate."
+</p>
+<p>
+He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio, from which he
+extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be
+a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block, and bore the pencilled
+inscription: "Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01. J. H." At one end
+was a dark, glossy blood-stain, made by the falling of a good-sized
+drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb
+having been pressed on it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears
+and a remarkably distinct and clean print of a thumb.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinising
+the thumb-print and the smears in turn, but making no remark, while Mr.
+Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not much difficulty in identifying that mark," the official at length
+observed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," agreed Thorndyke; "it is an excellent impression and a very
+distinctive pattern, even without the scar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," rejoined Mr. Singleton; "the scar makes it absolutely conclusive.
+You have a print with you, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke, and he drew from a wide flap-pocket the
+enlarged photograph, at the sight of which Mr. Singleton's face
+broadened into a smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that," he remarked; "not
+that you gain anything by so much enlargement; three diameters is ample
+for studying the ridge-patterns. I see you have divided it up into
+numbered squares&mdash;not a bad plan; but ours&mdash;or rather Galton's, for we
+borrowed the method from him&mdash;is better for this purpose."
+</p>
+<p>
+He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print
+which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was
+marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen,
+each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some
+other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr. Singleton, "is
+better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed
+at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or
+the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or
+unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark
+our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph,
+which will do as well."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said
+Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Singleton, "if you would rather have one of
+your own taking. I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And
+now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me. Inspector Johnson
+will give you any assistance you may require."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And see that I don't pocket the original," added Thorndyke, with a
+smile at the inspector who had shown us in.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I'll see to that," said the latter, grinning; and, as Mr. Singleton
+returned to his table, Thorndyke unlocked the microscope case and drew
+forth the instrument.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What, are you going to put it under the microscope?" exclaimed Mr.
+Singleton, looking round with a broad smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Must do something for my fee, you know," replied Thorndyke, as he set
+up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives to the triple
+nose-piece.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You observe that there is no deception," he added to the inspector, as
+he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it between two
+slips of glass.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I'm watching you, sir," replied the officer, with a chuckle; and he did
+watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndyke laid the
+glass slips on the microscope stage and proceeded to focus.
+</p>
+<p>
+I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my
+colleague's proceedings. After a preliminary glance with the six-inch
+glass, he swung round the nose-piece to the half-inch objective and
+slipped in a more powerful eye-piece, and with this power he examined
+the blood-stains carefully, and then moved the thumb-print into the
+field of vision. After looking at this for some time with deep
+attention, he drew from the case a tiny spirit lamp which was evidently
+filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit
+it I recognised the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced
+one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment, and having placed
+the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the
+spectroscope. Evidently my friend was fixing the position of the "D"
+line (or sodium line) in the spectrum.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having completed the adjustments, he now examined afresh the
+blood-smears and the thumb-print, both by transmitted and reflected
+light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his
+notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamp in the case and
+brought forth the micrometer&mdash;a slip of rather thin glass about three
+inches by one and a half&mdash;which he laid over the thumb-print in the
+place of the upper plate of glass.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing
+its appearance with that of the lines on the large photograph, which he
+held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and
+readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our
+print, so, with Inspector Johnson's assistance, we will take a
+photograph which we can examine at our leisure."
+</p>
+<p>
+He extracted the camera&mdash;a quarter-plate instrument&mdash;from its case and
+opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a
+horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany
+with three brass feet, on which he placed the camera, and which brought
+the latter to a level with the eye-piece of the microscope.
+</p>
+<p>
+The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black
+leather, and into this the eye-piece end of the microscope was now
+passed, the sleeve being secured round the barrel of the microscope by a
+stout indiarubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight
+connection.
+</p>
+<p>
+Everything was now ready for taking the photograph. The light from the
+window having been concentrated on the thumb-print by means of a
+condenser, Thorndyke proceeded to focus the image on the ground-glass
+screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the
+objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will ask you to sit down and remain quite still while I make the
+exposure," he said to me and the inspector. "A very little vibration is
+enough to destroy the sharpness of the image."
+</p>
+<p>
+We seated ourselves accordingly, and Thorndyke then removed the cap,
+standing motionless, watch in hand, while he exposed the first plate.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite
+perfect," he said, as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter.
+</p>
+<p>
+He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way,
+and then, having removed the micrometer and replaced it by a slip of
+plain glass, he made two more exposures.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two plates left," he remarked, as he drew out the second
+dark slide. "I think I will take a record of the blood-stain on them."
+</p>
+<p>
+He accordingly made two more exposures&mdash;one of the larger blood-stain
+and one of the smaller smears.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There," said he, with an air of satisfaction, as he proceeded to pack
+up what the inspector described as his "box of tricks." "I think we have
+all the data that we can squeeze out of Scotland Yard, and I am very
+much obliged to you, Mr. Singleton, for giving so many facilities to
+your natural enemy, the counsel for the defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not our natural enemies, doctor," protested Mr. Singleton. "We work for
+a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
+defence. You know that perfectly well."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
+by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
+am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
+go' this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
+to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
+building.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER IV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+CONFIDENCES
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
+his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
+detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
+suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
+however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
+saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
+man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
+and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+On our arrival at his chambers he immediately handed over the camera to
+Polton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plates,
+and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without
+delay.
+</p>
+<p>
+We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndyke
+suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a
+smile of quiet amusement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has just been borne in upon me, Jervis," said he, "that you are the
+most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of
+silence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If silence is the test of companionability," I answered, with a grin,
+"I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic
+terms."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laughed cheerfully and rejoined&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are pleased to be sarcastic, I observe; but I maintain my position.
+The capacity to preserve an opportune silence is the rarest and most
+precious of social accomplishments. Now, most men would have plied me
+with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard,
+whereas you have allowed me to sort out, without interruption, a mass of
+evidence while it is still fresh and impressive, to docket each item and
+stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a
+ridiculous oversight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The 'Thumbograph.' I never ascertained whether the police have it or
+whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Does it matter?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not much; only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent
+pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital
+this afternoon and Polton has his hands full, it would be a good plan
+for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens&mdash;that is the address, I think&mdash;and
+if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her, and
+extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Messieurs
+Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye
+lifting. Find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of
+those three gentlemen, regardless of all scruples of delicacy.
+Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And with regard to the 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Find out who has it, and, if it is still in Mrs. Hornby's possession,
+get her to lend it to us or&mdash;what might, perhaps, be better&mdash;get her
+permission to take a photograph of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It shall be done according to your word," said I. "I will furbish up my
+exterior, and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the
+character of Paul Pry."
+</p>
+<p>
+About an hour later I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's
+house in Endsley Gardens listening to the jangling of the bell that I
+had just set in motion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Miss Gibson, sir?" repeated the parlourmaid in response to my question.
+"She <i>was</i> going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If
+you will step in, I will go and see."
+</p>
+<p>
+I followed her into the drawing-room, and, threading my way amongst the
+litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies
+nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's
+shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the
+parlourmaid's report.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself
+entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated
+myself on my timely arrival.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis," she said,
+holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner, "but you are very
+welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the contrary," I replied, "I have come to ask you something."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is better than nothing," she said, with a shade of
+disappointment. "Won't you sit down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scrofulous aspect, and
+opened my business without preamble.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember a thing called a 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed I do," she replied with energy. "It was the cause of all this
+trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you know if the police took possession of it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the finger-print experts
+might examine it and compare the two thumb-prints; and they wanted to
+keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of its being used
+in evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really had no
+further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves when they
+had Reuben in custody; in fact, he volunteered to have a print taken at
+once, as soon as he was arrested, and that was done."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So the 'Thumbograph' is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, unless she has destroyed it. She spoke of doing so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope she has not," said I, in some alarm, "for Dr. Thorndyke is
+extremely anxious, for some reason, to examine it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told
+her you were here. Have you any idea what Dr. Thorndyke's reason is for
+wanting to see it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever," I replied. "Dr. Thorndyke is as close as an oyster. He
+treats me as he treats every one else&mdash;he listens attentively, observes
+closely, and says nothing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It doesn't sound very agreeable," mused Miss Gibson; "and yet he seemed
+very nice and sympathetic."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He <i>is</i> very nice and sympathetic," I retorted with some emphasis, "but
+he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his clients' secrets."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
+she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
+observation.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
+when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
+somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
+entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
+and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
+You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau.
+What did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
+be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
+your nephew's defence, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
+a dear. Do you agree with her?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
+noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
+the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
+respect."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
+recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
+repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
+is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
+Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
+show to Dr. Thorndyke?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I would do
+anything&mdash;anything&mdash;to help our poor boy. I will never believe that he
+could be guilty of theft&mdash;common, vulgar theft. There has been some
+dreadful mistake&mdash;I am convinced there has&mdash;I told the detectives so. I
+assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and that
+they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such an
+action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him since
+he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone is.
+Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds? and
+they were not even cut."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
+eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to see this little
+book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
+reflections.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
+the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
+feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
+Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
+to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
+'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
+return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
+from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
+'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
+return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
+fire. I wish never to see it again."
+</p>
+<p>
+But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
+that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
+custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
+examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to
+put it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not
+go out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to
+ask for your permission to take a photograph of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
+for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
+I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know&mdash;is he not, Juliet,
+dear?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
+would rather take the photograph himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
+person would not be of much use to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
+just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
+photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
+clever, I assure you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
+Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is excessively good of you&mdash;" I began.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
+evening?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We should very much," I replied. "My colleague could then examine it
+and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much
+trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is nothing of the kind," said Miss Gibson. "You would not mind
+coming with me this evening, would you, aunt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to
+enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch,
+declared that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make
+my adieux, and she then remarked&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might
+arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds
+later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously
+after us from the open door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think?" Miss Gibson asked, as we
+walked up the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered. "If anything should
+render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram. I could wish
+that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson laughed softly&mdash;and a very pleasant and musical laugh it
+was.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she agreed. "Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult
+to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little
+failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and
+generosity from her as I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am. After all, a little
+diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults in a
+generous and amiable woman of her age."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a
+little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence.
+Presently she turned to me with some suddenness and a very earnest
+expression, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I want to ask you a question, Dr. Jervis, and please forgive me if I
+beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my
+favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thorndyke has any kind of
+hope or expectation of being able to save poor Reuben from the dreadful
+peril that threatens him."
+</p>
+<p>
+This was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider it
+before replying.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like," I replied at length, "to tell you as much as my duty to
+my colleague will allow me to; but that is so little that it is hardly
+worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence:
+Dr. Thorndyke has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he
+would, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had
+considered it a hopeless one."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is a very encouraging view of the matter," said she, "which, had,
+however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your
+visit to Scotland Yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching; I am so
+terribly anxious and troubled."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I
+know very little; but I have an idea that Dr. Thorndyke is not
+dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts,
+though I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home he
+developed a sudden desire to examine the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, Dr. Jervis," she said gratefully. "You have cheered me more
+than I can tell you, and I won't ask you any more questions. Are you
+sure I am not bringing you out of the way?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," I answered hastily. "The fact is, I had hoped to have a
+little chat with you when we had disposed of the 'Thumbograph,' so I can
+regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of
+pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave me a little ironical bow as she inquired&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"And, in short, I may take it that I am to be pumped?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come, now," I retorted. "You have been plying the pump handle pretty
+vigorously yourself. But that is not my meaning at all. You see, we are
+absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of
+course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters. But, after
+all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our
+client, for instance. He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but
+he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then
+you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and
+we are at once on firmer ground."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one
+else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character. Would
+they have influenced you in your attitude towards him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to
+inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an
+air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
+Reuben's disadvantage?"
+</p>
+<p>
+She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent
+pensively on the ground. At length she said, not without some hesitation
+of manner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair. But
+it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a
+barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends.
+And I have blamed myself for letting it influence me&mdash;perhaps
+unjustly&mdash;in my opinion of him. I will tell you about it, though I
+expect you will think me very foolish.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months
+ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you
+understand. But we were on the footing of relatives, so there was
+nothing out of the way in it. Reuben is a keen student of ancient and
+mediaeval art, in which I also am much interested, so we used to visit
+the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from
+comparing our views and impressions of what we saw.
+</p>
+<p>
+"About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day and, with a very
+serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between
+Reuben and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but nevertheless,
+I told him the truth, that Reuben and I were just friends and nothing
+more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'If that is the case,' said he, looking mighty grave, 'I would advise
+you not to be seen about with him quite so much.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"'And why not?' I asked very naturally.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Why, the fact is,' said Walter, 'that Reuben is a confounded fool. He
+has been chattering to the men at the club and seems to have given them
+the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting
+her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-souled philosopher
+above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to
+her blandishments and her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for
+your own guidance,' he continued, 'and I expect this to go no farther.
+You mustn't be annoyed with Reuben. The best of young men will often
+behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt the fellows have
+grossly exaggerated what he said; but I thought it right to put you on
+your guard.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I
+wanted to have it out with Reuben then and there. But Walter refused to
+sanction this&mdash;'there was no use in making a scene' he said&mdash;and he
+insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence; so what
+was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Reuben as I always had done,
+but this I found impossible; my womanly pride was much too deeply hurt.
+And yet I felt it the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts
+of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. And
+although it was most unlike Reuben in some respects, it was very like
+him in others; for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men
+who marry for a livelihood. So I have remained on the horns of a dilemma
+and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I rubbed my chin in some embarrassment at this question. Needless to
+say, I was most disagreeably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and
+not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to
+his secret disparagement of his cousin; but I was obviously not in a
+position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The position appears to be this," I said, after a pause, "either Reuben
+has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied
+deliberately about him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she agreed, "that is the position; but which of the two
+alternatives appears to you the more probable?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is very difficult to say," I answered. "There is a certain kind
+of cad who is much given to boastful rhodomontade concerning his
+conquests. We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight,
+but I must say that Reuben Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man
+at all. Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have
+adopted, if he had really heard such rumours, was to have had the matter
+out with Reuben, instead of coming secretly to you with whispered
+reports. That is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but, of course, I may be quite
+wrong. I gather that our two young friends are not inseparable
+companions?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, they are very good friends, but you see, their interests and views
+of life are quite different. Reuben, although an excellent worker in
+business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a
+scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs&mdash;decidedly
+long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby
+said."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He takes photographs, for instance," I suggested.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. But not ordinary amateur photographs; his work is more technical
+and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful
+series of micro-photographs of sections of metalliferous rocks which he
+reproduced for publication by the collotype process, and even printed
+off the plates himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see. He must be a very capable fellow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is, very," she assented, "and very keen on making a position; but I
+am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not
+a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I agreed that it was not.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Excessive keenness in money affairs," proceeded Miss Gibson oracularly,
+"is apt to lead a young man into bad ways&mdash;oh, you need not smile, Dr.
+Jervis, at my wise saws; it is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact
+is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich
+inclines him to try what looks like a quick and easy method of making
+money. He had a friend&mdash;a Mr. Horton&mdash;who is a dealer on the Stock
+Exchange and who 'operates' rather largely&mdash;'operate' I believe is the
+expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common
+gambling&mdash;and I have more than once suspected Walter of being concerned
+in what Mr. Horton calls 'a little flutter.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding," I remarked,
+with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore untempted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," she agreed, "it isn't. But your gambler always thinks he is going
+to win&mdash;though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
+a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
+far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
+Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
+punctually."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
+to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
+she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER V
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
+conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
+gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
+consumer."
+</p>
+<p>
+I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
+facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I
+suppose?" said Thorndyke&mdash;"while the matter was still fresh?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within
+five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good!" said Thorndyke. "And now let us see what you have collected."
+</p>
+<p>
+He glanced quickly through the entries in the two books, referring back
+once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then
+he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our information, then," he said, "amounts to this: Reuben is an
+industrious worker at his business and, in his leisure, a student of
+ancient and medieval art; possibly a babbling fool and a cad or, on the
+other hand, a maligned and much-abused man.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter Hornby is obviously a sneak and possibly a liar; a keen man of
+business, perhaps a flutterer round the financial candle that burns in
+Throgmorton Street; an expert photographer and a competent worker of the
+collotype process. You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I
+wonder if you see the bearing of the facts that you have collected."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I see the bearing of some of them," I answered; "at least, I
+have formed certain opinions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then keep them to yourself, <i>mon ami</i>, so that I need not feel as if I
+ought to unbosom myself of my own views."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndyke," I replied, "and
+should have none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your
+opinions and theories are the property of your client and not to be used
+for the entertainment of your friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke patted me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly
+pleased, and said, with evident sincerity, "I am really grateful to you
+for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent
+with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I
+am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can
+do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink
+the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods!
+here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour
+of roasted flesh. Rump steak I ween," he added, sniffing, "food meet for
+the mighty Shamash (that pun was fortuitous, I need not say) or a
+ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Polton, how it is that
+your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have
+command of a special brand of ox?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as
+full of lines as a ground-plan of Clapham Junction.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir," he replied. "I
+usually bruise it in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the
+fibre too much, and then I heat up the little cupel furnace to about 600
+C, and put the steak in on a tripod."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke laughed outright. "The cupel furnace, too," he exclaimed.
+"Well, well, 'to what base uses'&mdash;but I don't know that it is a base use
+after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of
+ten by eight 'process' plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two
+ladies here this evening with a document."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Polton, with an alarmed
+expression.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect I shall have to," answered Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit," said Polton, who
+evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine and feminine
+view as to the proper appearance of working premises.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on the case?" said
+Thorndyke, when his voracity had become somewhat appeased.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I
+could remember it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic," Thorndyke remarked, "and
+it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we
+show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard,
+then to the whole world. We know what their trump card is and can
+arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You speak of the police as your antagonists; I noticed that at the
+'Yard' this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the
+position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender,
+not to fix the crime on some particular person."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That would seem to be so," replied Thorndyke, "but in practice it is
+otherwise. When the police have made an arrest they work for a
+conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs; it
+is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one&mdash;especially
+since the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be
+estimated by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement
+is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is
+of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not
+engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is
+trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without
+regard to its actual truth or even to the lawyer's own belief on the
+subject. That is what produces so much friction between lawyers and
+scientific witnesses; neither can understand the point of view of the
+other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this; it has
+gone half-past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room
+presentable."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I notice you don't use your office much," I remarked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hardly at all, excepting as a repository for documents and stationery.
+It is very cheerless to talk in an office, and nearly all my business is
+transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is
+no need for such formalities. All right, Polton; we shall be ready for
+you in five minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+The Temple bell was striking eight as, at Thorndyke's request, I threw
+open the iron-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps
+came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for our two
+visitors, and led them into the room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Hornby, when I had
+done the honours of introduction; "I have heard so much about you from
+Juliet&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Really, my dear aunt," protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with
+a look of comical alarm, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous
+impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice
+and had been received with undeserved indulgence and consideration."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby, "but I
+suppose it doesn't matter."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favourable report of us,
+whatever may have been the actual form of expression," said Thorndyke,
+with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered her with
+smiling confusion, "and we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much
+trouble to help us."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure," replied Mrs. Hornby;
+and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened,
+like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out
+into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed chairs
+for the two ladies, and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed a stony
+gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Hornby's wrist.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is the 'Thumbograph' in your bag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, in response
+to this mute appeal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course it is, my dear Juliet," replied the elder lady. "You saw me
+put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are. Did you think I should
+have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are
+really very secure, you know, although I daresay they are safer than
+pockets, especially now that it is the fashion to have the pocket at the
+back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a
+pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know,
+to make a snatch and&mdash;in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I
+knew a lady&mdash;Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet&mdash;no, it wasn't Mrs.
+Moggridge, that was another affair, it was Mrs.&mdash;Mrs.&mdash;dear me, how
+silly of me!&mdash;now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You
+must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the
+Hawley-Johnsons'&mdash;I think it was the Hawley-Johnsons', or else it was
+those people, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph'?" interrupted
+Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, of course, Juliet, dear. What else did we come here for?" With a
+slightly injured expression, Mrs. Hornby opened the little bag and
+commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents on to
+the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a
+visiting list, a packet of <i>papier poudr&eacute;</i>, and when she had laid the
+last-mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into
+Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling
+discovery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I remember the woman's name," she said in an impressive voice. "It was
+Gudge&mdash;Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Miss Gibson made an unceremonious dive into the open bag and fished
+out a tiny parcel wrapped in notepaper and secured with a silk thread.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," said Thorndyke, taking it from her hand just as Mrs. Hornby
+was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread and drew from its
+wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbograph"
+stamped upon the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby
+rose and stood beside him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That," said she, as she opened the book at the first page, "is the
+thumb-mark of a Miss Colley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is
+a little smeared&mdash;she said Reuben jogged her elbow, but I don't think
+he did; at any rate he assured me he did not, and, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! Here is one we are looking for," interrupted Thorndyke, who had
+been turning the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling
+comments; "a very good impression, too, considering the rather rough
+method of producing it."
+</p>
+<p>
+He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the
+mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered
+through it at the thumb-print that he was looking for something. A
+moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had
+sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and
+composed air and made no remark, there was a sparkle of the eye and a
+scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I
+had begun to recognise beneath the impassive mask that he presented to
+the world.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he
+said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, "and, as I
+may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you
+and Miss Gibson to sign your names&mdash;as small as possible&mdash;on the page
+which bears Mr. Reuben's thumb-mark. That will anticipate any suggestion
+that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such
+suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain
+pen in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and
+handed the pen to Miss Gibson, who signed underneath.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "we will take an enlarged photograph of this
+page with the thumb-mark; not that it is necessary that it should be
+done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the
+photograph will be wanted, and as my man is expecting us and has the
+apparatus ready, we may as well despatch the business at once."
+</p>
+<p>
+To this both the ladies readily agreed (being, in fact, devoured by
+curiosity with regard to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly
+proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the
+ingenious Polton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me
+with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we
+entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small
+woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of
+mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I
+noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike
+neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndyke's observation,
+for his face relaxed into a grim smile as his eye travelled over the
+bare benches and the clean-swept floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of
+which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shelves of
+reagents that covered the wall, and the flasks, retorts and other
+apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a
+drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large,
+massively-constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the
+lens, was fixed, and an easel or copyholder travelled on parallel guides
+towards, or away, from it, on a long stand.
+</p>
+<p>
+This apparatus Thorndyke proceeded to explain to our visitors while
+Polton was fixing the "Thumbograph" in a holder attached to the easel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You see," he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, "I have a
+good deal to do with signatures, cheques and disputed documents of
+various kinds. Now a skilled eye, aided by a pocket-lens, can make out
+very minute details on a cheque or bank-note; but it is not possible to
+lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very
+convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the
+magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original.
+Small things, when magnified, develop quite unexpected characters; for
+instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but
+have you ever noticed the little white spots in the upper corner of a
+penny stamp, or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of
+the wreath?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson admitted that she had not.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very few people have, I suppose, excepting stamp-collectors," continued
+Thorndyke; "but now just glance at this and you will find these
+unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed
+her a photograph, which he had taken from a drawer, showing a penny
+stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches.
+</p>
+<p>
+While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded
+with his work. The "Thumbograph" having been fixed in position, the
+light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted with a parabolic
+reflector, was concentrated on it, and the camera racked out to its
+proper distance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are those figures intended to show?" inquired Miss Gibson,
+indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides.
+</p>
+<p>
+"They show the amount of magnification or reduction," Thorndyke
+explained. "When the pointer is opposite 0, the photograph is the same
+size as the object photographed; when it points to, say, &times; 4, the
+photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while
+if it should point to, say, &divide; 4, the photograph will be one-fourth the
+length of the object. It is now, you see, pointing to &times; 8, so the
+photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb-mark."
+</p>
+<p>
+By this time Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus and,
+when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image on the
+focussing screen, we withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to
+bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and
+the plate developed. Here, after an interval, we were joined by Polton,
+who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could
+be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb-mark.
+</p>
+<p>
+This Thorndyke scrutinised eagerly, and having pronounced it
+satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was
+attained, and thanked her for the trouble she had taken.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am very glad we came," said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we
+walked slowly up Mitre Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorndyke;
+"and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has
+made me realise that something is being done and that Dr. Thorndyke
+really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And very properly so," I replied. "I, too, although I really know
+nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would
+not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had
+not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking a
+hopeful view."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you for saying that," she rejoined warmly; "and you will let me
+have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you?" She looked in my face
+so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and,
+indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully
+justify my colleague's reticence towards me.
+</p>
+<p>
+However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so, when we emerged
+into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a hansom, I
+could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see
+her again at the earliest opportunity&mdash;a promise which my inner
+consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend,"
+Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back towards his chambers. "You are
+an insinuating dog, Jervis."
+</p>
+<p>
+"She is very frank and easy to get on with," I replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A good girl and a clever girl, and comely to look upon withal. I
+suppose it would be superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your
+eye?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud," I
+replied sulkily.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course you wouldn't; hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic
+member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to
+Reuben Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It might be worth while to find out," said Thorndyke; and then he
+relapsed into silence.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke's hint as to the possible danger foreshadowed by my growing
+intimacy with Juliet Gibson had come upon me as a complete surprise, and
+had, indeed, been resented by me as somewhat of an impertinence.
+Nevertheless, it gave me considerable food for meditation, and I
+presently began to suspect that the watchful eyes of my observant friend
+might have detected something in my manner towards Miss Gibson
+suggestive of sentiments that had been unsuspected by myself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Of course it would be absurd to suppose that any real feeling could have
+been engendered by so ridiculously brief an acquaintance. I had only met
+the girl three times, and even now, excepting for business relations,
+was hardly entitled to more than a bow of recognition. But yet, when I
+considered the matter impartially and examined my own consciousness, I
+could not but recognise that she had aroused in me an interest which
+bore no relation to the part that she had played in the drama that was
+so slowly unfolding. She was undeniably a very handsome girl, and her
+beauty was of a type that specially appealed to me&mdash;full of dignity and
+character that gave promise of a splendid middle age. And her
+personality was in other ways not less attractive, for she was frank and
+open, sprightly and intelligent, and though evidently quite
+self-reliant, was in nowise lacking in that womanly softness that so
+strongly engages a man's sympathy.
+</p>
+<p>
+In short, I realised that, had there been no such person as Reuben
+Hornby, I should have viewed Miss Gibson with uncommon interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, unfortunately, Reuben Hornby was a most palpable reality, and,
+moreover, the extraordinary difficulties of his position entitled him to
+very special consideration by any man of honour. It was true that Miss
+Gibson had repudiated any feelings towards Reuben other than those of
+old-time friendship; but young ladies are not always impartial judges of
+their own feelings, and, as a man of the world, I could not but have my
+own opinion on the matter&mdash;which opinion I believed to be shared by
+Thorndyke. The conclusions to which my cogitations at length brought me
+were: first, that I was an egotistical donkey, and, second, that my
+relations with Miss Gibson were of an exclusively business character and
+must in future be conducted on that basis, with the added consideration
+that I was the confidential agent, for the time being, of Reuben Hornby,
+and in honour bound to regard his interests as paramount.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am hoping," said Thorndyke, as he held out his hand for my teacup,
+"that these profound reflections of yours are connected with the Hornby
+affair; in which case I should expect to hear that the riddle is solved
+and the mystery made plain."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why should you expect that?" I demanded, reddening somewhat, I suspect,
+as I met his twinkling eye. There was something rather disturbing in the
+dry, quizzical smile that I encountered and the reflection that I had
+been under observation, and I felt as much embarrassed as I should
+suppose a self-conscious water-flea might feel on finding itself on the
+illuminated stage of a binocular microscope.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "you have not spoken a word for the
+last quarter of an hour; you have devoured your food with the relentless
+regularity of a sausage-machine, and you have, from time to time, made
+the most damnable faces at the coffee-pot&mdash;though there I'll wager the
+coffee-pot was even with you, if I may judge by the presentment that it
+offers of my own countenance."
+</p>
+<p>
+I roused myself from my reverie with a laugh at Thorndyke's quaint
+conceit and a glance at the grotesquely distorted reflection of my face
+in the polished silver.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I <i>have</i> been a rather dull companion this morning," I
+admitted apologetically.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By no means," replied Thorndyke, with a grin. "On the contrary, I have
+found you both amusing and instructive, and I only spoke when I had
+exhausted your potentialities as a silent entertainer."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are pleased to be facetious at my expense," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, the expense was not a very heavy one," he retorted. "I have been
+merely consuming a by-product of your mental activity&mdash;Hallo! that's
+Anstey already."
+</p>
+<p>
+A peculiar knock, apparently delivered with the handle of a
+walking-stick on the outer door, was the occasion of this exclamation,
+and as Thorndyke sprang up and flung the door open, a clear, musical
+voice was borne in, the measured cadences of which proclaimed at once
+the trained orator.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hail, learned brother!" it exclaimed. "Do I disturb you untimely at
+your studies?" Here our visitor entered the room and looked round
+critically. "'Tis even so," he declared. "Physiological chemistry and
+its practical applications appears to be the subject. A physico-chemical
+inquiry into the properties of streaky bacon and fried eggs. Do I see
+another learned brother?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He peered keenly at me through his pince-nez, and I gazed at him in some
+embarrassment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is my friend Jervis, of whom you have heard me speak," said
+Thorndyke. "He is with us in this case, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The echoes of your fame have reached me, sir," said Anstey, holding out
+his hand. "I am proud to know you. I should have recognised you
+instantly from the portrait of your lamented uncle in Greenwich
+Hospital."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Anstey is a wag, you understand," explained Thorndyke, "but he has
+lucid intervals. He'll have one presently if we are patient."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Patient!" snorted our eccentric visitor, "it is I who need to be
+patient when I am dragged into police courts and other sinks of iniquity
+to plead for common thieves and robbers like a Kennington Lane
+advocate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You've been talking to Lawley, I see," said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, and he tells me that we haven't a leg to stand upon."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, we've got to stand on our heads, as men of intellect should. But
+Lawley knows nothing about the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He thinks he knows it all," said Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Most fools do," retorted Thorndyke. "They arrive at their knowledge by
+intuition&mdash;a deuced easy road and cheap travelling too. We reserve our
+defence&mdash;I suppose you agree to that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose so. The magistrate is sure to commit unless you have an
+unquestionable <i>alibi</i>."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shall put in an <i>alibi</i>, but we are not depending on it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then we had better reserve our defence," said Anstey; "and it is time
+that we wended on our pilgrimage, for we are due at Lawley's at
+half-past ten. Is Jervis coming with us?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, you'd better come," said Thorndyke. "It's the adjourned hearing of
+poor Hornby's case, you know. There won't be anything done on our side,
+but we may be able to glean some hint from the prosecution."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like to hear what takes place, at any rate," I said, and we
+accordingly sallied forth together in the direction of Lincoln's Inn, on
+the north side of which Mr. Lawley's office was situated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said the solicitor, as we entered, "I am glad you've come; I was
+getting anxious&mdash;it doesn't do to be late on these occasions, you know.
+Let me see, do you know Mr. Walter Hornby? I don't think you do." He
+presented Thorndyke and me to our client's cousin, and as we shook
+hands, we viewed one another with a good deal of mutual interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have heard about you from my aunt," said he, addressing himself more
+particularly to me. "She appears to regard you as a kind of legal
+Maskelyne and Cooke. I hope, for my cousin's sake, that you will be able
+to work the wonders that she anticipates. Poor old fellow! He looks
+pretty bad, doesn't he?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I glanced at Reuben, who was at the moment talking to Thorndyke, and as
+he caught my eye he held out his hand with a warmth that I found very
+pathetic. He seemed to have aged since I had last seen him, and was pale
+and rather thinner, but he was composed in his manner and seemed to me
+to be taking his trouble very well on the whole.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cab's at the door, sir," a clerk announced.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cab," repeated Mr. Lawley, looking dubiously at me; "we want an
+omnibus."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Dr. Jervis and I can walk," Walter Hornby suggested. "We shall probably
+get there as soon as you, and it doesn't matter if we don't."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will do," said Mr. Lawley; "you two walk down together. Now
+let us go."
+</p>
+<p>
+We trooped out on to the pavement, beside which a four-wheeler was drawn
+up, and as the others were entering the cab, Thorndyke stood close
+beside me for a moment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Don't let him pump you," he said in a low voice, without looking at me;
+then he sprang into the cab and slammed the door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What an extraordinary affair this is," Walter Hornby remarked, after we
+had been walking in silence for a minute or two; "a most ghastly
+business. I must confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How is that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, do you see, there are apparently only two possible theories of the
+crime, and each of them seems to be unthinkable. On the one hand there
+is Reuben, a man of the most scrupulous honour, as far as my experience
+of him goes, committing a mean and sordid theft for which no motive can
+be discovered&mdash;for he is not poor, nor pecuniarily embarrassed nor in
+the smallest degree avaricious. On the other hand, there is this
+thumb-print, which, in the opinion of the experts, is tantamount to the
+evidence of an eye-witness that he did commit the theft. It is
+positively bewildering. Don't you think so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"As you put it," I answered, "the case is extraordinarily puzzling."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But how else would you put it?" he demanded, with ill-concealed
+eagerness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I mean that, if Reuben is the man you believe him to be, the thing is
+incomprehensible."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so," he agreed, though he was evidently disappointed at my
+colourless answer.
+</p>
+<p>
+He walked on silently for a few minutes and then said: "I suppose it
+would not be fair to ask if you see any way out of the difficulty? We
+are all, naturally anxious about the upshot of the affair, seeing what
+poor old Reuben's position is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Naturally. But the fact is that I know no more than you do, and as to
+Thorndyke, you might as well cross-examine a Whitstable native as put
+questions to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, so I gathered from Juliet. But I thought you might have gleaned
+some notion of the line of defence from your work in the laboratory&mdash;the
+microscopical and photographic work I mean."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was never in the laboratory until last night, when Thorndyke took me
+there with your aunt and Miss Gibson; the work there is done by the
+laboratory assistant, and his knowledge of the case, I should say, is
+about as great as a type-founder's knowledge of the books that he is
+helping to produce. No; Thorndyke is a man who plays a single-handed
+game and no one knows what cards he holds until he lays them on the
+table."
+</p>
+<p>
+My companion considered this statement in silence while I congratulated
+myself on having parried, with great adroitness, a rather inconvenient
+question. But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion
+to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty
+miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own
+personal worries."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he any special trouble besides this, then?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, haven't you heard? I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't
+have spoken&mdash;not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is
+public property in the city. The fact is that his financial affairs are
+a little entangled just now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will
+pull through all right. It is the usual thing, you know&mdash;investments, or
+perhaps one should say speculations. He appears to have sunk a lot of
+capital in mines&mdash;thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it
+seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him
+with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility
+of a dead loss if they don't revive. Then there are these infernal
+diamonds. He is not morally responsible, we know; but it is a question
+if he is not legally responsible, though the lawyers think he is not.
+Anyhow, there is going to be a meeting of the creditors to-morrow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you think they will do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, they will, most probably, let him go on for the present; but, of
+course, if he is made accountable for the diamonds there will be nothing
+for it but to 'go through the hoop,' as the sporting financier expresses
+it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The diamonds were of considerable value, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"From twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds' worth vanished with that
+parcel."
+</p>
+<p>
+I whistled. This was a much bigger affair than I had imagined, and I
+was wondering if Thorndyke had realised the magnitude of the robbery,
+when we arrived at the police court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose our friends have gone inside," said Walter. "They must have
+got here before us."
+</p>
+<p>
+This supposition was confirmed by a constable of whom we made inquiry,
+and who directed us to the entrance to the court. Passing down a passage
+and elbowing our way through the throng of idlers, we made for the
+solicitor's box, where we had barely taken our seats when the case was
+called.
+</p>
+<p>
+Unspeakably dreary and depressing were the brief proceedings that
+followed, and dreadfully suggestive of the helplessness of even an
+innocent man on whom the law has laid its hand and in whose behalf its
+inexorable machinery has been set in motion.
+</p>
+<p>
+The presiding magistrate, emotionless and dry, dipped his pen while
+Reuben, who had surrendered to his bail, was placed in the dock and the
+charge read over to him. The counsel representing the police gave an
+abstract of the case with the matter-of-fact air of a house-agent
+describing an eligible property. Then, when the plea of "not guilty" had
+been entered, the witnesses were called. There were only two, and when
+the name of the first, John Hornby, was called, I glanced towards the
+witness-box with no little curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had not hitherto met Mr. Hornby, and as he now entered the box, I saw
+an elderly man, tall, florid, and well-preserved, but strained and wild
+in expression and displaying his uncontrollable agitation by continual
+nervous movements which contrasted curiously with the composed demeanour
+of the accused man. Nevertheless, he gave his evidence in a perfectly
+connected manner, recounting the events connected with the discovery of
+the crime in much the same words as I had heard Mr. Lawley use, though,
+indeed, he was a good deal more emphatic than that gentleman had been in
+regard to the excellent character borne by the prisoner.
+</p>
+<p>
+After him came Mr. Singleton, of the finger-print department at Scotland
+Yard, to whose evidence I listened with close attention. He produced the
+paper which bore the thumb-print in blood (which had previously been
+identified by Mr. Hornby) and a paper bearing the print, taken by
+himself, of the prisoner's left thumb. These two thumb-prints, he
+stated, were identical in every respect.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are of opinion that the mark on the paper that was found in Mr.
+Hornby's safe, was made by the prisoner's left thumb?" the magistrate
+asked in dry and business-like tones.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am certain of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are of opinion that no mistake is possible?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No mistake is possible, your worship. It is a certainty."
+</p>
+<p>
+The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister
+rose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We reserve our defence, your worship."
+</p>
+<p>
+The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed
+the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept
+bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the
+next case was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make
+his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the
+filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his
+friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three
+were, for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the
+warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual
+impassivity. "But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your
+innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world&mdash;though this is
+for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one."
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the
+moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the
+breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a
+hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay,
+and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he
+exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I
+answered, without much conviction, however. "It may happen to the best
+of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry,"
+he rejoined. "The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as
+innocent; but how does it treat him? You heard how the magistrate
+addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him <i>Mr</i>.
+Hornby. You know what will happen to Reuben at Holloway. He will be
+ordered about by warders, will have a number label fastened on to his
+coat, he will be locked in a cell with a spy-hole in the door, through
+which any passing stranger may watch him; his food will be handed to
+him in a tin pan with a tin knife and spoon; and he will be periodically
+called out of his cell and driven round the exercise yard with a mob
+composed, for the most part, of the sweepings of the London slums. If he
+is acquitted, he will be turned loose without a suggestion of
+compensation or apology for these indignities or the losses he may have
+sustained through his detention."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Still I suppose these evils are unavoidable," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That may or may not be," he retorted. "My point is that the presumption
+of innocence is a pure fiction; that the treatment of an accused man,
+from the moment of his arrest, is that of a criminal. However," he
+concluded, hailing a passing hansom, "this discussion must be adjourned
+or I shall be late at the hospital. What are you going to do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall get some lunch and then call on Miss Gibson to let her know the
+real position."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will be kind, I think; baldly stated, the news may seem
+rather alarming. I was tempted to thrash the case out in the police
+court, but it would not have been safe. He would almost certainly have
+been committed for trial after all, and then we should have shown our
+hand to the prosecution."
+</p>
+<p>
+He sprang into the hansom and was speedily swallowed up in the traffic,
+while I turned back towards the police court to make certain inquiries
+concerning the regulations as to visitors at Holloway prison. At the
+door I met the friendly inspector from Scotland Yard, who gave me the
+necessary information, whereupon with a certain homely little French
+restaurant in my mind I bent my steps in the direction of Soho.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+When I arrived at Endsley Gardens, Miss Gibson was at home, and to my
+unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
+moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
+verge of insanity&mdash;an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
+tendencies.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is good of you to come&mdash;though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
+said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
+human&mdash;both you and Dr. Thorndyke&mdash;so free from professional stiffness.
+My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
+but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
+dry enough."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
+advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
+Thorndyke for his pains."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
+happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
+agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
+where is Reuben?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
+that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
+it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
+defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
+could revise their own plans accordingly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see that," said she dejectedly, "but I am dreadfully disappointed. I
+had hoped that Dr. Thorndyke would get the case dismissed. What has
+happened to Reuben?"
+</p>
+<p>
+This was the question that I had dreaded, and now that I had to answer
+it I cleared my throat and bent my gaze nervously on the floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The magistrate refused bail," I said after an uncomfortable pause.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Consequently Reuben has been&mdash;er&mdash;detained in custody."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't mean to say that they have sent him to prison?" she exclaimed
+breathlessly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not as a convicted prisoner, you know. He is merely detained pending
+his trial."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But in prison?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I was forced to admit; "in Holloway prison."
+</p>
+<p>
+She looked me stonily in the face for some seconds, pale and wide-eyed,
+but silent; then, with a sudden catch in her breath, she turned away,
+and, grasping the edge of the mantel-shelf, laid her head upon her arm
+and burst into a passion of sobbing.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now I am not, in general, an emotional man, nor even especially
+impulsive; but neither am I a stock or a stone or an effigy of wood;
+which I most surely must have been if I could have looked without being
+deeply moved on the grief, so natural and unselfish, of this strong,
+brave, loyal-hearted woman. In effect, I moved to her side and, gently
+taking in mine the hand that hung down, murmured some incoherent words
+of consolation in a particularly husky voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+Presently she recovered herself somewhat and softly withdrew her hand,
+as she turned towards me drying her eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must forgive me for distressing you, as I fear I have," she said;
+"for you are so kind, and I feel that you are really my friend and
+Reuben's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am indeed, dear Miss Gibson," I replied, "and so, I assure you, is my
+colleague."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure of it," she rejoined. "But I was so unprepared for this&mdash;I
+cannot say why, excepting that I trusted so entirely in Dr.
+Thorndyke&mdash;and it is so horrible and, above all, so dreadfully
+suggestive of what may happen. Up to now the whole thing has seemed like
+a nightmare&mdash;terrifying, but yet unreal. But now that he is actually in
+prison, it has suddenly become a dreadful reality and I am overwhelmed
+with terror. Oh! poor boy! What will become of him? For pity's sake, Dr.
+Jervis, tell me what is going to happen."
+</p>
+<p>
+What could I do? I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to
+Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all
+he had said. Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own
+counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities. But I could
+not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said. "I have it
+from Dr. Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is
+hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world. But I did not have
+this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it
+distress you too much. Try to think of it as of a surgical operation,
+which is a dreadful thing in itself, but is accepted in lieu of
+something which is immeasurably more dreadful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will try to do as you tell me," she answered meekly; "but it is so
+shocking to think of a cultivated gentleman like Reuben, herded with
+common thieves and murderers, and locked in a cage like some wild
+animal. Think of the ignominy and degradation!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no ignominy in being wrongfully accused," I said&mdash;a little
+guiltily, I must own, for Thorndyke's words came back to me with all
+their force. But regardless of this I went on: "An acquittal will
+restore him to his position with an unstained character, and nothing but
+the recollection of a passing inconvenience to look back upon."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave her eyes a final wipe, and resolutely put away her
+handkerchief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have given me back my courage," she said, "and chased away my
+terror. I cannot tell you how I feel your goodness, nor have I any
+thank-offering to make, except the promise to be brave and patient
+henceforth, and trust in you entirely."
+</p>
+<p>
+She said this with such a grateful smile, and looked withal so sweet and
+womanly that I was seized with an overpowering impulse to take her in my
+arms. Instead of this I said with conscious feebleness: "I am more than
+thankful to have been able to give you any encouragement&mdash;which you must
+remember comes from me second-hand, after all. It is to Dr. Thorndyke
+that we all look for ultimate deliverance."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know. But it is you who came to comfort me in my trouble, so, you
+see, the honours are divided&mdash;and not divided quite equally, I fear, for
+women are unreasoning creatures, as, no doubt, your experience has
+informed you. I think I hear my aunt's voice, so you had better escape
+before your retreat is cut off. But before you go, you must tell me how
+and when I can see Reuben. I want to see him at the earliest possible
+moment. Poor fellow! He must not be allowed to feel that his friends
+have forgotten him even for a single instant."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You can see him to-morrow, if you like," I said; and, casting my good
+resolutions to the winds, I added: "I shall be going to see him myself,
+and perhaps Dr. Thorndyke will go."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you let me call at the Temple and go with you? Should I be much
+in the way? It is rather an alarming thing to go to a prison alone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not to be thought of," I answered. "If you will call at the
+Temple&mdash;it is on the way&mdash;we can drive to Holloway together. I suppose
+you are resolved to go? It will be rather unpleasant, as you are
+probably aware."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite resolved. What time shall I come to the Temple?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"About two o'clock, if that will suit you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well. I will be punctual; and now you must go or you will be
+caught."
+</p>
+<p>
+She pushed me gently towards the door and, holding out her hand, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I haven't thanked you half enough and I never can. Good-bye!"
+</p>
+<p>
+She was gone, and I stood alone in the street, up which yellowish
+wreaths of fog were beginning to roll. It had been quite clear and
+bright when I entered the house, but now the sky was settling down into
+a colourless grey, the light was failing and the houses dwindling into
+dim, unreal shapes that vanished at half their height. Nevertheless I
+stepped out briskly and strode along at a good pace, as a young man is
+apt to do when his mind is in somewhat of a ferment. In truth, I had a
+good deal to occupy my thoughts and, as will often happen both to young
+men and old, those matters that bore most directly upon my own life and
+prospects were the first to receive attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+What sort of relations were growing up between Juliet Gibson and me? And
+what was my position? As to hers, it seemed plain enough; she was
+wrapped up in Reuben Hornby and I was her very good friend because I was
+his. But for myself, there was no disguising the fact that I was
+beginning to take an interest in her that boded ill for my peace of
+mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+Never had I met a woman who so entirely realised my conception of what a
+woman should be, nor one who exercised so great a charm over me. Her
+strength and dignity, her softness and dependency, to say nothing of her
+beauty, fitted her with the necessary weapons for my complete and utter
+subjugation. And utterly subjugated I was&mdash;there was no use in denying
+the fact, even though I realised already that the time would presently
+come when she would want me no more and there would remain no remedy for
+me but to go away and try to forget her.
+</p>
+<p>
+But was I acting as a man of honour? To this I felt I could fairly
+answer "yes," for I was but doing my duty, and could hardly act
+differently if I wished to. Besides, I was jeopardising no one's
+happiness but my own, and a man may do as he pleases with his own
+happiness. No; even Thorndyke could not accuse me of dishonourable
+conduct.
+</p>
+<p>
+Presently my thoughts took a fresh turn and I began to reflect upon what
+I had heard concerning Mr. Hornby. Here was a startling development,
+indeed, and I wondered what difference it would make in Thorndyke's
+hypothesis of the crime. What his theory was I had never been able to
+guess, but as I walked along through the thickening fog I tried to fit
+this new fact into our collection of data and determine its bearings and
+significance.
+</p>
+<p>
+In this, for a time, I failed utterly. The red thumb-mark filled my
+field of vision to the exclusion of all else. To me, as to everyone else
+but Thorndyke, this fact was final and pointed to a conclusion that was
+unanswerable. But as I turned the story of the crime over and over,
+there came to me presently an idea that set in motion a new and very
+startling train of thought.
+</p>
+<p>
+Could Mr. Hornby himself be the thief? His failure appeared sudden to
+the outside world, but he must have seen difficulties coming. There,
+indeed, was the thumb-mark on the leaf which he had torn from his
+pocket-block. Yes! but who had seen him tear it off? No one. The fact
+rested on his bare statement.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the thumb-mark? Well, it was possible (though unlikely)&mdash;still
+possible&mdash;that the mark might have been made accidentally on some
+previous occasion and forgotten by Reuben, or even unnoticed. Mr. Hornby
+had seen the "Thumbograph," in fact his own mark was in it, and so would
+have had his attention directed to the importance of finger-prints in
+identification. He might have kept the marked paper for future use, and,
+on the occasion of the robbery, pencilled a dated inscription on it, and
+slipped it into the safe as a sure means of diverting suspicion. All
+this was improbable in the highest degree, but then so was every other
+explanation of the crime; and as to the unspeakable baseness of the
+deed, what action is too base for a gambler in difficulties?
+</p>
+<p>
+I was so much excited and elated by my own ingenuity in having formed
+an intelligible and practicable theory of the crime, that I was now
+impatient to reach home that I might impart my news to Thorndyke and see
+how they affected him. But as I approached the centre of the town the
+fog grew so dense that all my attention was needed to enable me to
+thread my way safely through the traffic; while the strange, deceptive
+aspect that it lent to familiar objects and the obliteration of
+landmarks made my progress so slow that it was already past six o'clock
+when I felt my way down Middle Temple Lane and crept through Crown
+Office Row towards my colleague's chambers.
+</p>
+<p>
+On the doorstep I found Polton peering with anxious face into the blank
+expanse of yellow vapour.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor's late, sir," said he. "Detained by the fog, I expect. It
+must be pretty thick in the Borough."
+</p>
+<p>
+(I may mention that, to Polton, Thorndyke was The Doctor. Other inferior
+creatures there were, indeed, to whom the title of "doctor" in a way,
+appertained; but they were of no account in Polton's eyes. Surnames were
+good enough for them.)
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it must be," I replied, "judging by the condition of the Strand."
+</p>
+<p>
+I entered and ascended the stairs, glad enough of the prospect of a warm
+and well-lighted room after my comfortless groping in the murky streets,
+and Polton, with a final glance up and down the walk reluctantly
+followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You would like some tea, sir, I expect?" said he, as he let me in
+(though I had a key of my own now).
+</p>
+<p>
+I thought I should, and he accordingly set about the preparations in his
+deft methodical way, but with an air of abstraction that was unusual
+with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor said he should be home by five," he remarked, as he laid
+the tea-pot on the tray.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then he is a defaulter," I answered. "We shall have to water his tea."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A wonderful punctual man, sir, is the Doctor," pursued Polton. "Keeps
+his time to the minute, as a rule, he does."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You can't keep your time to a minute in a 'London Particular,'" I said
+a little impatiently, for I wished to be alone that I might think over
+matters, and Polton's nervous flutterings irritated me somewhat. He was
+almost as bad as a female housekeeper.
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man evidently perceived my state of mind, for he stole away
+silently, leaving me rather penitent and ashamed, and, as I presently
+discovered on looking out of the window, resumed his vigil on the
+doorstep. From this coign of vantage he returned after a time to take
+away the tea-things; and thereafter, though it was now dark as well as
+foggy, I could hear him softly flitting up and down the stairs with a
+gloomy stealthiness that at length reduced me to a condition as
+nervously apprehensive as his own.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VIII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The Temple clock had announced in soft and confidential tones that it
+was a quarter to seven, in which statement it was stoutly supported by
+its colleague on our mantelpiece, and still there was no sign of
+Thorndyke. It was really a little strange, for he was the soul of
+punctuality, and moreover, his engagements were of such a kind as
+rendered punctuality possible. I was burning with impatience to impart
+my news to him, and this fact, together with the ghostly proceedings of
+Polton, worked me up to a state of nervous tension that rendered either
+rest or thought equally impossible. I looked out of the window at the
+lamp below, glaring redly through the fog, and then, opening the door,
+went out on to the landing to listen.
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment Polton made a silent appearance on the stairs leading
+from the laboratory, giving me quite a start; and I was about to retire
+into the room when my ear caught the tinkle of a hansom approaching from
+Paper Buildings.
+</p>
+<p>
+The vehicle drew nearer, and at length stopped opposite the house, on
+which Polton slid down the stairs with the agility of a harlequin. A few
+moments later I heard his voice ascending from the hall&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do hope, sir, you're not much hurt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I ran down the stairs and met Thorndyke coming up slowly with his right
+hand on Polton's shoulder. His clothes were muddy, his left arm was in a
+sling, and a black handkerchief under his hat evidently concealed a
+bandage.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not really hurt at all," Thorndyke replied cheerily, "though very
+disreputable to look at. Just came a cropper in the mud, Jervis," he
+added, as he noted my dismayed expression. "Dinner and a clothes-brush
+are what I chiefly need." Nevertheless, he looked very pale and shaken
+when he came into the light on the landing, and he sank into his
+easy-chair in the limp manner of a man either very weak or very
+fatigued.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How did it happen?" I asked when Polton had crept away on tip-toe to
+make ready for dinner.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke looked round to make sure that his henchman had departed, and
+said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"A queer affair, Jervis; a very odd affair indeed. I was coming up from
+the Borough, picking my way mighty carefully across the road on account
+of the greasy, slippery mud, and had just reached the foot of London
+Bridge when I heard a heavy lorry coming down the slope a good deal too
+fast, considering that it was impossible to see more than a dozen yards
+ahead, and I stopped on the kerb to see it safely past. Just as the
+horses emerged from the fog, a man came up behind and lurched violently
+against me and, strangely enough, at the same moment passed his foot in
+front of mine. Of course I went sprawling into the road right in front
+of the lorry. The horses came stamping and sliding straight on to me,
+and, before I could wriggle out of the way, the hoof of one of them
+smashed in my hat&mdash;that was a new one that I came home in&mdash;and
+half-stunned me. Then the near wheel struck my head, making a dirty
+little scalp wound, and pinned down my sleeve so that I couldn't pull
+away my arm, which is consequently barked all the way down. It was a
+mighty near thing, Jervis; another inch or two and I should have been
+rolled out as flat as a starfish."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What became of the man?" I asked, wishing I could have had a brief
+interview with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Lost to sight though to memory dear: he was off like a lamplighter. An
+alcoholic apple-woman picked me up and escorted me back to the hospital.
+It must have been a touching spectacle," he added, with a dry smile at
+the recollection.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And I suppose they kept you there for a time to recover?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I went into dry dock in the O. P. room, and then old Langdale
+insisted on my lying down for an hour or so in case any symptoms of
+concussion should appear. But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
+Still, it was a queer affair."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mean the man pushing you down in that way?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't think it was intentional, surely?" I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it
+seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton
+reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
+</p>
+<p>
+After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my
+colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new
+information would produce on him. The result was, on the whole,
+disappointing. He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no
+symptoms of excitement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh?" he said, when I had
+finished. "He ought to know better at his age. Did you learn how long he
+had been in difficulties?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. But it can hardly have been quite sudden and unforeseen."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should think not," Thorndyke agreed. "A sudden slump often proves
+disastrous to the regular Stock Exchange gambler who is paying
+differences on large quantities of unpaid-for stock. But it looks as if
+Hornby had actually bought and paid for these mines, treating them as
+investments rather than speculations, in which case the depreciation
+would not have affected him in the same way. It would be interesting to
+know for certain."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It might have a considerable bearing on the present case, might it
+not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Undoubtedly," said Thorndyke. "It might bear on the case in more ways
+than one. But you have some special point in your mind, I think."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up
+gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form
+at the time of the robbery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is well considered," said my colleague. "But what is the special
+bearing on the case supposing it was so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr. Hornby was in actual
+pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me
+possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing
+himself and regarding me with lively interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at
+the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in
+fact, it is almost fantastic."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind that," said he. "A sound thinker gives equal consideration
+to the probable and the improbable."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it
+had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to
+observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his
+little nods of approval at each point that I made.
+</p>
+<p>
+When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and
+the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the
+data. At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the
+red embers&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity. We
+may disregard the improbability, seeing that the alternative theories
+are almost equally improbable, and the fact that emerges, and that
+gratifies me more than I can tell you, is that you are gifted with
+enough scientific imagination to construct a possible train of events.
+Indeed, the improbability&mdash;combined, of course, with possibility&mdash;really
+adds to the achievement, for the dullest mind can perceive the
+obvious&mdash;as, for instance, the importance of a finger-print. You have
+really done a great thing, and I congratulate you; for you have
+emancipated yourself, at least to some extent, from the great
+finger-print obsession, which has possessed the legal mind ever since
+Galton published his epoch-making monograph. In that work I remember he
+states that a finger-print affords evidence requiring no
+corroboration&mdash;a most dangerous and misleading statement which has been
+fastened upon eagerly by the police, who have naturally been delighted
+at obtaining a sort of magic touchstone by which they are saved the
+labour of investigation. But there is no such thing as a single fact
+that 'affords evidence requiring no corroboration.' As well might one
+expect to make a syllogism with a single premise."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose they would hardly go so far as that," I said, laughing.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," he admitted. "But the kind of syllogism that they do make is
+this&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"'The crime was committed by the person who made this finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'But John Smith is the person who made the finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Therefore the crime was committed by John Smith.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is a perfectly good syllogism, isn't it?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perfectly," he replied. "But, you see, it begs the whole question,
+which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this
+finger-print?' That is where the corroboration is required."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference
+to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable
+clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated. Take our
+present case, for instance. Without the thumb-print, the robbery might
+have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever. But the
+existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some
+person having access to his finger-prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I see. Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the
+perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite," replied Thorndyke. "I have entertained it from the first; and
+the new facts that you have gathered increase its probability. You
+remember I said that four hypotheses were possible: that the robbery was
+committed either by Reuben, by Walter, by John Hornby, or by some other
+person. Now, putting aside the 'some other person' for consideration
+only if the first three hypotheses fail, we have left, Reuben, Walter,
+and John. But if we leave the thumb-print out of the question, the
+probabilities evidently point to John Hornby, since he, admittedly, had
+access to the diamonds, whereas there is nothing to show that the others
+had. The thumb-print, however, transfers the suspicion to Reuben; but
+yet, as your theory makes evident, it does not completely clear John
+Hornby. As the case stands, the balance of probabilities may be stated
+thus: John Hornby undoubtedly had access to the diamonds, and therefore
+might have stolen them. But if the thumb-mark was made after he closed
+the safe and before he opened it again, some other person must have had
+access to them, and was probably the thief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The thumb-mark is that of Reuben Hornby, a fact that establishes a
+<i>prima facie</i> probability that he stole the diamonds. But there is no
+evidence that he had access to them, and if he had not, he could not
+have made the thumb-mark in the manner and at the time stated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But John Hornby may have had access to the previously-made thumb-mark
+of Reuben, and may possibly have obtained it; in which case he is almost
+certainly the thief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"As to Walter Hornby, he may have had the means of obtaining Reuben's
+thumb-mark; but there is no evidence that he had access either to the
+diamonds or to Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. The <i>prima facie</i>
+probabilities in his case, therefore, are very slight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The actual points at issue, then," I said, "are, whether Reuben had any
+means of opening the safe, and whether Mr. Hornby ever did actually have
+the opportunity of obtaining Reuben's thumb-mark in blood on his
+memorandum block."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke. "Those are the points&mdash;with some others&mdash;and
+they are likely to remain unsettled. Reuben's rooms have been searched
+by the police, who failed to find any skeleton or duplicate keys; but
+this proves nothing, as he would probably have made away with them when
+he heard of the thumb-mark being found. As to the other matter, I have
+asked Reuben, and he has no recollection of ever having made a
+thumb-mark in blood. So there the matter rests."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what about Mr. Hornby's liability for the diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think we may dismiss that," answered Thorndyke. "He had undertaken no
+liability and there was no negligence. He would not be liable at law."
+</p>
+<p>
+After my colleague retired, which he did quite early, I sat for a long
+time pondering upon this singular case in which I found myself involved.
+And the more I thought about it the more puzzled I became. If Thorndyke
+had no more satisfactory explanation to offer than that which he had
+given me this evening, the defence was hopeless, for the court was not
+likely to accept his estimate of the evidential value of finger-prints.
+Yet he had given Reuben something like a positive assurance that there
+would be an adequate defence, and had expressed his own positive
+conviction of the accused man's innocence. But Thorndyke was not a man
+to reach such a conviction through merely sentimental considerations.
+The inevitable conclusion was that he had something up his sleeve&mdash;that
+he had gained possession of some facts that had escaped my observation;
+and when I had reached this point I knocked out my pipe and betook
+myself to bed.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER IX
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE PRISONER
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+On the following morning, as I emerged from my room, I met Polton coming
+up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
+laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
+friend's chamber.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
+presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
+I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
+must take the proper precautions&mdash;rest and a low diet&mdash;until I see that
+no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
+send round the necessary letters, can't you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
+friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
+contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
+resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
+of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
+hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
+Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
+despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
+from my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
+to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught the
+tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
+with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
+and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
+you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
+services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
+waiting."
+</p>
+<p>
+I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
+pulled up and flung open the doors.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Holloway Prison&mdash;main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
+footboard.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
+and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
+fellow-passenger.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
+yet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
+a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."
+</p>
+<p>
+I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
+than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
+circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided
+approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a
+very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting
+arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had
+acted temporarily as medical officer.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the
+question of the advisability of this visit on your part?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and
+appreciate your motive in wishing to do so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me
+to prepare you for the ordeal. I am afraid it will give you a terrible
+shock."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed?" said she. "Is it so bad? Tell me what it will be like."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose
+of a prison like Holloway. We are going to see an innocent man&mdash;a
+cultivated and honourable gentleman. But the ordinary inmates of
+Holloway are not innocent men; for the most part, the remand cases on
+the male side are professional criminals, while the women are either
+petty offenders or chronic inebriates. Most of them are regular
+customers at the prison&mdash;such is the idiotic state of the law&mdash;who come
+into the reception-room like travellers entering a familiar hostelry,
+address the prison officers by name and demand the usual privileges and
+extra comforts&mdash;the 'drunks,' for instance, generally ask for a dose of
+bromide to steady their nerves and a light in the cell to keep away the
+horrors. And such being the character of the inmates, their friends who
+visit them are naturally of the same type&mdash;the lowest outpourings of the
+slums; and it is not surprising to find that the arrangements of the
+prison are made to fit its ordinary inmates. The innocent man is a
+negligible quantity, and no arrangements are made for him or his
+visitors."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But shall we not be taken to Reuben's cell?" asked Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bless you! no," I answered; and, determined to give her every
+inducement to change her mind, I continued: "I will describe the
+procedure as I have seen it&mdash;and a very dreadful and shocking sight I
+found it, I can tell you. It was while I was acting as a prison doctor
+in the Midlands that I had this experience. I was going my round one
+morning when, passing along a passage, I became aware of a strange,
+muffled roar from the other side of the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'What is that noise?' I asked the warder who was with me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Prisoners seeing their friends,' he answered. 'Like to have a look at
+them, sir?'
+</p>
+<p>
+"He unlocked a small door and, as he threw it open, the distant, muffled
+sound swelled into a deafening roar. I passed through the door and found
+myself in a narrow alley at one end of which a warder was sitting. The
+sides of the alley were formed by two immense cages with stout wire
+bars, one for the prisoners and the other for the visitors; and each
+cage was lined with faces and hands, all in incessant movement, the
+faces mouthing and grimacing, and the hands clawing restlessly at the
+bars. The uproar was so terrific that no single voice could be
+distinguished, though every one present was shouting his loudest to make
+himself heard above the universal din. The result was a very strange and
+horrid illusion, for it seemed as if no one was speaking at all, but
+that the noise came from outside, and that each one of the faces&mdash;low,
+vicious faces, mostly&mdash;was silently grimacing and gibbering, snapping
+its jaws and glaring furiously at the occupants of the opposite cage. It
+was a frightful spectacle. I could think of nothing but the monkey-house
+at the Zoo. It seemed as if one ought to walk up the alley and offer
+nuts and pieces of paper to be torn to pieces."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Miss Gibson. "And do you mean to say that we shall
+be turned loose into one of these cages with a herd of other visitors?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. You are not turned loose anywhere in a prison. The arrangement is
+this: each cage is divided by partitions into a number of small boxes
+or apartments, which are numbered. The prisoner is locked in one box and
+his visitor in the corresponding box opposite. They are thus confronted,
+with the width of the alley between them; they can see one another and
+talk but cannot pass any forbidden articles across&mdash;a very necessary
+precaution, I need hardly say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I suppose it is necessary, but it is horrible for decent people.
+Surely they ought to be able to discriminate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why not give it up and let me take a message to Reuben? He would
+understand and be thankful to me for dissuading you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, no," she said quickly; "the more repulsive it is the greater the
+necessity for me to go. He must not be allowed to think that a trifling
+inconvenience or indignity is enough to scare his friends away. What
+building is that ahead?"
+</p>
+<p>
+We had just swung round from Caledonian Road into a quiet and
+prosperous-looking suburban street, at the end of which rose the tower
+of a castellated building.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is the prison," I replied. "We are looking at it from the most
+advantageous point of view; seen from the back, and especially from the
+inside, it is a good deal less attractive."
+</p>
+<p>
+Nothing more was said until the cab drove into the courtyard and set us
+down outside the great front gates. Having directed the cabman to wait
+for us, I rang the bell and we were speedily admitted through a wicket
+(which was immediately closed and locked) into a covered court closed in
+by a second gate, through the bars of which we could see across an inner
+courtyard to the actual entrance to the prison. Here, while the
+necessary formalities were gone through, we found ourselves part of a
+numerous and very motley company, for a considerable assemblage of the
+prisoners' friends was awaiting the moment of admission. I noticed that
+my companion was observing our fellow-visitors with a kind of horrified
+curiosity, which she strove, however, and not unsuccessfully, to
+conceal; and certainly the appearance of the majority furnished eloquent
+testimony to the failure of crime as a means of worldly advancement.
+Their present position was productive of very varied emotions; some were
+silent and evidently stricken with grief; a larger number were voluble
+and excited, while a considerable proportion were quite cheerful and
+even inclined to be facetious.
+</p>
+<p>
+At length the great iron gate was unlocked and our party taken in charge
+by a warder, who conducted us to that part of the building known as "the
+wing"; and, in the course of our progress, I could not help observing
+the profound impression made upon my companion by the circumstance that
+every door had to be unlocked to admit us and was locked again as soon
+as we had passed through.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It seems to me," I said, as we neared our destination, "that you had
+better let me see Reuben first; I have not much to say to him and shall
+not keep you waiting long."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why do you think so?" she asked, with a shade of suspicion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I answered, "I think you may be a little upset by the interview,
+and I should like to see you into your cab as soon as possible
+afterwards."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she said; "perhaps you are right, and it is kind of you to be so
+thoughtful on my account."
+</p>
+<p>
+A minute later, accordingly, I found myself shut into a narrow box, like
+one of those which considerate pawnbrokers provide for their more
+diffident clients, and in a similar, but more intense, degree, pervaded
+by a subtle odour of uncleanness. The woodwork was polished to an
+unctuous smoothness by the friction of numberless dirty hands and soiled
+garments, and the general appearance&mdash;taken in at a glance as I
+entered&mdash;was such as to cause me to thrust my hands into my pockets and
+studiously avoid contact with any part of the structure but the floor.
+The end of the box opposite the door was closed in by a strong grating
+of wire&mdash;excepting the lower three feet, which was of wood&mdash;and looking
+through this, I perceived, behind a second grating, Reuben Hornby,
+standing in a similar attitude to my own. He was dressed in his usual
+clothes and with his customary neatness, but his face was unshaven and
+he wore, suspended from a button-hole, a circular label bearing the
+characters "B.31"; and these two changes in his exterior carried with
+them a suggestiveness as subtle as it was unpleasant, making me more
+than ever regretful that Miss Gibson had insisted on coming.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is exceedingly good of you, Dr. Jervis, to come and see me," he said
+heartily, making himself heard quite easily, to my surprise, above the
+hubbub of the adjoining boxes; "but I didn't expect you here. I was told
+I could see my legal advisers in the solicitor's box."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So you could," I answered. "But I came here by choice because I have
+brought Miss Gibson with me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sorry for that," he rejoined, with evident disapproval; "she
+oughtn't to have come among these riff-raff."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I told her so, and that you wouldn't like it, but she insisted."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know," said Reuben. "That's the worst of women&mdash;they will make a
+beastly fuss and sacrifice themselves when nobody wants them to. But I
+mustn't be ungrateful; she means it kindly, and she's a deuced good
+sort, is Juliet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"She is indeed," I exclaimed, not a little disgusted at his cool,
+unappreciative tone; "a most noble-hearted girl, and her devotion to you
+is positively heroic."
+</p>
+<p>
+The faintest suspicion of a smile appeared on the face seen through the
+double grating; on which I felt that I could have pulled his nose with
+pleasure&mdash;only that a pair of tongs of special construction would have
+been required for the purpose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered calmly, "we have always been very good friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+A rejoinder of the most extreme acidity was on my lips. Damn the fellow!
+What did he mean by speaking in that supercilious tone of the loveliest
+and sweetest woman in the world? But, after all, one cannot trample on a
+poor devil locked up in a jail on a false charge, no matter how great
+may be the provocation. I drew a deep breath, and, having recovered
+myself, outwardly at least, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope you don't find the conditions here too intolerable?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, no," he answered. "It's beastly unpleasant, of course, but it might
+easily be worse. I don't mind if it's only for a week or two; and I am
+really encouraged by what Dr. Thorndyke said. I hope he wasn't being
+merely soothing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You may take it that he was not. What he said, I am sure he meant. Of
+course, you know I am not in his confidence&mdash;nobody is&mdash;but I gather
+that he is satisfied with the defence he is preparing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If he is satisfied, I am," said Reuben, "and, in any case, I shall owe
+him an immense debt of gratitude for having stood by me and believed in
+me when all the world&mdash;except my aunt and Juliet&mdash;had condemned me."
+</p>
+<p>
+He then went on to give me a few particulars of his prison life, and
+when he had chatted for a quarter of an hour or so, I took my leave to
+make way for Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her interview with him was not as long as I had expected, though, to be
+sure, the conditions were not very favourable either for the exchange of
+confidences or for utterances of a sentimental character. The
+consciousness that one's conversation could be overheard by the
+occupants of adjacent boxes destroyed all sense of privacy, to say
+nothing of the disturbing influence of the warder in the alley-way.
+</p>
+<p>
+When she rejoined me, her manner was abstracted and very depressed, a
+circumstance that gave me considerable food for reflection as we made
+our way in silence towards the main entrance. Had she found Reuben as
+cool and matter-of-fact as I had? He was assuredly a very calm and
+self-possessed lover, and it was conceivable that his reception of the
+girl, strung up, as she was, to an acute pitch of emotion, might have
+been somewhat in the nature of an anticlimax. And then, was it possible
+that the feeling was on her side only? Could it be that the priceless
+pearl of her love was cast before&mdash;I was tempted to use the colloquial
+singular and call him an "unappreciative swine!" The thing was almost
+unthinkable to me, and yet I was tempted to dwell upon it; for when a
+man is in love&mdash;and I could no longer disguise my condition from
+myself&mdash;he is inclined to be humble and to gather up thankfully the
+treasure that is rejected of another.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was brought up short in these reflections by the clank of the lock in
+the great iron gate. We entered together the gloomy vestibule, and a
+moment later were let out through the wicket into the courtyard; and as
+the lock clicked behind us, we gave a simultaneous sigh of relief to
+find ourselves outside the precincts of the prison, beyond the domain of
+bolts and bars.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had settled Miss Gibson in the cab and given her address to the
+driver, when I noticed her looking at me, as I thought, somewhat
+wistfully.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can't I put you down somewhere?" she said, in response to a
+half-questioning glance from me.
+</p>
+<p>
+I seized the opportunity with thankfulness and replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You might set me down at King's Cross if it is not delaying you;" and
+giving the word to the cabman, I took my place by her side as the cab
+started and a black-painted prison van turned into the courtyard with
+its freight of squalid misery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think Reuben was very pleased to see me," Miss Gibson remarked
+presently, "but I shall come again all the same. It is a duty I owe both
+to him and to myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+I felt that I ought to endeavour to dissuade her, but the reflection
+that her visits must almost of necessity involve my companionship,
+enfeebled my will. I was fast approaching a state of infatuation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was so thankful," she continued, "that you prepared me. It was a
+horrible experience to see the poor fellow caged like a wild beast, with
+that dreadful label hanging from his coat; but it would have been
+overwhelming if I had not known what to expect."
+</p>
+<p>
+As we proceeded, her spirits revived somewhat, a circumstance that she
+graciously ascribed to the enlivening influence of my society; and I
+then told her of the mishap that had befallen my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What a terrible thing!" she exclaimed, with evidently unaffected
+concern. "It is the merest chance that he was not killed on the spot. Is
+he much hurt? And would he mind, do you think, if I called to inquire
+after him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I said that I was sure he would be delighted (being, as a matter of
+fact, entirely indifferent as to his sentiments on the subject in my
+delight at the proposal), and when I stepped down from the cab at King's
+Cross to pursue my way homewards, there already opened out before me the
+prospect of the renewal of this bitter-sweet and all too dangerous
+companionship on the morrow.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER X
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+A couple of days sufficed to prove that Thorndyke's mishap was not to be
+productive of any permanent ill consequences; his wounds progressed
+favourably and he was able to resume his ordinary avocations.
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson's visit&mdash;but why should I speak of her in these formal
+terms? To me, when I thought of her, which I did only too often, she was
+Juliet, with perhaps an adjective thrown in; and as Juliet I shall
+henceforth speak of her (but without the adjective) in this narrative,
+wherein nothing has been kept back from the reader&mdash;Juliet's visit,
+then, had been a great success, for my colleague was really pleased by
+the attention, and displayed a quiet geniality that filled our visitor
+with delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+He talked a good deal of Reuben, and I could see that he was
+endeavouring to settle in his own mind the vexed question of her
+relations with and sentiments towards our unfortunate client; but what
+conclusions he arrived at I was unable to discover, for he was by no
+means communicative after she had left. Nor was there any repetition of
+the visit&mdash;greatly to my regret&mdash;since, as I have said, he was able, in
+a day or two, to resume his ordinary mode of life.
+</p>
+<p>
+The first evidence I had of his renewed activity appeared when I
+returned to the chambers at about eleven o'clock in the morning, to find
+Polton hovering dejectedly about the sitting-room, apparently
+perpetrating as near an approach to a "spring clean" as could be
+permitted in a bachelor establishment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hallo, Polton!" I exclaimed, "have you contrived to tear yourself away
+from the laboratory for an hour or two?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, sir," he answered gloomily. "The laboratory has torn itself away
+from me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What do you mean?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor has shut himself in and locked the door, and he says I am
+not to disturb him. It will be a cold lunch to-day."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is he doing in there?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said Polton, "that's just what I should like to know. I'm fair
+eaten up with curiosity. He is making some experiments in connection
+with some of his cases, and when the Doctor locks himself in to make
+experiments, something interesting generally follows. I should like to
+know what it is this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose there is a keyhole in the laboratory door?" I suggested, with
+a grin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Sir!" he exclaimed indignantly. "Dr. Jervis, I am surprised at you."
+Then, perceiving my facetious intent, he smiled also and added: "But
+there <i>is</i> a keyhole if you'd like to try it, though I'll wager the
+Doctor would see more of you than you would of him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are mighty secret about your doings, you and the Doctor," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered. "You see, it's a queer trade this of the Doctor's,
+and there are some queer secrets in it. Now, for instance, what do you
+make of this?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He produced from his pocket a leather case, whence he took a piece of
+paper which he handed to me. On it was a neatly executed drawing of what
+looked like one of a set of chessmen, with the dimensions written on the
+margin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It looks like a pawn&mdash;one of the Staunton pattern," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Just what I thought; but it isn't. I've got to make twenty-four of
+them, and what the Doctor is going to do with them fairly beats me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps he has invented some new game," I suggested facetiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is always inventing new games and playing them mostly in courts of
+law, and then the other players generally lose. But this is a puzzler,
+and no mistake. Twenty-four of these to be turned up in the
+best-seasoned boxwood! What can they be for? Something to do with the
+experiments he is carrying on upstairs at this very moment, I expect."
+He shook his head, and, having carefully returned the drawing to his
+pocket-book, said, in a solemn tone&mdash;"Sir, there are times when the
+Doctor makes me fairly dance with curiosity. And this is one of them."
+</p>
+<p>
+Although not afflicted with a curiosity so acute as that of Polton, I
+found myself speculating at intervals on the nature of my colleague's
+experiments and the purpose of the singular little objects which he had
+ordered to be made; but I was unacquainted with any of the cases on
+which he was engaged, excepting that of Reuben Hornby, and with the
+latter I was quite unable to connect a set of twenty-four boxwood
+chessmen. Moreover, on this day, I was to accompany Juliet on her second
+visit to Holloway, and that circumstance gave me abundant mental
+occupation of another kind.
+</p>
+<p>
+At lunch, Thorndyke was animated and talkative but not communicative. He
+"had some work in the laboratory that he must do himself," he said, but
+gave no hint as to its nature; and as soon as our meal was finished, he
+returned to his labours, leaving me to pace up and down the walk,
+listening with ridiculous eagerness for the sound of the hansom that was
+to transport me to the regions of the blest, and&mdash;incidentally&mdash;to
+Holloway Prison.
+</p>
+<p>
+When I returned to the Temple, the sitting-room was empty and hideously
+neat, as the result of Polton's spring-cleaning efforts. My colleague
+was evidently still at work in the laboratory, and, from the
+circumstance that the tea-things were set out on the table and a kettle
+of water placed in readiness on the gas-ring by the fireplace, I
+gathered that Polton also was full of business and anxious not to be
+disturbed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Accordingly, I lit the gas and made my tea, enlivening my solitude by
+turning over in my mind the events of the afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>
+Juliet had been charming&mdash;as she always was&mdash;frank, friendly and
+unaffectedly pleased to have my companionship. She evidently liked me
+and did not disguise the fact&mdash;why should she indeed?&mdash;but treated me
+with a freedom, almost affectionate, as though I had been a favourite
+brother; which was very delightful, and would have been more so if I
+could have accepted the relationship. As to her feelings towards me, I
+had not the slightest misgiving, and so my conscience was clear; for
+Juliet was as innocent as a child, with the innocence that belongs to
+the direct, straightforward nature that neither does evil itself nor
+looks for evil motives in others. For myself, I was past praying for.
+The thing was done and I must pay the price hereafter, content to
+reflect that I had trespassed against no one but myself. It was a
+miserable affair, and many a heartache did it promise me in the lonely
+days that were to come, when I should have said "good-bye" to the Temple
+and gone back to my old nomadic life; and yet I would not have had it
+changed if I could; would not have bartered the bitter-sweet memories
+for dull forgetfulness.
+</p>
+<p>
+But other matters had transpired in the course of our drive than those
+that loomed so large to me in the egotism of my love. We had spoken of
+Mr. Hornby and his affairs, and from our talk there had emerged certain
+facts of no little moment to the inquiry on which I was engaged.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Misfortunes are proverbially sociable," Juliet had remarked, in
+reference to her adopted uncle. "As if this trouble about Reuben were
+not enough, there are worries in the city. Perhaps you have heard of
+them."
+</p>
+<p>
+I replied that Walter had mentioned the matter to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Juliet rather viciously; "I am not quite clear as to what
+part that good gentleman has played in the matter. It has come out,
+quite accidentally, that he had a large holding in the mines himself,
+but he seems to have 'cut his loss,' as the phrase goes, and got out of
+them; though how he managed to pay such large differences is more than
+we can understand. We think he must have raised money somehow to do it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you know when the mines began to depreciate?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it was quite a sudden affair&mdash;what Walter calls 'a slump'&mdash;and it
+occurred only a few days before the robbery. Mr. Hornby was telling me
+about it only yesterday, and he recalled it to me by a ridiculous
+accident that happened on that day."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What was that?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, I cut my finger and nearly fainted," she answered, with a
+shamefaced little laugh. "It was rather a bad cut, you know, but I
+didn't notice it until I found my hand covered with blood. Then I turned
+suddenly faint, and had to lie down on the hearthrug&mdash;it was in Mr.
+Hornby's study, which I was tidying up at the time. Here I was found by
+Reuben, and a dreadful fright it gave him at first; and then he tore up
+his handkerchief to tie up the wounded finger, and you never saw such an
+awful mess as he got his hands in. He might have been arrested as a
+murderer, poor boy, from the condition he was in. It will make your
+professional gorge rise to learn that he fastened up the extemporised
+bandage with red tape, which he got from the writing table after rooting
+about among the sacred papers in the most ruthless fashion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"When he had gone I tried to put the things on the table straight again,
+and really you might have thought some horrible crime had been
+committed; the envelopes and papers were all smeared with blood and
+marked with the print of gory fingers. I remembered it afterwards, when
+Reuben's thumb-mark was identified, and thought that perhaps one of the
+papers might have got into the safe by accident; but Mr. Hornby told me
+that was impossible; he tore the leaf off his memorandum block at the
+time when he put away the diamonds."
+</p>
+<p>
+Such was the gist of our conversation as the cab rattled through the
+streets on the way to the prison; and certainly it contained matter
+sufficiently important to draw away my thoughts from other subjects,
+more agreeable, but less relevant to the case. With a sudden remembrance
+of my duty, I drew forth my notebook, and was in the act of committing
+the statements to writing, when Thorndyke entered the room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Don't let me interrupt you, Jervis," said he. "I will make myself a cup
+of tea while you finish your writing, and then you shall exhibit the
+day's catch and hang your nets out to dry."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was not long in finishing my notes, for I was in a fever of impatience
+to hear Thorndyke's comments on my latest addition to our store of
+information. By the time the kettle was boiling my entries were
+completed, and I proceeded forthwith to retail to my colleague those
+extracts from my conversation with Juliet that I have just recorded.
+</p>
+<p>
+He listened, as usual, with deep and critical attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is very interesting and important," he said, when I had finished;
+"really, Jervis, you are a most invaluable coadjutor. It seems that
+information, which would be strictly withheld from the forbidding
+Jorkins, trickles freely and unasked into the ear of the genial
+Spenlow. Now, I suppose you regard your hypothesis as having received
+very substantial confirmation?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly, I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And very justifiably. You see now how completely you were in the right
+when you allowed yourself to entertain this theory of the crime in spite
+of its apparent improbability. By the light of these new facts it has
+become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could
+only be shown that Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on
+the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability. The obvious
+moral is, never disregard the improbable. By the way, it is odd that
+Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him. Of
+course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone,
+but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked
+him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any papers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I must try to find out if Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was on the
+table and among the marked papers," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the
+information will be forthcoming."
+</p>
+<p>
+My colleague's manner rather disappointed me. He had heard my report
+with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet
+he seemed to attach to the new and&mdash;as they appeared to me&mdash;highly
+important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical. Of
+course, his calmness might be assumed; but this did not seem likely, for
+John Thorndyke was far too sincere and dignified a character to
+cultivate in private life the artifices of the actor. To strangers,
+indeed, he presented habitually a calm and impassive exterior; but this
+was natural to him, and was but the outward sign of his even and
+judicial habit of mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+No; there was no doubt that my startling news had left him unmoved, and
+this must be for one of two reasons: either he already knew all that I
+had told him (which was perfectly possible), or he had some other and
+better means of explaining the crime. I was turning over these two
+alternatives, not unobserved by my watchful colleague, when Polton
+entered the room; a broad grin was on his face, and a drawing-board,
+that he carried like a tray, bore twenty-four neatly turned boxwood
+pieces.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke at once entered into the unspoken jest that beamed from the
+countenance of his subordinate.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here is Polton with a problem for you, Jervis," he said. "He assumes
+that I have invented a new parlour game, and has been trying to work out
+the moves. Have you succeeded yet, Polton?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, sir, I haven't; but I suspect that one of the players will be a man
+in a wig and gown."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps you are right," said Thorndyke; "but that doesn't take you very
+far. Let us hear what Dr. Jervis has to say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can make nothing of them," I answered. "Polton showed me the drawing
+this morning, and then was terrified lest he had committed a breach of
+confidence, and I have been trying ever since, without a glimmer of
+success, to guess what they can be for."
+</p>
+<p>
+"H'm," grunted Thorndyke, as he sauntered up and down the room, teacup
+in hand, "to guess, eh? I like not that word 'guess' in the mouth of a
+man of science. What do you mean by a 'guess'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+His manner was wholly facetious, but I professed to take his question
+seriously, and replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"By a guess, I mean a conclusion arrived at without data."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed, with mock sternness. "Nobody but an utter
+fool arrives at a conclusion without data."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I must revise my definition instantly," I rejoined. "Let us say
+that a guess is a conclusion drawn from insufficient facts."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is better," said he; "but perhaps it would be better still to say
+that a guess is a particular and definite conclusion deduced from facts
+which properly yield only a general and indefinite one. Let us take an
+instance," he continued. "Looking out of the window, I see a man walking
+round Paper Buildings. Now suppose I say, after the fashion of the
+inspired detective of the romances, 'That man is a stationmaster or
+inspector,' that would be a guess. The observed facts do not yield the
+conclusion, though they do warrant a conclusion less definite and more
+general."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You'd have been right though, sir!" exclaimed Polton, who had stepped
+forward with me to examine the unconscious subject of the demonstration.
+"That gent used to be the stationmaster at Camberwell. I remember him
+well."
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man was evidently greatly impressed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I happen to be right, you see," said Thorndyke; "but I might as easily
+have been wrong."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You weren't though, sir," said Polton. "You spotted him at a glance."
+</p>
+<p>
+In his admiration of the result he cared not a fig for the correctness
+of the means by which it had been attained.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now why do I suggest that he is a stationmaster?" pursued Thorndyke,
+disregarding his assistant's comment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose you were looking at his feet," I answered. "I seem to have
+noticed that peculiar, splay-footed gait in stationmasters, now that you
+mention it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so. The arch of the foot has given way; the plantar ligaments
+have become stretched and the deep calf muscles weakened. Then, since
+bending of the weakened arch causes discomfort, the feet have become
+turned outwards, by which the bending of the foot is reduced to a
+minimum; and as the left foot is the more flattened, so it is turned out
+more than the right. Then the turning out of the toes causes the legs to
+splay outward from the knees downwards&mdash;a very conspicuous condition in
+a tall man like this one&mdash;and you notice that the left leg splays out
+more than the other.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But we know that depression of the arch of the foot is brought about by
+standing for long periods. Continuous pressure on a living structure
+weakens it, while intermittent pressure strengthens it; so the man who
+stands on his feet continuously develops a flat instep and a weak calf,
+while the professional dancer or runner acquires a high instep and a
+strong calf. Now there are many occupations which involve prolonged
+standing and so induce the condition of flat foot: waiters,
+hall-porters, hawkers, policemen, shop-walkers, salesmen, and station
+officials are examples. But the waiter's gait is characteristic&mdash;a
+quick, shuffling walk which enables him to carry liquids without
+spilling them. This man walks with a long, swinging stride; he is
+obviously not a waiter. His dress and appearance in general exclude the
+idea of a hawker or even a hall-porter; he is a man of poor physique
+and so cannot be a policeman. The shop-walker or salesman is accustomed
+to move in relatively confined spaces, and so acquires a short, brisk
+step, and his dress tends to rather exuberant smartness; the station
+official patrols long platforms, often at a rapid pace, and so tends to
+take long strides, while his dress is dignified and neat rather than
+florid. The last-mentioned characteristics, you see, appear in the
+subject of our analysis; he agrees with the general description of a
+stationmaster. But if we therefore conclude that he <i>is</i> a
+stationmaster, we fall into the time-honoured fallacy of the
+undistributed middle term&mdash;the fallacy that haunts all brilliant
+guessers, including the detective, not only of romance, but too often
+also of real life. All that the observed facts justify us in inferring
+is that this man is engaged in some mode of life that necessitates a
+good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
+"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
+With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
+departure.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
+guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
+less striking result."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
+present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
+firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
+wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
+pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
+no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
+nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
+material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
+the subject?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
+inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
+reflected for a few moments.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
+at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
+form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
+more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
+this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
+exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
+recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
+lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
+in having these things made&mdash;as you will before long&mdash;you will probably
+be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
+forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
+say myself) after the day's labour."
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE AMBUSH
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
+Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
+solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
+place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
+<i>post-mortem</i> and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
+inquest shall take place directly after the <i>post-mortem</i>, so that we
+shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
+you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
+entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
+of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
+are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
+little expense."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow&mdash;what is the matter? Does that fall
+foul of any arrangement of yours?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
+the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
+observe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
+suit your plans."
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>Cherchez la</i>&mdash;h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
+so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
+asking me to dine with them <i>en famille</i> to-morrow evening, and I sent
+off an acceptance an hour ago."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
+"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
+expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
+keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
+station, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
+not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
+really it is not necessary."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "so please don't try to
+dissuade me. I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought
+that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done
+nothing but idle about and amuse myself. The opportunity of doing
+something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke chuckled indulgently. "You shall do as you please, my dear
+boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of
+idleness. When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will
+be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
+Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can
+assure you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to
+learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a
+mere object of charity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to
+help me in this case, I will set you your task. The case, as I have
+said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the
+simplicity for granted. Here is the letter from the solicitors giving
+the facts as far as they are known at present. On the shelves there you
+will find Casper, Taylor, Guy and Ferrier, and the other authorities on
+medical jurisprudence, and I will put out one or two other books that
+you may find useful. I want you to extract and make classified notes of
+everything that may bear on such a case as the present one may turn out
+to be. We must go prepared to meet any contingency that may arise. This
+is my invariable practice, and even if the case turns out to be quite
+simple, the labour is never wasted, for it represents so much experience
+gained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Casper and Taylor are pretty old, aren't they?" I objected.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So is suicide," he retorted drily. "It is a capital mistake to neglect
+the old authorities. 'There were strong men before Agamemnon,' and some
+of them were uncommonly strong, let me tell you. Give your best
+attention to the venerable Casper and the obsolete Taylor and you will
+not be without your reward."
+</p>
+<p>
+As a result of these injunctions, I devoted the remainder of the day to
+the consideration of the various methods by which a man might contrive
+to effect his exit from the stage of human activities. And a very
+engrossing study I found it, and the more interesting in view of the
+problem that awaited solution on the morrow; but yet not so engrossing
+but that I was able to find time to write a long, rather intimate and
+minutely explanatory letter to Miss Gibson, in which I even mentioned
+the hour of our return as showing the impossibility of my keeping my
+engagement. Not that I had the smallest fear of her taking offence, for
+it is an evidence of my respect and regard for her that I cancelled the
+appointment without a momentary doubt that she would approve of my
+action; but it was pleasant to write to her at length and to feel the
+intimacy of keeping her informed of the details of my life.
+</p>
+<p>
+The case, when we came to inquire into it on the spot, turned out to be
+a suicide of the most transparent type; whereat both Thorndyke and I
+were, I think, a little disappointed&mdash;he at having apparently done so
+little for a very substantial fee, and I at having no opportunity for
+applying my recently augmented knowledge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said my colleague, as we rolled ourselves up in our rugs in
+adjacent corners of the railway carriage, "it has been a flat affair,
+and the whole thing could have been managed by the local solicitor. But
+it is not a waste of time after all, for, you see, I have to do many a
+day's work for which I get not a farthing of payment, nor even any
+recognition, so that I do not complain if I occasionally find myself
+receiving more payment than my actual services merit. And as to you, I
+take it that you have acquired a good deal of valuable knowledge on the
+subject of suicide, and knowledge, as the late Lord Bacon remarked with
+more truth than originality, is power."
+</p>
+<p>
+To this I made no reply, having just lit my pipe and feeling uncommonly
+drowsy; and, my companion having followed my example, we smoked in
+silence, becoming more and more somnolent, until the train drew up in
+the terminus and we turned out, yawning and shivering, on to the
+platform.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bah!" exclaimed Thorndyke, drawing his rug round his shoulders; "this
+is a cheerless hour&mdash;a quarter past one. See how chilly and miserable
+all these poor devils of passengers look. Shall we cab it or walk?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think a sharp walk would rouse our circulation after sitting huddled
+up in the carriage for so long," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So do I," said Thorndyke, "so let us away; hark forward! and also Tally
+Ho! In fact one might go so far as to say Yoicks! That gentleman appears
+to favour the strenuous life, if one may judge by the size of his
+sprocket-wheel."
+</p>
+<p>
+He pointed to a bicycle that was drawn up by the kerb in the approach&mdash;a
+machine of the road-racer type, with an enormous sprocket-wheel,
+indicating a gear of, at least, ninety.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Some scorcher or amateur racer, probably," I said, "who takes the
+opportunity of getting a spin on the wood pavement when the streets are
+empty." I looked round to see if I could identify the owner, but the
+machine appeared to be, for the moment, taking care of itself.
+</p>
+<p>
+King's Cross is one of those districts of which the inhabitants are slow
+in settling down for the night, and even at a quarter past one in the
+morning its streets are not entirely deserted. Here and there the
+glimmer of a street lamp or the far-reaching ray from a tall electric
+light reveals the form of some nocturnal prowler creeping along with
+cat-like stealthiness, or bursting, cat-like, into unmelodious song. Not
+greatly desirous of the society of these roysterers, we crossed quickly
+from the station into the Gray's Inn Road, now silent and excessively
+dismal in aspect, and took our way along the western side. We had turned
+the curve and were crossing Manchester Street, when a series of yelps
+from ahead announced the presence of a party of merry-makers, whom we
+were not yet able to see, however, for the night was an exceptionally
+dark one; but the sounds of revelry continued to increase in volume as
+we proceeded, until, as we passed Sidmouth Street, we came in sight of
+the revellers. They were some half-dozen in number, all of them roughs
+of the hooligan type, and they were evidently in boisterous spirits,
+for, as they passed the entrance to the Royal Free Hospital, they halted
+and battered furiously at the gate. Shortly after this exploit they
+crossed the road on to our side, whereupon Thorndyke caught my arm and
+slackened his pace.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Let them draw ahead," said he. "It is a wise precaution to give all
+hooligan gangs a very wide berth at this time of night. We had better
+turn down Heathcote Street and cross Mecklenburgh Square."
+</p>
+<p>
+We continued to walk on at reduced speed until we reached Heathcote
+Street, into which we turned and so entered Mecklenburgh Square, where
+we mended our pace once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The hooligan," pursued Thorndyke, as we walked briskly across the
+silent square, "covers a multitude of sins, ranging from highway robbery
+with violence and paid assassination (technically known as 'bashing')
+down to the criminal folly of the philanthropic magistrate, who seems to
+think that his function in the economy of nature is to secure the
+survival of the unfittest. There goes a cyclist along Guildford Street.
+I wonder if that is our strenuous friend from the station. If so, he has
+slipped past the hooligans."
+</p>
+<p>
+We were just entering Doughty Street, and, as Thorndyke spoke, a man on
+a bicycle was visible for an instant at the crossing of the two
+streets. When we reached Guildford Street we both looked down the long,
+lamp-lighted vista, but the cyclist had vanished.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We had better go straight on into Theobald's Road," said Thorndyke, and
+we accordingly pursued our way up the fine old-world street, from whose
+tall houses our footfalls echoed, so that we seemed to be accompanied by
+an invisible multitude, until we reached that part where it
+unaccountably changes its name and becomes John Street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There always seems to me something very pathetic about these old
+Bloomsbury streets," said Thorndyke, "with their faded grandeur and
+dignified seediness. They remind me of some prim and aged gentlewoman in
+reduced circumstances who&mdash;Hallo! What was that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+A faint, sharp thud from behind had been followed instantly by the
+shattering of a ground-floor window in front.
+</p>
+<p>
+We both stopped dead and remained, for a couple of seconds, staring into
+the gloom, from whence the first sound had come; then Thorndyke darted
+diagonally across the road at a swift run and I immediately followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the moment when the affair happened we had gone about forty yards up
+John Street, that is, from the place where it is crossed by Henry
+Street, and we now raced across the road to the further corner of the
+latter street. When we reached it, however, the little thoroughfare was
+empty, and, as we paused for a moment, no sound of retreating footsteps
+broke the silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The shot certainly came from here!" said Thorndyke; "come on," and he
+again broke into a run. A few yards up the street a mews turns off to
+the left, and into this my companion plunged, motioning me to go
+straight on, which I accordingly did, and in a few paces reached the top
+of the street. Here a narrow thoroughfare, with a broad, smooth
+pavement, bears off to the left, parallel with the mews, and, as I
+arrived at the corner and glanced up the little street, I saw a man on a
+bicycle gliding swiftly and silently towards Little James' Street.
+</p>
+<p>
+With a mighty shout of "Stop thief!" I started in hot pursuit, but,
+though the man's feet were moving in an apparently leisurely manner, he
+drew ahead at an astonishing pace, in spite of my efforts to overtake
+him; and it then dawned upon me that the slow revolutions of his feet
+were due, in reality, to the unusually high gear of the machine that he
+was riding. As I realised this, and at the same moment recalled the
+bicycle that we had seen in the station, the fugitive swung round into
+Little James' Street and vanished.
+</p>
+<p>
+The speed at which the man was travelling made further pursuit utterly
+futile, so I turned and walked back, panting and perspiring from the
+unwonted exertion. As I re-entered Henry Street, Thorndyke emerged from
+the mews and halted on seeing me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cyclist?" he asked laconically, as I came up.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; "riding a machine geared up to about ninety."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! he must have followed us from the station," said Thorndyke. "Did
+you notice if he was carrying anything?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He had a walking-stick in his hand. I didn't see anything else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What sort of walking-stick?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I couldn't see very distinctly. It was a stoutish stick&mdash;I should say
+a Malacca, probably&mdash;and it had what looked like a horn handle. I could
+see that as he passed a street lamp."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What kind of lamp had he?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I couldn't see; but, as he turned the corner, I noticed that it seemed
+to burn very dimly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A little vaseline, or even oil, smeared on the outside of the glass
+will reduce the glare of a lamp very appreciably," my companion
+remarked, "especially on a dusty road. Ha! here is the proprietor of the
+broken window. He wants to know, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+We had once more turned into John Street and now perceived a man,
+standing on the wide doorstep of the house with the shattered window,
+looking anxiously up and down the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do either of you gents know anything about this here?" he asked,
+pointing to the broken pane.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "we happened to be passing when it was done; in
+fact," he added, "I rather suspect that the missile, whatever it was,
+was intended for our benefit."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh!" said the man. "Who done it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I can't say," replied Thorndyke. "Whoever he was, he made off on a
+bicycle and we were unable to catch him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh!" said the man once more, regarding us with growing suspicion. "On a
+bicycle, hay! Dam funny, ain't it? What did he do it with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is what I should like to find out," said Thorndyke. "I see this
+house is empty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it's empty&mdash;leastways it's to let. I'm the caretaker. But what's
+that got to do with it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Merely this," answered Thorndyke, "that the object&mdash;stone, bullet or
+whatever it may have been&mdash;was aimed, I believe, at me, and I should
+like to ascertain its nature. Would you do me the favour of permitting
+me to look for it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker was evidently inclined to refuse this request, for he
+glanced suspiciously from my companion to me once or twice before
+replying, but, at length, he turned towards the open door and gruffly
+invited us to enter.
+</p>
+<p>
+A paraffin lamp was on the floor in a recess of the hall, and this our
+conductor took up when he had closed the street door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is the room," he said, turning the key and thrusting the door
+open; "the library they call it, but it's the front parlour in plain
+English." He entered and, holding the lamp above his head, stared
+balefully at the broken window.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke glanced quickly along the floor in the direction that the
+missile would have taken, and then said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you see any mark on the wall there?"
+</p>
+<p>
+As he spoke, he indicated the wall opposite the window, which obviously
+could not have been struck by a projectile entering with such extreme
+obliquity; and I was about to point out this fact when I fortunately
+remembered the great virtue of silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Our friend approached the wall, still holding up the lamp, and
+scrutinised the surface with close attention; and while he was thus
+engaged, I observed Thorndyke stoop quickly and pick up something, which
+he deposited carefully, and without remark, in his waistcoat pocket.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't see no bruise anywhere," said the caretaker, sweeping his hand
+over the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps the thing struck this wall," suggested Thorndyke, pointing to
+the one that was actually in the line of fire. "Yes, of course," he
+added, "it would be this one&mdash;the shot came from Henry Street."
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker crossed the room and threw the light of his lamp on the
+wall thus indicated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! here we are!" he exclaimed, with gloomy satisfaction, pointing to a
+small dent in which the wall-paper was turned back and the plaster
+exposed; "looks almost like a bullet mark, but you say you didn't hear
+no report."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," said Thorndyke, "there was no report; it must have been a
+catapult."
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker set the lamp down on the floor and proceeded to grope
+about for the projectile, in which operation we both assisted; and I
+could not suppress a faint smile as I noted the earnestness with which
+Thorndyke peered about the floor in search of the missile that was
+quietly reposing in his waistcoat pocket.
+</p>
+<p>
+We were deep in our investigations when there was heard an
+uncompromising double knock at the street door, followed by the loud
+pealing of a bell in the basement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bobby, I suppose," growled the caretaker. "Here's a blooming fuss about
+nothing." He caught up the lamp and went out, leaving us in the dark.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I picked it up, you know," said Thorndyke, when we were alone.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I saw you," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good; I applaud your discretion," he rejoined. The caretaker's
+supposition was correct. When he returned, he was accompanied by a burly
+constable, who saluted us with a cheerful smile and glanced facetiously
+round the empty room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our boys," said he, nodding towards the broken window; "they're playful
+lads, that they are. You were passing when it happened, sir, I hear."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke; and he gave the constable a brief account of
+the occurrence, which the latter listened to, notebook in hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said he when the narrative was concluded, "if those hooligan
+boys are going to take to catapults they'll make things lively all
+round."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You ought to run some of 'em in," said the caretaker.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Run 'em in!" exclaimed the constable in a tone of disgust; "yes! And
+then the magistrate will tell 'em to be good boys and give 'em five
+shillings out of the poor-box to buy illustrated Testaments. I'd
+Testament them, the worthless varmints!"
+</p>
+<p>
+He rammed his notebook fiercely into his pocket and stalked out of the
+room into the street, whither we followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You'll find that bullet or stone when you sweep up the room," he said,
+as he turned on to his beat; "and you'd better let us have it. Good
+night, sir."
+</p>
+<p>
+He strolled off towards Henry Street, while Thorndyke and I resumed our
+journey southward.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why were you so secret about that projectile?" I asked my friend as we
+walked up the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Partly to avoid discussion with the caretaker," he replied; "but
+principally because I thought it likely that a constable would pass the
+house and, seeing the light, come in to make inquiries."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I should have had to hand over the object to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And why not? Is the object a specially interesting one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is highly interesting to me at the present moment," replied
+Thorndyke, with a chuckle, "because I have not examined it. I have a
+theory as to its nature, which theory I should like to test before
+taking the police into my confidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you going to take me into your confidence?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"When we get home, if you are not too sleepy," he replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+On our arrival at his chambers, Thorndyke desired me to light up and
+clear one end of the table while he went up to the workshop to fetch
+some tools. I turned back the table cover, and, having adjusted the gas
+so as to light this part of the table, waited in some impatience for my
+colleague's return. In a few minutes he re-entered bearing a small vice,
+a metal saw and a wide-mouthed bottle.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you got in that bottle?" I asked, perceiving a metal object
+inside it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is the projectile, which I have thought fit to rinse in distilled
+water, for reasons that will presently appear."
+</p>
+<p>
+He agitated the bottle gently for a minute or so, and then, with a pair
+of dissecting forceps, lifted out the object and held it above the
+surface of the water to drain, after which he laid it carefully on a
+piece of blotting-paper.
+</p>
+<p>
+I stooped over the projectile and examined it with great curiosity,
+while Thorndyke stood by regarding me with almost equal interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," he said, after watching me in silence for some time, "what do
+you see?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see a small brass cylinder," I answered, "about two inches long and
+rather thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. One end is conical, and
+there is a small hole at the apex which seems to contain a steel point;
+the other end is flat, but has in the centre a small square projection
+such as might fit a watch-key. I notice also a small hole in the side
+of the cylinder close to the flat end. The thing looks like a miniature
+shell, and appears to be hollow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is hollow," said Thorndyke. "You must have observed that, when I
+held it up to drain, the water trickled out through the hole at the
+pointed end."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I noticed that."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now take it up and shake it."
+</p>
+<p>
+I did so and felt some heavy object rattle inside it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is some loose body inside it," I said, "which fits it pretty
+closely, as it moves only in the long diameter."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so; your description is excellent. And now, what is the nature of
+this projectile?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say it is a miniature shell or explosive bullet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Wrong!" said Thorndyke. "A very natural inference, but a wrong one."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then what is the thing?" I demanded, my curiosity still further
+aroused.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will show you," he replied. "It is something much more subtle than an
+explosive bullet&mdash;which would really be a rather crude
+appliance&mdash;admirably thought out and thoroughly well executed. We have
+to deal with a most ingenious and capable man."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was fain to laugh at his enthusiastic appreciation of the methods of
+his would-be assassin, and the humour of the situation then appeared to
+dawn on him, for he said, with an apologetic smile&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not expressing approval, you must understand, but merely
+professional admiration. It is this class of criminal that creates the
+necessity for my services. He is my patron, so to speak; my ultimate
+employer. For the common crook can be dealt with quite efficiently by
+the common policeman!"
+</p>
+<p>
+While he was speaking he had been fitting the little cylinder between
+two pads of tissue-paper in the vice, which he now screwed up tight.
+Then, with the fine metal saw, he began to cut the projectile,
+lengthwise, into two slightly unequal parts. This operation took some
+time, especially since he was careful not to cut the loose body inside,
+but at length the section was completed and the interior of the cylinder
+exposed, when he released it from the vice and held it up before me with
+an expression of triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, what do you make it?" he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+I took the object in my fingers and looked at it closely, but was at
+first more puzzled than before. The loose body I now saw to be a
+cylinder of lead about half an inch long, accurately fitting the inside
+of the cylinder but capable of slipping freely backwards and forwards.
+The steel point which I had noticed in the hole at the apex of the
+conical end, was now seen to be the pointed termination of a slender
+steel rod which projected fully an inch into the cavity of the cylinder,
+and the conical end itself was a solid mass of lead.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well?" queried Thorndyke, seeing that I was still silent.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You tell me it is not an explosive bullet," I replied, "otherwise I
+should have been confirmed in that opinion. I should have said that the
+percussion cap was carried by this lead plunger and struck on the end of
+that steel rod when the flight of the bullet was suddenly arrested."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very good indeed," said Thorndyke. "You are right so far that this is,
+in fact, the mechanism of a percussion shell.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But look at this. You see this little rod was driven inside the bullet
+when the latter struck the wall. Let us replace it in its original
+position."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laid the end of a small flat file against the end of the rod and
+pressed it firmly, when the rod slid through the hole until it projected
+an inch beyond the apex of the cone. Then he handed the projectile back
+to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+A single glance at the point of the steel rod made the whole thing
+clear, and I gave a whistle of consternation; for the "rod" was a fine
+tube with a sharply pointed end.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed; "it is a hypodermic needle."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A veterinary hypodermic, of extra large bore. Now you see the
+subtlety and ingenuity of the whole thing. If he had had a reasonable
+chance he would certainly have succeeded."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You speak quite regretfully," I said, laughing again at the oddity of
+his attitude towards the assassin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," he replied. "I have the character of a single-handed
+player, but even the most self-reliant man can hardly make a
+<i>post-mortem</i> on himself. I am merely appreciating an admirable piece of
+mechanical design most efficiently carried out. Observe the completeness
+of the thing, and the way in which all the necessities of the case are
+foreseen and met. This projectile was discharged from a powerful
+air-gun&mdash;the walking-stick form&mdash;provided with a force-pump and key. The
+barrel of that gun was rifled."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, to begin with, it would be useless to fit a needle to the
+projectile unless the latter was made to travel with the point forwards;
+but there is direct evidence that the barrel was rifled. You notice the
+little square projection on the back surface of the cylinder. That was
+evidently made to fit a washer or wad&mdash;probably a thin plate of soft
+metal which would be driven by the pressure from behind into the grooves
+of the rifling and thus give a spinning motion to the bullet. When the
+latter left the barrel, the wad would drop off, leaving it free."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see. I was wondering what the square projection was for. It is, as
+you say, extremely ingenious."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Highly ingenious," said Thorndyke, enthusiastically, "and so is the
+whole device. See how perfectly it would have worked but for a mere
+fluke and for the complication of your presence. Supposing that I had
+been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance. In
+that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
+You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the
+process."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late
+train&mdash;which he seems to have done&mdash;and he waits for me at the terminus.
+Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal
+poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and
+sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be
+drawn up and the liquid will follow it. You notice that the upper side
+of the piston is covered with vaseline&mdash;introduced through the hole, no
+doubt&mdash;which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth,
+and make the cylinder secure from leakage. On my arrival, he follows me
+on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded
+neighbourhood. Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a
+corner, and shoots at pretty close range. It doesn't matter where he
+hits me; all parts are equally vital, so he can aim at the middle of my
+back. Then the bullet comes spinning through the air point foremost; the
+needle passes through the clothing and enters the flesh, and, as the
+bullet is suddenly stopped, the heavy piston flies down by its own great
+momentum and squirts out a jet of the poison into the tissues. The
+bullet then disengages itself and drops on to the ground.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Meanwhile, our friend has mounted his bicycle and is off, and when I
+feel the prick of the needle, I turn, and, without stopping to look for
+the bullet, immediately give chase. I am, of course, not able to
+overtake a man on a racing machine, but still I follow him some
+distance. Then the poison begins to take effect&mdash;the more rapidly from
+the violent exercise&mdash;and presently I drop insensible. Later on, my body
+is found. There are no marks of violence, and probably the
+needle-puncture escapes observation at the <i>post-mortem,</i> in which case
+the verdict will be death from heart-failure. Even if the poison and the
+puncture are discovered, there is no clue. The bullet lies some streets
+away, and is probably picked up by some boy or passing stranger, who
+cannot conjecture its use, and who would never connect it with the man
+who was found dead. You will admit that the whole plan has been worked
+out with surprising completeness and foresight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; "there is no doubt that the fellow is a most
+infernally clever scoundrel. May I ask if you have any idea who he is?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," Thorndyke replied, "seeing that, as Carlyle has unkindly pointed
+out, clever people are not in an overwhelming majority, and that, of
+the clever people whom I know, only a very few are interested in my
+immediate demise, I am able to form a fairly probable conjecture."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you mean to do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"For the present I shall maintain an attitude of masterly inactivity and
+avoid the night air."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, surely," I exclaimed, "you will take some measures to protect
+yourself against attempts of this kind. You can hardly doubt now that
+your accident in the fog was really an attempted murder."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I never did doubt it, as a matter of fact, although I prevaricated at
+the time. But I have not enough evidence against this man at present,
+and, consequently, can do nothing but show that I suspect him, which
+would be foolish. Whereas, if I lie low, one of two things will happen;
+either the occasion for my removal (which is only a temporary one) will
+pass, or he will commit himself&mdash;will put a definite clue into my hands.
+Then we shall find the air-cane, the bicycle, perhaps a little stock of
+poison, and certain other trifles that I have in my mind, which will be
+good confirmatory evidence, though insufficient in themselves. And now,
+I think, I must really adjourn this meeting, or we shall be good for
+nothing to-morrow."
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+It was now only a week from the date on which the trial was to open. In
+eight days the mystery would almost certainly be solved (if it was
+capable of solution), for the trial promised to be quite a short one,
+and then Reuben Hornby would be either a convicted felon or a free man,
+clear of the stigma of the crime.
+</p>
+<p>
+For several days past, Thorndyke had been in almost constant possession
+of the laboratory, while his own small room, devoted ordinarily to
+bacteriology and microscopical work was kept continually locked; a state
+of things that reduced Polton to a condition of the most extreme nervous
+irritation, especially when, as he told me indignantly, he met Mr.
+Anstey emerging from the holy of holies, grinning and rubbing his hands
+and giving utterance to genial but unparliamentary expressions of amused
+satisfaction.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him
+better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a
+nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found
+him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty
+standard of conduct. His admiration for Thorndyke was unbounded, and I
+could see that the two men collaborated with the utmost sympathy and
+mutual satisfaction.
+</p>
+<p>
+But although I regarded Mr. Anstey with feelings of the liveliest
+friendship, I was far from gratified when, on the morning of which I am
+writing, I observed him from our sitting-room window crossing the
+gravelled space from Crown Office Row and evidently bearing down on our
+chambers. For the fact is that I was awaiting the arrival of Juliet, and
+should greatly have preferred to be alone at the moment, seeing that
+Thorndyke had already gone out. It is true that my fair enslaver was not
+due for nearly half-an-hour, but then, who could say how long Anstey
+would stay, or what embarrassments might arise from my efforts to
+escape? By all of which it may be perceived that my disease had reached
+a very advanced stage, and that I was unequal to those tactics of
+concealment that are commonly attributed to the ostrich.
+</p>
+<p>
+A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my
+peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man
+to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever. He shook my
+hand with mock solemnity, and, seating himself upon the edge of the
+table, proceeded to roll a cigarette with exasperating deliberation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I infer," said he, "that our learned brother is practising parlour
+magic upstairs, or peradventure he has gone on a journey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He has a consultation this morning," I answered. "Was he expecting
+you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Evidently not, or he would have been here. No, I just looked in to ask
+a question about the case of your friend Hornby. You know it comes on
+for trial next week?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; Thorndyke told me. What do you think of Hornby's prospects? Is he
+going to be convicted, or will he get an acquittal?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>He</i> will be entirely passive," replied Anstey, "but <i>we</i>"&mdash;here he
+slapped his chest impressively&mdash;"are going to secure an acquittal. You
+will be highly entertained, my learned friend, and Mr. The Enemy will be
+excessively surprised." He inspected the newly-made cigarette with a
+critical air and chuckled softly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You seem pretty confident," I remarked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am," he answered, "though Thorndyke considers failure
+possible&mdash;which, of course, it is if the jury-box should chance to be
+filled with microcephalic idiots and the judge should prove incapable
+of understanding simple technical evidence. But we hope that neither of
+these things will happen, and, if they do not, we feel pretty safe. By
+the way, I hope I am not divulging your principal's secrets?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I replied, with a smile, "you have been more explicit than
+Thorndyke ever has."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have I?" he exclaimed, with mock anxiety; "then I must swear you to
+secrecy. Thorndyke is so very close&mdash;and he is quite right too. I never
+cease admiring his tactics of allowing the enemy to fortify and
+barricade the entrance that he does <i>not</i> mean to attack. But I see you
+are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go&mdash;though
+not to that particular destination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand?" I asked malignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What! those foul Trichinopolies? Not while brown paper is to be
+obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig."
+</p>
+<p>
+I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care
+and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down
+the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
+</p>
+<p>
+He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate rat-tat
+from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth. I ran to
+the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the threshold.
+</p>
+<p>
+"May I come in?" she asked. "I want to have a few words with you before
+we start."
+</p>
+<p>
+I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and
+the hand that she held out to me trembled.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am greatly upset, Dr. Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I
+had placed for her. "Mr. Lawley has been giving us his views of poor
+Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hang Mr. Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily. "What made
+you go to him, Miss Gibson?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't go to him; he came to us. He dined with us last night&mdash;he and
+Walter&mdash;and his manner was gloomy in the extreme. After dinner Walter
+took him apart with me and asked him what he really thought of the case.
+He was most pessimistic. 'My dear sir,' he said, 'the only advice I can
+give you is that you prepare yourself to contemplate disaster as
+philosophically as you can. In my opinion your cousin is almost certain
+to be convicted.' 'But,' said Walter, 'what about the defence? I
+understood that there was at least a plausible case.' Mr. Lawley
+shrugged his shoulders. 'I have a sort of <i>alibi</i> that will go for
+nothing, but I have no evidence to offer in answer to that of the
+prosecution, and no case; and I may say, speaking in confidence, that I
+do not believe there is any case. I do not see how there can be any
+case, and I have heard nothing from Dr. Thorndyke to lead me to suppose
+that he has really done anything in the matter.' Is this true, Dr.
+Jervis? Oh! do tell me the real truth about it! I have been so miserable
+and terrified since I heard this, and I was so full of hope before. Tell
+me, is it true? Will Reuben be sent to prison after all?"
+</p>
+<p>
+In her agitation she laid her hands on my arm and looked up into my face
+with her grey eyes swimming with tears, and was so piteous, so trustful,
+and, withal, so bewitching that my reserve melted like snow before a
+July sun.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not true," I answered, taking her hands in mine and speaking
+perforce in a low tone that I might not betray my emotion. "If it were,
+it would mean that I have wilfully deceived you, that I have been false
+to our friendship; and how much that friendship has been to me, no one
+but myself will ever know."
+</p>
+<p>
+She crept a little closer to me with a manner at once penitent and
+wheedling.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not going to be angry with me, are you? It was foolish of me to
+listen to Mr. Lawley after all you have told me, and it did look like a
+want of trust in you, I know. But you, who are so strong and wise, must
+make allowance for a woman who is neither. It is all so terrible that I
+am quite unstrung; but say you are not really displeased with me, for
+that would hurt me most of all."
+</p>
+<p>
+Oh! Delilah! That concluding stroke of the shears severed the very last
+lock, and left me&mdash;morally speaking&mdash;as bald as a billiard ball.
+Henceforth I was at her mercy and would have divulged, without a
+scruple, the uttermost secrets of my principal, but that that astute
+gentleman had placed me beyond the reach of temptation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"As to being angry with you," I answered, "I am not, like Thorndyke, one
+to essay the impossible, and if I could be angry it would hurt me more
+than it would you. But, in fact, you are not to blame at all, and I am
+an egotistical brute. Of course you were alarmed and distressed; nothing
+could be more natural. So now let me try to chase away your fears and
+restore your confidence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have told you what Thorndyke said to Reuben: that he had good hopes
+of making his innocence clear to everybody. That alone should have been
+enough."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know it should," murmured Juliet remorsefully; "please forgive me
+for my want of faith."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But," I continued, "I can quote you the words of one to whose opinions
+you will attach more weight. Mr. Anstey was here less than half-an-hour
+ago&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you mean Reuben's counsel?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what did he say? Oh, do tell me what he said."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He said, in brief, that he was quite confident of obtaining an
+acquittal, and that the prosecution would receive a great surprise. He
+seemed highly pleased with his brief, and spoke with great admiration of
+Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did he really say that&mdash;that he was confident of an acquittal?" Her
+voice was breathless and unsteady, and she was clearly, as she had said,
+quite unstrung. "What a relief it is," she murmured incoherently; "and
+so very, very kind of you!" She wiped her eyes and laughed a queer,
+shaky little laugh; then, quite suddenly, she burst into a passion of
+sobbing.
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly conscious of what I did, I drew her gently towards me, and rested
+her head on my shoulder whilst I whispered into her ear I know not what
+words of consolation; but I am sure that I called her "dear Juliet," and
+probably used other expressions equally improper and reprehensible.
+Presently she recovered herself, and, having dried her eyes, regarded me
+somewhat shamefacedly, blushing hotly, but smiling very sweetly
+nevertheless.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am ashamed of myself," she said, "coming here and weeping on your
+bosom like a great baby. It is to be hoped that your other clients do
+not behave in this way."
+</p>
+<p>
+Whereat we both laughed heartily, and, our emotional equilibrium being
+thus restored, we began to think of the object of our meeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I have wasted a great deal of time," said Juliet, looking
+at her watch. "Shall we be too late, do you think?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope not," I replied, "for Reuben will be looking for us; but we must
+hurry."
+</p>
+<p>
+I caught up my hat, and we went forth, closing the oak behind us, and
+took our way up King's Bench Walk in silence, but with a new and
+delightful sense of intimate comradeship. I glanced from time to time at
+my companion, and noted that her cheek still bore a rosy flush, and when
+she looked at me there was a sparkle in her eye, and a smiling softness
+in her glance, that stirred my heart until I trembled with the intensity
+of the passion that I must needs conceal. And even while I was feeling
+that I must tell her all, and have done with it, tell her that I was her
+abject slave, and she my goddess, my queen; that in the face of such a
+love as mine no man could have any claim upon her; even then, there
+arose the still, small voice that began to call me an unfaithful steward
+and to remind me of a duty and trust that were sacred even beyond love.
+</p>
+<p>
+In Fleet Street I hailed a cab, and, as I took my seat beside my fair
+companion, the voice began to wax and speak in bolder and sterner
+accents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Christopher Jervis," it said, "what is this that you are doing? Are you
+a man of honour or nought but a mean, pitiful blackguard? You, the
+trusted agent of this poor, misused gentleman, are you not planning in
+your black heart how you shall rob him of that which, if he is a man at
+all, must be more to him than his liberty, or even his honour? Shame on
+you for a miserable weakling! Have done with these philanderings and
+keep your covenants like a gentleman&mdash;or, at least, an honest man!"
+</p>
+<p>
+At this point in my meditations Juliet turned towards me with a coaxing
+smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My legal adviser seems to be revolving some deep and weighty matter,"
+she said.
+</p>
+<p>
+I pulled myself together and looked at her&mdash;at her sparkling eyes and
+rosy, dimpling cheeks, so winsome and lovely and lovable.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come," I thought, "I must put an end to this at once, or I am lost."
+But it cost me a very agony of effort to do it&mdash;which agony, I trust,
+may be duly set to my account by those who may sit in judgement on me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your legal adviser, Miss Gibson," I said (and at that "Miss Gibson" I
+thought she looked at me a little queerly), "has been reflecting that he
+has acted considerably beyond his jurisdiction."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In what respect?" she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In passing on to you information which was given to him in very strict
+confidence, and, in fact, with an implied promise of secrecy on his
+part."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the information was not of a very secret character, was it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"More so than it appeared. You see, Thorndyke thinks it so important not
+to let the prosecution suspect that he has anything up his sleeve, that
+he has kept even Mr. Lawley in the dark, and he has never said as much
+to me as Anstey did this morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now you are sorry you told me; you think I have led you into a
+breach of trust. Is it not so?" She spoke without a trace of petulance,
+and her tone of dignified self-accusation made me feel a veritable worm.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear Miss Gibson," I expostulated, "you entirely misunderstand me. I
+am not in the least sorry that I told you. How could I have done
+otherwise under the circumstances? But I want you to understand that I
+have taken the responsibility of communicating to you what is really a
+professional secret, and that you are to consider it as such."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was how I understood it," replied Juliet; "and you may rely upon
+me not to utter a syllable on the subject to anyone."
+</p>
+<p>
+I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation,
+gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the
+incident of the cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And are Dr. Thorndyke's cigars so extraordinarily bad?" she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," I replied; "only they are not to every man's taste. The
+Trichinopoly cheroot is Thorndyke's one dissipation, and, I must say, he
+takes it very temperately. Under ordinary circumstances he smokes a
+pipe; but after a specially heavy day's work, or on any occasion of
+festivity or rejoicing, he indulges in a Trichinopoly, and he smokes the
+very best that can be got."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So even the greatest men have their weaknesses," Juliet moralised; "but
+I wish I had known Dr. Thorndyke's sooner, for Mr. Hornby had a large
+box of Trichinopoly cheroots given to him, and I believe they were
+exceptionally fine ones. However, he tried one and didn't like it, so he
+transferred the whole consignment to Walter, who smokes all sorts and
+conditions of cigars."
+</p>
+<p>
+So we talked on from one commonplace to another, and each more
+conventional than the last. In my nervousness, I overdid my part, and
+having broken the ice, proceeded to smash it to impalpable fragments.
+Endeavouring merely to be unemotional and to avoid undue intimacy of
+manner, I swung to the opposite extreme and became almost stiff; and
+perhaps the more so since I was writhing with the agony of repression.
+</p>
+<p>
+Meanwhile a corresponding change took place in my companion. At first
+her manner seemed doubtful and bewildered; then she, too, grew more
+distant and polite and less disposed for conversation. Perhaps her
+conscience began to rebuke her, or it may be that my coolness suggested
+to her that her conduct had not been quite of the kind that would have
+commended itself to Reuben. But however that may have been, we continued
+to draw farther and farther apart; and in that short half-hour we
+retraced the steps of our growing friendship to such purpose that, when
+we descended from the cab at the prison gate, we seemed more like
+strangers than on the first day that we met. It was a miserable ending
+to all our delightful comradeship, and yet what other end could one
+expect in this world of cross purposes and things that might have been?
+In the extremity of my wretchedness I could have wept on the bosom of
+the portly warder who opened the wicket, even as Juliet had wept upon
+mine; and it was almost a relief to me, when our brief visit was over,
+to find that we should not return together to King's Cross as was our
+wont, but that Juliet would go back by omnibus that she might do some
+shopping in Oxford Street, leaving me to walk home alone.
+</p>
+<p>
+I saw her into her omnibus, and stood on the pavement looking wistfully
+at the lumbering vehicle as it dwindled in the distance. At last, with a
+sigh of deepest despondency, I turned my face homeward, and, walking
+like one in a dream, retraced the route over which I had journeyed so
+often of late and with such different sensations.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XIII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+MURDER BY POST
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The next few days were perhaps the most unhappy that I have known. My
+life, indeed, since I had left the hospital had been one of many
+disappointments and much privation. Unfulfilled desires and ambitions
+unrealised had combined with distaste for the daily drudgery that had
+fallen to my lot to embitter my poverty and cause me to look with gloomy
+distrust upon the unpromising future. But no sorrow that I had hitherto
+experienced could compare with the grief that I now felt in
+contemplating the irretrievable ruin of what I knew to be the great
+passion of my life. For to a man like myself, of few friends and deep
+affections, one great emotional upheaval exhausts the possibilities of
+nature; leaving only the capacity for feeble and ineffective echoes. The
+edifice of love that is raised upon the ruins of a great passion can
+compare with the original no more than can the paltry mosque that
+perches upon the mound of Jonah with the glories of the palace that lies
+entombed beneath.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had made a pretext to write to Juliet and had received a reply quite
+frank and friendly in tone, by which I knew that she had not&mdash;as some
+women would have done&mdash;set the blame upon me for our temporary outburst
+of emotion. And yet there was a subtle difference from her previous
+manner of writing that only emphasised the finality of our separation.
+</p>
+<p>
+I think Thorndyke perceived that something had gone awry, though I was
+at great pains to maintain a cheerful exterior and keep myself occupied,
+and he probably formed a pretty shrewd guess at the nature of the
+trouble; but he said nothing, and I only judged that he had observed
+some change in my manner by the fact that there was blended with his
+usual quiet geniality an almost insensible note of sympathy and
+affection.
+</p>
+<p>
+A couple of days after my last interview with Juliet, an event occurred
+which served, certainly, to relieve the tension and distract my
+thoughts, though not in a very agreeable manner.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was the pleasant, reposeful hour after dinner when it was our custom
+to sit in our respective easy chairs and, as we smoked our pipes,
+discuss some of the many topics in which we had a common interest. The
+postman had just discharged into the capacious letter-box an avalanche
+of letters and circulars, and as I sat glancing through the solitary
+letter that had fallen to my share, I looked from time to time at
+Thorndyke and noticed, as I had often done before, with some surprise, a
+curious habit that he had of turning over and closely scrutinising every
+letter and package before he opened it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observe, Thorndyke," I now ventured to remark, "that you always
+examine the outside of a letter before looking at the inside. I have
+seen other people do the same, and it has always appeared to me a
+singularly foolish proceeding. Why speculate over an unopened letter
+when a glance at the contents will tell you all there is to know?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are perfectly right," he answered, "if the object of the inspection
+is to discover who is the sender of the letter. But that is not my
+object. In my case the habit is one that has been deliberately
+cultivated&mdash;not in reference to letters only, but to everything that
+comes into my hands&mdash;the habit of allowing nothing to pass without a
+certain amount of conscious attention. The observant man is, in
+reality, the attentive man, and the so-called power of observation is
+simply the capacity for continuous attention. As a matter of fact, I
+have found in practice, that the habit is a useful one even in reference
+to letters; more than once I have gleaned a hint from the outside of a
+letter that has proved valuable when applied to the contents. Here, for
+instance, is a letter which has been opened after being fastened
+up&mdash;apparently by the aid of steam. The envelope is soiled and rubbed,
+and smells faintly of stale tobacco, and has evidently been carried in a
+pocket along with a well-used pipe. Why should it have been opened? On
+reading it I perceive that it should have reached me two days ago, and
+that the date has been skilfully altered from the thirteenth to the
+fifteenth. The inference is that my correspondent has a highly
+untrustworthy clerk."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the correspondent may have carried the letter in his own pocket," I
+objected.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hardly," replied Thorndyke. "He would not have troubled to steam his
+own letter open and close it again; he would have cut the envelope and
+addressed a fresh one. This the clerk could not do, because the letter
+was confidential and was addressed in the principal's handwriting. And
+the principal would have almost certainly added a postscript; and,
+moreover, he does not smoke. This, however, is all very obvious; but
+here is something rather more subtle which I have put aside for more
+detailed examination. What do you make of it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed me a small parcel to which was attached by string a
+typewritten address label, the back of which bore the printed
+inscription, "James Bartlett and Sons, Cigar Manufacturers, London and
+Havana."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," said I, after turning the little packet over and
+examining every part of it minutely, "that this is rather too subtle for
+me. The only thing that I observe is that the typewriter has bungled the
+address considerably. Otherwise this seems to me a very ordinary packet
+indeed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you have observed one point of interest, at any rate," said
+Thorndyke, taking the packet from me. "But let us examine the thing
+systematically and note down what we see. In the first place, you will
+notice that the label is an ordinary luggage label such as you may buy
+at any stationer's, with its own string attached. Now, manufacturers
+commonly use a different and more substantial pattern, which is attached
+by the string of the parcel. But that is a small matter. What is much
+more striking is the address on the label. It is typewritten and, as you
+say, typed very badly. Do you know anything about typewriters?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very little."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then you do not recognise the machine? Well, this label was typed with
+a Blickensderfer&mdash;an excellent machine, but not the form most commonly
+selected for the rough work of a manufacturer's office; but we will let
+that pass. The important point is this: the Blickensderfer Company make
+several forms of machine, the smallest and lightest of which is the
+literary, specially designed for the use of journalists and men of
+letters. Now this label was typed with the literary machine, or, at
+least, with the literary typewheel; which is really a very remarkable
+circumstance indeed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By this asterisk, which has been written by mistake, the inexpert
+operator having pressed down the figure lever instead of the one for
+capitals. The literary typewheel is the only one that has an asterisk,
+as I noticed when I was thinking of purchasing a machine. Here, then, we
+have a very striking fact, for even if a manufacturer chose to use a
+'Blick' in his factory, it is inconceivable that he should select the
+literary form in preference to the more suitable 'commercial' machine."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I agreed; "it is certainly very singular."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," pursued Thorndyke, "to consider the writing itself. It has
+been done by an absolute beginner. He has failed to space in two places,
+he has written five wrong letters, and he has written figures instead of
+capitals in two instances."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; he has made a shocking muddle of it. I wonder he didn't throw the
+label away and type another."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Precisely," said Thorndyke. "And if we wish to find out why he did not,
+we have only to look at the back of the label. You see that the name of
+the firm, instead of being printed on the label itself in the usual
+manner, is printed on a separate slip of paper which is pasted on the
+label&mdash;a most foolish and clumsy arrangement, involving an immense waste
+of time. But if we look closely at the printed slip itself we perceive
+something still more remarkable; for that slip has been cut down to fit
+the label, and has been cut with a pair of scissors. The edges are not
+quite straight, and in one place the 'overlap,' which is so
+characteristic of the cut made with scissors, can be seen quite
+plainly."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed the packet to me with a reading-lens, through which I could
+distinctly make out the points he had mentioned.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now I need not point out to you," he continued, "that these slips
+would, ordinarily, have been trimmed by the printer to the correct size
+in his machine, which would leave an absolutely true edge; nor need I
+say that no sane business man would adopt such a device as this. The
+slip of paper has been cut with scissors to fit the label, and it has
+then been pasted on to the surface that it has been made to fit, when
+all this waste of time and trouble&mdash;which, in practice, means
+money&mdash;could have been saved by printing the name on the label itself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that is so; but I still do not see why the fellow should not have
+thrown away this label and typed another."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look at the slip again," said Thorndyke. "It is faintly but evenly
+discoloured and, to me, has the appearance of having been soaked in
+water. Let us, for the moment, assume that it has been. That would look
+as if it had been removed from some other package, which again would
+suggest that the person using it had only the one slip, which he had
+soaked off the original package, dried, cut down and pasted on the
+present label. If he pasted it on before typing the address&mdash;which he
+would most probably have done&mdash;he might well be unwilling to risk
+destroying it by soaking it a second time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You think, then, there is a suspicion that the package may have been
+tampered with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no need to jump to conclusions," replied Thorndyke. "I merely
+gave this case as an instance showing that careful examination of the
+outside of a package or letter may lead us to bestow a little extra
+attention on the contents. Now let us open it and see what those
+contents are."
+</p>
+<p>
+With a sharp knife he divided the outside cover, revealing a stout
+cardboard box wrapped in a number of advertisement sheets. The box,
+when the lid was raised, was seen to contain a single cigar&mdash;a large
+cheroot&mdash;packed in cotton wool.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Trichy,' by Jove!" I exclaimed. "Your own special fancy, Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; and another anomaly, at once, you see, which might have escaped
+our notice if we had not been on the <i>qui vive</i>."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As a matter of fact, I <i>don't</i> see," said I. "You will think me an
+awful blockhead, but I don't perceive anything singular in a cigar
+manufacturer sending a sample cigar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You read the label, I think?" replied Thorndyke. "However, let us look
+at one of these leaflets and see what they say. Ah! here we are:
+'Messrs. Bartlett and Sons, who own extensive plantations on the island
+of Cuba, manufacture their cigars exclusively from selected leaves grown
+by themselves.' They would hardly make a Trichinopoly cheroot from leaf
+grown in the West Indies, so we have here a striking anomaly of an East
+Indian cigar sent to us by a West Indian grower."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you infer from that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Principally that this cigar&mdash;which, by the way, is an uncommonly fine
+specimen and which I would not smoke for ten thousand pounds&mdash;is
+deserving of very attentive examination." He produced from his pocket a
+powerful doublet lens, with the aid of which he examined every part of
+the surface of the cigar, and finally, both ends.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look at the small end," he said, handing me the cigar and the lens,
+"and tell me if you notice anything."
+</p>
+<p>
+I focussed the lens on the flush-cut surface of closely-rolled leaf, and
+explored every part of it minutely.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It seems to me," I said, "that the leaf is opened slightly in the
+centre, as if a fine wire had been passed up it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So it appeared to me," replied Thorndyke; "and, as we are in agreement
+so far, we will carry our investigations a step further."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laid the cigar down on the table, and, with the keen, thin-bladed
+penknife, neatly divided it lengthwise into two halves.
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>Ecce signum</i>!" exclaimed Thorndyke, as the two parts fell asunder; and
+for a few moments we stood silently regarding the dismembered cheroot.
+For, about half an inch from the small end, there appeared a little
+circular patch of white, chalky material which, by the even manner in
+which it was diffused among the leaf, had evidently been deposited from
+a solution.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our ingenious friend again, I surmise," said Thorndyke at length,
+taking up one of the halves and examining the white patch through his
+lens. "A thoughtful soul, Jervis, and original too. I wish his talents
+could be applied in some other direction. I shall have to remonstrate
+with him if he becomes troublesome."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is your duty to society, Thorndyke," I exclaimed passionately, "to
+have this infernal, cold-blooded scoundrel arrested instantly. Such a
+man is a standing menace to the community. Do you really know who sent
+this thing?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can form a pretty shrewd guess, which, however, is not quite the same
+thing. But, you see, he has not been quite so clever this time, for he
+has left one or two traces by which his identity might be ascertained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed! What traces has he left?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! now there is a nice little problem for us to consider." He settled
+himself in his easy chair and proceeded to fill his pipe with the air of
+a man who is about to discuss a matter of merely general interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Let us consider what information this ingenious person has given us
+about himself. In the first place, he evidently has a strong interest in
+my immediate decease. Now, why should he feel so urgent a desire for my
+death? Can it be a question of property? Hardly; for I am far from a
+rich man, and the provisions of my will are known to me alone. Can it
+then be a question of private enmity or revenge? I think not. To the
+best of my belief I have no private enemies whatever. There remains only
+my vocation as an investigator in the fields of legal and criminal
+research. His interest in my death must, therefore, be connected with my
+professional activities. Now, I am at present conducting an exhumation
+which may lead to a charge of murder; but if I were to die to-night the
+inquiry would be carried out with equal efficiency by Professor Spicer
+or some other toxicologist. My death would not affect the prospects of
+the accused. And so in one or two other cases that I have in hand; they
+could be equally well conducted by someone else. The inference is that
+our friend is not connected with any of these cases, but that he
+believes me to possess some exclusive information concerning
+him&mdash;believes me to be the one person in the world who suspects and can
+convict him. Let us assume the existence of such a person&mdash;a person of
+whose guilt I alone have evidence. Now this person, being unaware that I
+have communicated my knowledge to a third party, would reasonably
+suppose that by making away with me he had put himself in a position of
+security.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here, then, is our first point. The sender of this offering is
+probably a person concerning whom I hold certain exclusive information.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But see, now, the interesting corollary that follows from this. I,
+alone, suspect this person; therefore I have not published my
+suspicions, or others would suspect him too. Why, then, does he suspect
+me of suspecting him, since I have not spoken? Evidently, he too must be
+in possession of exclusive information. In other words, my suspicions
+are correct; for if they were not, he could not be aware of their
+existence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The next point is the selection of this rather unusual type of cigar.
+Why should he have sent a Trichinopoly instead of an ordinary Havana
+such as Bartletts actually manufacture? It looks as if he were aware of
+my peculiar predilection, and, by thus consulting my personal tastes,
+had guarded against the chance of my giving the cigar to some other
+person. We may, therefore, infer that our friend probably has some
+knowledge of my habits.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The third point is, What is the social standing of this gentle
+stranger, whom we will call X? Now, Bartletts do not send their
+advertisements and samples to Thomas, Richard and Henry. They send,
+chiefly, to members of the professions and men of means and position. It
+is true that the original package might have been annexed by a clerk,
+office boy or domestic servant; but the probabilities are that X
+received the package himself, and this is borne out by the fact that he
+was able to obtain access to a powerful alkaloidal poison&mdash;such as this
+undoubtedly is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In that case he would probably be a medical man or a chemist," I
+suggested.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not necessarily," replied Thorndyke. "The laws relating to poisons are
+so badly framed and administered that any well-to-do person, who has the
+necessary knowledge, can obtain almost any poison that he wants. But
+social position is an important factor, whence we may conclude that X
+belongs, at least, to the middle class.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The fourth point relates to the personal qualities of X. Now it is
+evident, from this instance alone, that he is a man of exceptional
+intelligence, of considerable general information, and both ingenious
+and resourceful. This cigar device is not only clever and original, but
+it has been adapted to the special circumstances with remarkable
+forethought. Thus the cheroot was selected, apparently, for two
+excellent reasons: first, that it was the most likely form to be smoked
+by the person intended, and second, that it did not require to have the
+end cut off&mdash;which might have led to a discovery of the poison. The plan
+also shows a certain knowledge of chemistry; the poison was not intended
+merely to be dissolved in the moisture of the mouth. The idea evidently
+was that the steam generated by the combustion of the leaf at the distal
+end, would condense in the cooler part of the cigar and dissolve the
+poison, and the solution would then be drawn into the mouth. Then the
+nature of the poison and certain similarities of procedure seem to
+identify X with the cyclist who used that ingenious bullet. The poison
+in this case is a white, non-crystalline solid; the poison contained in
+the bullet was a solution of a white, non-crystalline solid, which
+analysis showed to be the most poisonous of all akaloids.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The bullet was virtually a hypodermic syringe; the poison in this cigar
+has been introduced, in the form of an alcoholic or ethereal solution,
+by a hypodermic syringe. We shall thus be justified in assuming that the
+bullet and the cigar came from the same person; and, if this be so, we
+may say that X is a person of considerable knowledge, of great ingenuity
+and no mean skill as a mechanician&mdash;as shown by the manufacture of the
+bullet.
+</p>
+<p>
+"These are our principal facts&mdash;to which we may add the surmise that he
+has recently purchased a second-hand Blickensderfer of the literary form
+or, at least, fitted with a literary typewheel."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't quite see how you arrive at that," I said, in some surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is merely a guess, you know," he replied, "though a probable one. In
+the first place he is obviously unused to typing, as the numerous
+mistakes show; therefore he has not had the machine very long. The type
+is that which is peculiar to the Blickensderfer, and, in one of the
+mistakes, an asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
+literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
+of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
+have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
+letters which are the most used&mdash;the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
+is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
+the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
+second-hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
+secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
+having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
+the machine, should we ever meet with it."
+</p>
+<p>
+He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
+lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
+times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
+each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
+summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type&mdash;caused,
+probably, by its striking some small, hard object."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
+valuable point for identification."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
+joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
+premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
+has placed at our disposal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
+information.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
+skill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
+fitted with a literary typewheel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Sixth: That machine, whether his own or some other person's property,
+can be identified by a characteristic mark on the small 'e.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
+expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
+able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
+suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
+society&mdash;to say nothing of your clients, whose interests would suffer by
+your death&mdash;to have this fellow laid by the heels before he does any
+mischief."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I shall have to interfere if he becomes really troublesome, but I
+have reasons for wishing to leave him alone at present."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You do really know who he is, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, I think I can solve the equation that I have just offered to you
+for solution. You see, I have certain data, as you suggest, which you do
+not possess. There is, for instance, a certain ingenious gentleman
+concerning whom I hold what I believe to be exclusive information, and
+my knowledge of him does not make it appear unlikely that he might be
+the author of these neat little plans."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am much impressed," I said, as I put away my notebook, after having
+jotted down the points that Thorndyke had advised me to consider&mdash;"I am
+much impressed by your powers of observation and your capacity for
+reasoning from apparently trivial data; but I do not see, even now, why
+you viewed that cigar with such immediate and decided suspicion. There
+was nothing actually to suggest the existence of poison in it, and yet
+you seemed to form the suspicion at once and to search for it as though
+you expected to find it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "to a certain extent you are right. The idea
+of a poisoned cigar was not new to me&mdash;and thereby hangs a tale."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laughed softly and gazed into the fire with eyes that twinkled with
+quiet amusement. "You have heard me say," he resumed, after a short
+pause, "that when I first took these chambers I had practically nothing
+to do. I had invented a new variety of medico-legal practice and had to
+build it up by slow degrees, and the natural consequence was that, for a
+long time, it yielded nothing but almost unlimited leisure. Now, that
+leisure was by no means wasted, for I employed it in considering the
+class of cases in which I was likely to be employed, and in working out
+theoretical examples; and seeing that crimes against the person have
+nearly always a strong medical interest, I gave them special attention.
+For instance, I planned a series of murders, selecting royal personages
+and great ministers as the victims, and on each murder I brought to bear
+all the special knowledge, skill and ingenuity at my command. I inquired
+minutely into the habits of my hypothetical victims; ascertained who
+were their associates, friends, enemies and servants; considered their
+diet, their residences, their modes of conveyance, the source of their
+clothing and, in fact, everything which it was necessary to know in
+order to achieve their deaths with certainty and with absolute safety to
+the murderer."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How deeply gratified and flattered those great personages would have
+felt," I remarked, "if they had known how much attention they were
+receiving."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I suppose it would have been somewhat startling, to the Prime
+Minister, for instance, to have learned that he was being watched and
+studied by an attentive observer and that the arrangements for his
+decease had been completed down to the minutest detail. But, of course,
+the application of the method to a particular case was the essential
+thing, for it brought into view all the incidental difficulties, in
+meeting which all the really interesting and instructive details were
+involved. Well, the particulars of these crimes I wrote out at length,
+in my private shorthand, in a journal which I kept for the purpose&mdash;and
+which, I need not say, I locked up securely in my safe when I was not
+using it. After completing each case, it was my custom to change sides
+and play the game over again from the opposite side of the board; that
+is to say, I added, as an appendix to each case, an analysis with a
+complete scheme for the detection of the crime. I have in my safe at the
+present moment six volumes of cases, fully indexed; and I can assure you
+that they are not only highly instructive reading, but are really
+valuable as works of reference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I can readily believe," I replied, laughing heartily,
+nevertheless, at the grotesqueness of the whole proceeding, "though they
+might have proved rather incriminating documents if they had passed out
+of your possession."
+</p>
+<p>
+"They would never have been read," rejoined Thorndyke. "My shorthand is,
+I think, quite undecipherable; it has been so made intentionally with a
+view to secrecy."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And have any of your theoretical cases ever turned up in real life?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Several of them have, though very imperfectly planned and carried out
+as a rule. The poisoned cigar is one of them, though, of course I should
+never have adopted such a conspicuous device for presenting it; and the
+incident of the other night is a modification&mdash;for the worse&mdash;of
+another. In fact, most of the intricate and artistic crimes with which I
+have had to deal professionally have had their more complete and
+elaborate prototypes in my journals."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was silent for some time, reflecting on the strange personality of my
+gifted friend and the singular fitness that he presented for the part he
+had chosen to play in the drama of social life; but presently my
+thoughts returned to the peril that overshadowed him, and I came back,
+once more, to my original question.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now, Thorndyke," I said, "that you have penetrated both the motives
+and the disguise of this villain, what are you going to do? Is he to be
+put safely under lock and key, or is he to be left in peace and security
+to plan some other, and perhaps more successful, scheme for your
+destruction?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"For the present," replied Thorndyke, "I am going to put these things in
+a place of safety. To-morrow you shall come with me to the hospital and
+see me place the ends of the cigar in the custody of Dr. Chandler, who
+will make an analysis and report on the nature of the poison. After that
+we shall act in whatever way seems best."
+</p>
+<p>
+Unsatisfactory as this conclusion appeared, I knew it was useless to
+raise further objections, and, accordingly, when the cigar with its
+accompanying papers and wrappings had been deposited in a drawer, we
+dismissed it, if not from our thoughts, at least from our conversation.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XIV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The morning of the trial, so long looked forward to, had at length
+arrived, and the train of events which it has been my business to
+chronicle in this narrative was now fast drawing to an end. To me those
+events had been in many ways of the deepest moment. Not only had they
+transported me from a life of monotonous drudgery into one charged with
+novelty and dramatic interest; not only had they introduced me to a
+renascence of scientific culture and revived under new conditions my
+intimacy with the comrade of my student days; but, far more momentous
+than any of these, they had given me the vision&mdash;all too fleeting&mdash;of
+happiness untold, with the reality of sorrow and bitter regret that
+promised to be all too enduring.
+</p>
+<p>
+Whence it happened that on this morning my thoughts were tinged with a
+certain greyness. A chapter in my life that had been both bitter and
+sweet was closing, and already I saw myself once more an Ishmaelite and
+a wanderer among strangers.
+</p>
+<p>
+This rather egotistical frame of mind, however, was soon dispelled when
+I encountered Polton, for the little man was in a veritable twitter of
+excitement at the prospect of witnessing the clearing up of the
+mysteries that had so severely tried his curiosity; and even Thorndyke,
+beneath his habitual calm, showed a trace of expectancy and pleasurable
+anticipation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have taken the liberty of making certain little arrangements on your
+behalf," he said, as we sat at breakfast, "of which I hope you will not
+disapprove. I have written to Mrs. Hornby, who is one of the witnesses,
+to say that you will meet her at Mr. Lawley's office and escort her and
+Miss Gibson to the court. Walter Hornby may be with them, and, if he is,
+you had better leave him, if possible, to come on with Lawley."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will not come to the office, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I shall go straight to the court with Anstey. Besides, I am
+expecting Superintendent Miller from Scotland Yard, who will probably
+walk down with us."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am glad to hear that," I said; "for I have been rather uneasy at the
+thought of your mixing in the crowd without some kind of protection."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see that I am taking precautions against the assaults of the
+too-ingenious X, and, to tell the truth&mdash;and also to commit a flagrant
+bull&mdash;I should never forgive myself if I allowed him to kill me before I
+had completed Reuben Hornby's defence. Ah, here is Polton&mdash;that man is
+on wires this morning; he has been wandering in and out of the rooms
+ever since he came, like a cat in a new house."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's quite true, sir," said Polton, smiling and unabashed, "so it's no
+use denying it. I have come to ask what we are going to take with us to
+the court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will find a box and a portfolio on the table in my room," replied
+Thorndyke. "We had better also take a microscope and the micrometers,
+though we are not likely to want them; that is all, I think."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A box and a portfolio," repeated Polton in a speculative tone. "Yes,
+sir, I will take them with me." He opened the door and was about to pass
+out, when, perceiving a visitor ascending the stairs, he turned back.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here's Mr. Miller, from Scotland Yard, sir; shall I show him in?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, do." He rose from his chair as a tall, military-looking man
+entered the room and saluted, casting, at the same time, an inquiring
+glance in my direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good morning, Doctor," he said briskly. "I got your letter and couldn't
+make much of it, but I have brought down a couple of plain-clothes men
+and a uniform man, as you suggested. I understand you want a house
+watched?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, and a man, too. I will give you the particulars presently&mdash;that
+is, if you think you can agree to my conditions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I act entirely on my own account and make no communication to
+anybody? Well, of course, I would rather you gave me all the facts and
+let me proceed in the regular way; but if you make conditions I have no
+choice but to accept them, seeing that you hold the cards."
+</p>
+<p>
+Perceiving that the matter in hand was of a confidential nature, I
+thought it best to take my departure, which I accordingly did, as soon
+as I had ascertained that it wanted yet half-an-hour to the time at
+which Mrs. Hornby and Juliet were due at the lawyer's office.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Lawley received me with stiffness that bordered on hostility. He was
+evidently deeply offended at the subordinate part that he had been
+compelled to play in the case, and was at no great pains to conceal the
+fact.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am informed," said he, in a frosty tone, when I had explained my
+mission, "that Mrs. Hornby and Miss Gibson are to meet you here. The
+arrangement is none of my making; none of the arrangements in this case
+are of my making. I have been treated throughout with a lack of ceremony
+and confidence that is positively scandalous. Even now, I&mdash;the solicitor
+for the defence&mdash;am completely in the dark as to what defence is
+contemplated, though I fully expect to be involved in some ridiculous
+fiasco. I only trust that I may never again be associated with any of
+your hybrid practitioners. <i>Ne sutor ultra crepidam</i>, sir, is an
+excellent motto; let the medical cobbler stick to his medical last."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It remains to be seen what kind of boot he can turn out on the legal
+last," I retorted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so," he rejoined; "but I hear Mrs. Hornby's voice in the outer
+office, and as neither you nor I have any time to waste in idle talk, I
+suggest that you make your way to the court without delay. I wish you
+good morning!"
+</p>
+<p>
+Acting on this very plain hint, I retired to the clerks' office, where I
+found Mrs. Hornby and Juliet, the former undisguisedly tearful and
+terrified, and the latter calm, though pale and agitated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We had better start at once," I said, when we had exchanged greetings.
+"Shall we take a cab, or walk?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think we will walk, if you don't mind," said Juliet. "Mrs. Hornby
+wants to have a few words with you before we go into court. You see, she
+is one of the witnesses, and she is terrified lest she should say
+something damaging to Reuben."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By whom was the subpoena served?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Lawley sent it," replied Mrs. Hornby, "and I went to see him about
+it the very next day, but he wouldn't tell me anything&mdash;he didn't seem
+to know what I was wanted for, and he wasn't at all nice&mdash;not at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect your evidence will relate to the 'Thumbograph,'" I said.
+"There is really nothing else in connection with the case that you have
+any knowledge of."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is just what Walter said," exclaimed Mrs. Hornby. "I went to his
+rooms to talk the matter over with him. He is very upset about the whole
+affair, and I am afraid he thinks very badly of poor Reuben's prospects.
+I only trust he may be wrong! Oh dear! What a dreadful thing it is, to
+be sure!" Here the poor lady halted to mop her eyes elaborately, to the
+surprise and manifest scorn of a passing errand boy.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He was very thoughtful and sympathetic&mdash;Walter, I mean, you know,"
+pursued Mrs. Hornby, "and most helpful. He asked me all I knew about
+that horrid little book, and took down my answers in writing. Then he
+wrote out the questions I was likely to be asked, with my answers, so
+that I could read them over and get them well into my head. Wasn't it
+good of him! And I made him print them with his machine so that I could
+read them without my glasses, and he did it beautifully. I have the
+paper in my pocket now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't know Mr. Walter went in for printing," I said. "Has he a
+regular printing press?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It isn't a printing press exactly," replied Mrs. Hornby; "it is a small
+thing with a lot of round keys that you press down&mdash;Dickensblerfer, I
+think it is called&mdash;ridiculous name, isn't it? Walter bought it from one
+of his literary friends about a week ago; but he is getting quite clever
+with it already, though he does make a few mistakes still, as you can
+see."
+</p>
+<p>
+She halted again, and began to search for the opening of a pocket which
+was hidden away in some occult recess of her clothing, all unconscious
+of the effect that her explanation had produced on me. For, instantly,
+as she spoke, there flashed into my mind one of the points that
+Thorndyke had given me for the identification of the mysterious X. "He
+has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand Blickensderfer,
+fitted with a literary typewheel." The coincidence was striking and even
+startling, though a moment's reflection convinced me that it was
+nothing more than a coincidence; for there must be hundreds of
+second-hand "Blicks" on the market, and, as to Walter Hornby, he
+certainly could have no quarrel with Thorndyke, but would rather be
+interested in his preservation on Reuben's account.
+</p>
+<p>
+These thoughts passed through my mind so rapidly that by the time Mrs.
+Hornby had run her pocket to earth I had quite recovered from the
+momentary shock.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! here it is," she exclaimed triumphantly, producing an obese Morocco
+purse. "I put it in here for safety, knowing how liable one is to get
+one's pocket picked in these crowded London streets." She opened the
+bulky receptacle and drew it out after the manner of a concertina,
+exhibiting multitudinous partitions, all stuffed with pieces of paper,
+coils of tape and sewing silk, buttons, samples of dress materials and
+miscellaneous rubbish, mingled indiscriminately with gold, silver, and
+copper coins.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now just run your eye through that, Dr. Jervis," she said, handing me a
+folded paper, "and give me your advice on my answers."
+</p>
+<p>
+I opened the paper and read: "The Committee of the Society for the
+Protection of Paralysed Idiots, in submitting this&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! that isn't it; I have given you the wrong paper. How silly of me!
+That is the appeal of&mdash;you remember, Juliet, dear, that troublesome
+person&mdash;I had, really, to be quite rude, you know, Dr. Jervis; I had to
+tell him that charity begins at home, although, thank Heaven! none of us
+are paralysed, but we must consider our own, mustn't we? And then&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you think this is the one, dear?" interposed Juliet, in whose pale
+cheek the ghost of a dimple had appeared. "It looks cleaner than most
+of the others."
+</p>
+<p>
+She selected a folded paper from the purse which Mrs. Hornby was holding
+with both hands extended to its utmost, as though she were about to
+produce a burst of music, and, opening it, glanced at its contents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, this is your evidence," she said, and passed the paper to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+I took the document from her hand and, in spite of the conclusion at
+which I had arrived, examined it with eager curiosity. And at the very
+first glance I felt my head swim and my heart throb violently. For the
+paper was headed: "Evidence respecting the Thumbograph," and in every
+one of the five small "e's" that occurred in that sentence I could see
+plainly by the strong out-door light a small break or interval in the
+summit of the loop.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was thunderstruck.
+</p>
+<p>
+One coincidence was quite possible and even probable; but the two
+together, and the second one of so remarkable a character, were beyond
+all reasonable limits of probability. The identification did not seem to
+admit of a doubt, and yet&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our legal adviser appears to be somewhat preoccupied," remarked Juliet,
+with something of her old gaiety of manner; and, in fact, though I held
+the paper in my hand, my gaze was fixed unmeaningly on an adjacent
+lamp-post. As she spoke, I pulled myself together, and, scanning the
+paper hastily, was fortunate enough to find in the first paragraph
+matter requiring comment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observe, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "that in answer to the first question,
+'Whence did you obtain the "Thumbograph"?' you say, 'I do not remember
+clearly; I think I must have bought it at a railway bookstall.' Now I
+understood that it was brought home and given to you by Walter himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was what I thought," replied Mrs. Hornby, "but Walter tells me
+that it was not so, and, of course, he would remember better than I
+should."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, my dear aunt, I am sure he gave it to you," interposed Juliet.
+"Don't you remember? It was the night the Colleys came to dinner, and we
+were so hard pressed to find amusement for them, when Walter came in and
+produced the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I remember quite well now," said Mrs. Hornby. "How fortunate that
+you reminded me. We must alter that answer at once."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If I were you, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "I would disregard this paper
+altogether. It will only confuse you and get you into difficulties.
+Answer the questions that are put, as well as you can, and if you don't
+remember, say so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will be much the wisest plan," said Juliet. "Let Dr. Jervis
+take charge of the paper and rely on your own memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I will do what you think
+best, and you can keep the paper, Dr. Jervis, or throw it away."
+</p>
+<p>
+I slipped the document into my pocket without remark, and we proceeded
+on our way, Mrs. Hornby babbling inconsequently, with occasional
+outbursts of emotion, and Juliet silent and abstracted. I struggled to
+concentrate my attention on the elder lady's conversation, but my
+thoughts continually reverted to the paper in my pocket, and the
+startling solution that it seemed to offer of the mystery of the
+poisoned cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+Could it be that Walter Hornby was in reality the miscreant X? The thing
+seemed incredible, for, hitherto, no shadow of suspicion had appeared
+to fall on him. And yet there was no denying that his description
+tallied in a very remarkable manner with that of the hypothetical X. He
+was a man of some means and social position; he was a man of
+considerable knowledge and mechanical skill, though as to his ingenuity
+I could not judge. He had recently bought a second-hand Blickensderfer
+which probably had a literary typewheel, since it was purchased from a
+literary man; and that machine showed the characteristic mark on the
+small "e." The two remaining points, indeed, were not so clear.
+Obviously I could form no opinion as to whether or not Thorndyke held
+any exclusive information concerning him, and, with reference to his
+knowledge of my friend's habits, I was at first inclined to be doubtful
+until I suddenly recalled, with a pang of remorse and self-accusation,
+the various details that I had communicated to Juliet and that she might
+easily, in all innocence, have handed on to Walter. I had, for instance,
+told her of Thorndyke's preference for the Trichinopoly cheroot, and of
+this she might very naturally have spoken to Walter, who possessed a
+supply of them. Again, with regard to the time of our arrival at King's
+Cross, I had informed her of this in a letter which was in no way
+confidential, and again there was no reason why the information should
+not have been passed on to Walter, who was to have been one of the party
+at the family dinner. The coincidence seemed complete enough, in all
+truth; yet it was incredible that Reuben's cousin could be so
+blackhearted a villain or could have any motive for these dastardly
+crimes.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly a new idea struck me. Mrs. Hornby had obtained access to this
+typewriting machine; and if Mrs. Hornby could do so, why not John
+Hornby? The description would, for the most part, fit the elder man as
+well as the younger, though I had no evidence of his possessing any
+special mechanical skill; but my suspicions had already fastened upon
+him, and I remembered that Thorndyke had by no means rejected my theory
+which connected him with the crime.
+</p>
+<p>
+At this point, my reflections were broken in upon by Mrs. Hornby, who
+grasped my arm and uttered a deep groan. We had reached the corner of
+the Old Bailey, and before us were the frowning walls of Newgate. Within
+those walls, I knew&mdash;though I did not mention the fact&mdash;that Reuben
+Hornby was confined with the other prisoners who were awaiting their
+trial; and a glance at the massive masonry, stained to a dingy grey by
+the grime of the city, put an end to my speculations and brought me back
+to the drama that was so nearly approaching its climax.
+</p>
+<p>
+Down the old thoroughfare, crowded with so many memories of hideous
+tragedy; by the side of the gloomy prison; past the debtors' door with
+its forbidding spiked wicket; past the gallows gate with its festoons of
+fetters; we walked in silence until we reached the entrance to the
+Sessions House.
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I was not a little relieved to find Thorndyke on the look-out for
+us, for Mrs. Hornby, in spite of really heroic efforts to control her
+emotion, was in a state of impending hysteria, while Juliet, though
+outwardly calm and composed, showed by the waxen pallor of her cheeks
+and a certain wildness of her eyes that all her terror was reviving; and
+I was glad that they were spared the unpleasantness of contact with the
+policemen who guarded the various entrances.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We must be brave," said Thorndyke gently, as he took Mrs. Hornby's
+hand, "and show a cheerful face to our friend who has so much to bear
+and who bears it so patiently. A few more hours, and I hope we shall see
+restored, not only his liberty, but his honour. Here is Mr. Anstey, who,
+we trust, will be able to make his innocence apparent."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey, who, unlike Thorndyke, had already donned his wig and gown,
+bowed gravely, and, together, we passed through the mean and grimy
+portals into a dark hall. Policemen in uniform and unmistakable
+detectives stood about the various entries, and little knots of people,
+evil-looking and unclean for the most part, lurked in the background or
+sat on benches and diffused through the stale, musty air that
+distinctive but indescribable odour that clings to police vans and
+prison reception rooms; an odour that, in the present case, was
+pleasantly mingled with the suggestive aroma of disinfectants. Through
+the unsavoury throng we hurried, and up a staircase to a landing from
+which several passages diverged. Into one of these passages&mdash;a sort of
+"dark entry," furnished with a cage-like gate of iron bars&mdash;we passed to
+a black door, on which was painted the inscription, "Old Court. Counsel
+and clerks."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey held the door open for us, and we passed through into the court,
+which at once struck me with a sense of disappointment. It was smaller
+than I had expected, and plain and mean to the point of sordidness. The
+woodwork was poor, thinly disguised by yellow graining, and slimy with
+dirt wherever a dirty hand could reach it. The walls were distempered a
+pale, greenish grey; the floor was of bare and dirty planking, and the
+only suggestions of dignity or display were those offered by the canopy
+over the judge's seat&mdash;lined with scarlet baize and surmounted by the
+royal arms&mdash;the scarlet cushions of the bench, and the large, circular
+clock in the gallery, which was embellished with a gilded border and
+asserted its importance by a loud, aggressive tick.
+</p>
+<p>
+Following Anstey and Thorndyke into the well of the court, we were
+ushered into one of the seats reserved for counsel&mdash;the third from the
+front&mdash;where we sat down and looked about us, while our two friends
+seated themselves in the front bench next to the central table. Here, at
+the extreme right, a barrister&mdash;presumably the counsel for the
+prosecution&mdash;was already in his place and absorbed in the brief that lay
+on the desk before him. Straight before us were the seats for the jury,
+rising one above the other, and at their side the witness-box. Above us
+on the right was the judge's seat, and immediately below it a structure
+somewhat resembling a large pew or a counting-house desk, surmounted by
+a brass rail, in which a person in a grey wig&mdash;the clerk of the
+court&mdash;was mending a quill pen. On our left rose the dock&mdash;suggestively
+large and roomy&mdash;enclosed at the sides with high glazed frames; and
+above it, near the ceiling, was the spectators' gallery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What a hideous place!" exclaimed Juliet, who separated me from Mrs.
+Hornby. "And how sordid and dirty everything looks!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered. "The uncleanness of the criminal is not confined to
+his moral being; wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of actual, physical
+dirt. It is not so long ago that the dock and the bench alike used to be
+strewn with medicinal herbs, and I believe the custom still survives of
+furnishing the judge with a nosegay as a preventive of jail-fever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And to think that Reuben should be brought to a place like this!"
+Juliet continued bitterly; "to be herded with such people as we saw
+downstairs!"
+</p>
+<p>
+She sighed and looked round at the benches that rose behind us, where a
+half-dozen reporters were already seated and apparently in high spirits
+at the prospect of a sensational case.
+</p>
+<p>
+Our conversation was now interrupted by the clatter of feet on the
+gallery stairs, and heads began to appear over the wooden parapet.
+Several junior counsel filed into the seats in front of us; Mr. Lawley
+and his clerk entered the attorney's bench; the ushers took their stand
+below the jury-box; a police officer seated himself at a desk in the
+dock; and inspectors, detectives and miscellaneous officers began to
+gather in the entries or peer into the court through the small glazed
+openings in the doors.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The hum of conversation that had been gradually increasing as the court
+filled suddenly ceased. A door at the back of the dais was flung open;
+counsel, solicitors, and spectators alike rose to their feet; and the
+judge entered, closely followed by the Lord Mayor, the sheriff, and
+various civic magnates, all picturesque and gorgeous in their robes and
+chains of office. The Clerk of Arraigns took his place behind his table
+under the dais; the counsel suspended their conversation and fingered
+their briefs; and, as the judge took his seat, lawyers, officials, and
+spectators took their seats, and all eyes were turned towards the dock.
+</p>
+<p>
+A few moments later Reuben Hornby appeared in the enclosure in company
+with a warder, the two rising, apparently, from the bowels of the earth,
+and, stepping forward to the bar, stood with a calm and self-possessed
+demeanour, glancing somewhat curiously around the court. For an instant
+his eye rested upon the group of friends and well-wishers seated behind
+the counsel, and the faintest trace of a smile appeared on his face; but
+immediately he turned his eyes away and never again throughout the trial
+looked in our direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Clerk of Arraigns now rose and, reading from the indictment which
+lay before him on the table, addressed the prisoner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Reuben Hornby, you stand indicted for that you did, on the ninth or
+tenth day of March, feloniously steal a parcel of diamonds of the goods
+and chattels of John Hornby. Are you guilty or not guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not guilty," replied Reuben.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Clerk of Arraigns, having noted the prisoner's reply, then
+proceeded&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The gentlemen whose names are about to be called will form the jury who
+are to try you. If you wish to object to any of them, you must do so as
+each comes to the book to be sworn, and before he is sworn. You will
+then be heard."
+</p>
+<p>
+In acknowledgment of this address, which was delivered in clear, ringing
+tones, and with remarkable distinctness, Reuben bowed to the clerk, and
+the process of swearing-in the jury was commenced, while the counsel
+opened their briefs and the judge conversed facetiously with an official
+in a fur robe and a massive neck chain.
+</p>
+<p>
+Very strange, to unaccustomed eyes and ears, was the effect of this
+function&mdash;half solemn and half grotesque, with an effect intermediate
+between that of a religious rite and that of a comic opera. Above the
+half-suppressed hum of conversation the clerk's voice arose at regular
+intervals, calling out the name of one of the jurymen, and, as its owner
+stood up, the court usher, black-gowned and sacerdotal of aspect,
+advanced and proffered the book. Then, as the juryman took the volume in
+his hand, the voice of the usher resounded through the court like that
+of a priest intoning some refrain or antiphon&mdash;an effect that was
+increased by the rhythmical and archaic character of the formula&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Samuel Seppings!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A stolid-looking working-man rose and, taking the Testament in his hand,
+stood regarding the usher while that official sang out in a solemn
+monotone&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have
+in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence. So help
+you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"James Piper!" Another juryman rose and was given the Book to hold; and
+again the monotonous sing-song arose&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make, etc."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall scream aloud if that horrible chant goes on much longer,"
+Juliet whispered. "Why don't they all swear at once and have done with
+it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That would not meet the requirements," I answered. "However, there are
+only two more, so you must have patience."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you will have patience with me, too, won't you? I am horribly
+frightened. It is all so solemn and dreadful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must try to keep up your courage until Dr. Thorndyke has given his
+evidence," I said. "Remember that, until he has spoken, everything is
+against Reuben; so be prepared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will try," she answered meekly; "but I can't help being terrified."
+</p>
+<p>
+The last of the jurymen was at length sworn, and when the clerk had once
+more called out the names one by one, the usher counting loudly as each
+man answered to his name, the latter officer turned to the Court and
+spectators, and proclaimed in solemn tones&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"If anyone can inform my Lords the King's justices, the King's
+attorney-general, or the King's serjeant, ere this inquest be now taken
+between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, of any
+treason, murder, felony or misdemeanour, committed or done by him, let
+him come forth and he shall be heard; for the prisoner stands at the bar
+upon his deliverance."
+</p>
+<p>
+This proclamation was followed by a profound silence, and after a brief
+interval the Clerk of Arraigns turned towards the jury and addressed
+them collectively&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner at the bar stands indicted by the
+name of Reuben Hornby, for that he, on the ninth or tenth of March,
+feloniously did steal, take and carry away a parcel of diamonds of the
+goods of John Hornby. To this indictment he has pleaded that he is not
+guilty, and your charge is to inquire whether he be guilty or not and to
+hearken to the evidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+When he had finished his address the clerk sat down, and the judge, a
+thin-faced, hollow-eyed elderly man, with bushy grey eyebrows and a very
+large nose, looked attentively at Reuben for some moments over the tops
+of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. Then he turned towards the counsel nearest
+the bench and bowed slightly.
+</p>
+<p>
+The barrister bowed in return and rose, and for the first time I
+obtained a complete view of Sir Hector Trumpler, K.C., the counsel for
+the prosecution. His appearance was not prepossessing nor&mdash;though he was
+a large man and somewhat florid as to his countenance&mdash;particularly
+striking, except for a general air of untidiness. His gown was slipping
+off one shoulder, his wig was perceptibly awry, and his pince-nez
+threatened every moment to drop from his nose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The case that I have to present to you, my lord and gentlemen of the
+jury," he began in a clear, though unmusical voice, "is one the like of
+which is but too often met with in this court. It is one in which we
+shall see unbounded trust met by treacherous deceit, in which we shall
+see countless benefactions rewarded by the basest ingratitude, and in
+which we shall witness the deliberate renunciation of a life of
+honourable effort in favour of the tortuous and precarious ways of the
+criminal. The facts of the case are briefly as follows: The prosecutor
+in this case&mdash;most unwilling prosecutor, gentlemen&mdash;is Mr. John Hornby,
+who is a metallurgist and dealer in precious metals. Mr. Hornby has two
+nephews, the orphan sons of his two elder brothers, and I may tell you
+that since the decease of their parents he has acted the part of a
+father to both of them. One of these nephews is Mr. Walter Hornby, and
+the other is Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the bar. Both of these
+nephews were received by Mr. Hornby into his business with a view to
+their succeeding him when he should retire, and both, I need not say,
+occupied positions of trust and responsibility.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, on the evening of the ninth of March there was delivered to Mr.
+Hornby a parcel of rough diamonds of which one of his clients asked him
+to take charge pending their transfer to the brokers. I need not burden
+you with irrelevant details concerning this transaction. It will suffice
+to say that the diamonds, which were of the aggregate value of about
+thirty thousand pounds, were delivered to him, and the unopened package
+deposited by him in his safe, together with a slip of paper on which he
+had written in pencil a memorandum of the circumstances. This was on the
+evening of the ninth of March, as I have said. Having deposited the
+parcel, Mr. Hornby locked the safe, and shortly afterwards left the
+premises and went home, taking the keys with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the following morning, when he unlocked the safe, he perceived with
+astonishment and dismay that the parcel of diamonds had vanished. The
+slip of paper, however, lay at the bottom of the safe, and on picking it
+up Mr. Hornby perceived that it bore a smear of blood, and in addition,
+the distinct impression of a human thumb. On this he closed and locked
+the safe and sent a note to the police station, in response to which a
+very intelligent officer&mdash;Inspector Sanderson&mdash;came and made a
+preliminary examination. I need not follow the case further, since the
+details will appear in the evidence, but I may tell you that, in effect,
+it has been made clear, beyond all doubt, that the thumb-print on that
+paper was the thumb-print of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+He paused to adjust his glasses, which were in the very act of falling
+from his nose, and hitch up his gown, while he took a leisurely survey
+of the jury, as though he were estimating their impressionability. At
+this moment I observed Walter Hornby enter the court and take up a
+position at the end of our bench nearest the door; and, immediately
+after, Superintendent Miller came in and seated himself on one of the
+benches opposite.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The first witness whom I shall call," said Sir Hector Trumpler, "is
+John Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby, looking wild and agitated, stepped into the witness-box, and
+the usher, having handed him the Testament, sang out&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The evidence you shall give to the court and jury sworn, between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar shall be the truth,
+the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby kissed the Book, and, casting a glance of unutterable misery
+at his nephew, turned towards the counsel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your name is John Hornby, is it not?" asked Sir Hector.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you occupy premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am a dealer in precious metals, but my business consists
+principally in the assaying of samples of ore and quartz and bars of
+silver and gold."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember what happened on the ninth of March last?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perfectly. My nephew Reuben&mdash;the prisoner&mdash;delivered to me a parcel of
+diamonds which he had received from the purser of the <i>Elmina Castle</i>,
+to whom I had sent him as my confidential agent. I had intended to
+deposit the diamonds with my banker, but when the prisoner arrived at my
+office, the banks were already closed, so I had to put the parcel, for
+the night, in my own safe. I may say that the prisoner was not in any
+way responsible for the delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not here to defend the prisoner," said Sir Hector. "Answer my
+questions and make no comments, if you please. Was anyone present when
+you placed the diamonds in the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No one was present but myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not ask if you were present when you put them in," said Sir
+Hector (whereupon the spectators sniggered and the judge smiled
+indulgently). "What else did you do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wrote in pencil on a leaf of my pocket memorandum block, 'Handed in
+by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01,' and initialled it. Then I tore the leaf
+from the block and laid it on the parcel, after which I closed the safe
+and locked it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How soon did you leave the premises after this?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Almost immediately. The prisoner was waiting for me in the outer
+office&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind where the prisoner was; confine your answers to what is
+asked. Did you take the keys with you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did you next open the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the following morning at ten o'clock."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was the safe locked or unlocked when you arrived?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was locked. I unlocked it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything unusual about the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had the keys left your custody in the interval?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. They were attached to a key-chain, which I always wear."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are there any duplicates of those keys?&mdash;the keys of the safe, I mean."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, there are no duplicates."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have the keys ever gone out of your possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. If I have had to be absent from the office for a considerable
+time, it has been my custom to hand the keys to one of my nephews,
+whichever has happened to be in charge at the time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And never to any other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never to any other person."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you observe when you opened the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observed that the parcel of diamonds had disappeared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything else?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I found the leaf from my memorandum block lying at the bottom of
+the safe. I picked it up and turned it over, and then saw that there
+were smears of blood on it and what looked like the print of a thumb in
+blood. The thumb-mark was on the under-surface, as the paper lay at the
+bottom of the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I closed and locked the safe, and sent a note to the police station
+saying that a robbery had been committed on my premises."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have known the prisoner several years, I believe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I have known him all his life. He is my eldest brother's son."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then you can tell us, no doubt, whether he is left-handed or
+right-handed?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say he was ambidextrous, but he uses his left hand by
+preference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fine distinction, Mr. Hornby; a very fine distinction. Now tell me,
+did you ascertain beyond all doubt that the diamonds were really gone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I examined the safe thoroughly, first by myself and afterwards
+with the police. There was no doubt that the diamonds had really gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When the detective suggested that you should have the thumb-prints of
+your two nephews taken, did you refuse?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I refused."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why did you refuse?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Because I did not choose to subject my nephews to the indignity.
+Besides, I had no power to make them submit to the proceeding."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had you any suspicions of either of them?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I had no suspicions of anyone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly examine this piece of paper, Mr. Hornby," said Sir Hector,
+passing across a small oblong slip, "and tell us if you recognise it."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby glanced at the paper for a moment, and then said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is the memorandum slip that I found lying at the bottom of the
+safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you identify it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"By the writing on it, which is in my own hand, and bears my initials."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it the memorandum that you placed on the parcel of diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was there any thumb-mark or blood-smear on it when you placed it in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it possible that there could have been any such marks?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite impossible. I tore it from my memorandum block at the time I
+wrote upon it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well." Sir Hector Trumpler sat down, and Mr. Anstey stood up to
+cross-examine the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us, Mr. Hornby," said he, "that you have known the
+prisoner all his life. Now what estimate have you formed of his
+character?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have always regarded him as a young man of the highest
+character&mdash;honourable, truthful, and in every way trustworthy. I have
+never, in all my experience of him, known him to deviate a
+hair's-breadth from the strictest honour and honesty of conduct."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You regarded him as a man of irreproachable character. Is that so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so; and my opinion of him is unchanged."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he, to your knowledge, any expensive or extravagant habits?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. His habits are simple and rather thrifty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you ever known him to bet, gamble, or speculate?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he ever seemed to be in want of money?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. He has a small private income, apart from his salary, which I know
+he does not spend, since I have occasionally employed my broker to
+invest his savings."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Apart from the thumb-print which was found in the safe, are you aware
+of any circumstances that would lead you to suspect the prisoner of
+having stolen the diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the
+perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Inspector Sanderson!"
+</p>
+<p>
+The dapper police officer stepped briskly into the box, and having been
+duly sworn, faced the prosecuting counsel with the air of a man who was
+prepared for any contingency.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember," said Sir Hector, after the usual preliminaries had
+been gone through, "what occurred on the morning of the tenth of March?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A note was handed to me at the station at 10.23 a.m. It was from
+Mr. John Hornby, and stated that a robbery had occurred at his premises
+in St. Mary Axe. I went to the premises and arrived there at 10.31 a.m.
+There I saw the prosecutor, Mr. John Hornby, who told me that a parcel
+of diamonds had been stolen from the safe. At his request I examined the
+safe. There were no signs of its having been forced open; the locks
+seemed to be quite uninjured and in good order. Inside the safe, on the
+bottom, I found two good-sized drops of blood, and a slip of paper with
+pencil-writing on it. The paper bore two blood-smears and a print of a
+human thumb in blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper?" asked the counsel, passing a small slip across to
+the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied the inspector, after a brief glance at the document.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I sent a message to Scotland Yard acquainting the Chief of the Criminal
+Investigation Department with the facts, and then went back to the
+station. I had no further connection with the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector sat down, and the judge glanced at Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You tell us," said the latter, rising, "that you observed two
+good-sized drops of blood on the bottom of the safe. Did you notice the
+condition of the blood, whether moist or dry?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The blood looked moist, but I did not touch it. I left it undisturbed
+for the detective officers to examine."
+</p>
+<p>
+The next witness called was Sergeant Bates, of the Criminal
+Investigation Department. He stepped into the box with the same ready,
+business-like air as the other officer, and, having been sworn,
+proceeded to give his evidence with a fluency that suggested careful
+preparation, holding an open notebook in his hand but making no
+references to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the tenth of March, at 12.8 p.m., I received instructions to proceed
+to St. Mary Axe to inquire into a robbery that had taken place there.
+Inspector Sanderson's report was handed to me, and I read it in the cab
+on my way to the premises. On arriving at the premises at 12.30 p.m., I
+examined the safe carefully. It was quite uninjured, and there were no
+marks of any kind upon it. I tested the locks and found them perfect;
+there were no marks or indications of any picklock having been used. On
+the bottom of the inside I observed two rather large drops of a dark
+fluid. I took up some of the fluid on a piece of paper and found it to
+be blood. I also found, in the bottom of the safe, the burnt head of a
+wax match, and, on searching the floor of the office, I found, close by
+the safe, a used wax match from which the head had fallen. I also found
+a slip of paper which appeared to have been torn from a perforated
+block. On it was written in pencil, 'Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m.
+9.3.01. J.H.' There were two smears of blood on the paper and the
+impression of a human thumb in blood. I took possession of the paper in
+order that it might be examined by the experts. I inspected the office
+doors and the outer door of the premises, but found no signs of forcible
+entrance on any of them. I questioned the housekeeper, but obtained no
+information from him. I then returned to headquarters, made my report
+and handed the paper with the marks on it to the Superintendent."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper that you found in the safe?" asked the counsel, once
+more handing the leaflet across.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; this is the paper."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What happened next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The following afternoon I was sent for by Mr. Singleton, of the
+Finger-print Department. He informed me that he had gone through the
+files and had not been able to find any thumb-print resembling the one
+on the paper, and recommended me to endeavour to obtain prints of the
+thumbs of any persons who might have been concerned in the robbery. He
+also gave me an enlarged photograph of the thumb-print for reference if
+necessary. I accordingly went to St. Mary Axe and had an interview with
+Mr. Hornby, when I requested him to allow me to take prints of the
+thumbs of all the persons employed on the premises, including his two
+nephews. This he refused, saying that he distrusted finger-prints and
+that there was no suspicion of anyone on the premises. I asked if he
+would allow his nephews to furnish their thumb-prints privately, to
+which he replied, 'Certainly not.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had you then any suspicion of either of the nephews?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought they were both open to some suspicion. The safe had certainly
+been opened with false keys, and as they had both had the real keys in
+their possession it was possible that one of them might have taken
+impressions in wax and made counterfeit keys."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I called on Mr. Hornby several times and urged him, for the sake of his
+nephews' reputations, to sanction the taking of the thumb-prints; but he
+refused very positively and forbade them to submit, although I
+understood that they were both willing. It then occurred to me to try if
+I could get any help from Mrs. Hornby, and on the fifteenth of March I
+called at Mr. Hornby's private house and saw her. I explained to her
+what was wanted to clear her nephews from the suspicion that rested on
+them, and she then said that she could dispose of those suspicions at
+once, for she could show me the thumb-prints of the whole family: she
+had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Thumbograph'?" repeated the judge. "What is a 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Thumbograph,' my lord," said he, "is a book, like this, in which
+foolish people collect the thumb-prints of their more foolish
+acquaintances."
+</p>
+<p>
+He passed the volume up to the judge, who turned over the leaves
+curiously and then nodded to the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. She said she had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then she fetched from a drawer a small red-covered book which she
+showed to me. It contained the thumb-prints of all the family and some
+of her friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the book?" asked the judge, passing the volume down to the
+witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+The sergeant turned over the leaves until he came to one which he
+apparently recognised, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, m'lord; this is the book. Mrs. Hornby showed me the thumb-prints
+of various members of the family, and then found those of the two
+nephews. I compared them with the photograph that I had with me and
+discovered that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby was in
+every respect identical with the thumb-print shown in the photograph."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I asked Mrs. Hornby to lend me the 'Thumbograph' so that I might show
+it to the Chief of the Finger-print Department, to which she consented.
+I had not intended to tell her of my discovery, but, as I was leaving,
+Mr. Hornby arrived home, and when he heard of what had taken place, he
+asked me why I wanted the book, and then I told him. He was greatly
+astonished and horrified, and wished me to return the book at once. He
+proposed to let the whole matter drop and take the loss of the diamonds
+on himself; but I pointed out that this was impossible as it would
+practically amount to compounding a felony. Seeing that Mrs. Hornby was
+so distressed at the idea of her book being used in evidence against her
+nephew, I promised her that I would return it to her if I could obtain a
+thumb-print in any other way.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I then took the 'Thumbograph' to Scotland Yard and showed it to Mr.
+Singleton, who agreed that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby
+was in every respect identical with the thumb-print on the paper found
+in the safe. On this I applied for a warrant for the arrest of Reuben
+Hornby, which I executed on the following morning. I told the prisoner
+what I had promised Mrs. Hornby, and he then offered to allow me to take
+a print of his left thumb so that his aunt's book should not have to be
+used in evidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How is it, then," asked the judge, "that it has been put in evidence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has been put in by the defence, my lord," said Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said the judge. "'A hair of the dog that bit him.' The
+'Thumbograph' is to be applied as a remedy on the principle that
+<i>similia similibus curantur.</i> Well?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"When I arrested him, I administered the usual caution, and the prisoner
+then said, 'I am innocent. I know nothing about the robbery.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+The counsel for the prosecution sat down, and Anstey rose to
+cross-examine.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us," said he, in his clear musical voice, "that you found
+at the bottom of the safe two rather large drops of a dark fluid which
+you considered to be blood. Now, what led you to believe that fluid to
+be blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I took some of the fluid up on a piece of white paper, and it had the
+appearance and colour of blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it examined microscopically or otherwise?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not to my knowledge."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it quite liquid?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I should say quite liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What appearance had it on paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It looked like a clear red liquid of the colour of blood, and was
+rather thick and sticky."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the
+name of Francis Simmons, was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are the housekeeper at Mr. Hornby's premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+asked Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything unusual on the night of the ninth of March?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you make your usual rounds on that occasion?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I went all over the premises several times during the night, and
+the rest of the time I was in a room over the private office."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who arrived first on the morning of the tenth?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Reuben. He arrived about twenty minutes before anybody else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What part of the building did he go to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He went into the private office, which I opened for him. He remained
+there until a few minutes before Mr. Hornby arrived, when he went up to
+the laboratory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who came next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby, and Mr. Walter came in just after him."
+</p>
+<p>
+The counsel sat down, and Anstey proceeded to cross-examine the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who was the last to leave the premises on the evening of the ninth?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why are you not sure?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I had to take a note and a parcel to a firm in Shoreditch. When I
+started, a clerk named Thomas Holker was in the outer office and Mr.
+Walter Hornby was in the private office. When I returned they had both
+gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was the outer door locked?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had Holker a key of the outer door?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Mr. Hornby and his two nephews had each a key, and I have one. No
+one else had a key."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How long were you absent?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"About three-quarters of an hour."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who gave you the note and the parcel?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Walter Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did he give them to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He gave them to me just before I started, and told me to go at once
+for fear the place should be closed before I got there."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And was the place closed?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It was all shut up, and everybody had gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey resumed his seat, the witness shuffled out of the box with an air
+of evident relief, and the usher called out, "Henry James Singleton."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton rose from his seat at the table by the solicitors for the
+prosecution and entered the box. Sir Hector adjusted his glasses, turned
+over a page of his brief, and cast a steady and impressive glance at the
+jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I believe, Mr. Singleton," he said at length, "that you are connected
+with the Finger-print Department at Scotland Yard?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am one of the chief assistants in that department."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are your official duties?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My principal occupation consists in the examination and comparison of
+the finger-prints of criminals and suspected persons. These
+finger-prints are classified by me according to their characters and
+arranged in files for reference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I take it that you have examined a great number of finger-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have examined many thousands of finger-prints, and have studied them
+closely for purposes of identification."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly examine this paper, Mr. Singleton" (here the fatal leaflet was
+handed to him by the usher); "have you ever seen it before?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It was handed to me for examination at my office on the tenth of
+March."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is a mark upon it&mdash;the print of a finger or thumb. Can you tell
+us anything about that mark?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the
+bar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are quite sure of that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you swear that the mark upon that paper was made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Could it not have been made by the thumb of some other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; it is impossible that it could have been made by any other person."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment I felt Juliet lay a trembling hand on mine, and, glancing
+at her, I saw that she was deathly pale. I took her hand in mine and,
+pressing it gently, whispered to her, "Have courage; there is nothing
+unexpected in this."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," she whispered in reply, with a faint smile; "I will try;
+but it is all so horribly unnerving."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You consider," Sir Hector proceeded, "that the identity of this
+thumb-print admits of no doubt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It admits of no doubt whatever," replied Mr. Singleton.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you explain to us, without being too technical, how you have
+arrived at such complete certainty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I myself took a print of the prisoner's thumb&mdash;having first obtained
+the prisoner's consent after warning him that the print would be used in
+evidence against him&mdash;and I compared that print with the mark on this
+paper. The comparison was made with the greatest care and by the most
+approved method, point by point and detail by detail, and the two prints
+were found to be identical in every respect.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now it has been proved by exact calculations&mdash;which calculations I
+have personally verified&mdash;-that the chance that the print of a single
+finger of any given person will be exactly like the print of the same
+finger of any other given person is as one to sixty-four thousand
+millions. That is to say that, since the number of the entire human race
+is about sixteen hundred millions, the chance is about one to four that
+the print of a single finger of any one person will be identical with
+that of the same finger of any other member of the human race.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has been said by a great authority&mdash;and I entirely agree with the
+statement&mdash;that a complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two
+prints of a single finger affords evidence requiring no corroboration
+that the persons from whom they were made are the same.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, these calculations apply to the prints of ordinary and normal
+fingers or thumbs. But the thumb from which these prints were taken is
+not ordinary or normal. There is upon it a deep but clean linear
+scar&mdash;the scar of an old incised wound&mdash;and this scar passes across the
+pattern of the ridges, intersecting the latter at certain places and
+disturbing their continuity at others. Now this very characteristic scar
+is an additional feature, having a set of chances of its own. So that we
+have to consider not only the chance that the print of the prisoner's
+left thumb should be identical with the print of some other person's
+left thumb&mdash;which is as one to sixty-four thousand millions&mdash;but the
+further chance that these two identical thumb-prints should be traversed
+by the impression of a scar identical in size and appearance, and
+intersecting the ridges at exactly the same places and producing
+failures of continuity in the ridges of exactly the same character. But
+these two chances, multiplied into one another, yield an ultimate chance
+of about one to four thousand trillions that the prisoner's left thumb
+will exactly resemble the print of some other person's thumb, both as to
+the pattern and the scar which crosses the pattern; in other words such
+a coincidence is an utter impossibility."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler took off his glasses and looked long and steadily at
+the jury as though he should say, "Come, my friends; what do you think
+of that?" Then he sat down with a jerk and turned towards Anstey and
+Thorndyke with a look of triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
+seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," replied Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
+counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
+satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
+he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
+detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
+faintest shadow of a smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Herbert John Nash!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
+the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
+believe, Mr. Nash?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
+the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am certain that no mistake is possible."
+</p>
+<p>
+Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
+seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
+the margin of his brief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
+in the ink.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."
+</p>
+<p>
+Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I call witnesses, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
+his brief introductory speech&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
+Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
+the evidence of my witnesses without delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
+broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
+quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
+whisper&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
+can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
+lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
+innocence as ever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some means of proving
+his innocence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I suppose so," she rejoined in a dejected whisper. "At any rate we
+shall soon know now."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment the usher's voice was heard calling out the name of the
+first witness for the defence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Edmund Horford Rowe!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A keen-looking, grey-haired man, with a shaven face and close-cut
+side-whiskers, stepped into the box and was sworn in due form.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are a doctor of medicine, I believe," said Anstey, addressing the
+witness, "and lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the South London
+Hospital?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you had occasion to study the properties of blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. The properties of blood are of great importance from a
+medico-legal point of view."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you tell us what happens when a drop of blood&mdash;say from a cut
+finger&mdash;falls upon a surface such as the bottom of an iron safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A drop of blood from a living body falling upon any non-absorbent
+surface will, in the course of a few minutes, solidify into a jelly
+which will, at first, have the same bulk and colour as the liquid
+blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will it undergo any further change?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. In a few minutes more the jelly will begin to shrink and become
+more solid so that the blood will become separated into two parts, the
+solid and the liquid. The solid part will consist of a firm, tough jelly
+of a deep red colour, and the liquid part will consist of a pale yellow,
+clear, watery liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"At the end, say, of two hours, what will be the condition of the drop
+of blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will consist of a drop of clear, nearly colourless liquid, in the
+middle of which will be a small, tough, red clot."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Supposing such a drop to be taken up on a piece of white paper, what
+would be its appearance?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The paper would be wetted by the colourless liquid, and the solid clot
+would probably adhere to the paper in a mass."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would the blood on the paper appear as a clear, red liquid?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not. The liquid would appear like water, and the clot would
+appear as a solid mass sticking to the paper."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Does blood always behave in the way you have described?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Always, unless some artificial means are taken to prevent it from
+clotting."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By what means can blood be prevented from clotting or solidifying?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two principal methods. One is to stir or whip the fresh blood
+rapidly with a bundle of fine twigs. When this is done, the fibrin&mdash;the
+part of the blood that causes solidification&mdash;adheres to the twigs, and
+the blood that remains, though it is unchanged in appearance, will
+remain liquid for an indefinite time. The other method is to dissolve a
+certain proportion of some alkaline salt in the fresh blood, after which
+it no longer has any tendency to solidify."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have heard the evidence of Inspector Sanderson and Sergeant Bates?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Inspector Sanderson has told us that he examined the safe at 10.31 a.m.
+and found two good-sized drops of blood on the bottom. Sergeant Bates
+has told us that he examined the safe two hours later, and that he took
+up one of the drops of blood on a piece of white paper. The blood was
+then quite liquid, and, on the paper, it looked like a clear, red liquid
+of the colour of blood. What should you consider the condition and
+nature of that blood to have been?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"If it was really blood at all, I should say that it was either
+defibrinated blood&mdash;that is, blood from which the fibrin has been
+extracted by whipping&mdash;or that it had been treated with an alkaline
+salt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are of opinion that the blood found in the safe could not have been
+ordinary blood shed from a cut or wound?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure it could not have been."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Dr. Rowe, I am going to ask you a few questions on another
+subject. Have you given any attention to finger-prints made by bloody
+fingers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I have recently made some experiments on the subject."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you give us the results of those experiments?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My object was to ascertain whether fingers wet with fresh blood would
+yield distinct and characteristic prints. I made a great number of
+trials, and as a result found that it is extremely difficult to obtain a
+clear print when the finger is wetted with fresh blood. The usual result
+is a mere red blot showing no ridge pattern at all, owing to the blood
+filling the furrows between the ridges. But if the blood is allowed to
+dry almost completely on the finger, a very clear print is obtained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it possible to recognise a print that has been made by a nearly dry
+finger?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; quite easily. The half-dried blood is nearly solid and adheres to
+the paper in a different way from the liquid, and it shows minute
+details, such as the mouths of the sweat glands, which are always
+obliterated by the liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look carefully at this paper, which was found in the safe, and tell me
+what you see."
+</p>
+<p>
+The witness took the paper and examined it attentively, first with the
+naked eye and then with a pocket-lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said he, "two blood-marks and a print, apparently of a thumb.
+Of the two marks, one is a blot, smeared slightly by a finger or thumb;
+the other is a smear only. Both were evidently produced with quite
+liquid blood. The thumb-print was also made with liquid blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are quite sure that the thumb-print was made with liquid blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there anything unusual about the thumb-print?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It is extraordinarily clear and distinct. I have made a great
+number of trials and have endeavoured to obtain the clearest prints
+possible with fresh blood; but none of my prints are nearly as distinct
+as this one."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here the witness produced a number of sheets of paper, each of which was
+covered with the prints of bloody fingers, and compared them with the
+memorandum slip.
+</p>
+<p>
+The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat
+down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression
+on his face, to cross-examine.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You say that the blood found in the safe was defibrinated or
+artificially treated. What inference do you draw from that fact?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I infer that it was not dropped from a bleeding wound."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you form any idea how such blood should have got into the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You say that the thumb-print is a remarkably distinct one. What
+conclusion do you draw from that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not draw any conclusion. I cannot account for its distinctness at
+all."
+</p>
+<p>
+The learned counsel sat down with rather a baffled air, and I observed a
+faint smile spread over the countenance of my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Arabella Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+A muffled whimpering from my neighbour on the left hand was accompanied
+by a wild rustling of silk. Glancing at Mrs. Hornby, I saw her stagger
+from the bench, shaking like a jelly, mopping her eyes with her
+handkerchief and grasping her open purse. She entered the witness-box,
+and, having gazed wildly round the court, began to search the
+multitudinous compartments of her purse.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The evidence you shall give," sang out the usher&mdash;whereat Mrs. Hornby
+paused in her search and stared at him apprehensively&mdash;"to the court and
+jury sworn, between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the
+bar shall be the truth,&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," said Mrs. Hornby stiffly, "I&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"&mdash;the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+He held out the Testament, which she took from him with a trembling hand
+and forthwith dropped with a resounding bang on to the floor of the
+witness-box, diving after it with such precipitancy that her bonnet
+jammed violently against the rail of the box.
+</p>
+<p>
+She disappeared from view for a moment, and then rose from the depths
+with a purple face and her bonnet flattened and cocked over one ear like
+an artillery-man's forage cap.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kiss the Book, if you please," said the usher, suppressing a grin by
+an heroic effort, as Mrs. Hornby, encumbered by her purse, her
+handkerchief and the Testament, struggled to unfasten her
+bonnet-strings. She clawed frantically at her bonnet, and, having dusted
+the Testament with her handkerchief, kissed it tenderly and laid it on
+the rail of the box, whence it fell instantly on to the floor of the
+court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am really very sorry!" exclaimed Mrs. Hornby, leaning over the rail
+to address the usher as he stooped to pick up the Book, and discharging
+on to his back a stream of coins, buttons and folded bills from her open
+purse; "you will think me very awkward, I'm afraid."
+</p>
+<p>
+She mopped her face and replaced her bonnet rakishly on one side, as
+Anstey rose and passed a small red book across to her.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly look at that book, Mrs. Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I'd rather not," said she, with a gesture of repugnance. "It is
+associated with matters of so extremely disagreeable a character&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you recognise it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do I recognise it! How can you ask me such a question when you must
+know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Answer the question," interposed the judge. "Do you or do you not
+recognise the book in your hand?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I recognise it. How could I fail to&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then say so," said the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have said so," retorted Mrs. Hornby indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued&mdash;"It is called a
+'Thumbograph,' I believe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes: the name 'Thumbograph' is printed on the cover, so I suppose that
+is what it is called."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+For one moment Mrs. Hornby stared wildly at her interrogator; then she
+snatched a paper from her purse, unfolded it, gazed at it with an
+expression of dismay, and crumpled it up in the palm of her hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are asked a question," said the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "The Committee of the Society&mdash;no, that is
+the wrong one&mdash;I mean Walter, you know&mdash;at least&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You were speaking of the committee of some society," interposed the
+judge. "What society were you referring to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Hornby spread out the paper and, after a glance at it, replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Society of Paralysed Idiots, your worship," whereat a rumble of
+suppressed laughter arose from the gallery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But what has that society to do with the 'Thumbograph'?" inquired the
+judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nothing, your worship. Nothing at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then why did you refer to it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure I don't know," said Mrs. Hornby, wiping her eyes with the
+paper and then hastily exchanging it for her handkerchief.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge took off his glasses and gazed at Mrs. Hornby with an
+expression of bewilderment. Then he turned to the counsel and said in a
+weary voice&mdash;"Proceed, if you please, Mr. Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?" said the latter in persuasive accents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought it was Walter, and so did my niece, but Walter says it was
+not, and he ought to know, being young and having a most excellent
+memory, as I had myself when I was his age, and really, you know, it
+can't possibly matter where I got the thing&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"But it does matter," interrupted Anstey. "We wish particularly to
+know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you mean that you wish to get one like it&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We do not," said Anstey. "We wish to know how that particular
+'Thumbograph' came into your possession. Did you, for instance, buy it
+yourself, or was it given to you by someone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter says I bought it myself, but I thought he gave it to me, but he
+says he did not, and you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind what Walter says. What is your own impression?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why I still think that he gave it to me, though, of course, seeing that
+my memory is not what it was&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"You think that Walter gave it to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, in fact I feel sure he did, and so does my niece."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter is your nephew, Walter Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, of course. I thought you knew."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you recall the occasion on which the 'Thumbograph' was given to
+you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh yes, quite distinctly. We had some people to dinner&mdash;some people
+named Colley&mdash;not the Dorsetshire Colleys, you know, although they are
+exceedingly nice people, as I have no doubt the other Colleys are, too,
+when you know them, but we don't. Well, after dinner we were a little
+dull and rather at a loss, because Juliet, my niece, you know, had cut
+her finger and couldn't play the piano excepting with the left hand, and
+that is so monotonous as well as fatiguing, and the Colleys are not
+musical, excepting Adolphus, who plays the trombone, but he hadn't got
+it with him, and then, fortunately, Walter came in and brought the
+'Thumbograph' and took all our thumb-prints and his own as well, and we
+were very much amused, and Matilda Colley&mdash;that is the eldest daughter
+but one&mdash;said that Reuben jogged her elbow, but that was only an
+excuse&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Exactly," interrupted Anstey. "And you recollect quite clearly that
+your nephew Walter gave you the 'Thumbograph' on that occasion?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, distinctly; though, you know, he is really my husband's nephew&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. And you are sure that he took the thumb-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are sure that you never saw the 'Thumbograph' before that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never. How could I? He hadn't brought it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you ever lent the 'Thumbograph' to anyone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, never. No one has ever wanted to borrow it, because, you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has it never, at any time, gone out of your possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that; in fact, I have often thought, though I hate
+suspecting people, and I really don't suspect anybody in particular, you
+know, but it certainly was very peculiar and I can't explain it in any
+other way. You see, I kept the 'Thumbograph' in a drawer in my writing
+table, and in the same drawer I used to keep my handkerchief-bag&mdash;in
+fact I do still, and it is there at this very moment, for in my hurry
+and agitation, I forgot about it until we were in the cab, and then it
+was too late, because Mr. Lawley&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. You kept it in a drawer with your handkerchief-bag."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was what I said. Well, when Mr. Hornby was staying at Brighton he
+wrote to ask me to go down for a week and bring Juliet&mdash;Miss Gibson, you
+know&mdash;with me. So we went, and, just as we were starting, I sent Juliet
+to fetch my handkerchief-bag from the drawer, and I said to her,
+'Perhaps we might take the thumb-book with us; it might come in useful
+on a wet day.' So she went, and presently she came back and said that
+the 'Thumbograph' was not in the drawer. Well, I was so surprised that I
+went back with her and looked myself, and sure enough the drawer was
+empty. Well, I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came
+home again, as soon as we got out of the cab, I gave Juliet my
+handkerchief-bag to put away, and presently she came running to me in a
+great state of excitement. 'Why, Auntie,' she said,' the "Thumbograph"
+is in the drawer; somebody must have been meddling with your writing
+table.' I went with her to the drawer, and there, sure enough, was the
+'Thumbograph.' Somebody must have taken it out and put it back while we
+were away."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who could have had access to your writing table?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, anybody, because, you see, the drawers were never locked. We
+thought it must have been one of the servants."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had anyone been to the house during your absence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Nobody, except, of course, my two nephews; and neither of them had
+touched it, because we asked them, and they both said they had not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you." Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another
+correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when
+Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You made some reference," said he, "to a society&mdash;the Society of
+Paralysed Idiots, I think, whatever that may be. Now what caused you to
+make that reference?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was a mistake; I was thinking of something else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know it was a mistake. You referred to a paper that was in your
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not refer to it, I merely looked at it. It is a letter from the
+Society of Paralysed Idiots. It is nothing to do with me really, you
+know; I don't belong to the society, or anything of that sort."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you mistake that paper for some other paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I took it for a paper with some notes on it to assist my memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What kind of notes?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, just the questions I was likely to be asked."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Were the answers that you were to give to those questions also written
+on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course they were. The questions would not have been any use without
+the answers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you been asked the questions that were written on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; at least, some of them."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you given the answers that were written down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think I have&mdash;in fact, I am sure I haven't, because, you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! you don't think you have." Sir Hector Trumpler smiled significantly
+at the jury, and continued&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now who wrote down those questions and answers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My nephew, Walter Hornby. He thought, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind what he thought. Who advised or instructed him to write them
+down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nobody. It was entirely his own idea, and very thoughtful of him, too,
+though Dr. Jervis took the paper away from me and said I must rely on my
+memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector was evidently rather taken aback by this answer, and sat down
+suddenly, with a distinctly chapfallen air.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Where is this paper on which the questions and answers are written?"
+asked the judge. In anticipation of this inquiry I had already handed it
+to Thorndyke, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
+on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
+Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
+passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
+that he had written "X = W.H."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
+glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
+strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
+his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
+whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
+compare it with his notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
+making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
+with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
+court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
+usher called out&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
+to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
+Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
+the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
+"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
+the worst very soon now, at any rate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
+defence really is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
+and I&mdash;though not ordinarily a religious man&mdash;murmured "Amen!"
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH16"><!-- CH16 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XVI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
+unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
+what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
+the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
+attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
+now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
+had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
+flowing gown or awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
+court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
+looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
+at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
+distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
+massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
+the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
+it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
+of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
+and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
+believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
+treated&mdash;probably by defibrination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
+on the paper that was found in the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A great deal of attention."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
+Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you examine it thoroughly?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
+their permission, I took several photographs of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
+the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you agree to that statement?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this statement the judge paused for a moment, pen in hand, and
+stared at Thorndyke with his mouth slightly open, while the two experts
+looked at one another with raised eyebrows.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By what means do you consider that the mark was produced?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"By means of a stamp, either of indiarubber or, more probably, of
+chromicized gelatine."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Polton, who had been, by degrees, rising to an erect posture, smote
+his thigh a resounding thwack and chuckled aloud, a proceeding that
+caused all eyes, including those of the judge, to be turned on him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"If that noise is repeated," said the judge, with a stony stare at the
+horrified offender&mdash;who had shrunk into the very smallest space that I
+have ever seen a human being occupy&mdash;"I shall cause the person who made
+it to be removed from the court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I understand, then," pursued Anstey, "that you consider the
+thumb-print, which has been sworn to as the prisoner's, to be a
+forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But is it possible to forge a thumb-print or a finger-print?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not only possible, but quite easy to do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As easy as to forge a signature, for instance?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Much more so, and infinitely more secure. A signature, being written
+with a pen, requires that the forgery should also be written with a pen,
+a process demanding very special skill and, after all, never resulting
+in an absolute <i>facsimile</i>. But a finger-print is a stamped
+impression&mdash;the finger-tip being the stamp; and it is only necessary to
+obtain a stamp identical in character with the finger-tip, in order to
+produce an impression which is an absolute <i>facsimile</i>, in every
+respect, of the original, and totally indistinguishable from it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would there be no means at all of detecting the difference between a
+forged finger-print and the genuine original?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever; for the reason that there would be no difference to
+detect."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But you have stated, quite positively, that the thumb-print on this
+paper is a forgery. Now, if the forged print is indistinguishable from
+the original, how are you able to be certain that this particular print
+is a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was speaking of what is possible with due care, but, obviously, a
+forger might, through inadvertence, fail to produce an absolute
+<i>facsimile</i> and then detection would be possible. That is what has
+happened in the present case. The forged print is not an absolute
+<i>facsimile</i> of the true print. There is a slight discrepancy. But, in
+addition to this, the paper bears intrinsic evidence that the
+thumb-print on it is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We will consider that evidence presently, Dr. Thorndyke. To return to
+the possibility of forging a finger-print, can you explain to us,
+without being too technical, by what methods it would be possible to
+produce such a stamp as you have referred to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two principal methods that suggest themselves to me. The
+first, which is rather crude though easy to carry out, consists in
+taking an actual cast of the end of the finger. A mould would be made by
+pressing the finger into some plastic material, such as fine modelling
+clay or hot sealing wax, and then, by pouring a warm solution of
+gelatine into the mould, and allowing it to cool and solidify, a cast
+would be produced which would yield very perfect finger-prints. But
+this method would, as a rule, be useless for the purpose of the forger,
+as it could not, ordinarily, be carried out without the knowledge of the
+victim; though in the case of dead bodies and persons asleep or
+unconscious or under an anaesthetic, it could be practised with success,
+and would offer the advantage of requiring practically no technical
+skill or knowledge and no special appliances. The second method, which
+is much more efficient, and is the one, I have no doubt, that has been
+used in the present instance, requires more knowledge and skill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the first place it is necessary to obtain possession of, or access
+to, a genuine finger-print. Of this finger-print a photograph is taken,
+or rather, a photographic negative, which for this purpose requires to
+be taken on a reversed plate, and the negative is put into a special
+printing frame, with a plate of gelatine which has been treated with
+potassium bichromate, and the frame is exposed to light.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now gelatine treated in this way&mdash;chromicized gelatine, as it is
+called&mdash;has a very peculiar property. Ordinary gelatine, as is well
+known, is easily dissolved in hot water, and chromicized gelatine is
+also soluble in hot water as long as it is not exposed to light; but on
+being exposed to light, it undergoes a change and is no longer capable
+of being dissolved in hot water. Now the plate of chromicized gelatine
+under the negative is protected from the light by the opaque parts of
+the negative, whereas the light passes freely through the transparent
+parts; but the transparent parts of the negative correspond to the black
+marks on the finger-print, and these correspond to the ridges on the
+finger. Hence it follows that the gelatine plate is acted upon by light
+only on the parts corresponding to the ridges; and in these parts the
+gelatine is rendered insoluble, while all the rest of the gelatine is
+soluble. The gelatine plate, which is cemented to a thin plate of metal
+for support, is now carefully washed with hot water, by which the
+soluble part of the gelatine is dissolved away leaving the insoluble
+part (corresponding to the ridges) standing up from the surface. Thus
+there is produced a <i>facsimile</i> in relief of the finger-print having
+actual ridges and furrows identical in character with the ridges and
+furrows of the finger-tip. If an inked roller is passed over this
+relief, or if the relief is pressed lightly on an inked slab, and then
+pressed on a sheet of paper, a finger-print will be produced which will
+be absolutely identical with the original, even to the little white
+spots which mark the orifices of the sweat glands. It will be impossible
+to discover any difference between the real finger-print and the
+counterfeit because, in fact, no difference exists."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely the process you have described is a very difficult and
+intricate one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all; it is very little more difficult than ordinary carbon
+printing, which is practised successfully by numbers of amateurs.
+Moreover, such a relief as I have described&mdash;which is practically
+nothing more than an ordinary process block&mdash;could be produced by any
+photo-engraver. The process that I have described is, in all essentials,
+that which is used in the reproduction of pen-and-ink drawings, and any
+of the hundreds of workmen who are employed in that industry could make
+a relief-block of a finger-print, with which an undetectable forgery
+could be executed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have asserted that the counterfeit finger-print could not be
+distinguished from the original. Are you prepared to furnish proof that
+this is the case?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am prepared to execute a counterfeit of the prisoner's
+thumb-print in the presence of the Court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And do you say that such a counterfeit would be indistinguishable from
+the original, even by the experts?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey turned towards the judge. "Would your lordship give your
+permission for a demonstration such as the witness proposes?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," replied the judge. "The evidence is highly material. How do
+you propose that the comparison should be made?" he added, addressing
+Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have brought, for the purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
+sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
+propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
+thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
+propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
+Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
+objection to offer, Sir Hector?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
+sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
+enthusiasm&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have no objection to offer, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
+from the court while the prints are being made."
+</p>
+<p>
+In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
+and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
+small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
+two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
+your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
+for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
+the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
+jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
+dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
+your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
+lordship."
+</p>
+<p>
+He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
+the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
+gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
+delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
+the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
+table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
+were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
+"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
+twinkle of amusement and triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are those all stamps?" inquired the judge, glancing curiously at the
+array of turned-wood handles.
+</p>
+<p>
+"They are all stamps, my lord," replied Thorndyke, "and each is taken
+from a different impression of the prisoner's thumb."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But why so many?" asked the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have multiplied them," answered Thorndyke, as he squeezed out a drop
+of finger-print ink on to the slab and proceeded to roll it out into a
+thin film, "to avoid the tell-tale uniformity of a single stamp. And I
+may say," he added, "that it is highly important that the experts should
+not be informed that more than one stamp has been used."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I see that," said the judge. "You understand that, Sir Hector," he
+added, addressing the counsel, who bowed stiffly, clearly regarding the
+entire proceeding with extreme disfavour.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke now inked one of the stamps and handed it to the judge, who
+examined it curiously and then pressed it on a piece of waste paper, on
+which there immediately appeared a very distinct impression of a human
+thumb.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Most ingenious! Too ingenious!" He chuckled
+softly and added, as he handed the stamp and the paper to the foreman of
+the jury: "It is well, Dr. Thorndyke, that you are on the side of law
+and order, for I am afraid that, if you were on the other side, you
+would be one too many for the police. Now, if you are ready, we will
+proceed. Will you, please, stamp an impression in square number three."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke drew a stamp from its compartment, inked it on the slab, and
+pressed it neatly on the square indicated, leaving there a sharp, clear
+thumb-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+The process was repeated on nine other squares, a different stamp being
+used for each impression. The judge then marked the ten corresponding
+squares of the other two sheets of paper, and having checked them,
+directed the foreman to exhibit the sheet bearing the false thumb-prints
+to the jury, together with the marked sheet which they were to retain,
+to enable them to check the statements of the expert witnesses. When
+this was done, the prisoner was brought from the dock and stood beside
+the table. The judge looked with a curious and not unkindly interest at
+the handsome, manly fellow who stood charged with a crime so sordid and
+out of character with his appearance, and I felt, as I noted the look,
+that Reuben would, at least, be tried fairly on the evidence, without
+prejudice or even with some prepossession in his favour.
+</p>
+<p>
+With the remaining part of the operation Thorndyke proceeded carefully
+and deliberately. The inking-slab was rolled afresh for each impression,
+and, after each, the thumb was cleansed with petrol and thoroughly
+dried; and when the process was completed and the prisoner led back to
+the dock, the twenty squares on the paper were occupied by twenty
+thumb-prints, which, to my eye, at any rate, were identical in
+character.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge sat for near upon a minute poring over this singular document
+with an expression half-way between a frown and a smile. At length, when
+we had all returned to our places, he directed the usher to bring in the
+witnesses.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was amused to observe the change that had come over the experts in the
+short interval. The confident smile, the triumphant air of laying down a
+trump card, had vanished, and the expression of both was one of
+anxiety, not unmixed with apprehension. As Mr. Singleton advanced
+hesitatingly to the table, I recalled the words that he had uttered in
+his room at Scotland Yard; evidently his scheme of the game that was to
+end in an easy checkmate, had not included the move that had just been
+made.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "here is a paper on which there are
+twenty thumb-prints. Ten of them are genuine prints of the prisoner's
+left thumb and ten are forgeries. Please examine them and note down in
+writing which are the true prints and which are the forgeries. When you
+have made your notes the paper will be handed to Mr. Nash."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there any objection to my using the photograph that I have with me
+for comparison, my lord?" asked Mr. Singleton.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think not," replied the judge. "What do you say, Mr. Anstey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton accordingly drew from his pocket an enlarged photograph of
+the thumb-print and a magnifying glass, with the aid of which he
+explored the bewildering array of prints on the paper before him; and as
+he proceeded I remarked with satisfaction that his expression became
+more and more dubious and worried. From time to time he made an entry on
+a memorandum slip beside him, and, as the entries accumulated, his frown
+grew deeper and his aspect more puzzled and gloomy.
+</p>
+<p>
+At length he sat up, and taking the memorandum slip in his hand,
+addressed the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have finished my examination, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well. Mr. Nash, will you kindly examine the paper and write down
+the results of your examination?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! I wish they would make haste," whispered Juliet. "Do you think
+they will be able to tell the real from the false thumb-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't say," I replied; "but we shall soon know. They looked all alike
+to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Nash made his examination with exasperating deliberateness, and
+preserved throughout an air of stolid attention; but at length he, too,
+completed his notes and handed the paper back to the usher.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "let us hear your conclusions. You
+have been sworn."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton stepped into the witness-box, and, laying his notes on the
+ledge, faced the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you examined the paper that was handed to you?" asked Sir Hector
+Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you see on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I saw twenty thumb-prints, of which some were evident forgeries, some
+were evidently genuine, and some were doubtful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Taking the thumb-prints <i>seriatim</i>, what have you noted about them?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton examined his notes and replied&mdash;"The thumb-print on square
+one is evidently a forgery, as is also number two, though it is a
+passable imitation. Three and four are genuine; five is an obvious
+forgery. Six is a genuine thumb-print; seven is a forgery, though a good
+one; eight is genuine; nine is, I think, a forgery, though it is a
+remarkably good imitation. Ten and eleven are genuine thumb-marks;
+twelve and thirteen are forgeries; but as to fourteen I am very
+doubtful, though I am inclined to regard it as a forgery. Fifteen is
+genuine, and I think sixteen is also; but I will not swear to it.
+Seventeen is certainly genuine. Eighteen and nineteen I am rather
+doubtful about, but I am disposed to consider them both forgeries.
+Twenty is certainly a genuine thumb-print."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Mr. Singleton's evidence proceeded, a look of surprise began to make
+its appearance on the judge's face, while the jury glanced from the
+witness to the notes before them and from their notes to one another in
+undisguised astonishment.
+</p>
+<p>
+As to Sir Hector Trumpler, that luminary of British jurisprudence was
+evidently completely fogged; for, as statement followed statement, he
+pursed up his lips and his broad, red face became overshadowed by an
+expression of utter bewilderment.
+</p>
+<p>
+For a few seconds he stared blankly at his witness and then dropped on
+to his seat with a thump that shook the court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have no doubt," said Anstey, "as to the correctness of your
+conclusions? For instance, you are quite sure that the prints one and
+two are forgeries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have no doubt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You swear that those two prints are forgeries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton hesitated for a moment. He had been watching the judge and
+the jury and had apparently misinterpreted their surprise, assuming it
+to be due to his own remarkable powers of discrimination; and his
+confidence had revived accordingly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered; "I swear that they are forgeries."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the
+judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Nash, who had listened with manifest satisfaction to the evidence,
+stepped into the box with all his original confidence restored. His
+selection of the true and the false thumb-prints was practically
+identical with that of Mr. Singleton, and his knowledge of this fact led
+him to state his conclusions with an air that was authoritative and even
+dogmatic.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite satisfied of the correctness of my statements," he said, in
+reply to Anstey's question, "and I am prepared to swear, and do swear,
+that those thumb-prints which I have stated to be forgeries, are
+forgeries, and that their detection presents no difficulty to an
+observer who has an expert acquaintance with finger-prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is one question that I should like to ask," said the judge, when
+the expert had left the box and Thorndyke had re-entered it to continue
+his evidence. "The conclusions of the expert witnesses&mdash;manifestly <i>bona
+fide</i> conclusions, arrived at by individual judgement, without collusion
+or comparison of results&mdash;are practically identical. They are virtually
+in complete agreement. Now, the strange thing is this: their conclusions
+are wrong in every instance" (here I nearly laughed aloud, for, as I
+glanced at the two experts, the expression of smug satisfaction on their
+countenances changed with lightning rapidity to a ludicrous spasm of
+consternation); "not sometimes wrong and sometimes right, as would have
+been the case if they had made mere guesses, but wrong every time. When
+they are quite certain, they are quite wrong; and when they are
+doubtful, they incline to the wrong conclusion. This is a very strange
+coincidence, Dr. Thorndyke. Can you explain it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke's face, which throughout the proceedings had been as
+expressionless as that of a wooden figurehead, now relaxed into a dry
+smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I can, my lord," he replied. "The object of a forger in
+executing a forgery is to produce deception on those who shall examine
+the forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said the judge; and <i>his</i> face relaxed into a dry smile, while the
+jury broke out into unconcealed grins.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was evident to me," continued Thorndyke, "that the experts would be
+unable to distinguish the real from the forged thumb-prints, and, that
+being so, that they would look for some collateral evidence to guide
+them. I, therefore, supplied that collateral evidence. Now, if ten
+prints are taken, without special precautions, from a single finger, it
+will probably happen that no two of them are exactly alike; for the
+finger being a rounded object of which only a small part touches the
+paper, the impressions produced will show little variations according to
+the part of the finger by which the print is made. But a stamp such as I
+have used has a flat surface like that of a printer's type, and, like a
+type, it always prints the same impression. It does not reproduce the
+finger-tip, but a particular print of the finger, and so, if ten prints
+are made with a single stamp, each print will be a mechanical repetition
+of the other nine. Thus, on a sheet bearing twenty finger-prints, of
+which ten were forgeries made with a single stamp, it would be easy to
+pick out the ten forged prints by the fact that they would all be
+mechanical repetitions of one another; while the genuine prints could be
+distinguished by the fact of their presenting trifling variations in the
+position of the finger.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Anticipating this line of reasoning, I was careful to make each print
+with a different stamp and each stamp was made from a different
+thumb-print, and I further selected thumb-prints which varied as widely
+as possible when I made the stamps. Moreover, when I made the real
+thumb-prints, I was careful to put the thumb down in the same position
+each time as far as I was able; and so it happened that, on the sheet
+submitted to the experts, the real thumb-prints were nearly all alike,
+while the forgeries presented considerable variations. The instances in
+which the witnesses were quite certain were those in which I succeeded
+in making the genuine prints repeat one another, and the doubtful cases
+were those in which I partially failed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, that is quite clear," said the judge, with a smile of deep
+content, such as is apt to appear on the judicial countenance when an
+expert witness is knocked off his pedestal. "We may now proceed, Mr.
+Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us," resumed Anstey, "and have submitted proofs, that it
+is possible to forge a thumb-print so that detection is impossible. You
+have also stated that the thumb-print on the paper found in Mr. Hornby's
+safe is a forgery. Do you mean that it <i>may</i> be a forgery, or that it
+actually is one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I mean that it actually is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did you first come to the conclusion that it was a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"When I saw it at Scotland Yard. There are three facts which suggested
+this conclusion. In the first place the print was obviously produced
+with liquid blood, and yet it was a beautifully clear and distinct
+impression. But such an impression could not be produced with liquid
+blood without the use of a slab and roller, even if great care were
+used, and still less could it have been produced by an accidental smear.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the second place, on measuring the print with a micrometer, I found
+that it did not agree in dimensions with a genuine thumb-print of Reuben
+Hornby. It was appreciably larger. I photographed the print with the
+micrometer in contact and on comparing this with a genuine thumb-print,
+also photographed with the same micrometer in contact, I found that the
+suspected print was larger by the fortieth of an inch, from one given
+point on the ridge-pattern to another given point. I have here
+enlargements of the two photographs in which the disagreement in size is
+clearly shown by the lines of the micrometer. I have also the micrometer
+itself and a portable microscope, if the Court wishes to verify the
+photographs."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," said the judge, with a bland smile; "we will accept your
+sworn testimony unless the learned counsel for the prosecution demands
+verification."
+</p>
+<p>
+He received the photographs which Thorndyke handed up and, having
+examined them with close attention, passed them on to the jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The third fact," resumed Thorndyke, "is of much more importance, since
+it not only proves the print to be a forgery, but also furnishes a very
+distinct clue to the origin of the forgery, and so to the identity of
+the forger." (Here the court became hushed until the silence was so
+profound that the ticking of the clock seemed a sensible interruption. I
+glanced at Walter, who sat motionless and rigid at the end of the bench,
+and perceived that a horrible pallor had spread over his face, while his
+forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.) "On looking at the
+print closely, I noticed at one part a minute white mark or space. It
+was of the shape of a capital S and had evidently been produced by a
+defect in the paper&mdash;a loose fibre which had stuck to the thumb and
+been detached by it from the paper, leaving a blank space where it had
+been. But, on examining the paper under a low power of the microscope, I
+found the surface to be perfect and intact. No loose fibre had been
+detached from it, for if it had, the broken end or, at least, the groove
+in which it had lain, would have been visible. The inference seemed to
+be that the loose fibre had existed, not in the paper which was found in
+the safe, but in the paper on which the original thumb-mark had been
+made. Now, as far as I knew, there was only one undoubted thumb-print of
+Reuben Hornby's in existence&mdash;the one in the 'Thumbograph.' At my
+request, the 'Thumbograph' was brought to my chambers by Mrs. Hornby,
+and, on examining the print of Reuben Hornby's left thumb, I perceived
+on it a minute, S-shaped white space occupying a similar position to
+that in the red thumb-mark; and when I looked at it through a powerful
+lens, I could clearly see the little groove in the paper in which the
+fibre had lain and from which it had been lifted by the inked thumb. I
+subsequently made a systematic comparison of the marks in the two
+thumb-prints; I found that the dimensions of the mark were
+proportionally the same in each&mdash;that is to say, the mark in the
+'Thumbograph' print had an extreme length of 26/1000 of an inch and an
+extreme breadth of 14.5/1000 of an inch, while that in the red
+thumb-mark was one-fortieth larger in each dimension, having an extreme
+length of 26.65/1000 of an inch and an extreme breadth of 14.86/1000 of
+an inch; that the shape was identical, as was shown by superimposing
+tracings of greatly enlarged photographs of each mark on similar
+enlargements of the other; and that the mark intersected the ridges of
+the thumb-print in the same manner and at exactly the same parts in the
+two prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you say that&mdash;having regard to the facts which you have stated&mdash;it
+is certain that the red thumb-mark is a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do; and I also say that it is certain that the forgery was executed
+by means of the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Might not the resemblances be merely a coincidence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. By the law of probabilities which Mr. Singleton explained so
+clearly in his evidence, the adverse chances would run into untold
+millions. Here are two thumb-prints made in different places and at
+different times&mdash;an interval of many weeks intervening. Each of them
+bears an accidental mark which is due not to any peculiarity of the
+thumb, but to a peculiarity of the paper. On the theory of coincidences
+it is necessary to suppose that each piece of paper had a loose fibre of
+exactly identical shape and size and that this fibre came, by accident,
+in contact with the thumb at exactly the same spot. But such a
+supposition would be more opposed to probabilities even than the
+supposition that two exactly similar thumb-prints should have been made
+by different persons. And then there is the further fact that the paper
+found in the safe had no loose fibre to account for the mark."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is your explanation of the presence of defibrinated blood in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was probably used by the forger in making the thumb-print, for which
+purpose fresh blood would be less suitable by reason of its clotting. He
+would probably have carried a small quantity in a bottle, together with
+the pocket slab and roller invented by Mr. Galton. It would thus be
+possible for him to put a drop on the slab, roll it out into a thin film
+and take a clean impression with his stamp. It must be remembered that
+these precautions were quite necessary, since he had to make a
+recognisable print at the first attempt. A failure and a second trial
+would have destroyed the accidental appearance, and might have aroused
+suspicion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have made some enlarged photographs of the thumb-prints, have you
+not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I have here two enlarged photographs, one of the 'Thumbograph'
+print and one of the red thumb-print. They both show the white mark very
+clearly and will assist comparison of the originals, in which the mark
+is plainly visible through a lens."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed the two photographs up to the judge, together with the
+'Thumbograph,' the memorandum slip, and a powerful doublet lens with
+which to examine them.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge inspected the two original documents with the aid of the lens
+and compared them with the photographs, nodding approvingly as he made
+out the points of agreement. Then he passed them on to the jury and made
+an entry in his notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+While this was going on my attention was attracted by Walter Hornby. An
+expression of terror and wild despair had settled on his face, which was
+ghastly in its pallor and bedewed with sweat. He looked furtively at
+Thorndyke and, as I noted the murderous hate in his eyes, I recalled our
+midnight adventure in John Street and the mysterious cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly he rose to his feet, wiping his brow and steadying himself
+against the bench with a shaking hand; then he walked quietly to the
+door and went out. Apparently, I was not the only onlooker who had been
+interested in his doings, for, as the door swung to after him,
+Superintendent Miller rose from his seat and went out by the other door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you cross-examining this witness?" the judge inquired, glancing at
+Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," was the reply.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you calling any more witnesses, Mr. Anstey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only one, my lord," replied Anstey&mdash;"the prisoner, whom I shall put in
+the witness-box, as a matter of form, in order that he may make a
+statement on oath."
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben was accordingly conducted from the dock to the witness-box, and,
+having been sworn, made a solemn declaration of his innocence. A brief
+cross-examination followed, in which nothing was elicited, but that
+Reuben had spent the evening at his club and gone home to his rooms
+about half-past eleven and had let himself in with his latchkey. Sir
+Hector at length sat down; the prisoner was led back to the dock, and
+the Court settled itself to listen to the speeches of the counsel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury," Anstey commenced in his clear,
+mellow tones, "I do not propose to occupy your time with a long speech.
+The evidence that has been laid before you is at once so intelligible,
+so lucid, and so conclusive, that you will, no doubt, arrive at your
+verdict uninfluenced by any display of rhetoric either on my part or on
+the part of the learned counsel for the prosecution.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nevertheless, it is desirable to disentangle from the mass of evidence
+those facts which are really vital and crucial.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now the one fact which stands out and dominates the whole case is this:
+The prisoner's connection with this case rests solely upon the police
+theory of the infallibility of finger-prints. Apart from the evidence of
+the thumb-print there is not, and there never was, the faintest breath
+of suspicion against him. You have heard him described as a man of
+unsullied honour, as a man whose character is above reproach; a man who
+is trusted implicitly by those who have had dealings with him. And this
+character was not given by a casual stranger, but by one who has known
+him from childhood. His record is an unbroken record of honourable
+conduct; his life has been that of a clean-living, straightforward
+gentleman. And now he stands before you charged with a miserable, paltry
+theft; charged with having robbed that generous friend, the brother of
+his own father, the guardian of his childhood and the benefactor who has
+planned and striven for his well-being; charged, in short, gentlemen,
+with a crime which every circumstance connected with him and every trait
+of his known character renders utterly inconceivable. Now upon what
+grounds has this gentleman of irreproachable character been charged with
+this mean and sordid crime? Baldly stated, the grounds of the accusation
+are these: A certain learned and eminent man of science has made a
+statement, which the police have not merely accepted but have, in
+practice, extended beyond its original meaning. That statement is as
+follows: 'A complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two prints
+of a single finger ... affords evidence requiring no corroboration, that
+the persons from whom they were made are the same.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"That statement, gentlemen, is in the highest degree misleading, and
+ought not to have been made without due warning and qualification. So
+far is it from being true, in practice, that its exact contrary is the
+fact; the evidence of a finger-print, in the absence of corroboration,
+is absolutely worthless. Of all forms of forgery, the forgery of a
+finger-print is the easiest and most secure, as you have seen in this
+court to-day. Consider the character of the high-class forger&mdash;his
+skill, his ingenuity, his resource. Think of the forged banknotes, of
+which not only the engraving, the design and the signature, but even the
+very paper with its private watermarks, is imitated with a perfection
+that is at once the admiration and the despair of those who have to
+distinguish the true from the false; think of the forged cheque, in
+which actual perforations are filled up, of which portions are cut out
+bodily and replaced by indistinguishable patches; think of these, and
+then of a finger-print, of which any photo-engraver's apprentice can
+make you a forgery that the greatest experts cannot distinguish from the
+original, which any capable amateur can imitate beyond detection after a
+month's practice; and then ask yourselves if this is the kind of
+evidence on which, without any support or corroboration, a gentleman of
+honour and position should be dragged before a criminal court and
+charged with having committed a crime of the basest and most sordid
+type.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But I must not detain you with unnecessary appeals. I will remind you
+briefly of the salient facts. The case for the prosecution rests upon
+the assertion that the thumb-print found in the safe was made by the
+thumb of the prisoner. If that thumb-print was not made by the prisoner,
+there is not only no case against him but no suspicion of any kind.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, was that thumb-print made by the prisoner's thumb? You have had
+conclusive evidence that it was not. That thumb-print differed in the
+size, or scale, of the pattern from a genuine thumb-print of the
+prisoner's. The difference was small, but it was fatal to the police
+theory; the two prints were not identical.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, if not the prisoner's thumb-print, what was it? The resemblance of
+the pattern was too exact for it to be the thumb-print of another
+person, for it reproduced not only the pattern of the ridges on the
+prisoner's thumb, but also the scar of an old wound. The answer that I
+propose to this question is, that it was an intentional imitation of the
+prisoner's thumb-print, made with the purpose of fixing suspicion on the
+prisoner, and so ensuring the safety of the actual criminal. Are there
+any facts which support this theory? Yes, there are several facts which
+support it very strongly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"First, there are the facts that I have just mentioned. The red
+thumb-print disagreed with the genuine print in its scale or dimensions.
+It was not the prisoner's thumb-print; but neither was it that of any
+other person. The only alternative is that it was a forgery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the second place, that print was evidently made with the aid of
+certain appliances and materials, and one of those materials, namely
+defibrinated blood, was found in the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the third place, there is the coincidence that the print was one
+which it was possible to forge. The prisoner has ten digits&mdash;eight
+fingers and two thumbs. But there were in existence actual prints of the
+two thumbs, whereas no prints of the fingers were in existence; hence it
+would have been impossible to forge a print of any of the fingers. So it
+happens that the red thumb-print resembled one of the two prints of
+which forgery was possible.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the fourth place, the red thumb-print reproduces an accidental
+peculiarity of the 'Thumbograph' print. Now, if the red thumb-print is a
+forgery, it must have been made from the 'Thumbograph' print, since
+there exists no other print from which it could have been made. Hence we
+have the striking fact that the red thumb-print is an exact
+replica&mdash;including accidental peculiarities&mdash;of the only print from
+which a forgery could have been made. The accidental S-shaped mark in
+the 'Thumbograph' print is accounted for by the condition of the paper;
+the occurrence of this mark in the red thumb-print is not accounted for
+by any peculiarity of the paper, and can be accounted for in no way,
+excepting by assuming the one to be a copy of the other. The conclusion
+is thus inevitable that the red thumb-print is a photo-mechanical
+reproduction of the 'Thumbograph' print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But there is yet another point. If the red thumb-print is a forgery
+reproduced from the 'Thumbograph' print, the forger must at some time
+have had access to the 'Thumbograph.' Now, you have heard Mrs. Hornby's
+remarkable story of the mysterious disappearance of the 'Thumbograph'
+and its still more mysterious reappearance. That story can have left no
+doubt in your minds that some person had surreptitiously removed the
+'Thumbograph' and, after an unknown interval, secretly replaced it. Thus
+the theory of forgery receives confirmation at every point, and is in
+agreement with every known fact; whereas the theory that the red
+thumb-print was a genuine thumb-print, is based upon a gratuitous
+assumption, and has not had a single fact advanced in its support.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has
+been proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you
+for a verdict in accordance with that proof."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the
+gallery. It subsided instantly on a gesture of disapproval from the
+judge, and a silence fell upon the court, in which the clock, with
+cynical indifference, continued to record in its brusque monotone the
+passage of the fleeting seconds.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is saved, Dr. Jervis! Oh! surely he is saved!" Juliet exclaimed in
+an agitated whisper. "They must see that he is innocent now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have patience a little longer," I answered. "It will soon be over now."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler was already on his feet and, after bestowing on the
+jury a stern hypnotic stare, he plunged into his reply with a really
+admirable air of conviction and sincerity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury: The case which is now before this
+Court is one, as I have already remarked, in which human nature is
+presented in a highly unfavourable light. But I need not insist upon
+this aspect of the case, which will already, no doubt, have impressed
+you sufficiently. It is necessary merely for me, as my learned friend
+has aptly expressed it, to disentangle the actual facts of the case from
+the web of casuistry that has been woven around them.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Those facts are of extreme simplicity. A safe has been opened and
+property of great value abstracted from it. It has been opened by means
+of false keys. Now there are two men who have, from time to time, had
+possession of the true keys, and thus had the opportunity of making
+copies of them. When the safe is opened by its rightful owner, the
+property is gone, and there is found the print of the thumb of one of
+these two men. That thumb-print was not there when the safe was closed.
+The man whose thumb-print is found is a left-handed man; the print is
+the print of a left thumb. It would seem, gentlemen, as if the
+conclusion were so obvious that no sane person could be found to contest
+it; and I submit that the conclusion which any sane person would arrive
+at&mdash;the only possible conclusion&mdash;is, that the person whose thumb-print
+was found in the safe is the person who stole the property from the
+safe. But the thumb-print was, admittedly, that of the prisoner at the
+bar, and therefore the prisoner at the bar is the person who stole the
+diamonds from the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is true that certain fantastic attempts have been made to explain
+away these obvious facts. Certain far-fetched scientific theories have
+been propounded and an exhibition of legerdemain has taken place which,
+I venture to think, would have been more appropriate to some place of
+public entertainment than to a court of justice. That exhibition has, no
+doubt, afforded you considerable amusement. It has furnished a pleasing
+relaxation from the serious business of the court. It has even been
+instructive, as showing to what extent it is possible for plain facts to
+be perverted by misdirected ingenuity. But unless you are prepared to
+consider this crime as an elaborate hoax&mdash;as a practical joke carried
+out by a facetious criminal of extraordinary knowledge, skill and
+general attainments&mdash;you must, after all, come to the only conclusion
+that the facts justify: that the safe was opened and the property
+abstracted by the prisoner. Accordingly, gentlemen, I ask you, having
+regard to your important position as the guardians of the well-being
+and security of your fellow-citizens, to give your verdict in accordance
+with the evidence, as you have solemnly sworn to do; which verdict, I
+submit, can be no other than that the prisoner is guilty of the crime
+with which he is charged."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector sat down, and the jury, who had listened to his speech with
+solid attention, gazed expectantly at the judge, as though they should
+say: "Now, which of these two are we to believe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge turned over his notes with an air of quiet composure, writing
+down a word here and there as he compared the various points in the
+evidence. Then he turned to the jury with a manner at once persuasive
+and confidential&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not necessary, gentlemen," he commenced, "for me to occupy your
+time with an exhaustive analysis of the evidence. That evidence you
+yourselves have heard, and it has been given, for the most part, with
+admirable clearness. Moreover, the learned counsel for the defence has
+collated and compared that evidence so lucidly, and, I may say, so
+impartially, that a detailed repetition on my part would be superfluous.
+I shall therefore confine myself to a few comments which may help you in
+the consideration of your verdict.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I need hardly point out to you that the reference made by the learned
+counsel for the prosecution to far-fetched scientific theories is
+somewhat misleading. The only evidence of a theoretical character was
+that of the finger-print experts. The evidence of Dr. Rowe and of Dr.
+Thorndyke dealt exclusively with matters of fact. Such inferences as
+were drawn by them were accompanied by statements of the facts which
+yielded such inferences.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, an examination of the evidence which you have heard shows, as the
+learned counsel for the defence has justly observed, that the entire
+case resolves itself into a single question, which is this: 'Was the
+thumb-print that was found in Mr. Hornby's safe made by the thumb of the
+prisoner, or was it not?' If that thumb-print was made by the prisoner's
+thumb, then the prisoner must, at least, have been present when the safe
+was unlawfully opened. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner's thumb, there is nothing to connect him with the crime. The
+question is one of fact upon which it will be your duty to decide; and I
+must remind you, gentlemen, that you are the sole judges of the facts of
+the case, and that you are to consider any remarks of mine as merely
+suggestions which you are to entertain or to disregard according to your
+judgement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now let us consider this question by the light of the evidence. This
+thumb-print was either made by the prisoner or it was not. What evidence
+has been brought forward to show that it was made by the prisoner? Well,
+there is the evidence of the ridge-pattern. That pattern is identical
+with the pattern of the prisoner's thumb-print, and even has the
+impression of a scar which crosses the pattern in a particular manner in
+the prisoner's thumb-print. There is no need to enter into the elaborate
+calculations as to the chances of agreement; the practical fact, which
+is not disputed, is that if this red thumb-print is a genuine
+thumb-print at all, it was made by the prisoner's thumb. But it is
+contended that it is not a genuine thumb-print; that it is a mechanical
+imitation&mdash;in fact a forgery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The more general question thus becomes narrowed down to the more
+particular question: 'Is this a genuine thumb-print or is it a
+forgery?' Let us consider the evidence. First, what evidence is there
+that it is a genuine thumb-print? There is none. The identity of the
+pattern is no evidence on this point, because a forgery would also
+exhibit identity of pattern. The genuineness of the thumb-print was
+assumed by the prosecution, and no evidence has been offered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But now what evidence is there that the red thumb-print is a forgery?
+</p>
+<p>
+"First, there is the question of size. Two different-sized prints could
+hardly be made by the same thumb. Then there is the evidence of the use
+of appliances. Safe-robbers do not ordinarily provide themselves with
+inking-slabs and rollers with which to make distinct impressions of
+their own fingers. Then there is the accidental mark on the print which
+also exists on the only genuine print that could have been used for the
+purpose of forgery, which is easily explained on the theory of a
+forgery, but which is otherwise totally incomprehensible. Finally, there
+is the strange disappearance of the 'Thumbograph' and its strange
+reappearance. All this is striking and weighty evidence, to which must
+be added that adduced by Dr. Thorndyke as showing how perfectly it is
+possible to imitate a finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"These are the main facts of the case, and it is for you to consider
+them. If, on careful consideration, you decide that the red thumb-print
+was actually made by the prisoner's thumb, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner guilty; but if, on weighing the evidence, you
+decide that the thumb-print is a forgery, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner not guilty. It is now past the usual luncheon
+hour, and, if you desire it, you can retire to consider your verdict
+while the Court adjourns."
+</p>
+<p>
+The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
+stood up.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.
+</p>
+<p>
+The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
+brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
+addressed the jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are," replied the foreman.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
+Reuben.
+</p>
+<p>
+A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
+disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud&mdash;a strange,
+unnatural laugh&mdash;and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
+so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
+Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.
+</p>
+<p>
+After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
+commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
+calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
+have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
+charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
+evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
+possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
+innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
+the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
+rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
+Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
+by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
+have been very different.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
+was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
+but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
+his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
+very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
+half-past two."
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
+the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
+was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
+stairs into the body of the court.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH17"><!-- CH17 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XVII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+AT LAST
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"We had better let the people clear off," said Thorndyke, when the first
+greetings were over and we stood around Reuben in the fast-emptying
+court. "We don't want a demonstration as we go out."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; anything but that, just now," replied Reuben. He still held Mrs.
+Hornby's hand, and one arm was passed through that of his uncle, who
+wiped his eyes at intervals, though his face glowed with delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like you to come and have a little quiet luncheon with me at
+my chambers&mdash;all of us friends together," continued Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should be delighted," said Reuben, "if the programme would include a
+satisfactory wash."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will come, Anstey?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and
+in his right mind&mdash;that is to say, in his usual whimsical,
+pseudo-frivolous character.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That question savours of gluttony," answered Thorndyke. "Come and see."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run
+off now, as I have to look in at my chambers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How shall we go?" asked Thorndyke, as his colleague vanished through
+the doorway. "Polton has gone for a four-wheeler, but it won't hold us
+all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will hold four of us," said Reuben, "and Dr. Jervis will bring
+Juliet; won't you, Jervis?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The request rather took me aback, considering the circumstances, but I
+was conscious, nevertheless, of an unreasonable thrill of pleasure and
+answered with alacrity: "If Miss Gibson will allow me, I shall be very
+delighted." My delight was, apparently, not shared by Juliet, to judge
+by the uncomfortable blush that spread over her face. She made no
+objection, however, but merely replied rather coldly: "Well, as we can't
+sit on the roof of the cab, we had better go by ourselves."
+</p>
+<p>
+The crowd having by this time presumably cleared off, we all took our
+way downstairs. The cab was waiting at the kerb, surrounded by a group
+of spectators, who cheered Reuben as he appeared at the doorway, and we
+saw our friends enter and drive away. Then we turned and walked quickly
+down the Old Bailey towards Ludgate Hill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Shall we take a hansom?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; let us walk," replied Juliet; "a little fresh air will do us good
+after that musty, horrible court. It all seems like a dream, and yet
+what a relief&mdash;oh! what a relief it is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is rather like the awakening from a nightmare to find the morning
+sun shining," I rejoined.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; that is just what it is like," she agreed; "but I still feel dazed
+and shaken."
+</p>
+<p>
+We turned presently down New Bridge Street, towards the Embankment,
+walking side by side without speaking, and I could not help comparing,
+with some bitterness, our present stiff and distant relations with the
+intimacy and comradeship that had existed before the miserable incident
+of our last meeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't look so jubilant over your success as I should have
+expected," she said at length, with a critical glance at me; "but I
+expect you are really very proud and delighted, aren't you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Delighted, yes; not proud. Why should I be proud? I have only played
+jackal, and even that I have done very badly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is hardly a fair statement of the facts," she rejoined, with
+another quick, inquisitive look at me; "but you are in low spirits
+to-day&mdash;which is not at all like you. Is it not so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I am a selfish, egotistical brute," was my gloomy reply. "I
+ought to be as gay and joyful as everyone else to-day, whereas the fact
+is that I am chafing over my own petty troubles. You see, now that this
+case is finished, my engagement with Dr. Thorndyke terminates
+automatically, and I relapse into my old life&mdash;a dreary repetition of
+journeying amongst strangers&mdash;and the prospect is not inspiriting. This
+has been a time of bitter trial to you, but to me it has been a green
+oasis in the desert of a colourless, monotonous life. I have enjoyed the
+companionship of a most lovable man, whom I admire and respect above all
+other men, and with him have moved in scenes full of colour and
+interest. And I have made one other friend whom I am loth to see fade
+out of my life, as she seems likely to do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you mean me," said Juliet, "I may say that it will be your own fault
+if I fade out of your life. I can never forget all that you have done
+for us, your loyalty to Reuben, your enthusiasm in his cause, to say
+nothing of your many kindnesses to me. And, as to your having done your
+work badly, you wrong yourself grievously. I recognised in the evidence
+by which Reuben was cleared to-day how much you had done, in filling in
+the details, towards making the case complete and convincing. I shall
+always feel that we owe you a debt of the deepest gratitude, and so will
+Reuben, and so, perhaps, more than either of us, will someone else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And who is that?" I asked, though with no great interest. The gratitude
+of the family was a matter of little consequence to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, it is no secret now," replied Juliet. "I mean the girl whom
+Reuben is going to marry. What is the matter, Dr. Jervis?" she added, in
+a tone of surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+We were passing through the gate that leads from the Embankment to
+Middle Temple Lane, and I had stopped dead under the archway, laying a
+detaining hand upon her arm and gazing at her in utter amazement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The girl that Reuben is going to marry!" I repeated. "Why, I had always
+taken it for granted that he was going to marry you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But I told you, most explicitly, that was not so!" she exclaimed with
+some impatience.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know you did," I admitted ruefully; "but I thought&mdash;well, I imagined
+that things had, perhaps, not gone quite smoothly and&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you suppose that if I had cared for a man, and that man had been
+under a cloud, I should have denied the relation or pretended that we
+were merely friends?" she demanded indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure you wouldn't," I replied hastily. "I was a fool, an idiot&mdash;by
+Jove, what an idiot I have been!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was certainly very silly of you," she admitted; but there was a
+gentleness in her tone that took away all bitterness from the reproach.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The reason of the secrecy was this," she continued; "they became
+engaged the very night before Reuben was arrested, and, when he heard of
+the charge against him, he insisted that no one should be told unless,
+and until, he was fully acquitted. I was the only person who was in
+their confidence, and as I was sworn to secrecy, of course I couldn't
+tell you; nor did I suppose that the matter would interest you. Why
+should it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Imbecile that I am," I murmured. "If I had only known!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, if you <i>had</i> known," said she; "what difference could it have
+made to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+This question she asked without looking at me, but I noted that her
+cheek had grown a shade paler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only this," I answered. "That I should have been spared many a day and
+night of needless self-reproach and misery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But why?" she asked, still keeping her face averted. "What had you to
+reproach yourself with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A great deal," I answered, "if you consider my supposed position. If
+you think of me as the trusted agent of a man, helpless and deeply
+wronged&mdash;a man whose undeserved misfortunes made every demand upon
+chivalry and generosity; if you think of me as being called upon to
+protect and carry comfort to the woman whom I regarded as, virtually,
+that man's betrothed wife; and then if you think of me as proceeding
+straightway, before I had known her twenty-four hours, to fall
+hopelessly in love with her myself, you will admit that I had something
+to reproach myself with."
+</p>
+<p>
+She was still silent, rather pale and very thoughtful, and she seemed to
+breathe more quickly than usual.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course," I continued, "you may say that it was my own look-out, that
+I had only to keep my own counsel, and no one would be any the worse.
+But there's the mischief of it. How can a man who is thinking of a woman
+morning, noon and night; whose heart leaps at the sound of her coming,
+whose existence is a blank when she is away from him&mdash;a blank which he
+tries to fill by recalling, again and again, all that she has said and
+the tones of her voice, and the look that was in her eyes when she
+spoke&mdash;how can he help letting her see, sooner or later, that he cares
+for her? And if he does, when he has no right to, there is an end of
+duty and chivalry and even common honesty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I understand now," said Juliet softly. "Is this the way?" She
+tripped up the steps leading to Fountain Court and I followed
+cheerfully. Of course it was not the way, and we both knew it, but the
+place was silent and peaceful, and the plane-trees cast a pleasant shade
+on the gravelled court. I glanced at her as we walked slowly towards the
+fountain. The roses were mantling in her cheeks now and her eyes were
+cast down, but when she lifted them to me for an instant, I saw that
+they were shining and moist.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you never guess?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she replied in a low voice, "I guessed; but&mdash;but then," she added
+shyly, "I thought I had guessed wrong."
+</p>
+<p>
+We walked on for some little time without speaking again until we came
+to the further side of the fountain, where we stood listening to the
+quiet trickle of the water, and watching the sparrows as they took their
+bath on the rim of the basin. A little way off another group of sparrows
+had gathered with greedy joy around some fragments of bread that had
+been scattered abroad by the benevolent Templars, and hard by a more
+sentimentally-minded pigeon, unmindful of the crumbs and the marauding
+sparrows, puffed out his breast and strutted and curtsied before his
+mate with endearing gurgles.
+</p>
+<p>
+Juliet had rested her hand on one of the little posts that support the
+chain by which the fountain is enclosed and I had laid my hand on hers.
+Presently she turned her hand over so that mine lay in its palm; and so
+we were standing hand-in-hand when an elderly gentleman, of dry and
+legal aspect, came up the steps and passed by the fountain. He looked at
+the pigeons and then he looked at us, and went his way smiling and
+shaking his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Juliet," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+She looked up quickly with sparkling eyes and a frank smile that was yet
+a little shy, too.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why did he smile&mdash;that old gentleman&mdash;when he looked at us?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't imagine," she replied mendaciously.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was an approving smile," I said. "I think he was remembering his own
+spring-time and giving us his blessing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps he was," she agreed. "He looked a nice old thing." She gazed
+fondly at the retreating figure and then turned again to me. Her cheeks
+had grown pink enough by now, and in one of them a dimple displayed
+itself to great advantage in its rosy setting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you forgive me, dear, for my unutterable folly?" I asked
+presently, as she glanced up at me again.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not sure," she answered. "It was dreadfully silly of you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But remember, Juliet, that I loved you with my whole heart&mdash;as I love
+you now and shall love you always."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can forgive you anything when you say that," she answered softly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Here the voice of the distant Temple clock was heard uttering a polite
+protest. With infinite reluctance we turned away from the fountain,
+which sprinkled us with a parting benediction, and slowly retraced our
+steps to Middle Temple Lane and thence into Pump Court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You haven't said it, Juliet," I whispered, as we came through the
+archway into the silent, deserted court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Haven't I, dear?" she answered; "but you know it, don't you? You know I
+do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I know," I said; "and that knowledge is all my heart's desire."
+</p>
+<p>
+She laid her hand in mine for a moment with a gentle pressure and then
+drew it away; and so we passed through into the cloisters.
+</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">
+THE END
+</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11128 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Red Thumb Mark
+
+Author: R. Austin Freeman
+
+Release Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11128]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED THUMB MARK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+THE RED THUMB MARK
+
+
+BY R. AUSTIN FREEMAN
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose
+other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are
+interested in problems of crime and their solutions; and the story
+itself differs in no respect from others of its class, excepting in that
+an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary
+life, both in the characters and in the incidents.
+
+Nevertheless it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in
+drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of
+finger-prints and their evidential value; misapprehensions the extent of
+which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several
+Continental commercial houses have actually substituted finger-prints
+for signed initials.
+
+The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including
+the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are, of
+course, taken from Mr. Galton's great and important work on
+finger-prints; to which the reader who is interested in the subject is
+referred for much curious and valuable information.
+
+In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend
+Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain
+photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal
+Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in
+criminal trials.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER I
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+CHAPTER II
+THE SUSPECT
+
+CHAPTER III
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+CHAPTER IV
+CONFIDENCES
+
+CHAPTER V
+THE "THUMBOGRAPH"
+
+CHAPTER VI
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+CHAPTER VII
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+CHAPTER IX
+THE PRISONER
+
+CHAPTER X
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+CHAPTER XI
+THE AMBUSH
+
+CHAPTER XII
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+MURDER BY POST
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+CHAPTER XV
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+AT LAST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+
+"Conflagratam An° 1677. Fabricatam An° 1698. Richardo Powell Armiger
+Thesaurar." The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath
+the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarised the history of one of
+the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk and as I, somewhat
+absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between
+admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet
+dignity of the building, and an effort to reconstitute the dead and gone
+Richard Powell, and the stirring times in which he played his part.
+
+I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became
+occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, in its wig and obsolete
+habiliments, to the old-world surroundings that it seemed to complete
+the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted
+in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand,
+and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, he looked up
+and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the
+incurious gaze that casual strangers bestow on one another; then there
+was a flash of mutual recognition; the impassive and rather severe face
+of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching
+itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended in
+cordial greeting.
+
+"My dear Jervis," he exclaimed, as we clasped hands warmly, "this is a
+great and delightful surprise. How often have I thought of my old
+comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo! here he is,
+thrown up on the sounding beach of the Inner Temple, like the proverbial
+bread cast upon the waters."
+
+"Your surprise, Thorndyke, is nothing to mine," I replied, "for your
+bread has at least returned as bread; whereas I am in the position of a
+man who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it return in the
+form of a buttered muffin or a Bath bun. I left a respectable medical
+practitioner and I find him transformed into a bewigged and begowned
+limb of the law."
+
+Thorndyke laughed at the comparison.
+
+"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he. "Say, rather, that
+you left him a chrysalis and come back to find him a butterfly. But the
+change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under
+the gown of Solon, as you will understand when I explain my
+metamorphosis; and that I will do this very evening, if you have no
+engagement."
+
+"I am one of the unemployed at present," I said, "and quite at your
+service."
+
+"Then come round to my chambers at seven," said Thorndyke, "and we will
+have a chop and a pint of claret together and exchange autobiographies.
+I am due in court in a few minutes."
+
+"Do you reside within that noble old portico?" I asked.
+
+"No," replied Thorndyke. "I often wish I did. It would add several
+inches to one's stature to feel that the mouth of one's burrow was
+graced with a Latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over.
+No; my chambers are some doors further down--number 6A"--and he turned
+to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row.
+
+At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndyke taking his way
+with fluttering gown towards the Law Courts, while I directed my steps
+westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent.
+
+The soft-voiced bell of the Temple clock was telling out the hour of
+seven in muffled accents (as though it apologised for breaking the
+studious silence) as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and
+turned into King's Bench Walk.
+
+The paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly
+before the doorway of number 6A, in which, though the wig had now given
+place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in
+recognising my friend.
+
+"Punctual to the moment, as of old," said he, meeting me half-way. "What
+a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been
+taking the air in Fountain Court, and will now introduce you to my
+chambers. Here is my humble retreat."
+
+We passed in through the common entrance and ascended the stone stairs
+to the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door, above
+which my friend's name was written in white letters.  "Rather a
+forbidding exterior," remarked Thorndyke, as he inserted the latchkey,
+"but it is homely enough inside."
+
+The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a baize-covered inner door,
+which Thorndyke pushed open and held for me to pass in.
+
+"You will find my chambers an odd mixture," said Thorndyke, "for they
+combine the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory and a
+workshop."
+
+"And a restaurant," added a small, elderly man, who was decanting a
+bottle of claret by means of a glass syphon: "you forgot that, sir."
+
+"Yes, I forgot that, Polton," said Thorndyke, "but I see you have not."
+He glanced towards a small table that had been placed near the fire and
+set out with the requisites for our meal.
+
+"Tell me," said Thorndyke, as we made the initial onslaught on the
+products of Polton's culinary experiments, "what has been happening to
+you since you left the hospital six years ago?"
+
+"My story is soon told," I answered, somewhat bitterly. "It is not an
+uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I
+had paid my examination and registration fees the coffer was absolutely
+empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains--to use
+Johnson's phrase--the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of
+avarice, there is a vast difference in practice between the potential
+and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes
+as an assistant, sometimes as a _locum tenens_. Just now I've got no
+work to do, and so have entered my name on Turcival's list of
+eligibles."
+
+Thorndyke pursed up his lips and frowned.
+
+"It's a wicked shame, Jervis," said he presently, "that a man of your
+abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his
+time on odd jobs like some half-qualified wastrel."
+
+"It is," I agreed. "My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked
+and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother? If
+poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty
+thousand candle-power luminary, your brilliancy is apt to be obscured."
+
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," grunted Thorndyke, and he remained for a
+time in deep thought.
+
+"And now," said I, "let us have your promised explanation. I am
+positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances
+has converted John Evelyn Thorndyke from a medical practitioner into a
+luminary of the law."
+
+Thorndyke smiled indulgently.
+
+"The fact is," said he, "that no such transformation has occurred. John
+Evelyn Thorndyke is still a medical practitioner."
+
+"What, in a wig and gown!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, a mere sheep in wolf's clothing," he replied. "I will tell you how
+it has come about. After you left the hospital, six years ago, I stayed
+on, taking up any small appointments that were going--assistant
+demonstrator--or curatorships and such like--hung about the chemical and
+physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile
+took my M.D. and D.Sc. Then I got called to the bar in the hope of
+getting a coronership, but soon after this, old Stedman retired
+unexpectedly--you remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical
+jurisprudence--and I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise,
+I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my
+mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that
+might come."  "And what has come?" I asked.
+
+"Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice," he replied.
+"At first I only got an occasional analysis in a doubtful poisoning
+case, but, by degrees, my sphere of influence has extended until it now
+includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical
+science can be brought to bear upon law."
+
+"But you plead in court, I observe," said I.
+
+"Very seldom," he replied. "More usually I appear in the character of
+that _bête noir_ of judges and counsel--the scientific witness. But in
+most instances I do not appear at all; I merely direct investigations,
+arrange and analyse the results, and prime the counsel with facts and
+suggestions for cross-examination."
+
+"A good deal more interesting than acting as understudy for an absent
+g.p.," said I, a little enviously. "But you deserve to succeed, for you
+were always a deuce of a worker, to say nothing of your capabilities."
+
+"Yes, I worked hard," replied Thorndyke, "and I work hard still; but I
+have my hours of labour and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils
+of general practitioners, who are liable to be dragged away from the
+dinner table or roused out of your first sleep by--confound it all! who
+can that be?"
+
+For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation,
+there came a smart rapping at the outer door.
+
+"Must see who it is, I suppose," he continued, "though one expects
+people to accept the hint of a closed oak."
+
+He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no
+means gracious inquiry.
+
+"It's rather late for a business call," said an apologetic voice
+outside, "but my client was anxious to see you without delay."
+
+"Come in, Mr. Lawley," said Thorndyke, rather stiffly, and, as he held
+the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men--one
+middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance and of a typically legal aspect,
+and the other a fine, handsome young fellow of very prepossessing
+exterior, though at present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently
+in a state of profound agitation.
+
+"I am afraid," said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner
+table, "that our visit--for which I am alone responsible--is a most
+unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndyke,
+pray tell us, and my business must wait."
+
+Thorndyke had cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he
+now replied in a much more genial tone--
+
+"I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to
+inconveniencing us, why, my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you
+are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours
+his own unreservedly."
+
+I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to
+take a walk on the Embankment and return later, but the young man
+interrupted me.
+
+"Pray don't go away on my account," he said. "The facts that I am about
+to lay before Dr. Thorndyke will be known to all the world by this time
+to-morrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy."
+
+"In that case," said Thorndyke, "let us draw our chairs up to the fire
+and fall to business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner and were
+waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this
+moment."
+
+We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Polton had set the coffee on
+the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without
+preamble.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SUSPECT
+
+
+"I had better," said he, "give you a general outline of the case as it
+presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben
+Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions
+that you may wish to put to him.
+
+"Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle,
+John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner and dealer in precious
+metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work
+carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the
+testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South
+Africa.
+
+"About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter--another nephew
+of John Hornby--left school, and both were articled to their uncle, with
+the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house; and they
+have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions
+of considerable responsibility.
+
+"And now for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's
+establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some
+accredited representative of the firm--generally either Mr. Reuben or
+Mr. Walter--who has been despatched to meet the ship, and conveyed
+either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course
+every effort is made to have as little gold as possible on the premises,
+and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity;
+but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have often
+to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are furnished with
+a large and powerful safe or strong room for their reception. This safe
+is situated in the private office under the eye of the principal, and,
+as an additional precaution, the caretaker, who acts as night-watchman,
+occupies a room directly over the office, and patrols the building
+periodically through the night.
+
+"Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It
+happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested
+in a diamond mine, and, although transactions in precious stones form no
+part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent
+parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby, to be either
+deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers.
+
+"A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been
+despatched by the _Elmina Castle_, and it appeared that the parcel was
+an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and
+value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks
+at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the
+stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this
+was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and
+locked up in the safe."
+
+"Who placed them in the safe?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his
+return from the docks."
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "and what happened next?"
+
+"Well, on the following morning, when the safe was opened, the diamonds
+had disappeared."
+
+"Had the place been broken into?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. The place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had
+made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was,
+outwardly, quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys and
+locked again after the stones were removed."
+
+"And in whose custody were the keys of the safe?" inquired Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but, on occasions, when he
+was absent from the office, he handed them over to one of his
+nephews--whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this
+occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he
+locked up the safe, after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time
+when it was opened by him on the following morning."
+
+"And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Why, yes," said Mr. Lawley, with an uncomfortable glance at his client,
+"unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the
+diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for
+there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe and one or two
+bloody smears on a piece of paper, and, in addition, a remarkably clear
+imprint of a thumb."  "Also in blood?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes. The thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops and
+then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in
+taking hold of it or otherwise."
+
+"Well, and what next?"
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair, "to make a long story
+short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Reuben
+Hornby."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had
+better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further."
+
+He took from a drawer a small paper-covered notebook, on the cover of
+which he wrote "Reuben Hornby," and then, laying the book open on a
+blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes.
+
+"Now," he said, when he had finished, "with reference to this
+thumb-print. There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification?"
+
+"None whatever," replied Mr. Lawley. "The Scotland Yard people, of
+course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director
+of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those
+in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print
+does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their
+possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the
+ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb--which is a remarkably distinct
+and characteristic one--is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering
+identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with
+the thumb-print of Mr. Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print
+beyond any possible doubt."
+
+"Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the
+thumb-print could have been introduced by any person?"
+
+"No," answered the lawyer. "It is quite impossible. The paper on which
+the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had
+pencilled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it
+on the parcel before he closed up the safe."
+
+"Was anyone present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No, he was alone," answered the lawyer. "He saw at a glance that the
+diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the
+thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for
+the police."
+
+"Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark,
+since it was so distinct and conspicuous?"
+
+"No, I think not," answered Mr. Lawley. "The paper was lying face
+downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it
+up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print.
+Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it,
+and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the marked
+surface downwards--probably when the parcel was transferred to the other
+hand."
+
+"You mentioned," said Thorndyke, "that the experts at Scotland Yard have
+identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how
+they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison?"
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Lawley. "Thereby hangs a very curious tale of
+coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there was so
+simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take
+thumb-prints of all the employees in the works; but this Mr. Hornby
+refused to sanction--rather quixotically, as it seems to me--saying that
+he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now
+it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly
+interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and
+considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the
+thumb-prints taken.
+
+"However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching
+to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete
+confidence and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter
+would probably have remained a mystery but for a very odd circumstance.
+
+"You may have seen on the bookstalls and in shop windows an appliance
+called a 'Thumbograph,' or some such name, consisting of a small book of
+blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together
+with an inking pad."
+
+"I have seen those devices of the Evil One," said Thorndyke, "in fact, I
+have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station."
+
+"Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John
+Hornby, purchased one of these toys--"
+
+"As a matter of fact," interrupted Reuben, "it was my cousin Walter who
+bought the thing and gave it to her."
+
+"Well, that is not material," said Mr. Lawley (though I observed that
+Thorndyke made a note of the fact in his book); "at any rate, Mrs.
+Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill
+it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now
+it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday
+at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the
+opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the
+thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at
+Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary,
+not only in the interests of justice but in the interests of the young
+men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the
+police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown
+by actual comparison that the thumb-print could not have been made by
+either of them. Moreover, it seemed that both the young men had
+expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been
+forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She
+suddenly remembered the 'Thumbograph,' and thinking to set the question
+at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the
+detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben (among
+others), and, as the detective had with him a photograph of the
+incriminating mark, the comparison was made then and there; and you may
+imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement when it was made clear that
+the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every
+particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe.
+
+"At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene and was, of course,
+overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would
+have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds
+out of his own funds, but, as that would have amounted practically to
+compounding a felony, he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result, a
+warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this
+morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bow Street and charged
+with the robbery."
+
+"Was any evidence taken?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. Only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, bail
+having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each."
+
+Thorndyke was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative.
+Like me, he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's
+manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position
+indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of
+the case.
+
+"What have you advised your client to do?" Thorndyke asked presently.
+
+"I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the
+clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself
+that there is no defence possible."
+
+The young man flushed crimson, but made no remark.
+
+"But let us be clear how we stand," said Thorndyke. "Are we defending an
+innocent man or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man
+who admits that he is guilty?"
+
+Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"That question can be best answered by our client himself," said he.
+
+Thorndyke directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking--
+
+"You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby,
+but I must know what position you intend to adopt."  Here I again
+proposed to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me.
+
+"There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis," he said. "My position
+is that I did not commit this robbery and that I know nothing whatever
+about it or about the thumb-print that was found in the safe. I do not,
+of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming
+evidence against me, but I do, nevertheless, declare in the most solemn
+manner before God, that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have
+no knowledge of it whatever."
+
+"Then I take it that you did not plead 'guilty'?" said Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly not; and I never will," replied Reuben hotly.
+
+"You would not be the first innocent man, by very many, who has entered
+that plea," remarked Mr. Lawley. "It is often the best policy, when the
+defence is hopelessly weak."
+
+"It is a policy that will not be adopted by me," rejoined Reuben. "I may
+be, and probably shall be, convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue
+to maintain my innocence, whatever happens. Do you think," he added,
+turning to Thorndyke, "that you can undertake my defence on that
+assumption?"
+
+"It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the
+case," replied Thorndyke.
+
+"And--if I may ask the question--" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
+find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"
+
+"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
+eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and
+if I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence,
+I should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
+evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
+hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
+upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
+be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."
+
+"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
+resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
+guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
+a defence."
+
+"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
+"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
+to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
+you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"
+
+Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
+I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
+skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
+large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
+client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
+in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
+the aid of a pocket lens.
+
+"A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly,
+as he finished his examination, "but I don't perceive any trace of a
+scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jervis? The
+robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small
+cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is
+worth noting."
+
+He handed me the lens and I scrutinised every part of each hand without
+being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound.
+
+"There is one other matter that must be attended to before you go," said
+Thorndyke, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. "I will take
+one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information."
+
+In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some lair
+unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and, having received his
+instructions, retired, and presently returned carrying a box, which he
+laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndyke drew forth a bright
+copper plate mounted on a slab of hard wood, a small printer's roller, a
+tube of finger-print ink, and a number of cards with very white and
+rather glazed surfaces.
+
+"Now, Mr. Hornby," said he, "your hands, I see, are beyond criticism as
+to cleanliness, but we will, nevertheless, give the thumb a final
+polish."
+
+Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a
+well-soaked badger-hair nail-brush, and, having rinsed it in water,
+dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of
+chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a
+drop of the thick ink on to the copper plate and spread it out with the
+roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching
+the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of
+the cards.
+
+When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took
+Reuben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked
+plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he
+directed me to hold steady on the table, he repeated the pressure, when
+there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of
+the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with
+microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands, which
+appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges.
+This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of
+which thus received six impressions. Thorndyke then took one or two
+rolled prints, _i.e._ prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the
+inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of
+the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "that we may be furnished with all the
+necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood."
+
+The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndyke,
+having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized
+drop of blood on to a card.
+
+"There," said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the
+needle into a little shallow pool, "it is not every lawyer who is
+willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client."
+
+He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a
+number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it.
+
+"We are now," said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb,
+"furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you
+will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business
+concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for
+having detained you so long with these experiments."
+
+The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly
+concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they
+were at an end.
+
+"I have been highly interested," he said mendaciously, "though I confess
+I do not quite fathom your intentions. And, by the way, I should like to
+have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not
+mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes."
+
+"Not at all," said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by
+the lawyer's pretence. "Don't hurry on my account; my time is my own--at
+present." He held out his hand to Thorndyke, who grasped it cordially.
+
+"Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. "Do not be unreasonably
+sanguine, but at the same time, do not lose heart. Keep your wits about
+you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a
+bearing on the case."
+
+The young man then took his leave, and, as the door closed after him,
+Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndyke.
+
+"I thought I had better have a word with you alone," he said, "just to
+hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude
+has puzzled me completely."
+
+"What line would you propose?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "the position
+seems to be this: our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds and
+has been found out; at least, that is how the matter presents itself to
+me."
+
+"That is not how it presents itself to me," said Thorndyke drily. "He
+may have taken the diamonds or he may not. I have no means of judging
+until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I
+hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we
+postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen
+what line of defence it is possible to adopt."
+
+"As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, "but I am afraid
+you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only
+make his fall the harder--to say nothing of our own position. We don't
+want to make ourselves ridiculous in court, you know."
+
+"I don't, certainly," agreed Thorndyke. "However, I will look into the
+matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two."
+
+He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and
+when the footsteps at length died away, he closed it sharply and turned
+to me with an air of annoyance.
+
+"The 'young rogue,'" he remarked, "does not appear to me to have been
+very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jervis, I
+understand you are out of employment just now?"
+
+"That is so," I answered.
+
+"Would you care to help me--as a matter of business, of course--to work
+up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand and your assistance
+would be of great value to me."
+
+I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "come round to breakfast to-morrow and we will
+settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now let
+us light our pipes and finish our yarns as though agitated clients and
+thick-headed solicitors had no existence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+
+When I arrived at Thorndyke's chambers on the following morning, I found
+my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the
+table, while at the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for
+examining plate-cultures of micro-organisms, on the wide stage of which
+was one of the cards bearing six thumb-prints in blood. A condenser
+threw a bright spot of light on the card, which Thorndyke had been
+examining when I knocked, as I gathered from the position of the chair,
+which he now pushed back against the wall.
+
+"I see you have commenced work on our problem," I remarked as, in
+response to a double ring of the electric bell, Polton entered with the
+materials for our repast.
+
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke. "I have opened the campaign, supported, as
+usual, by my trusty chief-of-staff; eh! Polton?"
+
+The little man, whose intellectual, refined countenance and dignified
+bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea-tray that he carried,
+smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affectionate admiration at my
+friend, replied--
+
+"Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet.
+There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement
+too, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your
+breakfast."
+
+"A wonderful man that, Jervis," my friend observed as his assistant
+retired. "Looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously
+intended by Nature to be a professor of physics. As an actual fact he
+was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he
+is mechanical factotum to a medical jurist. He is my right-hand, is
+Polton; takes an idea before you have time to utter it--but you will
+make his more intimate acquaintance by-and-by."
+
+"Where did you pick him up?" I asked.
+
+"He was an in-patient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably
+ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave
+him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was I
+took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and
+his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for."
+
+"What are the photographs he was referring to?" I asked.
+
+"He is making an enlarged _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints on
+bromide paper and a negative of the same size in case we want the print
+repeated."
+
+"You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby,"
+said I, "though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me
+his case seems as hopeless a one as it is possible to conceive. One
+doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost
+unthinkable."
+
+"It does certainly look like a hopeless case," Thorndyke agreed, "and I
+see no way out of it at present. But I make it a rule, in all cases, to
+proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry--collect
+facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification. And I
+always endeavour to keep a perfectly open mind.
+
+"Now, in the present case, assuming, as we must, that the robbery has
+actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses: (1) that
+the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby; (2) that it was committed by
+Walter Hornby; (3) that it was committed by John Hornby, or (4) that it
+was committed by some other person or persons.
+
+"The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present and confine
+myself to the examination of the other three."
+
+"You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the
+diamonds out of his own safe?" I exclaimed.
+
+"I incline at present to no one theory of the matter," replied
+Thorndyke. "I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the
+diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them."
+
+"But surely he was responsible to the owners."
+
+"Not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have
+difficulty in proving. You see, he was what is called a gratuitous
+bailee, and in such a case no responsibility for loss lies with the
+bailee unless there has been gross negligence."
+
+"But the thumb-mark, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed. "How can you possibly
+get over that?"
+
+"I don't know that I can," answered Thorndyke calmly; "but I see you are
+taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a
+finger-print as a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof, beyond
+which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A
+finger-print is merely a fact--a very important and significant one, I
+admit--but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be
+weighed and measured with reference to its evidential value."
+
+"And what do you propose to do first?"
+
+"I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumb-print is
+identical in character with that of Reuben Hornby--of which, however,
+I have very little doubt, for the finger-print experts may fairly be
+trusted in their own speciality."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance,
+and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your
+new duties."
+
+He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four
+small, paper-covered notebooks, laid them before me on the table.
+
+"One of these books," said he, "we will devote to data concerning Reuben
+Hornby. You will find out anything you can--anything, mind, no matter
+how trivial or apparently irrelevant--in any way connected with him and
+enter it in this book." He wrote on the cover "Reuben Hornby" and passed
+the book to me. "In this second book you will, in like manner, enter
+anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and, in the third book,
+data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that
+for stray facts connected with the case but not coming under either of
+the other headings. And now let us look at the product of Polton's
+industry."
+
+He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by eight
+broad, done on glazed bromide paper and mounted flatly on stiff card. It
+showed a greatly magnified _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints, in
+which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands
+and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could
+be seen only with the aid of a lens, were plainly visible to the naked
+eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black
+lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each
+square being distinguished by a number.
+
+"Excellent, Polton," said Thorndyke approvingly; "a most admirable
+enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb-print in
+contact with a numbered micrometer divided into square twelfths of an
+inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares are here
+each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these
+micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining
+cheques, doubtful signatures and such like. I see you have packed up the
+camera and the microscope, Polton; have you put in the micrometer?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Polton, "and the six-inch objective and the
+low-power eye-piece. Everything is in the case; and I have put 'special
+rapid' plates into the dark-slides in case the light should be bad."
+
+"Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland Yard lions in their den,"
+said Thorndyke, putting on his hat and gloves.
+
+"But surely," said I, "you are not going to drag that great microscope
+to Scotland Yard, when you only want eight diameters. Haven't you a
+dissecting microscope or some other portable instrument?"
+
+"We have a most delightful instrument of the dissecting type, of
+Polton's own make--he shall show it to you. But I may have need of a
+more powerful instrument--and here let me give you a word of warning:
+whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials. We
+are seeking information, not giving it, you understand."
+
+At this moment the little brass knocker on the inner door--the outer
+oak being open--uttered a timid and apologetic rat-tat.
+
+"Who the deuce can that be?" muttered Thorndyke, replacing the
+microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it
+somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then
+perceived a lady standing on the threshold.
+
+"Dr. Thorndyke?" she inquired, and as my colleague bowed, she continued,
+"I ought to have written to ask for an appointment but the matter is
+rather urgent--it concerns Mr. Reuben Hornby and I only learned from him
+this morning that he had consulted you."
+
+"Pray come in," said Thorndyke. "Dr. Jervis and I were just setting out
+for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my
+colleague, who is working up the case with me."
+
+Our visitor, a tall handsome girl of twenty or thereabouts, returned my
+bow and remarked with perfect self-possession, "My name is Gibson--Miss
+Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character and need not
+detain you many minutes."
+
+She seated herself in the chair that Thorndyke placed for her, and
+continued in a brisk and business-like manner--
+
+"I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the
+last six years I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no
+relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to
+Mrs. Hornby, though, as I was only fifteen at the time, I need hardly
+say that my duties were not very onerous; in fact, I think Mrs. Hornby
+took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a
+livelihood, and she had no children of her own.
+
+"Three years ago I came into a little fortune which rendered me
+independent; but I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked
+to be allowed to remain with them, and there I have been ever since in
+the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal
+of their nephews, who spend a good part of their time at the house, and
+I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Reuben has fallen
+upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this:
+I do not believe that Reuben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out of
+character with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that he
+is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion."
+
+"In what way?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"By supplying the sinews of war," replied Miss Gibson. "I understand
+that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense."
+
+"I am afraid you are quite correctly informed," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Well, Reuben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it
+is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise
+me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his
+innocence if I make myself responsible for any costs that he is unable
+to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter, if it
+could be avoided."
+
+"Your friendship is of an eminently practical kind, Miss Gibson," said
+my colleague, with a smile. "As a matter of fact, the costs are no
+affair of mine. If the occasion arose for the exercise of your
+generosity you would have to approach Mr. Reuben's solicitor through the
+medium of your guardian, Mr. Hornby, and with the consent of the
+accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will arise, although I am
+very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance
+in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently
+impertinent questions."
+
+"I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered
+necessary to ask," our visitor replied.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "I will venture to inquire if any special
+relations exist between you and Mr. Reuben."
+
+"You look for the inevitable motive in a woman," said Miss Gibson,
+laughing and flushing a little. "No, there have been no tender passages
+between Reuben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends; in fact,
+there is what I may call a tendency in another direction--Walter
+Hornby."
+
+"Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?"
+
+"Oh, no," she replied; "but he has asked me to marry him--he has asked
+me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere
+attachment to me."
+
+She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing
+asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently
+noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined--
+
+"Of course he has. Why not?"
+
+"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
+my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
+Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
+takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
+quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."
+
+"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
+smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man--which, I
+take it, he is not."
+
+Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied--
+
+"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
+means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
+should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet--well, I
+have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
+value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
+will."
+
+"And do I understand that you refused him?"
+
+"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
+nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."
+
+"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
+some years?"
+
+"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.
+
+"And what sort of character do you give him?"
+
+"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
+I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
+to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
+inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
+the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
+keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
+further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
+us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
+head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
+Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
+assistance whenever we need it."
+
+After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
+more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
+watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
+camera case to me and made for the door.  "How the time goes!" he
+exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it hasn't been wasted,
+Jervis, hey?"
+
+"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.
+
+"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
+as you could desire--what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
+psychological problem--and it is your business to work it out, too."
+
+"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"
+
+Thorndyke nodded.
+
+"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
+preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
+pass unscrutinised."
+
+"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
+Hornby, I should say."
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
+Walter has not inspired a grand passion."
+
+"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
+would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."
+
+"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."
+
+"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
+that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
+something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of
+hers, 'speaking from my own observation,' seemed to imply that her
+observations of him were not in entire agreement with somebody else's."
+
+"Good man!" exclaimed Thorndyke, slapping me on the back, to the
+undissembled surprise of a policeman whom we were passing; "that is what
+I had hoped for in you--the capacity to perceive the essential
+underneath the obvious. Yes; somebody has been saying something about
+our client, and the thing that we have to find out is, what is it that
+has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a
+pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson."
+
+"By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant?" I asked foolishly.
+
+Thorndyke grinned in my face. "Why didn't you?" he retorted.
+
+"No," I rejoined, "I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning.
+Let me carry the microscope for a time; it is making your arm ache, I
+see."
+
+"Thanks," said he, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers; "it
+is rather ponderous."
+
+"I can't make out what you want with this great instrument," I said. "A
+common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six-inch
+objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters."
+
+"Two, with the draw-tube closed," replied Thorndyke, "and the low-power
+eye-piece brings it up to four. Polton made them both for me for
+examining cheques, bank-notes and other large objects. But you will
+understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to
+make no comments."
+
+We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard, and were
+passing up the narrow thoroughfare, when we encountered a uniformed
+official who halted and saluted my colleague.
+
+"Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, doctor," said he
+genially. "I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in
+hand."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "I am going to see what can be done for the
+defence."
+
+"Well," said the officer as he ushered us into the building, "you've
+given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you
+can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say."
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "there is no such thing. You mean that
+there is a _prima facie_ case against the accused."
+
+"Put it that way if you like," replied the officer, with a sly smile,
+"but I think you will find this about the hardest nut you ever tried
+your teeth on--and they're pretty strong teeth too, I'll say that. You
+had better come into Mr. Singleton's office," and he conducted us along
+a corridor and into a large, barely-furnished room, where we found a
+sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing table.
+
+"How-d'ye-do, doctor?" said the latter, rising and holding out his hand.
+"I can guess what you've come for. Want to see that thumb-print, eh?"
+
+"Quite right," answered Thorndyke, and then, having introduced me, he
+continued: "We were partners in the last game, but we are on opposite
+sides of the board this time."
+
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Singleton; "and we are going to give you check-mate."
+
+He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio, from which he
+extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be
+a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block, and bore the pencilled
+inscription: "Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01. J. H." At one end
+was a dark, glossy blood-stain, made by the falling of a good-sized
+drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb
+having been pressed on it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears
+and a remarkably distinct and clean print of a thumb.
+
+Thorndyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinising
+the thumb-print and the smears in turn, but making no remark, while Mr.
+Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity.
+
+"Not much difficulty in identifying that mark," the official at length
+observed.
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke; "it is an excellent impression and a very
+distinctive pattern, even without the scar."
+
+"Yes," rejoined Mr. Singleton; "the scar makes it absolutely conclusive.
+You have a print with you, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke, and he drew from a wide flap-pocket the
+enlarged photograph, at the sight of which Mr. Singleton's face
+broadened into a smile.
+
+"You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that," he remarked; "not
+that you gain anything by so much enlargement; three diameters is ample
+for studying the ridge-patterns. I see you have divided it up into
+numbered squares--not a bad plan; but ours--or rather Galton's, for we
+borrowed the method from him--is better for this purpose."
+
+He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print
+which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was
+marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen,
+each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some
+other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
+
+"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr. Singleton, "is
+better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed
+at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or
+the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or
+unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark
+our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph,
+which will do as well."
+
+"I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said
+Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Singleton, "if you would rather have one of
+your own taking. I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And
+now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me. Inspector Johnson
+will give you any assistance you may require."
+
+"And see that I don't pocket the original," added Thorndyke, with a
+smile at the inspector who had shown us in.
+
+"Oh, I'll see to that," said the latter, grinning; and, as Mr. Singleton
+returned to his table, Thorndyke unlocked the microscope case and drew
+forth the instrument.
+
+"What, are you going to put it under the microscope?" exclaimed Mr.
+Singleton, looking round with a broad smile.
+
+"Must do something for my fee, you know," replied Thorndyke, as he set
+up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives to the triple
+nose-piece.  "You observe that there is no deception," he added to the
+inspector, as he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it
+between two slips of glass.
+
+"I'm watching you, sir," replied the officer, with a chuckle; and he did
+watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndyke laid the
+glass slips on the microscope stage and proceeded to focus.
+
+I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my
+colleague's proceedings. After a preliminary glance with the six-inch
+glass, he swung round the nose-piece to the half-inch objective and
+slipped in a more powerful eye-piece, and with this power he examined
+the blood-stains carefully, and then moved the thumb-print into the
+field of vision. After looking at this for some time with deep
+attention, he drew from the case a tiny spirit lamp which was evidently
+filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit
+it I recognised the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced
+one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment, and having placed
+the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the
+spectroscope. Evidently my friend was fixing the position of the "D"
+line (or sodium line) in the spectrum.
+
+Having completed the adjustments, he now examined afresh the
+blood-smears and the thumb-print, both by transmitted and reflected
+light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his
+notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamp in the case and
+brought forth the micrometer--a slip of rather thin glass about three
+inches by one and a half--which he laid over the thumb-print in the
+place of the upper plate of glass.
+
+Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing
+its appearance with that of the lines on the large photograph, which he
+held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and
+readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me--
+
+"I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our
+print, so, with Inspector Johnson's assistance, we will take a
+photograph which we can examine at our leisure."
+
+He extracted the camera--a quarter-plate instrument--from its case and
+opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a
+horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany
+with three brass feet, on which he placed the camera, and which brought
+the latter to a level with the eye-piece of the microscope.
+
+The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black
+leather, and into this the eye-piece end of the microscope was now
+passed, the sleeve being secured round the barrel of the microscope by a
+stout indiarubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight
+connection.
+
+Everything was now ready for taking the photograph. The light from the
+window having been concentrated on the thumb-print by means of a
+condenser, Thorndyke proceeded to focus the image on the ground-glass
+screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the
+objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter.
+
+"I will ask you to sit down and remain quite still while I make the
+exposure," he said to me and the inspector. "A very little vibration is
+enough to destroy the sharpness of the image."
+
+We seated ourselves accordingly, and Thorndyke then removed the cap,
+standing motionless, watch in hand, while he exposed the first plate.
+
+"We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite
+perfect," he said, as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter.
+
+He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way,
+and then, having removed the micrometer and replaced it by a slip of
+plain glass, he made two more exposures.
+
+"There are two plates left," he remarked, as he drew out the second dark
+slide. "I think I will take a record of the blood-stain on them."
+
+He accordingly made two more exposures--one of the larger blood-stain
+and one of the smaller smears.
+
+"There," said he, with an air of satisfaction, as he proceeded to pack
+up what the inspector described as his "box of tricks." "I think we have
+all the data that we can squeeze out of Scotland Yard, and I am very
+much obliged to you, Mr. Singleton, for giving so many facilities to
+your natural enemy, the counsel for the defence."
+
+"Not our natural enemies, doctor," protested Mr. Singleton. "We work for
+a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
+defence. You know that perfectly well."
+
+"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
+by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
+am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
+go' this time."
+
+"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
+to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
+building.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+CONFIDENCES
+
+
+During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
+his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
+detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
+suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
+however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
+saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
+man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
+and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers he immediately handed over the camera to
+Polton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plates,
+and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without
+delay.
+
+We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndyke
+suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a
+smile of quiet amusement.
+
+"It has just been borne in upon me, Jervis," said he, "that you are the
+most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of
+silence."
+
+"If silence is the test of companionability," I answered, with a grin,
+"I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic
+terms."
+
+He laughed cheerfully and rejoined--
+
+"You are pleased to be sarcastic, I observe; but I maintain my position.
+The capacity to preserve an opportune silence is the rarest and most
+precious of social accomplishments. Now, most men would have plied me
+with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard,
+whereas you have allowed me to sort out, without interruption, a mass of
+evidence while it is still fresh and impressive, to docket each item and
+stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a
+ridiculous oversight."
+
+"What is that?" I asked.
+
+"The 'Thumbograph.' I never ascertained whether the police have it or
+whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"Does it matter?" I inquired.
+
+"Not much; only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent
+pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital
+this afternoon and Polton has his hands full, it would be a good plan
+for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens--that is the address, I think--and
+if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her, and
+extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Messieurs
+Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye
+lifting. Find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of
+those three gentlemen, regardless of all scruples of delicacy.
+Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors."
+
+"And with regard to the 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Find out who has it, and, if it is still in Mrs. Hornby's possession,
+get her to lend it to us or--what might, perhaps, be better--get her
+permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"It shall be done according to your word," said I. "I will furbish up my
+exterior, and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the
+character of Paul Pry."
+
+About an hour later I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's
+house in Endsley Gardens listening to the jangling of the bell that I
+had just set in motion.
+
+"Miss Gibson, sir?" repeated the parlourmaid in response to my question.
+"She _was_ going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If you
+will step in, I will go and see."
+
+I followed her into the drawing-room, and, threading my way amongst the
+litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies
+nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's
+shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the
+parlourmaid's report.
+
+I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself
+entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated
+myself on my timely arrival.
+
+"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis," she said,
+holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner, "but you are very
+welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something?"
+
+"On the contrary," I replied, "I have come to ask you something."
+
+"Well, that is better than nothing," she said, with a shade of
+disappointment. "Won't you sit down?"
+
+I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scrofulous aspect, and
+opened my business without preamble.
+
+"Do you remember a thing called a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Indeed I do," she replied with energy. "It was the cause of all this
+trouble."
+
+"Do you know if the police took possession of it?"
+
+"The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the finger-print experts
+might examine it and compare the two thumb-prints; and they wanted to
+keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of its being
+used in evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really
+had no further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves
+when they had Reuben in custody; in fact, he volunteered to have a print
+taken at once, as soon as he was arrested, and that was done."
+
+"So the 'Thumbograph' is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession?"
+
+"Yes, unless she has destroyed it. She spoke of doing so."
+
+"I hope she has not," said I, in some alarm, "for Dr. Thorndyke is
+extremely anxious, for some reason, to examine it."
+
+"Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told
+her you were here. Have you any idea what Dr. Thorndyke's reason is for
+wanting to see it?"
+
+"None whatever," I replied. "Dr. Thorndyke is as close as an oyster. He
+treats me as he treats every one else--he listens attentively, observes
+closely, and says nothing."
+
+"It doesn't sound very agreeable," mused Miss Gibson; "and yet he seemed
+very nice and sympathetic."
+
+"He _is_ very nice and sympathetic," I retorted with some emphasis, "but
+he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his clients' secrets."
+
+"I suppose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
+she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
+observation.
+
+I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
+when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
+somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
+entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.
+
+"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
+and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
+You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"
+
+"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau. What
+did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"
+
+Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
+be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.
+
+"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
+your nephew's defence, you know."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
+a dear. Do you agree with her?"
+
+Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
+noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
+
+"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
+the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
+respect."
+
+"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
+recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
+repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
+is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
+Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
+show to Dr. Thorndyke?"  "Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I
+would do anything--anything--to help our poor boy. I will never believe
+that he could be guilty of theft--common, vulgar theft. There has been
+some dreadful mistake--I am convinced there has--I told the detectives
+so. I assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and
+that they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such
+an action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him
+since he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone
+is. Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds?
+and they were not even cut."
+
+Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
+eyes.
+
+"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to see this little
+book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
+reflections.
+
+"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
+the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
+feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
+Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
+to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
+'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
+return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
+from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."
+
+"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
+'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."
+
+"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
+return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
+fire. I wish never to see it again."
+
+But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
+that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
+custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.
+
+"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
+examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to put
+it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not go
+out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to ask
+for your permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
+for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
+I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know--is he not, Juliet,
+dear?"
+
+"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
+would rather take the photograph himself."
+
+"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
+person would not be of much use to him."
+
+"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
+just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
+photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
+clever, I assure you."
+
+"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
+Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."
+
+"It is excessively good of you--" I began.
+
+"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
+evening?"
+
+"We should very much," I replied. "My colleague could then examine it
+and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much
+trouble."
+
+"It is nothing of the kind," said Miss Gibson. "You would not mind
+coming with me this evening, would you, aunt?"
+
+"Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to
+enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch,
+declared that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make
+my adieux, and she then remarked--
+
+"If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might
+arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along."
+
+I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds
+later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously
+after us from the open door.
+
+"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think?" Miss Gibson asked, as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered. "If anything should
+render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram. I could wish
+that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference."
+
+Miss Gibson laughed softly--and a very pleasant and musical laugh it
+was.
+
+"Yes," she agreed. "Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult
+to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little
+failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and
+generosity from her as I have."
+
+"I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am. After all, a little
+diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults in a
+generous and amiable woman of her age."
+
+Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a
+little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence.
+Presently she turned to me with some suddenness and a very earnest
+expression, and said--
+
+"I want to ask you a question, Dr. Jervis, and please forgive me if I
+beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my
+favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thorndyke has any kind of
+hope or expectation of being able to save poor Reuben from the dreadful
+peril that threatens him."
+
+This was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider it
+before replying.
+
+"I should like," I replied at length, "to tell you as much as my duty to
+my colleague will allow me to; but that is so little that it is hardly
+worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence:
+Dr. Thorndyke has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he
+would, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had
+considered it a hopeless one."
+
+"That is a very encouraging view of the matter," said she, "which, had,
+however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your
+visit to Scotland Yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching; I am so
+terribly anxious and troubled."
+
+"I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I
+know very little; but I have an idea that Dr. Thorndyke is not
+dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts,
+though I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home he
+developed a sudden desire to examine the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Thank you, Dr. Jervis," she said gratefully. "You have cheered me more
+than I can tell you, and I won't ask you any more questions. Are you
+sure I am not bringing you out of the way?"
+
+"Not at all," I answered hastily. "The fact is, I had hoped to have a
+little chat with you when we had disposed of the 'Thumbograph,' so I can
+regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of
+pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you."
+
+She gave me a little ironical bow as she inquired--
+
+"And, in short, I may take it that I am to be pumped?"
+
+"Come, now," I retorted. "You have been plying the pump handle pretty
+vigorously yourself. But that is not my meaning at all. You see, we are
+absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of
+course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters. But, after
+all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our
+client, for instance. He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but
+he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then
+you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and
+we are at once on firmer ground."
+
+"I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one
+else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character. Would
+they have influenced you in your attitude towards him?"
+
+"Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to
+inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin."
+
+"That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an
+air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire--
+
+"May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
+Reuben's disadvantage?"
+
+She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent
+pensively on the ground. At length she said, not without some hesitation
+of manner--
+
+"It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair. But
+it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a
+barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends. And
+I have blamed myself for letting it influence me--perhaps unjustly--in
+my opinion of him. I will tell you about it, though I expect you will
+think me very foolish.
+
+"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months
+ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you
+understand. But we were on the footing of relatives, so there was
+nothing out of the way in it. Reuben is a keen student of ancient and
+mediaeval art, in which I also am much interested, so we used to visit
+the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from
+comparing our views and impressions of what we saw.
+
+"About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day and, with a very
+serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between
+Reuben and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but nevertheless,
+I told him the truth, that Reuben and I were just friends and nothing
+more.
+
+"'If that is the case,' said he, looking mighty grave, 'I would advise
+you not to be seen about with him quite so much.'
+
+"'And why not?' I asked very naturally.
+
+"'Why, the fact is,' said Walter, 'that Reuben is a confounded fool. He
+has been chattering to the men at the club and seems to have given them
+the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting
+her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-souled philosopher
+above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to
+her blandishments and her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for
+your own guidance,' he continued, 'and I expect this to go no farther.
+You mustn't be annoyed with Reuben. The best of young men will often
+behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt the fellows have
+grossly exaggerated what he said; but I thought it right to put you on
+your guard.'
+
+"Now this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I
+wanted to have it out with Reuben then and there. But Walter refused to
+sanction this--'there was no use in making a scene' he said--and he
+insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence; so what
+was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Reuben as I always had done,
+but this I found impossible; my womanly pride was much too deeply hurt.
+And yet I felt it the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts
+of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. And
+although it was most unlike Reuben in some respects, it was very like
+him in others; for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men
+who marry for a livelihood. So I have remained on the horns of a dilemma
+and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done?"
+
+I rubbed my chin in some embarrassment at this question. Needless to
+say, I was most disagreeably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and
+not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to
+his secret disparagement of his cousin; but I was obviously not in a
+position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case.
+
+"The position appears to be this," I said, after a pause, "either Reuben
+has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied
+deliberately about him."
+
+"Yes," she agreed, "that is the position; but which of the two
+alternatives appears to you the more probable?"
+
+"That is very difficult to say," I answered. "There is a certain kind of
+cad who is much given to boastful rhodomontade concerning his conquests.
+We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight, but I must
+say that Reuben Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man at all.
+Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have adopted, if
+he had really heard such rumours, was to have had the matter out with
+Reuben, instead of coming secretly to you with whispered reports. That
+is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but, of course, I may be quite wrong. I
+gather that our two young friends are not inseparable companions?"
+
+"Oh, they are very good friends, but you see, their interests and views
+of life are quite different. Reuben, although an excellent worker in
+business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a
+scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs--decidedly
+long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby
+said."
+
+"He takes photographs, for instance," I suggested.
+
+"Yes. But not ordinary amateur photographs; his work is more technical
+and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful
+series of micro-photographs of sections of metalliferous rocks which he
+reproduced for publication by the collotype process, and even printed
+off the plates himself."
+
+"I see. He must be a very capable fellow."
+
+"He is, very," she assented, "and very keen on making a position; but I
+am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not
+a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it?"
+
+I agreed that it was not.
+
+"Excessive keenness in money affairs," proceeded Miss Gibson oracularly,
+"is apt to lead a young man into bad ways--oh, you need not smile, Dr.
+Jervis, at my wise saws; it is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact
+is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich
+inclines him to try what looks like a quick and easy method of making
+money. He had a friend--a Mr. Horton--who is a dealer on the Stock
+Exchange and who 'operates' rather largely--'operate' I believe is the
+expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common
+gambling--and I have more than once suspected Walter of being concerned
+in what Mr. Horton calls 'a little flutter.'"
+
+"That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding," I remarked,
+with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore untempted.
+
+"No," she agreed, "it isn't. But your gambler always thinks he is going
+to win--though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
+a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
+far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
+Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
+punctually."
+
+She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
+to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
+she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'
+
+
+"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
+conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
+gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.
+
+"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
+consumer."
+
+I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
+facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.
+
+"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I
+suppose?" said Thorndyke--"while the matter was still fresh?"
+
+"I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within
+five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson."
+
+"Good!" said Thorndyke. "And now let us see what you have collected."
+
+He glanced quickly through the entries in the two books, referring back
+once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then
+he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod.
+
+"Our information, then," he said, "amounts to this: Reuben is an
+industrious worker at his business and, in his leisure, a student of
+ancient and medieval art; possibly a babbling fool and a cad or, on the
+other hand, a maligned and much-abused man.  "Walter Hornby is
+obviously a sneak and possibly a liar; a keen man of business, perhaps a
+flutterer round the financial candle that burns in Throgmorton Street;
+an expert photographer and a competent worker of the collotype process.
+You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I wonder if you see
+the bearing of the facts that you have collected."
+
+"I think I see the bearing of some of them," I answered; "at least, I
+have formed certain opinions."
+
+"Then keep them to yourself, _mon ami_, so that I need not feel as if I
+ought to unbosom myself of my own views."
+
+"I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndyke," I replied, "and
+should have none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your
+opinions and theories are the property of your client and not to be used
+for the entertainment of your friends."
+
+Thorndyke patted me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly
+pleased, and said, with evident sincerity, "I am really grateful to you
+for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent
+with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I
+am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can
+do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink
+the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods!
+here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour
+of roasted flesh. Rump steak I ween," he added, sniffing, "food meet for
+the mighty Shamash (that pun was fortuitous, I need not say) or a
+ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Polton, how it is that
+your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have
+command of a special brand of ox?"
+
+The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as
+full of lines as a ground-plan of Clapham Junction.
+
+"Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir," he replied. "I
+usually bruise it in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the
+fibre too much, and then I heat up the little cupel furnace to about 600
+C, and put the steak in on a tripod."
+
+Thorndyke laughed outright. "The cupel furnace, too," he exclaimed.
+"Well, well, 'to what base uses'--but I don't know that it is a base use
+after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of
+ten by eight 'process' plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two
+ladies here this evening with a document."
+
+"Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Polton, with an alarmed
+expression.
+
+"I expect I shall have to," answered Thorndyke.
+
+"Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit," said Polton, who
+evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine and feminine
+view as to the proper appearance of working premises.
+
+"And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on the case?" said
+Thorndyke, when his voracity had become somewhat appeased.
+
+"Yes," I answered; and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I
+could remember it.
+
+"Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic," Thorndyke remarked, "and
+it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we
+show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard,
+then to the whole world. We know what their trump card is and can
+arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand."
+
+"You speak of the police as your antagonists; I noticed that at the
+'Yard' this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the
+position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender,
+not to fix the crime on some particular person."
+
+"That would seem to be so," replied Thorndyke, "but in practice it is
+otherwise. When the police have made an arrest they work for a
+conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs; it
+is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one--especially since
+the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be
+estimated by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement
+is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is
+of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not
+engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is
+trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without
+regard to its actual truth or even to the lawyer's own belief on the
+subject. That is what produces so much friction between lawyers and
+scientific witnesses; neither can understand the point of view of the
+other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this; it has
+gone half-past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room
+presentable."
+
+"I notice you don't use your office much," I remarked.
+
+"Hardly at all, excepting as a repository for documents and stationery.
+It is very cheerless to talk in an office, and nearly all my business is
+transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is
+no need for such formalities. All right, Polton; we shall be ready for
+you in five minutes."
+
+The Temple bell was striking eight as, at Thorndyke's request, I threw
+open the iron-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps
+came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for our two
+visitors, and led them into the room.
+
+"I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Hornby, when I had
+done the honours of introduction; "I have heard so much about you from
+Juliet--"
+
+"Really, my dear aunt," protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with
+a look of comical alarm, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous
+impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice
+and had been received with undeserved indulgence and consideration."
+
+"You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby, "but I
+suppose it doesn't matter."
+
+"We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favourable report of us,
+whatever may have been the actual form of expression," said Thorndyke,
+with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered her with
+smiling confusion, "and we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much
+trouble to help us."
+
+"It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure," replied Mrs. Hornby;
+and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened,
+like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out
+into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed chairs
+for the two ladies, and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed a stony
+gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Hornby's wrist.
+
+"Is the 'Thumbograph' in your bag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, in response
+to this mute appeal.
+
+"Of course it is, my dear Juliet," replied the elder lady. "You saw me
+put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are. Did you think I should
+have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are
+really very secure, you know, although I daresay they are safer than
+pockets, especially now that it is the fashion to have the pocket at the
+back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a
+pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know,
+to make a snatch and--in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I
+knew a lady--Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet--no, it wasn't Mrs.
+Moggridge, that was another affair, it was Mrs.--Mrs.--dear me, how
+silly of me!--now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You
+must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the
+Hawley-Johnsons'--I think it was the Hawley-Johnsons', or else it was
+those people, you know--"
+
+"Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph'?" interrupted
+Miss Gibson.
+
+"Why, of course, Juliet, dear. What else did we come here for?" With a
+slightly injured expression, Mrs. Hornby opened the little bag and
+commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents on to
+the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a
+visiting list, a packet of _papier poudré_, and when she had laid the
+last-mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into
+Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling
+discovery.
+
+"I remember the woman's name," she said in an impressive voice. "It was
+Gudge--Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of--"
+
+Here Miss Gibson made an unceremonious dive into the open bag and fished
+out a tiny parcel wrapped in notepaper and secured with a silk thread.
+
+"Thank you," said Thorndyke, taking it from her hand just as Mrs. Hornby
+was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread and drew from its
+wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbograph"
+stamped upon the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby
+rose and stood beside him.
+
+"That," said she, as she opened the book at the first page, "is the
+thumb-mark of a Miss Colley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is
+a little smeared--she said Reuben jogged her elbow, but I don't think he
+did; at any rate he assured me he did not, and, you know--"
+
+"Ah! Here is one we are looking for," interrupted Thorndyke, who had
+been turning the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling
+comments; "a very good impression, too, considering the rather rough
+method of producing it."
+
+He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the
+mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered
+through it at the thumb-print that he was looking for something. A
+moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had
+sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and
+composed air and made no remark, there was a sparkle of the eye and a
+scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I
+had begun to recognise beneath the impassive mask that he presented to
+the world.
+
+"I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he
+said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, "and, as I
+may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you
+and Miss Gibson to sign your names--as small as possible--on the page
+which bears Mr. Reuben's thumb-mark. That will anticipate any suggestion
+that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands."
+
+"It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such
+suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain
+pen in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and
+handed the pen to Miss Gibson, who signed underneath.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "we will take an enlarged photograph of this
+page with the thumb-mark; not that it is necessary that it should be
+done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the
+photograph will be wanted, and as my man is expecting us and has the
+apparatus ready, we may as well despatch the business at once."
+
+To this both the ladies readily agreed (being, in fact, devoured by
+curiosity with regard to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly
+proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the
+ingenious Polton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur.
+
+It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me
+with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we
+entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small
+woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of
+mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I
+noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike
+neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndyke's observation,
+for his face relaxed into a grim smile as his eye travelled over the
+bare benches and the clean-swept floor.
+
+From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of
+which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shelves of
+reagents that covered the wall, and the flasks, retorts and other
+apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a
+drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large,
+massively-constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the
+lens, was fixed, and an easel or copyholder travelled on parallel guides
+towards, or away, from it, on a long stand.
+
+This apparatus Thorndyke proceeded to explain to our visitors while
+Polton was fixing the "Thumbograph" in a holder attached to the easel.
+
+"You see," he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, "I have a
+good deal to do with signatures, cheques and disputed documents of
+various kinds. Now a skilled eye, aided by a pocket-lens, can make out
+very minute details on a cheque or bank-note; but it is not possible to
+lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very
+convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the
+magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original.
+Small things, when magnified, develop quite unexpected characters; for
+instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but
+have you ever noticed the little white spots in the upper corner of a
+penny stamp, or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of
+the wreath?"
+
+Miss Gibson admitted that she had not.
+
+"Very few people have, I suppose, excepting stamp-collectors," continued
+Thorndyke; "but now just glance at this and you will find these
+unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed
+her a photograph, which he had taken from a drawer, showing a penny
+stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches.
+
+While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded
+with his work. The "Thumbograph" having been fixed in position, the
+light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted with a parabolic
+reflector, was concentrated on it, and the camera racked out to its
+proper distance.
+
+"What are those figures intended to show?" inquired Miss Gibson,
+indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides.
+
+"They show the amount of magnification or reduction," Thorndyke
+explained. "When the pointer is opposite 0, the photograph is the same
+size as the object photographed; when it points to, say, x 4, the
+photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while
+if it should point to, say, ÷ 4, the photograph will be one-fourth the
+length of the object. It is now, you see, pointing to x 8, so the
+photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb-mark."
+
+By this time Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus and,
+when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image on the
+focussing screen, we withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to
+bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and
+the plate developed. Here, after an interval, we were joined by Polton,
+who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could
+be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb-mark.
+
+This Thorndyke scrutinised eagerly, and having pronounced it
+satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was
+attained, and thanked her for the trouble she had taken.
+
+"I am very glad we came," said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we
+walked slowly up Mitre Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorndyke;
+"and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has
+made me realise that something is being done and that Dr. Thorndyke
+really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely."
+
+"And very properly so," I replied. "I, too, although I really know
+nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would
+not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had
+not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking
+a hopeful view."
+
+"Thank you for saying that," she rejoined warmly; "and you will let me
+have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you?" She looked in my face
+so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and,
+indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully
+justify my colleague's reticence towards me.
+
+However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so, when we emerged
+into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a hansom, I
+could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see
+her again at the earliest opportunity--a promise which my inner
+consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled.
+
+"You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend,"
+Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back towards his chambers. "You are
+an insinuating dog, Jervis."
+
+"She is very frank and easy to get on with," I replied.
+
+"Yes. A good girl and a clever girl, and comely to look upon withal. I
+suppose it would be superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your
+eye?"
+
+"I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud," I
+replied sulkily.
+
+"Of course you wouldn't; hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic
+member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to
+Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"No," I answered.
+
+"It might be worth while to find out," said Thorndyke; and then he
+relapsed into silence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+
+Thorndyke's hint as to the possible danger foreshadowed by my growing
+intimacy with Juliet Gibson had come upon me as a complete surprise, and
+had, indeed, been resented by me as somewhat of an impertinence.
+Nevertheless, it gave me considerable food for meditation, and I
+presently began to suspect that the watchful eyes of my observant friend
+might have detected something in my manner towards Miss Gibson
+suggestive of sentiments that had been unsuspected by myself.
+
+Of course it would be absurd to suppose that any real feeling could have
+been engendered by so ridiculously brief an acquaintance. I had only met
+the girl three times, and even now, excepting for business relations,
+was hardly entitled to more than a bow of recognition. But yet, when I
+considered the matter impartially and examined my own consciousness, I
+could not but recognise that she had aroused in me an interest which
+bore no relation to the part that she had played in the drama that was
+so slowly unfolding. She was undeniably a very handsome girl, and her
+beauty was of a type that specially appealed to me--full of dignity and
+character that gave promise of a splendid middle age. And her
+personality was in other ways not less attractive, for she was frank and
+open, sprightly and intelligent, and though evidently quite
+self-reliant, was in nowise lacking in that womanly softness that so
+strongly engages a man's sympathy.
+
+In short, I realised that, had there been no such person as Reuben
+Hornby, I should have viewed Miss Gibson with uncommon interest.
+
+But, unfortunately, Reuben Hornby was a most palpable reality, and,
+moreover, the extraordinary difficulties of his position entitled him to
+very special consideration by any man of honour. It was true that Miss
+Gibson had repudiated any feelings towards Reuben other than those of
+old-time friendship; but young ladies are not always impartial judges of
+their own feelings, and, as a man of the world, I could not but have my
+own opinion on the matter--which opinion I believed to be shared by
+Thorndyke. The conclusions to which my cogitations at length brought me
+were: first, that I was an egotistical donkey, and, second, that my
+relations with Miss Gibson were of an exclusively business character and
+must in future be conducted on that basis, with the added consideration
+that I was the confidential agent, for the time being, of Reuben Hornby,
+and in honour bound to regard his interests as paramount.
+
+"I am hoping," said Thorndyke, as he held out his hand for my teacup,
+"that these profound reflections of yours are connected with the Hornby
+affair; in which case I should expect to hear that the riddle is solved
+and the mystery made plain."
+
+"Why should you expect that?" I demanded, reddening somewhat, I suspect,
+as I met his twinkling eye. There was something rather disturbing in
+the dry, quizzical smile that I encountered and the reflection that I
+had been under observation, and I felt as much embarrassed as I should
+suppose a self-conscious water-flea might feel on finding itself on the
+illuminated stage of a binocular microscope.
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "you have not spoken a word for the
+last quarter of an hour; you have devoured your food with the relentless
+regularity of a sausage-machine, and you have, from time to time, made
+the most damnable faces at the coffee-pot--though there I'll wager the
+coffee-pot was even with you, if I may judge by the presentment that it
+offers of my own countenance."
+
+I roused myself from my reverie with a laugh at Thorndyke's quaint
+conceit and a glance at the grotesquely distorted reflection of my face
+in the polished silver.
+
+"I am afraid I _have_ been a rather dull companion this morning," I
+admitted apologetically.
+
+"By no means," replied Thorndyke, with a grin. "On the contrary, I have
+found you both amusing and instructive, and I only spoke when I had
+exhausted your potentialities as a silent entertainer."
+
+"You are pleased to be facetious at my expense," said I.
+
+"Well, the expense was not a very heavy one," he retorted. "I have been
+merely consuming a by-product of your mental activity--Hallo! that's
+Anstey already."
+
+A peculiar knock, apparently delivered with the handle of a
+walking-stick on the outer door, was the occasion of this exclamation,
+and as Thorndyke sprang up and flung the door open, a clear, musical
+voice was borne in, the measured cadences of which proclaimed at once
+the trained orator.
+
+"Hail, learned brother!" it exclaimed. "Do I disturb you untimely at
+your studies?" Here our visitor entered the room and looked round
+critically. "'Tis even so," he declared. "Physiological chemistry and
+its practical applications appears to be the subject. A physico-chemical
+inquiry into the properties of streaky bacon and fried eggs. Do I see
+another learned brother?"
+
+He peered keenly at me through his pince-nez, and I gazed at him in some
+embarrassment.
+
+"This is my friend Jervis, of whom you have heard me speak," said
+Thorndyke. "He is with us in this case, you know."
+
+"The echoes of your fame have reached me, sir," said Anstey, holding out
+his hand. "I am proud to know you. I should have recognised you
+instantly from the portrait of your lamented uncle in Greenwich
+Hospital."
+
+"Anstey is a wag, you understand," explained Thorndyke, "but he has
+lucid intervals. He'll have one presently if we are patient."
+
+"Patient!" snorted our eccentric visitor, "it is I who need to be
+patient when I am dragged into police courts and other sinks of iniquity
+to plead for common thieves and robbers like a Kennington Lane
+advocate."
+
+"You've been talking to Lawley, I see," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes, and he tells me that we haven't a leg to stand upon."
+
+"No, we've got to stand on our heads, as men of intellect should. But
+Lawley knows nothing about the case."
+
+"He thinks he knows it all," said Anstey.
+
+"Most fools do," retorted Thorndyke. "They arrive at their knowledge by
+intuition--a deuced easy road and cheap travelling too. We reserve our
+defence--I suppose you agree to that?"
+
+"I suppose so. The magistrate is sure to commit unless you have an
+unquestionable _alibi_."
+
+"We shall put in an _alibi_, but we are not depending on it."
+
+"Then we had better reserve our defence," said Anstey; "and it is time
+that we wended on our pilgrimage, for we are due at Lawley's at
+half-past ten. Is Jervis coming with us?"
+
+"Yes, you'd better come," said Thorndyke. "It's the adjourned hearing of
+poor Hornby's case, you know. There won't be anything done on our side,
+but we may be able to glean some hint from the prosecution."
+
+"I should like to hear what takes place, at any rate," I said, and we
+accordingly sallied forth together in the direction of Lincoln's Inn, on
+the north side of which Mr. Lawley's office was situated.
+
+"Ah!" said the solicitor, as we entered, "I am glad you've come; I was
+getting anxious--it doesn't do to be late on these occasions, you know.
+Let me see, do you know Mr. Walter Hornby? I don't think you do." He
+presented Thorndyke and me to our client's cousin, and as we shook
+hands, we viewed one another with a good deal of mutual interest.
+
+"I have heard about you from my aunt," said he, addressing himself more
+particularly to me. "She appears to regard you as a kind of legal
+Maskelyne and Cooke. I hope, for my cousin's sake, that you will be able
+to work the wonders that she anticipates. Poor old fellow! He looks
+pretty bad, doesn't he?"
+
+I glanced at Reuben, who was at the moment talking to Thorndyke, and as
+he caught my eye he held out his hand with a warmth that I found very
+pathetic. He seemed to have aged since I had last seen him, and was
+pale and rather thinner, but he was composed in his manner and seemed to
+me to be taking his trouble very well on the whole.
+
+"Cab's at the door, sir," a clerk announced.
+
+"Cab," repeated Mr. Lawley, looking dubiously at me; "we want an
+omnibus."
+
+"Dr. Jervis and I can walk," Walter Hornby suggested. "We shall probably
+get there as soon as you, and it doesn't matter if we don't."
+
+"Yes, that will do," said Mr. Lawley; "you two walk down together. Now
+let us go."
+
+We trooped out on to the pavement, beside which a four-wheeler was drawn
+up, and as the others were entering the cab, Thorndyke stood close
+beside me for a moment.
+
+"Don't let him pump you," he said in a low voice, without looking at me;
+then he sprang into the cab and slammed the door.
+
+"What an extraordinary affair this is," Walter Hornby remarked, after we
+had been walking in silence for a minute or two; "a most ghastly
+business. I must confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it."
+
+"How is that?" I asked.
+
+"Why, do you see, there are apparently only two possible theories of the
+crime, and each of them seems to be unthinkable. On the one hand there
+is Reuben, a man of the most scrupulous honour, as far as my experience
+of him goes, committing a mean and sordid theft for which no motive can
+be discovered--for he is not poor, nor pecuniarily embarrassed nor in
+the smallest degree avaricious. On the other hand, there is this
+thumb-print, which, in the opinion of the experts, is tantamount to the
+evidence of an eye-witness that he did commit the theft. It is
+positively bewildering. Don't you think so?"
+
+"As you put it," I answered, "the case is extraordinarily puzzling."
+
+"But how else would you put it?" he demanded, with ill-concealed
+eagerness.
+
+"I mean that, if Reuben is the man you believe him to be, the thing is
+incomprehensible."
+
+"Quite so," he agreed, though he was evidently disappointed at my
+colourless answer.
+
+He walked on silently for a few minutes and then said: "I suppose it
+would not be fair to ask if you see any way out of the difficulty? We
+are all, naturally anxious about the upshot of the affair, seeing what
+poor old Reuben's position is."
+
+"Naturally. But the fact is that I know no more than you do, and as to
+Thorndyke, you might as well cross-examine a Whitstable native as put
+questions to him."
+
+"Yes, so I gathered from Juliet. But I thought you might have gleaned
+some notion of the line of defence from your work in the laboratory--the
+microscopical and photographic work I mean."
+
+"I was never in the laboratory until last night, when Thorndyke took me
+there with your aunt and Miss Gibson; the work there is done by the
+laboratory assistant, and his knowledge of the case, I should say, is
+about as great as a type-founder's knowledge of the books that he is
+helping to produce. No; Thorndyke is a man who plays a single-handed
+game and no one knows what cards he holds until he lays them on the
+table."
+
+My companion considered this statement in silence while I congratulated
+myself on having parried, with great adroitness, a rather inconvenient
+question. But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion
+to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
+
+"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty
+miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own
+personal worries."
+
+"Has he any special trouble besides this, then?" I asked.
+
+"Why, haven't you heard? I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't
+have spoken--not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is
+public property in the city. The fact is that his financial affairs are
+a little entangled just now."
+
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
+
+"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will
+pull through all right. It is the usual thing, you know--investments, or
+perhaps one should say speculations. He appears to have sunk a lot of
+capital in mines--thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it
+seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him
+with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility
+of a dead loss if they don't revive. Then there are these infernal
+diamonds. He is not morally responsible, we know; but it is a question
+if he is not legally responsible, though the lawyers think he is not.
+Anyhow, there is going to be a meeting of the creditors to-morrow."
+
+"And what do you think they will do?"
+
+"Oh, they will, most probably, let him go on for the present; but, of
+course, if he is made accountable for the diamonds there will be nothing
+for it but to 'go through the hoop,' as the sporting financier
+expresses it."
+
+"The diamonds were of considerable value, then?"
+
+"From twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds' worth vanished with that
+parcel."
+
+I whistled. This was a much bigger affair than I had imagined, and I was
+wondering if Thorndyke had realised the magnitude of the robbery, when
+we arrived at the police court.
+
+"I suppose our friends have gone inside," said Walter. "They must have
+got here before us."
+
+This supposition was confirmed by a constable of whom we made inquiry,
+and who directed us to the entrance to the court. Passing down a passage
+and elbowing our way through the throng of idlers, we made for the
+solicitor's box, where we had barely taken our seats when the case was
+called.
+
+Unspeakably dreary and depressing were the brief proceedings that
+followed, and dreadfully suggestive of the helplessness of even an
+innocent man on whom the law has laid its hand and in whose behalf its
+inexorable machinery has been set in motion.
+
+The presiding magistrate, emotionless and dry, dipped his pen while
+Reuben, who had surrendered to his bail, was placed in the dock and the
+charge read over to him. The counsel representing the police gave an
+abstract of the case with the matter-of-fact air of a house-agent
+describing an eligible property. Then, when the plea of "not guilty" had
+been entered, the witnesses were called. There were only two, and when
+the name of the first, John Hornby, was called, I glanced towards the
+witness-box with no little curiosity.
+
+I had not hitherto met Mr. Hornby, and as he now entered the box, I saw
+an elderly man, tall, florid, and well-preserved, but strained and wild
+in expression and displaying his uncontrollable agitation by continual
+nervous movements which contrasted curiously with the composed demeanour
+of the accused man. Nevertheless, he gave his evidence in a perfectly
+connected manner, recounting the events connected with the discovery of
+the crime in much the same words as I had heard Mr. Lawley use, though,
+indeed, he was a good deal more emphatic than that gentleman had been in
+regard to the excellent character borne by the prisoner.
+
+After him came Mr. Singleton, of the finger-print department at Scotland
+Yard, to whose evidence I listened with close attention. He produced the
+paper which bore the thumb-print in blood (which had previously been
+identified by Mr. Hornby) and a paper bearing the print, taken by
+himself, of the prisoner's left thumb. These two thumb-prints, he
+stated, were identical in every respect.
+
+"And you are of opinion that the mark on the paper that was found in Mr.
+Hornby's safe, was made by the prisoner's left thumb?" the magistrate
+asked in dry and business-like tones.
+
+"I am certain of it."
+
+"You are of opinion that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"No mistake is possible, your worship. It is a certainty."
+
+The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister
+rose.  "We reserve our defence, your worship."
+
+The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed
+the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept
+bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the
+next case was called.
+
+By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make
+his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the
+filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his
+friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
+
+"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three were,
+for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the
+warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual
+impassivity. "But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your
+innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world--though this is
+for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one."
+
+Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the
+moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the
+breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a
+hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
+
+"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay,
+and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he
+exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
+
+"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I
+answered, without much conviction, however. "It may happen to the best
+of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law."
+
+"That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry,"
+he rejoined. "The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as
+innocent; but how does it treat him? You heard how the magistrate
+addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him _Mr_.
+Hornby. You know what will happen to Reuben at Holloway. He will be
+ordered about by warders, will have a number label fastened on to his
+coat, he will be locked in a cell with a spy-hole in the door, through
+which any passing stranger may watch him; his food will be handed to him
+in a tin pan with a tin knife and spoon; and he will be periodically
+called out of his cell and driven round the exercise yard with a mob
+composed, for the most part, of the sweepings of the London slums. If he
+is acquitted, he will be turned loose without a suggestion of
+compensation or apology for these indignities or the losses he may have
+sustained through his detention."
+
+"Still I suppose these evils are unavoidable," I said.
+
+"That may or may not be," he retorted. "My point is that the presumption
+of innocence is a pure fiction; that the treatment of an accused man,
+from the moment of his arrest, is that of a criminal. However," he
+concluded, hailing a passing hansom, "this discussion must be adjourned
+or I shall be late at the hospital. What are you going to do?"
+
+"I shall get some lunch and then call on Miss Gibson to let her know the
+real position."
+
+"Yes, that will be kind, I think; baldly stated, the news may seem
+rather alarming. I was tempted to thrash the case out in the police
+court, but it would not have been safe. He would almost certainly have
+been committed for trial after all, and then we should have shown our
+hand to the prosecution."
+
+He sprang into the hansom and was speedily swallowed up in the traffic,
+while I turned back towards the police court to make certain inquiries
+concerning the regulations as to visitors at Holloway prison. At the
+door I met the friendly inspector from Scotland Yard, who gave me the
+necessary information, whereupon with a certain homely little French
+restaurant in my mind I bent my steps in the direction of Soho.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+
+When I arrived at Endsley Gardens, Miss Gibson was at home, and to my
+unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
+moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
+verge of insanity--an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
+tendencies.
+
+"It is good of you to come--though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
+said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
+human--both you and Dr. Thorndyke--so free from professional stiffness.
+My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."
+
+"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
+but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
+dry enough."
+
+"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
+advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"
+
+"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
+Thorndyke for his pains."
+
+"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
+happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
+agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
+where is Reuben?"
+
+"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
+that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
+it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
+defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
+could revise their own plans accordingly."
+
+"I see that," said she dejectedly, "but I am dreadfully disappointed. I
+had hoped that Dr. Thorndyke would get the case dismissed. What has
+happened to Reuben?"
+
+This was the question that I had dreaded, and now that I had to answer
+it I cleared my throat and bent my gaze nervously on the floor.
+
+"The magistrate refused bail," I said after an uncomfortable pause.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Consequently Reuben has been--er--detained in custody."
+
+"You don't mean to say that they have sent him to prison?" she exclaimed
+breathlessly.
+
+"Not as a convicted prisoner, you know. He is merely detained pending
+his trial."
+
+"But in prison?"
+
+"Yes," I was forced to admit; "in Holloway prison."
+
+She looked me stonily in the face for some seconds, pale and wide-eyed,
+but silent; then, with a sudden catch in her breath, she turned away,
+and, grasping the edge of the mantel-shelf, laid her head upon her arm
+and burst into a passion of sobbing.
+
+Now I am not, in general, an emotional man, nor even especially
+impulsive; but neither am I a stock or a stone or an effigy of wood;
+which I most surely must have been if I could have looked without being
+deeply moved on the grief, so natural and unselfish, of this strong,
+brave, loyal-hearted woman. In effect, I moved to her side and, gently
+taking in mine the hand that hung down, murmured some incoherent words
+of consolation in a particularly husky voice.
+
+Presently she recovered herself somewhat and softly withdrew her hand,
+as she turned towards me drying her eyes.
+
+"You must forgive me for distressing you, as I fear I have," she said;
+"for you are so kind, and I feel that you are really my friend and
+Reuben's."
+
+"I am indeed, dear Miss Gibson," I replied, "and so, I assure you, is my
+colleague."
+
+"I am sure of it," she rejoined. "But I was so unprepared for this--I
+cannot say why, excepting that I trusted so entirely in Dr.
+Thorndyke--and it is so horrible and, above all, so dreadfully
+suggestive of what may happen. Up to now the whole thing has seemed like
+a nightmare--terrifying, but yet unreal. But now that he is actually in
+prison, it has suddenly become a dreadful reality and I am overwhelmed
+with terror. Oh! poor boy! What will become of him? For pity's sake, Dr.
+Jervis, tell me what is going to happen."
+
+What could I do? I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to
+Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all
+he had said. Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own
+counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities. But I could
+not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
+
+"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said. "I have it
+from Dr. Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is
+hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world. But I did not have
+this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
+
+"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart."
+
+"And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it
+distress you too much. Try to think of it as of a surgical operation,
+which is a dreadful thing in itself, but is accepted in lieu of
+something which is immeasurably more dreadful."
+
+"I will try to do as you tell me," she answered meekly; "but it is so
+shocking to think of a cultivated gentleman like Reuben, herded with
+common thieves and murderers, and locked in a cage like some wild
+animal. Think of the ignominy and degradation!"
+
+"There is no ignominy in being wrongfully accused," I said--a little
+guiltily, I must own, for Thorndyke's words came back to me with all
+their force. But regardless of this I went on: "An acquittal will
+restore him to his position with an unstained character, and nothing but
+the recollection of a passing inconvenience to look back upon."
+
+She gave her eyes a final wipe, and resolutely put away her
+handkerchief.
+
+"You have given me back my courage," she said, "and chased away my
+terror. I cannot tell you how I feel your goodness, nor have I any
+thank-offering to make, except the promise to be brave and patient
+henceforth, and trust in you entirely."
+
+She said this with such a grateful smile, and looked withal so sweet and
+womanly that I was seized with an overpowering impulse to take her in my
+arms. Instead of this I said with conscious feebleness: "I am more than
+thankful to have been able to give you any encouragement--which you must
+remember comes from me second-hand, after all. It is to Dr. Thorndyke
+that we all look for ultimate deliverance."
+
+"I know. But it is you who came to comfort me in my trouble, so, you
+see, the honours are divided--and not divided quite equally, I fear, for
+women are unreasoning creatures, as, no doubt, your experience has
+informed you. I think I hear my aunt's voice, so you had better escape
+before your retreat is cut off. But before you go, you must tell me how
+and when I can see Reuben. I want to see him at the earliest possible
+moment. Poor fellow! He must not be allowed to feel that his friends
+have forgotten him even for a single instant."
+
+"You can see him to-morrow, if you like," I said; and, casting my good
+resolutions to the winds, I added: "I shall be going to see him myself,
+and perhaps Dr. Thorndyke will go."
+
+"Would you let me call at the Temple and go with you? Should I be much
+in the way? It is rather an alarming thing to go to a prison alone."
+
+"It is not to be thought of," I answered. "If you will call at the
+Temple--it is on the way--we can drive to Holloway together. I suppose
+you are resolved to go? It will be rather unpleasant, as you are
+probably aware."
+
+"I am quite resolved. What time shall I come to the Temple?"
+
+"About two o'clock, if that will suit you."
+
+"Very well. I will be punctual; and now you must go or you will be
+caught."
+
+She pushed me gently towards the door and, holding out her hand, said--
+ "I haven't thanked you half enough and I never can. Good-bye!"
+
+She was gone, and I stood alone in the street, up which yellowish
+wreaths of fog were beginning to roll. It had been quite clear and
+bright when I entered the house, but now the sky was settling down into
+a colourless grey, the light was failing and the houses dwindling into
+dim, unreal shapes that vanished at half their height. Nevertheless I
+stepped out briskly and strode along at a good pace, as a young man is
+apt to do when his mind is in somewhat of a ferment. In truth, I had a
+good deal to occupy my thoughts and, as will often happen both to young
+men and old, those matters that bore most directly upon my own life and
+prospects were the first to receive attention.
+
+What sort of relations were growing up between Juliet Gibson and me? And
+what was my position? As to hers, it seemed plain enough; she was
+wrapped up in Reuben Hornby and I was her very good friend because I was
+his. But for myself, there was no disguising the fact that I was
+beginning to take an interest in her that boded ill for my peace of
+mind.
+
+Never had I met a woman who so entirely realised my conception of what a
+woman should be, nor one who exercised so great a charm over me. Her
+strength and dignity, her softness and dependency, to say nothing of her
+beauty, fitted her with the necessary weapons for my complete and utter
+subjugation. And utterly subjugated I was--there was no use in denying
+the fact, even though I realised already that the time would presently
+come when she would want me no more and there would remain no remedy for
+me but to go away and try to forget her.
+
+But was I acting as a man of honour? To this I felt I could fairly
+answer "yes," for I was but doing my duty, and could hardly act
+differently if I wished to. Besides, I was jeopardising no one's
+happiness but my own, and a man may do as he pleases with his own
+happiness. No; even Thorndyke could not accuse me of dishonourable
+conduct.
+
+Presently my thoughts took a fresh turn and I began to reflect upon what
+I had heard concerning Mr. Hornby. Here was a startling development,
+indeed, and I wondered what difference it would make in Thorndyke's
+hypothesis of the crime. What his theory was I had never been able to
+guess, but as I walked along through the thickening fog I tried to fit
+this new fact into our collection of data and determine its bearings and
+significance.
+
+In this, for a time, I failed utterly. The red thumb-mark filled my
+field of vision to the exclusion of all else. To me, as to everyone else
+but Thorndyke, this fact was final and pointed to a conclusion that was
+unanswerable. But as I turned the story of the crime over and over,
+there came to me presently an idea that set in motion a new and very
+startling train of thought.
+
+Could Mr. Hornby himself be the thief? His failure appeared sudden to
+the outside world, but he must have seen difficulties coming. There,
+indeed, was the thumb-mark on the leaf which he had torn from his
+pocket-block. Yes! but who had seen him tear it off? No one. The fact
+rested on his bare statement.
+
+But the thumb-mark? Well, it was possible (though unlikely)--still
+possible--that the mark might have been made accidentally on some
+previous occasion and forgotten by Reuben, or even unnoticed. Mr. Hornby
+had seen the "Thumbograph," in fact his own mark was in it, and so would
+have had his attention directed to the importance of finger-prints in
+identification. He might have kept the marked paper for future use, and,
+on the occasion of the robbery, pencilled a dated inscription on it, and
+slipped it into the safe as a sure means of diverting suspicion. All
+this was improbable in the highest degree, but then so was every other
+explanation of the crime; and as to the unspeakable baseness of the
+deed, what action is too base for a gambler in difficulties?
+
+I was so much excited and elated by my own ingenuity in having formed an
+intelligible and practicable theory of the crime, that I was now
+impatient to reach home that I might impart my news to Thorndyke and see
+how they affected him. But as I approached the centre of the town the
+fog grew so dense that all my attention was needed to enable me to
+thread my way safely through the traffic; while the strange, deceptive
+aspect that it lent to familiar objects and the obliteration of
+landmarks made my progress so slow that it was already past six o'clock
+when I felt my way down Middle Temple Lane and crept through Crown
+Office Row towards my colleague's chambers.
+
+On the doorstep I found Polton peering with anxious face into the blank
+expanse of yellow vapour.
+
+"The Doctor's late, sir," said he. "Detained by the fog, I expect. It
+must be pretty thick in the Borough."
+
+(I may mention that, to Polton, Thorndyke was The Doctor. Other inferior
+creatures there were, indeed, to whom the title of "doctor" in a way,
+appertained; but they were of no account in Polton's eyes. Surnames were
+good enough for them.)
+
+"Yes, it must be," I replied, "judging by the condition of the Strand."
+
+I entered and ascended the stairs, glad enough of the prospect of a warm
+and well-lighted room after my comfortless groping in the murky streets,
+and Polton, with a final glance up and down the walk reluctantly
+followed.
+
+"You would like some tea, sir, I expect?" said he, as he let me in
+(though I had a key of my own now).
+
+I thought I should, and he accordingly set about the preparations in his
+deft methodical way, but with an air of abstraction that was unusual
+with him.
+
+"The Doctor said he should be home by five," he remarked, as he laid the
+tea-pot on the tray.
+
+"Then he is a defaulter," I answered. "We shall have to water his tea."
+
+"A wonderful punctual man, sir, is the Doctor," pursued Polton. "Keeps
+his time to the minute, as a rule, he does."
+
+"You can't keep your time to a minute in a 'London Particular,'" I said
+a little impatiently, for I wished to be alone that I might think over
+matters, and Polton's nervous flutterings irritated me somewhat. He was
+almost as bad as a female housekeeper.
+
+The little man evidently perceived my state of mind, for he stole away
+silently, leaving me rather penitent and ashamed, and, as I presently
+discovered on looking out of the window, resumed his vigil on the
+doorstep. From this coign of vantage he returned after a time to take
+away the tea-things; and thereafter, though it was now dark as well as
+foggy, I could hear him softly flitting up and down the stairs with a
+gloomy stealthiness that at length reduced me to a condition as
+nervously apprehensive as his own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+
+The Temple clock had announced in soft and confidential tones that it
+was a quarter to seven, in which statement it was stoutly supported by
+its colleague on our mantelpiece, and still there was no sign of
+Thorndyke. It was really a little strange, for he was the soul of
+punctuality, and moreover, his engagements were of such a kind as
+rendered punctuality possible. I was burning with impatience to impart
+my news to him, and this fact, together with the ghostly proceedings of
+Polton, worked me up to a state of nervous tension that rendered either
+rest or thought equally impossible. I looked out of the window at the
+lamp below, glaring redly through the fog, and then, opening the door,
+went out on to the landing to listen.
+
+At this moment Polton made a silent appearance on the stairs leading
+from the laboratory, giving me quite a start; and I was about to retire
+into the room when my ear caught the tinkle of a hansom approaching from
+Paper Buildings.
+
+The vehicle drew nearer, and at length stopped opposite the house, on
+which Polton slid down the stairs with the agility of a harlequin. A few
+moments later I heard his voice ascending from the hall--
+
+"I do hope, sir, you're not much hurt?"
+
+I ran down the stairs and met Thorndyke coming up slowly with his right
+hand on Polton's shoulder. His clothes were muddy, his left arm was in a
+sling, and a black handkerchief under his hat evidently concealed a
+bandage.
+
+"I am not really hurt at all," Thorndyke replied cheerily, "though very
+disreputable to look at. Just came a cropper in the mud, Jervis," he
+added, as he noted my dismayed expression. "Dinner and a clothes-brush
+are what I chiefly need." Nevertheless, he looked very pale and shaken
+when he came into the light on the landing, and he sank into his
+easy-chair in the limp manner of a man either very weak or very
+fatigued.
+
+"How did it happen?" I asked when Polton had crept away on tip-toe to
+make ready for dinner.
+
+Thorndyke looked round to make sure that his henchman had departed, and
+said--
+
+"A queer affair, Jervis; a very odd affair indeed. I was coming up from
+the Borough, picking my way mighty carefully across the road on account
+of the greasy, slippery mud, and had just reached the foot of London
+Bridge when I heard a heavy lorry coming down the slope a good deal too
+fast, considering that it was impossible to see more than a dozen yards
+ahead, and I stopped on the kerb to see it safely past. Just as the
+horses emerged from the fog, a man came up behind and lurched violently
+against me and, strangely enough, at the same moment passed his foot in
+front of mine. Of course I went sprawling into the road right in front
+of the lorry. The horses came stamping and sliding straight on to me,
+and, before I could wriggle out of the way, the hoof of one of them
+smashed in my hat--that was a new one that I came home in--and
+half-stunned me. Then the near wheel struck my head, making a dirty
+little scalp wound, and pinned down my sleeve so that I couldn't pull
+away my arm, which is consequently barked all the way down. It was a
+mighty near thing, Jervis; another inch or two and I should have been
+rolled out as flat as a starfish."
+
+"What became of the man?" I asked, wishing I could have had a brief
+interview with him.
+
+"Lost to sight though to memory dear: he was off like a lamplighter. An
+alcoholic apple-woman picked me up and escorted me back to the hospital.
+It must have been a touching spectacle," he added, with a dry smile at
+the recollection.
+
+"And I suppose they kept you there for a time to recover?"
+
+"Yes; I went into dry dock in the O. P. room, and then old Langdale
+insisted on my lying down for an hour or so in case any symptoms of
+concussion should appear. But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
+Still, it was a queer affair."
+
+"You mean the man pushing you down in that way?"
+
+"Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine."
+
+"You don't think it was intentional, surely?" I said.
+
+"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it
+seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton
+reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
+
+After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my
+colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new
+information would produce on him. The result was, on the whole,
+disappointing. He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no
+symptoms of excitement.
+
+"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh?" he said, when I had
+finished. "He ought to know better at his age. Did you learn how long he
+had been in difficulties?"
+
+"No. But it can hardly have been quite sudden and unforeseen."
+
+"I should think not," Thorndyke agreed. "A sudden slump often proves
+disastrous to the regular Stock Exchange gambler who is paying
+differences on large quantities of unpaid-for stock. But it looks as if
+Hornby had actually bought and paid for these mines, treating them as
+investments rather than speculations, in which case the depreciation
+would not have affected him in the same way. It would be interesting to
+know for certain."
+
+"It might have a considerable bearing on the present case, might it
+not?"
+
+"Undoubtedly," said Thorndyke. "It might bear on the case in more ways
+than one. But you have some special point in your mind, I think."
+
+"Yes. I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up
+gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form
+at the time of the robbery."
+
+"That is well considered," said my colleague. "But what is the special
+bearing on the case supposing it was so?"
+
+"On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr. Hornby was in actual
+pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me
+possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber."
+
+"I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing
+himself and regarding me with lively interest.
+
+"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at
+the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in
+fact, it is almost fantastic."
+
+"Never mind that," said he. "A sound thinker gives equal consideration
+to the probable and the improbable."
+
+Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it
+had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to
+observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his
+little nods of approval at each point that I made.
+
+When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and
+the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the
+data. At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the
+red embers--
+
+"This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity. We
+may disregard the improbability, seeing that the alternative theories
+are almost equally improbable, and the fact that emerges, and that
+gratifies me more than I can tell you, is that you are gifted with
+enough scientific imagination to construct a possible train of events.
+Indeed, the improbability--combined, of course, with possibility--really
+adds to the achievement, for the dullest mind can perceive the
+obvious--as, for instance, the importance of a finger-print. You have
+really done a great thing, and I congratulate you; for you have
+emancipated yourself, at least to some extent, from the great
+finger-print obsession, which has possessed the legal mind ever since
+Galton published his epoch-making monograph. In that work I remember he
+states that a finger-print affords evidence requiring no
+corroboration--a most dangerous and misleading statement which has been
+fastened upon eagerly by the police, who have naturally been delighted
+at obtaining a sort of magic touchstone by which they are saved the
+labour of investigation. But there is no such thing as a single fact
+that 'affords evidence requiring no corroboration.' As well might one
+expect to make a syllogism with a single premise."  "I suppose they
+would hardly go so far as that," I said, laughing.
+
+"No," he admitted. "But the kind of syllogism that they do make is
+this--
+
+"'The crime was committed by the person who made this finger-print.
+
+"'But John Smith is the person who made the finger-print.
+
+"'Therefore the crime was committed by John Smith.'"
+
+"Well, that is a perfectly good syllogism, isn't it?" I asked.
+
+"Perfectly," he replied. "But, you see, it begs the whole question,
+which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this
+finger-print?' That is where the corroboration is required."
+
+"That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference
+to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance."
+
+"Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable
+clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated. Take our
+present case, for instance. Without the thumb-print, the robbery might
+have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever. But the
+existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some
+person having access to his finger-prints."
+
+"Yes, I see. Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the
+perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one?"  "Quite," replied
+Thorndyke. "I have entertained it from the first; and the new facts that
+you have gathered increase its probability. You remember I said that
+four hypotheses were possible: that the robbery was committed either by
+Reuben, by Walter, by John Hornby, or by some other person. Now, putting
+aside the 'some other person' for consideration only if the first three
+hypotheses fail, we have left, Reuben, Walter, and John. But if we leave
+the thumb-print out of the question, the probabilities evidently point
+to John Hornby, since he, admittedly, had access to the diamonds,
+whereas there is nothing to show that the others had. The thumb-print,
+however, transfers the suspicion to Reuben; but yet, as your theory
+makes evident, it does not completely clear John Hornby. As the case
+stands, the balance of probabilities may be stated thus: John Hornby
+undoubtedly had access to the diamonds, and therefore might have stolen
+them. But if the thumb-mark was made after he closed the safe and before
+he opened it again, some other person must have had access to them, and
+was probably the thief.
+
+"The thumb-mark is that of Reuben Hornby, a fact that establishes a
+_prima facie_ probability that he stole the diamonds. But there is no
+evidence that he had access to them, and if he had not, he could not
+have made the thumb-mark in the manner and at the time stated.
+
+"But John Hornby may have had access to the previously-made thumb-mark
+of Reuben, and may possibly have obtained it; in which case he is almost
+certainly the thief.
+
+"As to Walter Hornby, he may have had the means of obtaining Reuben's
+thumb-mark; but there is no evidence that he had access either to the
+diamonds or to Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. The _prima facie_
+probabilities in his case, therefore, are very slight."
+
+"The actual points at issue, then," I said, "are, whether Reuben had any
+means of opening the safe, and whether Mr. Hornby ever did actually have
+the opportunity of obtaining Reuben's thumb-mark in blood on his
+memorandum block."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke. "Those are the points--with some others--and
+they are likely to remain unsettled. Reuben's rooms have been searched
+by the police, who failed to find any skeleton or duplicate keys; but
+this proves nothing, as he would probably have made away with them when
+he heard of the thumb-mark being found. As to the other matter, I have
+asked Reuben, and he has no recollection of ever having made a
+thumb-mark in blood. So there the matter rests."
+
+"And what about Mr. Hornby's liability for the diamonds?"
+
+"I think we may dismiss that," answered Thorndyke. "He had undertaken no
+liability and there was no negligence. He would not be liable at law."
+
+After my colleague retired, which he did quite early, I sat for a long
+time pondering upon this singular case in which I found myself involved.
+And the more I thought about it the more puzzled I became. If Thorndyke
+had no more satisfactory explanation to offer than that which he had
+given me this evening, the defence was hopeless, for the court was not
+likely to accept his estimate of the evidential value of finger-prints.
+Yet he had given Reuben something like a positive assurance that there
+would be an adequate defence, and had expressed his own positive
+conviction of the accused man's innocence. But Thorndyke was not a man
+to reach such a conviction through merely sentimental considerations.
+The inevitable conclusion was that he had something up his sleeve--that
+he had gained possession of some facts that had escaped my observation;
+and when I had reached this point I knocked out my pipe and betook
+myself to bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE PRISONER
+
+
+On the following morning, as I emerged from my room, I met Polton coming
+up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
+laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
+friend's chamber.
+
+"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
+presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
+I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
+must take the proper precautions--rest and a low diet--until I see that
+no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
+send round the necessary letters, can't you?"
+
+I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
+friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
+contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
+resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
+of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
+hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
+Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
+despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
+from my colleague.
+
+Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
+to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught
+the tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.
+
+"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
+with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
+and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
+you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
+services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
+waiting."
+
+I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
+pulled up and flung open the doors.
+
+"Holloway Prison--main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
+footboard.
+
+"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
+and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
+fellow-passenger.
+
+"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
+yet."
+
+"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
+a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."
+
+I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
+than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
+circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided
+approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a
+very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting
+arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had
+acted temporarily as medical officer.
+
+"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the
+question of the advisability of this visit on your part?"
+
+"Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and
+appreciate your motive in wishing to do so."
+
+"Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me to
+prepare you for the ordeal. I am afraid it will give you a terrible
+shock."
+
+"Indeed?" said she. "Is it so bad? Tell me what it will be like."
+
+"In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose
+of a prison like Holloway. We are going to see an innocent man--a
+cultivated and honourable gentleman. But the ordinary inmates of
+Holloway are not innocent men; for the most part, the remand cases on
+the male side are professional criminals, while the women are either
+petty offenders or chronic inebriates. Most of them are regular
+customers at the prison--such is the idiotic state of the law--who come
+into the reception-room like travellers entering a familiar hostelry,
+address the prison officers by name and demand the usual privileges and
+extra comforts--the 'drunks,' for instance, generally ask for a dose of
+bromide to steady their nerves and a light in the cell to keep away the
+horrors. And such being the character of the inmates, their friends who
+visit them are naturally of the same type--the lowest outpourings of the
+slums; and it is not surprising to find that the arrangements of the
+prison are made to fit its ordinary inmates. The innocent man is a
+negligible quantity, and no arrangements are made for him or his
+visitors."
+
+"But shall we not be taken to Reuben's cell?" asked Miss Gibson.
+
+"Bless you! no," I answered; and, determined to give her every
+inducement to change her mind, I continued: "I will describe the
+procedure as I have seen it--and a very dreadful and shocking sight I
+found it, I can tell you. It was while I was acting as a prison doctor
+in the Midlands that I had this experience. I was going my round one
+morning when, passing along a passage, I became aware of a strange,
+muffled roar from the other side of the wall.
+
+"'What is that noise?' I asked the warder who was with me.
+
+"'Prisoners seeing their friends,' he answered. 'Like to have a look at
+them, sir?'
+
+"He unlocked a small door and, as he threw it open, the distant, muffled
+sound swelled into a deafening roar. I passed through the door and found
+myself in a narrow alley at one end of which a warder was sitting. The
+sides of the alley were formed by two immense cages with stout wire
+bars, one for the prisoners and the other for the visitors; and each
+cage was lined with faces and hands, all in incessant movement, the
+faces mouthing and grimacing, and the hands clawing restlessly at the
+bars. The uproar was so terrific that no single voice could be
+distinguished, though every one present was shouting his loudest to make
+himself heard above the universal din. The result was a very strange and
+horrid illusion, for it seemed as if no one was speaking at all, but
+that the noise came from outside, and that each one of the faces--low,
+vicious faces, mostly--was silently grimacing and gibbering, snapping
+its jaws and glaring furiously at the occupants of the opposite cage. It
+was a frightful spectacle. I could think of nothing but the
+monkey-house at the Zoo. It seemed as if one ought to walk up the alley
+and offer nuts and pieces of paper to be torn to pieces."
+
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Miss Gibson. "And do you mean to say that we shall
+be turned loose into one of these cages with a herd of other visitors?"
+
+"No. You are not turned loose anywhere in a prison. The arrangement is
+this: each cage is divided by partitions into a number of small boxes or
+apartments, which are numbered. The prisoner is locked in one box and
+his visitor in the corresponding box opposite. They are thus confronted,
+with the width of the alley between them; they can see one another and
+talk but cannot pass any forbidden articles across--a very necessary
+precaution, I need hardly say."
+
+"Yes, I suppose it is necessary, but it is horrible for decent people.
+Surely they ought to be able to discriminate."
+
+"Why not give it up and let me take a message to Reuben? He would
+understand and be thankful to me for dissuading you."
+
+"No, no," she said quickly; "the more repulsive it is the greater the
+necessity for me to go. He must not be allowed to think that a trifling
+inconvenience or indignity is enough to scare his friends away. What
+building is that ahead?"
+
+We had just swung round from Caledonian Road into a quiet and
+prosperous-looking suburban street, at the end of which rose the tower
+of a castellated building.
+
+"That is the prison," I replied. "We are looking at it from the most
+advantageous point of view; seen from the back, and especially from the
+inside, it is a good deal less attractive."  Nothing more was said
+until the cab drove into the courtyard and set us down outside the great
+front gates. Having directed the cabman to wait for us, I rang the bell
+and we were speedily admitted through a wicket (which was immediately
+closed and locked) into a covered court closed in by a second gate,
+through the bars of which we could see across an inner courtyard to the
+actual entrance to the prison. Here, while the necessary formalities
+were gone through, we found ourselves part of a numerous and very motley
+company, for a considerable assemblage of the prisoners' friends was
+awaiting the moment of admission. I noticed that my companion was
+observing our fellow-visitors with a kind of horrified curiosity, which
+she strove, however, and not unsuccessfully, to conceal; and certainly
+the appearance of the majority furnished eloquent testimony to the
+failure of crime as a means of worldly advancement. Their present
+position was productive of very varied emotions; some were silent and
+evidently stricken with grief; a larger number were voluble and excited,
+while a considerable proportion were quite cheerful and even inclined to
+be facetious.
+
+At length the great iron gate was unlocked and our party taken in charge
+by a warder, who conducted us to that part of the building known as "the
+wing"; and, in the course of our progress, I could not help observing
+the profound impression made upon my companion by the circumstance that
+every door had to be unlocked to admit us and was locked again as soon
+as we had passed through.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, as we neared our destination, "that you had
+better let me see Reuben first; I have not much to say to him and shall
+not keep you waiting long."
+
+"Why do you think so?" she asked, with a shade of suspicion.
+
+"Well," I answered, "I think you may be a little upset by the interview,
+and I should like to see you into your cab as soon as possible
+afterwards."
+
+"Yes," she said; "perhaps you are right, and it is kind of you to be so
+thoughtful on my account."
+
+A minute later, accordingly, I found myself shut into a narrow box, like
+one of those which considerate pawnbrokers provide for their more
+diffident clients, and in a similar, but more intense, degree, pervaded
+by a subtle odour of uncleanness. The woodwork was polished to an
+unctuous smoothness by the friction of numberless dirty hands and soiled
+garments, and the general appearance--taken in at a glance as I
+entered--was such as to cause me to thrust my hands into my pockets and
+studiously avoid contact with any part of the structure but the floor.
+The end of the box opposite the door was closed in by a strong grating
+of wire--excepting the lower three feet, which was of wood--and looking
+through this, I perceived, behind a second grating, Reuben Hornby,
+standing in a similar attitude to my own. He was dressed in his usual
+clothes and with his customary neatness, but his face was unshaven and
+he wore, suspended from a button-hole, a circular label bearing the
+characters "B.31"; and these two changes in his exterior carried with
+them a suggestiveness as subtle as it was unpleasant, making me more
+than ever regretful that Miss Gibson had insisted on coming.
+
+"It is exceedingly good of you, Dr. Jervis, to come and see me," he said
+heartily, making himself heard quite easily, to my surprise, above the
+hubbub of the adjoining boxes; "but I didn't expect you here. I was told
+I could see my legal advisers in the solicitor's box."
+
+"So you could," I answered. "But I came here by choice because I have
+brought Miss Gibson with me."  "I am sorry for that," he rejoined, with
+evident disapproval; "she oughtn't to have come among these riff-raff."
+
+"I told her so, and that you wouldn't like it, but she insisted."
+
+"I know," said Reuben. "That's the worst of women--they will make a
+beastly fuss and sacrifice themselves when nobody wants them to. But I
+mustn't be ungrateful; she means it kindly, and she's a deuced good
+sort, is Juliet."
+
+"She is indeed," I exclaimed, not a little disgusted at his cool,
+unappreciative tone; "a most noble-hearted girl, and her devotion to you
+is positively heroic."
+
+The faintest suspicion of a smile appeared on the face seen through the
+double grating; on which I felt that I could have pulled his nose with
+pleasure--only that a pair of tongs of special construction would have
+been required for the purpose.
+
+"Yes," he answered calmly, "we have always been very good friends."
+
+A rejoinder of the most extreme acidity was on my lips. Damn the fellow!
+What did he mean by speaking in that supercilious tone of the loveliest
+and sweetest woman in the world? But, after all, one cannot trample on a
+poor devil locked up in a jail on a false charge, no matter how great
+may be the provocation. I drew a deep breath, and, having recovered
+myself, outwardly at least, said--
+
+"I hope you don't find the conditions here too intolerable?"  "Oh, no,"
+he answered. "It's beastly unpleasant, of course, but it might easily be
+worse. I don't mind if it's only for a week or two; and I am really
+encouraged by what Dr. Thorndyke said. I hope he wasn't being merely
+soothing."
+
+"You may take it that he was not. What he said, I am sure he meant. Of
+course, you know I am not in his confidence--nobody is--but I gather
+that he is satisfied with the defence he is preparing."
+
+"If he is satisfied, I am," said Reuben, "and, in any case, I shall owe
+him an immense debt of gratitude for having stood by me and believed in
+me when all the world--except my aunt and Juliet--had condemned me."
+
+He then went on to give me a few particulars of his prison life, and
+when he had chatted for a quarter of an hour or so, I took my leave to
+make way for Miss Gibson.
+
+Her interview with him was not as long as I had expected, though, to be
+sure, the conditions were not very favourable either for the exchange of
+confidences or for utterances of a sentimental character. The
+consciousness that one's conversation could be overheard by the
+occupants of adjacent boxes destroyed all sense of privacy, to say
+nothing of the disturbing influence of the warder in the alley-way.
+
+When she rejoined me, her manner was abstracted and very depressed, a
+circumstance that gave me considerable food for reflection as we made
+our way in silence towards the main entrance. Had she found Reuben as
+cool and matter-of-fact as I had? He was assuredly a very calm and
+self-possessed lover, and it was conceivable that his reception of the
+girl, strung up, as she was, to an acute pitch of emotion, might have
+been somewhat in the nature of an anticlimax. And then, was it possible
+that the feeling was on her side only? Could it be that the priceless
+pearl of her love was cast before--I was tempted to use the colloquial
+singular and call him an "unappreciative swine!" The thing was almost
+unthinkable to me, and yet I was tempted to dwell upon it; for when a
+man is in love--and I could no longer disguise my condition from
+myself--he is inclined to be humble and to gather up thankfully the
+treasure that is rejected of another.
+
+I was brought up short in these reflections by the clank of the lock in
+the great iron gate. We entered together the gloomy vestibule, and a
+moment later were let out through the wicket into the courtyard; and as
+the lock clicked behind us, we gave a simultaneous sigh of relief to
+find ourselves outside the precincts of the prison, beyond the domain of
+bolts and bars.
+
+I had settled Miss Gibson in the cab and given her address to the
+driver, when I noticed her looking at me, as I thought, somewhat
+wistfully.
+
+"Can't I put you down somewhere?" she said, in response to a
+half-questioning glance from me.
+
+I seized the opportunity with thankfulness and replied--
+
+"You might set me down at King's Cross if it is not delaying you;" and
+giving the word to the cabman, I took my place by her side as the cab
+started and a black-painted prison van turned into the courtyard with
+its freight of squalid misery.
+
+"I don't think Reuben was very pleased to see me," Miss Gibson remarked
+presently, "but I shall come again all the same. It is a duty I owe both
+to him and to myself."
+
+I felt that I ought to endeavour to dissuade her, but the reflection
+that her visits must almost of necessity involve my companionship,
+enfeebled my will. I was fast approaching a state of infatuation.
+
+"I was so thankful," she continued, "that you prepared me. It was a
+horrible experience to see the poor fellow caged like a wild beast, with
+that dreadful label hanging from his coat; but it would have been
+overwhelming if I had not known what to expect."
+
+As we proceeded, her spirits revived somewhat, a circumstance that she
+graciously ascribed to the enlivening influence of my society; and I
+then told her of the mishap that had befallen my colleague.
+
+"What a terrible thing!" she exclaimed, with evidently unaffected
+concern. "It is the merest chance that he was not killed on the spot. Is
+he much hurt? And would he mind, do you think, if I called to inquire
+after him?"
+
+I said that I was sure he would be delighted (being, as a matter of
+fact, entirely indifferent as to his sentiments on the subject in my
+delight at the proposal), and when I stepped down from the cab at King's
+Cross to pursue my way homewards, there already opened out before me the
+prospect of the renewal of this bitter-sweet and all too dangerous
+companionship on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+
+A couple of days sufficed to prove that Thorndyke's mishap was not to be
+productive of any permanent ill consequences; his wounds progressed
+favourably and he was able to resume his ordinary avocations.
+
+Miss Gibson's visit--but why should I speak of her in these formal
+terms? To me, when I thought of her, which I did only too often, she was
+Juliet, with perhaps an adjective thrown in; and as Juliet I shall
+henceforth speak of her (but without the adjective) in this narrative,
+wherein nothing has been kept back from the reader--Juliet's visit,
+then, had been a great success, for my colleague was really pleased by
+the attention, and displayed a quiet geniality that filled our visitor
+with delight.
+
+He talked a good deal of Reuben, and I could see that he was
+endeavouring to settle in his own mind the vexed question of her
+relations with and sentiments towards our unfortunate client; but what
+conclusions he arrived at I was unable to discover, for he was by no
+means communicative after she had left. Nor was there any repetition of
+the visit--greatly to my regret--since, as I have said, he was able, in
+a day or two, to resume his ordinary mode of life.
+
+The first evidence I had of his renewed activity appeared when I
+returned to the chambers at about eleven o'clock in the morning, to find
+Polton hovering dejectedly about the sitting-room, apparently
+perpetrating as near an approach to a "spring clean" as could be
+permitted in a bachelor establishment.
+
+"Hallo, Polton!" I exclaimed, "have you contrived to tear yourself away
+from the laboratory for an hour or two?"
+
+"No, sir," he answered gloomily. "The laboratory has torn itself away
+from me."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked.
+
+"The Doctor has shut himself in and locked the door, and he says I am
+not to disturb him. It will be a cold lunch to-day."
+
+"What is he doing in there?" I inquired.
+
+"Ah!" said Polton, "that's just what I should like to know. I'm fair
+eaten up with curiosity. He is making some experiments in connection
+with some of his cases, and when the Doctor locks himself in to make
+experiments, something interesting generally follows. I should like to
+know what it is this time."
+
+"I suppose there is a keyhole in the laboratory door?" I suggested, with
+a grin.
+
+"Sir!" he exclaimed indignantly. "Dr. Jervis, I am surprised at you."
+Then, perceiving my facetious intent, he smiled also and added: "But
+there _is_ a keyhole if you'd like to try it, though I'll wager the
+Doctor would see more of you than you would of him."
+
+"You are mighty secret about your doings, you and the Doctor," I said.
+
+"Yes," he answered. "You see, it's a queer trade this of the Doctor's,
+and there are some queer secrets in it. Now, for instance, what do you
+make of this?"
+
+He produced from his pocket a leather case, whence he took a piece of
+paper which he handed to me. On it was a neatly executed drawing of what
+looked like one of a set of chessmen, with the dimensions written on the
+margin.
+
+"It looks like a pawn--one of the Staunton pattern," I said.
+
+"Just what I thought; but it isn't. I've got to make twenty-four of
+them, and what the Doctor is going to do with them fairly beats me."
+
+"Perhaps he has invented some new game," I suggested facetiously.  "He
+is always inventing new games and playing them mostly in courts of law,
+and then the other players generally lose. But this is a puzzler, and no
+mistake. Twenty-four of these to be turned up in the best-seasoned
+boxwood! What can they be for? Something to do with the experiments he
+is carrying on upstairs at this very moment, I expect." He shook his
+head, and, having carefully returned the drawing to his pocket-book,
+said, in a solemn tone--"Sir, there are times when the Doctor makes me
+fairly dance with curiosity. And this is one of them."
+
+Although not afflicted with a curiosity so acute as that of Polton, I
+found myself speculating at intervals on the nature of my colleague's
+experiments and the purpose of the singular little objects which he had
+ordered to be made; but I was unacquainted with any of the cases on
+which he was engaged, excepting that of Reuben Hornby, and with the
+latter I was quite unable to connect a set of twenty-four boxwood
+chessmen. Moreover, on this day, I was to accompany Juliet on her second
+visit to Holloway, and that circumstance gave me abundant mental
+occupation of another kind.
+
+At lunch, Thorndyke was animated and talkative but not communicative. He
+"had some work in the laboratory that he must do himself," he said, but
+gave no hint as to its nature; and as soon as our meal was finished, he
+returned to his labours, leaving me to pace up and down the walk,
+listening with ridiculous eagerness for the sound of the hansom that was
+to transport me to the regions of the blest, and--incidentally--to
+Holloway Prison.
+
+When I returned to the Temple, the sitting-room was empty and hideously
+neat, as the result of Polton's spring-cleaning efforts. My colleague
+was evidently still at work in the laboratory, and, from the
+circumstance that the tea-things were set out on the table and a kettle
+of water placed in readiness on the gas-ring by the fireplace, I
+gathered that Polton also was full of business and anxious not to be
+disturbed.
+
+Accordingly, I lit the gas and made my tea, enlivening my solitude by
+turning over in my mind the events of the afternoon.
+
+Juliet had been charming--as she always was--frank, friendly and
+unaffectedly pleased to have my companionship. She evidently liked me
+and did not disguise the fact--why should she indeed?--but treated me
+with a freedom, almost affectionate, as though I had been a favourite
+brother; which was very delightful, and would have been more so if I
+could have accepted the relationship. As to her feelings towards me, I
+had not the slightest misgiving, and so my conscience was clear; for
+Juliet was as innocent as a child, with the innocence that belongs to
+the direct, straightforward nature that neither does evil itself nor
+looks for evil motives in others. For myself, I was past praying for.
+The thing was done and I must pay the price hereafter, content to
+reflect that I had trespassed against no one but myself. It was a
+miserable affair, and many a heartache did it promise me in the lonely
+days that were to come, when I should have said "good-bye" to the Temple
+and gone back to my old nomadic life; and yet I would not have had it
+changed if I could; would not have bartered the bitter-sweet memories
+for dull forgetfulness.
+
+But other matters had transpired in the course of our drive than those
+that loomed so large to me in the egotism of my love. We had spoken of
+Mr. Hornby and his affairs, and from our talk there had emerged certain
+facts of no little moment to the inquiry on which I was engaged.
+
+"Misfortunes are proverbially sociable," Juliet had remarked, in
+reference to her adopted uncle. "As if this trouble about Reuben were
+not enough, there are worries in the city. Perhaps you have heard of
+them."
+
+I replied that Walter had mentioned the matter to me.
+
+"Yes," said Juliet rather viciously; "I am not quite clear as to what
+part that good gentleman has played in the matter. It has come out,
+quite accidentally, that he had a large holding in the mines himself,
+but he seems to have 'cut his loss,' as the phrase goes, and got out of
+them; though how he managed to pay such large differences is more than
+we can understand. We think he must have raised money somehow to do it."
+
+"Do you know when the mines began to depreciate?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, it was quite a sudden affair--what Walter calls 'a slump'--and it
+occurred only a few days before the robbery. Mr. Hornby was telling me
+about it only yesterday, and he recalled it to me by a ridiculous
+accident that happened on that day."
+
+"What was that?" I inquired.
+
+"Why, I cut my finger and nearly fainted," she answered, with a
+shamefaced little laugh. "It was rather a bad cut, you know, but I
+didn't notice it until I found my hand covered with blood. Then I turned
+suddenly faint, and had to lie down on the hearthrug--it was in Mr.
+Hornby's study, which I was tidying up at the time. Here I was found by
+Reuben, and a dreadful fright it gave him at first; and then he tore up
+his handkerchief to tie up the wounded finger, and you never saw such an
+awful mess as he got his hands in. He might have been arrested as a
+murderer, poor boy, from the condition he was in. It will make your
+professional gorge rise to learn that he fastened up the extemporised
+bandage with red tape, which he got from the writing table after rooting
+about among the sacred papers in the most ruthless fashion.
+
+"When he had gone I tried to put the things on the table straight again,
+and really you might have thought some horrible crime had been
+committed; the envelopes and papers were all smeared with blood and
+marked with the print of gory fingers. I remembered it afterwards, when
+Reuben's thumb-mark was identified, and thought that perhaps one of the
+papers might have got into the safe by accident; but Mr. Hornby told me
+that was impossible; he tore the leaf off his memorandum block at the
+time when he put away the diamonds."
+
+Such was the gist of our conversation as the cab rattled through the
+streets on the way to the prison; and certainly it contained matter
+sufficiently important to draw away my thoughts from other subjects,
+more agreeable, but less relevant to the case. With a sudden remembrance
+of my duty, I drew forth my notebook, and was in the act of committing
+the statements to writing, when Thorndyke entered the room.
+
+"Don't let me interrupt you, Jervis," said he. "I will make myself a cup
+of tea while you finish your writing, and then you shall exhibit the
+day's catch and hang your nets out to dry."
+
+I was not long in finishing my notes, for I was in a fever of impatience
+to hear Thorndyke's comments on my latest addition to our store of
+information. By the time the kettle was boiling my entries were
+completed, and I proceeded forthwith to retail to my colleague those
+extracts from my conversation with Juliet that I have just recorded.
+
+He listened, as usual, with deep and critical attention.
+
+"This is very interesting and important," he said, when I had finished;
+"really, Jervis, you are a most invaluable coadjutor. It seems that
+information, which would be strictly withheld from the forbidding
+Jorkins, trickles freely and unasked into the ear of the genial Spenlow.
+Now, I suppose you regard your hypothesis as having received very
+substantial confirmation?"
+
+"Certainly, I do."
+
+"And very justifiably. You see now how completely you were in the right
+when you allowed yourself to entertain this theory of the crime in spite
+of its apparent improbability. By the light of these new facts it has
+become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could
+only be shown that Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on
+the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability. The obvious
+moral is, never disregard the improbable. By the way, it is odd that
+Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him. Of
+course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone,
+but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked
+him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any
+papers."
+
+"I must try to find out if Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was on the
+table and among the marked papers," I said.
+
+"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the
+information will be forthcoming."
+
+My colleague's manner rather disappointed me. He had heard my report
+with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet
+he seemed to attach to the new and--as they appeared to me--highly
+important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical. Of
+course, his calmness might be assumed; but this did not seem likely, for
+John Thorndyke was far too sincere and dignified a character to
+cultivate in private life the artifices of the actor. To strangers,
+indeed, he presented habitually a calm and impassive exterior; but this
+was natural to him, and was but the outward sign of his even and
+judicial habit of mind.
+
+No; there was no doubt that my startling news had left him unmoved, and
+this must be for one of two reasons: either he already knew all that I
+had told him (which was perfectly possible), or he had some other and
+better means of explaining the crime. I was turning over these two
+alternatives, not unobserved by my watchful colleague, when Polton
+entered the room; a broad grin was on his face, and a drawing-board,
+that he carried like a tray, bore twenty-four neatly turned boxwood
+pieces.
+
+Thorndyke at once entered into the unspoken jest that beamed from the
+countenance of his subordinate.
+
+"Here is Polton with a problem for you, Jervis," he said. "He assumes
+that I have invented a new parlour game, and has been trying to work out
+the moves. Have you succeeded yet, Polton?"
+
+"No, sir, I haven't; but I suspect that one of the players will be a man
+in a wig and gown."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," said Thorndyke; "but that doesn't take you very
+far. Let us hear what Dr. Jervis has to say."
+
+"I can make nothing of them," I answered. "Polton showed me the drawing
+this morning, and then was terrified lest he had committed a breach of
+confidence, and I have been trying ever since, without a glimmer of
+success, to guess what they can be for."
+
+"H'm," grunted Thorndyke, as he sauntered up and down the room, teacup
+in hand, "to guess, eh? I like not that word 'guess' in the mouth of a
+man of science. What do you mean by a 'guess'?"
+
+His manner was wholly facetious, but I professed to take his question
+seriously, and replied--
+
+"By a guess, I mean a conclusion arrived at without data."
+
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed, with mock sternness. "Nobody but an utter
+fool arrives at a conclusion without data."
+
+"Then I must revise my definition instantly," I rejoined. "Let us say
+that a guess is a conclusion drawn from insufficient facts."
+
+"That is better," said he; "but perhaps it would be better still to say
+that a guess is a particular and definite conclusion deduced from facts
+which properly yield only a general and indefinite one. Let us take an
+instance," he continued. "Looking out of the window, I see a man walking
+round Paper Buildings. Now suppose I say, after the fashion of the
+inspired detective of the romances, 'That man is a stationmaster or
+inspector,' that would be a guess. The observed facts do not yield the
+conclusion, though they do warrant a conclusion less definite and more
+general."
+
+"You'd have been right though, sir!" exclaimed Polton, who had stepped
+forward with me to examine the unconscious subject of the demonstration.
+"That gent used to be the stationmaster at Camberwell. I remember him
+well."  The little man was evidently greatly impressed.
+
+"I happen to be right, you see," said Thorndyke; "but I might as easily
+have been wrong."
+
+"You weren't though, sir," said Polton. "You spotted him at a glance."
+
+In his admiration of the result he cared not a fig for the correctness
+of the means by which it had been attained.
+
+"Now why do I suggest that he is a stationmaster?" pursued Thorndyke,
+disregarding his assistant's comment.
+
+"I suppose you were looking at his feet," I answered. "I seem to have
+noticed that peculiar, splay-footed gait in stationmasters, now that you
+mention it."
+
+"Quite so. The arch of the foot has given way; the plantar ligaments
+have become stretched and the deep calf muscles weakened. Then, since
+bending of the weakened arch causes discomfort, the feet have become
+turned outwards, by which the bending of the foot is reduced to a
+minimum; and as the left foot is the more flattened, so it is turned out
+more than the right. Then the turning out of the toes causes the legs to
+splay outward from the knees downwards--a very conspicuous condition in
+a tall man like this one--and you notice that the left leg splays out
+more than the other.
+
+"But we know that depression of the arch of the foot is brought about by
+standing for long periods. Continuous pressure on a living structure
+weakens it, while intermittent pressure strengthens it; so the man who
+stands on his feet continuously develops a flat instep and a weak calf,
+while the professional dancer or runner acquires a high instep and a
+strong calf. Now there are many occupations which involve prolonged
+standing and so induce the condition of flat foot: waiters,
+hall-porters, hawkers, policemen, shop-walkers, salesmen, and station
+officials are examples. But the waiter's gait is characteristic--a
+quick, shuffling walk which enables him to carry liquids without
+spilling them. This man walks with a long, swinging stride; he is
+obviously not a waiter. His dress and appearance in general exclude the
+idea of a hawker or even a hall-porter; he is a man of poor physique and
+so cannot be a policeman. The shop-walker or salesman is accustomed to
+move in relatively confined spaces, and so acquires a short, brisk step,
+and his dress tends to rather exuberant smartness; the station official
+patrols long platforms, often at a rapid pace, and so tends to take long
+strides, while his dress is dignified and neat rather than florid. The
+last-mentioned characteristics, you see, appear in the subject of our
+analysis; he agrees with the general description of a stationmaster. But
+if we therefore conclude that he _is_ a stationmaster, we fall into the
+time-honoured fallacy of the undistributed middle term--the fallacy that
+haunts all brilliant guessers, including the detective, not only of
+romance, but too often also of real life. All that the observed facts
+justify us in inferring is that this man is engaged in some mode of life
+that necessitates a good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."
+
+"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
+"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
+With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
+departure.
+
+"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
+guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
+less striking result."
+
+"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
+present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
+firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
+wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
+pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
+no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
+nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
+material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
+the subject?"
+
+Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
+inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
+reflected for a few moments.
+
+"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
+at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
+form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
+more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
+this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
+exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
+recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
+lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
+in having these things made--as you will before long--you will probably
+be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
+forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
+say myself) after the day's labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+
+"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
+Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
+solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
+place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
+_post-mortem_ and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
+inquest shall take place directly after the _post-mortem_, so that we
+shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."
+
+"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.
+
+"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
+you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
+entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
+of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
+are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
+little expense."
+
+"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.
+
+"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow--what is the matter? Does that fall
+foul of any arrangement of yours?"
+
+"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
+the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
+observe.
+
+"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."
+
+"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
+suit your plans."
+
+"_Cherchez la_--h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.
+
+"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
+so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
+asking me to dine with them _en famille_ to-morrow evening, and I sent
+off an acceptance an hour ago."
+
+"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
+"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
+expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
+keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."
+
+"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
+station, I suppose?"
+
+"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
+not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
+really it is not necessary."
+
+"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "so please don't try to
+dissuade me. I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought
+that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done
+nothing but idle about and amuse myself. The opportunity of doing
+something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip."
+
+Thorndyke chuckled indulgently. "You shall do as you please, my dear
+boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of
+idleness. When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will
+be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
+Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can
+assure you."
+
+"It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to
+learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a
+mere object of charity.
+
+"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to
+help me in this case, I will set you your task. The case, as I have
+said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the
+simplicity for granted. Here is the letter from the solicitors giving
+the facts as far as they are known at present. On the shelves there you
+will find Casper, Taylor, Guy and Ferrier, and the other authorities on
+medical jurisprudence, and I will put out one or two other books that
+you may find useful. I want you to extract and make classified notes of
+everything that may bear on such a case as the present one may turn out
+to be. We must go prepared to meet any contingency that may arise. This
+is my invariable practice, and even if the case turns out to be quite
+simple, the labour is never wasted, for it represents so much experience
+gained."
+
+"Casper and Taylor are pretty old, aren't they?" I objected.
+
+"So is suicide," he retorted drily. "It is a capital mistake to neglect
+the old authorities. 'There were strong men before Agamemnon,' and some
+of them were uncommonly strong, let me tell you. Give your best
+attention to the venerable Casper and the obsolete Taylor and you will
+not be without your reward."
+
+As a result of these injunctions, I devoted the remainder of the day to
+the consideration of the various methods by which a man might contrive
+to effect his exit from the stage of human activities. And a very
+engrossing study I found it, and the more interesting in view of the
+problem that awaited solution on the morrow; but yet not so engrossing
+but that I was able to find time to write a long, rather intimate and
+minutely explanatory letter to Miss Gibson, in which I even mentioned
+the hour of our return as showing the impossibility of my keeping my
+engagement. Not that I had the smallest fear of her taking offence, for
+it is an evidence of my respect and regard for her that I cancelled the
+appointment without a momentary doubt that she would approve of my
+action; but it was pleasant to write to her at length and to feel the
+intimacy of keeping her informed of the details of my life.
+
+The case, when we came to inquire into it on the spot, turned out to be
+a suicide of the most transparent type; whereat both Thorndyke and I
+were, I think, a little disappointed--he at having apparently done so
+little for a very substantial fee, and I at having no opportunity for
+applying my recently augmented knowledge.
+
+"Yes," said my colleague, as we rolled ourselves up in our rugs in
+adjacent corners of the railway carriage, "it has been a flat affair,
+and the whole thing could have been managed by the local solicitor. But
+it is not a waste of time after all, for, you see, I have to do many a
+day's work for which I get not a farthing of payment, nor even any
+recognition, so that I do not complain if I occasionally find myself
+receiving more payment than my actual services merit. And as to you, I
+take it that you have acquired a good deal of valuable knowledge on the
+subject of suicide, and knowledge, as the late Lord Bacon remarked with
+more truth than originality, is power."
+
+To this I made no reply, having just lit my pipe and feeling uncommonly
+drowsy; and, my companion having followed my example, we smoked in
+silence, becoming more and more somnolent, until the train drew up in
+the terminus and we turned out, yawning and shivering, on to the
+platform.
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed Thorndyke, drawing his rug round his shoulders; "this
+is a cheerless hour--a quarter past one. See how chilly and miserable
+all these poor devils of passengers look. Shall we cab it or walk?"
+
+"I think a sharp walk would rouse our circulation after sitting huddled
+up in the carriage for so long," I answered.
+
+"So do I," said Thorndyke, "so let us away; hark forward! and also Tally
+Ho! In fact one might go so far as to say Yoicks! That gentleman appears
+to favour the strenuous life, if one may judge by the size of his
+sprocket-wheel."
+
+He pointed to a bicycle that was drawn up by the kerb in the approach--a
+machine of the road-racer type, with an enormous sprocket-wheel,
+indicating a gear of, at least, ninety.
+
+"Some scorcher or amateur racer, probably," I said, "who takes the
+opportunity of getting a spin on the wood pavement when the streets are
+empty." I looked round to see if I could identify the owner, but the
+machine appeared to be, for the moment, taking care of itself.  King's
+Cross is one of those districts of which the inhabitants are slow in
+settling down for the night, and even at a quarter past one in the
+morning its streets are not entirely deserted. Here and there the
+glimmer of a street lamp or the far-reaching ray from a tall electric
+light reveals the form of some nocturnal prowler creeping along with
+cat-like stealthiness, or bursting, cat-like, into unmelodious song. Not
+greatly desirous of the society of these roysterers, we crossed quickly
+from the station into the Gray's Inn Road, now silent and excessively
+dismal in aspect, and took our way along the western side. We had turned
+the curve and were crossing Manchester Street, when a series of yelps
+from ahead announced the presence of a party of merry-makers, whom we
+were not yet able to see, however, for the night was an exceptionally
+dark one; but the sounds of revelry continued to increase in volume as
+we proceeded, until, as we passed Sidmouth Street, we came in sight of
+the revellers. They were some half-dozen in number, all of them roughs
+of the hooligan type, and they were evidently in boisterous spirits,
+for, as they passed the entrance to the Royal Free Hospital, they halted
+and battered furiously at the gate. Shortly after this exploit they
+crossed the road on to our side, whereupon Thorndyke caught my arm and
+slackened his pace.
+
+"Let them draw ahead," said he. "It is a wise precaution to give all
+hooligan gangs a very wide berth at this time of night. We had better
+turn down Heathcote Street and cross Mecklenburgh Square."
+
+We continued to walk on at reduced speed until we reached Heathcote
+Street, into which we turned and so entered Mecklenburgh Square, where
+we mended our pace once more.
+
+"The hooligan," pursued Thorndyke, as we walked briskly across the
+silent square, "covers a multitude of sins, ranging from highway robbery
+with violence and paid assassination (technically known as 'bashing')
+down to the criminal folly of the philanthropic magistrate, who seems to
+think that his function in the economy of nature is to secure the
+survival of the unfittest. There goes a cyclist along Guildford Street.
+I wonder if that is our strenuous friend from the station. If so, he has
+slipped past the hooligans."
+
+We were just entering Doughty Street, and, as Thorndyke spoke, a man on
+a bicycle was visible for an instant at the crossing of the two streets.
+When we reached Guildford Street we both looked down the long,
+lamp-lighted vista, but the cyclist had vanished.
+
+"We had better go straight on into Theobald's Road," said Thorndyke, and
+we accordingly pursued our way up the fine old-world street, from whose
+tall houses our footfalls echoed, so that we seemed to be accompanied by
+an invisible multitude, until we reached that part where it
+unaccountably changes its name and becomes John Street.
+
+"There always seems to me something very pathetic about these old
+Bloomsbury streets," said Thorndyke, "with their faded grandeur and
+dignified seediness. They remind me of some prim and aged gentlewoman in
+reduced circumstances who--Hallo! What was that?"
+
+A faint, sharp thud from behind had been followed instantly by the
+shattering of a ground-floor window in front.
+
+We both stopped dead and remained, for a couple of seconds, staring into
+the gloom, from whence the first sound had come; then Thorndyke darted
+diagonally across the road at a swift run and I immediately followed.
+
+At the moment when the affair happened we had gone about forty yards up
+John Street, that is, from the place where it is crossed by Henry
+Street, and we now raced across the road to the further corner of the
+latter street. When we reached it, however, the little thoroughfare was
+empty, and, as we paused for a moment, no sound of retreating footsteps
+broke the silence.
+
+"The shot certainly came from here!" said Thorndyke; "come on," and he
+again broke into a run. A few yards up the street a mews turns off to
+the left, and into this my companion plunged, motioning me to go
+straight on, which I accordingly did, and in a few paces reached the top
+of the street. Here a narrow thoroughfare, with a broad, smooth
+pavement, bears off to the left, parallel with the mews, and, as I
+arrived at the corner and glanced up the little street, I saw a man on a
+bicycle gliding swiftly and silently towards Little James' Street.
+
+With a mighty shout of "Stop thief!" I started in hot pursuit, but,
+though the man's feet were moving in an apparently leisurely manner, he
+drew ahead at an astonishing pace, in spite of my efforts to overtake
+him; and it then dawned upon me that the slow revolutions of his feet
+were due, in reality, to the unusually high gear of the machine that he
+was riding. As I realised this, and at the same moment recalled the
+bicycle that we had seen in the station, the fugitive swung round into
+Little James' Street and vanished.
+
+The speed at which the man was travelling made further pursuit utterly
+futile, so I turned and walked back, panting and perspiring from the
+unwonted exertion. As I re-entered Henry Street, Thorndyke emerged from
+the mews and halted on seeing me.
+
+"Cyclist?" he asked laconically, as I came up.
+
+"Yes," I answered; "riding a machine geared up to about ninety."
+
+"Ah! he must have followed us from the station," said Thorndyke. "Did
+you notice if he was carrying anything?"
+
+"He had a walking-stick in his hand. I didn't see anything else."
+
+"What sort of walking-stick?"
+
+"I couldn't see very distinctly. It was a stoutish stick--I should say a
+Malacca, probably--and it had what looked like a horn handle. I could
+see that as he passed a street lamp."
+
+"What kind of lamp had he?"
+
+"I couldn't see; but, as he turned the corner, I noticed that it seemed
+to burn very dimly."
+
+"A little vaseline, or even oil, smeared on the outside of the glass
+will reduce the glare of a lamp very appreciably," my companion
+remarked, "especially on a dusty road. Ha! here is the proprietor of the
+broken window. He wants to know, you know."
+
+We had once more turned into John Street and now perceived a man,
+standing on the wide doorstep of the house with the shattered window,
+looking anxiously up and down the street.
+
+"Do either of you gents know anything about this here?" he asked,
+pointing to the broken pane.
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "we happened to be passing when it was done; in
+fact," he added, "I rather suspect that the missile, whatever it was,
+was intended for our benefit."
+
+"Oh!" said the man. "Who done it?"
+
+"That I can't say," replied Thorndyke. "Whoever he was, he made off on a
+bicycle and we were unable to catch him."
+
+"Oh!" said the man once more, regarding us with growing suspicion. "On a
+bicycle, hay! Dam funny, ain't it? What did he do it with?"
+
+"That is what I should like to find out," said Thorndyke. "I see this
+house is empty."
+
+"Yes, it's empty--leastways it's to let. I'm the caretaker. But what's
+that got to do with it?"
+
+"Merely this," answered Thorndyke, "that the object--stone, bullet or
+whatever it may have been--was aimed, I believe, at me, and I should
+like to ascertain its nature. Would you do me the favour of permitting
+me to look for it?"
+
+The caretaker was evidently inclined to refuse this request, for he
+glanced suspiciously from my companion to me once or twice before
+replying, but, at length, he turned towards the open door and gruffly
+invited us to enter.
+
+A paraffin lamp was on the floor in a recess of the hall, and this our
+conductor took up when he had closed the street door.
+
+"This is the room," he said, turning the key and thrusting the door
+open; "the library they call it, but it's the front parlour in plain
+English." He entered and, holding the lamp above his head, stared
+balefully at the broken window.
+
+Thorndyke glanced quickly along the floor in the direction that the
+missile would have taken, and then said--
+
+"Do you see any mark on the wall there?"
+
+As he spoke, he indicated the wall opposite the window, which obviously
+could not have been struck by a projectile entering with such extreme
+obliquity; and I was about to point out this fact when I fortunately
+remembered the great virtue of silence.
+
+Our friend approached the wall, still holding up the lamp, and
+scrutinised the surface with close attention; and while he was thus
+engaged, I observed Thorndyke stoop quickly and pick up something, which
+he deposited carefully, and without remark, in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+"I don't see no bruise anywhere," said the caretaker, sweeping his hand
+over the wall.
+
+"Perhaps the thing struck this wall," suggested Thorndyke, pointing to
+the one that was actually in the line of fire. "Yes, of course," he
+added, "it would be this one--the shot came from Henry Street."
+
+The caretaker crossed the room and threw the light of his lamp on the
+wall thus indicated.
+
+"Ah! here we are!" he exclaimed, with gloomy satisfaction, pointing to a
+small dent in which the wall-paper was turned back and the plaster
+exposed; "looks almost like a bullet mark, but you say you didn't hear
+no report."
+
+"No," said Thorndyke, "there was no report; it must have been a
+catapult."
+
+The caretaker set the lamp down on the floor and proceeded to grope
+about for the projectile, in which operation we both assisted; and I
+could not suppress a faint smile as I noted the earnestness with which
+Thorndyke peered about the floor in search of the missile that was
+quietly reposing in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+We were deep in our investigations when there was heard an
+uncompromising double knock at the street door, followed by the loud
+pealing of a bell in the basement.
+
+"Bobby, I suppose," growled the caretaker. "Here's a blooming fuss about
+nothing." He caught up the lamp and went out, leaving us in the dark.
+
+"I picked it up, you know," said Thorndyke, when we were alone.
+
+"I saw you," I answered.
+
+"Good; I applaud your discretion," he rejoined. The caretaker's
+supposition was correct. When he returned, he was accompanied by a burly
+constable, who saluted us with a cheerful smile and glanced facetiously
+round the empty room.
+
+"Our boys," said he, nodding towards the broken window; "they're playful
+lads, that they are. You were passing when it happened, sir, I hear."
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke; and he gave the constable a brief account of
+the occurrence, which the latter listened to, notebook in hand.
+
+"Well," said he when the narrative was concluded, "if those hooligan
+boys are going to take to catapults they'll make things lively all
+round."
+
+"You ought to run some of 'em in," said the caretaker.
+
+"Run 'em in!" exclaimed the constable in a tone of disgust; "yes! And
+then the magistrate will tell 'em to be good boys and give 'em five
+shillings out of the poor-box to buy illustrated Testaments. I'd
+Testament them, the worthless varmints!"
+
+He rammed his notebook fiercely into his pocket and stalked out of the
+room into the street, whither we followed.
+
+"You'll find that bullet or stone when you sweep up the room," he said,
+as he turned on to his beat; "and you'd better let us have it. Good
+night, sir."
+
+He strolled off towards Henry Street, while Thorndyke and I resumed our
+journey southward.
+
+"Why were you so secret about that projectile?" I asked my friend as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"Partly to avoid discussion with the caretaker," he replied; "but
+principally because I thought it likely that a constable would pass the
+house and, seeing the light, come in to make inquiries."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then I should have had to hand over the object to him."
+
+"And why not? Is the object a specially interesting one?"
+
+"It is highly interesting to me at the present moment," replied
+Thorndyke, with a chuckle, "because I have not examined it. I have a
+theory as to its nature, which theory I should like to test before
+taking the police into my confidence."
+
+"Are you going to take me into your confidence?" I asked.
+
+"When we get home, if you are not too sleepy," he replied.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers, Thorndyke desired me to light up and
+clear one end of the table while he went up to the workshop to fetch
+some tools. I turned back the table cover, and, having adjusted the gas
+so as to light this part of the table, waited in some impatience for my
+colleague's return. In a few minutes he re-entered bearing a small vice,
+a metal saw and a wide-mouthed bottle.
+
+"What have you got in that bottle?" I asked, perceiving a metal object
+inside it.
+
+"That is the projectile, which I have thought fit to rinse in distilled
+water, for reasons that will presently appear."
+
+He agitated the bottle gently for a minute or so, and then, with a pair
+of dissecting forceps, lifted out the object and held it above the
+surface of the water to drain, after which he laid it carefully on a
+piece of blotting-paper.
+
+I stooped over the projectile and examined it with great curiosity,
+while Thorndyke stood by regarding me with almost equal interest.
+
+"Well," he said, after watching me in silence for some time, "what do
+you see?"
+
+"I see a small brass cylinder," I answered, "about two inches long and
+rather thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. One end is conical, and
+there is a small hole at the apex which seems to contain a steel point;
+the other end is flat, but has in the centre a small square projection
+such as might fit a watch-key. I notice also a small hole in the side of
+the cylinder close to the flat end. The thing looks like a miniature
+shell, and appears to be hollow."
+
+"It is hollow," said Thorndyke. "You must have observed that, when I
+held it up to drain, the water trickled out through the hole at the
+pointed end."
+
+"Yes, I noticed that."
+
+"Now take it up and shake it."
+
+I did so and felt some heavy object rattle inside it.
+
+"There is some loose body inside it," I said, "which fits it pretty
+closely, as it moves only in the long diameter."
+
+"Quite so; your description is excellent. And now, what is the nature of
+this projectile?"
+
+"I should say it is a miniature shell or explosive bullet."
+
+"Wrong!" said Thorndyke. "A very natural inference, but a wrong one."
+
+"Then what is the thing?" I demanded, my curiosity still further
+aroused.
+
+"I will show you," he replied. "It is something much more subtle than an
+explosive bullet--which would really be a rather crude
+appliance--admirably thought out and thoroughly well executed. We have
+to deal with a most ingenious and capable man."
+
+I was fain to laugh at his enthusiastic appreciation of the methods of
+his would-be assassin, and the humour of the situation then appeared to
+dawn on him, for he said, with an apologetic smile--
+
+"I am not expressing approval, you must understand, but merely
+professional admiration. It is this class of criminal that creates the
+necessity for my services. He is my patron, so to speak; my ultimate
+employer. For the common crook can be dealt with quite efficiently by
+the common policeman!"
+
+While he was speaking he had been fitting the little cylinder between
+two pads of tissue-paper in the vice, which he now screwed up tight.
+Then, with the fine metal saw, he began to cut the projectile,
+lengthwise, into two slightly unequal parts. This operation took some
+time, especially since he was careful not to cut the loose body inside,
+but at length the section was completed and the interior of the cylinder
+exposed, when he released it from the vice and held it up before me with
+an expression of triumph.
+
+"Now, what do you make it?" he demanded.
+
+I took the object in my fingers and looked at it closely, but was at
+first more puzzled than before. The loose body I now saw to be a
+cylinder of lead about half an inch long, accurately fitting the inside
+of the cylinder but capable of slipping freely backwards and forwards.
+The steel point which I had noticed in the hole at the apex of the
+conical end, was now seen to be the pointed termination of a slender
+steel rod which projected fully an inch into the cavity of the cylinder,
+and the conical end itself was a solid mass of lead.
+
+"Well?" queried Thorndyke, seeing that I was still silent.
+
+"You tell me it is not an explosive bullet," I replied, "otherwise I
+should have been confirmed in that opinion. I should have said that the
+percussion cap was carried by this lead plunger and struck on the end of
+that steel rod when the flight of the bullet was suddenly arrested."
+
+"Very good indeed," said Thorndyke. "You are right so far that this is,
+in fact, the mechanism of a percussion shell.
+
+"But look at this. You see this little rod was driven inside the bullet
+when the latter struck the wall. Let us replace it in its original
+position."
+
+He laid the end of a small flat file against the end of the rod and
+pressed it firmly, when the rod slid through the hole until it projected
+an inch beyond the apex of the cone. Then he handed the projectile back
+to me.
+
+A single glance at the point of the steel rod made the whole thing
+clear, and I gave a whistle of consternation; for the "rod" was a fine
+tube with a sharply pointed end.
+
+"The infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed; "it is a hypodermic needle."
+
+"Yes. A veterinary hypodermic, of extra large bore. Now you see the
+subtlety and ingenuity of the whole thing. If he had had a reasonable
+chance he would certainly have succeeded."
+
+"You speak quite regretfully," I said, laughing again at the oddity of
+his attitude towards the assassin.
+
+"Not at all," he replied. "I have the character of a single-handed
+player, but even the most self-reliant man can hardly make a
+_post-mortem_ on himself. I am merely appreciating an admirable piece of
+mechanical design most efficiently carried out. Observe the
+completeness of the thing, and the way in which all the necessities of
+the case are foreseen and met. This projectile was discharged from a
+powerful air-gun--the walking-stick form--provided with a force-pump and
+key. The barrel of that gun was rifled."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"Well, to begin with, it would be useless to fit a needle to the
+projectile unless the latter was made to travel with the point forwards;
+but there is direct evidence that the barrel was rifled. You notice the
+little square projection on the back surface of the cylinder. That was
+evidently made to fit a washer or wad--probably a thin plate of soft
+metal which would be driven by the pressure from behind into the grooves
+of the rifling and thus give a spinning motion to the bullet. When the
+latter left the barrel, the wad would drop off, leaving it free."
+
+"I see. I was wondering what the square projection was for. It is, as
+you say, extremely ingenious."
+
+"Highly ingenious," said Thorndyke, enthusiastically, "and so is the
+whole device. See how perfectly it would have worked but for a mere
+fluke and for the complication of your presence. Supposing that I had
+been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance. In
+that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
+You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose?"
+
+"I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the
+process."
+
+"Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late
+train--which he seems to have done--and he waits for me at the terminus.
+Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal
+poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and
+sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be
+drawn up and the liquid will follow it. You notice that the upper side
+of the piston is covered with vaseline--introduced through the hole, no
+doubt--which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth,
+and make the cylinder secure from leakage. On my arrival, he follows me
+on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded
+neighbourhood. Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a
+corner, and shoots at pretty close range. It doesn't matter where he
+hits me; all parts are equally vital, so he can aim at the middle of my
+back. Then the bullet comes spinning through the air point foremost; the
+needle passes through the clothing and enters the flesh, and, as the
+bullet is suddenly stopped, the heavy piston flies down by its own great
+momentum and squirts out a jet of the poison into the tissues. The
+bullet then disengages itself and drops on to the ground.
+
+"Meanwhile, our friend has mounted his bicycle and is off, and when I
+feel the prick of the needle, I turn, and, without stopping to look for
+the bullet, immediately give chase. I am, of course, not able to
+overtake a man on a racing machine, but still I follow him some
+distance. Then the poison begins to take effect--the more rapidly from
+the violent exercise--and presently I drop insensible. Later on, my body
+is found. There are no marks of violence, and probably the
+needle-puncture escapes observation at the _post-mortem_, in which case
+the verdict will be death from heart-failure. Even if the poison and the
+puncture are discovered, there is no clue. The bullet lies some streets
+away, and is probably picked up by some boy or passing stranger, who
+cannot conjecture its use, and who would never connect it with the man
+who was found dead. You will admit that the whole plan has been worked
+out with surprising completeness and foresight."  "Yes," I answered;
+"there is no doubt that the fellow is a most infernally clever
+scoundrel. May I ask if you have any idea who he is?"
+
+"Well," Thorndyke replied, "seeing that, as Carlyle has unkindly pointed
+out, clever people are not in an overwhelming majority, and that, of the
+clever people whom I know, only a very few are interested in my
+immediate demise, I am able to form a fairly probable conjecture."
+
+"And what do you mean to do?"
+
+"For the present I shall maintain an attitude of masterly inactivity and
+avoid the night air."
+
+"But, surely," I exclaimed, "you will take some measures to protect
+yourself against attempts of this kind. You can hardly doubt now that
+your accident in the fog was really an attempted murder."
+
+"I never did doubt it, as a matter of fact, although I prevaricated at
+the time. But I have not enough evidence against this man at present,
+and, consequently, can do nothing but show that I suspect him, which
+would be foolish. Whereas, if I lie low, one of two things will happen;
+either the occasion for my removal (which is only a temporary one) will
+pass, or he will commit himself--will put a definite clue into my hands.
+Then we shall find the air-cane, the bicycle, perhaps a little stock of
+poison, and certain other trifles that I have in my mind, which will be
+good confirmatory evidence, though insufficient in themselves. And now,
+I think, I must really adjourn this meeting, or we shall be good for
+nothing to-morrow."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+
+It was now only a week from the date on which the trial was to open. In
+eight days the mystery would almost certainly be solved (if it was
+capable of solution), for the trial promised to be quite a short one,
+and then Reuben Hornby would be either a convicted felon or a free man,
+clear of the stigma of the crime.
+
+For several days past, Thorndyke had been in almost constant possession
+of the laboratory, while his own small room, devoted ordinarily to
+bacteriology and microscopical work was kept continually locked; a state
+of things that reduced Polton to a condition of the most extreme nervous
+irritation, especially when, as he told me indignantly, he met Mr.
+Anstey emerging from the holy of holies, grinning and rubbing his hands
+and giving utterance to genial but unparliamentary expressions of amused
+satisfaction.
+
+I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him
+better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a
+nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found
+him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty
+standard of conduct. His admiration for Thorndyke was unbounded, and I
+could see that the two men collaborated with the utmost sympathy and
+mutual satisfaction.
+
+But although I regarded Mr. Anstey with feelings of the liveliest
+friendship, I was far from gratified when, on the morning of which I am
+writing, I observed him from our sitting-room window crossing the
+gravelled space from Crown Office Row and evidently bearing down on our
+chambers. For the fact is that I was awaiting the arrival of Juliet, and
+should greatly have preferred to be alone at the moment, seeing that
+Thorndyke had already gone out. It is true that my fair enslaver was not
+due for nearly half-an-hour, but then, who could say how long Anstey
+would stay, or what embarrassments might arise from my efforts to
+escape? By all of which it may be perceived that my disease had reached
+a very advanced stage, and that I was unequal to those tactics of
+concealment that are commonly attributed to the ostrich.
+
+A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my
+peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man
+to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever. He shook my
+hand with mock solemnity, and, seating himself upon the edge of the
+table, proceeded to roll a cigarette with exasperating deliberation.
+
+"I infer," said he, "that our learned brother is practising parlour
+magic upstairs, or peradventure he has gone on a journey?"
+
+"He has a consultation this morning," I answered. "Was he expecting
+you?"
+
+"Evidently not, or he would have been here. No, I just looked in to ask
+a question about the case of your friend Hornby. You know it comes on
+for trial next week?"
+
+"Yes; Thorndyke told me. What do you think of Hornby's prospects? Is he
+going to be convicted, or will he get an acquittal?"
+
+"_He_ will be entirely passive," replied Anstey, "but _we_"--here he
+slapped his chest impressively--"are going to secure an acquittal. You
+will be highly entertained, my learned friend, and Mr. The Enemy will be
+excessively surprised." He inspected the newly-made cigarette with a
+critical air and chuckled softly.
+
+"You seem pretty confident," I remarked.
+
+"I am," he answered, "though Thorndyke considers failure
+possible--which, of course, it is if the jury-box should chance to be
+filled with microcephalic idiots and the judge should prove incapable of
+understanding simple technical evidence. But we hope that neither of
+these things will happen, and, if they do not, we feel pretty safe. By
+the way, I hope I am not divulging your principal's secrets?"
+
+"Well," I replied, with a smile, "you have been more explicit than
+Thorndyke ever has."
+
+"Have I?" he exclaimed, with mock anxiety; "then I must swear you to
+secrecy. Thorndyke is so very close--and he is quite right too. I never
+cease admiring his tactics of allowing the enemy to fortify and
+barricade the entrance that he does _not_ mean to attack. But I see you
+are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go--though
+not to that particular destination."
+
+"Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand?" I asked malignantly.
+
+"What! those foul Trichinopolies? Not while brown paper is to be
+obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig."
+
+I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care
+and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down
+the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
+
+He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate
+rat-tat from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth. I
+ran to the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the
+threshold.
+
+"May I come in?" she asked. "I want to have a few words with you before
+we start."
+
+I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and
+the hand that she held out to me trembled.
+
+"I am greatly upset, Dr. Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I
+had placed for her. "Mr. Lawley has been giving us his views of poor
+Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay."
+
+"Hang Mr. Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily. "What made
+you go to him, Miss Gibson?"
+
+"I didn't go to him; he came to us. He dined with us last night--he and
+Walter--and his manner was gloomy in the extreme. After dinner Walter
+took him apart with me and asked him what he really thought of the case.
+He was most pessimistic. 'My dear sir,' he said, 'the only advice I can
+give you is that you prepare yourself to contemplate disaster as
+philosophically as you can. In my opinion your cousin is almost certain
+to be convicted.' 'But,' said Walter, 'what about the defence? I
+understood that there was at least a plausible case.' Mr. Lawley
+shrugged his shoulders. 'I have a sort of _alibi_ that will go for
+nothing, but I have no evidence to offer in answer to that of the
+prosecution, and no case; and I may say, speaking in confidence, that I
+do not believe there is any case. I do not see how there can be any
+case, and I have heard nothing from Dr. Thorndyke to lead me to suppose
+that he has really done anything in the matter.' Is this true, Dr.
+Jervis? Oh! do tell me the real truth about it! I have been so miserable
+and terrified since I heard this, and I was so full of hope before. Tell
+me, is it true? Will Reuben be sent to prison after all?"
+
+In her agitation she laid her hands on my arm and looked up into my face
+with her grey eyes swimming with tears, and was so piteous, so trustful,
+and, withal, so bewitching that my reserve melted like snow before a
+July sun.
+
+"It is not true," I answered, taking her hands in mine and speaking
+perforce in a low tone that I might not betray my emotion. "If it were,
+it would mean that I have wilfully deceived you, that I have been false
+to our friendship; and how much that friendship has been to me, no one
+but myself will ever know."
+
+She crept a little closer to me with a manner at once penitent and
+wheedling.
+
+"You are not going to be angry with me, are you? It was foolish of me to
+listen to Mr. Lawley after all you have told me, and it did look like a
+want of trust in you, I know. But you, who are so strong and wise, must
+make allowance for a woman who is neither. It is all so terrible that I
+am quite unstrung; but say you are not really displeased with me, for
+that would hurt me most of all."
+
+Oh! Delilah! That concluding stroke of the shears severed the very last
+lock, and left me--morally speaking--as bald as a billiard ball.
+Henceforth I was at her mercy and would have divulged, without a
+scruple, the uttermost secrets of my principal, but that that astute
+gentleman had placed me beyond the reach of temptation.
+
+"As to being angry with you," I answered, "I am not, like Thorndyke, one
+to essay the impossible, and if I could be angry it would hurt me more
+than it would you. But, in fact, you are not to blame at all, and I am
+an egotistical brute. Of course you were alarmed and distressed; nothing
+could be more natural. So now let me try to chase away your fears and
+restore your confidence.
+
+"I have told you what Thorndyke said to Reuben: that he had good hopes
+of making his innocence clear to everybody. That alone should have been
+enough."
+
+"I know it should," murmured Juliet remorsefully; "please forgive me for
+my want of faith."
+
+"But," I continued, "I can quote you the words of one to whose opinions
+you will attach more weight. Mr. Anstey was here less than half-an-hour
+ago--"
+
+"Do you mean Reuben's counsel?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And what did he say? Oh, do tell me what he said."
+
+"He said, in brief, that he was quite confident of obtaining an
+acquittal, and that the prosecution would receive a great surprise. He
+seemed highly pleased with his brief, and spoke with great admiration of
+Thorndyke."
+
+"Did he really say that--that he was confident of an acquittal?" Her
+voice was breathless and unsteady, and she was clearly, as she had said,
+quite unstrung. "What a relief it is," she murmured incoherently; "and
+so very, very kind of you!" She wiped her eyes and laughed a queer,
+shaky little laugh; then, quite suddenly, she burst into a passion of
+sobbing.
+
+Hardly conscious of what I did, I drew her gently towards me, and rested
+her head on my shoulder whilst I whispered into her ear I know not what
+words of consolation; but I am sure that I called her "dear Juliet," and
+probably used other expressions equally improper and reprehensible.
+Presently she recovered herself, and, having dried her eyes, regarded me
+somewhat shamefacedly, blushing hotly, but smiling very sweetly
+nevertheless.
+
+"I am ashamed of myself," she said, "coming here and weeping on your
+bosom like a great baby. It is to be hoped that your other clients do
+not behave in this way."
+
+Whereat we both laughed heartily, and, our emotional equilibrium being
+thus restored, we began to think of the object of our meeting.
+
+"I am afraid I have wasted a great deal of time," said Juliet, looking
+at her watch. "Shall we be too late, do you think?"
+
+"I hope not," I replied, "for Reuben will be looking for us; but we must
+hurry."
+
+I caught up my hat, and we went forth, closing the oak behind us, and
+took our way up King's Bench Walk in silence, but with a new and
+delightful sense of intimate comradeship. I glanced from time to time at
+my companion, and noted that her cheek still bore a rosy flush, and when
+she looked at me there was a sparkle in her eye, and a smiling softness
+in her glance, that stirred my heart until I trembled with the intensity
+of the passion that I must needs conceal. And even while I was feeling
+that I must tell her all, and have done with it, tell her that I was her
+abject slave, and she my goddess, my queen; that in the face of such a
+love as mine no man could have any claim upon her; even then, there
+arose the still, small voice that began to call me an unfaithful steward
+and to remind me of a duty and trust that were sacred even beyond love.
+
+In Fleet Street I hailed a cab, and, as I took my seat beside my fair
+companion, the voice began to wax and speak in bolder and sterner
+accents.
+
+"Christopher Jervis," it said, "what is this that you are doing? Are you
+a man of honour or nought but a mean, pitiful blackguard? You, the
+trusted agent of this poor, misused gentleman, are you not planning in
+your black heart how you shall rob him of that which, if he is a man at
+all, must be more to him than his liberty, or even his honour? Shame on
+you for a miserable weakling! Have done with these philanderings and
+keep your covenants like a gentleman--or, at least, an honest man!"
+
+At this point in my meditations Juliet turned towards me with a coaxing
+smile.
+
+"My legal adviser seems to be revolving some deep and weighty matter,"
+she said.
+
+I pulled myself together and looked at her--at her sparkling eyes and
+rosy, dimpling cheeks, so winsome and lovely and lovable.
+
+"Come," I thought, "I must put an end to this at once, or I am lost."
+But it cost me a very agony of effort to do it--which agony, I trust,
+may be duly set to my account by those who may sit in judgement on me.
+
+"Your legal adviser, Miss Gibson," I said (and at that "Miss Gibson" I
+thought she looked at me a little queerly), "has been reflecting that he
+has acted considerably beyond his jurisdiction."
+
+"In what respect?" she asked.
+
+"In passing on to you information which was given to him in very strict
+confidence, and, in fact, with an implied promise of secrecy on his
+part."
+
+"But the information was not of a very secret character, was it?"
+
+"More so than it appeared. You see, Thorndyke thinks it so important not
+to let the prosecution suspect that he has anything up his sleeve, that
+he has kept even Mr. Lawley in the dark, and he has never said as much
+to me as Anstey did this morning."
+
+"And now you are sorry you told me; you think I have led you into a
+breach of trust. Is it not so?" She spoke without a trace of petulance,
+and her tone of dignified self-accusation made me feel a veritable worm.
+
+"My dear Miss Gibson," I expostulated, "you entirely misunderstand me. I
+am not in the least sorry that I told you. How could I have done
+otherwise under the circumstances? But I want you to understand that I
+have taken the responsibility of communicating to you what is really a
+professional secret, and that you are to consider it as such."
+
+"That was how I understood it," replied Juliet; "and you may rely upon
+me not to utter a syllable on the subject to anyone."
+
+I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation,
+gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the
+incident of the cigar.
+
+"And are Dr. Thorndyke's cigars so extraordinarily bad?" she asked.
+
+"Not at all," I replied; "only they are not to every man's taste. The
+Trichinopoly cheroot is Thorndyke's one dissipation, and, I must say, he
+takes it very temperately. Under ordinary circumstances he smokes a
+pipe; but after a specially heavy day's work, or on any occasion of
+festivity or rejoicing, he indulges in a Trichinopoly, and he smokes the
+very best that can be got."
+
+"So even the greatest men have their weaknesses," Juliet moralised; "but
+I wish I had known Dr. Thorndyke's sooner, for Mr. Hornby had a large
+box of Trichinopoly cheroots given to him, and I believe they were
+exceptionally fine ones. However, he tried one and didn't like it, so he
+transferred the whole consignment to Walter, who smokes all sorts and
+conditions of cigars."
+
+So we talked on from one commonplace to another, and each more
+conventional than the last. In my nervousness, I overdid my part, and
+having broken the ice, proceeded to smash it to impalpable fragments.
+Endeavouring merely to be unemotional and to avoid undue intimacy of
+manner, I swung to the opposite extreme and became almost stiff; and
+perhaps the more so since I was writhing with the agony of repression.
+
+Meanwhile a corresponding change took place in my companion. At first
+her manner seemed doubtful and bewildered; then she, too, grew more
+distant and polite and less disposed for conversation. Perhaps her
+conscience began to rebuke her, or it may be that my coolness suggested
+to her that her conduct had not been quite of the kind that would have
+commended itself to Reuben. But however that may have been, we continued
+to draw farther and farther apart; and in that short half-hour we
+retraced the steps of our growing friendship to such purpose that, when
+we descended from the cab at the prison gate, we seemed more like
+strangers than on the first day that we met. It was a miserable ending
+to all our delightful comradeship, and yet what other end could one
+expect in this world of cross purposes and things that might have been?
+In the extremity of my wretchedness I could have wept on the bosom of
+the portly warder who opened the wicket, even as Juliet had wept upon
+mine; and it was almost a relief to me, when our brief visit was over,
+to find that we should not return together to King's Cross as was our
+wont, but that Juliet would go back by omnibus that she might do some
+shopping in Oxford Street, leaving me to walk home alone.
+
+I saw her into her omnibus, and stood on the pavement looking wistfully
+at the lumbering vehicle as it dwindled in the distance. At last, with a
+sigh of deepest despondency, I turned my face homeward, and, walking
+like one in a dream, retraced the route over which I had journeyed so
+often of late and with such different sensations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MURDER BY POST
+
+
+The next few days were perhaps the most unhappy that I have known. My
+life, indeed, since I had left the hospital had been one of many
+disappointments and much privation. Unfulfilled desires and ambitions
+unrealised had combined with distaste for the daily drudgery that had
+fallen to my lot to embitter my poverty and cause me to look with gloomy
+distrust upon the unpromising future. But no sorrow that I had hitherto
+experienced could compare with the grief that I now felt in
+contemplating the irretrievable ruin of what I knew to be the great
+passion of my life. For to a man like myself, of few friends and deep
+affections, one great emotional upheaval exhausts the possibilities of
+nature; leaving only the capacity for feeble and ineffective echoes. The
+edifice of love that is raised upon the ruins of a great passion can
+compare with the original no more than can the paltry mosque that
+perches upon the mound of Jonah with the glories of the palace that lies
+entombed beneath.  I had made a pretext to write to Juliet and had
+received a reply quite frank and friendly in tone, by which I knew that
+she had not--as some women would have done--set the blame upon me for
+our temporary outburst of emotion. And yet there was a subtle difference
+from her previous manner of writing that only emphasised the finality of
+our separation.
+
+I think Thorndyke perceived that something had gone awry, though I was
+at great pains to maintain a cheerful exterior and keep myself occupied,
+and he probably formed a pretty shrewd guess at the nature of the
+trouble; but he said nothing, and I only judged that he had observed
+some change in my manner by the fact that there was blended with his
+usual quiet geniality an almost insensible note of sympathy and
+affection.
+
+A couple of days after my last interview with Juliet, an event occurred
+which served, certainly, to relieve the tension and distract my
+thoughts, though not in a very agreeable manner.
+
+It was the pleasant, reposeful hour after dinner when it was our custom
+to sit in our respective easy chairs and, as we smoked our pipes,
+discuss some of the many topics in which we had a common interest. The
+postman had just discharged into the capacious letter-box an avalanche
+of letters and circulars, and as I sat glancing through the solitary
+letter that had fallen to my share, I looked from time to time at
+Thorndyke and noticed, as I had often done before, with some surprise, a
+curious habit that he had of turning over and closely scrutinising every
+letter and package before he opened it.
+
+"I observe, Thorndyke," I now ventured to remark, "that you always
+examine the outside of a letter before looking at the inside. I have
+seen other people do the same, and it has always appeared to me a
+singularly foolish proceeding. Why speculate over an unopened letter
+when a glance at the contents will tell you all there is to know?"
+
+"You are perfectly right," he answered, "if the object of the inspection
+is to discover who is the sender of the letter. But that is not my
+object. In my case the habit is one that has been deliberately
+cultivated--not in reference to letters only, but to everything that
+comes into my hands--the habit of allowing nothing to pass without a
+certain amount of conscious attention. The observant man is, in reality,
+the attentive man, and the so-called power of observation is simply the
+capacity for continuous attention. As a matter of fact, I have found in
+practice, that the habit is a useful one even in reference to letters;
+more than once I have gleaned a hint from the outside of a letter that
+has proved valuable when applied to the contents. Here, for instance, is
+a letter which has been opened after being fastened up--apparently by
+the aid of steam. The envelope is soiled and rubbed, and smells faintly
+of stale tobacco, and has evidently been carried in a pocket along with
+a well-used pipe. Why should it have been opened? On reading it I
+perceive that it should have reached me two days ago, and that the date
+has been skilfully altered from the thirteenth to the fifteenth. The
+inference is that my correspondent has a highly untrustworthy clerk."
+
+"But the correspondent may have carried the letter in his own pocket," I
+objected.
+
+"Hardly," replied Thorndyke. "He would not have troubled to steam his
+own letter open and close it again; he would have cut the envelope and
+addressed a fresh one. This the clerk could not do, because the letter
+was confidential and was addressed in the principal's handwriting. And
+the principal would have almost certainly added a postscript; and,
+moreover, he does not smoke. This, however, is all very obvious; but
+here is something rather more subtle which I have put aside for more
+detailed examination. What do you make of it?"
+
+He handed me a small parcel to which was attached by string a
+typewritten address label, the back of which bore the printed
+inscription, "James Bartlett and Sons, Cigar Manufacturers, London and
+Havana."
+
+"I am afraid," said I, after turning the little packet over and
+examining every part of it minutely, "that this is rather too subtle for
+me. The only thing that I observe is that the typewriter has bungled the
+address considerably. Otherwise this seems to me a very ordinary packet
+indeed."
+
+"Well, you have observed one point of interest, at any rate," said
+Thorndyke, taking the packet from me. "But let us examine the thing
+systematically and note down what we see. In the first place, you will
+notice that the label is an ordinary luggage label such as you may buy
+at any stationer's, with its own string attached. Now, manufacturers
+commonly use a different and more substantial pattern, which is attached
+by the string of the parcel. But that is a small matter. What is much
+more striking is the address on the label. It is typewritten and, as you
+say, typed very badly. Do you know anything about typewriters?"
+
+"Very little."
+
+"Then you do not recognise the machine? Well, this label was typed with
+a Blickensderfer--an excellent machine, but not the form most commonly
+selected for the rough work of a manufacturer's office; but we will let
+that pass. The important point is this: the Blickensderfer Company make
+several forms of machine, the smallest and lightest of which is the
+literary, specially designed for the use of journalists and men of
+letters. Now this label was typed with the literary machine, or, at
+least, with the literary typewheel; which is really a very remarkable
+circumstance indeed."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"By this asterisk, which has been written by mistake, the inexpert
+operator having pressed down the figure lever instead of the one for
+capitals. The literary typewheel is the only one that has an asterisk,
+as I noticed when I was thinking of purchasing a machine. Here, then, we
+have a very striking fact, for even if a manufacturer chose to use a
+'Blick' in his factory, it is inconceivable that he should select the
+literary form in preference to the more suitable 'commercial' machine."
+
+"Yes," I agreed; "it is certainly very singular."
+
+"And now," pursued Thorndyke, "to consider the writing itself. It has
+been done by an absolute beginner. He has failed to space in two places,
+he has written five wrong letters, and he has written figures instead of
+capitals in two instances."
+
+"Yes; he has made a shocking muddle of it. I wonder he didn't throw the
+label away and type another."
+
+"Precisely," said Thorndyke. "And if we wish to find out why he did not,
+we have only to look at the back of the label. You see that the name of
+the firm, instead of being printed on the label itself in the usual
+manner, is printed on a separate slip of paper which is pasted on the
+label--a most foolish and clumsy arrangement, involving an immense waste
+of time. But if we look closely at the printed slip itself we perceive
+something still more remarkable; for that slip has been cut down to fit
+the label, and has been cut with a pair of scissors. The edges are not
+quite straight, and in one place the 'overlap,' which is so
+characteristic of the cut made with scissors, can be seen quite
+plainly."
+
+He handed the packet to me with a reading-lens, through which I could
+distinctly make out the points he had mentioned.
+
+"Now I need not point out to you," he continued, "that these slips
+would, ordinarily, have been trimmed by the printer to the correct size
+in his machine, which would leave an absolutely true edge; nor need I
+say that no sane business man would adopt such a device as this. The
+slip of paper has been cut with scissors to fit the label, and it has
+then been pasted on to the surface that it has been made to fit, when
+all this waste of time and trouble--which, in practice, means
+money--could have been saved by printing the name on the label itself."
+
+"Yes, that is so; but I still do not see why the fellow should not have
+thrown away this label and typed another."
+
+"Look at the slip again," said Thorndyke. "It is faintly but evenly
+discoloured and, to me, has the appearance of having been soaked in
+water. Let us, for the moment, assume that it has been. That would look
+as if it had been removed from some other package, which again would
+suggest that the person using it had only the one slip, which he had
+soaked off the original package, dried, cut down and pasted on the
+present label. If he pasted it on before typing the address--which he
+would most probably have done--he might well be unwilling to risk
+destroying it by soaking it a second time."
+
+"You think, then, there is a suspicion that the package may have been
+tampered with?"
+
+"There is no need to jump to conclusions," replied Thorndyke. "I merely
+gave this case as an instance showing that careful examination of the
+outside of a package or letter may lead us to bestow a little extra
+attention on the contents. Now let us open it and see what those
+contents are."
+
+With a sharp knife he divided the outside cover, revealing a stout
+cardboard box wrapped in a number of advertisement sheets. The box, when
+the lid was raised, was seen to contain a single cigar--a large
+cheroot--packed in cotton wool.
+
+"A 'Trichy,' by Jove!" I exclaimed. "Your own special fancy, Thorndyke."
+
+"Yes; and another anomaly, at once, you see, which might have escaped
+our notice if we had not been on the _qui vive_."
+
+"As a matter of fact, I _don't_ see," said I. "You will think me an
+awful blockhead, but I don't perceive anything singular in a cigar
+manufacturer sending a sample cigar."
+
+"You read the label, I think?" replied Thorndyke. "However, let us look
+at one of these leaflets and see what they say. Ah! here we are:
+'Messrs. Bartlett and Sons, who own extensive plantations on the island
+of Cuba, manufacture their cigars exclusively from selected leaves grown
+by themselves.' They would hardly make a Trichinopoly cheroot from leaf
+grown in the West Indies, so we have here a striking anomaly of an East
+Indian cigar sent to us by a West Indian grower."
+
+"And what do you infer from that?"
+
+"Principally that this cigar--which, by the way, is an uncommonly fine
+specimen and which I would not smoke for ten thousand pounds--is
+deserving of very attentive examination." He produced from his pocket a
+powerful doublet lens, with the aid of which he examined every part of
+the surface of the cigar, and finally, both ends.  "Look at the small
+end," he said, handing me the cigar and the lens, "and tell me if you
+notice anything."
+
+I focussed the lens on the flush-cut surface of closely-rolled leaf, and
+explored every part of it minutely.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, "that the leaf is opened slightly in the
+centre, as if a fine wire had been passed up it."
+
+"So it appeared to me," replied Thorndyke; "and, as we are in agreement
+so far, we will carry our investigations a step further."
+
+He laid the cigar down on the table, and, with the keen, thin-bladed
+penknife, neatly divided it lengthwise into two halves.
+
+"_Ecce signum_!" exclaimed Thorndyke, as the two parts fell asunder; and
+for a few moments we stood silently regarding the dismembered cheroot.
+For, about half an inch from the small end, there appeared a little
+circular patch of white, chalky material which, by the even manner in
+which it was diffused among the leaf, had evidently been deposited from
+a solution.
+
+"Our ingenious friend again, I surmise," said Thorndyke at length,
+taking up one of the halves and examining the white patch through his
+lens. "A thoughtful soul, Jervis, and original too. I wish his talents
+could be applied in some other direction. I shall have to remonstrate
+with him if he becomes troublesome."  "It is your duty to society,
+Thorndyke," I exclaimed passionately, "to have this infernal,
+cold-blooded scoundrel arrested instantly. Such a man is a standing
+menace to the community. Do you really know who sent this thing?"
+
+"I can form a pretty shrewd guess, which, however, is not quite the same
+thing. But, you see, he has not been quite so clever this time, for he
+has left one or two traces by which his identity might be ascertained."
+
+"Indeed! What traces has he left?"
+
+"Ah! now there is a nice little problem for us to consider." He settled
+himself in his easy chair and proceeded to fill his pipe with the air of
+a man who is about to discuss a matter of merely general interest.
+
+"Let us consider what information this ingenious person has given us
+about himself. In the first place, he evidently has a strong interest in
+my immediate decease. Now, why should he feel so urgent a desire for my
+death? Can it be a question of property? Hardly; for I am far from a
+rich man, and the provisions of my will are known to me alone. Can it
+then be a question of private enmity or revenge? I think not. To the
+best of my belief I have no private enemies whatever. There remains only
+my vocation as an investigator in the fields of legal and criminal
+research. His interest in my death must, therefore, be connected with my
+professional activities. Now, I am at present conducting an exhumation
+which may lead to a charge of murder; but if I were to die to-night the
+inquiry would be carried out with equal efficiency by Professor Spicer
+or some other toxicologist. My death would not affect the prospects of
+the accused. And so in one or two other cases that I have in hand; they
+could be equally well conducted by someone else. The inference is that
+our friend is not connected with any of these cases, but that he
+believes me to possess some exclusive information concerning
+him--believes me to be the one person in the world who suspects and can
+convict him. Let us assume the existence of such a person--a person of
+whose guilt I alone have evidence. Now this person, being unaware that I
+have communicated my knowledge to a third party, would reasonably
+suppose that by making away with me he had put himself in a position of
+security.
+
+"Here, then, is our first point. The sender of this offering is probably
+a person concerning whom I hold certain exclusive information.
+
+"But see, now, the interesting corollary that follows from this. I,
+alone, suspect this person; therefore I have not published my
+suspicions, or others would suspect him too. Why, then, does he suspect
+me of suspecting him, since I have not spoken? Evidently, he too must be
+in possession of exclusive information. In other words, my suspicions
+are correct; for if they were not, he could not be aware of their
+existence.
+
+"The next point is the selection of this rather unusual type of cigar.
+Why should he have sent a Trichinopoly instead of an ordinary Havana
+such as Bartletts actually manufacture? It looks as if he were aware of
+my peculiar predilection, and, by thus consulting my personal tastes,
+had guarded against the chance of my giving the cigar to some other
+person. We may, therefore, infer that our friend probably has some
+knowledge of my habits.
+
+"The third point is, What is the social standing of this gentle
+stranger, whom we will call X? Now, Bartletts do not send their
+advertisements and samples to Thomas, Richard and Henry. They send,
+chiefly, to members of the professions and men of means and position. It
+is true that the original package might have been annexed by a clerk,
+office boy or domestic servant; but the probabilities are that X
+received the package himself, and this is borne out by the fact that he
+was able to obtain access to a powerful alkaloidal poison--such as this
+undoubtedly is."
+
+"In that case he would probably be a medical man or a chemist," I
+suggested.
+
+"Not necessarily," replied Thorndyke. "The laws relating to poisons are
+so badly framed and administered that any well-to-do person, who has the
+necessary knowledge, can obtain almost any poison that he wants. But
+social position is an important factor, whence we may conclude that X
+belongs, at least, to the middle class.
+
+"The fourth point relates to the personal qualities of X. Now it is
+evident, from this instance alone, that he is a man of exceptional
+intelligence, of considerable general information, and both ingenious
+and resourceful. This cigar device is not only clever and original, but
+it has been adapted to the special circumstances with remarkable
+forethought. Thus the cheroot was selected, apparently, for two
+excellent reasons: first, that it was the most likely form to be smoked
+by the person intended, and second, that it did not require to have the
+end cut off--which might have led to a discovery of the poison. The plan
+also shows a certain knowledge of chemistry; the poison was not intended
+merely to be dissolved in the moisture of the mouth. The idea evidently
+was that the steam generated by the combustion of the leaf at the
+distal end, would condense in the cooler part of the cigar and dissolve
+the poison, and the solution would then be drawn into the mouth. Then
+the nature of the poison and certain similarities of procedure seem to
+identify X with the cyclist who used that ingenious bullet. The poison
+in this case is a white, non-crystalline solid; the poison contained in
+the bullet was a solution of a white, non-crystalline solid, which
+analysis showed to be the most poisonous of all akaloids.
+
+"The bullet was virtually a hypodermic syringe; the poison in this cigar
+has been introduced, in the form of an alcoholic or ethereal solution,
+by a hypodermic syringe. We shall thus be justified in assuming that the
+bullet and the cigar came from the same person; and, if this be so, we
+may say that X is a person of considerable knowledge, of great ingenuity
+and no mean skill as a mechanician--as shown by the manufacture of the
+bullet.
+
+"These are our principal facts--to which we may add the surmise that he
+has recently purchased a second-hand Blickensderfer of the literary form
+or, at least, fitted with a literary typewheel."
+
+"I don't quite see how you arrive at that," I said, in some surprise.
+
+"It is merely a guess, you know," he replied, "though a probable one. In
+the first place he is obviously unused to typing, as the numerous
+mistakes show; therefore he has not had the machine very long. The type
+is that which is peculiar to the Blickensderfer, and, in one of the
+mistakes, an asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
+literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
+of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
+have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
+letters which are the most used--the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
+is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
+the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
+second-hand."
+
+"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."
+
+"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
+secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
+having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
+the machine, should we ever meet with it."
+
+He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
+lens.
+
+"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
+times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
+each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
+summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type--caused,
+probably, by its striking some small, hard object."
+
+"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
+valuable point for identification."
+
+"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
+joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
+premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
+has placed at our disposal.
+
+"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
+information.
+
+"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.
+
+"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.
+
+"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
+skill.
+
+"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
+fitted with a literary typewheel.  "Sixth: That machine, whether his
+own or some other person's property, can be identified by a
+characteristic mark on the small 'e.'
+
+"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
+expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
+able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"
+
+"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
+suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
+society--to say nothing of your clients, whose interests would suffer by
+your death--to have this fellow laid by the heels before he does any
+mischief."
+
+"Yes; I shall have to interfere if he becomes really troublesome, but I
+have reasons for wishing to leave him alone at present."
+
+"You do really know who he is, then?"
+
+"Well, I think I can solve the equation that I have just offered to you
+for solution. You see, I have certain data, as you suggest, which you do
+not possess. There is, for instance, a certain ingenious gentleman
+concerning whom I hold what I believe to be exclusive information, and
+my knowledge of him does not make it appear unlikely that he might be
+the author of these neat little plans."
+
+"I am much impressed," I said, as I put away my notebook, after having
+jotted down the points that Thorndyke had advised me to consider--"I am
+much impressed by your powers of observation and your capacity for
+reasoning from apparently trivial data; but I do not see, even now, why
+you viewed that cigar with such immediate and decided suspicion. There
+was nothing actually to suggest the existence of poison in it, and yet
+you seemed to form the suspicion at once and to search for it as though
+you expected to find it."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "to a certain extent you are right. The idea
+of a poisoned cigar was not new to me--and thereby hangs a tale."
+
+He laughed softly and gazed into the fire with eyes that twinkled with
+quiet amusement. "You have heard me say," he resumed, after a short
+pause, "that when I first took these chambers I had practically nothing
+to do. I had invented a new variety of medico-legal practice and had to
+build it up by slow degrees, and the natural consequence was that, for a
+long time, it yielded nothing but almost unlimited leisure. Now, that
+leisure was by no means wasted, for I employed it in considering the
+class of cases in which I was likely to be employed, and in working out
+theoretical examples; and seeing that crimes against the person have
+nearly always a strong medical interest, I gave them special attention.
+For instance, I planned a series of murders, selecting royal personages
+and great ministers as the victims, and on each murder I brought to bear
+all the special knowledge, skill and ingenuity at my command. I inquired
+minutely into the habits of my hypothetical victims; ascertained who
+were their associates, friends, enemies and servants; considered their
+diet, their residences, their modes of conveyance, the source of their
+clothing and, in fact, everything which it was necessary to know in
+order to achieve their deaths with certainty and with absolute safety to
+the murderer."
+
+"How deeply gratified and flattered those great personages would have
+felt," I remarked, "if they had known how much attention they were
+receiving."
+
+"Yes; I suppose it would have been somewhat startling, to the Prime
+Minister, for instance, to have learned that he was being watched and
+studied by an attentive observer and that the arrangements for his
+decease had been completed down to the minutest detail. But, of course,
+the application of the method to a particular case was the essential
+thing, for it brought into view all the incidental difficulties, in
+meeting which all the really interesting and instructive details were
+involved. Well, the particulars of these crimes I wrote out at length,
+in my private shorthand, in a journal which I kept for the purpose--and
+which, I need not say, I locked up securely in my safe when I was not
+using it. After completing each case, it was my custom to change sides
+and play the game over again from the opposite side of the board; that
+is to say, I added, as an appendix to each case, an analysis with a
+complete scheme for the detection of the crime. I have in my safe at the
+present moment six volumes of cases, fully indexed; and I can assure you
+that they are not only highly instructive reading, but are really
+valuable as works of reference."
+
+"That I can readily believe," I replied, laughing heartily,
+nevertheless, at the grotesqueness of the whole proceeding, "though they
+might have proved rather incriminating documents if they had passed out
+of your possession."
+
+"They would never have been read," rejoined Thorndyke. "My shorthand is,
+I think, quite undecipherable; it has been so made intentionally with a
+view to secrecy."
+
+"And have any of your theoretical cases ever turned up in real life?"
+
+"Several of them have, though very imperfectly planned and carried out
+as a rule. The poisoned cigar is one of them, though, of course I
+should never have adopted such a conspicuous device for presenting it;
+and the incident of the other night is a modification--for the worse--of
+another. In fact, most of the intricate and artistic crimes with which I
+have had to deal professionally have had their more complete and
+elaborate prototypes in my journals."
+
+I was silent for some time, reflecting on the strange personality of my
+gifted friend and the singular fitness that he presented for the part he
+had chosen to play in the drama of social life; but presently my
+thoughts returned to the peril that overshadowed him, and I came back,
+once more, to my original question.
+
+"And now, Thorndyke," I said, "that you have penetrated both the motives
+and the disguise of this villain, what are you going to do? Is he to be
+put safely under lock and key, or is he to be left in peace and security
+to plan some other, and perhaps more successful, scheme for your
+destruction?"
+
+"For the present," replied Thorndyke, "I am going to put these things in
+a place of safety. To-morrow you shall come with me to the hospital and
+see me place the ends of the cigar in the custody of Dr. Chandler, who
+will make an analysis and report on the nature of the poison. After that
+we shall act in whatever way seems best."
+
+Unsatisfactory as this conclusion appeared, I knew it was useless to
+raise further objections, and, accordingly, when the cigar with its
+accompanying papers and wrappings had been deposited in a drawer, we
+dismissed it, if not from our thoughts, at least from our conversation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+The morning of the trial, so long looked forward to, had at length
+arrived, and the train of events which it has been my business to
+chronicle in this narrative was now fast drawing to an end. To me those
+events had been in many ways of the deepest moment. Not only had they
+transported me from a life of monotonous drudgery into one charged with
+novelty and dramatic interest; not only had they introduced me to a
+renascence of scientific culture and revived under new conditions my
+intimacy with the comrade of my student days; but, far more momentous
+than any of these, they had given me the vision--all too fleeting--of
+happiness untold, with the reality of sorrow and bitter regret that
+promised to be all too enduring.
+
+Whence it happened that on this morning my thoughts were tinged with a
+certain greyness. A chapter in my life that had been both bitter and
+sweet was closing, and already I saw myself once more an Ishmaelite and
+a wanderer among strangers.
+
+This rather egotistical frame of mind, however, was soon dispelled when
+I encountered Polton, for the little man was in a veritable twitter of
+excitement at the prospect of witnessing the clearing up of the
+mysteries that had so severely tried his curiosity; and even Thorndyke,
+beneath his habitual calm, showed a trace of expectancy and pleasurable
+anticipation.
+
+"I have taken the liberty of making certain little arrangements on your
+behalf," he said, as we sat at breakfast, "of which I hope you will not
+disapprove. I have written to Mrs. Hornby, who is one of the witnesses,
+to say that you will meet her at Mr. Lawley's office and escort her and
+Miss Gibson to the court. Walter Hornby may be with them, and, if he is,
+you had better leave him, if possible, to come on with Lawley."
+
+"You will not come to the office, then?"
+
+"No. I shall go straight to the court with Anstey. Besides, I am
+expecting Superintendent Miller from Scotland Yard, who will probably
+walk down with us."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," I said; "for I have been rather uneasy at the
+thought of your mixing in the crowd without some kind of protection."
+
+"Well, you see that I am taking precautions against the assaults of the
+too-ingenious X, and, to tell the truth--and also to commit a flagrant
+bull--I should never forgive myself if I allowed him to kill me before I
+had completed Reuben Hornby's defence. Ah, here is Polton--that man is
+on wires this morning; he has been wandering in and out of the rooms
+ever since he came, like a cat in a new house."
+
+"It's quite true, sir," said Polton, smiling and unabashed, "so it's no
+use denying it. I have come to ask what we are going to take with us to
+the court."
+
+"You will find a box and a portfolio on the table in my room," replied
+Thorndyke. "We had better also take a microscope and the micrometers,
+though we are not likely to want them; that is all, I think."
+
+"A box and a portfolio," repeated Polton in a speculative tone. "Yes,
+sir, I will take them with me." He opened the door and was about to
+pass out, when, perceiving a visitor ascending the stairs, he turned
+back.
+
+"Here's Mr. Miller, from Scotland Yard, sir; shall I show him in?"
+
+"Yes, do." He rose from his chair as a tall, military-looking man
+entered the room and saluted, casting, at the same time, an inquiring
+glance in my direction.
+
+"Good morning, Doctor," he said briskly. "I got your letter and couldn't
+make such of it, but I have brought down a couple of plain-clothes men
+and a uniform man, as you suggested. I understand you want a house
+watched?"
+
+"Yes, and a man, too. I will give you the particulars presently--that
+is, if you think you can agree to my conditions."
+
+"That I act entirely on my own account and make no communication to
+anybody? Well, of course, I would rather you gave me all the facts and
+let me proceed in the regular way; but if you make conditions I have no
+choice but to accept them, seeing that you hold the cards."
+
+Perceiving that the matter in hand was of a confidential nature, I
+thought it best to take my departure, which I accordingly did, as soon
+as I had ascertained that it wanted yet half-an-hour to the time at
+which Mrs. Hornby and Juliet were due at the lawyer's office.
+
+Mr. Lawley received me with stiffness that bordered on hostility. He was
+evidently deeply offended at the subordinate part that he had been
+compelled to play in the case, and was at no great pains to conceal the
+fact.
+
+"I am informed," said he, in a frosty tone, when I had explained my
+mission, "that Mrs. Hornby and Miss Gibson are to meet you here. The
+arrangement is none of my making; none of the arrangements in this case
+are of my making. I have been treated throughout with a lack of ceremony
+and confidence that is positively scandalous. Even now, I--the
+solicitor for the defence--am completely in the dark as to what defence
+is contemplated, though I fully expect to be involved in some ridiculous
+fiasco. I only trust that I may never again be associated with any of
+your hybrid practitioners. _Ne sutor ultra crepidam_, sir, is an
+excellent motto; let the medical cobbler stick to his medical last."
+
+"It remains to be seen what kind of boot he can turn out on the legal
+last," I retorted.
+
+"That is so," he rejoined; "but I hear Mrs. Hornby's voice in the outer
+office, and as neither you nor I have any time to waste in idle talk, I
+suggest that you make your way to the court without delay. I wish you
+good morning!"
+
+Acting on this very plain hint, I retired to the clerks' office, where I
+found Mrs. Hornby and Juliet, the former undisguisedly tearful and
+terrified, and the latter calm, though pale and agitated.
+
+"We had better start at once," I said, when we had exchanged greetings.
+"Shall we take a cab, or walk?"
+
+"I think we will walk, if you don't mind," said Juliet. "Mrs. Hornby
+wants to have a few words with you before we go into court. You see, she
+is one of the witnesses, and she is terrified lest she should say
+something damaging to Reuben."
+
+"By whom was the subpoena served?" I asked.
+
+"Mr. Lawley sent it," replied Mrs. Hornby, "and I went to see him about
+it the very next day, but he wouldn't tell me anything--he didn't seem
+to know what I was wanted for, and he wasn't at all nice--not at all."
+
+"I expect your evidence will relate to the 'Thumbograph,'" I said.
+"There is really nothing else in connection with the case that you have
+any knowledge of."
+
+"That is just what Walter said," exclaimed Mrs. Hornby. "I went to his
+rooms to talk the matter over with him. He is very upset about the whole
+affair, and I am afraid he thinks very badly of poor Reuben's prospects.
+I only trust he may be wrong! Oh dear! What a dreadful thing it is, to
+be sure!" Here the poor lady halted to mop her eyes elaborately, to the
+surprise and manifest scorn of a passing errand boy.
+
+"He was very thoughtful and sympathetic--Walter, I mean, you know,"
+pursued Mrs. Hornby, "and most helpful. He asked me all I knew about
+that horrid little book, and took down my answers in writing. Then he
+wrote out the questions I was likely to be asked, with my answers, so
+that I could read them over and get them well into my head. Wasn't it
+good of him! And I made him print them with his machine so that I could
+read them without my glasses, and he did it beautifully. I have the
+paper in my pocket now."
+
+"I didn't know Mr. Walter went in for printing," I said. "Has he a
+regular printing press?"
+
+"It isn't a printing press exactly," replied Mrs. Hornby; "it is a small
+thing with a lot of round keys that you press down--Dickensblerfer, I
+think it is called--ridiculous name, isn't it? Walter bought it from one
+of his literary friends about a week ago; but he is getting quite clever
+with it already, though he does make a few mistakes still, as you can
+see."  She halted again, and began to search for the opening of a
+pocket which was hidden away in some occult recess of her clothing, all
+unconscious of the effect that her explanation had produced on me. For,
+instantly, as she spoke, there flashed into my mind one of the points
+that Thorndyke had given me for the identification of the mysterious X.
+"He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand
+Blickensderfer, fitted with a literary typewheel." The coincidence was
+striking and even startling, though a moment's reflection convinced me
+that it was nothing more than a coincidence; for there must be hundreds
+of second-hand "Blicks" on the market, and, as to Walter Hornby, he
+certainly could have no quarrel with Thorndyke, but would rather be
+interested in his preservation on Reuben's account.
+
+These thoughts passed through my mind so rapidly that by the time Mrs.
+Hornby had run her pocket to earth I had quite recovered from the
+momentary shock.
+
+"Ah! here it is," she exclaimed triumphantly, producing an obese Morocco
+purse. "I put it in here for safety, knowing how liable one is to get
+one's pocket picked in these crowded London streets." She opened the
+bulky receptacle and drew it out after the manner of a concertina,
+exhibiting multitudinous partitions, all stuffed with pieces of paper,
+coils of tape and sewing silk, buttons, samples of dress materials and
+miscellaneous rubbish, mingled indiscriminately with gold, silver, and
+copper coins.
+
+"Now just run your eye through that, Dr. Jervis," she said, handing me a
+folded paper, "and give me your advice on my answers."
+
+I opened the paper and read: "The Committee of the Society for the
+Protection of Paralysed Idiots, in submitting this--"
+
+"Oh! that isn't it; I have given you the wrong paper. How silly of me!
+That is the appeal of--you remember, Juliet, dear, that troublesome
+person--I had, really, to be quite rude, you know, Dr. Jervis; I had to
+tell him that charity begins at home, although, thank Heaven! none of us
+are paralysed, but we must consider our own, mustn't we? And then--"
+
+"Do you think this is the one, dear?" interposed Juliet, in whose pale
+cheek the ghost of a dimple had appeared. "It looks cleaner than most of
+the others."
+
+She selected a folded paper from the purse which Mrs. Hornby was holding
+with both hands extended to its utmost, as though she were about to
+produce a burst of music, and, opening it, glanced at its contents.
+
+"Yes, this is your evidence," she said, and passed the paper to me.
+
+I took the document from her hand and, in spite of the conclusion at
+which I had arrived, examined it with eager curiosity. And at the very
+first glance I felt my head swim and my heart throb violently. For the
+paper was headed: "Evidence respecting the Thumbograph," and in every
+one of the five small "e's" that occurred in that sentence I could see
+plainly by the strong out-door light a small break or interval in the
+summit of the loop.
+
+I was thunderstruck.
+
+One coincidence was quite possible and even probable; but the two
+together, and the second one of so remarkable a character, were beyond
+all reasonable limits of probability. The identification did not seem to
+admit of a doubt, and yet--
+
+"Our legal adviser appears to be somewhat preoccupied," remarked Juliet,
+with something of her old gaiety of manner; and, in fact, though I held
+the paper in my hand, my gaze was fixed unmeaningly on an adjacent
+lamp-post. As she spoke, I pulled myself together, and, scanning the
+paper hastily, was fortunate enough to find in the first paragraph
+matter requiring comment.
+
+"I observe, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "that in answer to the first question,
+'Whence did you obtain the "Thumbograph"?' you say, 'I do not remember
+clearly; I think I must have bought it at a railway bookstall.' Now I
+understood that it was brought home and given to you by Walter himself."
+
+"That was what I thought," replied Mrs. Hornby, "but Walter tells me
+that it was not so, and, of course, he would remember better than I
+should."
+
+"But, my dear aunt, I am sure he gave it to you," interposed Juliet.
+"Don't you remember? It was the night the Colleys came to dinner, and we
+were so hard pressed to find amusement for them, when Walter came in and
+produced the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Yes, I remember quite well now," said Mrs. Hornby. "How fortunate that
+you reminded me. We must alter that answer at once."
+
+"If I were you, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "I would disregard this paper
+altogether. It will only confuse you and get you into difficulties.
+Answer the questions that are put, as well as you can, and if you don't
+remember, say so."
+
+"Yes, that will be much the wisest plan," said Juliet. "Let Dr. Jervis
+take charge of the paper and rely on your own memory."  "Very well, my
+dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I will do what you think best, and you can
+keep the paper, Dr. Jervis, or throw it away."
+
+I slipped the document into my pocket without remark, and we proceeded
+on our way, Mrs. Hornby babbling inconsequently, with occasional
+outbursts of emotion, and Juliet silent and abstracted. I struggled to
+concentrate my attention on the elder lady's conversation, but my
+thoughts continually reverted to the paper in my pocket, and the
+startling solution that it seemed to offer of the mystery of the
+poisoned cigar.
+
+Could it be that Walter Hornby was in reality the miscreant X? The thing
+seemed incredible, for, hitherto, no shadow of suspicion had appeared to
+fall on him. And yet there was no denying that his description tallied
+in a very remarkable manner with that of the hypothetical X. He was a
+man of some means and social position; he was a man of considerable
+knowledge and mechanical skill, though as to his ingenuity I could not
+judge. He had recently bought a second-hand Blickensderfer which
+probably had a literary typewheel, since it was purchased from a
+literary man; and that machine showed the characteristic mark on the
+small "e." The two remaining points, indeed, were not so clear.
+Obviously I could form no opinion as to whether or not Thorndyke held
+any exclusive information concerning him, and, with reference to his
+knowledge of my friend's habits, I was at first inclined to be doubtful
+until I suddenly recalled, with a pang of remorse and self-accusation,
+the various details that I had communicated to Juliet and that she might
+easily, in all innocence, have handed on to Walter. I had, for instance,
+told her of Thorndyke's preference for the Trichinopoly cheroot, and of
+this she might very naturally have spoken to Walter, who possessed a
+supply of them. Again, with regard to the time of our arrival at King's
+Cross, I had informed her of this in a letter which was in no way
+confidential, and again there was no reason why the information should
+not have been passed on to Walter, who was to have been one of the party
+at the family dinner. The coincidence seemed complete enough, in all
+truth; yet it was incredible that Reuben's cousin could be so
+blackhearted a villain or could have any motive for these dastardly
+crimes.
+
+Suddenly a new idea struck me. Mrs Hornby had obtained access to this
+typewriting machine; and if Mrs. Hornby could do so, why not John
+Hornby? The description would, for the most part, fit the elder man as
+well as the younger, though I had no evidence of his possessing any
+special mechanical skill; but my suspicions had already fastened upon
+him, and I remembered that Thorndyke had by no means rejected my theory
+which connected him with the crime.
+
+At this point, my reflections were broken in upon by Mrs. Hornby, who
+grasped my arm and uttered a deep groan. We had reached the corner of
+the Old Bailey, and before us were the frowning walls of Newgate. Within
+those walls, I knew--though I did not mention the fact--that Reuben
+Hornby was confined with the other prisoners who were awaiting their
+trial; and a glance at the massive masonry, stained to a dingy grey by
+the grime of the city, put an end to my speculations and brought me back
+to the drama that was so nearly approaching its climax.
+
+Down the old thoroughfare, crowded with so many memories of hideous
+tragedy; by the side of the gloomy prison; past the debtors' door with
+its forbidding spiked wicket; past the gallows gate with its festoons
+of fetters; we walked in silence until we reached the entrance to the
+Sessions House.
+
+Here I was not a little relieved to find Thorndyke on the look-out for
+us, for Mrs. Hornby, in spite of really heroic efforts to control her
+emotion, was in a state of impending hysteria, while Juliet, though
+outwardly calm and composed, showed by the waxen pallor of her cheeks
+and a certain wildness of her eyes that all her terror was reviving; and
+I was glad that they were spared the unpleasantness of contact with the
+policemen who guarded the various entrances.
+
+"We must be brave," said Thorndyke gently, as he took Mrs. Hornby's
+hand, "and show a cheerful face to our friend who has so much to bear
+and who bears it so patiently. A few more hours, and I hope we shall see
+restored, not only his liberty, but his honour. Here is Mr. Anstey, who,
+we trust, will be able to make his innocence apparent."
+
+Anstey, who, unlike Thorndyke, had already donned his wig and gown,
+bowed gravely, and, together, we passed through the mean and grimy
+portals into a dark hall. Policemen in uniform and unmistakable
+detectives stood about the various entries, and little knots of people,
+evil-looking and unclean for the most part, lurked in the background or
+sat on benches and diffused through the stale, musty air that
+distinctive but indescribable odour that clings to police vans and
+prison reception rooms; an odour that, in the present case, was
+pleasantly mingled with the suggestive aroma of disinfectants. Through
+the unsavoury throng we hurried, and up a staircase to a landing from
+which several passages diverged. Into one of these passages--a sort of
+"dark entry," furnished with a cage-like gate of iron bars--we passed
+to a black door, on which was painted the inscription, "Old Court.
+Counsel and clerks."
+
+Anstey held the door open for us, and we passed through into the court,
+which at once struck me with a sense of disappointment. It was smaller
+than I had expected, and plain and mean to the point of sordidness. The
+woodwork was poor, thinly disguised by yellow graining, and slimy with
+dirt wherever a dirty hand could reach it. The walls were distempered a
+pale, greenish grey; the floor was of bare and dirty planking, and the
+only suggestions of dignity or display were those offered by the canopy
+over the judge's seat--lined with scarlet baize and surmounted by the
+royal arms--the scarlet cushions of the bench, and the large, circular
+clock in the gallery, which was embellished with a gilded border and
+asserted its importance by a loud, aggressive tick.
+
+Following Anstey and Thorndyke into the well of the court, we were
+ushered into one of the seats reserved for counsel--the third from the
+front--where we sat down and looked about us, while our two friends
+seated themselves in the front bench next to the central table. Here, at
+the extreme right, a barrister--presumably the counsel for the
+prosecution--was already in his place and absorbed in the brief that lay
+on the desk before him. Straight before us were the seats for the jury,
+rising one above the other, and at their side the witness-box. Above us
+on the right was the judge's seat, and immediately below it a structure
+somewhat resembling a large pew or a counting-house desk, surmounted by
+a brass rail, in which a person in a grey wig--the clerk of the
+court--was mending a quill pen. On our left rose the dock--suggestively
+large and roomy--enclosed at the sides with high glazed frames; and
+above it, near the ceiling, was the spectators' gallery.
+
+"What a hideous place!" exclaimed Juliet, who separated me from Mrs.
+Hornby. "And how sordid and dirty everything looks!"
+
+"Yes," I answered. "The uncleanness of the criminal is not confined to
+his moral being; wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of actual,
+physical dirt. It is not so long ago that the dock and the bench alike
+used to be strewn with medicinal herbs, and I believe the custom still
+survives of furnishing the judge with a nosegay as a preventive of
+jail-fever."
+
+"And to think that Reuben should be brought to a place like this!"
+Juliet continued bitterly; "to be herded with such people as we saw
+downstairs!"
+
+She sighed and looked round at the benches that rose behind us, where a
+half-dozen reporters were already seated and apparently in high spirits
+at the prospect of a sensational case.
+
+Our conversation was now interrupted by the clatter of feet on the
+gallery stairs, and heads began to appear over the wooden parapet.
+Several junior counsel filed into the seats in front of us; Mr. Lawley
+and his clerk entered the attorney's bench; the ushers took their stand
+below the jury-box; a police officer seated himself at a desk in the
+dock; and inspectors, detectives and miscellaneous officers began to
+gather in the entries or peer into the court through the small glazed
+openings in the doors.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+
+The hum of conversation that had been gradually increasing as the court
+filled suddenly ceased. A door at the back of the dais was flung open;
+counsel, solicitors, and spectators alike rose to their feet; and the
+judge entered, closely followed by the Lord Mayor, the sheriff, and
+various civic magnates, all picturesque and gorgeous in their robes and
+chains of office. The Clerk of Arraigns took his place behind his table
+under the dais; the counsel suspended their conversation and fingered
+their briefs; and, as the judge took his seat, lawyers, officials, and
+spectators took their seats, and all eyes were turned towards the dock.
+
+A few moments later Reuben Hornby appeared in the enclosure in company
+with a warder, the two rising, apparently, from the bowels of the earth,
+and, stepping forward to the bar, stood with a calm and self-possessed
+demeanour, glancing somewhat curiously around the court. For an instant
+his eye rested upon the group of friends and well-wishers seated behind
+the counsel, and the faintest trace of a smile appeared on his face; but
+immediately he turned his eyes away and never again throughout the trial
+looked in our direction.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns now rose and, reading from the indictment which
+lay before him on the table, addressed the prisoner--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, you stand indicted for that you did, on the ninth or
+tenth day of March, feloniously steal a parcel of diamonds of the goods
+and chattels of John Hornby. Are you guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied Reuben.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns, having noted the prisoner's reply, then
+proceeded--
+
+"The gentlemen whose names are about to be called will form the jury who
+are to try you. If you wish to object to any of them, you must do so as
+each comes to the book to be sworn, and before he is sworn. You will
+then be heard."
+
+In acknowledgment of this address, which was delivered in clear, ringing
+tones, and with remarkable distinctness, Reuben bowed to the clerk, and
+the process of swearing-in the jury was commenced, while the counsel
+opened their briefs and the judge conversed facetiously with an
+official in a fur robe and a massive neck chain.
+
+Very strange, to unaccustomed eyes and ears, was the effect of this
+function--half solemn and half grotesque, with an effect intermediate
+between that of a religious rite and that of a comic opera. Above the
+half-suppressed hum of conversation the clerk's voice arose at regular
+intervals, calling out the name of one of the jurymen, and, as its owner
+stood up, the court usher, black-gowned and sacerdotal of aspect,
+advanced and proffered the book. Then, as the juryman took the volume in
+his hand, the voice of the usher resounded through the court like that
+of a priest intoning some refrain or antiphon--an effect that was
+increased by the rhythmical and archaic character of the formula--
+
+"Samuel Seppings!"
+
+A stolid-looking working-man rose and, taking the Testament in his hand,
+stood regarding the usher while that official sang out in a solemn
+monotone--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have
+in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence. So help
+you God!"
+
+"James Piper!" Another juryman rose and was given the Book to hold; and
+again the monotonous sing-song arose--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make, etc."
+
+"I shall scream aloud if that horrible chant goes on much longer,"
+Juliet whispered. "Why don't they all swear at once and have done with
+it?"
+
+"That would not meet the requirements," I answered. "However, there are
+only two more, so you must have patience."
+
+"And you will have patience with me, too, won't you? I am horribly
+frightened. It is all so solemn and dreadful."
+
+"You must try to keep up your courage until Dr. Thorndyke has given his
+evidence," I said. "Remember that, until he has spoken, everything is
+against Reuben; so be prepared."
+
+"I will try," she answered meekly; "but I can't help being terrified."
+
+The last of the jurymen was at length sworn, and when the clerk had once
+more called out the names one by one, the usher counting loudly as each
+man answered to his name, the latter officer turned to the Court and
+spectators, and proclaimed in solemn tones--
+
+"If anyone can inform my Lords the King's justices, the King's
+attorney-general, or the King's serjeant, ere this inquest be now taken
+between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, of any
+treason, murder, felony or misdemeanour, committed or done by him, let
+him come forth and he shall be heard; for the prisoner stands at the bar
+upon his deliverance."
+
+This proclamation was followed by a profound silence, and after a brief
+interval the Clerk of Arraigns turned towards the jury and addressed
+them collectively--
+
+"Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner at the bar stands indicted by the
+name of Reuben Hornby, for that he, on the ninth or tenth of March,
+feloniously did steal, take and carry away a parcel of diamonds of the
+goods of John Hornby. To this indictment he has pleaded that he is not
+guilty, and your charge is to inquire whether he be guilty or not and to
+hearken to the evidence."
+
+When he had finished his address the clerk sat down, and the judge, a
+thin-faced, hollow-eyed elderly man, with bushy grey eyebrows and a very
+large nose, looked attentively at Reuben for some moments over the tops
+of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. Then he turned towards the counsel nearest
+the bench and bowed slightly.
+
+The barrister bowed in return and rose, and for the first time I
+obtained a complete view of Sir Hector Trumpler, K.C., the counsel for
+the prosecution. His appearance was not prepossessing nor--though he was
+a large man and somewhat florid as to his countenance--particularly
+striking, except for a general air of untidiness. His gown was slipping
+off one shoulder, his wig was perceptibly awry, and his pince-nez
+threatened every moment to drop from his nose.
+
+"The case that I have to present to you, my lord and gentlemen of the
+jury," he began in a clear, though unmusical voice, "is one the like of
+which is but too often met with in this court. It is one in which we
+shall see unbounded trust met by treacherous deceit, in which we shall
+see countless benefactions rewarded by the basest ingratitude, and in
+which we shall witness the deliberate renunciation of a life of
+honourable effort in favour of the tortuous and precarious ways of the
+criminal. The facts of the case are briefly as follows: The prosecutor
+in this case--most unwilling prosecutor, gentlemen--is Mr. John Hornby,
+who is a metallurgist and dealer in precious metals. Mr. Hornby has two
+nephews, the orphan sons of his two elder brothers, and I may tell you
+that since the decease of their parents he has acted the part of a
+father to both of them. One of these nephews is Mr. Walter Hornby, and
+the other is Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the bar. Both of these
+nephews were received by Mr. Hornby into his business with a view to
+their succeeding him when he should retire, and both, I need not say,
+occupied positions of trust and responsibility.
+
+"Now, on the evening of the ninth of March there was delivered to Mr.
+Hornby a parcel of rough diamonds of which one of his clients asked him
+to take charge pending their transfer to the brokers. I need not burden
+you with irrelevant details concerning this transaction. It will suffice
+to say that the diamonds, which were of the aggregate value of about
+thirty thousand pounds, were delivered to him, and the unopened package
+deposited by him in his safe, together with a slip of paper on which he
+had written in pencil a memorandum of the circumstances. This was on the
+evening of the ninth of March, as I have said. Having deposited the
+parcel, Mr. Hornby locked the safe, and shortly afterwards left the
+premises and went home, taking the keys with him.
+
+"On the following morning, when he unlocked the safe, he perceived with
+astonishment and dismay that the parcel of diamonds had vanished. The
+slip of paper, however, lay at the bottom of the safe, and on picking it
+up Mr. Hornby perceived that it bore a smear of blood, and in addition,
+the distinct impression of a human thumb. On this he closed and locked
+the safe and sent a note to the police station, in response to which a
+very intelligent officer--Inspector Sanderson--came and made a
+preliminary examination. I need not follow the case further, since the
+details will appear in the evidence, but I may tell you that, in effect,
+it has been made clear, beyond all doubt, that the thumb-print on that
+paper was the thumb-print of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+He paused to adjust his glasses, which were in the very act of falling
+from his nose, and hitch up his gown, while he took a leisurely survey
+of the jury, as though he were estimating their impressionability. At
+this moment I observed Walter Hornby enter the court and take up a
+position at the end of our bench nearest the door; and, immediately
+after, Superintendent Miller came in and seated himself on one of the
+benches opposite.
+
+"The first witness whom I shall call," said Sir Hector Trumpler, "is
+John Hornby."
+
+Mr. Hornby, looking wild and agitated, stepped into the witness-box, and
+the usher, having handed him the Testament, sang out--
+
+"The evidence you shall give to the court and jury sworn, between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar shall be the truth,
+the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+Mr. Hornby kissed the Book, and, casting a glance of unutterable misery
+at his nephew, turned towards the counsel.
+
+"Your name is John Hornby, is it not?" asked Sir Hector.
+
+"It is."
+
+"And you occupy premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+
+"Yes. I am a dealer in precious metals, but my business consists
+principally in the assaying of samples of ore and quartz and bars of
+silver and gold."
+
+"Do you remember what happened on the ninth of March last?"
+
+"Perfectly. My nephew Reuben--the prisoner--delivered to me a parcel of
+diamonds which he had received from the purser of the _Elmina Castle_,
+to whom I had sent him as my confidential agent. I had intended to
+deposit the diamonds with my banker, but when the prisoner arrived at my
+office, the banks were already closed, so I had to put the parcel, for
+the night, in my own safe. I may say that the prisoner was not in any
+way responsible for the delay."
+
+"You are not here to defend the prisoner," said Sir Hector. "Answer my
+questions and make no comments, if you please. Was anyone present when
+you placed the diamonds in the safe?"
+
+"No one was present but myself."
+
+"I did not ask if you were present when you put them in," said Sir
+Hector (whereupon the spectators sniggered and the judge smiled
+indulgently). "What else did you do?"
+
+"I wrote in pencil on a leaf of my pocket memorandum block, 'Handed in
+by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01,' and initialled it. Then I tore the leaf
+from the block and laid it on the parcel, after which I closed the safe
+and locked it."
+
+"How soon did you leave the premises after this?"
+
+"Almost immediately. The prisoner was waiting for me in the outer
+office--"
+
+"Never mind where the prisoner was; confine your answers to what is
+asked. Did you take the keys with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"When did you next open the safe?"
+
+"On the following morning at ten o'clock."
+
+"Was the safe locked or unlocked when you arrived?"
+
+"It was locked. I unlocked it."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual about the safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Had the keys left your custody in the interval?"
+
+"No. They were attached to a key-chain, which I always wear."
+
+"Are there any duplicates of those keys?--the keys of the safe, I mean."
+
+"No, there are no duplicates."
+
+"Have the keys ever gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Yes. If I have had to be absent from the office for a considerable
+time, it has been my custom to hand the keys to one of my nephews,
+whichever has happened to be in charge at the time."
+
+"And never to any other person?"
+
+"Never to any other person."
+
+"What did you observe when you opened the safe?"
+
+"I observed that the parcel of diamonds had disappeared."
+
+"Did you notice anything else?"
+
+"Yes. I found the leaf from my memorandum block lying at the bottom of
+the safe. I picked it up and turned it over, and then saw that there
+were smears of blood on it and what looked like the print of a thumb in
+blood. The thumb-mark was on the under-surface, as the paper lay at the
+bottom of the safe."
+
+"What did you do next?"
+
+"I closed and locked the safe, and sent a note to the police station
+saying that a robbery had been committed on my premises."
+
+"You have known the prisoner several years, I believe?"
+
+"Yes; I have known him all his life. He is my eldest brother's son."
+
+"Then you can tell us, no doubt, whether he is left-handed or
+right-handed?"
+
+"I should say he was ambidextrous, but he uses his left hand by
+preference."
+
+"A fine distinction, Mr. Hornby; a very fine distinction. Now tell me,
+did you ascertain beyond all doubt that the diamonds were really gone?"
+
+"Yes; I examined the safe thoroughly, first by myself and afterwards
+with the police. There was no doubt that the diamonds had really gone."
+
+"When the detective suggested that you should have the thumb-prints of
+your two nephews taken, did you refuse?"
+
+"I refused."
+
+"Why did you refuse?"
+
+"Because I did not choose to subject my nephews to the indignity.
+Besides, I had no power to make them submit to the proceeding."
+
+"Had you any suspicions of either of them?"
+
+"I had no suspicions of anyone."
+
+"Kindly examine this piece of paper, Mr. Hornby," said Sir Hector,
+passing across a small oblong slip, "and tell us if you recognise it."
+
+Mr. Hornby glanced at the paper for a moment, and then said--
+
+"This is the memorandum slip that I found lying at the bottom of the
+safe."
+
+"How do you identify it?"
+
+"By the writing on it, which is in my own hand, and bears my initials."
+
+"Is it the memorandum that you placed on the parcel of diamonds?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Was there any thumb-mark or blood-smear on it when you placed it in the
+safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Was it possible that there could have been any such marks?"
+
+"Quite impossible. I tore it from my memorandum block at the time I
+wrote upon it."
+
+"Very well." Sir Hector Trumpler sat down, and Mr. Anstey stood up to
+cross-examine the witness.
+
+"You have told us, Mr. Hornby," said he, "that you have known the
+prisoner all his life. Now what estimate have you formed of his
+character?"
+
+"I have always regarded him as a young man of the highest
+character--honourable, truthful, and in every way trustworthy. I have
+never, in all my experience of him, known him to deviate a
+hair's-breadth from the strictest honour and honesty of conduct."
+
+"You regarded him as a man of irreproachable character. Is that so?"
+
+"That is so; and my opinion of him is unchanged."
+
+"Has he, to your knowledge, any expensive or extravagant habits?"
+
+"No. His habits are simple and rather thrifty."
+
+"Have you ever known him to bet, gamble, or speculate?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Has he ever seemed to be in want of money?"
+
+"No. He has a small private income, apart from his salary, which I know
+he does not spend, since I have occasionally employed my broker to
+invest his savings."
+
+"Apart from the thumb-print which was found in the safe, are you aware
+of any circumstances that would lead you to suspect the prisoner of
+having stolen the diamonds?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the
+perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.
+
+"Inspector Sanderson!"
+
+The dapper police officer stepped briskly into the box, and having been
+duly sworn, faced the prosecuting counsel with the air of a man who was
+prepared for any contingency.
+
+"Do you remember," said Sir Hector, after the usual preliminaries had
+been gone through, "what occurred on the morning of the tenth of March?"
+
+"Yes. A note was handed to me at the station at 10.23 a.m. It was from
+Mr. John Hornby, and stated that a robbery had occurred at his premises
+in St. Mary Axe. I went to the premises and arrived there at 10.31 a.m.
+There I saw the prosecutor, Mr. John Hornby, who told me that a parcel
+of diamonds had been stolen from the safe. At his request I examined the
+safe. There were no signs of its having been forced open; the locks
+seemed to be quite uninjured and in good order. Inside the safe, on the
+bottom, I found two good-sized drops of blood, and a slip of paper with
+pencil-writing on it. The paper bore two blood-smears and a print of a
+human thumb in blood."
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the counsel, passing a small slip across to
+the witness.
+
+"Yes," replied the inspector, after a brief glance at the document.
+
+"What did you do next?"  "I sent a message to Scotland Yard acquainting
+the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department with the facts, and
+then went back to the station. I had no further connection with the
+case."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the judge glanced at Anstey.
+
+"You tell us," said the latter, rising, "that you observed two
+good-sized drops of blood on the bottom of the safe. Did you notice the
+condition of the blood, whether moist or dry?"
+
+"The blood looked moist, but I did not touch it. I left it undisturbed
+for the detective officers to examine."
+
+The next witness called was Sergeant Bates, of the Criminal
+Investigation Department. He stepped into the box with the same ready,
+business-like air as the other officer, and, having been sworn,
+proceeded to give his evidence with a fluency that suggested careful
+preparation, holding an open notebook in his hand but making no
+references to it.
+
+"On the tenth of March, at 12.8 p.m., I received instructions to proceed
+to St. Mary Axe to inquire into a robbery that had taken place there.
+Inspector Sanderson's report was handed to me, and I read it in the cab
+on my way to the premises. On arriving at the premises at 12.30 p.m., I
+examined the safe carefully. It was quite uninjured, and there were no
+marks of any kind upon it. I tested the locks and found them perfect;
+there were no marks or indications of any picklock having been used. On
+the bottom of the inside I observed two rather large drops of a dark
+fluid. I took up some of the fluid on a piece of paper and found it to
+be blood. I also found, in the bottom of the safe, the burnt head of a
+wax match, and, on searching the floor of the office, I found, close by
+the safe, a used wax match from which the head had fallen. I also found
+a slip of paper which appeared to have been torn from a perforated
+block. On it was written in pencil, 'Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m.
+9.3.01. J.H.' There were two smears of blood on the paper and the
+impression of a human thumb in blood. I took possession of the paper in
+order that it might be examined by the experts. I inspected the office
+doors and the outer door of the premises, but found no signs of forcible
+entrance on any of them. I questioned the housekeeper, but obtained no
+information from him. I then returned to headquarters, made my report
+and handed the paper with the marks on it to the Superintendent."
+
+"Is this the paper that you found in the safe?" asked the counsel, once
+more handing the leaflet across.
+
+"Yes; this is the paper."
+
+"What happened next?"
+
+"The following afternoon I was sent for by Mr. Singleton, of the
+Finger-print Department. He informed me that he had gone through the
+files and had not been able to find any thumb-print resembling the one
+on the paper, and recommended me to endeavour to obtain prints of the
+thumbs of any persons who might have been concerned in the robbery. He
+also gave me an enlarged photograph of the thumb-print for reference if
+necessary. I accordingly went to St. Mary Axe and had an interview with
+Mr. Hornby, when I requested him to allow me to take prints of the
+thumbs of all the persons employed on the premises, including his two
+nephews. This he refused, saying that he distrusted finger-prints and
+that there was no suspicion of anyone on the premises. I asked if he
+would allow his nephews to furnish their thumb-prints privately, to
+which he replied, 'Certainly not.'"
+
+"Had you then any suspicion of either of the nephews?"
+
+"I thought they were both open to some suspicion. The safe had certainly
+been opened with false keys, and as they had both had the real keys in
+their possession it was possible that one of them might have taken
+impressions in wax and made counterfeit keys."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I called on Mr. Hornby several times and urged him, for the sake of his
+nephews' reputations, to sanction the taking of the thumb-prints; but he
+refused very positively and forbade them to submit, although I
+understood that they were both willing. It then occurred to me to try if
+I could get any help from Mrs. Hornby, and on the fifteenth of March I
+called at Mr. Hornby's private house and saw her. I explained to her
+what was wanted to clear her nephews from the suspicion that rested on
+them, and she then said that she could dispose of those suspicions at
+once, for she could show me the thumb-prints of the whole family: she
+had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"A 'Thumbograph'?" repeated the judge. "What is a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.
+
+"A 'Thumbograph,' my lord," said he, "is a book, like this, in which
+foolish people collect the thumb-prints of their more foolish
+acquaintances."
+
+He passed the volume up to the judge, who turned over the leaves
+curiously and then nodded to the witness.
+
+"Yes. She said she had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Then she fetched from a drawer a small red-covered book which she
+showed to me. It contained the thumb-prints of all the family and some
+of her friends."
+
+"Is this the book?" asked the judge, passing the volume down to the
+witness.
+
+The sergeant turned over the leaves until he came to one which he
+apparently recognised, and said--
+
+"Yes, m'lord; this is the book. Mrs. Hornby showed me the thumb-prints
+of various members of the family, and then found those of the two
+nephews. I compared them with the photograph that I had with me and
+discovered that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby was in
+every respect identical with the thumb-print shown in the photograph."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I asked Mrs. Hornby to lend me the 'Thumbograph' so that I might show
+it to the Chief of the Finger-print Department, to which she consented.
+I had not intended to tell her of my discovery, but, as I was leaving,
+Mr. Hornby arrived home, and when he heard of what had taken place, he
+asked me why I wanted the book, and then I told him. He was greatly
+astonished and horrified, and wished me to return the book at once. He
+proposed to let the whole matter drop and take the loss of the diamonds
+on himself; but I pointed out that this was impossible as it would
+practically amount to compounding a felony. Seeing that Mrs. Hornby was
+so distressed at the idea of her book being used in evidence against her
+nephew, I promised her that I would return it to her if I could obtain a
+thumb-print in any other way.
+
+"I then took the 'Thumbograph' to Scotland Yard and showed it to Mr.
+Singleton, who agreed that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby
+was in every respect identical with the thumb-print on the paper found
+in the safe. On this I applied for a warrant for the arrest of Reuben
+Hornby, which I executed on the following morning. I told the prisoner
+what I had promised Mrs. Hornby, and he then offered to allow me to take
+a print of his left thumb so that his aunt's book should not have to be
+used in evidence."
+
+"How is it, then," asked the judge, "that it has been put in evidence?"
+
+"It has been put in by the defence, my lord," said Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I see," said the judge. "'A hair of the dog that bit him.' The
+'Thumbograph' is to be applied as a remedy on the principle that
+_similia similibus curantur_. Well?"
+
+"When I arrested him, I administered the usual caution, and the prisoner
+then said, 'I am innocent. I know nothing about the robbery.'"
+
+The counsel for the prosecution sat down, and Anstey rose to
+cross-examine.
+
+"You have told us," said he, in his clear musical voice, "that you found
+at the bottom of the safe two rather large drops of a dark fluid which
+you considered to be blood. Now, what led you to believe that fluid to
+be blood?"
+
+"I took some of the fluid up on a piece of white paper, and it had the
+appearance and colour of blood."
+
+"Was it examined microscopically or otherwise?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge."
+
+"Was it quite liquid?"
+
+"Yes, I should say quite liquid."
+
+"What appearance had it on paper?"
+
+"It looked like a clear red liquid of the colour of blood, and was
+rather thick and sticky."
+
+Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the
+name of Francis Simmons, was called.
+
+"You are the housekeeper at Mr. Hornby's premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+asked Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual on the night of the ninth of March?"
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Did you make your usual rounds on that occasion?"
+
+"Yes. I went all over the premises several times during the night, and
+the rest of the time I was in a room over the private office."
+
+"Who arrived first on the morning of the tenth?"
+
+"Mr. Reuben. He arrived about twenty minutes before anybody else."
+
+"What part of the building did he go to?"
+
+"He went into the private office, which I opened for him. He remained
+there until a few minutes before Mr. Hornby arrived, when he went up to
+the laboratory."
+
+"Who came next?"
+
+"Mr. Hornby, and Mr. Walter came in just after him."
+
+The counsel sat down, and Anstey proceeded to cross-examine the witness.
+
+"Who was the last to leave the premises on the evening of the ninth?"
+
+"I am not sure."
+
+"Why are you not sure?"
+
+"I had to take a note and a parcel to a firm in Shoreditch. When I
+started, a clerk named Thomas Holker was in the outer office and Mr.
+Walter Hornby was in the private office. When I returned they had both
+gone."
+
+"Was the outer door locked?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Had Holker a key of the outer door?"
+
+"No. Mr. Hornby and his two nephews had each a key, and I have one. No
+one else had a key."
+
+"How long were you absent?"
+
+"About three-quarters of an hour."
+
+"Who gave you the note and the parcel?"
+
+"Mr. Walter Hornby."
+
+"When did he give them to you?"
+
+"He gave them to me just before I started, and told me to go at once for
+fear the place should be closed before I got there."
+
+"And was the place closed?"
+
+"Yes. It was all shut up, and everybody had gone."
+
+Anstey resumed his seat, the witness shuffled out of the box with an air
+of evident relief, and the usher called out, "Henry James Singleton."
+
+Mr. Singleton rose from his seat at the table by the solicitors for the
+prosecution and entered the box. Sir Hector adjusted his glasses, turned
+over a page of his brief, and cast a steady and impressive glance at the
+jury.
+
+"I believe, Mr. Singleton," he said at length, "that you are connected
+with the Finger-print Department at Scotland Yard?"
+
+"Yes. I am one of the chief assistants in that department."
+
+"What are your official duties?"
+
+"My principal occupation consists in the examination and comparison of
+the finger-prints of criminals and suspected persons. These
+finger-prints are classified by me according to their characters and
+arranged in files for reference."
+
+"I take it that you have examined a great number of finger-prints?"
+
+"I have examined many thousands of finger-prints, and have studied them
+closely for purposes of identification."
+
+"Kindly examine this paper, Mr. Singleton" (here the fatal leaflet was
+handed to him by the usher); "have you ever seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. It was handed to me for examination at my office on the tenth of
+March."
+
+"There is a mark upon it--the print of a finger or thumb. Can you tell
+us anything about that mark?"
+
+"It is the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at
+the bar."
+
+"You are quite sure of that?"
+
+"I am quite sure."
+
+"Do you swear that the mark upon that paper was made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Could it not have been made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No; it is impossible that it could have been made by any other person."
+
+At this moment I felt Juliet lay a trembling hand on mine, and, glancing
+at her, I saw that she was deathly pale. I took her hand in mine and,
+pressing it gently, whispered to her, "Have courage; there is nothing
+unexpected in this."
+
+"Thank you," she whispered in reply, with a faint smile; "I will try;
+but it is all so horribly unnerving."
+
+"You consider," Sir Hector proceeded, "that the identity of this
+thumb-print admits of no doubt?"  "It admits of no doubt whatever,"
+replied Mr. Singleton.
+
+"Can you explain to us, without being too technical, how you have
+arrived at such complete certainty?"
+
+"I myself took a print of the prisoner's thumb--having first obtained
+the prisoner's consent after warning him that the print would be used in
+evidence against him--and I compared that print with the mark on this
+paper. The comparison was made with the greatest care and by the most
+approved method, point by point and detail by detail, and the two prints
+were found to be identical in every respect.
+
+"Now it has been proved by exact calculations--which calculations I have
+personally verified---that the chance that the print of a single finger
+of any given person will be exactly like the print of the same finger of
+any other given person is as one to sixty-four thousand millions. That
+is to say that, since the number of the entire human race is about
+sixteen thousand millions, the chance is about one to four that the
+print of a single finger of any one person will be identical with that
+of the same finger of any other member of the human race.
+
+"It has been said by a great authority--and I entirely agree with the
+statement--that a complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two
+prints of a single finger affords evidence requiring no corroboration
+that the persons from whom they were made are the same.
+
+"Now, these calculations apply to the prints of ordinary and normal
+fingers or thumbs. But the thumb from which these prints were taken is
+not ordinary or normal. There is upon it a deep but clean linear
+scar--the scar of an old incised wound--and this scar passes across the
+pattern of the ridges, intersecting the latter at certain places and
+disturbing their continuity at others. Now this very characteristic scar
+is an additional feature, having a set of chances of its own. So that we
+have to consider not only the chance that the print of the prisoner's
+left thumb should be identical with the print of some other person's
+left thumb--which is as one to sixty-four thousand millions--but the
+further chance that these two identical thumb-prints should be traversed
+by the impression of a scar identical in size and appearance, and
+intersecting the ridges at exactly the same places and producing
+failures of continuity in the ridges of exactly the same character. But
+these two chances, multiplied into one another, yield an ultimate chance
+of about one to four thousand trillions that the prisoner's left thumb
+will exactly resemble the print of some other person's thumb, both as to
+the pattern and the scar which crosses the pattern; in other words such
+a coincidence is an utter impossibility."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler took off his glasses and looked long and steadily at
+the jury as though he should say, "Come, my friends; what do you think
+of that?" Then he sat down with a jerk and turned towards Anstey and
+Thorndyke with a look of triumph.
+
+"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
+seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Anstey.
+
+Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
+counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
+satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
+he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
+detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
+faintest shadow of a smile.
+
+"Herbert John Nash!"
+
+A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
+the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.
+
+"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
+believe, Mr. Nash?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"
+
+"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
+the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"I am certain that no mistake is possible."
+
+Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
+seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
+the margin of his brief.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
+in the ink.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."
+
+Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said--
+
+"I call witnesses, my lord."
+
+The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
+his brief introductory speech--
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
+Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
+the evidence of my witnesses without delay."
+
+There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
+broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
+quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
+whisper--
+
+"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
+can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
+lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."
+
+"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
+innocence as ever."
+
+"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some means of proving
+his innocence."
+
+"Yes. I suppose so," she rejoined in a dejected whisper. "At any rate we
+shall soon know now."
+
+At this moment the usher's voice was heard calling out the name of the
+first witness for the defence.
+
+"Edmund Horford Rowe!"
+
+A keen-looking, grey-haired man, with a shaven face and close-cut
+side-whiskers, stepped into the box and was sworn in due form.
+
+"You are a doctor of medicine, I believe," said Anstey, addressing the
+witness, "and lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the South London
+Hospital?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you had occasion to study the properties of blood?"
+
+"Yes. The properties of blood are of great importance from a
+medico-legal point of view."
+
+"Can you tell us what happens when a drop of blood--say from a cut
+finger--falls upon a surface such as the bottom of an iron safe?"
+
+"A drop of blood from a living body falling upon any non-absorbent
+surface will, in the course of a few minutes, solidify into a jelly
+which will, at first, have the same bulk and colour as the liquid
+blood."
+
+"Will it undergo any further change?"
+
+"Yes. In a few minutes more the jelly will begin to shrink and become
+more solid so that the blood will become separated into two parts, the
+solid and the liquid. The solid part will consist of a firm, tough jelly
+of a deep red colour, and the liquid part will consist of a pale yellow,
+clear, watery liquid."
+
+"At the end, say, of two hours, what will be the condition of the drop
+of blood?"
+
+"It will consist of a drop of clear, nearly colourless liquid, in the
+middle of which will be a small, tough, red clot."
+
+"Supposing such a drop to be taken up on a piece of white paper, what
+would be its appearance?"
+
+"The paper would be wetted by the colourless liquid, and the solid clot
+would probably adhere to the paper in a mass."
+
+"Would the blood on the paper appear as a clear, red liquid?"
+
+"Certainly not. The liquid would appear like water, and the clot would
+appear as a solid mass sticking to the paper."
+
+"Does blood always behave in the way you have described?"
+
+"Always, unless some artificial means are taken to prevent it from
+clotting."
+
+"By what means can blood be prevented from clotting or solidifying?"
+
+"There are two principal methods. One is to stir or whip the fresh blood
+rapidly with a bundle of fine twigs. When this is done, the fibrin--the
+part of the blood that causes solidification--adheres to the twigs, and
+the blood that remains, though it is unchanged in appearance, will
+remain liquid for an indefinite time. The other method is to dissolve a
+certain proportion of some alkaline salt in the fresh blood, after which
+it no longer has any tendency to solidify."
+
+"You have heard the evidence of Inspector Sanderson and Sergeant Bates?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Inspector Sanderson has told us that he examined the safe at 10.31 a.m.
+and found two good-sized drops of blood on the bottom. Sergeant Bates
+has told us that he examined the safe two hours later, and that he took
+up one of the drops of blood on a piece of white paper. The blood was
+then quite liquid, and, on the paper, it looked like a clear, red liquid
+of the colour of blood. What should you consider the condition and
+nature of that blood to have been?"
+
+"If it was really blood at all, I should say that it was either
+defibrinated blood--that is, blood from which the fibrin has been
+extracted by whipping--or that it had been treated with an alkaline
+salt."
+
+"You are of opinion that the blood found in the safe could not have been
+ordinary blood shed from a cut or wound?"
+
+"I am sure it could not have been."
+
+"Now, Dr. Rowe, I am going to ask you a few questions on another
+subject. Have you given any attention to finger-prints made by bloody
+fingers?"
+
+"Yes. I have recently made some experiments on the subject."
+
+"Will you give us the results of those experiments?"
+
+"My object was to ascertain whether fingers wet with fresh blood would
+yield distinct and characteristic prints. I made a great number of
+trials, and as a result found that it is extremely difficult to obtain a
+clear print when the finger is wetted with fresh blood. The usual result
+is a mere red blot showing no ridge pattern at all, owing to the blood
+filling the furrows between the ridges. But if the blood is allowed to
+dry almost completely on the finger, a very clear print is obtained."
+
+"Is it possible to recognise a print that has been made by a nearly dry
+finger?"
+
+"Yes; quite easily. The half-dried blood is nearly solid and adheres to
+the paper in a different way from the liquid, and it shows minute
+details, such as the mouths of the sweat glands, which are always
+obliterated by the liquid."
+
+"Look carefully at this paper, which was found in the safe, and tell me
+what you see."
+
+The witness took the paper and examined it attentively, first with the
+naked eye and then with a pocket-lens.
+
+"I see," said he, "two blood-marks and a print, apparently of a thumb.
+Of the two marks, one is a blot, smeared slightly by a finger or thumb;
+the other is a smear only. Both were evidently produced with quite
+liquid blood. The thumb-print was also made with liquid blood."
+
+"You are quite sure that the thumb-print was made with liquid blood?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"Is there anything unusual about the thumb-print?"
+
+"Yes. It is extraordinarily clear and distinct. I have made a great
+number of trials and have endeavoured to obtain the clearest prints
+possible with fresh blood; but none of my prints are nearly as distinct
+as this one."
+
+Here the witness produced a number of sheets of paper, each of which was
+covered with the prints of bloody fingers, and compared them with the
+memorandum slip.
+
+The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat
+down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression
+on his face, to cross-examine.
+
+"You say that the blood found in the safe was defibrinated or
+artificially treated. What inference do you draw from that fact?"
+
+"I infer that it was not dropped from a bleeding wound."
+
+"Can you form any idea how such blood should have got into the safe?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+"You say that the thumb-print is a remarkably distinct one. What
+conclusion do you draw from that?"
+
+"I do not draw any conclusion. I cannot account for its distinctness at
+all."
+
+The learned counsel sat down with rather a baffled air, and I observed a
+faint smile spread over the countenance of my colleague.
+
+"Arabella Hornby."
+
+A muffled whimpering from my neighbour on the left hand was accompanied
+by a wild rustling of silk. Glancing at Mrs. Hornby, I saw her stagger
+from the bench, shaking like a jelly, mopping her eyes with her
+handkerchief and grasping her open purse. She entered the witness-box,
+and, having gazed wildly round the court, began to search the
+multitudinous compartments of her purse.
+
+"The evidence you shall give," sang out the usher--whereat Mrs. Hornby
+paused in her search and stared at him apprehensively--"to the court and
+jury sworn, between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the
+bar shall be the truth,--"
+
+"Certainly," said Mrs. Hornby stiffly, "I--"
+
+"--the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+He held out the Testament, which she took from him with a trembling hand
+and forthwith dropped with a resounding bang on to the floor of the
+witness-box, diving after it with such precipitancy that her bonnet
+jammed violently against the rail of the box.
+
+She disappeared from view for a moment, and then rose from the depths
+with a purple face and her bonnet flattened and cocked over one ear like
+an artillery-man's forage cap.
+
+"Kiss the Book, if you please," said the usher, suppressing a grin by an
+heroic effort, as Mrs. Hornby, encumbered by her purse, her handkerchief
+and the Testament, struggled to unfasten her bonnet-strings. She clawed
+frantically at her bonnet, and, having dusted the Testament with her
+handkerchief, kissed it tenderly and laid it on the rail of the box,
+whence it fell instantly on to the floor of the court.
+
+"I am really very sorry!" exclaimed Mrs. Hornby, leaning over the rail
+to address the usher as he stooped to pick up the Book, and discharging
+on to his back a stream of coins, buttons and folded bills from her open
+purse; "you will think me very awkward, I'm afraid."
+
+She mopped her face and replaced her bonnet rakishly on one side, as
+Anstey rose and passed a small red book across to her.
+
+"Kindly look at that book, Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"I'd rather not," said she, with a gesture of repugnance. "It is
+associated with matters of so extremely disagreeable a character--"
+
+"Do you recognise it?"
+
+"Do I recognise it! How can you ask me such a question when you must
+know--"
+
+"Answer the question," interposed the judge. "Do you or do you not
+recognise the book in your hand?"
+
+"Of course I recognise it. How could I fail to--"
+
+"Then say so," said the judge.
+
+"I have said so," retorted Mrs. Hornby indignantly.
+
+The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued--"It is called a
+'Thumbograph,' I believe."
+
+"Yes: the name 'Thumbograph' is printed on the cover, so I suppose that
+is what it is called."
+
+"Will you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?"
+
+For one moment Mrs. Hornby stared wildly at her interrogator; then she
+snatched a paper from her purse, unfolded it, gazed at it with an
+expression of dismay, and crumpled it up in the palm of her hand.
+
+"You are asked a question," said the judge.
+
+"Oh! yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "The Committee of the Society--no, that is
+the wrong one--I mean Walter, you know--at least--"
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.
+
+"You were speaking of the committee of some society," interposed the
+judge. "What society were you referring to?"
+
+Mrs. Hornby spread out the paper and, after a glance at it, replied--
+
+"The Society of Paralysed Idiots, your worship," whereat a rumble of
+suppressed laughter arose from the gallery.
+
+"But what has that society to do with the 'Thumbograph'?" inquired the
+judge.
+
+"Nothing, your worship. Nothing at all."
+
+"Then why did you refer to it?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," said Mrs. Hornby, wiping her eyes with the
+paper and then hastily exchanging it for her handkerchief.
+
+The judge took off his glasses and gazed at Mrs. Hornby with an
+expression of bewilderment. Then he turned to the counsel and said in a
+weary voice--"Proceed, if you please, Mr. Anstey."
+
+"Can you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?" said the latter in persuasive accents.
+
+"I thought it was Walter, and so did my niece, but Walter says it was
+not, and he ought to know, being young and having a most excellent
+memory, as I had myself when I was his age, and really, you know, it
+can't possibly matter where I got the thing--"
+
+"But it does matter," interrupted Anstey. "We wish particularly to
+know."
+
+"If you mean that you wish to get one like it--"
+
+"We do not," said Anstey. "We wish to know how that particular
+'Thumbograph' came into your possession. Did you, for instance, buy it
+yourself, or was it given to you by someone?"
+
+"Walter says I bought it myself, but I thought he gave it to me, but he
+says he did not, and you see--"
+
+"Never mind what Walter says. What is your own impression?"
+
+"Why I still think that he gave it to me, though, of course, seeing that
+my memory is not what it was--"
+
+"You think that Walter gave it to you?"
+
+"Yes, in fact I feel sure he did, and so does my niece."
+
+"Walter is your nephew, Walter Hornby?"
+
+"Yes, of course. I thought you knew."
+
+"Can you recall the occasion on which the 'Thumbograph' was given to
+you?"
+
+"Oh yes, quite distinctly. We had some people to dinner--some people
+named Colley--not the Dorsetshire Colleys, you know, although they are
+exceedingly nice people, as I have no doubt the other Colleys are, too,
+when you know them, but we don't. Well, after dinner we were a little
+dull and rather at a loss, because Juliet, my niece, you know, had cut
+her finger and couldn't play the piano excepting with the left hand, and
+that is so monotonous as well as fatiguing, and the Colleys are not
+musical, excepting Adolphus, who plays the trombone, but he hadn't got
+it with him, and then, fortunately, Walter came in and brought the
+'Thumbograph' and took all our thumb-prints and his own as well, and we
+were very much amused, and Matilda Colley--that is the eldest daughter
+but one--said that Reuben jogged her elbow, but that was only an
+excuse--"
+
+"Exactly," interrupted Anstey. "And you recollect quite clearly that
+your nephew Walter gave you the 'Thumbograph' on that occasion?"
+
+"Oh, distinctly; though, you know, he is really my husband's nephew--"
+
+"Yes. And you are sure that he took the thumb-prints?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"And you are sure that you never saw the 'Thumbograph' before that?"
+
+"Never. How could I? He hadn't brought it."
+
+"Have you ever lent the 'Thumbograph' to anyone?"
+
+"No, never. No one has ever wanted to borrow it, because, you see--"
+
+"Has it never, at any time, gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that; in fact, I have often thought, though I hate
+suspecting people, and I really don't suspect anybody in particular, you
+know, but it certainly was very peculiar and I can't explain it in any
+other way. You see, I kept the 'Thumbograph' in a drawer in my writing
+table, and in the same drawer I used to keep my handkerchief-bag--in
+fact I do still, and it is there at this very moment, for in my hurry
+and agitation, I forgot about it until we were in the cab, and then it
+was too late, because Mr. Lawley--"
+
+"Yes. You kept it in a drawer with your handkerchief-bag."
+
+"That was what I said. Well, when Mr. Hornby was staying at Brighton he
+wrote to ask me to go down for a week and bring Juliet--Miss Gibson, you
+know--with me. So we went, and, just as we were starting, I sent Juliet
+to fetch my handkerchief-bag from the drawer, and I said to her,
+'Perhaps we might take the thumb-book with us; it might come in useful
+on a wet day.' So she went, and presently she came back and said that
+the 'Thumbograph' was not in the drawer. Well, I was so surprised that I
+went back with her and looked myself, and sure enough the drawer was
+empty. Well, I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came
+home again, as soon as we got out of the cab, I gave Juliet my
+handkerchief-bag to put away, and presently she came running to me in a
+great state of excitement. 'Why, Auntie,' she said,' the "Thumbograph"
+is in the drawer; somebody must have been meddling with your writing
+table.' I went with her to the drawer, and there, sure enough, was the
+'Thumbograph.' Somebody must have taken it out and put it back while we
+were away."
+
+"Who could have had access to your writing table?"
+
+"Oh, anybody, because, you see, the drawers were never locked. We
+thought it must have been one of the servants."
+
+"Had anyone been to the house during your absence?"
+
+"No. Nobody, except, of course, my two nephews; and neither of them had
+touched it, because we asked them, and they both said they had not."
+
+"Thank you." Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another
+correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when
+Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.
+
+"You made some reference," said he, "to a society--the Society of
+Paralysed Idiots, I think, whatever that may be. Now what caused you to
+make that reference?"
+
+"It was a mistake; I was thinking of something else."
+
+"I know it was a mistake. You referred to a paper that was in your
+hand."
+
+"I did not refer to it, I merely looked at it. It is a letter from the
+Society of Paralysed Idiots. It is nothing to do with me really, you
+know; I don't belong to the society, or anything of that sort."
+
+"Did you mistake that paper for some other paper?"
+
+"Yes, I took it for a paper with some notes on it to assist my memory."
+
+"What kind of notes?"
+
+"Oh, just the questions I was likely to be asked."
+
+"Were the answers that you were to give to those questions also written
+on the paper?"
+
+"Of course they were. The questions would not have been any use without
+the answers."
+
+"Have you been asked the questions that were written on the paper?"
+
+"Yes; at least, some of them."
+
+"Have you given the answers that were written down?"
+
+"I don't think I have--in fact, I am sure I haven't, because, you see--"
+
+"Ah! you don't think you have." Sir Hector Trumpler smiled significantly
+at the jury, and continued--
+
+"Now who wrote down those questions and answers?"
+
+"My nephew, Walter Hornby. He thought, you know--"
+
+"Never mind what he thought. Who advised or instructed him to write them
+down?"
+
+"Nobody. It was entirely his own idea, and very thoughtful of him, too,
+though Dr. Jervis took the paper away from me and said I must rely on my
+memory."
+
+Sir Hector was evidently rather taken aback by this answer, and sat down
+suddenly, with a distinctly chapfallen air.
+
+"Where is this paper on which the questions and answers are written?"
+asked the judge. In anticipation of this inquiry I had already handed it
+to Thorndyke, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
+on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
+Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
+passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
+that he had written "X = W.H."
+
+As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
+glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
+strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
+his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.
+
+"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
+whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
+compare it with his notes.
+
+"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
+making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
+with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."
+
+There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
+court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
+usher called out--
+
+"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"
+
+"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
+to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"
+
+"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
+Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
+the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
+"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."
+
+"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
+the worst very soon now, at any rate."
+
+"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
+defence really is."
+
+"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
+and I--though not ordinarily a religious man--murmured "Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+
+As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
+unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
+what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
+the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
+attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
+now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
+had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
+flowing gown or awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
+court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
+looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
+at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
+distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
+massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
+the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
+it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
+of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
+and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.
+
+"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
+believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.
+
+"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."
+
+"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"
+
+"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."
+
+"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
+safe?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
+treated--probably by defibrination."
+
+"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I can."
+
+"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
+on the paper that was found in the safe?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"
+
+"Yes. A great deal of attention."
+
+"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
+Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."
+
+"Did you examine it thoroughly?"
+
+"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
+their permission, I took several photographs of it."
+
+"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"
+
+"There is."
+
+"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
+the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree to that statement?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."
+
+"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."
+
+At this statement the judge paused for a moment, pen in hand, and stared
+at Thorndyke with his mouth slightly open, while the two experts looked
+at one another with raised eyebrows.
+
+"By what means do you consider that the mark was produced?"
+
+"By means of a stamp, either of indiarubber or, more probably, of
+chromicized gelatine."
+
+Here Polton, who had been, by degrees, rising to an erect posture, smote
+his thigh a resounding thwack and chuckled aloud, a proceeding that
+caused all eyes, including those of the judge, to be turned on him.
+
+"If that noise is repeated," said the judge, with a stony stare at the
+horrified offender--who had shrunk into the very smallest space that I
+have ever seen a human being occupy--"I shall cause the person who made
+it to be removed from the court."
+
+"I understand, then," pursued Anstey, "that you consider the
+thumb-print, which has been sworn to as the prisoner's, to be a
+forgery?"
+
+"Yes. It is a forgery."
+
+"But is it possible to forge a thumb-print or a finger-print?"
+
+"It is not only possible, but quite easy to do."
+
+"As easy as to forge a signature, for instance?"  "Much more so, and
+infinitely more secure. A signature, being written with a pen, requires
+that the forgery should also be written with a pen, a process demanding
+very special skill and, after all, never resulting in an absolute
+_facsimile_. But a finger-print is a stamped impression--the finger-tip
+being the stamp; and it is only necessary to obtain a stamp identical in
+character with the finger-tip, in order to produce an impression which
+is an absolute _facsimile_, in every respect, of the original, and
+totally indistinguishable from it."
+
+"Would there be no means at all of detecting the difference between a
+forged finger-print and the genuine original?"
+
+"None whatever; for the reason that there would be no difference to
+detect."
+
+"But you have stated, quite positively, that the thumb-print on this
+paper is a forgery. Now, if the forged print is indistinguishable from
+the original, how are you able to be certain that this particular print
+is a forgery?"
+
+"I was speaking of what is possible with due care, but, obviously, a
+forger might, through inadvertence, fail to produce an absolute
+_facsimile_ and then detection would be possible. That is what has
+happened in the present case. The forged print is not an absolute
+_facsimile_ of the true print. There is a slight discrepancy. But, in
+addition to this, the paper bears intrinsic evidence that the
+thumb-print on it is a forgery."  "We will consider that evidence
+presently, Dr. Thorndyke. To return to the possibility of forging a
+finger-print, can you explain to us, without being too technical, by
+what methods it would be possible to produce such a stamp as you have
+referred to?"
+
+"There are two principal methods that suggest themselves to me. The
+first, which is rather crude though easy to carry out, consists in
+taking an actual cast of the end of the finger. A mould would be made by
+pressing the finger into some plastic material, such as fine modelling
+clay or hot sealing wax, and then, by pouring a warm solution of
+gelatine into the mould, and allowing it to cool and solidify, a cast
+would be produced which would yield very perfect finger-prints. But this
+method would, as a rule, be useless for the purpose of the forger, as it
+could not, ordinarily, be carried out without the knowledge of the
+victim; though in the case of dead bodies and persons asleep or
+unconscious or under an anaesthetic, it could be practised with success,
+and would offer the advantage of requiring practically no technical
+skill or knowledge and no special appliances. The second method, which
+is much more efficient, and is the one, I have no doubt, that has been
+used in the present instance, requires more knowledge and skill.
+
+"In the first place it is necessary to obtain possession of, or access
+to, a genuine finger-print. Of this finger-print a photograph is taken,
+or rather, a photographic negative, which for this purpose requires to
+be taken on a reversed plate, and the negative is put into a special
+printing frame, with a plate of gelatine which has been treated with
+potassium bichromate, and the frame is exposed to light.
+
+"Now gelatine treated in this way--chromicized gelatine, as it is
+called--has a very peculiar property. Ordinary gelatine, as is well
+known, is easily dissolved in hot water, and chromicized gelatine is
+also soluble in hot water as long as it is not exposed to light; but on
+being exposed to light, it undergoes a change and is no longer capable
+of being dissolved in hot water. Now the plate of chromicized gelatine
+under the negative is protected from the light by the opaque parts of
+the negative, whereas the light passes freely through the transparent
+parts; but the transparent parts of the negative correspond to the black
+marks on the finger-print, and these correspond to the ridges on the
+finger. Hence it follows that the gelatine plate is acted upon by light
+only on the parts corresponding to the ridges; and in these parts the
+gelatine is rendered insoluble, while all the rest of the gelatine is
+soluble. The gelatine plate, which is cemented to a thin plate of metal
+for support, is now carefully washed with hot water, by which the
+soluble part of the gelatine is dissolved away leaving the insoluble
+part (corresponding to the ridges) standing up from the surface. Thus
+there is produced a _facsimile_ in relief of the finger-print having
+actual ridges and furrows identical in character with the ridges and
+furrows of the finger-tip. If an inked roller is passed over this
+relief, or if the relief is pressed lightly on an inked slab, and then
+pressed on a sheet of paper, a finger-print will be produced which will
+be absolutely identical with the original, even to the little white
+spots which mark the orifices of the sweat glands. It will be impossible
+to discover any difference between the real finger-print and the
+counterfeit because, in fact, no difference exists."
+
+"But surely the process you have described is a very difficult and
+intricate one?"
+
+"Not at all; it is very little more difficult than ordinary carbon
+printing, which is practised successfully by numbers of amateurs.
+Moreover, such a relief as I have described--which is practically
+nothing more than an ordinary process block--could be produced by any
+photo-engraver. The process that I have described is, in all essentials,
+that which is used in the reproduction of pen-and-ink drawings, and any
+of the hundreds of workmen who are employed in that industry could make
+a relief-block of a finger-print, with which an undetectable forgery
+could be executed."
+
+"You have asserted that the counterfeit finger-print could not be
+distinguished from the original. Are you prepared to furnish proof that
+this is the case?"
+
+"Yes. I am prepared to execute a counterfeit of the prisoner's
+thumb-print in the presence of the Court."
+
+"And do you say that such a counterfeit would be indistinguishable from
+the original, even by the experts?"
+
+"I do."
+
+Anstey turned towards the judge. "Would your lordship give your
+permission for a demonstration such as the witness proposes?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the judge. "The evidence is highly material. How do
+you propose that the comparison should be made?" he added, addressing
+Thorndyke.
+
+"I have brought, for the purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
+sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
+propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
+thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
+propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
+Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."
+
+"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
+objection to offer, Sir Hector?"
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
+sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
+enthusiasm--
+
+"We have no objection to offer, my lord."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
+from the court while the prints are being made."
+
+In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
+and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
+small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.
+
+"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
+two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
+your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."
+
+"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
+for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
+the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
+jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."
+
+In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
+dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.
+
+"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
+your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
+lordship."
+
+He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
+the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
+gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
+delight.
+
+The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
+the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
+table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
+were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
+"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
+twinkle of amusement and triumph.
+
+"Are those all stamps?" inquired the judge, glancing curiously at the
+array of turned-wood handles.
+
+"They are all stamps, my lord," replied Thorndyke, "and each is taken
+from a different impression of the prisoner's thumb."
+
+"But why so many?" asked the judge.
+
+"I have multiplied them," answered Thorndyke, as he squeezed out a drop
+of finger-print ink on to the slab and proceeded to roll it out into a
+thin film, "to avoid the tell-tale uniformity of a single stamp. And I
+may say," he added, "that it is highly important that the experts should
+not be informed that more than one stamp has been used."
+
+"Yes, I see that," said the judge. "You understand that, Sir Hector," he
+added, addressing the counsel, who bowed stiffly, clearly regarding the
+entire proceeding with extreme disfavour.
+
+Thorndyke now inked one of the stamps and handed it to the judge, who
+examined it curiously and then pressed it on a piece of waste paper, on
+which there immediately appeared a very distinct impression of a human
+thumb.  "Marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Most ingenious! Too ingenious!" He
+chuckled softly and added, as he handed the stamp and the paper to the
+foreman of the jury: "It is well, Dr. Thorndyke, that you are on the
+side of law and order, for I am afraid that, if you were on the other
+side, you would be one too many for the police. Now, if you are ready,
+we will proceed. Will you, please, stamp an impression in square number
+three."
+
+Thorndyke drew a stamp from its compartment, inked it on the slab, and
+pressed it neatly on the square indicated, leaving there a sharp, clear
+thumb-print.
+
+The process was repeated on nine other squares, a different stamp being
+used for each impression. The judge then marked the ten corresponding
+squares of the other two sheets of paper, and having checked them,
+directed the foreman to exhibit the sheet bearing the false thumb-prints
+to the jury, together with the marked sheet which they were to retain,
+to enable them to check the statements of the expert witnesses. When
+this was done, the prisoner was brought from the dock and stood beside
+the table. The judge looked with a curious and not unkindly interest at
+the handsome, manly fellow who stood charged with a crime so sordid and
+out of character with his appearance, and I felt, as I noted the look,
+that Reuben would, at least, be tried fairly on the evidence, without
+prejudice or even with some prepossession in his favour.
+
+With the remaining part of the operation Thorndyke proceeded carefully
+and deliberately. The inking-slab was rolled afresh for each impression,
+and, after each, the thumb was cleansed with petrol and thoroughly
+dried; and when the process was completed and the prisoner led back to
+the dock, the twenty squares on the paper were occupied by twenty
+thumb-prints, which, to my eye, at any rate, were identical in
+character.
+
+The judge sat for near upon a minute poring over this singular document
+with an expression half-way between a frown and a smile. At length, when
+we had all returned to our places, he directed the usher to bring in the
+witnesses.
+
+I was amused to observe the change that had come over the experts in the
+short interval. The confident smile, the triumphant air of laying down a
+trump card, had vanished, and the expression of both was one of anxiety,
+not unmixed with apprehension. As Mr. Singleton advanced hesitatingly to
+the table, I recalled the words that he had uttered in his room at
+Scotland Yard; evidently his scheme of the game that was to end in an
+easy checkmate, had not included the move that had just been made.
+
+"Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "here is a paper on which there are
+twenty thumb-prints. Ten of them are genuine prints of the prisoner's
+left thumb and ten are forgeries. Please examine them and note down in
+writing which are the true prints and which are the forgeries. When you
+have made your notes the paper will be handed to Mr. Nash."
+
+"Is there any objection to my using the photograph that I have with me
+for comparison, my lord?" asked Mr. Singleton.
+
+"I think not," replied the judge. "What do you say, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.
+
+Mr. Singleton accordingly drew from his pocket an enlarged photograph of
+the thumb-print and a magnifying glass, with the aid of which he
+explored the bewildering array of prints on the paper before him; and as
+he proceeded I remarked with satisfaction that his expression became
+more and more dubious and worried. From time to time he made an entry on
+a memorandum slip beside him, and, as the entries accumulated, his frown
+grew deeper and his aspect more puzzled and gloomy.
+
+At length he sat up, and taking the memorandum slip in his hand,
+addressed the judge.
+
+"I have finished my examination, my lord."
+
+"Very well. Mr. Nash, will you kindly examine the paper and write down
+the results of your examination?"
+
+"Oh! I wish they would make haste," whispered Juliet. "Do you think they
+will be able to tell the real from the false thumb-prints?"
+
+"I can't say," I replied; "but we shall soon know. They looked all alike
+to me."
+
+Mr. Nash made his examination with exasperating deliberateness, and
+preserved throughout an air of stolid attention; but at length he, too,
+completed his notes and handed the paper back to the usher.
+
+"Now, Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "let us hear your conclusions. You
+have been sworn."
+
+Mr. Singleton stepped into the witness-box, and, laying his notes on the
+ledge, faced the judge.
+
+"Have you examined the paper that was handed to you?" asked Sir Hector
+Trumpler.
+
+"I have."
+
+"What did you see on the paper?"
+
+"I saw twenty thumb-prints, of which some were evident forgeries, some
+were evidently genuine, and some were doubtful."
+
+"Taking the thumb-prints _seriatim_, what have you noted about them?"
+
+Mr. Singleton examined his notes and replied--"The thumb-print on square
+one is evidently a forgery, as is also number two, though it is a
+passable imitation. Three and four are genuine; five is an obvious
+forgery. Six is a genuine thumb-print; seven is a forgery, though a good
+one; eight is genuine; nine is, I think, a forgery, though it is a
+remarkably good imitation. Ten and eleven are genuine thumb-marks;
+twelve and thirteen are forgeries; but as to fourteen I am very
+doubtful, though I am inclined to regard it as a forgery. Fifteen is
+genuine, and I think sixteen is also; but I will not swear to it.
+Seventeen is certainly genuine. Eighteen and nineteen I am rather
+doubtful about, but I am disposed to consider them both forgeries.
+Twenty is certainly a genuine thumb-print."
+
+As Mr. Singleton's evidence proceeded, a look of surprise began to make
+its appearance on the judge's face, while the jury glanced from the
+witness to the notes before them and from their notes to one another in
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+As to Sir Hector Trumpler, that luminary of British jurisprudence was
+evidently completely fogged; for, as statement followed statement, he
+pursed up his lips and his broad, red face became overshadowed by an
+expression of utter bewilderment.
+
+For a few seconds he stared blankly at his witness and then dropped on
+to his seat with a thump that shook the court.
+
+"You have no doubt," said Anstey, "as to the correctness of your
+conclusions? For instance, you are quite sure that the prints one and
+two are forgeries?"
+
+"I have no doubt."
+
+"You swear that those two prints are forgeries?"
+
+Mr. Singleton hesitated for a moment. He had been watching the judge and
+the jury and had apparently misinterpreted their surprise, assuming it
+to be due to his own remarkable powers of discrimination; and his
+confidence had revived accordingly.
+
+"Yes," he answered; "I swear that they are forgeries."
+
+Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the
+judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.
+
+Mr. Nash, who had listened with manifest satisfaction to the evidence,
+stepped into the box with all his original confidence restored. His
+selection of the true and the false thumb-prints was practically
+identical with that of Mr. Singleton, and his knowledge of this fact led
+him to state his conclusions with an air that was authoritative and even
+dogmatic.
+
+"I am quite satisfied of the correctness of my statements," he said, in
+reply to Anstey's question, "and I am prepared to swear, and do swear,
+that those thumb-prints which I have stated to be forgeries, are
+forgeries, and that their detection presents no difficulty to an
+observer who has an expert acquaintance with finger-prints."
+
+"There is one question that I should like to ask," said the judge, when
+the expert had left the box and Thorndyke had re-entered it to continue
+his evidence. "The conclusions of the expert witnesses--manifestly _bona
+fide_ conclusions, arrived at by individual judgement, without collusion
+or comparison of results--are practically identical. They are virtually
+in complete agreement. Now, the strange thing is this: their conclusions
+are wrong in every instance" (here I nearly laughed aloud, for, as I
+glanced at the two experts, the expression of smug satisfaction on their
+countenances changed with lightning rapidity to a ludicrous spasm of
+consternation); "not sometimes wrong and sometimes right, as would have
+been the case if they had made mere guesses, but wrong every time. When
+they are quite certain, they are quite wrong; and when they are
+doubtful, they incline to the wrong conclusion. This is a very strange
+coincidence, Dr. Thorndyke. Can you explain it?"
+
+Thorndyke's face, which throughout the proceedings had been as
+expressionless as that of a wooden figurehead, now relaxed into a dry
+smile.
+
+"I think I can, my lord," he replied. "The object of a forger in
+executing a forgery is to produce deception on those who shall examine
+the forgery."
+
+"Ah!" said the judge; and _his_ face relaxed into a dry smile, while the
+jury broke out into unconcealed grins.
+
+"It was evident to me," continued Thorndyke, "that the experts would be
+unable to distinguish the real from the forged thumb-prints, and, that
+being so, that they would look for some collateral evidence to guide
+them. I, therefore, supplied that collateral evidence. Now, if ten
+prints are taken, without special precautions, from a single finger, it
+will probably happen that no two of them are exactly alike; for the
+finger being a rounded object of which only a small part touches the
+paper, the impressions produced will show little variations according to
+the part of the finger by which the print is made. But a stamp such as I
+have used has a flat surface like that of a printer's type, and, like a
+type, it always prints the same impression. It does not reproduce the
+finger-tip, but a particular print of the finger, and so, if ten prints
+are made with a single stamp, each print will be a mechanical repetition
+of the other nine. Thus, on a sheet bearing twenty finger-prints, of
+which ten were forgeries made with a single stamp, it would be easy to
+pick out the ten forged prints by the fact that they would all be
+mechanical repetitions of one another; while the genuine prints could be
+distinguished by the fact of their presenting trifling variations in the
+position of the finger.
+
+"Anticipating this line of reasoning, I was careful to make each print
+with a different stamp and each stamp was made from a different
+thumb-print, and I further selected thumb-prints which varied as widely
+as possible when I made the stamps. Moreover, when I made the real
+thumb-prints, I was careful to put the thumb down in the same position
+each time as far as I was able; and so it happened that, on the sheet
+submitted to the experts, the real thumb-prints were nearly all alike,
+while the forgeries presented considerable variations. The instances in
+which the witnesses were quite certain were those in which I succeeded
+in making the genuine prints repeat one another, and the doubtful cases
+were those in which I partially failed."
+
+"Thank you, that is quite clear," said the judge, with a smile of deep
+content, such as is apt to appear on the judicial countenance when an
+expert witness is knocked off his pedestal. "We may now proceed, Mr.
+Anstey."
+
+"You have told us," resumed Anstey, "and have submitted proofs, that it
+is possible to forge a thumb-print so that detection is impossible. You
+have also stated that the thumb-print on the paper found in Mr. Hornby's
+safe is a forgery. Do you mean that it _may_ be a forgery, or that it
+actually is one?"
+
+"I mean that it actually is a forgery."
+
+"When did you first come to the conclusion that it was a forgery?"
+
+"When I saw it at Scotland Yard. There are three facts which suggested
+this conclusion. In the first place the print was obviously produced
+with liquid blood, and yet it was a beautifully clear and distinct
+impression. But such an impression could not be produced with liquid
+blood without the use of a slab and roller, even if great care were
+used, and still less could it have been produced by an accidental smear.
+
+"In the second place, on measuring the print with a micrometer, I found
+that it did not agree in dimensions with a genuine thumb-print of Reuben
+Hornby. It was appreciably larger. I photographed the print with the
+micrometer in contact and on comparing this with a genuine thumb-print,
+also photographed with the same micrometer in contact, I found that the
+suspected print was larger by the fortieth of an inch, from one given
+point on the ridge-pattern to another given point. I have here
+enlargements of the two photographs in which the disagreement in size is
+clearly shown by the lines of the micrometer. I have also the micrometer
+itself and a portable microscope, if the Court wishes to verify the
+photographs."
+
+"Thank you," said the judge, with a bland smile; "we will accept your
+sworn testimony unless the learned counsel for the prosecution demands
+verification."
+
+He received the photographs which Thorndyke handed up and, having
+examined them with close attention, passed them on to the jury.
+
+"The third fact," resumed Thorndyke, "is of much more importance, since
+it not only proves the print to be a forgery, but also furnishes a very
+distinct clue to the origin of the forgery, and so to the identity of
+the forger." (Here the court became hushed until the silence was so
+profound that the ticking of the clock seemed a sensible interruption. I
+glanced at Walter, who sat motionless and rigid at the end of the bench,
+and perceived that a horrible pallor had spread over his face, while his
+forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.) "On looking at the
+print closely, I noticed at one part a minute white mark or space. It
+was of the shape of a capital S and had evidently been produced by a
+defect in the paper--a loose fibre which had stuck to the thumb and been
+detached by it from the paper, leaving a blank space where it had been.
+But, on examining the paper under a low power of the microscope, I found
+the surface to be perfect and intact. No loose fibre had been detached
+from it, for if it had, the broken end or, at least, the groove in which
+it had lain, would have been visible. The inference seemed to be that
+the loose fibre had existed, not in the paper which was found in the
+safe, but in the paper on which the original thumb-mark had been made.
+Now, as far as I knew, there was only one undoubted thumb-print of
+Reuben Hornby's in existence--the one in the 'Thumbograph.' At my
+request, the 'Thumbograph' was brought to my chambers by Mrs. Hornby,
+and, on examining the print of Reuben Hornby's left thumb, I perceived
+on it a minute, S-shaped white space occupying a similar position to
+that in the red thumb-mark; and when I looked at it through a powerful
+lens, I could clearly see the little groove in the paper in which the
+fibre had lain and from which it had been lifted by the inked thumb. I
+subsequently made a systematic comparison of the marks in the two
+thumb-prints; I found that the dimensions of the mark were
+proportionally the same in each--that is to say, the mark in the
+'Thumbograph' print had an extreme length of 26/1000 of an inch and an
+extreme breadth of 14.5/1000 of an inch, while that in the red
+thumb-mark was one-fortieth larger in each dimension, having an extreme
+length of 26.65/1000 of an inch and an extreme breadth of 14.86/1000 of
+an inch; that the shape was identical, as was shown by superimposing
+tracings of greatly enlarged photographs of each mark on similar
+enlargements of the other; and that the mark intersected the ridges of
+the thumb-print in the same manner and at exactly the same parts in the
+two prints."
+
+"Do you say that--having regard to the facts which you have stated--it
+is certain that the red thumb-mark is a forgery?"
+
+"I do; and I also say that it is certain that the forgery was executed
+by means of the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Might not the resemblances be merely a coincidence?"
+
+"No. By the law of probabilities which Mr. Singleton explained so
+clearly in his evidence, the adverse chances would run into untold
+millions. Here are two thumb-prints made in different places and at
+different times--an interval of many weeks intervening. Each of them
+bears an accidental mark which is due not to any peculiarity of the
+thumb, but to a peculiarity of the paper. On the theory of coincidences
+it is necessary to suppose that each piece of paper had a loose fibre of
+exactly identical shape and size and that this fibre came, by accident,
+in contact with the thumb at exactly the same spot. But such a
+supposition would be more opposed to probabilities even than the
+supposition that two exactly similar thumb-prints should have been made
+by different persons. And then there is the further fact that the paper
+found in the safe had no loose fibre to account for the mark."
+
+"What is your explanation of the presence of defibrinated blood in the
+safe?"
+
+"It was probably used by the forger in making the thumb-print, for which
+purpose fresh blood would be less suitable by reason of its clotting. He
+would probably have carried a small quantity in a bottle, together with
+the pocket slab and roller invented by Mr. Galton. It would thus be
+possible for him to put a drop on the slab, roll it out into a thin film
+and take a clean impression with his stamp. It must be remembered that
+these precautions were quite necessary, since he had to make a
+recognisable print at the first attempt. A failure and a second trial
+would have destroyed the accidental appearance, and might have aroused
+suspicion."
+
+"You have made some enlarged photographs of the thumb-prints, have you
+not?"
+
+"Yes. I have here two enlarged photographs, one of the 'Thumbograph'
+print and one of the red thumb-print. They both show the white mark very
+clearly and will assist comparison of the originals, in which the mark
+is plainly visible through a lens."
+
+He handed the two photographs up to the judge, together with the
+'Thumbograph,' the memorandum slip, and a powerful doublet lens with
+which to examine them.
+
+The judge inspected the two original documents with the aid of the lens
+and compared them with the photographs, nodding approvingly as he made
+out the points of agreement. Then he passed them on to the jury and made
+an entry in his notes.
+
+While this was going on my attention was attracted by Walter Hornby. An
+expression of terror and wild despair had settled on his face, which was
+ghastly in its pallor and bedewed with sweat. He looked furtively at
+Thorndyke and, as I noted the murderous hate in his eyes, I recalled our
+midnight adventure in John Street and the mysterious cigar.
+
+Suddenly he rose to his feet, wiping his brow and steadying himself
+against the bench with a shaking hand; then he walked quietly to the
+door and went out. Apparently, I was not the only onlooker who had been
+interested in his doings, for, as the door swung to after him,
+Superintendent Miller rose from his seat and went out by the other door.
+
+"Are you cross-examining this witness?" the judge inquired, glancing at
+Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"No, my lord," was the reply.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"Only one, my lord," replied Anstey--"the prisoner, whom I shall put in
+the witness-box, as a matter of form, in order that he may make a
+statement on oath."
+
+Reuben was accordingly conducted from the dock to the witness-box, and,
+having been sworn, made a solemn declaration of his innocence. A brief
+cross-examination followed, in which nothing was elicited, but that
+Reuben had spent the evening at his club and gone home to his rooms
+about half-past eleven and had let himself in with his latchkey. Sir
+Hector at length sat down; the prisoner was led back to the dock, and
+the Court settled itself to listen to the speeches of the counsel.
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury," Anstey commenced in his clear,
+mellow tones, "I do not propose to occupy your time with a long speech.
+The evidence that has been laid before you is at once so intelligible,
+so lucid, and so conclusive, that you will, no doubt, arrive at your
+verdict uninfluenced by any display of rhetoric either on my part or on
+the part of the learned counsel for the prosecution.
+
+"Nevertheless, it is desirable to disentangle from the mass of evidence
+those facts which are really vital and crucial.
+
+"Now the one fact which stands out and dominates the whole case is this:
+The prisoner's connection with this case rests solely upon the police
+theory of the infallibility of finger-prints. Apart from the evidence of
+the thumb-print there is not, and there never was, the faintest breath
+of suspicion against him. You have heard him described as a man of
+unsullied honour, as a man whose character is above reproach; a man who
+is trusted implicitly by those who have had dealings with him. And this
+character was not given by a casual stranger, but by one who has known
+him from childhood. His record is an unbroken record of honourable
+conduct; his life has been that of a clean-living, straightforward
+gentleman. And now he stands before you charged with a miserable, paltry
+theft; charged with having robbed that generous friend, the brother of
+his own father, the guardian of his childhood and the benefactor who has
+planned and striven for his well-being; charged, in short, gentlemen,
+with a crime which every circumstance connected with him and every trait
+of his known character renders utterly inconceivable. Now upon what
+grounds has this gentleman of irreproachable character been charged with
+this mean and sordid crime? Baldly stated, the grounds of the accusation
+are these: A certain learned and eminent man of science has made a
+statement, which the police have not merely accepted but have, in
+practice, extended beyond its original meaning. That statement is as
+follows: 'A complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two prints
+of a single finger ... affords evidence requiring no corroboration, that
+the persons from whom they were made are the same.'
+
+"That statement, gentlemen, is in the highest degree misleading, and
+ought not to have been made without due warning and qualification. So
+far is it from being true, in practice, that its exact contrary is the
+fact; the evidence of a finger-print, in the absence of corroboration,
+is absolutely worthless. Of all forms of forgery, the forgery of a
+finger-print is the easiest and most secure, as you have seen in this
+court to-day. Consider the character of the high-class forger--his
+skill, his ingenuity, his resource. Think of the forged banknotes, of
+which not only the engraving, the design and the signature, but even the
+very paper with its private watermarks, is imitated with a perfection
+that is at once the admiration and the despair of those who have to
+distinguish the true from the false; think of the forged cheque, in
+which actual perforations are filled up, of which portions are cut out
+bodily and replaced by indistinguishable patches; think of these, and
+then of a finger-print, of which any photo-engraver's apprentice can
+make you a forgery that the greatest experts cannot distinguish from the
+original, which any capable amateur can imitate beyond detection after a
+month's practice; and then ask yourselves if this is the kind of
+evidence on which, without any support or corroboration, a gentleman of
+honour and position should be dragged before a criminal court and
+charged with having committed a crime of the basest and most sordid
+type.  "But I must not detain you with unnecessary appeals. I will
+remind you briefly of the salient facts. The case for the prosecution
+rests upon the assertion that the thumb-print found in the safe was made
+by the thumb of the prisoner. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner, there is not only no case against him but no suspicion of any
+kind.
+
+"Now, was that thumb-print made by the prisoner's thumb? You have had
+conclusive evidence that it was not. That thumb-print differed in the
+size, or scale, of the pattern from a genuine thumb-print of the
+prisoner's. The difference was small, but it was fatal to the police
+theory; the two prints were not identical.
+
+"But, if not the prisoner's thumb-print, what was it? The resemblance of
+the pattern was too exact for it to be the thumb-print of another
+person, for it reproduced not only the pattern of the ridges on the
+prisoner's thumb, but also the scar of an old wound. The answer that I
+propose to this question is, that it was an intentional imitation of the
+prisoner's thumb-print, made with the purpose of fixing suspicion on the
+prisoner, and so ensuring the safety of the actual criminal. Are there
+any facts which support this theory? Yes, there are several facts which
+support it very strongly.
+
+"First, there are the facts that I have just mentioned. The red
+thumb-print disagreed with the genuine print in its scale or dimensions.
+It was not the prisoner's thumb-print; but neither was it that of any
+other person. The only alternative is that it was a forgery.
+
+"In the second place, that print was evidently made with the aid of
+certain appliances and materials, and one of those materials, namely
+defibrinated blood, was found in the safe.
+
+"In the third place, there is the coincidence that the print was one
+which it was possible to forge. The prisoner has ten digits--eight
+fingers and two thumbs. But there were in existence actual prints of the
+two thumbs, whereas no prints of the fingers were in existence; hence it
+would have been impossible to forge a print of any of the fingers. So it
+happens that the red thumb-print resembled one of the two prints of
+which forgery was possible.
+
+"In the fourth place, the red thumb-print reproduces an accidental
+peculiarity of the 'Thumbograph' print. Now, if the red thumb-print is a
+forgery, it must have been made from the 'Thumbograph' print, since
+there exists no other print from which it could have been made. Hence we
+have the striking fact that the red thumb-print is an exact
+replica--including accidental peculiarities--of the only print from
+which a forgery could have been made. The accidental S-shaped mark in
+the 'Thumbograph' print is accounted for by the condition of the paper;
+the occurrence of this mark in the red thumb-print is not accounted for
+by any peculiarity of the paper, and can be accounted for in no way,
+excepting by assuming the one to be a copy of the other. The conclusion
+is thus inevitable that the red thumb-print is a photo-mechanical
+reproduction of the 'Thumbograph' print.
+
+"But there is yet another point. If the red thumb-print is a forgery
+reproduced from the 'Thumbograph' print, the forger must at some time
+have had access to the 'Thumbograph.' Now, you have heard Mrs. Hornby's
+remarkable story of the mysterious disappearance of the 'Thumbograph'
+and its still more mysterious reappearance. That story can have left no
+doubt in your minds that some person had surreptitiously removed the
+'Thumbograph' and, after an unknown interval, secretly replaced it. Thus
+the theory of forgery receives confirmation at every point, and is in
+agreement with every known fact; whereas the theory that the red
+thumb-print was a genuine thumb-print, is based upon a gratuitous
+assumption, and has not had a single fact advanced in its support.
+
+"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has been
+proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you for a
+verdict in accordance with that proof."
+
+As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the
+gallery. It subsided instantly on a gesture of disapproval from the
+judge, and a silence fell upon the court, in which the clock, with
+cynical indifference, continued to record in its brusque monotone the
+passage of the fleeting seconds.
+
+"He is saved, Dr. Jervis! Oh! surely he is saved!" Juliet exclaimed in
+an agitated whisper. "They must see that he is innocent now."
+
+"Have patience a little longer," I answered. "It will soon be over now."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler was already on his feet and, after bestowing on the
+jury a stern hypnotic stare, he plunged into his reply with a really
+admirable air of conviction and sincerity.  "My lord and gentlemen of
+the jury: The case which is now before this Court is one, as I have
+already remarked, in which human nature is presented in a highly
+unfavourable light. But I need not insist upon this aspect of the case,
+which will already, no doubt, have impressed you sufficiently. It is
+necessary merely for me, as my learned friend has aptly expressed it, to
+disentangle the actual facts of the case from the web of casuistry that
+has been woven around them.
+
+"Those facts are of extreme simplicity. A safe has been opened and
+property of great value abstracted from it. It has been opened by means
+of false keys. Now there are two men who have, from time to time, had
+possession of the true keys, and thus had the opportunity of making
+copies of them. When the safe is opened by its rightful owner, the
+property is gone, and there is found the print of the thumb of one of
+these two men. That thumb-print was not there when the safe was closed.
+The man whose thumb-print is found is a left-handed man; the print is
+the print of a left thumb. It would seem, gentlemen, as if the
+conclusion were so obvious that no sane person could be found to contest
+it; and I submit that the conclusion which any sane person would arrive
+at--the only possible conclusion--is, that the person whose thumb-print
+was found in the safe is the person who stole the property from the
+safe. But the thumb-print was, admittedly, that of the prisoner at the
+bar, and therefore the prisoner at the bar is the person who stole the
+diamonds from the safe.
+
+"It is true that certain fantastic attempts have been made to explain
+away these obvious facts. Certain far-fetched scientific theories have
+been propounded and an exhibition of legerdemain has taken place which,
+I venture to think, would have been more appropriate to some place of
+public entertainment than to a court of justice. That exhibition has, no
+doubt, afforded you considerable amusement. It has furnished a pleasing
+relaxation from the serious business of the court. It has even been
+instructive, as showing to what extent it is possible for plain facts to
+be perverted by misdirected ingenuity. But unless you are prepared to
+consider this crime as an elaborate hoax--as a practical joke carried
+out by a facetious criminal of extraordinary knowledge, skill and
+general attainments--you must, after all, come to the only conclusion
+that the facts justify: that the safe was opened and the property
+abstracted by the prisoner. Accordingly, gentlemen, I ask you, having
+regard to your important position as the guardians of the well-being and
+security of your fellow-citizens, to give your verdict in accordance
+with the evidence, as you have solemnly sworn to do; which verdict, I
+submit, can be no other than that the prisoner is guilty of the crime
+with which he is charged."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the jury, who had listened to his speech with
+solid attention, gazed expectantly at the judge, as though they should
+say: "Now, which of these two are we to believe?"
+
+The judge turned over his notes with an air of quiet composure, writing
+down a word here and there as he compared the various points in the
+evidence. Then he turned to the jury with a manner at once persuasive
+and confidential--
+
+"It is not necessary, gentlemen," he commenced, "for me to occupy your
+time with an exhaustive analysis of the evidence. That evidence you
+yourselves have heard, and it has been given, for the most part, with
+admirable clearness. Moreover, the learned counsel for the defence has
+collated and compared that evidence so lucidly, and, I may say, so
+impartially, that a detailed repetition on my part would be
+superfluous. I shall therefore confine myself to a few comments which
+may help you in the consideration of your verdict.
+
+"I need hardly point out to you that the reference made by the learned
+counsel for the prosecution to far-fetched scientific theories is
+somewhat misleading. The only evidence of a theoretical character was
+that of the finger-print experts. The evidence of Dr. Rowe and of Dr.
+Thorndyke dealt exclusively with matters of fact. Such inferences as
+were drawn by them were accompanied by statements of the facts which
+yielded such inferences.
+
+"Now, an examination of the evidence which you have heard shows, as the
+learned counsel for the defence has justly observed, that the entire
+case resolves itself into a single question, which is this: 'Was the
+thumb-print that was found in Mr. Hornby's safe made by the thumb of the
+prisoner, or was it not?' If that thumb-print was made by the prisoner's
+thumb, then the prisoner must, at least, have been present when the safe
+was unlawfully opened. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner's thumb, there is nothing to connect him with the crime. The
+question is one of fact upon which it will be your duty to decide; and I
+must remind you, gentlemen, that you are the sole judges of the facts of
+the case, and that you are to consider any remarks of mine as merely
+suggestions which you are to entertain or to disregard according to your
+judgement.
+
+"Now let us consider this question by the light of the evidence. This
+thumb-print was either made by the prisoner or it was not. What evidence
+has been brought forward to show that it was made by the prisoner? Well,
+there is the evidence of the ridge-pattern. That pattern is identical
+with the pattern of the prisoner's thumb-print, and even has the
+impression of a scar which crosses the pattern in a particular manner
+in the prisoner's thumb-print. There is no need to enter into the
+elaborate calculations as to the chances of agreement; the practical
+fact, which is not disputed, is that if this red thumb-print is a
+genuine thumb-print at all, it was made by the prisoner's thumb. But it
+is contended that it is not a genuine thumb-print; that it is a
+mechanical imitation--in fact a forgery.
+
+"The more general question thus becomes narrowed down to the more
+particular question: 'Is this a genuine thumb-print or is it a forgery?'
+Let us consider the evidence. First, what evidence is there that it is a
+genuine thumb-print? There is none. The identity of the pattern is no
+evidence on this point, because a forgery would also exhibit identity of
+pattern. The genuineness of the thumb-print was assumed by the
+prosecution, and no evidence has been offered.
+
+"But now what evidence is there that the red thumb-print is a forgery?
+
+"First, there is the question of size. Two different-sized prints could
+hardly be made by the same thumb. Then there is the evidence of the use
+of appliances. Safe-robbers do not ordinarily provide themselves with
+inking-slabs and rollers with which to make distinct impressions of
+their own fingers. Then there is the accidental mark on the print which
+also exists on the only genuine print that could have been used for the
+purpose of forgery, which is easily explained on the theory of a
+forgery, but which is otherwise totally incomprehensible. Finally, there
+is the strange disappearance of the 'Thumbograph' and its strange
+reappearance. All this is striking and weighty evidence, to which must
+be added that adduced by Dr. Thorndyke as showing how perfectly it is
+possible to imitate a finger-print.
+
+"These are the main facts of the case, and it is for you to consider
+them. If, on careful consideration, you decide that the red thumb-print
+was actually made by the prisoner's thumb, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner guilty; but if, on weighing the evidence, you
+decide that the thumb-print is a forgery, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner not guilty. It is now past the usual luncheon
+hour, and, if you desire it, you can retire to consider your verdict
+while the Court adjourns."
+
+The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
+stood up.
+
+"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.
+
+The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
+brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
+addressed the jury.
+
+"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"
+
+"We are," replied the foreman.
+
+"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
+Reuben.
+
+A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
+disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud--a strange,
+unnatural laugh--and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
+so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
+Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.
+
+After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
+commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
+calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
+have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
+charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
+evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
+possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
+innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
+the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
+rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
+Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
+by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
+have been very different.
+
+"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
+was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
+but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
+his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
+very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
+half-past two."
+
+The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
+the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
+was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
+stairs into the body of the court.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AT LAST
+
+
+"We had better let the people clear off," said Thorndyke, when the first
+greetings were over and we stood around Reuben in the fast-emptying
+court. "We don't want a demonstration as we go out."
+
+"No; anything but that, just now," replied Reuben. He still held Mrs.
+Hornby's hand, and one arm was passed through that of his uncle, who
+wiped his eyes at intervals, though his face glowed with delight.
+
+"I should like you to come and have a little quiet luncheon with me at
+my chambers--all of us friends together," continued Thorndyke.
+
+"I should be delighted," said Reuben, "if the programme would include a
+satisfactory wash."
+
+"You will come, Anstey?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and
+in his right mind--that is to say, in his usual whimsical,
+pseudo-frivolous character.
+
+"That question savours of gluttony," answered Thorndyke. "Come and see."
+
+"I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run
+off now, as I have to look in at my chambers."
+
+"How shall we go?" asked Thorndyke, as his colleague vanished through
+the doorway. "Polton has gone for a four-wheeler, but it won't hold us
+all."
+
+"It will hold four of us," said Reuben, "and Dr. Jervis will bring
+Juliet; won't you, Jervis?"
+
+The request rather took me aback, considering the circumstances, but I
+was conscious, nevertheless, of an unreasonable thrill of pleasure and
+answered with alacrity: "If Miss Gibson will allow me, I shall be very
+delighted." My delight was, apparently, not shared by Juliet, to judge
+by the uncomfortable blush that spread over her face. She made no
+objection, however, but merely replied rather coldly: "Well, as we can't
+sit on the roof of the cab, we had better go by ourselves."
+
+The crowd having by this time presumably cleared off, we all took our
+way downstairs. The cab was waiting at the kerb, surrounded by a group
+of spectators, who cheered Reuben as he appeared at the doorway, and we
+saw our friends enter and drive away. Then we turned and walked quickly
+down the Old Bailey towards Ludgate Hill.  "Shall we take a hansom?" I
+asked.
+
+"No; let us walk," replied Juliet; "a little fresh air will do us good
+after that musty, horrible court. It all seems like a dream, and yet
+what a relief--oh! what a relief it is."
+
+"It is rather like the awakening from a nightmare to find the morning
+sun shining," I rejoined.
+
+"Yes; that is just what it is like," she agreed; "but I still feel dazed
+and shaken."
+
+We turned presently down New Bridge Street, towards the Embankment,
+walking side by side without speaking, and I could not help comparing,
+with some bitterness, our present stiff and distant relations with the
+intimacy and comradeship that had existed before the miserable incident
+of our last meeting.
+
+"You don't look so jubilant over your success as I should have
+expected," she said at length, with a critical glance at me; "but I
+expect you are really very proud and delighted, aren't you?"
+
+"Delighted, yes; not proud. Why should I be proud? I have only played
+jackal, and even that I have done very badly."
+
+"That is hardly a fair statement of the facts," she rejoined, with
+another quick, inquisitive look at me; "but you are in low spirits
+to-day--which is not at all like you. Is it not so?"
+
+"I am afraid I am a selfish, egotistical brute," was my gloomy reply. "I
+ought to be as gay and joyful as everyone else to-day, whereas the fact
+is that I am chafing over my own petty troubles. You see, now that this
+case is finished, my engagement with Dr. Thorndyke terminates
+automatically, and I relapse into my old life--a dreary repetition of
+journeying amongst strangers--and the prospect is not inspiriting. This
+has been a time of bitter trial to you, but to me it has been a green
+oasis in the desert of a colourless, monotonous life. I have enjoyed the
+companionship of a most lovable man, whom I admire and respect above all
+other men, and with him have moved in scenes full of colour and
+interest. And I have made one other friend whom I am loth to see fade
+out of my life, as she seems likely to do."
+
+"If you mean me," said Juliet, "I may say that it will be your own fault
+if I fade out of your life. I can never forget all that you have done
+for us, your loyalty to Reuben, your enthusiasm in his cause, to say
+nothing of your many kindnesses to me. And, as to your having done your
+work badly, you wrong yourself grievously. I recognised in the evidence
+by which Reuben was cleared to-day how much you had done, in filling in
+the details, towards making the case complete and convincing. I shall
+always feel that we owe you a debt of the deepest gratitude, and so will
+Reuben, and so, perhaps, more than either of us, will someone else."
+
+"And who is that?" I asked, though with no great interest. The gratitude
+of the family was a matter of little consequence to me.
+
+"Well, it is no secret now," replied Juliet. "I mean the girl whom
+Reuben is going to marry. What is the matter, Dr. Jervis?" she added, in
+a tone of surprise.
+
+We were passing through the gate that leads from the Embankment to
+Middle Temple Lane, and I had stopped dead under the archway, laying a
+detaining hand upon her arm and gazing at her in utter amazement.
+
+"The girl that Reuben is going to marry!" I repeated. "Why, I had always
+taken it for granted that he was going to marry you."
+
+"But I told you, most explicitly, that was not so!" she exclaimed with
+some impatience.
+
+"I know you did," I admitted ruefully; "but I thought--well, I imagined
+that things had, perhaps, not gone quite smoothly and--"
+
+"Did you suppose that if I had cared for a man, and that man had been
+under a cloud, I should have denied the relation or pretended that we
+were merely friends?" she demanded indignantly.
+
+"I am sure you wouldn't," I replied hastily. "I was a fool, an idiot--by
+Jove, what an idiot I have been!"
+
+"It was certainly very silly of you," she admitted; but there was a
+gentleness in her tone that took away all bitterness from the reproach.
+
+"The reason of the secrecy was this," she continued; "they became
+engaged the very night before Reuben was arrested, and, when he heard of
+the charge against him, he insisted that no one should be told unless,
+and until, he was fully acquitted. I was the only person who was in
+their confidence, and as I was sworn to secrecy, of course I couldn't
+tell you; nor did I suppose that the matter would interest you. Why
+should it?"
+
+"Imbecile that I am," I murmured. "If I had only known!"
+
+"Well, if you _had_ known," said she; "what difference could it have
+made to you?"
+
+This question she asked without looking at me, but I noted that her
+cheek had grown a shade paler.
+
+"Only this," I answered. "That I should have been spared many a day and
+night of needless self-reproach and misery."
+
+"But why?" she asked, still keeping her face averted. "What had you to
+reproach yourself with?"
+
+"A great deal," I answered, "if you consider my supposed position. If
+you think of me as the trusted agent of a man, helpless and deeply
+wronged--a man whose undeserved misfortunes made every demand upon
+chivalry and generosity; if you think of me as being called upon to
+protect and carry comfort to the woman whom I regarded as, virtually,
+that man's betrothed wife; and then if you think of me as proceeding
+straightway, before I had known her twenty-four hours, to fall
+hopelessly in love with her myself, you will admit that I had something
+to reproach myself with."
+
+She was still silent, rather pale and very thoughtful, and she seemed to
+breathe more quickly than usual.
+
+"Of course," I continued, "you may say that it was my own look-out, that
+I had only to keep my own counsel, and no one would be any the worse.
+But there's the mischief of it. How can a man who is thinking of a woman
+morning, noon and night; whose heart leaps at the sound of her coming,
+whose existence is a blank when she is away from him--a blank which he
+tries to fill by recalling, again and again, all that she has said and
+the tones of her voice, and the look that was in her eyes when she
+spoke--how can he help letting her see, sooner or later, that he cares
+for her? And if he does, when he has no right to, there is an end of
+duty and chivalry and even common honesty."
+
+"Yes, I understand now," said Juliet softly. "Is this the way?" She
+tripped up the steps leading to Fountain Court and I followed
+cheerfully. Of course it was not the way, and we both knew it, but the
+place was silent and peaceful, and the plane-trees cast a pleasant shade
+on the gravelled court. I glanced at her as we walked slowly towards the
+fountain. The roses were mantling in her cheeks now and her eyes were
+cast down, but when she lifted them to me for an instant, I saw that
+they were shining and moist.
+
+"Did you never guess?" I asked.
+
+"Yes," she replied in a low voice, "I guessed; but--but then," she
+added shyly, "I thought I had guessed wrong."
+
+We walked on for some little time without speaking again until we came
+to the further side of the fountain, where we stood listening to the
+quiet trickle of the water, and watching the sparrows as they took their
+bath on the rim of the basin. A little way off another group of sparrows
+had gathered with greedy joy around some fragments of bread that had
+been scattered abroad by the benevolent Templars, and hard by a more
+sentimentally-minded pigeon, unmindful of the crumbs and the marauding
+sparrows, puffed out his breast and strutted and curtsied before his
+mate with endearing gurgles.
+
+Juliet had rested her hand on one of the little posts that support the
+chain by which the fountain is enclosed and I had laid my hand on hers.
+Presently she turned her hand over so that mine lay in its palm; and so
+we were standing hand-in-hand when an elderly gentleman, of dry and
+legal aspect, came up the steps and passed by the fountain. He looked at
+the pigeons and then he looked at us, and went his way smiling and
+shaking his head.
+
+"Juliet," said I.
+
+She looked up quickly with sparkling eyes and a frank smile that was yet
+a little shy, too.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why did he smile--that old gentleman--when he looked at us?"
+
+"I can't imagine," she replied mendaciously.
+
+"It was an approving smile," I said. "I think he was remembering his own
+spring-time and giving us his blessing."
+
+"Perhaps he was," she agreed. "He looked a nice old thing." She gazed
+fondly at the retreating figure and then turned again to me. Her cheeks
+had grown pink enough by now, and in one of them a dimple displayed
+itself to great advantage in its rosy setting.
+
+"Can you forgive me, dear, for my unutterable folly?" I asked presently,
+as she glanced up at me again.
+
+"I am not sure," she answered. "It was dreadfully silly of you."
+
+"But remember, Juliet, that I loved you with my whole heart--as I love
+you now and shall love you always."
+
+"I can forgive you anything when you say that," she answered softly.
+
+Here the voice of the distant Temple clock was heard uttering a polite
+protest. With infinite reluctance we turned away from the fountain,
+which sprinkled us with a parting benediction, and slowly retraced our
+steps to Middle Temple Lane and thence into Pump Court.
+
+"You haven't said it, Juliet," I whispered, as we came through the
+archway into the silent, deserted court.
+
+"Haven't I, dear?" she answered; "but you know it, don't you? You know I
+do."
+
+"Yes, I know," I said; "and that knowledge is all my heart's desire."
+
+She laid her hand in mine for a moment with a gentle pressure and then
+drew it away; and so we passed through into the cloisters.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
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+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type"
+    content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of
+    The Red Thumb Mark,
+    by  R. Austin Freeman.
+</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+    <!--
+    * { font-family:   Times;}
+    P { margin-top:    .75em;
+        font-size:     12pt;
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+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Red Thumb Mark
+
+Author: R. Austin Freeman
+
+Release Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11128]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED THUMB MARK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h1>THE RED THUMB MARK</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>BY R. AUSTIN FREEMAN</h2>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="PRF"><!-- PRF --></a>
+<h2>
+	PREFACE
+</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose
+other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are
+interested in problems of crime and their solutions; and the story
+itself differs in no respect from others of its class, excepting in that
+an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary
+life, both in the characters and in the incidents.
+</p>
+<p>
+Nevertheless it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in
+drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of
+finger-prints and their evidential value; misapprehensions the extent of
+which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several
+Continental commercial houses have actually substituted finger-prints
+for signed initials.
+</p>
+<p>
+The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including
+the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are, of
+course, taken from Mr. Galton's great and important work on
+finger-prints; to which the reader who is interested in the subject is
+referred for much curious and valuable information.
+</p>
+<p>
+In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend
+Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain
+photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal
+Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in
+criminal trials.
+</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<a name="TOC"><!-- TOC --></a>
+<h2>
+	CONTENTS
+</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I</a><br/>
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II</a><br/>
+THE SUSPECT
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III</a><br/>
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV</a><br/>
+CONFIDENCES
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V</a><br/>
+THE "THUMBOGRAPH"
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI</a><br/>
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII</a><br/>
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII</a><br/>
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX</a><br/>
+THE PRISONER
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X</a><br/>
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI</a><br/>
+THE AMBUSH
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII</a><br/>
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII</a><br/>
+MURDER BY POST
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV</a><br/>
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV</a><br/>
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH16">CHAPTER XVI</a><br/>
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+</p>
+<p>
+<a href="#CH17">CHAPTER XVII</a><br/>
+AT LAST
+</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER I
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"Conflagratam An&deg; 1677. Fabricatam An&deg; 1698. Richardo Powell Armiger
+Thesaurar." The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath
+the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarised the history of one of
+the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk and as I, somewhat
+absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between
+admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet
+dignity of the building, and an effort to reconstitute the dead and gone
+Richard Powell, and the stirring times in which he played his part.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became
+occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, in its wig and obsolete
+habiliments, to the old-world surroundings that it seemed to complete
+the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted
+in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand,
+and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, he looked up
+and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the
+incurious gaze that casual strangers bestow on one another; then there
+was a flash of mutual recognition; the impassive and rather severe face
+of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching
+itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended in
+cordial greeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear Jervis," he exclaimed, as we clasped hands warmly, "this is a
+great and delightful surprise. How often have I thought of my old
+comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo! here he is,
+thrown up on the sounding beach of the Inner Temple, like the proverbial
+bread cast upon the waters."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your surprise, Thorndyke, is nothing to mine," I replied, "for your
+bread has at least returned as bread; whereas I am in the position of a
+man who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it return in the
+form of a buttered muffin or a Bath bun. I left a respectable medical
+practitioner and I find him transformed into a bewigged and begowned
+limb of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke laughed at the comparison.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he. "Say, rather, that
+you left him a chrysalis and come back to find him a butterfly. But the
+change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under
+the gown of Solon, as you will understand when I explain my
+metamorphosis; and that I will do this very evening, if you have no
+engagement."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am one of the unemployed at present," I said, "and quite at your
+service."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then come round to my chambers at seven," said Thorndyke, "and we will
+have a chop and a pint of claret together and exchange autobiographies.
+I am due in court in a few minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you reside within that noble old portico?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," replied Thorndyke. "I often wish I did. It would add several
+inches to one's stature to feel that the mouth of one's burrow was
+graced with a Latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over.
+No; my chambers are some doors further down&mdash;number 6A"&mdash;and he turned
+to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndyke taking his way
+with fluttering gown towards the Law Courts, while I directed my steps
+westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent.
+</p>
+<p>
+The soft-voiced bell of the Temple clock was telling out the hour of
+seven in muffled accents (as though it apologised for breaking the
+studious silence) as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and
+turned into King's Bench Walk.
+</p>
+<p>
+The paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly
+before the doorway of number 6A, in which, though the wig had now given
+place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in
+recognising my friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Punctual to the moment, as of old," said he, meeting me half-way. "What
+a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been
+taking the air in Fountain Court, and will now introduce you to my
+chambers. Here is my humble retreat."
+</p>
+<p>
+We passed in through the common entrance and ascended the stone stairs
+to the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door, above
+which my friend's name was written in white letters.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Rather a forbidding exterior," remarked Thorndyke, as he inserted the
+latchkey, "but it is homely enough inside."
+</p>
+<p>
+The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a baize-covered inner door,
+which Thorndyke pushed open and held for me to pass in.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will find my chambers an odd mixture," said Thorndyke, "for they
+combine the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory and a
+workshop."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And a restaurant," added a small, elderly man, who was decanting a
+bottle of claret by means of a glass syphon: "you forgot that, sir."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I forgot that, Polton," said Thorndyke, "but I see you have not."
+He glanced towards a small table that had been placed near the fire and
+set out with the requisites for our meal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Tell me," said Thorndyke, as we made the initial onslaught on the
+products of Polton's culinary experiments, "what has been happening to
+you since you left the hospital six years ago?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My story is soon told," I answered, somewhat bitterly. "It is not an
+uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I
+had paid my examination and registration fees the coffer was absolutely
+empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains&mdash;to use
+Johnson's phrase&mdash;the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of
+avarice, there is a vast difference in practice between the potential
+and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes
+as an assistant, sometimes as a <i>locum tenens</i>. Just now I've got no
+work to do, and so have entered my name on Turcival's list of
+eligibles."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke pursed up his lips and frowned.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's a wicked shame, Jervis," said he presently, "that a man of your
+abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his time
+on odd jobs like some half-qualified wastrel."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is," I agreed. "My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked
+and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother? If
+poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty
+thousand candle-power luminary, your brilliancy is apt to be obscured."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," grunted Thorndyke, and he remained for a
+time in deep thought.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said I, "let us have your promised explanation. I am
+positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances
+has converted John Evelyn Thorndyke from a medical practitioner into a
+luminary of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke smiled indulgently.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The fact is," said he, "that no such transformation has occurred. John
+Evelyn Thorndyke is still a medical practitioner."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What, in a wig and gown!" I exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, a mere sheep in wolf's clothing," he replied. "I will tell you how
+it has come about. After you left the hospital, six years ago, I stayed
+on, taking up any small appointments that were going&mdash;assistant
+demonstrator&mdash;or curatorships and such like&mdash;hung about the chemical and
+physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile
+took my M.D. and D.Sc. Then I got called to the bar in the hope of
+getting a coronership, but soon after this, old Stedman retired
+unexpectedly&mdash;you remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical
+jurisprudence&mdash;and I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise,
+I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my
+mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that
+might come."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what has come?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice," he replied.
+"At first I only got an occasional analysis in a doubtful poisoning
+case, but, by degrees, my sphere of influence has extended until it now
+includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical
+science can be brought to bear upon law."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But you plead in court, I observe," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very seldom," he replied. "More usually I appear in the character of
+that <i>b&ecirc;te noir</i> of judges and counsel&mdash;the scientific witness. But in
+most instances I do not appear at all; I merely direct investigations,
+arrange and analyse the results, and prime the counsel with facts and
+suggestions for cross-examination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A good deal more interesting than acting as understudy for an absent
+g.p.," said I, a little enviously. "But you deserve to succeed, for you
+were always a deuce of a worker, to say nothing of your capabilities."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I worked hard," replied Thorndyke, "and I work hard still; but I
+have my hours of labour and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils
+of general practitioners, who are liable to be dragged away from the
+dinner table or roused out of your first sleep by&mdash;confound it all! who
+can that be?"
+</p>
+<p>
+For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation,
+there came a smart rapping at the outer door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Must see who it is, I suppose," he continued, "though one expects
+people to accept the hint of a closed oak."
+</p>
+<p>
+He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no
+means gracious inquiry.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's rather late for a business call," said an apologetic voice
+outside, "but my client was anxious to see you without delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come in, Mr. Lawley," said Thorndyke, rather stiffly, and, as he held
+the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men&mdash;one
+middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance and of a typically legal aspect,
+and the other a fine, handsome young fellow of very prepossessing
+exterior, though at present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently
+in a state of profound agitation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner
+table, "that our visit&mdash;for which I am alone responsible&mdash;is a most
+unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndyke,
+pray tell us, and my business must wait."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke had cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he
+now replied in a much more genial tone&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to
+inconveniencing us, why, my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you
+are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours
+his own unreservedly."
+</p>
+<p>
+I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to
+take a walk on the Embankment and return later, but the young man
+interrupted me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Pray don't go away on my account," he said. "The facts that I am about
+to lay before Dr. Thorndyke will be known to all the world by this time
+to-morrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In that case," said Thorndyke, "let us draw our chairs up to the fire
+and fall to business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner and were
+waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this
+moment."
+</p>
+<p>
+We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Polton had set the coffee on
+the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without
+preamble.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER II
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE SUSPECT
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"I had better," said he, "give you a general outline of the case as it
+presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben
+Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions
+that you may wish to put to him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle,
+John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner and dealer in precious
+metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work
+carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the
+testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South
+Africa.
+</p>
+<p>
+"About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter&mdash;another nephew
+of John Hornby&mdash;left school, and both were articled to their uncle, with
+the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house; and they
+have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions
+of considerable responsibility.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's
+establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some
+accredited representative of the firm&mdash;generally either Mr. Reuben or
+Mr. Walter&mdash;who has been despatched to meet the ship, and conveyed
+either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course
+every effort is made to have as little gold as possible on the premises,
+and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity;
+but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have
+often to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are
+furnished with a large and powerful safe or strong room for their
+reception. This safe is situated in the private office under the eye of
+the principal, and, as an additional precaution, the caretaker, who acts
+as night-watchman, occupies a room directly over the office, and patrols
+the building periodically through the night.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It
+happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested
+in a diamond mine, and, although transactions in precious stones form no
+part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent
+parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby, to be either
+deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been
+despatched by the <i>Elmina Castle</i>, and it appeared that the parcel was
+an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and
+value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks
+at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the
+stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this
+was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and
+locked up in the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who placed them in the safe?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his
+return from the docks."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "and what happened next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, on the following morning, when the safe was opened, the diamonds
+had disappeared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had the place been broken into?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. The place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had
+made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was,
+outwardly, quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys and
+locked again after the stones were removed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And in whose custody were the keys of the safe?" inquired Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but, on occasions, when he
+was absent from the office, he handed them over to one of his
+nephews&mdash;whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this
+occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he
+locked up the safe, after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time
+when it was opened by him on the following morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, yes," said Mr. Lawley, with an uncomfortable glance at his client,
+"unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the
+diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for
+there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe and one or two
+bloody smears on a piece of paper, and, in addition, a remarkably clear
+imprint of a thumb."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Also in blood?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. The thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops and
+then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in
+taking hold of it or otherwise."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, and what next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair, "to make a long story
+short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Reuben
+Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ha!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had
+better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further."
+</p>
+<p>
+He took from a drawer a small paper-covered notebook, on the cover of
+which he wrote "Reuben Hornby," and then, laying the book open on a
+blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now," he said, when he had finished, "with reference to this
+thumb-print. There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever," replied Mr. Lawley. "The Scotland Yard people, of
+course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director
+of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those
+in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print
+does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their
+possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the
+ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb&mdash;which is a remarkably distinct
+and characteristic one&mdash;is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering
+identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with
+the thumb-print of Mr. Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print
+beyond any possible doubt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the
+thumb-print could have been introduced by any person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," answered the lawyer. "It is quite impossible. The paper on which
+the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had
+pencilled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it
+on the parcel before he closed up the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was anyone present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, he was alone," answered the lawyer. "He saw at a glance that the
+diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the
+thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for
+the police."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark,
+since it was so distinct and conspicuous?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, I think not," answered Mr. Lawley. "The paper was lying face
+downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it
+up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print.
+Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it,
+and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the marked
+surface downwards&mdash;probably when the parcel was transferred to the other
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mentioned," said Thorndyke, "that the experts at Scotland Yard have
+identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how
+they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said Mr. Lawley. "Thereby hangs a very curious tale of
+coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there was so
+simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take
+thumb-prints of all the employees in the works; but this Mr. Hornby
+refused to sanction&mdash;rather quixotically, as it seems to me&mdash;saying that
+he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now
+it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly
+interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and
+considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the
+thumb-prints taken.
+</p>
+<p>
+"However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching
+to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete
+confidence and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter
+would probably have remained a mystery but for a very odd circumstance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You may have seen on the bookstalls and in shop windows an appliance
+called a 'Thumbograph,' or some such name, consisting of a small book of
+blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together
+with an inking pad."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have seen those devices of the Evil One," said Thorndyke, "in fact, I
+have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John
+Hornby, purchased one of these toys&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"As a matter of fact," interrupted Reuben, "it was my cousin Walter who
+bought the thing and gave it to her."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is not material," said Mr. Lawley (though I observed that
+Thorndyke made a note of the fact in his book); "at any rate, Mrs.
+Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill
+it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now
+it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday
+at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the
+opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the
+thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at
+Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary,
+not only in the interests of justice but in the interests of the young
+men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the
+police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown
+by actual comparison that the thumb-print could not have been made by
+either of them. Moreover, it seemed that both the young men had
+expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been
+forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She
+suddenly remembered the 'Thumbograph,' and thinking to set the question
+at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the
+detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben (among
+others), and, as the detective had with him a photograph of the
+incriminating mark, the comparison was made then and there; and you may
+imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement when it was made clear that
+the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every
+particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene and was, of course,
+overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would
+have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds
+out of his own funds, but, as that would have amounted practically to
+compounding a felony, he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result, a
+warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this
+morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bow Street and charged
+with the robbery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was any evidence taken?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, bail
+having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative.
+Like me, he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's
+manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position
+indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of
+the case.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you advised your client to do?" Thorndyke asked presently.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the
+clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself
+that there is no defence possible."
+</p>
+<p>
+The young man flushed crimson, but made no remark.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But let us be clear how we stand," said Thorndyke. "Are we defending an
+innocent man or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man
+who admits that he is guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That question can be best answered by our client himself," said he.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby,
+but I must know what position you intend to adopt."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I again proposed to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis," he said. "My position
+is that I did not commit this robbery and that I know nothing whatever
+about it or about the thumb-print that was found in the safe. I do not,
+of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming
+evidence against me, but I do, nevertheless, declare in the most solemn
+manner before God, that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have
+no knowledge of it whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I take it that you did not plead 'guilty'?" said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not; and I never will," replied Reuben hotly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You would not be the first innocent man, by very many, who has entered
+that plea," remarked Mr. Lawley. "It is often the best policy, when the
+defence is hopelessly weak."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a policy that will not be adopted by me," rejoined Reuben. "I may
+be, and probably shall be, convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue
+to maintain my innocence, whatever happens. Do you think," he added,
+turning to Thorndyke, "that you can undertake my defence on that
+assumption?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the
+case," replied Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And&mdash;if I may ask the question&mdash;" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
+find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
+eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and if
+I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence, I
+should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
+evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
+hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
+upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
+be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
+resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
+guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
+a defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
+"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
+to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
+you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
+I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
+skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
+large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
+client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
+in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
+the aid of a pocket lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly,
+as he finished his examination, "but I don't perceive any trace of a
+scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jervis? The
+robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small
+cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is
+worth noting."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed me the lens and I scrutinised every part of each hand without
+being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is one other matter that must be attended to before you go," said
+Thorndyke, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. "I will take
+one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information."
+</p>
+<p>
+In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some lair
+unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and, having received his
+instructions, retired, and presently returned carrying a box, which he
+laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndyke drew forth a bright
+copper plate mounted on a slab of hard wood, a small printer's roller, a
+tube of finger-print ink, and a number of cards with very white and
+rather glazed surfaces.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Mr. Hornby," said he, "your hands, I see, are beyond criticism as
+to cleanliness, but we will, nevertheless, give the thumb a final
+polish."
+</p>
+<p>
+Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a
+well-soaked badger-hair nail-brush, and, having rinsed it in water,
+dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of
+chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a
+drop of the thick ink on to the copper plate and spread it out with the
+roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching
+the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of
+the cards.
+</p>
+<p>
+When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took
+Reuben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked
+plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he
+directed me to hold steady on the table, he repeated the pressure, when
+there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of
+the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with
+microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands, which
+appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges.
+This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of
+which thus received six impressions. Thorndyke then took one or two
+rolled prints, <i>i.e.</i> prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the
+inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of
+the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "that we may be furnished with all the
+necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndyke,
+having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized
+drop of blood on to a card.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There," said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the
+needle into a little shallow pool, "it is not every lawyer who is
+willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client."
+</p>
+<p>
+He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a
+number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are now," said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb,
+"furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you
+will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business
+concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for
+having detained you so long with these experiments."
+</p>
+<p>
+The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly
+concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they were
+at an end.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have been highly interested," he said mendaciously, "though I confess
+I do not quite fathom your intentions. And, by the way, I should like to
+have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not
+mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by
+the lawyer's pretence. "Don't hurry on my account; my time is my own&mdash;at
+present." He held out his hand to Thorndyke, who grasped it cordially.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. "Do not be unreasonably
+sanguine, but at the same time, do not lose heart. Keep your wits about
+you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a
+bearing on the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+The young man then took his leave, and, as the door closed after him,
+Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought I had better have a word with you alone," he said, "just to
+hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude
+has puzzled me completely."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What line would you propose?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "the position
+seems to be this: our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds and
+has been found out; at least, that is how the matter presents itself to
+me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is not how it presents itself to me," said Thorndyke drily. "He
+may have taken the diamonds or he may not. I have no means of judging
+until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I
+hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we
+postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen
+what line of defence it is possible to adopt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, "but I am afraid
+you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only
+make his fall the harder&mdash;to say nothing of our own position. We don't
+want to make ourselves ridiculous in court, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't, certainly," agreed Thorndyke. "However, I will look into the
+matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two."
+</p>
+<p>
+He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and
+when the footsteps at length died away, he closed it sharply and turned
+to me with an air of annoyance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The 'young rogue,'" he remarked, "does not appear to me to have been
+very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jervis, I
+understand you are out of employment just now?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you care to help me&mdash;as a matter of business, of course&mdash;to work
+up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand and your assistance
+would be of great value to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "come round to breakfast to-morrow and we will
+settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now let
+us light our pipes and finish our yarns as though agitated clients and
+thick-headed solicitors had no existence."
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER III
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+When I arrived at Thorndyke's chambers on the following morning, I found
+my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the
+table, while at the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for
+examining plate-cultures of micro-organisms, on the wide stage of which
+was one of the cards bearing six thumb-prints in blood. A condenser
+threw a bright spot of light on the card, which Thorndyke had been
+examining when I knocked, as I gathered from the position of the chair,
+which he now pushed back against the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see you have commenced work on our problem," I remarked as, in
+response to a double ring of the electric bell, Polton entered with the
+materials for our repast.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke. "I have opened the campaign, supported, as
+usual, by my trusty chief-of-staff; eh! Polton?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man, whose intellectual, refined countenance and dignified
+bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea-tray that he carried,
+smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affectionate admiration at my
+friend, replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet.
+There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement
+too, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your
+breakfast."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A wonderful man that, Jervis," my friend observed as his assistant
+retired. "Looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously
+intended by Nature to be a professor of physics. As an actual fact he
+was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he
+is mechanical factotum to a medical jurist. He is my right-hand, is
+Polton; takes an idea before you have time to utter it&mdash;but you will
+make his more intimate acquaintance by-and-by."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Where did you pick him up?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He was an in-patient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably
+ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave
+him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was I
+took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and
+his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are the photographs he was referring to?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is making an enlarged <i>facsimile</i> of one of the thumb-prints on
+bromide paper and a negative of the same size in case we want the print
+repeated."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby,"
+said I, "though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me
+his case seems as hopeless a one as it is possible to conceive. One
+doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost
+unthinkable."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It does certainly look like a hopeless case," Thorndyke agreed, "and I
+see no way out of it at present. But I make it a rule, in all cases, to
+proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry&mdash;collect
+facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification. And I
+always endeavour to keep a perfectly open mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, in the present case, assuming, as we must, that the robbery has
+actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses: (1) that
+the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby; (2) that it was committed by
+Walter Hornby; (3) that it was committed by John Hornby, or (4) that it
+was committed by some other person or persons.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present and confine
+myself to the examination of the other three."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the
+diamonds out of his own safe?" I exclaimed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I incline at present to no one theory of the matter," replied
+Thorndyke. "I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the
+diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely he was responsible to the owners."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have
+difficulty in proving. You see, he was what is called a gratuitous
+bailee, and in such a case no responsibility for loss lies with the
+bailee unless there has been gross negligence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the thumb-mark, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed. "How can you possibly
+get over that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't know that I can," answered Thorndyke calmly; "but I see you are
+taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a
+finger-print as a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof, beyond
+which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A
+finger-print is merely a fact&mdash;a very important and significant one, I
+admit&mdash;but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be
+weighed and measured with reference to its evidential value."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you propose to do first?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumb-print is
+identical in character with that of Reuben Hornby&mdash;of which, however, I
+have very little doubt, for the finger-print experts may fairly be
+trusted in their own speciality."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance,
+and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your
+new duties."
+</p>
+<p>
+He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four
+small, paper-covered notebooks, laid them before me on the table.
+</p>
+<p>
+"One of these books," said he, "we will devote to data concerning Reuben
+Hornby. You will find out anything you can&mdash;anything, mind, no matter
+how trivial or apparently irrelevant&mdash;in any way connected with him and
+enter it in this book." He wrote on the cover "Reuben Hornby" and passed
+the book to me. "In this second book you will, in like manner, enter
+anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and, in the third book,
+data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that
+for stray facts connected with the case but not coming under either of
+the other headings. And now let us look at the product of Polton's
+industry."
+</p>
+<p>
+He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by eight
+broad, done on glazed bromide paper and mounted flatly on stiff card. It
+showed a greatly magnified <i>facsimile</i> of one of the thumb-prints, in
+which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands
+and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could
+be seen only with the aid of a lens, were plainly visible to the naked
+eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black
+lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each
+square being distinguished by a number.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Excellent, Polton," said Thorndyke approvingly; "a most admirable
+enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb-print in
+contact with a numbered micrometer divided into square twelfths of an
+inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares are here
+each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these
+micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining
+cheques, doubtful signatures and such like. I see you have packed up the
+camera and the microscope, Polton; have you put in the micrometer?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, sir," replied Polton, "and the six-inch objective and the
+low-power eye-piece. Everything is in the case; and I have put 'special
+rapid' plates into the dark-slides in case the light should be bad."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland Yard lions in their den,"
+said Thorndyke, putting on his hat and gloves.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely," said I, "you are not going to drag that great microscope
+to Scotland Yard, when you only want eight diameters. Haven't you a
+dissecting microscope or some other portable instrument?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have a most delightful instrument of the dissecting type, of
+Polton's own make&mdash;he shall show it to you. But I may have need of a
+more powerful instrument&mdash;and here let me give you a word of warning:
+whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials. We
+are seeking information, not giving it, you understand."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment the little brass knocker on the inner door&mdash;the outer oak
+being open&mdash;uttered a timid and apologetic rat-tat.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who the deuce can that be?" muttered Thorndyke, replacing the
+microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it
+somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then
+perceived a lady standing on the threshold.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Dr. Thorndyke?" she inquired, and as my colleague bowed, she continued,
+"I ought to have written to ask for an appointment but the matter is
+rather urgent&mdash;it concerns Mr. Reuben Hornby and I only learned from
+him this morning that he had consulted you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Pray come in," said Thorndyke. "Dr. Jervis and I were just setting out
+for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my
+colleague, who is working up the case with me."
+</p>
+<p>
+Our visitor, a tall handsome girl of twenty or thereabouts, returned my
+bow and remarked with perfect self-possession, "My name is Gibson&mdash;Miss
+Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character and need not
+detain you many minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+She seated herself in the chair that Thorndyke placed for her, and
+continued in a brisk and business-like manner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the
+last six years I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no
+relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to
+Mrs. Hornby, though, as I was only fifteen at the time, I need hardly
+say that my duties were not very onerous; in fact, I think Mrs. Hornby
+took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a
+livelihood, and she had no children of her own.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Three years ago I came into a little fortune which rendered me
+independent; but I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked
+to be allowed to remain with them, and there I have been ever since in
+the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal
+of their nephews, who spend a good part of their time at the house, and
+I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Reuben has fallen
+upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this:
+I do not believe that Reuben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out
+of character with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that
+he is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In what way?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By supplying the sinews of war," replied Miss Gibson. "I understand
+that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid you are quite correctly informed," said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, Reuben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it
+is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise
+me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his
+innocence if I make myself responsible for any costs that he is unable
+to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter, if it
+could be avoided."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your friendship is of an eminently practical kind, Miss Gibson," said
+my colleague, with a smile. "As a matter of fact, the costs are no
+affair of mine. If the occasion arose for the exercise of your
+generosity you would have to approach Mr. Reuben's solicitor through the
+medium of your guardian, Mr. Hornby, and with the consent of the
+accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will arise, although I am
+very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance
+in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently
+impertinent questions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered
+necessary to ask," our visitor replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "I will venture to inquire if any special
+relations exist between you and Mr. Reuben."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You look for the inevitable motive in a woman," said Miss Gibson,
+laughing and flushing a little. "No, there have been no tender passages
+between Reuben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends; in fact,
+there is what I may call a tendency in another direction&mdash;Walter
+Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, no," she replied; "but he has asked me to marry him&mdash;he has asked
+me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere
+attachment to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing
+asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently
+noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course he has. Why not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
+my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
+Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
+takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
+quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
+smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man&mdash;which, I
+take it, he is not."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
+means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
+should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet&mdash;well, I
+have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
+value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
+will."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And do I understand that you refused him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
+nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
+some years?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what sort of character do you give him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
+I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
+to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
+inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
+the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
+keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
+further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
+us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
+head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
+Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
+assistance whenever we need it."
+</p>
+<p>
+After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
+more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
+watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
+camera case to me and made for the door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How the time goes!" he exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it
+hasn't been wasted, Jervis, hey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
+as you could desire&mdash;what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
+psychological problem&mdash;and it is your business to work it out, too."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke nodded.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
+preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
+pass unscrutinised."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
+Hornby, I should say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
+Walter has not inspired a grand passion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
+would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
+that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
+something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of
+hers, 'speaking from my own observation,' seemed to imply that her
+observations of him were not in entire agreement with somebody else's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good man!" exclaimed Thorndyke, slapping me on the back, to the
+undissembled surprise of a policeman whom we were passing; "that is what
+I had hoped for in you&mdash;the capacity to perceive the essential
+underneath the obvious. Yes; somebody has been saying something about
+our client, and the thing that we have to find out is, what is it that
+has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a
+pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant?" I asked foolishly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke grinned in my face. "Why didn't you?" he retorted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," I rejoined, "I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning.
+Let me carry the microscope for a time; it is making your arm ache, I
+see."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thanks," said he, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers; "it
+is rather ponderous."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't make out what you want with this great instrument," I said. "A
+common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six-inch
+objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Two, with the draw-tube closed," replied Thorndyke, "and the low-power
+eye-piece brings it up to four. Polton made them both for me for
+examining cheques, bank-notes and other large objects. But you will
+understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to
+make no comments."
+</p>
+<p>
+We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard, and were
+passing up the narrow thoroughfare, when we encountered a uniformed
+official who halted and saluted my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, doctor," said he
+genially. "I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "I am going to see what can be done for the
+defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said the officer as he ushered us into the building, "you've
+given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you
+can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "there is no such thing. You mean that
+there is a <i>prima facie</i> case against the accused."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Put it that way if you like," replied the officer, with a sly smile,
+"but I think you will find this about the hardest nut you ever tried
+your teeth on&mdash;and they're pretty strong teeth too, I'll say that. You
+had better come into Mr. Singleton's office," and he conducted us along
+a corridor and into a large, barely-furnished room, where we found a
+sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing table.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How-d'ye-do, doctor?" said the latter, rising and holding out his hand.
+"I can guess what you've come for. Want to see that thumb-print, eh?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite right," answered Thorndyke, and then, having introduced me, he
+continued: "We were partners in the last game, but we are on opposite
+sides of the board this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Singleton; "and we are going to give you check-mate."
+</p>
+<p>
+He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio, from which he
+extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be
+a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block, and bore the pencilled
+inscription: "Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01. J. H." At one end
+was a dark, glossy blood-stain, made by the falling of a good-sized
+drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb
+having been pressed on it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears
+and a remarkably distinct and clean print of a thumb.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinising
+the thumb-print and the smears in turn, but making no remark, while Mr.
+Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not much difficulty in identifying that mark," the official at length
+observed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," agreed Thorndyke; "it is an excellent impression and a very
+distinctive pattern, even without the scar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," rejoined Mr. Singleton; "the scar makes it absolutely conclusive.
+You have a print with you, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke, and he drew from a wide flap-pocket the
+enlarged photograph, at the sight of which Mr. Singleton's face
+broadened into a smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that," he remarked; "not
+that you gain anything by so much enlargement; three diameters is ample
+for studying the ridge-patterns. I see you have divided it up into
+numbered squares&mdash;not a bad plan; but ours&mdash;or rather Galton's, for we
+borrowed the method from him&mdash;is better for this purpose."
+</p>
+<p>
+He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print
+which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was
+marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen,
+each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some
+other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr. Singleton, "is
+better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed
+at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or
+the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or
+unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark
+our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph,
+which will do as well."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said
+Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Singleton, "if you would rather have one of
+your own taking. I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And
+now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me. Inspector Johnson
+will give you any assistance you may require."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And see that I don't pocket the original," added Thorndyke, with a
+smile at the inspector who had shown us in.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I'll see to that," said the latter, grinning; and, as Mr. Singleton
+returned to his table, Thorndyke unlocked the microscope case and drew
+forth the instrument.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What, are you going to put it under the microscope?" exclaimed Mr.
+Singleton, looking round with a broad smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Must do something for my fee, you know," replied Thorndyke, as he set
+up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives to the triple
+nose-piece.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You observe that there is no deception," he added to the inspector, as
+he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it between two
+slips of glass.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I'm watching you, sir," replied the officer, with a chuckle; and he did
+watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndyke laid the
+glass slips on the microscope stage and proceeded to focus.
+</p>
+<p>
+I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my
+colleague's proceedings. After a preliminary glance with the six-inch
+glass, he swung round the nose-piece to the half-inch objective and
+slipped in a more powerful eye-piece, and with this power he examined
+the blood-stains carefully, and then moved the thumb-print into the
+field of vision. After looking at this for some time with deep
+attention, he drew from the case a tiny spirit lamp which was evidently
+filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit
+it I recognised the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced
+one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment, and having placed
+the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the
+spectroscope. Evidently my friend was fixing the position of the "D"
+line (or sodium line) in the spectrum.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having completed the adjustments, he now examined afresh the
+blood-smears and the thumb-print, both by transmitted and reflected
+light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his
+notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamp in the case and
+brought forth the micrometer&mdash;a slip of rather thin glass about three
+inches by one and a half&mdash;which he laid over the thumb-print in the
+place of the upper plate of glass.
+</p>
+<p>
+Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing
+its appearance with that of the lines on the large photograph, which he
+held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and
+readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our
+print, so, with Inspector Johnson's assistance, we will take a
+photograph which we can examine at our leisure."
+</p>
+<p>
+He extracted the camera&mdash;a quarter-plate instrument&mdash;from its case and
+opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a
+horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany
+with three brass feet, on which he placed the camera, and which brought
+the latter to a level with the eye-piece of the microscope.
+</p>
+<p>
+The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black
+leather, and into this the eye-piece end of the microscope was now
+passed, the sleeve being secured round the barrel of the microscope by a
+stout indiarubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight
+connection.
+</p>
+<p>
+Everything was now ready for taking the photograph. The light from the
+window having been concentrated on the thumb-print by means of a
+condenser, Thorndyke proceeded to focus the image on the ground-glass
+screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the
+objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will ask you to sit down and remain quite still while I make the
+exposure," he said to me and the inspector. "A very little vibration is
+enough to destroy the sharpness of the image."
+</p>
+<p>
+We seated ourselves accordingly, and Thorndyke then removed the cap,
+standing motionless, watch in hand, while he exposed the first plate.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite
+perfect," he said, as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter.
+</p>
+<p>
+He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way,
+and then, having removed the micrometer and replaced it by a slip of
+plain glass, he made two more exposures.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two plates left," he remarked, as he drew out the second
+dark slide. "I think I will take a record of the blood-stain on them."
+</p>
+<p>
+He accordingly made two more exposures&mdash;one of the larger blood-stain
+and one of the smaller smears.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There," said he, with an air of satisfaction, as he proceeded to pack
+up what the inspector described as his "box of tricks." "I think we have
+all the data that we can squeeze out of Scotland Yard, and I am very
+much obliged to you, Mr. Singleton, for giving so many facilities to
+your natural enemy, the counsel for the defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not our natural enemies, doctor," protested Mr. Singleton. "We work for
+a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
+defence. You know that perfectly well."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
+by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
+am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
+go' this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
+to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
+building.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER IV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+CONFIDENCES
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
+his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
+detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
+suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
+however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
+saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
+man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
+and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+On our arrival at his chambers he immediately handed over the camera to
+Polton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plates,
+and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without
+delay.
+</p>
+<p>
+We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndyke
+suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a
+smile of quiet amusement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has just been borne in upon me, Jervis," said he, "that you are the
+most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of
+silence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If silence is the test of companionability," I answered, with a grin,
+"I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic
+terms."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laughed cheerfully and rejoined&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are pleased to be sarcastic, I observe; but I maintain my position.
+The capacity to preserve an opportune silence is the rarest and most
+precious of social accomplishments. Now, most men would have plied me
+with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard,
+whereas you have allowed me to sort out, without interruption, a mass of
+evidence while it is still fresh and impressive, to docket each item and
+stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a
+ridiculous oversight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The 'Thumbograph.' I never ascertained whether the police have it or
+whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Does it matter?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not much; only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent
+pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital
+this afternoon and Polton has his hands full, it would be a good plan
+for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens&mdash;that is the address, I think&mdash;and
+if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her, and
+extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Messieurs
+Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye
+lifting. Find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of
+those three gentlemen, regardless of all scruples of delicacy.
+Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And with regard to the 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Find out who has it, and, if it is still in Mrs. Hornby's possession,
+get her to lend it to us or&mdash;what might, perhaps, be better&mdash;get her
+permission to take a photograph of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It shall be done according to your word," said I. "I will furbish up my
+exterior, and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the
+character of Paul Pry."
+</p>
+<p>
+About an hour later I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's
+house in Endsley Gardens listening to the jangling of the bell that I
+had just set in motion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Miss Gibson, sir?" repeated the parlourmaid in response to my question.
+"She <i>was</i> going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If
+you will step in, I will go and see."
+</p>
+<p>
+I followed her into the drawing-room, and, threading my way amongst the
+litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies
+nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's
+shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the
+parlourmaid's report.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself
+entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated
+myself on my timely arrival.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis," she said,
+holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner, "but you are very
+welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the contrary," I replied, "I have come to ask you something."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is better than nothing," she said, with a shade of
+disappointment. "Won't you sit down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scrofulous aspect, and
+opened my business without preamble.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember a thing called a 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed I do," she replied with energy. "It was the cause of all this
+trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you know if the police took possession of it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the finger-print experts
+might examine it and compare the two thumb-prints; and they wanted to
+keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of its being used
+in evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really had no
+further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves when they
+had Reuben in custody; in fact, he volunteered to have a print taken at
+once, as soon as he was arrested, and that was done."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So the 'Thumbograph' is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, unless she has destroyed it. She spoke of doing so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope she has not," said I, in some alarm, "for Dr. Thorndyke is
+extremely anxious, for some reason, to examine it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told
+her you were here. Have you any idea what Dr. Thorndyke's reason is for
+wanting to see it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever," I replied. "Dr. Thorndyke is as close as an oyster. He
+treats me as he treats every one else&mdash;he listens attentively, observes
+closely, and says nothing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It doesn't sound very agreeable," mused Miss Gibson; "and yet he seemed
+very nice and sympathetic."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He <i>is</i> very nice and sympathetic," I retorted with some emphasis, "but
+he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his clients' secrets."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
+she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
+observation.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
+when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
+somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
+entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
+and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
+You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau.
+What did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
+be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
+your nephew's defence, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
+a dear. Do you agree with her?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
+noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
+the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
+respect."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
+recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
+repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
+is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
+Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
+show to Dr. Thorndyke?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I would do
+anything&mdash;anything&mdash;to help our poor boy. I will never believe that he
+could be guilty of theft&mdash;common, vulgar theft. There has been some
+dreadful mistake&mdash;I am convinced there has&mdash;I told the detectives so. I
+assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and that
+they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such an
+action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him since
+he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone is.
+Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds? and
+they were not even cut."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
+eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to see this little
+book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
+reflections.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
+the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
+feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
+Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
+to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
+'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
+return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
+from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
+'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
+return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
+fire. I wish never to see it again."
+</p>
+<p>
+But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
+that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
+custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
+examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to
+put it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not
+go out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to
+ask for your permission to take a photograph of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
+for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
+I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know&mdash;is he not, Juliet,
+dear?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
+would rather take the photograph himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
+person would not be of much use to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
+just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
+photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
+clever, I assure you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
+Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is excessively good of you&mdash;" I began.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
+evening?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We should very much," I replied. "My colleague could then examine it
+and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much
+trouble."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is nothing of the kind," said Miss Gibson. "You would not mind
+coming with me this evening, would you, aunt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to
+enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch,
+declared that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make
+my adieux, and she then remarked&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might
+arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds
+later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously
+after us from the open door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think?" Miss Gibson asked, as we
+walked up the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered. "If anything should
+render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram. I could wish
+that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson laughed softly&mdash;and a very pleasant and musical laugh it
+was.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she agreed. "Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult
+to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little
+failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and
+generosity from her as I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am. After all, a little
+diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults in a
+generous and amiable woman of her age."
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a
+little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence.
+Presently she turned to me with some suddenness and a very earnest
+expression, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I want to ask you a question, Dr. Jervis, and please forgive me if I
+beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my
+favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thorndyke has any kind of
+hope or expectation of being able to save poor Reuben from the dreadful
+peril that threatens him."
+</p>
+<p>
+This was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider it
+before replying.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like," I replied at length, "to tell you as much as my duty to
+my colleague will allow me to; but that is so little that it is hardly
+worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence:
+Dr. Thorndyke has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he
+would, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had
+considered it a hopeless one."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is a very encouraging view of the matter," said she, "which, had,
+however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your
+visit to Scotland Yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching; I am so
+terribly anxious and troubled."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I
+know very little; but I have an idea that Dr. Thorndyke is not
+dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts,
+though I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home he
+developed a sudden desire to examine the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, Dr. Jervis," she said gratefully. "You have cheered me more
+than I can tell you, and I won't ask you any more questions. Are you
+sure I am not bringing you out of the way?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," I answered hastily. "The fact is, I had hoped to have a
+little chat with you when we had disposed of the 'Thumbograph,' so I can
+regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of
+pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave me a little ironical bow as she inquired&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"And, in short, I may take it that I am to be pumped?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come, now," I retorted. "You have been plying the pump handle pretty
+vigorously yourself. But that is not my meaning at all. You see, we are
+absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of
+course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters. But, after
+all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our
+client, for instance. He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but
+he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then
+you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and
+we are at once on firmer ground."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one
+else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character. Would
+they have influenced you in your attitude towards him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to
+inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an
+air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
+Reuben's disadvantage?"
+</p>
+<p>
+She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent
+pensively on the ground. At length she said, not without some hesitation
+of manner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair. But
+it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a
+barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends.
+And I have blamed myself for letting it influence me&mdash;perhaps
+unjustly&mdash;in my opinion of him. I will tell you about it, though I
+expect you will think me very foolish.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months
+ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you
+understand. But we were on the footing of relatives, so there was
+nothing out of the way in it. Reuben is a keen student of ancient and
+mediaeval art, in which I also am much interested, so we used to visit
+the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from
+comparing our views and impressions of what we saw.
+</p>
+<p>
+"About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day and, with a very
+serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between
+Reuben and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but nevertheless,
+I told him the truth, that Reuben and I were just friends and nothing
+more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'If that is the case,' said he, looking mighty grave, 'I would advise
+you not to be seen about with him quite so much.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"'And why not?' I asked very naturally.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Why, the fact is,' said Walter, 'that Reuben is a confounded fool. He
+has been chattering to the men at the club and seems to have given them
+the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting
+her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-souled philosopher
+above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to
+her blandishments and her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for
+your own guidance,' he continued, 'and I expect this to go no farther.
+You mustn't be annoyed with Reuben. The best of young men will often
+behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt the fellows have
+grossly exaggerated what he said; but I thought it right to put you on
+your guard.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I
+wanted to have it out with Reuben then and there. But Walter refused to
+sanction this&mdash;'there was no use in making a scene' he said&mdash;and he
+insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence; so what
+was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Reuben as I always had done,
+but this I found impossible; my womanly pride was much too deeply hurt.
+And yet I felt it the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts
+of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. And
+although it was most unlike Reuben in some respects, it was very like
+him in others; for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men
+who marry for a livelihood. So I have remained on the horns of a dilemma
+and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I rubbed my chin in some embarrassment at this question. Needless to
+say, I was most disagreeably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and
+not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to
+his secret disparagement of his cousin; but I was obviously not in a
+position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The position appears to be this," I said, after a pause, "either Reuben
+has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied
+deliberately about him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she agreed, "that is the position; but which of the two
+alternatives appears to you the more probable?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is very difficult to say," I answered. "There is a certain kind
+of cad who is much given to boastful rhodomontade concerning his
+conquests. We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight,
+but I must say that Reuben Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man
+at all. Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have
+adopted, if he had really heard such rumours, was to have had the matter
+out with Reuben, instead of coming secretly to you with whispered
+reports. That is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but, of course, I may be quite
+wrong. I gather that our two young friends are not inseparable
+companions?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, they are very good friends, but you see, their interests and views
+of life are quite different. Reuben, although an excellent worker in
+business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a
+scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs&mdash;decidedly
+long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby
+said."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He takes photographs, for instance," I suggested.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. But not ordinary amateur photographs; his work is more technical
+and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful
+series of micro-photographs of sections of metalliferous rocks which he
+reproduced for publication by the collotype process, and even printed
+off the plates himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see. He must be a very capable fellow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is, very," she assented, "and very keen on making a position; but I
+am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not
+a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I agreed that it was not.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Excessive keenness in money affairs," proceeded Miss Gibson oracularly,
+"is apt to lead a young man into bad ways&mdash;oh, you need not smile, Dr.
+Jervis, at my wise saws; it is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact
+is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich
+inclines him to try what looks like a quick and easy method of making
+money. He had a friend&mdash;a Mr. Horton&mdash;who is a dealer on the Stock
+Exchange and who 'operates' rather largely&mdash;'operate' I believe is the
+expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common
+gambling&mdash;and I have more than once suspected Walter of being concerned
+in what Mr. Horton calls 'a little flutter.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding," I remarked,
+with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore untempted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," she agreed, "it isn't. But your gambler always thinks he is going
+to win&mdash;though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
+a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
+far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
+Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
+punctually."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
+to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
+she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER V
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
+conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
+gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
+consumer."
+</p>
+<p>
+I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
+facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I
+suppose?" said Thorndyke&mdash;"while the matter was still fresh?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within
+five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good!" said Thorndyke. "And now let us see what you have collected."
+</p>
+<p>
+He glanced quickly through the entries in the two books, referring back
+once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then
+he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our information, then," he said, "amounts to this: Reuben is an
+industrious worker at his business and, in his leisure, a student of
+ancient and medieval art; possibly a babbling fool and a cad or, on the
+other hand, a maligned and much-abused man.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter Hornby is obviously a sneak and possibly a liar; a keen man of
+business, perhaps a flutterer round the financial candle that burns in
+Throgmorton Street; an expert photographer and a competent worker of the
+collotype process. You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I
+wonder if you see the bearing of the facts that you have collected."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I see the bearing of some of them," I answered; "at least, I
+have formed certain opinions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then keep them to yourself, <i>mon ami</i>, so that I need not feel as if I
+ought to unbosom myself of my own views."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndyke," I replied, "and
+should have none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your
+opinions and theories are the property of your client and not to be used
+for the entertainment of your friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke patted me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly
+pleased, and said, with evident sincerity, "I am really grateful to you
+for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent
+with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I
+am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can
+do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink
+the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods!
+here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour
+of roasted flesh. Rump steak I ween," he added, sniffing, "food meet for
+the mighty Shamash (that pun was fortuitous, I need not say) or a
+ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Polton, how it is that
+your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have
+command of a special brand of ox?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as
+full of lines as a ground-plan of Clapham Junction.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir," he replied. "I
+usually bruise it in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the
+fibre too much, and then I heat up the little cupel furnace to about 600
+C, and put the steak in on a tripod."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke laughed outright. "The cupel furnace, too," he exclaimed.
+"Well, well, 'to what base uses'&mdash;but I don't know that it is a base use
+after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of
+ten by eight 'process' plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two
+ladies here this evening with a document."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Polton, with an alarmed
+expression.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect I shall have to," answered Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit," said Polton, who
+evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine and feminine
+view as to the proper appearance of working premises.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on the case?" said
+Thorndyke, when his voracity had become somewhat appeased.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I
+could remember it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic," Thorndyke remarked, "and
+it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we
+show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard,
+then to the whole world. We know what their trump card is and can
+arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You speak of the police as your antagonists; I noticed that at the
+'Yard' this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the
+position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender,
+not to fix the crime on some particular person."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That would seem to be so," replied Thorndyke, "but in practice it is
+otherwise. When the police have made an arrest they work for a
+conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs; it
+is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one&mdash;especially
+since the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be
+estimated by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement
+is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is
+of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not
+engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is
+trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without
+regard to its actual truth or even to the lawyer's own belief on the
+subject. That is what produces so much friction between lawyers and
+scientific witnesses; neither can understand the point of view of the
+other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this; it has
+gone half-past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room
+presentable."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I notice you don't use your office much," I remarked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hardly at all, excepting as a repository for documents and stationery.
+It is very cheerless to talk in an office, and nearly all my business is
+transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is
+no need for such formalities. All right, Polton; we shall be ready for
+you in five minutes."
+</p>
+<p>
+The Temple bell was striking eight as, at Thorndyke's request, I threw
+open the iron-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps
+came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for our two
+visitors, and led them into the room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Hornby, when I had
+done the honours of introduction; "I have heard so much about you from
+Juliet&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Really, my dear aunt," protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with
+a look of comical alarm, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous
+impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice
+and had been received with undeserved indulgence and consideration."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby, "but I
+suppose it doesn't matter."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favourable report of us,
+whatever may have been the actual form of expression," said Thorndyke,
+with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered her with
+smiling confusion, "and we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much
+trouble to help us."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure," replied Mrs. Hornby;
+and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened,
+like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out
+into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed chairs
+for the two ladies, and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed a stony
+gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Hornby's wrist.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is the 'Thumbograph' in your bag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, in response
+to this mute appeal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course it is, my dear Juliet," replied the elder lady. "You saw me
+put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are. Did you think I should
+have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are
+really very secure, you know, although I daresay they are safer than
+pockets, especially now that it is the fashion to have the pocket at the
+back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a
+pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know,
+to make a snatch and&mdash;in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I
+knew a lady&mdash;Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet&mdash;no, it wasn't Mrs.
+Moggridge, that was another affair, it was Mrs.&mdash;Mrs.&mdash;dear me, how
+silly of me!&mdash;now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You
+must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the
+Hawley-Johnsons'&mdash;I think it was the Hawley-Johnsons', or else it was
+those people, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph'?" interrupted
+Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, of course, Juliet, dear. What else did we come here for?" With a
+slightly injured expression, Mrs. Hornby opened the little bag and
+commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents on to
+the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a
+visiting list, a packet of <i>papier poudr&eacute;</i>, and when she had laid the
+last-mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into
+Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling
+discovery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I remember the woman's name," she said in an impressive voice. "It was
+Gudge&mdash;Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Miss Gibson made an unceremonious dive into the open bag and fished
+out a tiny parcel wrapped in notepaper and secured with a silk thread.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," said Thorndyke, taking it from her hand just as Mrs. Hornby
+was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread and drew from its
+wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbograph"
+stamped upon the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby
+rose and stood beside him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That," said she, as she opened the book at the first page, "is the
+thumb-mark of a Miss Colley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is
+a little smeared&mdash;she said Reuben jogged her elbow, but I don't think
+he did; at any rate he assured me he did not, and, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! Here is one we are looking for," interrupted Thorndyke, who had
+been turning the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling
+comments; "a very good impression, too, considering the rather rough
+method of producing it."
+</p>
+<p>
+He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the
+mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered
+through it at the thumb-print that he was looking for something. A
+moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had
+sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and
+composed air and made no remark, there was a sparkle of the eye and a
+scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I
+had begun to recognise beneath the impassive mask that he presented to
+the world.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he
+said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, "and, as I
+may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you
+and Miss Gibson to sign your names&mdash;as small as possible&mdash;on the page
+which bears Mr. Reuben's thumb-mark. That will anticipate any suggestion
+that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such
+suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain
+pen in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and
+handed the pen to Miss Gibson, who signed underneath.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "we will take an enlarged photograph of this
+page with the thumb-mark; not that it is necessary that it should be
+done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the
+photograph will be wanted, and as my man is expecting us and has the
+apparatus ready, we may as well despatch the business at once."
+</p>
+<p>
+To this both the ladies readily agreed (being, in fact, devoured by
+curiosity with regard to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly
+proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the
+ingenious Polton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me
+with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we
+entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small
+woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of
+mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I
+noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike
+neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndyke's observation,
+for his face relaxed into a grim smile as his eye travelled over the
+bare benches and the clean-swept floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of
+which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shelves of
+reagents that covered the wall, and the flasks, retorts and other
+apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a
+drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large,
+massively-constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the
+lens, was fixed, and an easel or copyholder travelled on parallel guides
+towards, or away, from it, on a long stand.
+</p>
+<p>
+This apparatus Thorndyke proceeded to explain to our visitors while
+Polton was fixing the "Thumbograph" in a holder attached to the easel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You see," he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, "I have a
+good deal to do with signatures, cheques and disputed documents of
+various kinds. Now a skilled eye, aided by a pocket-lens, can make out
+very minute details on a cheque or bank-note; but it is not possible to
+lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very
+convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the
+magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original.
+Small things, when magnified, develop quite unexpected characters; for
+instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but
+have you ever noticed the little white spots in the upper corner of a
+penny stamp, or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of
+the wreath?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson admitted that she had not.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very few people have, I suppose, excepting stamp-collectors," continued
+Thorndyke; "but now just glance at this and you will find these
+unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed
+her a photograph, which he had taken from a drawer, showing a penny
+stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches.
+</p>
+<p>
+While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded
+with his work. The "Thumbograph" having been fixed in position, the
+light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted with a parabolic
+reflector, was concentrated on it, and the camera racked out to its
+proper distance.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are those figures intended to show?" inquired Miss Gibson,
+indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides.
+</p>
+<p>
+"They show the amount of magnification or reduction," Thorndyke
+explained. "When the pointer is opposite 0, the photograph is the same
+size as the object photographed; when it points to, say, &times; 4, the
+photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while
+if it should point to, say, &divide; 4, the photograph will be one-fourth the
+length of the object. It is now, you see, pointing to &times; 8, so the
+photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb-mark."
+</p>
+<p>
+By this time Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus and,
+when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image on the
+focussing screen, we withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to
+bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and
+the plate developed. Here, after an interval, we were joined by Polton,
+who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could
+be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb-mark.
+</p>
+<p>
+This Thorndyke scrutinised eagerly, and having pronounced it
+satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was
+attained, and thanked her for the trouble she had taken.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am very glad we came," said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we
+walked slowly up Mitre Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorndyke;
+"and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has
+made me realise that something is being done and that Dr. Thorndyke
+really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And very properly so," I replied. "I, too, although I really know
+nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would
+not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had
+not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking a
+hopeful view."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you for saying that," she rejoined warmly; "and you will let me
+have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you?" She looked in my face
+so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and,
+indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully
+justify my colleague's reticence towards me.
+</p>
+<p>
+However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so, when we emerged
+into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a hansom, I
+could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see
+her again at the earliest opportunity&mdash;a promise which my inner
+consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend,"
+Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back towards his chambers. "You are
+an insinuating dog, Jervis."
+</p>
+<p>
+"She is very frank and easy to get on with," I replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A good girl and a clever girl, and comely to look upon withal. I
+suppose it would be superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your
+eye?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud," I
+replied sulkily.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course you wouldn't; hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic
+member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to
+Reuben Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It might be worth while to find out," said Thorndyke; and then he
+relapsed into silence.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke's hint as to the possible danger foreshadowed by my growing
+intimacy with Juliet Gibson had come upon me as a complete surprise, and
+had, indeed, been resented by me as somewhat of an impertinence.
+Nevertheless, it gave me considerable food for meditation, and I
+presently began to suspect that the watchful eyes of my observant friend
+might have detected something in my manner towards Miss Gibson
+suggestive of sentiments that had been unsuspected by myself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Of course it would be absurd to suppose that any real feeling could have
+been engendered by so ridiculously brief an acquaintance. I had only met
+the girl three times, and even now, excepting for business relations,
+was hardly entitled to more than a bow of recognition. But yet, when I
+considered the matter impartially and examined my own consciousness, I
+could not but recognise that she had aroused in me an interest which
+bore no relation to the part that she had played in the drama that was
+so slowly unfolding. She was undeniably a very handsome girl, and her
+beauty was of a type that specially appealed to me&mdash;full of dignity and
+character that gave promise of a splendid middle age. And her
+personality was in other ways not less attractive, for she was frank and
+open, sprightly and intelligent, and though evidently quite
+self-reliant, was in nowise lacking in that womanly softness that so
+strongly engages a man's sympathy.
+</p>
+<p>
+In short, I realised that, had there been no such person as Reuben
+Hornby, I should have viewed Miss Gibson with uncommon interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, unfortunately, Reuben Hornby was a most palpable reality, and,
+moreover, the extraordinary difficulties of his position entitled him to
+very special consideration by any man of honour. It was true that Miss
+Gibson had repudiated any feelings towards Reuben other than those of
+old-time friendship; but young ladies are not always impartial judges of
+their own feelings, and, as a man of the world, I could not but have my
+own opinion on the matter&mdash;which opinion I believed to be shared by
+Thorndyke. The conclusions to which my cogitations at length brought me
+were: first, that I was an egotistical donkey, and, second, that my
+relations with Miss Gibson were of an exclusively business character and
+must in future be conducted on that basis, with the added consideration
+that I was the confidential agent, for the time being, of Reuben Hornby,
+and in honour bound to regard his interests as paramount.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am hoping," said Thorndyke, as he held out his hand for my teacup,
+"that these profound reflections of yours are connected with the Hornby
+affair; in which case I should expect to hear that the riddle is solved
+and the mystery made plain."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why should you expect that?" I demanded, reddening somewhat, I suspect,
+as I met his twinkling eye. There was something rather disturbing in the
+dry, quizzical smile that I encountered and the reflection that I had
+been under observation, and I felt as much embarrassed as I should
+suppose a self-conscious water-flea might feel on finding itself on the
+illuminated stage of a binocular microscope.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "you have not spoken a word for the
+last quarter of an hour; you have devoured your food with the relentless
+regularity of a sausage-machine, and you have, from time to time, made
+the most damnable faces at the coffee-pot&mdash;though there I'll wager the
+coffee-pot was even with you, if I may judge by the presentment that it
+offers of my own countenance."
+</p>
+<p>
+I roused myself from my reverie with a laugh at Thorndyke's quaint
+conceit and a glance at the grotesquely distorted reflection of my face
+in the polished silver.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I <i>have</i> been a rather dull companion this morning," I
+admitted apologetically.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By no means," replied Thorndyke, with a grin. "On the contrary, I have
+found you both amusing and instructive, and I only spoke when I had
+exhausted your potentialities as a silent entertainer."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are pleased to be facetious at my expense," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, the expense was not a very heavy one," he retorted. "I have been
+merely consuming a by-product of your mental activity&mdash;Hallo! that's
+Anstey already."
+</p>
+<p>
+A peculiar knock, apparently delivered with the handle of a
+walking-stick on the outer door, was the occasion of this exclamation,
+and as Thorndyke sprang up and flung the door open, a clear, musical
+voice was borne in, the measured cadences of which proclaimed at once
+the trained orator.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hail, learned brother!" it exclaimed. "Do I disturb you untimely at
+your studies?" Here our visitor entered the room and looked round
+critically. "'Tis even so," he declared. "Physiological chemistry and
+its practical applications appears to be the subject. A physico-chemical
+inquiry into the properties of streaky bacon and fried eggs. Do I see
+another learned brother?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He peered keenly at me through his pince-nez, and I gazed at him in some
+embarrassment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is my friend Jervis, of whom you have heard me speak," said
+Thorndyke. "He is with us in this case, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The echoes of your fame have reached me, sir," said Anstey, holding out
+his hand. "I am proud to know you. I should have recognised you
+instantly from the portrait of your lamented uncle in Greenwich
+Hospital."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Anstey is a wag, you understand," explained Thorndyke, "but he has
+lucid intervals. He'll have one presently if we are patient."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Patient!" snorted our eccentric visitor, "it is I who need to be
+patient when I am dragged into police courts and other sinks of iniquity
+to plead for common thieves and robbers like a Kennington Lane
+advocate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You've been talking to Lawley, I see," said Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, and he tells me that we haven't a leg to stand upon."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, we've got to stand on our heads, as men of intellect should. But
+Lawley knows nothing about the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He thinks he knows it all," said Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Most fools do," retorted Thorndyke. "They arrive at their knowledge by
+intuition&mdash;a deuced easy road and cheap travelling too. We reserve our
+defence&mdash;I suppose you agree to that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose so. The magistrate is sure to commit unless you have an
+unquestionable <i>alibi</i>."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shall put in an <i>alibi</i>, but we are not depending on it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then we had better reserve our defence," said Anstey; "and it is time
+that we wended on our pilgrimage, for we are due at Lawley's at
+half-past ten. Is Jervis coming with us?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, you'd better come," said Thorndyke. "It's the adjourned hearing of
+poor Hornby's case, you know. There won't be anything done on our side,
+but we may be able to glean some hint from the prosecution."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like to hear what takes place, at any rate," I said, and we
+accordingly sallied forth together in the direction of Lincoln's Inn, on
+the north side of which Mr. Lawley's office was situated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said the solicitor, as we entered, "I am glad you've come; I was
+getting anxious&mdash;it doesn't do to be late on these occasions, you know.
+Let me see, do you know Mr. Walter Hornby? I don't think you do." He
+presented Thorndyke and me to our client's cousin, and as we shook
+hands, we viewed one another with a good deal of mutual interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have heard about you from my aunt," said he, addressing himself more
+particularly to me. "She appears to regard you as a kind of legal
+Maskelyne and Cooke. I hope, for my cousin's sake, that you will be able
+to work the wonders that she anticipates. Poor old fellow! He looks
+pretty bad, doesn't he?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I glanced at Reuben, who was at the moment talking to Thorndyke, and as
+he caught my eye he held out his hand with a warmth that I found very
+pathetic. He seemed to have aged since I had last seen him, and was pale
+and rather thinner, but he was composed in his manner and seemed to me
+to be taking his trouble very well on the whole.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cab's at the door, sir," a clerk announced.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cab," repeated Mr. Lawley, looking dubiously at me; "we want an
+omnibus."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Dr. Jervis and I can walk," Walter Hornby suggested. "We shall probably
+get there as soon as you, and it doesn't matter if we don't."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will do," said Mr. Lawley; "you two walk down together. Now
+let us go."
+</p>
+<p>
+We trooped out on to the pavement, beside which a four-wheeler was drawn
+up, and as the others were entering the cab, Thorndyke stood close
+beside me for a moment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Don't let him pump you," he said in a low voice, without looking at me;
+then he sprang into the cab and slammed the door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What an extraordinary affair this is," Walter Hornby remarked, after we
+had been walking in silence for a minute or two; "a most ghastly
+business. I must confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How is that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, do you see, there are apparently only two possible theories of the
+crime, and each of them seems to be unthinkable. On the one hand there
+is Reuben, a man of the most scrupulous honour, as far as my experience
+of him goes, committing a mean and sordid theft for which no motive can
+be discovered&mdash;for he is not poor, nor pecuniarily embarrassed nor in
+the smallest degree avaricious. On the other hand, there is this
+thumb-print, which, in the opinion of the experts, is tantamount to the
+evidence of an eye-witness that he did commit the theft. It is
+positively bewildering. Don't you think so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"As you put it," I answered, "the case is extraordinarily puzzling."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But how else would you put it?" he demanded, with ill-concealed
+eagerness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I mean that, if Reuben is the man you believe him to be, the thing is
+incomprehensible."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so," he agreed, though he was evidently disappointed at my
+colourless answer.
+</p>
+<p>
+He walked on silently for a few minutes and then said: "I suppose it
+would not be fair to ask if you see any way out of the difficulty? We
+are all, naturally anxious about the upshot of the affair, seeing what
+poor old Reuben's position is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Naturally. But the fact is that I know no more than you do, and as to
+Thorndyke, you might as well cross-examine a Whitstable native as put
+questions to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, so I gathered from Juliet. But I thought you might have gleaned
+some notion of the line of defence from your work in the laboratory&mdash;the
+microscopical and photographic work I mean."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was never in the laboratory until last night, when Thorndyke took me
+there with your aunt and Miss Gibson; the work there is done by the
+laboratory assistant, and his knowledge of the case, I should say, is
+about as great as a type-founder's knowledge of the books that he is
+helping to produce. No; Thorndyke is a man who plays a single-handed
+game and no one knows what cards he holds until he lays them on the
+table."
+</p>
+<p>
+My companion considered this statement in silence while I congratulated
+myself on having parried, with great adroitness, a rather inconvenient
+question. But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion
+to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty
+miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own
+personal worries."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he any special trouble besides this, then?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, haven't you heard? I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't
+have spoken&mdash;not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is
+public property in the city. The fact is that his financial affairs are
+a little entangled just now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will
+pull through all right. It is the usual thing, you know&mdash;investments, or
+perhaps one should say speculations. He appears to have sunk a lot of
+capital in mines&mdash;thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it
+seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him
+with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility
+of a dead loss if they don't revive. Then there are these infernal
+diamonds. He is not morally responsible, we know; but it is a question
+if he is not legally responsible, though the lawyers think he is not.
+Anyhow, there is going to be a meeting of the creditors to-morrow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you think they will do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, they will, most probably, let him go on for the present; but, of
+course, if he is made accountable for the diamonds there will be nothing
+for it but to 'go through the hoop,' as the sporting financier expresses
+it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The diamonds were of considerable value, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"From twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds' worth vanished with that
+parcel."
+</p>
+<p>
+I whistled. This was a much bigger affair than I had imagined, and I
+was wondering if Thorndyke had realised the magnitude of the robbery,
+when we arrived at the police court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose our friends have gone inside," said Walter. "They must have
+got here before us."
+</p>
+<p>
+This supposition was confirmed by a constable of whom we made inquiry,
+and who directed us to the entrance to the court. Passing down a passage
+and elbowing our way through the throng of idlers, we made for the
+solicitor's box, where we had barely taken our seats when the case was
+called.
+</p>
+<p>
+Unspeakably dreary and depressing were the brief proceedings that
+followed, and dreadfully suggestive of the helplessness of even an
+innocent man on whom the law has laid its hand and in whose behalf its
+inexorable machinery has been set in motion.
+</p>
+<p>
+The presiding magistrate, emotionless and dry, dipped his pen while
+Reuben, who had surrendered to his bail, was placed in the dock and the
+charge read over to him. The counsel representing the police gave an
+abstract of the case with the matter-of-fact air of a house-agent
+describing an eligible property. Then, when the plea of "not guilty" had
+been entered, the witnesses were called. There were only two, and when
+the name of the first, John Hornby, was called, I glanced towards the
+witness-box with no little curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had not hitherto met Mr. Hornby, and as he now entered the box, I saw
+an elderly man, tall, florid, and well-preserved, but strained and wild
+in expression and displaying his uncontrollable agitation by continual
+nervous movements which contrasted curiously with the composed demeanour
+of the accused man. Nevertheless, he gave his evidence in a perfectly
+connected manner, recounting the events connected with the discovery of
+the crime in much the same words as I had heard Mr. Lawley use, though,
+indeed, he was a good deal more emphatic than that gentleman had been in
+regard to the excellent character borne by the prisoner.
+</p>
+<p>
+After him came Mr. Singleton, of the finger-print department at Scotland
+Yard, to whose evidence I listened with close attention. He produced the
+paper which bore the thumb-print in blood (which had previously been
+identified by Mr. Hornby) and a paper bearing the print, taken by
+himself, of the prisoner's left thumb. These two thumb-prints, he
+stated, were identical in every respect.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are of opinion that the mark on the paper that was found in Mr.
+Hornby's safe, was made by the prisoner's left thumb?" the magistrate
+asked in dry and business-like tones.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am certain of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are of opinion that no mistake is possible?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No mistake is possible, your worship. It is a certainty."
+</p>
+<p>
+The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister
+rose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We reserve our defence, your worship."
+</p>
+<p>
+The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed
+the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept
+bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the
+next case was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make
+his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the
+filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his
+friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three
+were, for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the
+warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual
+impassivity. "But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your
+innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world&mdash;though this is
+for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one."
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the
+moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the
+breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a
+hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay,
+and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he
+exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I
+answered, without much conviction, however. "It may happen to the best
+of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry,"
+he rejoined. "The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as
+innocent; but how does it treat him? You heard how the magistrate
+addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him <i>Mr</i>.
+Hornby. You know what will happen to Reuben at Holloway. He will be
+ordered about by warders, will have a number label fastened on to his
+coat, he will be locked in a cell with a spy-hole in the door, through
+which any passing stranger may watch him; his food will be handed to
+him in a tin pan with a tin knife and spoon; and he will be periodically
+called out of his cell and driven round the exercise yard with a mob
+composed, for the most part, of the sweepings of the London slums. If he
+is acquitted, he will be turned loose without a suggestion of
+compensation or apology for these indignities or the losses he may have
+sustained through his detention."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Still I suppose these evils are unavoidable," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That may or may not be," he retorted. "My point is that the presumption
+of innocence is a pure fiction; that the treatment of an accused man,
+from the moment of his arrest, is that of a criminal. However," he
+concluded, hailing a passing hansom, "this discussion must be adjourned
+or I shall be late at the hospital. What are you going to do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall get some lunch and then call on Miss Gibson to let her know the
+real position."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will be kind, I think; baldly stated, the news may seem
+rather alarming. I was tempted to thrash the case out in the police
+court, but it would not have been safe. He would almost certainly have
+been committed for trial after all, and then we should have shown our
+hand to the prosecution."
+</p>
+<p>
+He sprang into the hansom and was speedily swallowed up in the traffic,
+while I turned back towards the police court to make certain inquiries
+concerning the regulations as to visitors at Holloway prison. At the
+door I met the friendly inspector from Scotland Yard, who gave me the
+necessary information, whereupon with a certain homely little French
+restaurant in my mind I bent my steps in the direction of Soho.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+When I arrived at Endsley Gardens, Miss Gibson was at home, and to my
+unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
+moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
+verge of insanity&mdash;an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
+tendencies.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is good of you to come&mdash;though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
+said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
+human&mdash;both you and Dr. Thorndyke&mdash;so free from professional stiffness.
+My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
+but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
+dry enough."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
+advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
+Thorndyke for his pains."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
+happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
+agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
+where is Reuben?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
+that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
+it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
+defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
+could revise their own plans accordingly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see that," said she dejectedly, "but I am dreadfully disappointed. I
+had hoped that Dr. Thorndyke would get the case dismissed. What has
+happened to Reuben?"
+</p>
+<p>
+This was the question that I had dreaded, and now that I had to answer
+it I cleared my throat and bent my gaze nervously on the floor.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The magistrate refused bail," I said after an uncomfortable pause.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Consequently Reuben has been&mdash;er&mdash;detained in custody."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't mean to say that they have sent him to prison?" she exclaimed
+breathlessly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not as a convicted prisoner, you know. He is merely detained pending
+his trial."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But in prison?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I was forced to admit; "in Holloway prison."
+</p>
+<p>
+She looked me stonily in the face for some seconds, pale and wide-eyed,
+but silent; then, with a sudden catch in her breath, she turned away,
+and, grasping the edge of the mantel-shelf, laid her head upon her arm
+and burst into a passion of sobbing.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now I am not, in general, an emotional man, nor even especially
+impulsive; but neither am I a stock or a stone or an effigy of wood;
+which I most surely must have been if I could have looked without being
+deeply moved on the grief, so natural and unselfish, of this strong,
+brave, loyal-hearted woman. In effect, I moved to her side and, gently
+taking in mine the hand that hung down, murmured some incoherent words
+of consolation in a particularly husky voice.
+</p>
+<p>
+Presently she recovered herself somewhat and softly withdrew her hand,
+as she turned towards me drying her eyes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must forgive me for distressing you, as I fear I have," she said;
+"for you are so kind, and I feel that you are really my friend and
+Reuben's."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am indeed, dear Miss Gibson," I replied, "and so, I assure you, is my
+colleague."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure of it," she rejoined. "But I was so unprepared for this&mdash;I
+cannot say why, excepting that I trusted so entirely in Dr.
+Thorndyke&mdash;and it is so horrible and, above all, so dreadfully
+suggestive of what may happen. Up to now the whole thing has seemed like
+a nightmare&mdash;terrifying, but yet unreal. But now that he is actually in
+prison, it has suddenly become a dreadful reality and I am overwhelmed
+with terror. Oh! poor boy! What will become of him? For pity's sake, Dr.
+Jervis, tell me what is going to happen."
+</p>
+<p>
+What could I do? I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to
+Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all
+he had said. Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own
+counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities. But I could
+not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said. "I have it
+from Dr. Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is
+hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world. But I did not have
+this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it
+distress you too much. Try to think of it as of a surgical operation,
+which is a dreadful thing in itself, but is accepted in lieu of
+something which is immeasurably more dreadful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will try to do as you tell me," she answered meekly; "but it is so
+shocking to think of a cultivated gentleman like Reuben, herded with
+common thieves and murderers, and locked in a cage like some wild
+animal. Think of the ignominy and degradation!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no ignominy in being wrongfully accused," I said&mdash;a little
+guiltily, I must own, for Thorndyke's words came back to me with all
+their force. But regardless of this I went on: "An acquittal will
+restore him to his position with an unstained character, and nothing but
+the recollection of a passing inconvenience to look back upon."
+</p>
+<p>
+She gave her eyes a final wipe, and resolutely put away her
+handkerchief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have given me back my courage," she said, "and chased away my
+terror. I cannot tell you how I feel your goodness, nor have I any
+thank-offering to make, except the promise to be brave and patient
+henceforth, and trust in you entirely."
+</p>
+<p>
+She said this with such a grateful smile, and looked withal so sweet and
+womanly that I was seized with an overpowering impulse to take her in my
+arms. Instead of this I said with conscious feebleness: "I am more than
+thankful to have been able to give you any encouragement&mdash;which you must
+remember comes from me second-hand, after all. It is to Dr. Thorndyke
+that we all look for ultimate deliverance."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know. But it is you who came to comfort me in my trouble, so, you
+see, the honours are divided&mdash;and not divided quite equally, I fear, for
+women are unreasoning creatures, as, no doubt, your experience has
+informed you. I think I hear my aunt's voice, so you had better escape
+before your retreat is cut off. But before you go, you must tell me how
+and when I can see Reuben. I want to see him at the earliest possible
+moment. Poor fellow! He must not be allowed to feel that his friends
+have forgotten him even for a single instant."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You can see him to-morrow, if you like," I said; and, casting my good
+resolutions to the winds, I added: "I shall be going to see him myself,
+and perhaps Dr. Thorndyke will go."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would you let me call at the Temple and go with you? Should I be much
+in the way? It is rather an alarming thing to go to a prison alone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not to be thought of," I answered. "If you will call at the
+Temple&mdash;it is on the way&mdash;we can drive to Holloway together. I suppose
+you are resolved to go? It will be rather unpleasant, as you are
+probably aware."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite resolved. What time shall I come to the Temple?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"About two o'clock, if that will suit you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well. I will be punctual; and now you must go or you will be
+caught."
+</p>
+<p>
+She pushed me gently towards the door and, holding out her hand, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I haven't thanked you half enough and I never can. Good-bye!"
+</p>
+<p>
+She was gone, and I stood alone in the street, up which yellowish
+wreaths of fog were beginning to roll. It had been quite clear and
+bright when I entered the house, but now the sky was settling down into
+a colourless grey, the light was failing and the houses dwindling into
+dim, unreal shapes that vanished at half their height. Nevertheless I
+stepped out briskly and strode along at a good pace, as a young man is
+apt to do when his mind is in somewhat of a ferment. In truth, I had a
+good deal to occupy my thoughts and, as will often happen both to young
+men and old, those matters that bore most directly upon my own life and
+prospects were the first to receive attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+What sort of relations were growing up between Juliet Gibson and me? And
+what was my position? As to hers, it seemed plain enough; she was
+wrapped up in Reuben Hornby and I was her very good friend because I was
+his. But for myself, there was no disguising the fact that I was
+beginning to take an interest in her that boded ill for my peace of
+mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+Never had I met a woman who so entirely realised my conception of what a
+woman should be, nor one who exercised so great a charm over me. Her
+strength and dignity, her softness and dependency, to say nothing of her
+beauty, fitted her with the necessary weapons for my complete and utter
+subjugation. And utterly subjugated I was&mdash;there was no use in denying
+the fact, even though I realised already that the time would presently
+come when she would want me no more and there would remain no remedy for
+me but to go away and try to forget her.
+</p>
+<p>
+But was I acting as a man of honour? To this I felt I could fairly
+answer "yes," for I was but doing my duty, and could hardly act
+differently if I wished to. Besides, I was jeopardising no one's
+happiness but my own, and a man may do as he pleases with his own
+happiness. No; even Thorndyke could not accuse me of dishonourable
+conduct.
+</p>
+<p>
+Presently my thoughts took a fresh turn and I began to reflect upon what
+I had heard concerning Mr. Hornby. Here was a startling development,
+indeed, and I wondered what difference it would make in Thorndyke's
+hypothesis of the crime. What his theory was I had never been able to
+guess, but as I walked along through the thickening fog I tried to fit
+this new fact into our collection of data and determine its bearings and
+significance.
+</p>
+<p>
+In this, for a time, I failed utterly. The red thumb-mark filled my
+field of vision to the exclusion of all else. To me, as to everyone else
+but Thorndyke, this fact was final and pointed to a conclusion that was
+unanswerable. But as I turned the story of the crime over and over,
+there came to me presently an idea that set in motion a new and very
+startling train of thought.
+</p>
+<p>
+Could Mr. Hornby himself be the thief? His failure appeared sudden to
+the outside world, but he must have seen difficulties coming. There,
+indeed, was the thumb-mark on the leaf which he had torn from his
+pocket-block. Yes! but who had seen him tear it off? No one. The fact
+rested on his bare statement.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the thumb-mark? Well, it was possible (though unlikely)&mdash;still
+possible&mdash;that the mark might have been made accidentally on some
+previous occasion and forgotten by Reuben, or even unnoticed. Mr. Hornby
+had seen the "Thumbograph," in fact his own mark was in it, and so would
+have had his attention directed to the importance of finger-prints in
+identification. He might have kept the marked paper for future use, and,
+on the occasion of the robbery, pencilled a dated inscription on it, and
+slipped it into the safe as a sure means of diverting suspicion. All
+this was improbable in the highest degree, but then so was every other
+explanation of the crime; and as to the unspeakable baseness of the
+deed, what action is too base for a gambler in difficulties?
+</p>
+<p>
+I was so much excited and elated by my own ingenuity in having formed
+an intelligible and practicable theory of the crime, that I was now
+impatient to reach home that I might impart my news to Thorndyke and see
+how they affected him. But as I approached the centre of the town the
+fog grew so dense that all my attention was needed to enable me to
+thread my way safely through the traffic; while the strange, deceptive
+aspect that it lent to familiar objects and the obliteration of
+landmarks made my progress so slow that it was already past six o'clock
+when I felt my way down Middle Temple Lane and crept through Crown
+Office Row towards my colleague's chambers.
+</p>
+<p>
+On the doorstep I found Polton peering with anxious face into the blank
+expanse of yellow vapour.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor's late, sir," said he. "Detained by the fog, I expect. It
+must be pretty thick in the Borough."
+</p>
+<p>
+(I may mention that, to Polton, Thorndyke was The Doctor. Other inferior
+creatures there were, indeed, to whom the title of "doctor" in a way,
+appertained; but they were of no account in Polton's eyes. Surnames were
+good enough for them.)
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it must be," I replied, "judging by the condition of the Strand."
+</p>
+<p>
+I entered and ascended the stairs, glad enough of the prospect of a warm
+and well-lighted room after my comfortless groping in the murky streets,
+and Polton, with a final glance up and down the walk reluctantly
+followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You would like some tea, sir, I expect?" said he, as he let me in
+(though I had a key of my own now).
+</p>
+<p>
+I thought I should, and he accordingly set about the preparations in his
+deft methodical way, but with an air of abstraction that was unusual
+with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor said he should be home by five," he remarked, as he laid
+the tea-pot on the tray.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then he is a defaulter," I answered. "We shall have to water his tea."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A wonderful punctual man, sir, is the Doctor," pursued Polton. "Keeps
+his time to the minute, as a rule, he does."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You can't keep your time to a minute in a 'London Particular,'" I said
+a little impatiently, for I wished to be alone that I might think over
+matters, and Polton's nervous flutterings irritated me somewhat. He was
+almost as bad as a female housekeeper.
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man evidently perceived my state of mind, for he stole away
+silently, leaving me rather penitent and ashamed, and, as I presently
+discovered on looking out of the window, resumed his vigil on the
+doorstep. From this coign of vantage he returned after a time to take
+away the tea-things; and thereafter, though it was now dark as well as
+foggy, I could hear him softly flitting up and down the stairs with a
+gloomy stealthiness that at length reduced me to a condition as
+nervously apprehensive as his own.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER VIII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The Temple clock had announced in soft and confidential tones that it
+was a quarter to seven, in which statement it was stoutly supported by
+its colleague on our mantelpiece, and still there was no sign of
+Thorndyke. It was really a little strange, for he was the soul of
+punctuality, and moreover, his engagements were of such a kind as
+rendered punctuality possible. I was burning with impatience to impart
+my news to him, and this fact, together with the ghostly proceedings of
+Polton, worked me up to a state of nervous tension that rendered either
+rest or thought equally impossible. I looked out of the window at the
+lamp below, glaring redly through the fog, and then, opening the door,
+went out on to the landing to listen.
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment Polton made a silent appearance on the stairs leading
+from the laboratory, giving me quite a start; and I was about to retire
+into the room when my ear caught the tinkle of a hansom approaching from
+Paper Buildings.
+</p>
+<p>
+The vehicle drew nearer, and at length stopped opposite the house, on
+which Polton slid down the stairs with the agility of a harlequin. A few
+moments later I heard his voice ascending from the hall&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do hope, sir, you're not much hurt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I ran down the stairs and met Thorndyke coming up slowly with his right
+hand on Polton's shoulder. His clothes were muddy, his left arm was in a
+sling, and a black handkerchief under his hat evidently concealed a
+bandage.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not really hurt at all," Thorndyke replied cheerily, "though very
+disreputable to look at. Just came a cropper in the mud, Jervis," he
+added, as he noted my dismayed expression. "Dinner and a clothes-brush
+are what I chiefly need." Nevertheless, he looked very pale and shaken
+when he came into the light on the landing, and he sank into his
+easy-chair in the limp manner of a man either very weak or very
+fatigued.
+</p>
+<p>
+"How did it happen?" I asked when Polton had crept away on tip-toe to
+make ready for dinner.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke looked round to make sure that his henchman had departed, and
+said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"A queer affair, Jervis; a very odd affair indeed. I was coming up from
+the Borough, picking my way mighty carefully across the road on account
+of the greasy, slippery mud, and had just reached the foot of London
+Bridge when I heard a heavy lorry coming down the slope a good deal too
+fast, considering that it was impossible to see more than a dozen yards
+ahead, and I stopped on the kerb to see it safely past. Just as the
+horses emerged from the fog, a man came up behind and lurched violently
+against me and, strangely enough, at the same moment passed his foot in
+front of mine. Of course I went sprawling into the road right in front
+of the lorry. The horses came stamping and sliding straight on to me,
+and, before I could wriggle out of the way, the hoof of one of them
+smashed in my hat&mdash;that was a new one that I came home in&mdash;and
+half-stunned me. Then the near wheel struck my head, making a dirty
+little scalp wound, and pinned down my sleeve so that I couldn't pull
+away my arm, which is consequently barked all the way down. It was a
+mighty near thing, Jervis; another inch or two and I should have been
+rolled out as flat as a starfish."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What became of the man?" I asked, wishing I could have had a brief
+interview with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Lost to sight though to memory dear: he was off like a lamplighter. An
+alcoholic apple-woman picked me up and escorted me back to the hospital.
+It must have been a touching spectacle," he added, with a dry smile at
+the recollection.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And I suppose they kept you there for a time to recover?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I went into dry dock in the O. P. room, and then old Langdale
+insisted on my lying down for an hour or so in case any symptoms of
+concussion should appear. But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
+Still, it was a queer affair."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You mean the man pushing you down in that way?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't think it was intentional, surely?" I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it
+seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton
+reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
+</p>
+<p>
+After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my
+colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new
+information would produce on him. The result was, on the whole,
+disappointing. He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no
+symptoms of excitement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh?" he said, when I had
+finished. "He ought to know better at his age. Did you learn how long he
+had been in difficulties?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. But it can hardly have been quite sudden and unforeseen."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should think not," Thorndyke agreed. "A sudden slump often proves
+disastrous to the regular Stock Exchange gambler who is paying
+differences on large quantities of unpaid-for stock. But it looks as if
+Hornby had actually bought and paid for these mines, treating them as
+investments rather than speculations, in which case the depreciation
+would not have affected him in the same way. It would be interesting to
+know for certain."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It might have a considerable bearing on the present case, might it
+not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Undoubtedly," said Thorndyke. "It might bear on the case in more ways
+than one. But you have some special point in your mind, I think."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up
+gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form
+at the time of the robbery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is well considered," said my colleague. "But what is the special
+bearing on the case supposing it was so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr. Hornby was in actual
+pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me
+possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing
+himself and regarding me with lively interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at
+the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in
+fact, it is almost fantastic."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind that," said he. "A sound thinker gives equal consideration
+to the probable and the improbable."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it
+had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to
+observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his
+little nods of approval at each point that I made.
+</p>
+<p>
+When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and
+the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the
+data. At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the
+red embers&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity. We
+may disregard the improbability, seeing that the alternative theories
+are almost equally improbable, and the fact that emerges, and that
+gratifies me more than I can tell you, is that you are gifted with
+enough scientific imagination to construct a possible train of events.
+Indeed, the improbability&mdash;combined, of course, with possibility&mdash;really
+adds to the achievement, for the dullest mind can perceive the
+obvious&mdash;as, for instance, the importance of a finger-print. You have
+really done a great thing, and I congratulate you; for you have
+emancipated yourself, at least to some extent, from the great
+finger-print obsession, which has possessed the legal mind ever since
+Galton published his epoch-making monograph. In that work I remember he
+states that a finger-print affords evidence requiring no
+corroboration&mdash;a most dangerous and misleading statement which has been
+fastened upon eagerly by the police, who have naturally been delighted
+at obtaining a sort of magic touchstone by which they are saved the
+labour of investigation. But there is no such thing as a single fact
+that 'affords evidence requiring no corroboration.' As well might one
+expect to make a syllogism with a single premise."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose they would hardly go so far as that," I said, laughing.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," he admitted. "But the kind of syllogism that they do make is
+this&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"'The crime was committed by the person who made this finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'But John Smith is the person who made the finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Therefore the crime was committed by John Smith.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, that is a perfectly good syllogism, isn't it?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perfectly," he replied. "But, you see, it begs the whole question,
+which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this
+finger-print?' That is where the corroboration is required."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference
+to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable
+clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated. Take our
+present case, for instance. Without the thumb-print, the robbery might
+have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever. But the
+existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some
+person having access to his finger-prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I see. Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the
+perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite," replied Thorndyke. "I have entertained it from the first; and
+the new facts that you have gathered increase its probability. You
+remember I said that four hypotheses were possible: that the robbery was
+committed either by Reuben, by Walter, by John Hornby, or by some other
+person. Now, putting aside the 'some other person' for consideration
+only if the first three hypotheses fail, we have left, Reuben, Walter,
+and John. But if we leave the thumb-print out of the question, the
+probabilities evidently point to John Hornby, since he, admittedly, had
+access to the diamonds, whereas there is nothing to show that the others
+had. The thumb-print, however, transfers the suspicion to Reuben; but
+yet, as your theory makes evident, it does not completely clear John
+Hornby. As the case stands, the balance of probabilities may be stated
+thus: John Hornby undoubtedly had access to the diamonds, and therefore
+might have stolen them. But if the thumb-mark was made after he closed
+the safe and before he opened it again, some other person must have had
+access to them, and was probably the thief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The thumb-mark is that of Reuben Hornby, a fact that establishes a
+<i>prima facie</i> probability that he stole the diamonds. But there is no
+evidence that he had access to them, and if he had not, he could not
+have made the thumb-mark in the manner and at the time stated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But John Hornby may have had access to the previously-made thumb-mark
+of Reuben, and may possibly have obtained it; in which case he is almost
+certainly the thief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"As to Walter Hornby, he may have had the means of obtaining Reuben's
+thumb-mark; but there is no evidence that he had access either to the
+diamonds or to Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. The <i>prima facie</i>
+probabilities in his case, therefore, are very slight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The actual points at issue, then," I said, "are, whether Reuben had any
+means of opening the safe, and whether Mr. Hornby ever did actually have
+the opportunity of obtaining Reuben's thumb-mark in blood on his
+memorandum block."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke. "Those are the points&mdash;with some others&mdash;and
+they are likely to remain unsettled. Reuben's rooms have been searched
+by the police, who failed to find any skeleton or duplicate keys; but
+this proves nothing, as he would probably have made away with them when
+he heard of the thumb-mark being found. As to the other matter, I have
+asked Reuben, and he has no recollection of ever having made a
+thumb-mark in blood. So there the matter rests."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what about Mr. Hornby's liability for the diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think we may dismiss that," answered Thorndyke. "He had undertaken no
+liability and there was no negligence. He would not be liable at law."
+</p>
+<p>
+After my colleague retired, which he did quite early, I sat for a long
+time pondering upon this singular case in which I found myself involved.
+And the more I thought about it the more puzzled I became. If Thorndyke
+had no more satisfactory explanation to offer than that which he had
+given me this evening, the defence was hopeless, for the court was not
+likely to accept his estimate of the evidential value of finger-prints.
+Yet he had given Reuben something like a positive assurance that there
+would be an adequate defence, and had expressed his own positive
+conviction of the accused man's innocence. But Thorndyke was not a man
+to reach such a conviction through merely sentimental considerations.
+The inevitable conclusion was that he had something up his sleeve&mdash;that
+he had gained possession of some facts that had escaped my observation;
+and when I had reached this point I knocked out my pipe and betook
+myself to bed.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER IX
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE PRISONER
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+On the following morning, as I emerged from my room, I met Polton coming
+up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
+laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
+friend's chamber.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
+presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
+I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
+must take the proper precautions&mdash;rest and a low diet&mdash;until I see that
+no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
+send round the necessary letters, can't you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
+friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
+contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
+resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
+of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
+hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
+Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
+despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
+from my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
+to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught the
+tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
+with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
+and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
+you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
+services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
+waiting."
+</p>
+<p>
+I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
+pulled up and flung open the doors.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Holloway Prison&mdash;main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
+footboard.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
+and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
+fellow-passenger.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
+yet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
+a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."
+</p>
+<p>
+I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
+than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
+circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided
+approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a
+very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting
+arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had
+acted temporarily as medical officer.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the
+question of the advisability of this visit on your part?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and
+appreciate your motive in wishing to do so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me
+to prepare you for the ordeal. I am afraid it will give you a terrible
+shock."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed?" said she. "Is it so bad? Tell me what it will be like."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose
+of a prison like Holloway. We are going to see an innocent man&mdash;a
+cultivated and honourable gentleman. But the ordinary inmates of
+Holloway are not innocent men; for the most part, the remand cases on
+the male side are professional criminals, while the women are either
+petty offenders or chronic inebriates. Most of them are regular
+customers at the prison&mdash;such is the idiotic state of the law&mdash;who come
+into the reception-room like travellers entering a familiar hostelry,
+address the prison officers by name and demand the usual privileges and
+extra comforts&mdash;the 'drunks,' for instance, generally ask for a dose of
+bromide to steady their nerves and a light in the cell to keep away the
+horrors. And such being the character of the inmates, their friends who
+visit them are naturally of the same type&mdash;the lowest outpourings of the
+slums; and it is not surprising to find that the arrangements of the
+prison are made to fit its ordinary inmates. The innocent man is a
+negligible quantity, and no arrangements are made for him or his
+visitors."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But shall we not be taken to Reuben's cell?" asked Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bless you! no," I answered; and, determined to give her every
+inducement to change her mind, I continued: "I will describe the
+procedure as I have seen it&mdash;and a very dreadful and shocking sight I
+found it, I can tell you. It was while I was acting as a prison doctor
+in the Midlands that I had this experience. I was going my round one
+morning when, passing along a passage, I became aware of a strange,
+muffled roar from the other side of the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'What is that noise?' I asked the warder who was with me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"'Prisoners seeing their friends,' he answered. 'Like to have a look at
+them, sir?'
+</p>
+<p>
+"He unlocked a small door and, as he threw it open, the distant, muffled
+sound swelled into a deafening roar. I passed through the door and found
+myself in a narrow alley at one end of which a warder was sitting. The
+sides of the alley were formed by two immense cages with stout wire
+bars, one for the prisoners and the other for the visitors; and each
+cage was lined with faces and hands, all in incessant movement, the
+faces mouthing and grimacing, and the hands clawing restlessly at the
+bars. The uproar was so terrific that no single voice could be
+distinguished, though every one present was shouting his loudest to make
+himself heard above the universal din. The result was a very strange and
+horrid illusion, for it seemed as if no one was speaking at all, but
+that the noise came from outside, and that each one of the faces&mdash;low,
+vicious faces, mostly&mdash;was silently grimacing and gibbering, snapping
+its jaws and glaring furiously at the occupants of the opposite cage. It
+was a frightful spectacle. I could think of nothing but the monkey-house
+at the Zoo. It seemed as if one ought to walk up the alley and offer
+nuts and pieces of paper to be torn to pieces."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Miss Gibson. "And do you mean to say that we shall
+be turned loose into one of these cages with a herd of other visitors?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. You are not turned loose anywhere in a prison. The arrangement is
+this: each cage is divided by partitions into a number of small boxes
+or apartments, which are numbered. The prisoner is locked in one box and
+his visitor in the corresponding box opposite. They are thus confronted,
+with the width of the alley between them; they can see one another and
+talk but cannot pass any forbidden articles across&mdash;a very necessary
+precaution, I need hardly say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I suppose it is necessary, but it is horrible for decent people.
+Surely they ought to be able to discriminate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why not give it up and let me take a message to Reuben? He would
+understand and be thankful to me for dissuading you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, no," she said quickly; "the more repulsive it is the greater the
+necessity for me to go. He must not be allowed to think that a trifling
+inconvenience or indignity is enough to scare his friends away. What
+building is that ahead?"
+</p>
+<p>
+We had just swung round from Caledonian Road into a quiet and
+prosperous-looking suburban street, at the end of which rose the tower
+of a castellated building.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is the prison," I replied. "We are looking at it from the most
+advantageous point of view; seen from the back, and especially from the
+inside, it is a good deal less attractive."
+</p>
+<p>
+Nothing more was said until the cab drove into the courtyard and set us
+down outside the great front gates. Having directed the cabman to wait
+for us, I rang the bell and we were speedily admitted through a wicket
+(which was immediately closed and locked) into a covered court closed in
+by a second gate, through the bars of which we could see across an inner
+courtyard to the actual entrance to the prison. Here, while the
+necessary formalities were gone through, we found ourselves part of a
+numerous and very motley company, for a considerable assemblage of the
+prisoners' friends was awaiting the moment of admission. I noticed that
+my companion was observing our fellow-visitors with a kind of horrified
+curiosity, which she strove, however, and not unsuccessfully, to
+conceal; and certainly the appearance of the majority furnished eloquent
+testimony to the failure of crime as a means of worldly advancement.
+Their present position was productive of very varied emotions; some were
+silent and evidently stricken with grief; a larger number were voluble
+and excited, while a considerable proportion were quite cheerful and
+even inclined to be facetious.
+</p>
+<p>
+At length the great iron gate was unlocked and our party taken in charge
+by a warder, who conducted us to that part of the building known as "the
+wing"; and, in the course of our progress, I could not help observing
+the profound impression made upon my companion by the circumstance that
+every door had to be unlocked to admit us and was locked again as soon
+as we had passed through.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It seems to me," I said, as we neared our destination, "that you had
+better let me see Reuben first; I have not much to say to him and shall
+not keep you waiting long."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why do you think so?" she asked, with a shade of suspicion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I answered, "I think you may be a little upset by the interview,
+and I should like to see you into your cab as soon as possible
+afterwards."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she said; "perhaps you are right, and it is kind of you to be so
+thoughtful on my account."
+</p>
+<p>
+A minute later, accordingly, I found myself shut into a narrow box, like
+one of those which considerate pawnbrokers provide for their more
+diffident clients, and in a similar, but more intense, degree, pervaded
+by a subtle odour of uncleanness. The woodwork was polished to an
+unctuous smoothness by the friction of numberless dirty hands and soiled
+garments, and the general appearance&mdash;taken in at a glance as I
+entered&mdash;was such as to cause me to thrust my hands into my pockets and
+studiously avoid contact with any part of the structure but the floor.
+The end of the box opposite the door was closed in by a strong grating
+of wire&mdash;excepting the lower three feet, which was of wood&mdash;and looking
+through this, I perceived, behind a second grating, Reuben Hornby,
+standing in a similar attitude to my own. He was dressed in his usual
+clothes and with his customary neatness, but his face was unshaven and
+he wore, suspended from a button-hole, a circular label bearing the
+characters "B.31"; and these two changes in his exterior carried with
+them a suggestiveness as subtle as it was unpleasant, making me more
+than ever regretful that Miss Gibson had insisted on coming.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is exceedingly good of you, Dr. Jervis, to come and see me," he said
+heartily, making himself heard quite easily, to my surprise, above the
+hubbub of the adjoining boxes; "but I didn't expect you here. I was told
+I could see my legal advisers in the solicitor's box."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So you could," I answered. "But I came here by choice because I have
+brought Miss Gibson with me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sorry for that," he rejoined, with evident disapproval; "she
+oughtn't to have come among these riff-raff."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I told her so, and that you wouldn't like it, but she insisted."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know," said Reuben. "That's the worst of women&mdash;they will make a
+beastly fuss and sacrifice themselves when nobody wants them to. But I
+mustn't be ungrateful; she means it kindly, and she's a deuced good
+sort, is Juliet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"She is indeed," I exclaimed, not a little disgusted at his cool,
+unappreciative tone; "a most noble-hearted girl, and her devotion to you
+is positively heroic."
+</p>
+<p>
+The faintest suspicion of a smile appeared on the face seen through the
+double grating; on which I felt that I could have pulled his nose with
+pleasure&mdash;only that a pair of tongs of special construction would have
+been required for the purpose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered calmly, "we have always been very good friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+A rejoinder of the most extreme acidity was on my lips. Damn the fellow!
+What did he mean by speaking in that supercilious tone of the loveliest
+and sweetest woman in the world? But, after all, one cannot trample on a
+poor devil locked up in a jail on a false charge, no matter how great
+may be the provocation. I drew a deep breath, and, having recovered
+myself, outwardly at least, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope you don't find the conditions here too intolerable?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, no," he answered. "It's beastly unpleasant, of course, but it might
+easily be worse. I don't mind if it's only for a week or two; and I am
+really encouraged by what Dr. Thorndyke said. I hope he wasn't being
+merely soothing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You may take it that he was not. What he said, I am sure he meant. Of
+course, you know I am not in his confidence&mdash;nobody is&mdash;but I gather
+that he is satisfied with the defence he is preparing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If he is satisfied, I am," said Reuben, "and, in any case, I shall owe
+him an immense debt of gratitude for having stood by me and believed in
+me when all the world&mdash;except my aunt and Juliet&mdash;had condemned me."
+</p>
+<p>
+He then went on to give me a few particulars of his prison life, and
+when he had chatted for a quarter of an hour or so, I took my leave to
+make way for Miss Gibson.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her interview with him was not as long as I had expected, though, to be
+sure, the conditions were not very favourable either for the exchange of
+confidences or for utterances of a sentimental character. The
+consciousness that one's conversation could be overheard by the
+occupants of adjacent boxes destroyed all sense of privacy, to say
+nothing of the disturbing influence of the warder in the alley-way.
+</p>
+<p>
+When she rejoined me, her manner was abstracted and very depressed, a
+circumstance that gave me considerable food for reflection as we made
+our way in silence towards the main entrance. Had she found Reuben as
+cool and matter-of-fact as I had? He was assuredly a very calm and
+self-possessed lover, and it was conceivable that his reception of the
+girl, strung up, as she was, to an acute pitch of emotion, might have
+been somewhat in the nature of an anticlimax. And then, was it possible
+that the feeling was on her side only? Could it be that the priceless
+pearl of her love was cast before&mdash;I was tempted to use the colloquial
+singular and call him an "unappreciative swine!" The thing was almost
+unthinkable to me, and yet I was tempted to dwell upon it; for when a
+man is in love&mdash;and I could no longer disguise my condition from
+myself&mdash;he is inclined to be humble and to gather up thankfully the
+treasure that is rejected of another.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was brought up short in these reflections by the clank of the lock in
+the great iron gate. We entered together the gloomy vestibule, and a
+moment later were let out through the wicket into the courtyard; and as
+the lock clicked behind us, we gave a simultaneous sigh of relief to
+find ourselves outside the precincts of the prison, beyond the domain of
+bolts and bars.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had settled Miss Gibson in the cab and given her address to the
+driver, when I noticed her looking at me, as I thought, somewhat
+wistfully.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can't I put you down somewhere?" she said, in response to a
+half-questioning glance from me.
+</p>
+<p>
+I seized the opportunity with thankfulness and replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You might set me down at King's Cross if it is not delaying you;" and
+giving the word to the cabman, I took my place by her side as the cab
+started and a black-painted prison van turned into the courtyard with
+its freight of squalid misery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think Reuben was very pleased to see me," Miss Gibson remarked
+presently, "but I shall come again all the same. It is a duty I owe both
+to him and to myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+I felt that I ought to endeavour to dissuade her, but the reflection
+that her visits must almost of necessity involve my companionship,
+enfeebled my will. I was fast approaching a state of infatuation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was so thankful," she continued, "that you prepared me. It was a
+horrible experience to see the poor fellow caged like a wild beast, with
+that dreadful label hanging from his coat; but it would have been
+overwhelming if I had not known what to expect."
+</p>
+<p>
+As we proceeded, her spirits revived somewhat, a circumstance that she
+graciously ascribed to the enlivening influence of my society; and I
+then told her of the mishap that had befallen my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What a terrible thing!" she exclaimed, with evidently unaffected
+concern. "It is the merest chance that he was not killed on the spot. Is
+he much hurt? And would he mind, do you think, if I called to inquire
+after him?"
+</p>
+<p>
+I said that I was sure he would be delighted (being, as a matter of
+fact, entirely indifferent as to his sentiments on the subject in my
+delight at the proposal), and when I stepped down from the cab at King's
+Cross to pursue my way homewards, there already opened out before me the
+prospect of the renewal of this bitter-sweet and all too dangerous
+companionship on the morrow.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER X
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+A couple of days sufficed to prove that Thorndyke's mishap was not to be
+productive of any permanent ill consequences; his wounds progressed
+favourably and he was able to resume his ordinary avocations.
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Gibson's visit&mdash;but why should I speak of her in these formal
+terms? To me, when I thought of her, which I did only too often, she was
+Juliet, with perhaps an adjective thrown in; and as Juliet I shall
+henceforth speak of her (but without the adjective) in this narrative,
+wherein nothing has been kept back from the reader&mdash;Juliet's visit,
+then, had been a great success, for my colleague was really pleased by
+the attention, and displayed a quiet geniality that filled our visitor
+with delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+He talked a good deal of Reuben, and I could see that he was
+endeavouring to settle in his own mind the vexed question of her
+relations with and sentiments towards our unfortunate client; but what
+conclusions he arrived at I was unable to discover, for he was by no
+means communicative after she had left. Nor was there any repetition of
+the visit&mdash;greatly to my regret&mdash;since, as I have said, he was able, in
+a day or two, to resume his ordinary mode of life.
+</p>
+<p>
+The first evidence I had of his renewed activity appeared when I
+returned to the chambers at about eleven o'clock in the morning, to find
+Polton hovering dejectedly about the sitting-room, apparently
+perpetrating as near an approach to a "spring clean" as could be
+permitted in a bachelor establishment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hallo, Polton!" I exclaimed, "have you contrived to tear yourself away
+from the laboratory for an hour or two?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, sir," he answered gloomily. "The laboratory has torn itself away
+from me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What do you mean?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Doctor has shut himself in and locked the door, and he says I am
+not to disturb him. It will be a cold lunch to-day."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is he doing in there?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said Polton, "that's just what I should like to know. I'm fair
+eaten up with curiosity. He is making some experiments in connection
+with some of his cases, and when the Doctor locks himself in to make
+experiments, something interesting generally follows. I should like to
+know what it is this time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose there is a keyhole in the laboratory door?" I suggested, with
+a grin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Sir!" he exclaimed indignantly. "Dr. Jervis, I am surprised at you."
+Then, perceiving my facetious intent, he smiled also and added: "But
+there <i>is</i> a keyhole if you'd like to try it, though I'll wager the
+Doctor would see more of you than you would of him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are mighty secret about your doings, you and the Doctor," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered. "You see, it's a queer trade this of the Doctor's,
+and there are some queer secrets in it. Now, for instance, what do you
+make of this?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He produced from his pocket a leather case, whence he took a piece of
+paper which he handed to me. On it was a neatly executed drawing of what
+looked like one of a set of chessmen, with the dimensions written on the
+margin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It looks like a pawn&mdash;one of the Staunton pattern," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Just what I thought; but it isn't. I've got to make twenty-four of
+them, and what the Doctor is going to do with them fairly beats me."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps he has invented some new game," I suggested facetiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is always inventing new games and playing them mostly in courts of
+law, and then the other players generally lose. But this is a puzzler,
+and no mistake. Twenty-four of these to be turned up in the
+best-seasoned boxwood! What can they be for? Something to do with the
+experiments he is carrying on upstairs at this very moment, I expect."
+He shook his head, and, having carefully returned the drawing to his
+pocket-book, said, in a solemn tone&mdash;"Sir, there are times when the
+Doctor makes me fairly dance with curiosity. And this is one of them."
+</p>
+<p>
+Although not afflicted with a curiosity so acute as that of Polton, I
+found myself speculating at intervals on the nature of my colleague's
+experiments and the purpose of the singular little objects which he had
+ordered to be made; but I was unacquainted with any of the cases on
+which he was engaged, excepting that of Reuben Hornby, and with the
+latter I was quite unable to connect a set of twenty-four boxwood
+chessmen. Moreover, on this day, I was to accompany Juliet on her second
+visit to Holloway, and that circumstance gave me abundant mental
+occupation of another kind.
+</p>
+<p>
+At lunch, Thorndyke was animated and talkative but not communicative. He
+"had some work in the laboratory that he must do himself," he said, but
+gave no hint as to its nature; and as soon as our meal was finished, he
+returned to his labours, leaving me to pace up and down the walk,
+listening with ridiculous eagerness for the sound of the hansom that was
+to transport me to the regions of the blest, and&mdash;incidentally&mdash;to
+Holloway Prison.
+</p>
+<p>
+When I returned to the Temple, the sitting-room was empty and hideously
+neat, as the result of Polton's spring-cleaning efforts. My colleague
+was evidently still at work in the laboratory, and, from the
+circumstance that the tea-things were set out on the table and a kettle
+of water placed in readiness on the gas-ring by the fireplace, I
+gathered that Polton also was full of business and anxious not to be
+disturbed.
+</p>
+<p>
+Accordingly, I lit the gas and made my tea, enlivening my solitude by
+turning over in my mind the events of the afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>
+Juliet had been charming&mdash;as she always was&mdash;frank, friendly and
+unaffectedly pleased to have my companionship. She evidently liked me
+and did not disguise the fact&mdash;why should she indeed?&mdash;but treated me
+with a freedom, almost affectionate, as though I had been a favourite
+brother; which was very delightful, and would have been more so if I
+could have accepted the relationship. As to her feelings towards me, I
+had not the slightest misgiving, and so my conscience was clear; for
+Juliet was as innocent as a child, with the innocence that belongs to
+the direct, straightforward nature that neither does evil itself nor
+looks for evil motives in others. For myself, I was past praying for.
+The thing was done and I must pay the price hereafter, content to
+reflect that I had trespassed against no one but myself. It was a
+miserable affair, and many a heartache did it promise me in the lonely
+days that were to come, when I should have said "good-bye" to the Temple
+and gone back to my old nomadic life; and yet I would not have had it
+changed if I could; would not have bartered the bitter-sweet memories
+for dull forgetfulness.
+</p>
+<p>
+But other matters had transpired in the course of our drive than those
+that loomed so large to me in the egotism of my love. We had spoken of
+Mr. Hornby and his affairs, and from our talk there had emerged certain
+facts of no little moment to the inquiry on which I was engaged.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Misfortunes are proverbially sociable," Juliet had remarked, in
+reference to her adopted uncle. "As if this trouble about Reuben were
+not enough, there are worries in the city. Perhaps you have heard of
+them."
+</p>
+<p>
+I replied that Walter had mentioned the matter to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Juliet rather viciously; "I am not quite clear as to what
+part that good gentleman has played in the matter. It has come out,
+quite accidentally, that he had a large holding in the mines himself,
+but he seems to have 'cut his loss,' as the phrase goes, and got out of
+them; though how he managed to pay such large differences is more than
+we can understand. We think he must have raised money somehow to do it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you know when the mines began to depreciate?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it was quite a sudden affair&mdash;what Walter calls 'a slump'&mdash;and it
+occurred only a few days before the robbery. Mr. Hornby was telling me
+about it only yesterday, and he recalled it to me by a ridiculous
+accident that happened on that day."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What was that?" I inquired.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why, I cut my finger and nearly fainted," she answered, with a
+shamefaced little laugh. "It was rather a bad cut, you know, but I
+didn't notice it until I found my hand covered with blood. Then I turned
+suddenly faint, and had to lie down on the hearthrug&mdash;it was in Mr.
+Hornby's study, which I was tidying up at the time. Here I was found by
+Reuben, and a dreadful fright it gave him at first; and then he tore up
+his handkerchief to tie up the wounded finger, and you never saw such an
+awful mess as he got his hands in. He might have been arrested as a
+murderer, poor boy, from the condition he was in. It will make your
+professional gorge rise to learn that he fastened up the extemporised
+bandage with red tape, which he got from the writing table after rooting
+about among the sacred papers in the most ruthless fashion.
+</p>
+<p>
+"When he had gone I tried to put the things on the table straight again,
+and really you might have thought some horrible crime had been
+committed; the envelopes and papers were all smeared with blood and
+marked with the print of gory fingers. I remembered it afterwards, when
+Reuben's thumb-mark was identified, and thought that perhaps one of the
+papers might have got into the safe by accident; but Mr. Hornby told me
+that was impossible; he tore the leaf off his memorandum block at the
+time when he put away the diamonds."
+</p>
+<p>
+Such was the gist of our conversation as the cab rattled through the
+streets on the way to the prison; and certainly it contained matter
+sufficiently important to draw away my thoughts from other subjects,
+more agreeable, but less relevant to the case. With a sudden remembrance
+of my duty, I drew forth my notebook, and was in the act of committing
+the statements to writing, when Thorndyke entered the room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Don't let me interrupt you, Jervis," said he. "I will make myself a cup
+of tea while you finish your writing, and then you shall exhibit the
+day's catch and hang your nets out to dry."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was not long in finishing my notes, for I was in a fever of impatience
+to hear Thorndyke's comments on my latest addition to our store of
+information. By the time the kettle was boiling my entries were
+completed, and I proceeded forthwith to retail to my colleague those
+extracts from my conversation with Juliet that I have just recorded.
+</p>
+<p>
+He listened, as usual, with deep and critical attention.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is very interesting and important," he said, when I had finished;
+"really, Jervis, you are a most invaluable coadjutor. It seems that
+information, which would be strictly withheld from the forbidding
+Jorkins, trickles freely and unasked into the ear of the genial
+Spenlow. Now, I suppose you regard your hypothesis as having received
+very substantial confirmation?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly, I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And very justifiably. You see now how completely you were in the right
+when you allowed yourself to entertain this theory of the crime in spite
+of its apparent improbability. By the light of these new facts it has
+become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could
+only be shown that Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on
+the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability. The obvious
+moral is, never disregard the improbable. By the way, it is odd that
+Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him. Of
+course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone,
+but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked
+him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any papers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I must try to find out if Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was on the
+table and among the marked papers," I said.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the
+information will be forthcoming."
+</p>
+<p>
+My colleague's manner rather disappointed me. He had heard my report
+with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet
+he seemed to attach to the new and&mdash;as they appeared to me&mdash;highly
+important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical. Of
+course, his calmness might be assumed; but this did not seem likely, for
+John Thorndyke was far too sincere and dignified a character to
+cultivate in private life the artifices of the actor. To strangers,
+indeed, he presented habitually a calm and impassive exterior; but this
+was natural to him, and was but the outward sign of his even and
+judicial habit of mind.
+</p>
+<p>
+No; there was no doubt that my startling news had left him unmoved, and
+this must be for one of two reasons: either he already knew all that I
+had told him (which was perfectly possible), or he had some other and
+better means of explaining the crime. I was turning over these two
+alternatives, not unobserved by my watchful colleague, when Polton
+entered the room; a broad grin was on his face, and a drawing-board,
+that he carried like a tray, bore twenty-four neatly turned boxwood
+pieces.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke at once entered into the unspoken jest that beamed from the
+countenance of his subordinate.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here is Polton with a problem for you, Jervis," he said. "He assumes
+that I have invented a new parlour game, and has been trying to work out
+the moves. Have you succeeded yet, Polton?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, sir, I haven't; but I suspect that one of the players will be a man
+in a wig and gown."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps you are right," said Thorndyke; "but that doesn't take you very
+far. Let us hear what Dr. Jervis has to say."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can make nothing of them," I answered. "Polton showed me the drawing
+this morning, and then was terrified lest he had committed a breach of
+confidence, and I have been trying ever since, without a glimmer of
+success, to guess what they can be for."
+</p>
+<p>
+"H'm," grunted Thorndyke, as he sauntered up and down the room, teacup
+in hand, "to guess, eh? I like not that word 'guess' in the mouth of a
+man of science. What do you mean by a 'guess'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+His manner was wholly facetious, but I professed to take his question
+seriously, and replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"By a guess, I mean a conclusion arrived at without data."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed, with mock sternness. "Nobody but an utter
+fool arrives at a conclusion without data."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I must revise my definition instantly," I rejoined. "Let us say
+that a guess is a conclusion drawn from insufficient facts."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is better," said he; "but perhaps it would be better still to say
+that a guess is a particular and definite conclusion deduced from facts
+which properly yield only a general and indefinite one. Let us take an
+instance," he continued. "Looking out of the window, I see a man walking
+round Paper Buildings. Now suppose I say, after the fashion of the
+inspired detective of the romances, 'That man is a stationmaster or
+inspector,' that would be a guess. The observed facts do not yield the
+conclusion, though they do warrant a conclusion less definite and more
+general."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You'd have been right though, sir!" exclaimed Polton, who had stepped
+forward with me to examine the unconscious subject of the demonstration.
+"That gent used to be the stationmaster at Camberwell. I remember him
+well."
+</p>
+<p>
+The little man was evidently greatly impressed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I happen to be right, you see," said Thorndyke; "but I might as easily
+have been wrong."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You weren't though, sir," said Polton. "You spotted him at a glance."
+</p>
+<p>
+In his admiration of the result he cared not a fig for the correctness
+of the means by which it had been attained.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now why do I suggest that he is a stationmaster?" pursued Thorndyke,
+disregarding his assistant's comment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I suppose you were looking at his feet," I answered. "I seem to have
+noticed that peculiar, splay-footed gait in stationmasters, now that you
+mention it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so. The arch of the foot has given way; the plantar ligaments
+have become stretched and the deep calf muscles weakened. Then, since
+bending of the weakened arch causes discomfort, the feet have become
+turned outwards, by which the bending of the foot is reduced to a
+minimum; and as the left foot is the more flattened, so it is turned out
+more than the right. Then the turning out of the toes causes the legs to
+splay outward from the knees downwards&mdash;a very conspicuous condition in
+a tall man like this one&mdash;and you notice that the left leg splays out
+more than the other.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But we know that depression of the arch of the foot is brought about by
+standing for long periods. Continuous pressure on a living structure
+weakens it, while intermittent pressure strengthens it; so the man who
+stands on his feet continuously develops a flat instep and a weak calf,
+while the professional dancer or runner acquires a high instep and a
+strong calf. Now there are many occupations which involve prolonged
+standing and so induce the condition of flat foot: waiters,
+hall-porters, hawkers, policemen, shop-walkers, salesmen, and station
+officials are examples. But the waiter's gait is characteristic&mdash;a
+quick, shuffling walk which enables him to carry liquids without
+spilling them. This man walks with a long, swinging stride; he is
+obviously not a waiter. His dress and appearance in general exclude the
+idea of a hawker or even a hall-porter; he is a man of poor physique
+and so cannot be a policeman. The shop-walker or salesman is accustomed
+to move in relatively confined spaces, and so acquires a short, brisk
+step, and his dress tends to rather exuberant smartness; the station
+official patrols long platforms, often at a rapid pace, and so tends to
+take long strides, while his dress is dignified and neat rather than
+florid. The last-mentioned characteristics, you see, appear in the
+subject of our analysis; he agrees with the general description of a
+stationmaster. But if we therefore conclude that he <i>is</i> a
+stationmaster, we fall into the time-honoured fallacy of the
+undistributed middle term&mdash;the fallacy that haunts all brilliant
+guessers, including the detective, not only of romance, but too often
+also of real life. All that the observed facts justify us in inferring
+is that this man is engaged in some mode of life that necessitates a
+good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
+"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
+With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
+departure.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
+guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
+less striking result."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
+present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
+firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
+wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
+pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
+no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
+nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
+material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
+the subject?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
+inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
+reflected for a few moments.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
+at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
+form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
+more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
+this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
+exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
+recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
+lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
+in having these things made&mdash;as you will before long&mdash;you will probably
+be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
+forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
+say myself) after the day's labour.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE AMBUSH
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
+Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
+solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
+place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
+<i>post-mortem</i> and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
+inquest shall take place directly after the <i>post-mortem</i>, so that we
+shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
+you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
+entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
+of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
+are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
+little expense."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow&mdash;what is the matter? Does that fall
+foul of any arrangement of yours?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
+the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
+observe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
+suit your plans."
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>Cherchez la</i>&mdash;h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
+so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
+asking me to dine with them <i>en famille</i> to-morrow evening, and I sent
+off an acceptance an hour ago."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
+"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
+expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
+keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
+station, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
+not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
+really it is not necessary."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "so please don't try to
+dissuade me. I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought
+that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done
+nothing but idle about and amuse myself. The opportunity of doing
+something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke chuckled indulgently. "You shall do as you please, my dear
+boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of
+idleness. When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will
+be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
+Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can
+assure you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to
+learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a
+mere object of charity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to
+help me in this case, I will set you your task. The case, as I have
+said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the
+simplicity for granted. Here is the letter from the solicitors giving
+the facts as far as they are known at present. On the shelves there you
+will find Casper, Taylor, Guy and Ferrier, and the other authorities on
+medical jurisprudence, and I will put out one or two other books that
+you may find useful. I want you to extract and make classified notes of
+everything that may bear on such a case as the present one may turn out
+to be. We must go prepared to meet any contingency that may arise. This
+is my invariable practice, and even if the case turns out to be quite
+simple, the labour is never wasted, for it represents so much experience
+gained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Casper and Taylor are pretty old, aren't they?" I objected.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So is suicide," he retorted drily. "It is a capital mistake to neglect
+the old authorities. 'There were strong men before Agamemnon,' and some
+of them were uncommonly strong, let me tell you. Give your best
+attention to the venerable Casper and the obsolete Taylor and you will
+not be without your reward."
+</p>
+<p>
+As a result of these injunctions, I devoted the remainder of the day to
+the consideration of the various methods by which a man might contrive
+to effect his exit from the stage of human activities. And a very
+engrossing study I found it, and the more interesting in view of the
+problem that awaited solution on the morrow; but yet not so engrossing
+but that I was able to find time to write a long, rather intimate and
+minutely explanatory letter to Miss Gibson, in which I even mentioned
+the hour of our return as showing the impossibility of my keeping my
+engagement. Not that I had the smallest fear of her taking offence, for
+it is an evidence of my respect and regard for her that I cancelled the
+appointment without a momentary doubt that she would approve of my
+action; but it was pleasant to write to her at length and to feel the
+intimacy of keeping her informed of the details of my life.
+</p>
+<p>
+The case, when we came to inquire into it on the spot, turned out to be
+a suicide of the most transparent type; whereat both Thorndyke and I
+were, I think, a little disappointed&mdash;he at having apparently done so
+little for a very substantial fee, and I at having no opportunity for
+applying my recently augmented knowledge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said my colleague, as we rolled ourselves up in our rugs in
+adjacent corners of the railway carriage, "it has been a flat affair,
+and the whole thing could have been managed by the local solicitor. But
+it is not a waste of time after all, for, you see, I have to do many a
+day's work for which I get not a farthing of payment, nor even any
+recognition, so that I do not complain if I occasionally find myself
+receiving more payment than my actual services merit. And as to you, I
+take it that you have acquired a good deal of valuable knowledge on the
+subject of suicide, and knowledge, as the late Lord Bacon remarked with
+more truth than originality, is power."
+</p>
+<p>
+To this I made no reply, having just lit my pipe and feeling uncommonly
+drowsy; and, my companion having followed my example, we smoked in
+silence, becoming more and more somnolent, until the train drew up in
+the terminus and we turned out, yawning and shivering, on to the
+platform.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bah!" exclaimed Thorndyke, drawing his rug round his shoulders; "this
+is a cheerless hour&mdash;a quarter past one. See how chilly and miserable
+all these poor devils of passengers look. Shall we cab it or walk?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think a sharp walk would rouse our circulation after sitting huddled
+up in the carriage for so long," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"So do I," said Thorndyke, "so let us away; hark forward! and also Tally
+Ho! In fact one might go so far as to say Yoicks! That gentleman appears
+to favour the strenuous life, if one may judge by the size of his
+sprocket-wheel."
+</p>
+<p>
+He pointed to a bicycle that was drawn up by the kerb in the approach&mdash;a
+machine of the road-racer type, with an enormous sprocket-wheel,
+indicating a gear of, at least, ninety.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Some scorcher or amateur racer, probably," I said, "who takes the
+opportunity of getting a spin on the wood pavement when the streets are
+empty." I looked round to see if I could identify the owner, but the
+machine appeared to be, for the moment, taking care of itself.
+</p>
+<p>
+King's Cross is one of those districts of which the inhabitants are slow
+in settling down for the night, and even at a quarter past one in the
+morning its streets are not entirely deserted. Here and there the
+glimmer of a street lamp or the far-reaching ray from a tall electric
+light reveals the form of some nocturnal prowler creeping along with
+cat-like stealthiness, or bursting, cat-like, into unmelodious song. Not
+greatly desirous of the society of these roysterers, we crossed quickly
+from the station into the Gray's Inn Road, now silent and excessively
+dismal in aspect, and took our way along the western side. We had turned
+the curve and were crossing Manchester Street, when a series of yelps
+from ahead announced the presence of a party of merry-makers, whom we
+were not yet able to see, however, for the night was an exceptionally
+dark one; but the sounds of revelry continued to increase in volume as
+we proceeded, until, as we passed Sidmouth Street, we came in sight of
+the revellers. They were some half-dozen in number, all of them roughs
+of the hooligan type, and they were evidently in boisterous spirits,
+for, as they passed the entrance to the Royal Free Hospital, they halted
+and battered furiously at the gate. Shortly after this exploit they
+crossed the road on to our side, whereupon Thorndyke caught my arm and
+slackened his pace.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Let them draw ahead," said he. "It is a wise precaution to give all
+hooligan gangs a very wide berth at this time of night. We had better
+turn down Heathcote Street and cross Mecklenburgh Square."
+</p>
+<p>
+We continued to walk on at reduced speed until we reached Heathcote
+Street, into which we turned and so entered Mecklenburgh Square, where
+we mended our pace once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The hooligan," pursued Thorndyke, as we walked briskly across the
+silent square, "covers a multitude of sins, ranging from highway robbery
+with violence and paid assassination (technically known as 'bashing')
+down to the criminal folly of the philanthropic magistrate, who seems to
+think that his function in the economy of nature is to secure the
+survival of the unfittest. There goes a cyclist along Guildford Street.
+I wonder if that is our strenuous friend from the station. If so, he has
+slipped past the hooligans."
+</p>
+<p>
+We were just entering Doughty Street, and, as Thorndyke spoke, a man on
+a bicycle was visible for an instant at the crossing of the two
+streets. When we reached Guildford Street we both looked down the long,
+lamp-lighted vista, but the cyclist had vanished.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We had better go straight on into Theobald's Road," said Thorndyke, and
+we accordingly pursued our way up the fine old-world street, from whose
+tall houses our footfalls echoed, so that we seemed to be accompanied by
+an invisible multitude, until we reached that part where it
+unaccountably changes its name and becomes John Street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There always seems to me something very pathetic about these old
+Bloomsbury streets," said Thorndyke, "with their faded grandeur and
+dignified seediness. They remind me of some prim and aged gentlewoman in
+reduced circumstances who&mdash;Hallo! What was that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+A faint, sharp thud from behind had been followed instantly by the
+shattering of a ground-floor window in front.
+</p>
+<p>
+We both stopped dead and remained, for a couple of seconds, staring into
+the gloom, from whence the first sound had come; then Thorndyke darted
+diagonally across the road at a swift run and I immediately followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the moment when the affair happened we had gone about forty yards up
+John Street, that is, from the place where it is crossed by Henry
+Street, and we now raced across the road to the further corner of the
+latter street. When we reached it, however, the little thoroughfare was
+empty, and, as we paused for a moment, no sound of retreating footsteps
+broke the silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The shot certainly came from here!" said Thorndyke; "come on," and he
+again broke into a run. A few yards up the street a mews turns off to
+the left, and into this my companion plunged, motioning me to go
+straight on, which I accordingly did, and in a few paces reached the top
+of the street. Here a narrow thoroughfare, with a broad, smooth
+pavement, bears off to the left, parallel with the mews, and, as I
+arrived at the corner and glanced up the little street, I saw a man on a
+bicycle gliding swiftly and silently towards Little James' Street.
+</p>
+<p>
+With a mighty shout of "Stop thief!" I started in hot pursuit, but,
+though the man's feet were moving in an apparently leisurely manner, he
+drew ahead at an astonishing pace, in spite of my efforts to overtake
+him; and it then dawned upon me that the slow revolutions of his feet
+were due, in reality, to the unusually high gear of the machine that he
+was riding. As I realised this, and at the same moment recalled the
+bicycle that we had seen in the station, the fugitive swung round into
+Little James' Street and vanished.
+</p>
+<p>
+The speed at which the man was travelling made further pursuit utterly
+futile, so I turned and walked back, panting and perspiring from the
+unwonted exertion. As I re-entered Henry Street, Thorndyke emerged from
+the mews and halted on seeing me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Cyclist?" he asked laconically, as I came up.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; "riding a machine geared up to about ninety."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! he must have followed us from the station," said Thorndyke. "Did
+you notice if he was carrying anything?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He had a walking-stick in his hand. I didn't see anything else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What sort of walking-stick?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I couldn't see very distinctly. It was a stoutish stick&mdash;I should say
+a Malacca, probably&mdash;and it had what looked like a horn handle. I could
+see that as he passed a street lamp."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What kind of lamp had he?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I couldn't see; but, as he turned the corner, I noticed that it seemed
+to burn very dimly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A little vaseline, or even oil, smeared on the outside of the glass
+will reduce the glare of a lamp very appreciably," my companion
+remarked, "especially on a dusty road. Ha! here is the proprietor of the
+broken window. He wants to know, you know."
+</p>
+<p>
+We had once more turned into John Street and now perceived a man,
+standing on the wide doorstep of the house with the shattered window,
+looking anxiously up and down the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do either of you gents know anything about this here?" he asked,
+pointing to the broken pane.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "we happened to be passing when it was done; in
+fact," he added, "I rather suspect that the missile, whatever it was,
+was intended for our benefit."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh!" said the man. "Who done it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I can't say," replied Thorndyke. "Whoever he was, he made off on a
+bicycle and we were unable to catch him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh!" said the man once more, regarding us with growing suspicion. "On a
+bicycle, hay! Dam funny, ain't it? What did he do it with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is what I should like to find out," said Thorndyke. "I see this
+house is empty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, it's empty&mdash;leastways it's to let. I'm the caretaker. But what's
+that got to do with it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Merely this," answered Thorndyke, "that the object&mdash;stone, bullet or
+whatever it may have been&mdash;was aimed, I believe, at me, and I should
+like to ascertain its nature. Would you do me the favour of permitting
+me to look for it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker was evidently inclined to refuse this request, for he
+glanced suspiciously from my companion to me once or twice before
+replying, but, at length, he turned towards the open door and gruffly
+invited us to enter.
+</p>
+<p>
+A paraffin lamp was on the floor in a recess of the hall, and this our
+conductor took up when he had closed the street door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is the room," he said, turning the key and thrusting the door
+open; "the library they call it, but it's the front parlour in plain
+English." He entered and, holding the lamp above his head, stared
+balefully at the broken window.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke glanced quickly along the floor in the direction that the
+missile would have taken, and then said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you see any mark on the wall there?"
+</p>
+<p>
+As he spoke, he indicated the wall opposite the window, which obviously
+could not have been struck by a projectile entering with such extreme
+obliquity; and I was about to point out this fact when I fortunately
+remembered the great virtue of silence.
+</p>
+<p>
+Our friend approached the wall, still holding up the lamp, and
+scrutinised the surface with close attention; and while he was thus
+engaged, I observed Thorndyke stoop quickly and pick up something, which
+he deposited carefully, and without remark, in his waistcoat pocket.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't see no bruise anywhere," said the caretaker, sweeping his hand
+over the wall.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps the thing struck this wall," suggested Thorndyke, pointing to
+the one that was actually in the line of fire. "Yes, of course," he
+added, "it would be this one&mdash;the shot came from Henry Street."
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker crossed the room and threw the light of his lamp on the
+wall thus indicated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! here we are!" he exclaimed, with gloomy satisfaction, pointing to a
+small dent in which the wall-paper was turned back and the plaster
+exposed; "looks almost like a bullet mark, but you say you didn't hear
+no report."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No," said Thorndyke, "there was no report; it must have been a
+catapult."
+</p>
+<p>
+The caretaker set the lamp down on the floor and proceeded to grope
+about for the projectile, in which operation we both assisted; and I
+could not suppress a faint smile as I noted the earnestness with which
+Thorndyke peered about the floor in search of the missile that was
+quietly reposing in his waistcoat pocket.
+</p>
+<p>
+We were deep in our investigations when there was heard an
+uncompromising double knock at the street door, followed by the loud
+pealing of a bell in the basement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Bobby, I suppose," growled the caretaker. "Here's a blooming fuss about
+nothing." He caught up the lamp and went out, leaving us in the dark.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I picked it up, you know," said Thorndyke, when we were alone.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I saw you," I answered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good; I applaud your discretion," he rejoined. The caretaker's
+supposition was correct. When he returned, he was accompanied by a burly
+constable, who saluted us with a cheerful smile and glanced facetiously
+round the empty room.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our boys," said he, nodding towards the broken window; "they're playful
+lads, that they are. You were passing when it happened, sir, I hear."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke; and he gave the constable a brief account of
+the occurrence, which the latter listened to, notebook in hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," said he when the narrative was concluded, "if those hooligan
+boys are going to take to catapults they'll make things lively all
+round."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You ought to run some of 'em in," said the caretaker.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Run 'em in!" exclaimed the constable in a tone of disgust; "yes! And
+then the magistrate will tell 'em to be good boys and give 'em five
+shillings out of the poor-box to buy illustrated Testaments. I'd
+Testament them, the worthless varmints!"
+</p>
+<p>
+He rammed his notebook fiercely into his pocket and stalked out of the
+room into the street, whither we followed.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You'll find that bullet or stone when you sweep up the room," he said,
+as he turned on to his beat; "and you'd better let us have it. Good
+night, sir."
+</p>
+<p>
+He strolled off towards Henry Street, while Thorndyke and I resumed our
+journey southward.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why were you so secret about that projectile?" I asked my friend as we
+walked up the street.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Partly to avoid discussion with the caretaker," he replied; "but
+principally because I thought it likely that a constable would pass the
+house and, seeing the light, come in to make inquiries."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then I should have had to hand over the object to him."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And why not? Is the object a specially interesting one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is highly interesting to me at the present moment," replied
+Thorndyke, with a chuckle, "because I have not examined it. I have a
+theory as to its nature, which theory I should like to test before
+taking the police into my confidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you going to take me into your confidence?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"When we get home, if you are not too sleepy," he replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+On our arrival at his chambers, Thorndyke desired me to light up and
+clear one end of the table while he went up to the workshop to fetch
+some tools. I turned back the table cover, and, having adjusted the gas
+so as to light this part of the table, waited in some impatience for my
+colleague's return. In a few minutes he re-entered bearing a small vice,
+a metal saw and a wide-mouthed bottle.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you got in that bottle?" I asked, perceiving a metal object
+inside it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is the projectile, which I have thought fit to rinse in distilled
+water, for reasons that will presently appear."
+</p>
+<p>
+He agitated the bottle gently for a minute or so, and then, with a pair
+of dissecting forceps, lifted out the object and held it above the
+surface of the water to drain, after which he laid it carefully on a
+piece of blotting-paper.
+</p>
+<p>
+I stooped over the projectile and examined it with great curiosity,
+while Thorndyke stood by regarding me with almost equal interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," he said, after watching me in silence for some time, "what do
+you see?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see a small brass cylinder," I answered, "about two inches long and
+rather thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. One end is conical, and
+there is a small hole at the apex which seems to contain a steel point;
+the other end is flat, but has in the centre a small square projection
+such as might fit a watch-key. I notice also a small hole in the side
+of the cylinder close to the flat end. The thing looks like a miniature
+shell, and appears to be hollow."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is hollow," said Thorndyke. "You must have observed that, when I
+held it up to drain, the water trickled out through the hole at the
+pointed end."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I noticed that."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now take it up and shake it."
+</p>
+<p>
+I did so and felt some heavy object rattle inside it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is some loose body inside it," I said, "which fits it pretty
+closely, as it moves only in the long diameter."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite so; your description is excellent. And now, what is the nature of
+this projectile?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say it is a miniature shell or explosive bullet."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Wrong!" said Thorndyke. "A very natural inference, but a wrong one."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then what is the thing?" I demanded, my curiosity still further
+aroused.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will show you," he replied. "It is something much more subtle than an
+explosive bullet&mdash;which would really be a rather crude
+appliance&mdash;admirably thought out and thoroughly well executed. We have
+to deal with a most ingenious and capable man."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was fain to laugh at his enthusiastic appreciation of the methods of
+his would-be assassin, and the humour of the situation then appeared to
+dawn on him, for he said, with an apologetic smile&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not expressing approval, you must understand, but merely
+professional admiration. It is this class of criminal that creates the
+necessity for my services. He is my patron, so to speak; my ultimate
+employer. For the common crook can be dealt with quite efficiently by
+the common policeman!"
+</p>
+<p>
+While he was speaking he had been fitting the little cylinder between
+two pads of tissue-paper in the vice, which he now screwed up tight.
+Then, with the fine metal saw, he began to cut the projectile,
+lengthwise, into two slightly unequal parts. This operation took some
+time, especially since he was careful not to cut the loose body inside,
+but at length the section was completed and the interior of the cylinder
+exposed, when he released it from the vice and held it up before me with
+an expression of triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, what do you make it?" he demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+I took the object in my fingers and looked at it closely, but was at
+first more puzzled than before. The loose body I now saw to be a
+cylinder of lead about half an inch long, accurately fitting the inside
+of the cylinder but capable of slipping freely backwards and forwards.
+The steel point which I had noticed in the hole at the apex of the
+conical end, was now seen to be the pointed termination of a slender
+steel rod which projected fully an inch into the cavity of the cylinder,
+and the conical end itself was a solid mass of lead.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well?" queried Thorndyke, seeing that I was still silent.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You tell me it is not an explosive bullet," I replied, "otherwise I
+should have been confirmed in that opinion. I should have said that the
+percussion cap was carried by this lead plunger and struck on the end of
+that steel rod when the flight of the bullet was suddenly arrested."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very good indeed," said Thorndyke. "You are right so far that this is,
+in fact, the mechanism of a percussion shell.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But look at this. You see this little rod was driven inside the bullet
+when the latter struck the wall. Let us replace it in its original
+position."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laid the end of a small flat file against the end of the rod and
+pressed it firmly, when the rod slid through the hole until it projected
+an inch beyond the apex of the cone. Then he handed the projectile back
+to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+A single glance at the point of the steel rod made the whole thing
+clear, and I gave a whistle of consternation; for the "rod" was a fine
+tube with a sharply pointed end.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed; "it is a hypodermic needle."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A veterinary hypodermic, of extra large bore. Now you see the
+subtlety and ingenuity of the whole thing. If he had had a reasonable
+chance he would certainly have succeeded."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You speak quite regretfully," I said, laughing again at the oddity of
+his attitude towards the assassin.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," he replied. "I have the character of a single-handed
+player, but even the most self-reliant man can hardly make a
+<i>post-mortem</i> on himself. I am merely appreciating an admirable piece of
+mechanical design most efficiently carried out. Observe the completeness
+of the thing, and the way in which all the necessities of the case are
+foreseen and met. This projectile was discharged from a powerful
+air-gun&mdash;the walking-stick form&mdash;provided with a force-pump and key. The
+barrel of that gun was rifled."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, to begin with, it would be useless to fit a needle to the
+projectile unless the latter was made to travel with the point forwards;
+but there is direct evidence that the barrel was rifled. You notice the
+little square projection on the back surface of the cylinder. That was
+evidently made to fit a washer or wad&mdash;probably a thin plate of soft
+metal which would be driven by the pressure from behind into the grooves
+of the rifling and thus give a spinning motion to the bullet. When the
+latter left the barrel, the wad would drop off, leaving it free."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see. I was wondering what the square projection was for. It is, as
+you say, extremely ingenious."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Highly ingenious," said Thorndyke, enthusiastically, "and so is the
+whole device. See how perfectly it would have worked but for a mere
+fluke and for the complication of your presence. Supposing that I had
+been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance. In
+that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
+You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the
+process."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late
+train&mdash;which he seems to have done&mdash;and he waits for me at the terminus.
+Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal
+poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and
+sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be
+drawn up and the liquid will follow it. You notice that the upper side
+of the piston is covered with vaseline&mdash;introduced through the hole, no
+doubt&mdash;which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth,
+and make the cylinder secure from leakage. On my arrival, he follows me
+on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded
+neighbourhood. Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a
+corner, and shoots at pretty close range. It doesn't matter where he
+hits me; all parts are equally vital, so he can aim at the middle of my
+back. Then the bullet comes spinning through the air point foremost; the
+needle passes through the clothing and enters the flesh, and, as the
+bullet is suddenly stopped, the heavy piston flies down by its own great
+momentum and squirts out a jet of the poison into the tissues. The
+bullet then disengages itself and drops on to the ground.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Meanwhile, our friend has mounted his bicycle and is off, and when I
+feel the prick of the needle, I turn, and, without stopping to look for
+the bullet, immediately give chase. I am, of course, not able to
+overtake a man on a racing machine, but still I follow him some
+distance. Then the poison begins to take effect&mdash;the more rapidly from
+the violent exercise&mdash;and presently I drop insensible. Later on, my body
+is found. There are no marks of violence, and probably the
+needle-puncture escapes observation at the <i>post-mortem,</i> in which case
+the verdict will be death from heart-failure. Even if the poison and the
+puncture are discovered, there is no clue. The bullet lies some streets
+away, and is probably picked up by some boy or passing stranger, who
+cannot conjecture its use, and who would never connect it with the man
+who was found dead. You will admit that the whole plan has been worked
+out with surprising completeness and foresight."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered; "there is no doubt that the fellow is a most
+infernally clever scoundrel. May I ask if you have any idea who he is?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," Thorndyke replied, "seeing that, as Carlyle has unkindly pointed
+out, clever people are not in an overwhelming majority, and that, of
+the clever people whom I know, only a very few are interested in my
+immediate demise, I am able to form a fairly probable conjecture."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you mean to do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"For the present I shall maintain an attitude of masterly inactivity and
+avoid the night air."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, surely," I exclaimed, "you will take some measures to protect
+yourself against attempts of this kind. You can hardly doubt now that
+your accident in the fog was really an attempted murder."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I never did doubt it, as a matter of fact, although I prevaricated at
+the time. But I have not enough evidence against this man at present,
+and, consequently, can do nothing but show that I suspect him, which
+would be foolish. Whereas, if I lie low, one of two things will happen;
+either the occasion for my removal (which is only a temporary one) will
+pass, or he will commit himself&mdash;will put a definite clue into my hands.
+Then we shall find the air-cane, the bicycle, perhaps a little stock of
+poison, and certain other trifles that I have in my mind, which will be
+good confirmatory evidence, though insufficient in themselves. And now,
+I think, I must really adjourn this meeting, or we shall be good for
+nothing to-morrow."
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+It was now only a week from the date on which the trial was to open. In
+eight days the mystery would almost certainly be solved (if it was
+capable of solution), for the trial promised to be quite a short one,
+and then Reuben Hornby would be either a convicted felon or a free man,
+clear of the stigma of the crime.
+</p>
+<p>
+For several days past, Thorndyke had been in almost constant possession
+of the laboratory, while his own small room, devoted ordinarily to
+bacteriology and microscopical work was kept continually locked; a state
+of things that reduced Polton to a condition of the most extreme nervous
+irritation, especially when, as he told me indignantly, he met Mr.
+Anstey emerging from the holy of holies, grinning and rubbing his hands
+and giving utterance to genial but unparliamentary expressions of amused
+satisfaction.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him
+better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a
+nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found
+him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty
+standard of conduct. His admiration for Thorndyke was unbounded, and I
+could see that the two men collaborated with the utmost sympathy and
+mutual satisfaction.
+</p>
+<p>
+But although I regarded Mr. Anstey with feelings of the liveliest
+friendship, I was far from gratified when, on the morning of which I am
+writing, I observed him from our sitting-room window crossing the
+gravelled space from Crown Office Row and evidently bearing down on our
+chambers. For the fact is that I was awaiting the arrival of Juliet, and
+should greatly have preferred to be alone at the moment, seeing that
+Thorndyke had already gone out. It is true that my fair enslaver was not
+due for nearly half-an-hour, but then, who could say how long Anstey
+would stay, or what embarrassments might arise from my efforts to
+escape? By all of which it may be perceived that my disease had reached
+a very advanced stage, and that I was unequal to those tactics of
+concealment that are commonly attributed to the ostrich.
+</p>
+<p>
+A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my
+peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man
+to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever. He shook my
+hand with mock solemnity, and, seating himself upon the edge of the
+table, proceeded to roll a cigarette with exasperating deliberation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I infer," said he, "that our learned brother is practising parlour
+magic upstairs, or peradventure he has gone on a journey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He has a consultation this morning," I answered. "Was he expecting
+you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Evidently not, or he would have been here. No, I just looked in to ask
+a question about the case of your friend Hornby. You know it comes on
+for trial next week?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; Thorndyke told me. What do you think of Hornby's prospects? Is he
+going to be convicted, or will he get an acquittal?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>He</i> will be entirely passive," replied Anstey, "but <i>we</i>"&mdash;here he
+slapped his chest impressively&mdash;"are going to secure an acquittal. You
+will be highly entertained, my learned friend, and Mr. The Enemy will be
+excessively surprised." He inspected the newly-made cigarette with a
+critical air and chuckled softly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You seem pretty confident," I remarked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am," he answered, "though Thorndyke considers failure
+possible&mdash;which, of course, it is if the jury-box should chance to be
+filled with microcephalic idiots and the judge should prove incapable
+of understanding simple technical evidence. But we hope that neither of
+these things will happen, and, if they do not, we feel pretty safe. By
+the way, I hope I am not divulging your principal's secrets?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well," I replied, with a smile, "you have been more explicit than
+Thorndyke ever has."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have I?" he exclaimed, with mock anxiety; "then I must swear you to
+secrecy. Thorndyke is so very close&mdash;and he is quite right too. I never
+cease admiring his tactics of allowing the enemy to fortify and
+barricade the entrance that he does <i>not</i> mean to attack. But I see you
+are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go&mdash;though
+not to that particular destination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand?" I asked malignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What! those foul Trichinopolies? Not while brown paper is to be
+obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig."
+</p>
+<p>
+I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care
+and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down
+the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
+</p>
+<p>
+He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate rat-tat
+from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth. I ran to
+the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the threshold.
+</p>
+<p>
+"May I come in?" she asked. "I want to have a few words with you before
+we start."
+</p>
+<p>
+I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and
+the hand that she held out to me trembled.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am greatly upset, Dr. Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I
+had placed for her. "Mr. Lawley has been giving us his views of poor
+Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hang Mr. Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily. "What made
+you go to him, Miss Gibson?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't go to him; he came to us. He dined with us last night&mdash;he and
+Walter&mdash;and his manner was gloomy in the extreme. After dinner Walter
+took him apart with me and asked him what he really thought of the case.
+He was most pessimistic. 'My dear sir,' he said, 'the only advice I can
+give you is that you prepare yourself to contemplate disaster as
+philosophically as you can. In my opinion your cousin is almost certain
+to be convicted.' 'But,' said Walter, 'what about the defence? I
+understood that there was at least a plausible case.' Mr. Lawley
+shrugged his shoulders. 'I have a sort of <i>alibi</i> that will go for
+nothing, but I have no evidence to offer in answer to that of the
+prosecution, and no case; and I may say, speaking in confidence, that I
+do not believe there is any case. I do not see how there can be any
+case, and I have heard nothing from Dr. Thorndyke to lead me to suppose
+that he has really done anything in the matter.' Is this true, Dr.
+Jervis? Oh! do tell me the real truth about it! I have been so miserable
+and terrified since I heard this, and I was so full of hope before. Tell
+me, is it true? Will Reuben be sent to prison after all?"
+</p>
+<p>
+In her agitation she laid her hands on my arm and looked up into my face
+with her grey eyes swimming with tears, and was so piteous, so trustful,
+and, withal, so bewitching that my reserve melted like snow before a
+July sun.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not true," I answered, taking her hands in mine and speaking
+perforce in a low tone that I might not betray my emotion. "If it were,
+it would mean that I have wilfully deceived you, that I have been false
+to our friendship; and how much that friendship has been to me, no one
+but myself will ever know."
+</p>
+<p>
+She crept a little closer to me with a manner at once penitent and
+wheedling.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not going to be angry with me, are you? It was foolish of me to
+listen to Mr. Lawley after all you have told me, and it did look like a
+want of trust in you, I know. But you, who are so strong and wise, must
+make allowance for a woman who is neither. It is all so terrible that I
+am quite unstrung; but say you are not really displeased with me, for
+that would hurt me most of all."
+</p>
+<p>
+Oh! Delilah! That concluding stroke of the shears severed the very last
+lock, and left me&mdash;morally speaking&mdash;as bald as a billiard ball.
+Henceforth I was at her mercy and would have divulged, without a
+scruple, the uttermost secrets of my principal, but that that astute
+gentleman had placed me beyond the reach of temptation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"As to being angry with you," I answered, "I am not, like Thorndyke, one
+to essay the impossible, and if I could be angry it would hurt me more
+than it would you. But, in fact, you are not to blame at all, and I am
+an egotistical brute. Of course you were alarmed and distressed; nothing
+could be more natural. So now let me try to chase away your fears and
+restore your confidence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have told you what Thorndyke said to Reuben: that he had good hopes
+of making his innocence clear to everybody. That alone should have been
+enough."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know it should," murmured Juliet remorsefully; "please forgive me
+for my want of faith."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But," I continued, "I can quote you the words of one to whose opinions
+you will attach more weight. Mr. Anstey was here less than half-an-hour
+ago&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you mean Reuben's counsel?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what did he say? Oh, do tell me what he said."
+</p>
+<p>
+"He said, in brief, that he was quite confident of obtaining an
+acquittal, and that the prosecution would receive a great surprise. He
+seemed highly pleased with his brief, and spoke with great admiration of
+Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did he really say that&mdash;that he was confident of an acquittal?" Her
+voice was breathless and unsteady, and she was clearly, as she had said,
+quite unstrung. "What a relief it is," she murmured incoherently; "and
+so very, very kind of you!" She wiped her eyes and laughed a queer,
+shaky little laugh; then, quite suddenly, she burst into a passion of
+sobbing.
+</p>
+<p>
+Hardly conscious of what I did, I drew her gently towards me, and rested
+her head on my shoulder whilst I whispered into her ear I know not what
+words of consolation; but I am sure that I called her "dear Juliet," and
+probably used other expressions equally improper and reprehensible.
+Presently she recovered herself, and, having dried her eyes, regarded me
+somewhat shamefacedly, blushing hotly, but smiling very sweetly
+nevertheless.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am ashamed of myself," she said, "coming here and weeping on your
+bosom like a great baby. It is to be hoped that your other clients do
+not behave in this way."
+</p>
+<p>
+Whereat we both laughed heartily, and, our emotional equilibrium being
+thus restored, we began to think of the object of our meeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I have wasted a great deal of time," said Juliet, looking
+at her watch. "Shall we be too late, do you think?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I hope not," I replied, "for Reuben will be looking for us; but we must
+hurry."
+</p>
+<p>
+I caught up my hat, and we went forth, closing the oak behind us, and
+took our way up King's Bench Walk in silence, but with a new and
+delightful sense of intimate comradeship. I glanced from time to time at
+my companion, and noted that her cheek still bore a rosy flush, and when
+she looked at me there was a sparkle in her eye, and a smiling softness
+in her glance, that stirred my heart until I trembled with the intensity
+of the passion that I must needs conceal. And even while I was feeling
+that I must tell her all, and have done with it, tell her that I was her
+abject slave, and she my goddess, my queen; that in the face of such a
+love as mine no man could have any claim upon her; even then, there
+arose the still, small voice that began to call me an unfaithful steward
+and to remind me of a duty and trust that were sacred even beyond love.
+</p>
+<p>
+In Fleet Street I hailed a cab, and, as I took my seat beside my fair
+companion, the voice began to wax and speak in bolder and sterner
+accents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Christopher Jervis," it said, "what is this that you are doing? Are you
+a man of honour or nought but a mean, pitiful blackguard? You, the
+trusted agent of this poor, misused gentleman, are you not planning in
+your black heart how you shall rob him of that which, if he is a man at
+all, must be more to him than his liberty, or even his honour? Shame on
+you for a miserable weakling! Have done with these philanderings and
+keep your covenants like a gentleman&mdash;or, at least, an honest man!"
+</p>
+<p>
+At this point in my meditations Juliet turned towards me with a coaxing
+smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My legal adviser seems to be revolving some deep and weighty matter,"
+she said.
+</p>
+<p>
+I pulled myself together and looked at her&mdash;at her sparkling eyes and
+rosy, dimpling cheeks, so winsome and lovely and lovable.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Come," I thought, "I must put an end to this at once, or I am lost."
+But it cost me a very agony of effort to do it&mdash;which agony, I trust,
+may be duly set to my account by those who may sit in judgement on me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your legal adviser, Miss Gibson," I said (and at that "Miss Gibson" I
+thought she looked at me a little queerly), "has been reflecting that he
+has acted considerably beyond his jurisdiction."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In what respect?" she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In passing on to you information which was given to him in very strict
+confidence, and, in fact, with an implied promise of secrecy on his
+part."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the information was not of a very secret character, was it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"More so than it appeared. You see, Thorndyke thinks it so important not
+to let the prosecution suspect that he has anything up his sleeve, that
+he has kept even Mr. Lawley in the dark, and he has never said as much
+to me as Anstey did this morning."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now you are sorry you told me; you think I have led you into a
+breach of trust. Is it not so?" She spoke without a trace of petulance,
+and her tone of dignified self-accusation made me feel a veritable worm.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My dear Miss Gibson," I expostulated, "you entirely misunderstand me. I
+am not in the least sorry that I told you. How could I have done
+otherwise under the circumstances? But I want you to understand that I
+have taken the responsibility of communicating to you what is really a
+professional secret, and that you are to consider it as such."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was how I understood it," replied Juliet; "and you may rely upon
+me not to utter a syllable on the subject to anyone."
+</p>
+<p>
+I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation,
+gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the
+incident of the cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And are Dr. Thorndyke's cigars so extraordinarily bad?" she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all," I replied; "only they are not to every man's taste. The
+Trichinopoly cheroot is Thorndyke's one dissipation, and, I must say, he
+takes it very temperately. Under ordinary circumstances he smokes a
+pipe; but after a specially heavy day's work, or on any occasion of
+festivity or rejoicing, he indulges in a Trichinopoly, and he smokes the
+very best that can be got."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So even the greatest men have their weaknesses," Juliet moralised; "but
+I wish I had known Dr. Thorndyke's sooner, for Mr. Hornby had a large
+box of Trichinopoly cheroots given to him, and I believe they were
+exceptionally fine ones. However, he tried one and didn't like it, so he
+transferred the whole consignment to Walter, who smokes all sorts and
+conditions of cigars."
+</p>
+<p>
+So we talked on from one commonplace to another, and each more
+conventional than the last. In my nervousness, I overdid my part, and
+having broken the ice, proceeded to smash it to impalpable fragments.
+Endeavouring merely to be unemotional and to avoid undue intimacy of
+manner, I swung to the opposite extreme and became almost stiff; and
+perhaps the more so since I was writhing with the agony of repression.
+</p>
+<p>
+Meanwhile a corresponding change took place in my companion. At first
+her manner seemed doubtful and bewildered; then she, too, grew more
+distant and polite and less disposed for conversation. Perhaps her
+conscience began to rebuke her, or it may be that my coolness suggested
+to her that her conduct had not been quite of the kind that would have
+commended itself to Reuben. But however that may have been, we continued
+to draw farther and farther apart; and in that short half-hour we
+retraced the steps of our growing friendship to such purpose that, when
+we descended from the cab at the prison gate, we seemed more like
+strangers than on the first day that we met. It was a miserable ending
+to all our delightful comradeship, and yet what other end could one
+expect in this world of cross purposes and things that might have been?
+In the extremity of my wretchedness I could have wept on the bosom of
+the portly warder who opened the wicket, even as Juliet had wept upon
+mine; and it was almost a relief to me, when our brief visit was over,
+to find that we should not return together to King's Cross as was our
+wont, but that Juliet would go back by omnibus that she might do some
+shopping in Oxford Street, leaving me to walk home alone.
+</p>
+<p>
+I saw her into her omnibus, and stood on the pavement looking wistfully
+at the lumbering vehicle as it dwindled in the distance. At last, with a
+sigh of deepest despondency, I turned my face homeward, and, walking
+like one in a dream, retraced the route over which I had journeyed so
+often of late and with such different sensations.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XIII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+MURDER BY POST
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The next few days were perhaps the most unhappy that I have known. My
+life, indeed, since I had left the hospital had been one of many
+disappointments and much privation. Unfulfilled desires and ambitions
+unrealised had combined with distaste for the daily drudgery that had
+fallen to my lot to embitter my poverty and cause me to look with gloomy
+distrust upon the unpromising future. But no sorrow that I had hitherto
+experienced could compare with the grief that I now felt in
+contemplating the irretrievable ruin of what I knew to be the great
+passion of my life. For to a man like myself, of few friends and deep
+affections, one great emotional upheaval exhausts the possibilities of
+nature; leaving only the capacity for feeble and ineffective echoes. The
+edifice of love that is raised upon the ruins of a great passion can
+compare with the original no more than can the paltry mosque that
+perches upon the mound of Jonah with the glories of the palace that lies
+entombed beneath.
+</p>
+<p>
+I had made a pretext to write to Juliet and had received a reply quite
+frank and friendly in tone, by which I knew that she had not&mdash;as some
+women would have done&mdash;set the blame upon me for our temporary outburst
+of emotion. And yet there was a subtle difference from her previous
+manner of writing that only emphasised the finality of our separation.
+</p>
+<p>
+I think Thorndyke perceived that something had gone awry, though I was
+at great pains to maintain a cheerful exterior and keep myself occupied,
+and he probably formed a pretty shrewd guess at the nature of the
+trouble; but he said nothing, and I only judged that he had observed
+some change in my manner by the fact that there was blended with his
+usual quiet geniality an almost insensible note of sympathy and
+affection.
+</p>
+<p>
+A couple of days after my last interview with Juliet, an event occurred
+which served, certainly, to relieve the tension and distract my
+thoughts, though not in a very agreeable manner.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was the pleasant, reposeful hour after dinner when it was our custom
+to sit in our respective easy chairs and, as we smoked our pipes,
+discuss some of the many topics in which we had a common interest. The
+postman had just discharged into the capacious letter-box an avalanche
+of letters and circulars, and as I sat glancing through the solitary
+letter that had fallen to my share, I looked from time to time at
+Thorndyke and noticed, as I had often done before, with some surprise, a
+curious habit that he had of turning over and closely scrutinising every
+letter and package before he opened it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observe, Thorndyke," I now ventured to remark, "that you always
+examine the outside of a letter before looking at the inside. I have
+seen other people do the same, and it has always appeared to me a
+singularly foolish proceeding. Why speculate over an unopened letter
+when a glance at the contents will tell you all there is to know?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are perfectly right," he answered, "if the object of the inspection
+is to discover who is the sender of the letter. But that is not my
+object. In my case the habit is one that has been deliberately
+cultivated&mdash;not in reference to letters only, but to everything that
+comes into my hands&mdash;the habit of allowing nothing to pass without a
+certain amount of conscious attention. The observant man is, in
+reality, the attentive man, and the so-called power of observation is
+simply the capacity for continuous attention. As a matter of fact, I
+have found in practice, that the habit is a useful one even in reference
+to letters; more than once I have gleaned a hint from the outside of a
+letter that has proved valuable when applied to the contents. Here, for
+instance, is a letter which has been opened after being fastened
+up&mdash;apparently by the aid of steam. The envelope is soiled and rubbed,
+and smells faintly of stale tobacco, and has evidently been carried in a
+pocket along with a well-used pipe. Why should it have been opened? On
+reading it I perceive that it should have reached me two days ago, and
+that the date has been skilfully altered from the thirteenth to the
+fifteenth. The inference is that my correspondent has a highly
+untrustworthy clerk."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But the correspondent may have carried the letter in his own pocket," I
+objected.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Hardly," replied Thorndyke. "He would not have troubled to steam his
+own letter open and close it again; he would have cut the envelope and
+addressed a fresh one. This the clerk could not do, because the letter
+was confidential and was addressed in the principal's handwriting. And
+the principal would have almost certainly added a postscript; and,
+moreover, he does not smoke. This, however, is all very obvious; but
+here is something rather more subtle which I have put aside for more
+detailed examination. What do you make of it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed me a small parcel to which was attached by string a
+typewritten address label, the back of which bore the printed
+inscription, "James Bartlett and Sons, Cigar Manufacturers, London and
+Havana."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," said I, after turning the little packet over and
+examining every part of it minutely, "that this is rather too subtle for
+me. The only thing that I observe is that the typewriter has bungled the
+address considerably. Otherwise this seems to me a very ordinary packet
+indeed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you have observed one point of interest, at any rate," said
+Thorndyke, taking the packet from me. "But let us examine the thing
+systematically and note down what we see. In the first place, you will
+notice that the label is an ordinary luggage label such as you may buy
+at any stationer's, with its own string attached. Now, manufacturers
+commonly use a different and more substantial pattern, which is attached
+by the string of the parcel. But that is a small matter. What is much
+more striking is the address on the label. It is typewritten and, as you
+say, typed very badly. Do you know anything about typewriters?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very little."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then you do not recognise the machine? Well, this label was typed with
+a Blickensderfer&mdash;an excellent machine, but not the form most commonly
+selected for the rough work of a manufacturer's office; but we will let
+that pass. The important point is this: the Blickensderfer Company make
+several forms of machine, the smallest and lightest of which is the
+literary, specially designed for the use of journalists and men of
+letters. Now this label was typed with the literary machine, or, at
+least, with the literary typewheel; which is really a very remarkable
+circumstance indeed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By this asterisk, which has been written by mistake, the inexpert
+operator having pressed down the figure lever instead of the one for
+capitals. The literary typewheel is the only one that has an asterisk,
+as I noticed when I was thinking of purchasing a machine. Here, then, we
+have a very striking fact, for even if a manufacturer chose to use a
+'Blick' in his factory, it is inconceivable that he should select the
+literary form in preference to the more suitable 'commercial' machine."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I agreed; "it is certainly very singular."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now," pursued Thorndyke, "to consider the writing itself. It has
+been done by an absolute beginner. He has failed to space in two places,
+he has written five wrong letters, and he has written figures instead of
+capitals in two instances."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; he has made a shocking muddle of it. I wonder he didn't throw the
+label away and type another."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Precisely," said Thorndyke. "And if we wish to find out why he did not,
+we have only to look at the back of the label. You see that the name of
+the firm, instead of being printed on the label itself in the usual
+manner, is printed on a separate slip of paper which is pasted on the
+label&mdash;a most foolish and clumsy arrangement, involving an immense waste
+of time. But if we look closely at the printed slip itself we perceive
+something still more remarkable; for that slip has been cut down to fit
+the label, and has been cut with a pair of scissors. The edges are not
+quite straight, and in one place the 'overlap,' which is so
+characteristic of the cut made with scissors, can be seen quite
+plainly."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed the packet to me with a reading-lens, through which I could
+distinctly make out the points he had mentioned.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now I need not point out to you," he continued, "that these slips
+would, ordinarily, have been trimmed by the printer to the correct size
+in his machine, which would leave an absolutely true edge; nor need I
+say that no sane business man would adopt such a device as this. The
+slip of paper has been cut with scissors to fit the label, and it has
+then been pasted on to the surface that it has been made to fit, when
+all this waste of time and trouble&mdash;which, in practice, means
+money&mdash;could have been saved by printing the name on the label itself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that is so; but I still do not see why the fellow should not have
+thrown away this label and typed another."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look at the slip again," said Thorndyke. "It is faintly but evenly
+discoloured and, to me, has the appearance of having been soaked in
+water. Let us, for the moment, assume that it has been. That would look
+as if it had been removed from some other package, which again would
+suggest that the person using it had only the one slip, which he had
+soaked off the original package, dried, cut down and pasted on the
+present label. If he pasted it on before typing the address&mdash;which he
+would most probably have done&mdash;he might well be unwilling to risk
+destroying it by soaking it a second time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You think, then, there is a suspicion that the package may have been
+tampered with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is no need to jump to conclusions," replied Thorndyke. "I merely
+gave this case as an instance showing that careful examination of the
+outside of a package or letter may lead us to bestow a little extra
+attention on the contents. Now let us open it and see what those
+contents are."
+</p>
+<p>
+With a sharp knife he divided the outside cover, revealing a stout
+cardboard box wrapped in a number of advertisement sheets. The box,
+when the lid was raised, was seen to contain a single cigar&mdash;a large
+cheroot&mdash;packed in cotton wool.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Trichy,' by Jove!" I exclaimed. "Your own special fancy, Thorndyke."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; and another anomaly, at once, you see, which might have escaped
+our notice if we had not been on the <i>qui vive</i>."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As a matter of fact, I <i>don't</i> see," said I. "You will think me an
+awful blockhead, but I don't perceive anything singular in a cigar
+manufacturer sending a sample cigar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You read the label, I think?" replied Thorndyke. "However, let us look
+at one of these leaflets and see what they say. Ah! here we are:
+'Messrs. Bartlett and Sons, who own extensive plantations on the island
+of Cuba, manufacture their cigars exclusively from selected leaves grown
+by themselves.' They would hardly make a Trichinopoly cheroot from leaf
+grown in the West Indies, so we have here a striking anomaly of an East
+Indian cigar sent to us by a West Indian grower."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And what do you infer from that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Principally that this cigar&mdash;which, by the way, is an uncommonly fine
+specimen and which I would not smoke for ten thousand pounds&mdash;is
+deserving of very attentive examination." He produced from his pocket a
+powerful doublet lens, with the aid of which he examined every part of
+the surface of the cigar, and finally, both ends.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look at the small end," he said, handing me the cigar and the lens,
+"and tell me if you notice anything."
+</p>
+<p>
+I focussed the lens on the flush-cut surface of closely-rolled leaf, and
+explored every part of it minutely.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It seems to me," I said, "that the leaf is opened slightly in the
+centre, as if a fine wire had been passed up it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"So it appeared to me," replied Thorndyke; "and, as we are in agreement
+so far, we will carry our investigations a step further."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laid the cigar down on the table, and, with the keen, thin-bladed
+penknife, neatly divided it lengthwise into two halves.
+</p>
+<p>
+"<i>Ecce signum</i>!" exclaimed Thorndyke, as the two parts fell asunder; and
+for a few moments we stood silently regarding the dismembered cheroot.
+For, about half an inch from the small end, there appeared a little
+circular patch of white, chalky material which, by the even manner in
+which it was diffused among the leaf, had evidently been deposited from
+a solution.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our ingenious friend again, I surmise," said Thorndyke at length,
+taking up one of the halves and examining the white patch through his
+lens. "A thoughtful soul, Jervis, and original too. I wish his talents
+could be applied in some other direction. I shall have to remonstrate
+with him if he becomes troublesome."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is your duty to society, Thorndyke," I exclaimed passionately, "to
+have this infernal, cold-blooded scoundrel arrested instantly. Such a
+man is a standing menace to the community. Do you really know who sent
+this thing?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can form a pretty shrewd guess, which, however, is not quite the same
+thing. But, you see, he has not been quite so clever this time, for he
+has left one or two traces by which his identity might be ascertained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Indeed! What traces has he left?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! now there is a nice little problem for us to consider." He settled
+himself in his easy chair and proceeded to fill his pipe with the air of
+a man who is about to discuss a matter of merely general interest.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Let us consider what information this ingenious person has given us
+about himself. In the first place, he evidently has a strong interest in
+my immediate decease. Now, why should he feel so urgent a desire for my
+death? Can it be a question of property? Hardly; for I am far from a
+rich man, and the provisions of my will are known to me alone. Can it
+then be a question of private enmity or revenge? I think not. To the
+best of my belief I have no private enemies whatever. There remains only
+my vocation as an investigator in the fields of legal and criminal
+research. His interest in my death must, therefore, be connected with my
+professional activities. Now, I am at present conducting an exhumation
+which may lead to a charge of murder; but if I were to die to-night the
+inquiry would be carried out with equal efficiency by Professor Spicer
+or some other toxicologist. My death would not affect the prospects of
+the accused. And so in one or two other cases that I have in hand; they
+could be equally well conducted by someone else. The inference is that
+our friend is not connected with any of these cases, but that he
+believes me to possess some exclusive information concerning
+him&mdash;believes me to be the one person in the world who suspects and can
+convict him. Let us assume the existence of such a person&mdash;a person of
+whose guilt I alone have evidence. Now this person, being unaware that I
+have communicated my knowledge to a third party, would reasonably
+suppose that by making away with me he had put himself in a position of
+security.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here, then, is our first point. The sender of this offering is
+probably a person concerning whom I hold certain exclusive information.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But see, now, the interesting corollary that follows from this. I,
+alone, suspect this person; therefore I have not published my
+suspicions, or others would suspect him too. Why, then, does he suspect
+me of suspecting him, since I have not spoken? Evidently, he too must be
+in possession of exclusive information. In other words, my suspicions
+are correct; for if they were not, he could not be aware of their
+existence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The next point is the selection of this rather unusual type of cigar.
+Why should he have sent a Trichinopoly instead of an ordinary Havana
+such as Bartletts actually manufacture? It looks as if he were aware of
+my peculiar predilection, and, by thus consulting my personal tastes,
+had guarded against the chance of my giving the cigar to some other
+person. We may, therefore, infer that our friend probably has some
+knowledge of my habits.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The third point is, What is the social standing of this gentle
+stranger, whom we will call X? Now, Bartletts do not send their
+advertisements and samples to Thomas, Richard and Henry. They send,
+chiefly, to members of the professions and men of means and position. It
+is true that the original package might have been annexed by a clerk,
+office boy or domestic servant; but the probabilities are that X
+received the package himself, and this is borne out by the fact that he
+was able to obtain access to a powerful alkaloidal poison&mdash;such as this
+undoubtedly is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In that case he would probably be a medical man or a chemist," I
+suggested.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not necessarily," replied Thorndyke. "The laws relating to poisons are
+so badly framed and administered that any well-to-do person, who has the
+necessary knowledge, can obtain almost any poison that he wants. But
+social position is an important factor, whence we may conclude that X
+belongs, at least, to the middle class.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The fourth point relates to the personal qualities of X. Now it is
+evident, from this instance alone, that he is a man of exceptional
+intelligence, of considerable general information, and both ingenious
+and resourceful. This cigar device is not only clever and original, but
+it has been adapted to the special circumstances with remarkable
+forethought. Thus the cheroot was selected, apparently, for two
+excellent reasons: first, that it was the most likely form to be smoked
+by the person intended, and second, that it did not require to have the
+end cut off&mdash;which might have led to a discovery of the poison. The plan
+also shows a certain knowledge of chemistry; the poison was not intended
+merely to be dissolved in the moisture of the mouth. The idea evidently
+was that the steam generated by the combustion of the leaf at the distal
+end, would condense in the cooler part of the cigar and dissolve the
+poison, and the solution would then be drawn into the mouth. Then the
+nature of the poison and certain similarities of procedure seem to
+identify X with the cyclist who used that ingenious bullet. The poison
+in this case is a white, non-crystalline solid; the poison contained in
+the bullet was a solution of a white, non-crystalline solid, which
+analysis showed to be the most poisonous of all akaloids.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The bullet was virtually a hypodermic syringe; the poison in this cigar
+has been introduced, in the form of an alcoholic or ethereal solution,
+by a hypodermic syringe. We shall thus be justified in assuming that the
+bullet and the cigar came from the same person; and, if this be so, we
+may say that X is a person of considerable knowledge, of great ingenuity
+and no mean skill as a mechanician&mdash;as shown by the manufacture of the
+bullet.
+</p>
+<p>
+"These are our principal facts&mdash;to which we may add the surmise that he
+has recently purchased a second-hand Blickensderfer of the literary form
+or, at least, fitted with a literary typewheel."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't quite see how you arrive at that," I said, in some surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is merely a guess, you know," he replied, "though a probable one. In
+the first place he is obviously unused to typing, as the numerous
+mistakes show; therefore he has not had the machine very long. The type
+is that which is peculiar to the Blickensderfer, and, in one of the
+mistakes, an asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
+literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
+of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
+have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
+letters which are the most used&mdash;the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
+is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
+the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
+second-hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
+secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
+having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
+the machine, should we ever meet with it."
+</p>
+<p>
+He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
+lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
+times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
+each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
+summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type&mdash;caused,
+probably, by its striking some small, hard object."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
+valuable point for identification."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
+joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
+premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
+has placed at our disposal.
+</p>
+<p>
+"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
+information.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
+skill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
+fitted with a literary typewheel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Sixth: That machine, whether his own or some other person's property,
+can be identified by a characteristic mark on the small 'e.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
+expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
+able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
+suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
+society&mdash;to say nothing of your clients, whose interests would suffer by
+your death&mdash;to have this fellow laid by the heels before he does any
+mischief."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I shall have to interfere if he becomes really troublesome, but I
+have reasons for wishing to leave him alone at present."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You do really know who he is, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, I think I can solve the equation that I have just offered to you
+for solution. You see, I have certain data, as you suggest, which you do
+not possess. There is, for instance, a certain ingenious gentleman
+concerning whom I hold what I believe to be exclusive information, and
+my knowledge of him does not make it appear unlikely that he might be
+the author of these neat little plans."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am much impressed," I said, as I put away my notebook, after having
+jotted down the points that Thorndyke had advised me to consider&mdash;"I am
+much impressed by your powers of observation and your capacity for
+reasoning from apparently trivial data; but I do not see, even now, why
+you viewed that cigar with such immediate and decided suspicion. There
+was nothing actually to suggest the existence of poison in it, and yet
+you seemed to form the suspicion at once and to search for it as though
+you expected to find it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "to a certain extent you are right. The idea
+of a poisoned cigar was not new to me&mdash;and thereby hangs a tale."
+</p>
+<p>
+He laughed softly and gazed into the fire with eyes that twinkled with
+quiet amusement. "You have heard me say," he resumed, after a short
+pause, "that when I first took these chambers I had practically nothing
+to do. I had invented a new variety of medico-legal practice and had to
+build it up by slow degrees, and the natural consequence was that, for a
+long time, it yielded nothing but almost unlimited leisure. Now, that
+leisure was by no means wasted, for I employed it in considering the
+class of cases in which I was likely to be employed, and in working out
+theoretical examples; and seeing that crimes against the person have
+nearly always a strong medical interest, I gave them special attention.
+For instance, I planned a series of murders, selecting royal personages
+and great ministers as the victims, and on each murder I brought to bear
+all the special knowledge, skill and ingenuity at my command. I inquired
+minutely into the habits of my hypothetical victims; ascertained who
+were their associates, friends, enemies and servants; considered their
+diet, their residences, their modes of conveyance, the source of their
+clothing and, in fact, everything which it was necessary to know in
+order to achieve their deaths with certainty and with absolute safety to
+the murderer."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How deeply gratified and flattered those great personages would have
+felt," I remarked, "if they had known how much attention they were
+receiving."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I suppose it would have been somewhat startling, to the Prime
+Minister, for instance, to have learned that he was being watched and
+studied by an attentive observer and that the arrangements for his
+decease had been completed down to the minutest detail. But, of course,
+the application of the method to a particular case was the essential
+thing, for it brought into view all the incidental difficulties, in
+meeting which all the really interesting and instructive details were
+involved. Well, the particulars of these crimes I wrote out at length,
+in my private shorthand, in a journal which I kept for the purpose&mdash;and
+which, I need not say, I locked up securely in my safe when I was not
+using it. After completing each case, it was my custom to change sides
+and play the game over again from the opposite side of the board; that
+is to say, I added, as an appendix to each case, an analysis with a
+complete scheme for the detection of the crime. I have in my safe at the
+present moment six volumes of cases, fully indexed; and I can assure you
+that they are not only highly instructive reading, but are really
+valuable as works of reference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I can readily believe," I replied, laughing heartily,
+nevertheless, at the grotesqueness of the whole proceeding, "though they
+might have proved rather incriminating documents if they had passed out
+of your possession."
+</p>
+<p>
+"They would never have been read," rejoined Thorndyke. "My shorthand is,
+I think, quite undecipherable; it has been so made intentionally with a
+view to secrecy."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And have any of your theoretical cases ever turned up in real life?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Several of them have, though very imperfectly planned and carried out
+as a rule. The poisoned cigar is one of them, though, of course I should
+never have adopted such a conspicuous device for presenting it; and the
+incident of the other night is a modification&mdash;for the worse&mdash;of
+another. In fact, most of the intricate and artistic crimes with which I
+have had to deal professionally have had their more complete and
+elaborate prototypes in my journals."
+</p>
+<p>
+I was silent for some time, reflecting on the strange personality of my
+gifted friend and the singular fitness that he presented for the part he
+had chosen to play in the drama of social life; but presently my
+thoughts returned to the peril that overshadowed him, and I came back,
+once more, to my original question.
+</p>
+<p>
+"And now, Thorndyke," I said, "that you have penetrated both the motives
+and the disguise of this villain, what are you going to do? Is he to be
+put safely under lock and key, or is he to be left in peace and security
+to plan some other, and perhaps more successful, scheme for your
+destruction?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"For the present," replied Thorndyke, "I am going to put these things in
+a place of safety. To-morrow you shall come with me to the hospital and
+see me place the ends of the cigar in the custody of Dr. Chandler, who
+will make an analysis and report on the nature of the poison. After that
+we shall act in whatever way seems best."
+</p>
+<p>
+Unsatisfactory as this conclusion appeared, I knew it was useless to
+raise further objections, and, accordingly, when the cigar with its
+accompanying papers and wrappings had been deposited in a drawer, we
+dismissed it, if not from our thoughts, at least from our conversation.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XIV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The morning of the trial, so long looked forward to, had at length
+arrived, and the train of events which it has been my business to
+chronicle in this narrative was now fast drawing to an end. To me those
+events had been in many ways of the deepest moment. Not only had they
+transported me from a life of monotonous drudgery into one charged with
+novelty and dramatic interest; not only had they introduced me to a
+renascence of scientific culture and revived under new conditions my
+intimacy with the comrade of my student days; but, far more momentous
+than any of these, they had given me the vision&mdash;all too fleeting&mdash;of
+happiness untold, with the reality of sorrow and bitter regret that
+promised to be all too enduring.
+</p>
+<p>
+Whence it happened that on this morning my thoughts were tinged with a
+certain greyness. A chapter in my life that had been both bitter and
+sweet was closing, and already I saw myself once more an Ishmaelite and
+a wanderer among strangers.
+</p>
+<p>
+This rather egotistical frame of mind, however, was soon dispelled when
+I encountered Polton, for the little man was in a veritable twitter of
+excitement at the prospect of witnessing the clearing up of the
+mysteries that had so severely tried his curiosity; and even Thorndyke,
+beneath his habitual calm, showed a trace of expectancy and pleasurable
+anticipation.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have taken the liberty of making certain little arrangements on your
+behalf," he said, as we sat at breakfast, "of which I hope you will not
+disapprove. I have written to Mrs. Hornby, who is one of the witnesses,
+to say that you will meet her at Mr. Lawley's office and escort her and
+Miss Gibson to the court. Walter Hornby may be with them, and, if he is,
+you had better leave him, if possible, to come on with Lawley."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will not come to the office, then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I shall go straight to the court with Anstey. Besides, I am
+expecting Superintendent Miller from Scotland Yard, who will probably
+walk down with us."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am glad to hear that," I said; "for I have been rather uneasy at the
+thought of your mixing in the crowd without some kind of protection."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, you see that I am taking precautions against the assaults of the
+too-ingenious X, and, to tell the truth&mdash;and also to commit a flagrant
+bull&mdash;I should never forgive myself if I allowed him to kill me before I
+had completed Reuben Hornby's defence. Ah, here is Polton&mdash;that man is
+on wires this morning; he has been wandering in and out of the rooms
+ever since he came, like a cat in a new house."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It's quite true, sir," said Polton, smiling and unabashed, "so it's no
+use denying it. I have come to ask what we are going to take with us to
+the court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will find a box and a portfolio on the table in my room," replied
+Thorndyke. "We had better also take a microscope and the micrometers,
+though we are not likely to want them; that is all, I think."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A box and a portfolio," repeated Polton in a speculative tone. "Yes,
+sir, I will take them with me." He opened the door and was about to pass
+out, when, perceiving a visitor ascending the stairs, he turned back.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Here's Mr. Miller, from Scotland Yard, sir; shall I show him in?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, do." He rose from his chair as a tall, military-looking man
+entered the room and saluted, casting, at the same time, an inquiring
+glance in my direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Good morning, Doctor," he said briskly. "I got your letter and couldn't
+make such of it, but I have brought down a couple of plain-clothes men
+and a uniform man, as you suggested. I understand you want a house
+watched?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, and a man, too. I will give you the particulars presently&mdash;that
+is, if you think you can agree to my conditions."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That I act entirely on my own account and make no communication to
+anybody? Well, of course, I would rather you gave me all the facts and
+let me proceed in the regular way; but if you make conditions I have no
+choice but to accept them, seeing that you hold the cards."
+</p>
+<p>
+Perceiving that the matter in hand was of a confidential nature, I
+thought it best to take my departure, which I accordingly did, as soon
+as I had ascertained that it wanted yet half-an-hour to the time at
+which Mrs. Hornby and Juliet were due at the lawyer's office.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Lawley received me with stiffness that bordered on hostility. He was
+evidently deeply offended at the subordinate part that he had been
+compelled to play in the case, and was at no great pains to conceal the
+fact.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am informed," said he, in a frosty tone, when I had explained my
+mission, "that Mrs. Hornby and Miss Gibson are to meet you here. The
+arrangement is none of my making; none of the arrangements in this case
+are of my making. I have been treated throughout with a lack of ceremony
+and confidence that is positively scandalous. Even now, I&mdash;the solicitor
+for the defence&mdash;am completely in the dark as to what defence is
+contemplated, though I fully expect to be involved in some ridiculous
+fiasco. I only trust that I may never again be associated with any of
+your hybrid practitioners. <i>Ne sutor ultra crepidam</i>, sir, is an
+excellent motto; let the medical cobbler stick to his medical last."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It remains to be seen what kind of boot he can turn out on the legal
+last," I retorted.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so," he rejoined; "but I hear Mrs. Hornby's voice in the outer
+office, and as neither you nor I have any time to waste in idle talk, I
+suggest that you make your way to the court without delay. I wish you
+good morning!"
+</p>
+<p>
+Acting on this very plain hint, I retired to the clerks' office, where I
+found Mrs. Hornby and Juliet, the former undisguisedly tearful and
+terrified, and the latter calm, though pale and agitated.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We had better start at once," I said, when we had exchanged greetings.
+"Shall we take a cab, or walk?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think we will walk, if you don't mind," said Juliet. "Mrs. Hornby
+wants to have a few words with you before we go into court. You see, she
+is one of the witnesses, and she is terrified lest she should say
+something damaging to Reuben."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By whom was the subpoena served?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Lawley sent it," replied Mrs. Hornby, "and I went to see him about
+it the very next day, but he wouldn't tell me anything&mdash;he didn't seem
+to know what I was wanted for, and he wasn't at all nice&mdash;not at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I expect your evidence will relate to the 'Thumbograph,'" I said.
+"There is really nothing else in connection with the case that you have
+any knowledge of."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is just what Walter said," exclaimed Mrs. Hornby. "I went to his
+rooms to talk the matter over with him. He is very upset about the whole
+affair, and I am afraid he thinks very badly of poor Reuben's prospects.
+I only trust he may be wrong! Oh dear! What a dreadful thing it is, to
+be sure!" Here the poor lady halted to mop her eyes elaborately, to the
+surprise and manifest scorn of a passing errand boy.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He was very thoughtful and sympathetic&mdash;Walter, I mean, you know,"
+pursued Mrs. Hornby, "and most helpful. He asked me all I knew about
+that horrid little book, and took down my answers in writing. Then he
+wrote out the questions I was likely to be asked, with my answers, so
+that I could read them over and get them well into my head. Wasn't it
+good of him! And I made him print them with his machine so that I could
+read them without my glasses, and he did it beautifully. I have the
+paper in my pocket now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I didn't know Mr. Walter went in for printing," I said. "Has he a
+regular printing press?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It isn't a printing press exactly," replied Mrs. Hornby; "it is a small
+thing with a lot of round keys that you press down&mdash;Dickensblerfer, I
+think it is called&mdash;ridiculous name, isn't it? Walter bought it from one
+of his literary friends about a week ago; but he is getting quite clever
+with it already, though he does make a few mistakes still, as you can
+see."
+</p>
+<p>
+She halted again, and began to search for the opening of a pocket which
+was hidden away in some occult recess of her clothing, all unconscious
+of the effect that her explanation had produced on me. For, instantly,
+as she spoke, there flashed into my mind one of the points that
+Thorndyke had given me for the identification of the mysterious X. "He
+has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand Blickensderfer,
+fitted with a literary typewheel." The coincidence was striking and even
+startling, though a moment's reflection convinced me that it was
+nothing more than a coincidence; for there must be hundreds of
+second-hand "Blicks" on the market, and, as to Walter Hornby, he
+certainly could have no quarrel with Thorndyke, but would rather be
+interested in his preservation on Reuben's account.
+</p>
+<p>
+These thoughts passed through my mind so rapidly that by the time Mrs.
+Hornby had run her pocket to earth I had quite recovered from the
+momentary shock.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! here it is," she exclaimed triumphantly, producing an obese Morocco
+purse. "I put it in here for safety, knowing how liable one is to get
+one's pocket picked in these crowded London streets." She opened the
+bulky receptacle and drew it out after the manner of a concertina,
+exhibiting multitudinous partitions, all stuffed with pieces of paper,
+coils of tape and sewing silk, buttons, samples of dress materials and
+miscellaneous rubbish, mingled indiscriminately with gold, silver, and
+copper coins.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now just run your eye through that, Dr. Jervis," she said, handing me a
+folded paper, "and give me your advice on my answers."
+</p>
+<p>
+I opened the paper and read: "The Committee of the Society for the
+Protection of Paralysed Idiots, in submitting this&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! that isn't it; I have given you the wrong paper. How silly of me!
+That is the appeal of&mdash;you remember, Juliet, dear, that troublesome
+person&mdash;I had, really, to be quite rude, you know, Dr. Jervis; I had to
+tell him that charity begins at home, although, thank Heaven! none of us
+are paralysed, but we must consider our own, mustn't we? And then&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you think this is the one, dear?" interposed Juliet, in whose pale
+cheek the ghost of a dimple had appeared. "It looks cleaner than most
+of the others."
+</p>
+<p>
+She selected a folded paper from the purse which Mrs. Hornby was holding
+with both hands extended to its utmost, as though she were about to
+produce a burst of music, and, opening it, glanced at its contents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, this is your evidence," she said, and passed the paper to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+I took the document from her hand and, in spite of the conclusion at
+which I had arrived, examined it with eager curiosity. And at the very
+first glance I felt my head swim and my heart throb violently. For the
+paper was headed: "Evidence respecting the Thumbograph," and in every
+one of the five small "e's" that occurred in that sentence I could see
+plainly by the strong out-door light a small break or interval in the
+summit of the loop.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was thunderstruck.
+</p>
+<p>
+One coincidence was quite possible and even probable; but the two
+together, and the second one of so remarkable a character, were beyond
+all reasonable limits of probability. The identification did not seem to
+admit of a doubt, and yet&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Our legal adviser appears to be somewhat preoccupied," remarked Juliet,
+with something of her old gaiety of manner; and, in fact, though I held
+the paper in my hand, my gaze was fixed unmeaningly on an adjacent
+lamp-post. As she spoke, I pulled myself together, and, scanning the
+paper hastily, was fortunate enough to find in the first paragraph
+matter requiring comment.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observe, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "that in answer to the first question,
+'Whence did you obtain the "Thumbograph"?' you say, 'I do not remember
+clearly; I think I must have bought it at a railway bookstall.' Now I
+understood that it was brought home and given to you by Walter himself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was what I thought," replied Mrs. Hornby, "but Walter tells me
+that it was not so, and, of course, he would remember better than I
+should."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, my dear aunt, I am sure he gave it to you," interposed Juliet.
+"Don't you remember? It was the night the Colleys came to dinner, and we
+were so hard pressed to find amusement for them, when Walter came in and
+produced the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I remember quite well now," said Mrs. Hornby. "How fortunate that
+you reminded me. We must alter that answer at once."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If I were you, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "I would disregard this paper
+altogether. It will only confuse you and get you into difficulties.
+Answer the questions that are put, as well as you can, and if you don't
+remember, say so."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, that will be much the wisest plan," said Juliet. "Let Dr. Jervis
+take charge of the paper and rely on your own memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I will do what you think
+best, and you can keep the paper, Dr. Jervis, or throw it away."
+</p>
+<p>
+I slipped the document into my pocket without remark, and we proceeded
+on our way, Mrs. Hornby babbling inconsequently, with occasional
+outbursts of emotion, and Juliet silent and abstracted. I struggled to
+concentrate my attention on the elder lady's conversation, but my
+thoughts continually reverted to the paper in my pocket, and the
+startling solution that it seemed to offer of the mystery of the
+poisoned cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+Could it be that Walter Hornby was in reality the miscreant X? The thing
+seemed incredible, for, hitherto, no shadow of suspicion had appeared
+to fall on him. And yet there was no denying that his description
+tallied in a very remarkable manner with that of the hypothetical X. He
+was a man of some means and social position; he was a man of
+considerable knowledge and mechanical skill, though as to his ingenuity
+I could not judge. He had recently bought a second-hand Blickensderfer
+which probably had a literary typewheel, since it was purchased from a
+literary man; and that machine showed the characteristic mark on the
+small "e." The two remaining points, indeed, were not so clear.
+Obviously I could form no opinion as to whether or not Thorndyke held
+any exclusive information concerning him, and, with reference to his
+knowledge of my friend's habits, I was at first inclined to be doubtful
+until I suddenly recalled, with a pang of remorse and self-accusation,
+the various details that I had communicated to Juliet and that she might
+easily, in all innocence, have handed on to Walter. I had, for instance,
+told her of Thorndyke's preference for the Trichinopoly cheroot, and of
+this she might very naturally have spoken to Walter, who possessed a
+supply of them. Again, with regard to the time of our arrival at King's
+Cross, I had informed her of this in a letter which was in no way
+confidential, and again there was no reason why the information should
+not have been passed on to Walter, who was to have been one of the party
+at the family dinner. The coincidence seemed complete enough, in all
+truth; yet it was incredible that Reuben's cousin could be so
+blackhearted a villain or could have any motive for these dastardly
+crimes.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly a new idea struck me. Mrs Hornby had obtained access to this
+typewriting machine; and if Mrs. Hornby could do so, why not John
+Hornby? The description would, for the most part, fit the elder man as
+well as the younger, though I had no evidence of his possessing any
+special mechanical skill; but my suspicions had already fastened upon
+him, and I remembered that Thorndyke had by no means rejected my theory
+which connected him with the crime.
+</p>
+<p>
+At this point, my reflections were broken in upon by Mrs. Hornby, who
+grasped my arm and uttered a deep groan. We had reached the corner of
+the Old Bailey, and before us were the frowning walls of Newgate. Within
+those walls, I knew&mdash;though I did not mention the fact&mdash;that Reuben
+Hornby was confined with the other prisoners who were awaiting their
+trial; and a glance at the massive masonry, stained to a dingy grey by
+the grime of the city, put an end to my speculations and brought me back
+to the drama that was so nearly approaching its climax.
+</p>
+<p>
+Down the old thoroughfare, crowded with so many memories of hideous
+tragedy; by the side of the gloomy prison; past the debtors' door with
+its forbidding spiked wicket; past the gallows gate with its festoons of
+fetters; we walked in silence until we reached the entrance to the
+Sessions House.
+</p>
+<p>
+Here I was not a little relieved to find Thorndyke on the look-out for
+us, for Mrs. Hornby, in spite of really heroic efforts to control her
+emotion, was in a state of impending hysteria, while Juliet, though
+outwardly calm and composed, showed by the waxen pallor of her cheeks
+and a certain wildness of her eyes that all her terror was reviving; and
+I was glad that they were spared the unpleasantness of contact with the
+policemen who guarded the various entrances.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We must be brave," said Thorndyke gently, as he took Mrs. Hornby's
+hand, "and show a cheerful face to our friend who has so much to bear
+and who bears it so patiently. A few more hours, and I hope we shall see
+restored, not only his liberty, but his honour. Here is Mr. Anstey, who,
+we trust, will be able to make his innocence apparent."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey, who, unlike Thorndyke, had already donned his wig and gown,
+bowed gravely, and, together, we passed through the mean and grimy
+portals into a dark hall. Policemen in uniform and unmistakable
+detectives stood about the various entries, and little knots of people,
+evil-looking and unclean for the most part, lurked in the background or
+sat on benches and diffused through the stale, musty air that
+distinctive but indescribable odour that clings to police vans and
+prison reception rooms; an odour that, in the present case, was
+pleasantly mingled with the suggestive aroma of disinfectants. Through
+the unsavoury throng we hurried, and up a staircase to a landing from
+which several passages diverged. Into one of these passages&mdash;a sort of
+"dark entry," furnished with a cage-like gate of iron bars&mdash;we passed to
+a black door, on which was painted the inscription, "Old Court. Counsel
+and clerks."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey held the door open for us, and we passed through into the court,
+which at once struck me with a sense of disappointment. It was smaller
+than I had expected, and plain and mean to the point of sordidness. The
+woodwork was poor, thinly disguised by yellow graining, and slimy with
+dirt wherever a dirty hand could reach it. The walls were distempered a
+pale, greenish grey; the floor was of bare and dirty planking, and the
+only suggestions of dignity or display were those offered by the canopy
+over the judge's seat&mdash;lined with scarlet baize and surmounted by the
+royal arms&mdash;the scarlet cushions of the bench, and the large, circular
+clock in the gallery, which was embellished with a gilded border and
+asserted its importance by a loud, aggressive tick.
+</p>
+<p>
+Following Anstey and Thorndyke into the well of the court, we were
+ushered into one of the seats reserved for counsel&mdash;the third from the
+front&mdash;where we sat down and looked about us, while our two friends
+seated themselves in the front bench next to the central table. Here, at
+the extreme right, a barrister&mdash;presumably the counsel for the
+prosecution&mdash;was already in his place and absorbed in the brief that lay
+on the desk before him. Straight before us were the seats for the jury,
+rising one above the other, and at their side the witness-box. Above us
+on the right was the judge's seat, and immediately below it a structure
+somewhat resembling a large pew or a counting-house desk, surmounted by
+a brass rail, in which a person in a grey wig&mdash;the clerk of the
+court&mdash;was mending a quill pen. On our left rose the dock&mdash;suggestively
+large and roomy&mdash;enclosed at the sides with high glazed frames; and
+above it, near the ceiling, was the spectators' gallery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What a hideous place!" exclaimed Juliet, who separated me from Mrs.
+Hornby. "And how sordid and dirty everything looks!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," I answered. "The uncleanness of the criminal is not confined to
+his moral being; wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of actual, physical
+dirt. It is not so long ago that the dock and the bench alike used to be
+strewn with medicinal herbs, and I believe the custom still survives of
+furnishing the judge with a nosegay as a preventive of jail-fever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And to think that Reuben should be brought to a place like this!"
+Juliet continued bitterly; "to be herded with such people as we saw
+downstairs!"
+</p>
+<p>
+She sighed and looked round at the benches that rose behind us, where a
+half-dozen reporters were already seated and apparently in high spirits
+at the prospect of a sensational case.
+</p>
+<p>
+Our conversation was now interrupted by the clatter of feet on the
+gallery stairs, and heads began to appear over the wooden parapet.
+Several junior counsel filed into the seats in front of us; Mr. Lawley
+and his clerk entered the attorney's bench; the ushers took their stand
+below the jury-box; a police officer seated himself at a desk in the
+dock; and inspectors, detectives and miscellaneous officers began to
+gather in the entries or peer into the court through the small glazed
+openings in the doors.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XV
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+The hum of conversation that had been gradually increasing as the court
+filled suddenly ceased. A door at the back of the dais was flung open;
+counsel, solicitors, and spectators alike rose to their feet; and the
+judge entered, closely followed by the Lord Mayor, the sheriff, and
+various civic magnates, all picturesque and gorgeous in their robes and
+chains of office. The Clerk of Arraigns took his place behind his table
+under the dais; the counsel suspended their conversation and fingered
+their briefs; and, as the judge took his seat, lawyers, officials, and
+spectators took their seats, and all eyes were turned towards the dock.
+</p>
+<p>
+A few moments later Reuben Hornby appeared in the enclosure in company
+with a warder, the two rising, apparently, from the bowels of the earth,
+and, stepping forward to the bar, stood with a calm and self-possessed
+demeanour, glancing somewhat curiously around the court. For an instant
+his eye rested upon the group of friends and well-wishers seated behind
+the counsel, and the faintest trace of a smile appeared on his face; but
+immediately he turned his eyes away and never again throughout the trial
+looked in our direction.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Clerk of Arraigns now rose and, reading from the indictment which
+lay before him on the table, addressed the prisoner&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Reuben Hornby, you stand indicted for that you did, on the ninth or
+tenth day of March, feloniously steal a parcel of diamonds of the goods
+and chattels of John Hornby. Are you guilty or not guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not guilty," replied Reuben.
+</p>
+<p>
+The Clerk of Arraigns, having noted the prisoner's reply, then
+proceeded&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The gentlemen whose names are about to be called will form the jury who
+are to try you. If you wish to object to any of them, you must do so as
+each comes to the book to be sworn, and before he is sworn. You will
+then be heard."
+</p>
+<p>
+In acknowledgment of this address, which was delivered in clear, ringing
+tones, and with remarkable distinctness, Reuben bowed to the clerk, and
+the process of swearing-in the jury was commenced, while the counsel
+opened their briefs and the judge conversed facetiously with an official
+in a fur robe and a massive neck chain.
+</p>
+<p>
+Very strange, to unaccustomed eyes and ears, was the effect of this
+function&mdash;half solemn and half grotesque, with an effect intermediate
+between that of a religious rite and that of a comic opera. Above the
+half-suppressed hum of conversation the clerk's voice arose at regular
+intervals, calling out the name of one of the jurymen, and, as its owner
+stood up, the court usher, black-gowned and sacerdotal of aspect,
+advanced and proffered the book. Then, as the juryman took the volume in
+his hand, the voice of the usher resounded through the court like that
+of a priest intoning some refrain or antiphon&mdash;an effect that was
+increased by the rhythmical and archaic character of the formula&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Samuel Seppings!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A stolid-looking working-man rose and, taking the Testament in his hand,
+stood regarding the usher while that official sang out in a solemn
+monotone&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have
+in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence. So help
+you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"James Piper!" Another juryman rose and was given the Book to hold; and
+again the monotonous sing-song arose&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make, etc."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall scream aloud if that horrible chant goes on much longer,"
+Juliet whispered. "Why don't they all swear at once and have done with
+it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That would not meet the requirements," I answered. "However, there are
+only two more, so you must have patience."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you will have patience with me, too, won't you? I am horribly
+frightened. It is all so solemn and dreadful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You must try to keep up your courage until Dr. Thorndyke has given his
+evidence," I said. "Remember that, until he has spoken, everything is
+against Reuben; so be prepared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will try," she answered meekly; "but I can't help being terrified."
+</p>
+<p>
+The last of the jurymen was at length sworn, and when the clerk had once
+more called out the names one by one, the usher counting loudly as each
+man answered to his name, the latter officer turned to the Court and
+spectators, and proclaimed in solemn tones&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"If anyone can inform my Lords the King's justices, the King's
+attorney-general, or the King's serjeant, ere this inquest be now taken
+between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, of any
+treason, murder, felony or misdemeanour, committed or done by him, let
+him come forth and he shall be heard; for the prisoner stands at the bar
+upon his deliverance."
+</p>
+<p>
+This proclamation was followed by a profound silence, and after a brief
+interval the Clerk of Arraigns turned towards the jury and addressed
+them collectively&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner at the bar stands indicted by the
+name of Reuben Hornby, for that he, on the ninth or tenth of March,
+feloniously did steal, take and carry away a parcel of diamonds of the
+goods of John Hornby. To this indictment he has pleaded that he is not
+guilty, and your charge is to inquire whether he be guilty or not and to
+hearken to the evidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+When he had finished his address the clerk sat down, and the judge, a
+thin-faced, hollow-eyed elderly man, with bushy grey eyebrows and a very
+large nose, looked attentively at Reuben for some moments over the tops
+of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. Then he turned towards the counsel nearest
+the bench and bowed slightly.
+</p>
+<p>
+The barrister bowed in return and rose, and for the first time I
+obtained a complete view of Sir Hector Trumpler, K.C., the counsel for
+the prosecution. His appearance was not prepossessing nor&mdash;though he was
+a large man and somewhat florid as to his countenance&mdash;particularly
+striking, except for a general air of untidiness. His gown was slipping
+off one shoulder, his wig was perceptibly awry, and his pince-nez
+threatened every moment to drop from his nose.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The case that I have to present to you, my lord and gentlemen of the
+jury," he began in a clear, though unmusical voice, "is one the like of
+which is but too often met with in this court. It is one in which we
+shall see unbounded trust met by treacherous deceit, in which we shall
+see countless benefactions rewarded by the basest ingratitude, and in
+which we shall witness the deliberate renunciation of a life of
+honourable effort in favour of the tortuous and precarious ways of the
+criminal. The facts of the case are briefly as follows: The prosecutor
+in this case&mdash;most unwilling prosecutor, gentlemen&mdash;is Mr. John Hornby,
+who is a metallurgist and dealer in precious metals. Mr. Hornby has two
+nephews, the orphan sons of his two elder brothers, and I may tell you
+that since the decease of their parents he has acted the part of a
+father to both of them. One of these nephews is Mr. Walter Hornby, and
+the other is Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the bar. Both of these
+nephews were received by Mr. Hornby into his business with a view to
+their succeeding him when he should retire, and both, I need not say,
+occupied positions of trust and responsibility.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, on the evening of the ninth of March there was delivered to Mr.
+Hornby a parcel of rough diamonds of which one of his clients asked him
+to take charge pending their transfer to the brokers. I need not burden
+you with irrelevant details concerning this transaction. It will suffice
+to say that the diamonds, which were of the aggregate value of about
+thirty thousand pounds, were delivered to him, and the unopened package
+deposited by him in his safe, together with a slip of paper on which he
+had written in pencil a memorandum of the circumstances. This was on the
+evening of the ninth of March, as I have said. Having deposited the
+parcel, Mr. Hornby locked the safe, and shortly afterwards left the
+premises and went home, taking the keys with him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the following morning, when he unlocked the safe, he perceived with
+astonishment and dismay that the parcel of diamonds had vanished. The
+slip of paper, however, lay at the bottom of the safe, and on picking it
+up Mr. Hornby perceived that it bore a smear of blood, and in addition,
+the distinct impression of a human thumb. On this he closed and locked
+the safe and sent a note to the police station, in response to which a
+very intelligent officer&mdash;Inspector Sanderson&mdash;came and made a
+preliminary examination. I need not follow the case further, since the
+details will appear in the evidence, but I may tell you that, in effect,
+it has been made clear, beyond all doubt, that the thumb-print on that
+paper was the thumb-print of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+He paused to adjust his glasses, which were in the very act of falling
+from his nose, and hitch up his gown, while he took a leisurely survey
+of the jury, as though he were estimating their impressionability. At
+this moment I observed Walter Hornby enter the court and take up a
+position at the end of our bench nearest the door; and, immediately
+after, Superintendent Miller came in and seated himself on one of the
+benches opposite.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The first witness whom I shall call," said Sir Hector Trumpler, "is
+John Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby, looking wild and agitated, stepped into the witness-box, and
+the usher, having handed him the Testament, sang out&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The evidence you shall give to the court and jury sworn, between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar shall be the truth,
+the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby kissed the Book, and, casting a glance of unutterable misery
+at his nephew, turned towards the counsel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Your name is John Hornby, is it not?" asked Sir Hector.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you occupy premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am a dealer in precious metals, but my business consists
+principally in the assaying of samples of ore and quartz and bars of
+silver and gold."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember what happened on the ninth of March last?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perfectly. My nephew Reuben&mdash;the prisoner&mdash;delivered to me a parcel of
+diamonds which he had received from the purser of the <i>Elmina Castle</i>,
+to whom I had sent him as my confidential agent. I had intended to
+deposit the diamonds with my banker, but when the prisoner arrived at my
+office, the banks were already closed, so I had to put the parcel, for
+the night, in my own safe. I may say that the prisoner was not in any
+way responsible for the delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are not here to defend the prisoner," said Sir Hector. "Answer my
+questions and make no comments, if you please. Was anyone present when
+you placed the diamonds in the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No one was present but myself."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not ask if you were present when you put them in," said Sir
+Hector (whereupon the spectators sniggered and the judge smiled
+indulgently). "What else did you do?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I wrote in pencil on a leaf of my pocket memorandum block, 'Handed in
+by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01,' and initialled it. Then I tore the leaf
+from the block and laid it on the parcel, after which I closed the safe
+and locked it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How soon did you leave the premises after this?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Almost immediately. The prisoner was waiting for me in the outer
+office&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind where the prisoner was; confine your answers to what is
+asked. Did you take the keys with you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did you next open the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the following morning at ten o'clock."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was the safe locked or unlocked when you arrived?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was locked. I unlocked it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything unusual about the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had the keys left your custody in the interval?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. They were attached to a key-chain, which I always wear."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are there any duplicates of those keys?&mdash;the keys of the safe, I mean."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, there are no duplicates."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have the keys ever gone out of your possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. If I have had to be absent from the office for a considerable
+time, it has been my custom to hand the keys to one of my nephews,
+whichever has happened to be in charge at the time."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And never to any other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never to any other person."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you observe when you opened the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I observed that the parcel of diamonds had disappeared."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything else?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I found the leaf from my memorandum block lying at the bottom of
+the safe. I picked it up and turned it over, and then saw that there
+were smears of blood on it and what looked like the print of a thumb in
+blood. The thumb-mark was on the under-surface, as the paper lay at the
+bottom of the safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I closed and locked the safe, and sent a note to the police station
+saying that a robbery had been committed on my premises."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have known the prisoner several years, I believe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I have known him all his life. He is my eldest brother's son."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then you can tell us, no doubt, whether he is left-handed or
+right-handed?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say he was ambidextrous, but he uses his left hand by
+preference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"A fine distinction, Mr. Hornby; a very fine distinction. Now tell me,
+did you ascertain beyond all doubt that the diamonds were really gone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; I examined the safe thoroughly, first by myself and afterwards
+with the police. There was no doubt that the diamonds had really gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When the detective suggested that you should have the thumb-prints of
+your two nephews taken, did you refuse?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I refused."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why did you refuse?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Because I did not choose to subject my nephews to the indignity.
+Besides, I had no power to make them submit to the proceeding."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had you any suspicions of either of them?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I had no suspicions of anyone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly examine this piece of paper, Mr. Hornby," said Sir Hector,
+passing across a small oblong slip, "and tell us if you recognise it."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hornby glanced at the paper for a moment, and then said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is the memorandum slip that I found lying at the bottom of the
+safe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How do you identify it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"By the writing on it, which is in my own hand, and bears my initials."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it the memorandum that you placed on the parcel of diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was there any thumb-mark or blood-smear on it when you placed it in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it possible that there could have been any such marks?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite impossible. I tore it from my memorandum block at the time I
+wrote upon it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well." Sir Hector Trumpler sat down, and Mr. Anstey stood up to
+cross-examine the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us, Mr. Hornby," said he, "that you have known the
+prisoner all his life. Now what estimate have you formed of his
+character?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have always regarded him as a young man of the highest
+character&mdash;honourable, truthful, and in every way trustworthy. I have
+never, in all my experience of him, known him to deviate a
+hair's-breadth from the strictest honour and honesty of conduct."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You regarded him as a man of irreproachable character. Is that so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is so; and my opinion of him is unchanged."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he, to your knowledge, any expensive or extravagant habits?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. His habits are simple and rather thrifty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you ever known him to bet, gamble, or speculate?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has he ever seemed to be in want of money?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. He has a small private income, apart from his salary, which I know
+he does not spend, since I have occasionally employed my broker to
+invest his savings."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Apart from the thumb-print which was found in the safe, are you aware
+of any circumstances that would lead you to suspect the prisoner of
+having stolen the diamonds?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the
+perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Inspector Sanderson!"
+</p>
+<p>
+The dapper police officer stepped briskly into the box, and having been
+duly sworn, faced the prosecuting counsel with the air of a man who was
+prepared for any contingency.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you remember," said Sir Hector, after the usual preliminaries had
+been gone through, "what occurred on the morning of the tenth of March?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A note was handed to me at the station at 10.23 a.m. It was from
+Mr. John Hornby, and stated that a robbery had occurred at his premises
+in St. Mary Axe. I went to the premises and arrived there at 10.31 a.m.
+There I saw the prosecutor, Mr. John Hornby, who told me that a parcel
+of diamonds had been stolen from the safe. At his request I examined the
+safe. There were no signs of its having been forced open; the locks
+seemed to be quite uninjured and in good order. Inside the safe, on the
+bottom, I found two good-sized drops of blood, and a slip of paper with
+pencil-writing on it. The paper bore two blood-smears and a print of a
+human thumb in blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper?" asked the counsel, passing a small slip across to
+the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," replied the inspector, after a brief glance at the document.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I sent a message to Scotland Yard acquainting the Chief of the Criminal
+Investigation Department with the facts, and then went back to the
+station. I had no further connection with the case."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector sat down, and the judge glanced at Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You tell us," said the latter, rising, "that you observed two
+good-sized drops of blood on the bottom of the safe. Did you notice the
+condition of the blood, whether moist or dry?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The blood looked moist, but I did not touch it. I left it undisturbed
+for the detective officers to examine."
+</p>
+<p>
+The next witness called was Sergeant Bates, of the Criminal
+Investigation Department. He stepped into the box with the same ready,
+business-like air as the other officer, and, having been sworn,
+proceeded to give his evidence with a fluency that suggested careful
+preparation, holding an open notebook in his hand but making no
+references to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+"On the tenth of March, at 12.8 p.m., I received instructions to proceed
+to St. Mary Axe to inquire into a robbery that had taken place there.
+Inspector Sanderson's report was handed to me, and I read it in the cab
+on my way to the premises. On arriving at the premises at 12.30 p.m., I
+examined the safe carefully. It was quite uninjured, and there were no
+marks of any kind upon it. I tested the locks and found them perfect;
+there were no marks or indications of any picklock having been used. On
+the bottom of the inside I observed two rather large drops of a dark
+fluid. I took up some of the fluid on a piece of paper and found it to
+be blood. I also found, in the bottom of the safe, the burnt head of a
+wax match, and, on searching the floor of the office, I found, close by
+the safe, a used wax match from which the head had fallen. I also found
+a slip of paper which appeared to have been torn from a perforated
+block. On it was written in pencil, 'Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m.
+9.3.01. J.H.' There were two smears of blood on the paper and the
+impression of a human thumb in blood. I took possession of the paper in
+order that it might be examined by the experts. I inspected the office
+doors and the outer door of the premises, but found no signs of forcible
+entrance on any of them. I questioned the housekeeper, but obtained no
+information from him. I then returned to headquarters, made my report
+and handed the paper with the marks on it to the Superintendent."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper that you found in the safe?" asked the counsel, once
+more handing the leaflet across.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; this is the paper."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What happened next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The following afternoon I was sent for by Mr. Singleton, of the
+Finger-print Department. He informed me that he had gone through the
+files and had not been able to find any thumb-print resembling the one
+on the paper, and recommended me to endeavour to obtain prints of the
+thumbs of any persons who might have been concerned in the robbery. He
+also gave me an enlarged photograph of the thumb-print for reference if
+necessary. I accordingly went to St. Mary Axe and had an interview with
+Mr. Hornby, when I requested him to allow me to take prints of the
+thumbs of all the persons employed on the premises, including his two
+nephews. This he refused, saying that he distrusted finger-prints and
+that there was no suspicion of anyone on the premises. I asked if he
+would allow his nephews to furnish their thumb-prints privately, to
+which he replied, 'Certainly not.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had you then any suspicion of either of the nephews?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought they were both open to some suspicion. The safe had certainly
+been opened with false keys, and as they had both had the real keys in
+their possession it was possible that one of them might have taken
+impressions in wax and made counterfeit keys."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I called on Mr. Hornby several times and urged him, for the sake of his
+nephews' reputations, to sanction the taking of the thumb-prints; but he
+refused very positively and forbade them to submit, although I
+understood that they were both willing. It then occurred to me to try if
+I could get any help from Mrs. Hornby, and on the fifteenth of March I
+called at Mr. Hornby's private house and saw her. I explained to her
+what was wanted to clear her nephews from the suspicion that rested on
+them, and she then said that she could dispose of those suspicions at
+once, for she could show me the thumb-prints of the whole family: she
+had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Thumbograph'?" repeated the judge. "What is a 'Thumbograph'?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"A 'Thumbograph,' my lord," said he, "is a book, like this, in which
+foolish people collect the thumb-prints of their more foolish
+acquaintances."
+</p>
+<p>
+He passed the volume up to the judge, who turned over the leaves
+curiously and then nodded to the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. She said she had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then she fetched from a drawer a small red-covered book which she
+showed to me. It contained the thumb-prints of all the family and some
+of her friends."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the book?" asked the judge, passing the volume down to the
+witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+The sergeant turned over the leaves until he came to one which he
+apparently recognised, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, m'lord; this is the book. Mrs. Hornby showed me the thumb-prints
+of various members of the family, and then found those of the two
+nephews. I compared them with the photograph that I had with me and
+discovered that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby was in
+every respect identical with the thumb-print shown in the photograph."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you do then?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I asked Mrs. Hornby to lend me the 'Thumbograph' so that I might show
+it to the Chief of the Finger-print Department, to which she consented.
+I had not intended to tell her of my discovery, but, as I was leaving,
+Mr. Hornby arrived home, and when he heard of what had taken place, he
+asked me why I wanted the book, and then I told him. He was greatly
+astonished and horrified, and wished me to return the book at once. He
+proposed to let the whole matter drop and take the loss of the diamonds
+on himself; but I pointed out that this was impossible as it would
+practically amount to compounding a felony. Seeing that Mrs. Hornby was
+so distressed at the idea of her book being used in evidence against her
+nephew, I promised her that I would return it to her if I could obtain a
+thumb-print in any other way.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I then took the 'Thumbograph' to Scotland Yard and showed it to Mr.
+Singleton, who agreed that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby
+was in every respect identical with the thumb-print on the paper found
+in the safe. On this I applied for a warrant for the arrest of Reuben
+Hornby, which I executed on the following morning. I told the prisoner
+what I had promised Mrs. Hornby, and he then offered to allow me to take
+a print of his left thumb so that his aunt's book should not have to be
+used in evidence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How is it, then," asked the judge, "that it has been put in evidence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has been put in by the defence, my lord," said Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said the judge. "'A hair of the dog that bit him.' The
+'Thumbograph' is to be applied as a remedy on the principle that
+<i>similia similibus curantur.</i> Well?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"When I arrested him, I administered the usual caution, and the prisoner
+then said, 'I am innocent. I know nothing about the robbery.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+The counsel for the prosecution sat down, and Anstey rose to
+cross-examine.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us," said he, in his clear musical voice, "that you found
+at the bottom of the safe two rather large drops of a dark fluid which
+you considered to be blood. Now, what led you to believe that fluid to
+be blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I took some of the fluid up on a piece of white paper, and it had the
+appearance and colour of blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it examined microscopically or otherwise?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not to my knowledge."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was it quite liquid?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I should say quite liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What appearance had it on paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It looked like a clear red liquid of the colour of blood, and was
+rather thick and sticky."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the
+name of Francis Simmons, was called.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are the housekeeper at Mr. Hornby's premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+asked Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you notice anything unusual on the night of the ninth of March?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you make your usual rounds on that occasion?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I went all over the premises several times during the night, and
+the rest of the time I was in a room over the private office."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who arrived first on the morning of the tenth?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Reuben. He arrived about twenty minutes before anybody else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What part of the building did he go to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He went into the private office, which I opened for him. He remained
+there until a few minutes before Mr. Hornby arrived, when he went up to
+the laboratory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who came next?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Hornby, and Mr. Walter came in just after him."
+</p>
+<p>
+The counsel sat down, and Anstey proceeded to cross-examine the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who was the last to leave the premises on the evening of the ninth?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why are you not sure?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I had to take a note and a parcel to a firm in Shoreditch. When I
+started, a clerk named Thomas Holker was in the outer office and Mr.
+Walter Hornby was in the private office. When I returned they had both
+gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Was the outer door locked?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had Holker a key of the outer door?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Mr. Hornby and his two nephews had each a key, and I have one. No
+one else had a key."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How long were you absent?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"About three-quarters of an hour."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who gave you the note and the parcel?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Walter Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did he give them to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"He gave them to me just before I started, and told me to go at once
+for fear the place should be closed before I got there."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And was the place closed?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It was all shut up, and everybody had gone."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey resumed his seat, the witness shuffled out of the box with an air
+of evident relief, and the usher called out, "Henry James Singleton."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton rose from his seat at the table by the solicitors for the
+prosecution and entered the box. Sir Hector adjusted his glasses, turned
+over a page of his brief, and cast a steady and impressive glance at the
+jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I believe, Mr. Singleton," he said at length, "that you are connected
+with the Finger-print Department at Scotland Yard?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am one of the chief assistants in that department."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What are your official duties?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My principal occupation consists in the examination and comparison of
+the finger-prints of criminals and suspected persons. These
+finger-prints are classified by me according to their characters and
+arranged in files for reference."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I take it that you have examined a great number of finger-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have examined many thousands of finger-prints, and have studied them
+closely for purposes of identification."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly examine this paper, Mr. Singleton" (here the fatal leaflet was
+handed to him by the usher); "have you ever seen it before?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It was handed to me for examination at my office on the tenth of
+March."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is a mark upon it&mdash;the print of a finger or thumb. Can you tell
+us anything about that mark?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the
+bar."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are quite sure of that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you swear that the mark upon that paper was made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Could it not have been made by the thumb of some other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; it is impossible that it could have been made by any other person."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment I felt Juliet lay a trembling hand on mine, and, glancing
+at her, I saw that she was deathly pale. I took her hand in mine and,
+pressing it gently, whispered to her, "Have courage; there is nothing
+unexpected in this."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," she whispered in reply, with a faint smile; "I will try;
+but it is all so horribly unnerving."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You consider," Sir Hector proceeded, "that the identity of this
+thumb-print admits of no doubt?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It admits of no doubt whatever," replied Mr. Singleton.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you explain to us, without being too technical, how you have
+arrived at such complete certainty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I myself took a print of the prisoner's thumb&mdash;having first obtained
+the prisoner's consent after warning him that the print would be used in
+evidence against him&mdash;and I compared that print with the mark on this
+paper. The comparison was made with the greatest care and by the most
+approved method, point by point and detail by detail, and the two prints
+were found to be identical in every respect.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now it has been proved by exact calculations&mdash;which calculations I
+have personally verified&mdash;-that the chance that the print of a single
+finger of any given person will be exactly like the print of the same
+finger of any other given person is as one to sixty-four thousand
+millions. That is to say that, since the number of the entire human race
+is about sixteen thousand millions, the chance is about one to four that
+the print of a single finger of any one person will be identical with
+that of the same finger of any other member of the human race.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It has been said by a great authority&mdash;and I entirely agree with the
+statement&mdash;that a complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two
+prints of a single finger affords evidence requiring no corroboration
+that the persons from whom they were made are the same.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, these calculations apply to the prints of ordinary and normal
+fingers or thumbs. But the thumb from which these prints were taken is
+not ordinary or normal. There is upon it a deep but clean linear
+scar&mdash;the scar of an old incised wound&mdash;and this scar passes across the
+pattern of the ridges, intersecting the latter at certain places and
+disturbing their continuity at others. Now this very characteristic scar
+is an additional feature, having a set of chances of its own. So that we
+have to consider not only the chance that the print of the prisoner's
+left thumb should be identical with the print of some other person's
+left thumb&mdash;which is as one to sixty-four thousand millions&mdash;but the
+further chance that these two identical thumb-prints should be traversed
+by the impression of a scar identical in size and appearance, and
+intersecting the ridges at exactly the same places and producing
+failures of continuity in the ridges of exactly the same character. But
+these two chances, multiplied into one another, yield an ultimate chance
+of about one to four thousand trillions that the prisoner's left thumb
+will exactly resemble the print of some other person's thumb, both as to
+the pattern and the scar which crosses the pattern; in other words such
+a coincidence is an utter impossibility."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler took off his glasses and looked long and steadily at
+the jury as though he should say, "Come, my friends; what do you think
+of that?" Then he sat down with a jerk and turned towards Anstey and
+Thorndyke with a look of triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
+seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," replied Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
+counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
+satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
+he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
+detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
+faintest shadow of a smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Herbert John Nash!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
+the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
+believe, Mr. Nash?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
+the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am certain that no mistake is possible."
+</p>
+<p>
+Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
+seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
+the margin of his brief.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
+in the ink.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."
+</p>
+<p>
+Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"I call witnesses, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
+his brief introductory speech&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
+Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
+the evidence of my witnesses without delay."
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
+broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
+quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
+whisper&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
+can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
+lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
+innocence as ever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some means of proving
+his innocence."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I suppose so," she rejoined in a dejected whisper. "At any rate we
+shall soon know now."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this moment the usher's voice was heard calling out the name of the
+first witness for the defence.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Edmund Horford Rowe!"
+</p>
+<p>
+A keen-looking, grey-haired man, with a shaven face and close-cut
+side-whiskers, stepped into the box and was sworn in due form.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are a doctor of medicine, I believe," said Anstey, addressing the
+witness, "and lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the South London
+Hospital?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you had occasion to study the properties of blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. The properties of blood are of great importance from a
+medico-legal point of view."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you tell us what happens when a drop of blood&mdash;say from a cut
+finger&mdash;falls upon a surface such as the bottom of an iron safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A drop of blood from a living body falling upon any non-absorbent
+surface will, in the course of a few minutes, solidify into a jelly
+which will, at first, have the same bulk and colour as the liquid
+blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will it undergo any further change?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. In a few minutes more the jelly will begin to shrink and become
+more solid so that the blood will become separated into two parts, the
+solid and the liquid. The solid part will consist of a firm, tough jelly
+of a deep red colour, and the liquid part will consist of a pale yellow,
+clear, watery liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"At the end, say, of two hours, what will be the condition of the drop
+of blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will consist of a drop of clear, nearly colourless liquid, in the
+middle of which will be a small, tough, red clot."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Supposing such a drop to be taken up on a piece of white paper, what
+would be its appearance?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"The paper would be wetted by the colourless liquid, and the solid clot
+would probably adhere to the paper in a mass."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would the blood on the paper appear as a clear, red liquid?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly not. The liquid would appear like water, and the clot would
+appear as a solid mass sticking to the paper."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Does blood always behave in the way you have described?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Always, unless some artificial means are taken to prevent it from
+clotting."
+</p>
+<p>
+"By what means can blood be prevented from clotting or solidifying?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two principal methods. One is to stir or whip the fresh blood
+rapidly with a bundle of fine twigs. When this is done, the fibrin&mdash;the
+part of the blood that causes solidification&mdash;adheres to the twigs, and
+the blood that remains, though it is unchanged in appearance, will
+remain liquid for an indefinite time. The other method is to dissolve a
+certain proportion of some alkaline salt in the fresh blood, after which
+it no longer has any tendency to solidify."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have heard the evidence of Inspector Sanderson and Sergeant Bates?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Inspector Sanderson has told us that he examined the safe at 10.31 a.m.
+and found two good-sized drops of blood on the bottom. Sergeant Bates
+has told us that he examined the safe two hours later, and that he took
+up one of the drops of blood on a piece of white paper. The blood was
+then quite liquid, and, on the paper, it looked like a clear, red liquid
+of the colour of blood. What should you consider the condition and
+nature of that blood to have been?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"If it was really blood at all, I should say that it was either
+defibrinated blood&mdash;that is, blood from which the fibrin has been
+extracted by whipping&mdash;or that it had been treated with an alkaline
+salt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are of opinion that the blood found in the safe could not have been
+ordinary blood shed from a cut or wound?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure it could not have been."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Dr. Rowe, I am going to ask you a few questions on another
+subject. Have you given any attention to finger-prints made by bloody
+fingers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I have recently made some experiments on the subject."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you give us the results of those experiments?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My object was to ascertain whether fingers wet with fresh blood would
+yield distinct and characteristic prints. I made a great number of
+trials, and as a result found that it is extremely difficult to obtain a
+clear print when the finger is wetted with fresh blood. The usual result
+is a mere red blot showing no ridge pattern at all, owing to the blood
+filling the furrows between the ridges. But if the blood is allowed to
+dry almost completely on the finger, a very clear print is obtained."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is it possible to recognise a print that has been made by a nearly dry
+finger?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; quite easily. The half-dried blood is nearly solid and adheres to
+the paper in a different way from the liquid, and it shows minute
+details, such as the mouths of the sweat glands, which are always
+obliterated by the liquid."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Look carefully at this paper, which was found in the safe, and tell me
+what you see."
+</p>
+<p>
+The witness took the paper and examined it attentively, first with the
+naked eye and then with a pocket-lens.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I see," said he, "two blood-marks and a print, apparently of a thumb.
+Of the two marks, one is a blot, smeared slightly by a finger or thumb;
+the other is a smear only. Both were evidently produced with quite
+liquid blood. The thumb-print was also made with liquid blood."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are quite sure that the thumb-print was made with liquid blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there anything unusual about the thumb-print?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It is extraordinarily clear and distinct. I have made a great
+number of trials and have endeavoured to obtain the clearest prints
+possible with fresh blood; but none of my prints are nearly as distinct
+as this one."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here the witness produced a number of sheets of paper, each of which was
+covered with the prints of bloody fingers, and compared them with the
+memorandum slip.
+</p>
+<p>
+The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat
+down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression
+on his face, to cross-examine.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You say that the blood found in the safe was defibrinated or
+artificially treated. What inference do you draw from that fact?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I infer that it was not dropped from a bleeding wound."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you form any idea how such blood should have got into the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You say that the thumb-print is a remarkably distinct one. What
+conclusion do you draw from that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not draw any conclusion. I cannot account for its distinctness at
+all."
+</p>
+<p>
+The learned counsel sat down with rather a baffled air, and I observed a
+faint smile spread over the countenance of my colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Arabella Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+A muffled whimpering from my neighbour on the left hand was accompanied
+by a wild rustling of silk. Glancing at Mrs. Hornby, I saw her stagger
+from the bench, shaking like a jelly, mopping her eyes with her
+handkerchief and grasping her open purse. She entered the witness-box,
+and, having gazed wildly round the court, began to search the
+multitudinous compartments of her purse.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The evidence you shall give," sang out the usher&mdash;whereat Mrs. Hornby
+paused in her search and stared at him apprehensively&mdash;"to the court and
+jury sworn, between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the
+bar shall be the truth,&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," said Mrs. Hornby stiffly, "I&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"&mdash;the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+</p>
+<p>
+He held out the Testament, which she took from him with a trembling hand
+and forthwith dropped with a resounding bang on to the floor of the
+witness-box, diving after it with such precipitancy that her bonnet
+jammed violently against the rail of the box.
+</p>
+<p>
+She disappeared from view for a moment, and then rose from the depths
+with a purple face and her bonnet flattened and cocked over one ear like
+an artillery-man's forage cap.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kiss the Book, if you please," said the usher, suppressing a grin by
+an heroic effort, as Mrs. Hornby, encumbered by her purse, her
+handkerchief and the Testament, struggled to unfasten her
+bonnet-strings. She clawed frantically at her bonnet, and, having dusted
+the Testament with her handkerchief, kissed it tenderly and laid it on
+the rail of the box, whence it fell instantly on to the floor of the
+court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am really very sorry!" exclaimed Mrs. Hornby, leaning over the rail
+to address the usher as he stooped to pick up the Book, and discharging
+on to his back a stream of coins, buttons and folded bills from her open
+purse; "you will think me very awkward, I'm afraid."
+</p>
+<p>
+She mopped her face and replaced her bonnet rakishly on one side, as
+Anstey rose and passed a small red book across to her.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Kindly look at that book, Mrs. Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I'd rather not," said she, with a gesture of repugnance. "It is
+associated with matters of so extremely disagreeable a character&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you recognise it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do I recognise it! How can you ask me such a question when you must
+know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Answer the question," interposed the judge. "Do you or do you not
+recognise the book in your hand?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course I recognise it. How could I fail to&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then say so," said the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have said so," retorted Mrs. Hornby indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued&mdash;"It is called a
+'Thumbograph,' I believe."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes: the name 'Thumbograph' is printed on the cover, so I suppose that
+is what it is called."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Will you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+For one moment Mrs. Hornby stared wildly at her interrogator; then she
+snatched a paper from her purse, unfolded it, gazed at it with an
+expression of dismay, and crumpled it up in the palm of her hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are asked a question," said the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "The Committee of the Society&mdash;no, that is
+the wrong one&mdash;I mean Walter, you know&mdash;at least&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You were speaking of the committee of some society," interposed the
+judge. "What society were you referring to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. Hornby spread out the paper and, after a glance at it, replied&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"The Society of Paralysed Idiots, your worship," whereat a rumble of
+suppressed laughter arose from the gallery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But what has that society to do with the 'Thumbograph'?" inquired the
+judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nothing, your worship. Nothing at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then why did you refer to it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure I don't know," said Mrs. Hornby, wiping her eyes with the
+paper and then hastily exchanging it for her handkerchief.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge took off his glasses and gazed at Mrs. Hornby with an
+expression of bewilderment. Then he turned to the counsel and said in a
+weary voice&mdash;"Proceed, if you please, Mr. Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?" said the latter in persuasive accents.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I thought it was Walter, and so did my niece, but Walter says it was
+not, and he ought to know, being young and having a most excellent
+memory, as I had myself when I was his age, and really, you know, it
+can't possibly matter where I got the thing&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"But it does matter," interrupted Anstey. "We wish particularly to
+know."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you mean that you wish to get one like it&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We do not," said Anstey. "We wish to know how that particular
+'Thumbograph' came into your possession. Did you, for instance, buy it
+yourself, or was it given to you by someone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter says I bought it myself, but I thought he gave it to me, but he
+says he did not, and you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind what Walter says. What is your own impression?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why I still think that he gave it to me, though, of course, seeing that
+my memory is not what it was&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"You think that Walter gave it to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, in fact I feel sure he did, and so does my niece."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Walter is your nephew, Walter Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, of course. I thought you knew."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you recall the occasion on which the 'Thumbograph' was given to
+you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh yes, quite distinctly. We had some people to dinner&mdash;some people
+named Colley&mdash;not the Dorsetshire Colleys, you know, although they are
+exceedingly nice people, as I have no doubt the other Colleys are, too,
+when you know them, but we don't. Well, after dinner we were a little
+dull and rather at a loss, because Juliet, my niece, you know, had cut
+her finger and couldn't play the piano excepting with the left hand, and
+that is so monotonous as well as fatiguing, and the Colleys are not
+musical, excepting Adolphus, who plays the trombone, but he hadn't got
+it with him, and then, fortunately, Walter came in and brought the
+'Thumbograph' and took all our thumb-prints and his own as well, and we
+were very much amused, and Matilda Colley&mdash;that is the eldest daughter
+but one&mdash;said that Reuben jogged her elbow, but that was only an
+excuse&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Exactly," interrupted Anstey. "And you recollect quite clearly that
+your nephew Walter gave you the 'Thumbograph' on that occasion?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, distinctly; though, you know, he is really my husband's nephew&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. And you are sure that he took the thumb-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Quite sure."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And you are sure that you never saw the 'Thumbograph' before that?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never. How could I? He hadn't brought it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you ever lent the 'Thumbograph' to anyone?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, never. No one has ever wanted to borrow it, because, you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Has it never, at any time, gone out of your possession?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that; in fact, I have often thought, though I hate
+suspecting people, and I really don't suspect anybody in particular, you
+know, but it certainly was very peculiar and I can't explain it in any
+other way. You see, I kept the 'Thumbograph' in a drawer in my writing
+table, and in the same drawer I used to keep my handkerchief-bag&mdash;in
+fact I do still, and it is there at this very moment, for in my hurry
+and agitation, I forgot about it until we were in the cab, and then it
+was too late, because Mr. Lawley&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. You kept it in a drawer with your handkerchief-bag."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That was what I said. Well, when Mr. Hornby was staying at Brighton he
+wrote to ask me to go down for a week and bring Juliet&mdash;Miss Gibson, you
+know&mdash;with me. So we went, and, just as we were starting, I sent Juliet
+to fetch my handkerchief-bag from the drawer, and I said to her,
+'Perhaps we might take the thumb-book with us; it might come in useful
+on a wet day.' So she went, and presently she came back and said that
+the 'Thumbograph' was not in the drawer. Well, I was so surprised that I
+went back with her and looked myself, and sure enough the drawer was
+empty. Well, I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came
+home again, as soon as we got out of the cab, I gave Juliet my
+handkerchief-bag to put away, and presently she came running to me in a
+great state of excitement. 'Why, Auntie,' she said,' the "Thumbograph"
+is in the drawer; somebody must have been meddling with your writing
+table.' I went with her to the drawer, and there, sure enough, was the
+'Thumbograph.' Somebody must have taken it out and put it back while we
+were away."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Who could have had access to your writing table?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, anybody, because, you see, the drawers were never locked. We
+thought it must have been one of the servants."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Had anyone been to the house during your absence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. Nobody, except, of course, my two nephews; and neither of them had
+touched it, because we asked them, and they both said they had not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you." Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another
+correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when
+Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You made some reference," said he, "to a society&mdash;the Society of
+Paralysed Idiots, I think, whatever that may be. Now what caused you to
+make that reference?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was a mistake; I was thinking of something else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know it was a mistake. You referred to a paper that was in your
+hand."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did not refer to it, I merely looked at it. It is a letter from the
+Society of Paralysed Idiots. It is nothing to do with me really, you
+know; I don't belong to the society, or anything of that sort."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you mistake that paper for some other paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I took it for a paper with some notes on it to assist my memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What kind of notes?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh, just the questions I was likely to be asked."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Were the answers that you were to give to those questions also written
+on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course they were. The questions would not have been any use without
+the answers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you been asked the questions that were written on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; at least, some of them."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you given the answers that were written down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I don't think I have&mdash;in fact, I am sure I haven't, because, you see&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah! you don't think you have." Sir Hector Trumpler smiled significantly
+at the jury, and continued&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now who wrote down those questions and answers?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"My nephew, Walter Hornby. He thought, you know&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Never mind what he thought. Who advised or instructed him to write them
+down?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nobody. It was entirely his own idea, and very thoughtful of him, too,
+though Dr. Jervis took the paper away from me and said I must rely on my
+memory."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector was evidently rather taken aback by this answer, and sat down
+suddenly, with a distinctly chapfallen air.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Where is this paper on which the questions and answers are written?"
+asked the judge. In anticipation of this inquiry I had already handed it
+to Thorndyke, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
+on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
+Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
+passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
+that he had written "X = W.H."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
+glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
+strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
+his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
+whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
+compare it with his notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
+making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
+with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
+court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
+usher called out&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
+to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
+Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
+the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
+"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
+the worst very soon now, at any rate."
+</p>
+<p>
+"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
+defence really is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
+and I&mdash;though not ordinarily a religious man&mdash;murmured "Amen!"
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH16"><!-- CH16 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XVI
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
+unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
+what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
+the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
+attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
+now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
+had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
+flowing gown or awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
+court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
+looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
+at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
+distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
+massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
+the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
+it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
+of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
+and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
+believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I did."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
+treated&mdash;probably by defibrination."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
+on the paper that was found in the safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. A great deal of attention."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
+Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you examine it thoroughly?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
+their permission, I took several photographs of it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
+the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you agree to that statement?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do not."
+</p>
+<p>
+"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."
+</p>
+<p>
+At this statement the judge paused for a moment, pen in hand, and
+stared at Thorndyke with his mouth slightly open, while the two experts
+looked at one another with raised eyebrows.
+</p>
+<p>
+"By what means do you consider that the mark was produced?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"By means of a stamp, either of indiarubber or, more probably, of
+chromicized gelatine."
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Polton, who had been, by degrees, rising to an erect posture, smote
+his thigh a resounding thwack and chuckled aloud, a proceeding that
+caused all eyes, including those of the judge, to be turned on him.
+</p>
+<p>
+"If that noise is repeated," said the judge, with a stony stare at the
+horrified offender&mdash;who had shrunk into the very smallest space that I
+have ever seen a human being occupy&mdash;"I shall cause the person who made
+it to be removed from the court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I understand, then," pursued Anstey, "that you consider the
+thumb-print, which has been sworn to as the prisoner's, to be a
+forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. It is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But is it possible to forge a thumb-print or a finger-print?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not only possible, but quite easy to do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"As easy as to forge a signature, for instance?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Much more so, and infinitely more secure. A signature, being written
+with a pen, requires that the forgery should also be written with a pen,
+a process demanding very special skill and, after all, never resulting
+in an absolute <i>facsimile</i>. But a finger-print is a stamped
+impression&mdash;the finger-tip being the stamp; and it is only necessary to
+obtain a stamp identical in character with the finger-tip, in order to
+produce an impression which is an absolute <i>facsimile</i>, in every
+respect, of the original, and totally indistinguishable from it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Would there be no means at all of detecting the difference between a
+forged finger-print and the genuine original?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"None whatever; for the reason that there would be no difference to
+detect."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But you have stated, quite positively, that the thumb-print on this
+paper is a forgery. Now, if the forged print is indistinguishable from
+the original, how are you able to be certain that this particular print
+is a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I was speaking of what is possible with due care, but, obviously, a
+forger might, through inadvertence, fail to produce an absolute
+<i>facsimile</i> and then detection would be possible. That is what has
+happened in the present case. The forged print is not an absolute
+<i>facsimile</i> of the true print. There is a slight discrepancy. But, in
+addition to this, the paper bears intrinsic evidence that the
+thumb-print on it is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"We will consider that evidence presently, Dr. Thorndyke. To return to
+the possibility of forging a finger-print, can you explain to us,
+without being too technical, by what methods it would be possible to
+produce such a stamp as you have referred to?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"There are two principal methods that suggest themselves to me. The
+first, which is rather crude though easy to carry out, consists in
+taking an actual cast of the end of the finger. A mould would be made by
+pressing the finger into some plastic material, such as fine modelling
+clay or hot sealing wax, and then, by pouring a warm solution of
+gelatine into the mould, and allowing it to cool and solidify, a cast
+would be produced which would yield very perfect finger-prints. But
+this method would, as a rule, be useless for the purpose of the forger,
+as it could not, ordinarily, be carried out without the knowledge of the
+victim; though in the case of dead bodies and persons asleep or
+unconscious or under an anaesthetic, it could be practised with success,
+and would offer the advantage of requiring practically no technical
+skill or knowledge and no special appliances. The second method, which
+is much more efficient, and is the one, I have no doubt, that has been
+used in the present instance, requires more knowledge and skill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the first place it is necessary to obtain possession of, or access
+to, a genuine finger-print. Of this finger-print a photograph is taken,
+or rather, a photographic negative, which for this purpose requires to
+be taken on a reversed plate, and the negative is put into a special
+printing frame, with a plate of gelatine which has been treated with
+potassium bichromate, and the frame is exposed to light.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now gelatine treated in this way&mdash;chromicized gelatine, as it is
+called&mdash;has a very peculiar property. Ordinary gelatine, as is well
+known, is easily dissolved in hot water, and chromicized gelatine is
+also soluble in hot water as long as it is not exposed to light; but on
+being exposed to light, it undergoes a change and is no longer capable
+of being dissolved in hot water. Now the plate of chromicized gelatine
+under the negative is protected from the light by the opaque parts of
+the negative, whereas the light passes freely through the transparent
+parts; but the transparent parts of the negative correspond to the black
+marks on the finger-print, and these correspond to the ridges on the
+finger. Hence it follows that the gelatine plate is acted upon by light
+only on the parts corresponding to the ridges; and in these parts the
+gelatine is rendered insoluble, while all the rest of the gelatine is
+soluble. The gelatine plate, which is cemented to a thin plate of metal
+for support, is now carefully washed with hot water, by which the
+soluble part of the gelatine is dissolved away leaving the insoluble
+part (corresponding to the ridges) standing up from the surface. Thus
+there is produced a <i>facsimile</i> in relief of the finger-print having
+actual ridges and furrows identical in character with the ridges and
+furrows of the finger-tip. If an inked roller is passed over this
+relief, or if the relief is pressed lightly on an inked slab, and then
+pressed on a sheet of paper, a finger-print will be produced which will
+be absolutely identical with the original, even to the little white
+spots which mark the orifices of the sweat glands. It will be impossible
+to discover any difference between the real finger-print and the
+counterfeit because, in fact, no difference exists."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But surely the process you have described is a very difficult and
+intricate one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not at all; it is very little more difficult than ordinary carbon
+printing, which is practised successfully by numbers of amateurs.
+Moreover, such a relief as I have described&mdash;which is practically
+nothing more than an ordinary process block&mdash;could be produced by any
+photo-engraver. The process that I have described is, in all essentials,
+that which is used in the reproduction of pen-and-ink drawings, and any
+of the hundreds of workmen who are employed in that industry could make
+a relief-block of a finger-print, with which an undetectable forgery
+could be executed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have asserted that the counterfeit finger-print could not be
+distinguished from the original. Are you prepared to furnish proof that
+this is the case?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I am prepared to execute a counterfeit of the prisoner's
+thumb-print in the presence of the Court."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And do you say that such a counterfeit would be indistinguishable from
+the original, even by the experts?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey turned towards the judge. "Would your lordship give your
+permission for a demonstration such as the witness proposes?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Certainly," replied the judge. "The evidence is highly material. How do
+you propose that the comparison should be made?" he added, addressing
+Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have brought, for the purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
+sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
+propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
+thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
+propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
+Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
+objection to offer, Sir Hector?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
+sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
+enthusiasm&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have no objection to offer, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
+from the court while the prints are being made."
+</p>
+<p>
+In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
+and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
+small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
+two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
+your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
+for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
+the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
+jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."
+</p>
+<p>
+In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
+dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
+your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
+lordship."
+</p>
+<p>
+He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
+the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
+gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
+delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
+the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
+table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
+were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
+"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
+twinkle of amusement and triumph.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are those all stamps?" inquired the judge, glancing curiously at the
+array of turned-wood handles.
+</p>
+<p>
+"They are all stamps, my lord," replied Thorndyke, "and each is taken
+from a different impression of the prisoner's thumb."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But why so many?" asked the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have multiplied them," answered Thorndyke, as he squeezed out a drop
+of finger-print ink on to the slab and proceeded to roll it out into a
+thin film, "to avoid the tell-tale uniformity of a single stamp. And I
+may say," he added, "that it is highly important that the experts should
+not be informed that more than one stamp has been used."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I see that," said the judge. "You understand that, Sir Hector," he
+added, addressing the counsel, who bowed stiffly, clearly regarding the
+entire proceeding with extreme disfavour.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke now inked one of the stamps and handed it to the judge, who
+examined it curiously and then pressed it on a piece of waste paper, on
+which there immediately appeared a very distinct impression of a human
+thumb.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Most ingenious! Too ingenious!" He chuckled
+softly and added, as he handed the stamp and the paper to the foreman of
+the jury: "It is well, Dr. Thorndyke, that you are on the side of law
+and order, for I am afraid that, if you were on the other side, you
+would be one too many for the police. Now, if you are ready, we will
+proceed. Will you, please, stamp an impression in square number three."
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke drew a stamp from its compartment, inked it on the slab, and
+pressed it neatly on the square indicated, leaving there a sharp, clear
+thumb-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+The process was repeated on nine other squares, a different stamp being
+used for each impression. The judge then marked the ten corresponding
+squares of the other two sheets of paper, and having checked them,
+directed the foreman to exhibit the sheet bearing the false thumb-prints
+to the jury, together with the marked sheet which they were to retain,
+to enable them to check the statements of the expert witnesses. When
+this was done, the prisoner was brought from the dock and stood beside
+the table. The judge looked with a curious and not unkindly interest at
+the handsome, manly fellow who stood charged with a crime so sordid and
+out of character with his appearance, and I felt, as I noted the look,
+that Reuben would, at least, be tried fairly on the evidence, without
+prejudice or even with some prepossession in his favour.
+</p>
+<p>
+With the remaining part of the operation Thorndyke proceeded carefully
+and deliberately. The inking-slab was rolled afresh for each impression,
+and, after each, the thumb was cleansed with petrol and thoroughly
+dried; and when the process was completed and the prisoner led back to
+the dock, the twenty squares on the paper were occupied by twenty
+thumb-prints, which, to my eye, at any rate, were identical in
+character.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge sat for near upon a minute poring over this singular document
+with an expression half-way between a frown and a smile. At length, when
+we had all returned to our places, he directed the usher to bring in the
+witnesses.
+</p>
+<p>
+I was amused to observe the change that had come over the experts in the
+short interval. The confident smile, the triumphant air of laying down a
+trump card, had vanished, and the expression of both was one of
+anxiety, not unmixed with apprehension. As Mr. Singleton advanced
+hesitatingly to the table, I recalled the words that he had uttered in
+his room at Scotland Yard; evidently his scheme of the game that was to
+end in an easy checkmate, had not included the move that had just been
+made.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "here is a paper on which there are
+twenty thumb-prints. Ten of them are genuine prints of the prisoner's
+left thumb and ten are forgeries. Please examine them and note down in
+writing which are the true prints and which are the forgeries. When you
+have made your notes the paper will be handed to Mr. Nash."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Is there any objection to my using the photograph that I have with me
+for comparison, my lord?" asked Mr. Singleton.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think not," replied the judge. "What do you say, Mr. Anstey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton accordingly drew from his pocket an enlarged photograph of
+the thumb-print and a magnifying glass, with the aid of which he
+explored the bewildering array of prints on the paper before him; and as
+he proceeded I remarked with satisfaction that his expression became
+more and more dubious and worried. From time to time he made an entry on
+a memorandum slip beside him, and, as the entries accumulated, his frown
+grew deeper and his aspect more puzzled and gloomy.
+</p>
+<p>
+At length he sat up, and taking the memorandum slip in his hand,
+addressed the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have finished my examination, my lord."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Very well. Mr. Nash, will you kindly examine the paper and write down
+the results of your examination?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Oh! I wish they would make haste," whispered Juliet. "Do you think
+they will be able to tell the real from the false thumb-prints?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't say," I replied; "but we shall soon know. They looked all alike
+to me."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Nash made his examination with exasperating deliberateness, and
+preserved throughout an air of stolid attention; but at length he, too,
+completed his notes and handed the paper back to the usher.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "let us hear your conclusions. You
+have been sworn."
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton stepped into the witness-box, and, laying his notes on the
+ledge, faced the judge.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have you examined the paper that was handed to you?" asked Sir Hector
+Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What did you see on the paper?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I saw twenty thumb-prints, of which some were evident forgeries, some
+were evidently genuine, and some were doubtful."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Taking the thumb-prints <i>seriatim</i>, what have you noted about them?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton examined his notes and replied&mdash;"The thumb-print on square
+one is evidently a forgery, as is also number two, though it is a
+passable imitation. Three and four are genuine; five is an obvious
+forgery. Six is a genuine thumb-print; seven is a forgery, though a good
+one; eight is genuine; nine is, I think, a forgery, though it is a
+remarkably good imitation. Ten and eleven are genuine thumb-marks;
+twelve and thirteen are forgeries; but as to fourteen I am very
+doubtful, though I am inclined to regard it as a forgery. Fifteen is
+genuine, and I think sixteen is also; but I will not swear to it.
+Seventeen is certainly genuine Eighteen and nineteen I am rather
+doubtful about, but I am disposed to consider them both forgeries.
+Twenty is certainly a genuine thumb-print."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Mr. Singleton's evidence proceeded, a look of surprise began to make
+its appearance on the judge's face, while the jury glanced from the
+witness to the notes before them and from their notes to one another in
+undisguised astonishment.
+</p>
+<p>
+As to Sir Hector Trumpler, that luminary of British jurisprudence was
+evidently completely fogged; for, as statement followed statement, he
+pursed up his lips and his broad, red face became overshadowed by an
+expression of utter bewilderment.
+</p>
+<p>
+For a few seconds he stared blankly at his witness and then dropped on
+to his seat with a thump that shook the court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have no doubt," said Anstey, "as to the correctness of your
+conclusions? For instance, you are quite sure that the prints one and
+two are forgeries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I have no doubt."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You swear that those two prints are forgeries?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Singleton hesitated for a moment. He had been watching the judge and
+the jury and had apparently misinterpreted their surprise, assuming it
+to be due to his own remarkable powers of discrimination; and his
+confidence had revived accordingly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," he answered; "I swear that they are forgeries."
+</p>
+<p>
+Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the
+judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Nash, who had listened with manifest satisfaction to the evidence,
+stepped into the box with all his original confidence restored. His
+selection of the true and the false thumb-prints was practically
+identical with that of Mr. Singleton, and his knowledge of this fact led
+him to state his conclusions with an air that was authoritative and even
+dogmatic.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am quite satisfied of the correctness of my statements," he said, in
+reply to Anstey's question, "and I am prepared to swear, and do swear,
+that those thumb-prints which I have stated to be forgeries, are
+forgeries, and that their detection presents no difficulty to an
+observer who has an expert acquaintance with finger-prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"There is one question that I should like to ask," said the judge, when
+the expert had left the box and Thorndyke had re-entered it to continue
+his evidence. "The conclusions of the expert witnesses&mdash;manifestly <i>bona
+fide</i> conclusions, arrived at by individual judgement, without collusion
+or comparison of results&mdash;are practically identical. They are virtually
+in complete agreement. Now, the strange thing is this: their conclusions
+are wrong in every instance" (here I nearly laughed aloud, for, as I
+glanced at the two experts, the expression of smug satisfaction on their
+countenances changed with lightning rapidity to a ludicrous spasm of
+consternation); "not sometimes wrong and sometimes right, as would have
+been the case if they had made mere guesses, but wrong every time. When
+they are quite certain, they are quite wrong; and when they are
+doubtful, they incline to the wrong conclusion. This is a very strange
+coincidence, Dr. Thorndyke. Can you explain it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+Thorndyke's face, which throughout the proceedings had been as
+expressionless as that of a wooden figurehead, now relaxed into a dry
+smile.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I think I can, my lord," he replied. "The object of a forger in
+executing a forgery is to produce deception on those who shall examine
+the forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Ah!" said the judge; and <i>his</i> face relaxed into a dry smile, while the
+jury broke out into unconcealed grins.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was evident to me," continued Thorndyke, "that the experts would be
+unable to distinguish the real from the forged thumb-prints, and, that
+being so, that they would look for some collateral evidence to guide
+them. I, therefore, supplied that collateral evidence. Now, if ten
+prints are taken, without special precautions, from a single finger, it
+will probably happen that no two of them are exactly alike; for the
+finger being a rounded object of which only a small part touches the
+paper, the impressions produced will show little variations according to
+the part of the finger by which the print is made. But a stamp such as I
+have used has a flat surface like that of a printer's type, and, like a
+type, it always prints the same impression. It does not reproduce the
+finger-tip, but a particular print of the finger, and so, if ten prints
+are made with a single stamp, each print will be a mechanical repetition
+of the other nine. Thus, on a sheet bearing twenty finger-prints, of
+which ten were forgeries made with a single stamp, it would be easy to
+pick out the ten forged prints by the fact that they would all be
+mechanical repetitions of one another; while the genuine prints could be
+distinguished by the fact of their presenting trifling variations in the
+position of the finger.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Anticipating this line of reasoning, I was careful to make each print
+with a different stamp and each stamp was made from a different
+thumb-print, and I further selected thumb-prints which varied as widely
+as possible when I made the stamps. Moreover, when I made the real
+thumb-prints, I was careful to put the thumb down in the same position
+each time as far as I was able; and so it happened that, on the sheet
+submitted to the experts, the real thumb-prints were nearly all alike,
+while the forgeries presented considerable variations. The instances in
+which the witnesses were quite certain were those in which I succeeded
+in making the genuine prints repeat one another, and the doubtful cases
+were those in which I partially failed."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you, that is quite clear," said the judge, with a smile of deep
+content, such as is apt to appear on the judicial countenance when an
+expert witness is knocked off his pedestal. "We may now proceed, Mr.
+Anstey."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have told us," resumed Anstey, "and have submitted proofs, that it
+is possible to forge a thumb-print so that detection is impossible. You
+have also stated that the thumb-print on the paper found in Mr. Hornby's
+safe is a forgery. Do you mean that it <i>may</i> be a forgery, or that it
+actually is one?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I mean that it actually is a forgery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"When did you first come to the conclusion that it was a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"When I saw it at Scotland Yard. There are three facts which suggested
+this conclusion. In the first place the print was obviously produced
+with liquid blood, and yet it was a beautifully clear and distinct
+impression. But such an impression could not be produced with liquid
+blood without the use of a slab and roller, even if great care were
+used, and still less could it have been produced by an accidental smear.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the second place, on measuring the print with a micrometer, I found
+that it did not agree in dimensions with a genuine thumb-print of Reuben
+Hornby. It was appreciably larger. I photographed the print with the
+micrometer in contact and on comparing this with a genuine thumb-print,
+also photographed with the same micrometer in contact, I found that the
+suspected print was larger by the fortieth of an inch, from one given
+point on the ridge-pattern to another given point. I have here
+enlargements of the two photographs in which the disagreement in size is
+clearly shown by the lines of the micrometer. I have also the micrometer
+itself and a portable microscope, if the Court wishes to verify the
+photographs."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Thank you," said the judge, with a bland smile; "we will accept your
+sworn testimony unless the learned counsel for the prosecution demands
+verification."
+</p>
+<p>
+He received the photographs which Thorndyke handed up and, having
+examined them with close attention, passed them on to the jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The third fact," resumed Thorndyke, "is of much more importance, since
+it not only proves the print to be a forgery, but also furnishes a very
+distinct clue to the origin of the forgery, and so to the identity of
+the forger." (Here the court became hushed until the silence was so
+profound that the ticking of the clock seemed a sensible interruption. I
+glanced at Walter, who sat motionless and rigid at the end of the bench,
+and perceived that a horrible pallor had spread over his face, while his
+forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.) "On looking at the
+print closely, I noticed at one part a minute white mark or space. It
+was of the shape of a capital S and had evidently been produced by a
+defect in the paper&mdash;a loose fibre which had stuck to the thumb and
+been detached by it from the paper, leaving a blank space where it had
+been. But, on examining the paper under a low power of the microscope, I
+found the surface to be perfect and intact. No loose fibre had been
+detached from it, for if it had, the broken end or, at least, the groove
+in which it had lain, would have been visible. The inference seemed to
+be that the loose fibre had existed, not in the paper which was found in
+the safe, but in the paper on which the original thumb-mark had been
+made. Now, as far as I knew, there was only one undoubted thumb-print of
+Reuben Hornby's in existence&mdash;the one in the 'Thumbograph.' At my
+request, the 'Thumbograph' was brought to my chambers by Mrs. Hornby,
+and, on examining the print of Reuben Hornby's left thumb, I perceived
+on it a minute, S-shaped white space occupying a similar position to
+that in the red thumb-mark; and when I looked at it through a powerful
+lens, I could clearly see the little groove in the paper in which the
+fibre had lain and from which it had been lifted by the inked thumb. I
+subsequently made a systematic comparison of the marks in the two
+thumb-prints; I found that the dimensions of the mark were
+proportionally the same in each&mdash;that is to say, the mark in the
+'Thumbograph' print had an extreme length of 26/1000 of an inch and an
+extreme breadth of 14.5/1000 of an inch, while that in the red
+thumb-mark was one-fortieth larger in each dimension, having an extreme
+length of 26.65/1000 of an inch and an extreme breadth of 14.86/1000 of
+an inch; that the shape was identical, as was shown by superimposing
+tracings of greatly enlarged photographs of each mark on similar
+enlargements of the other; and that the mark intersected the ridges of
+the thumb-print in the same manner and at exactly the same parts in the
+two prints."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Do you say that&mdash;having regard to the facts which you have stated&mdash;it
+is certain that the red thumb-mark is a forgery?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I do; and I also say that it is certain that the forgery was executed
+by means of the 'Thumbograph.'"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Might not the resemblances be merely a coincidence?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"No. By the law of probabilities which Mr. Singleton explained so
+clearly in his evidence, the adverse chances would run into untold
+millions. Here are two thumb-prints made in different places and at
+different times&mdash;an interval of many weeks intervening. Each of them
+bears an accidental mark which is due not to any peculiarity of the
+thumb, but to a peculiarity of the paper. On the theory of coincidences
+it is necessary to suppose that each piece of paper had a loose fibre of
+exactly identical shape and size and that this fibre came, by accident,
+in contact with the thumb at exactly the same spot. But such a
+supposition would be more opposed to probabilities even than the
+supposition that two exactly similar thumb-prints should have been made
+by different persons. And then there is the further fact that the paper
+found in the safe had no loose fibre to account for the mark."
+</p>
+<p>
+"What is your explanation of the presence of defibrinated blood in the
+safe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was probably used by the forger in making the thumb-print, for which
+purpose fresh blood would be less suitable by reason of its clotting. He
+would probably have carried a small quantity in a bottle, together with
+the pocket slab and roller invented by Mr. Galton. It would thus be
+possible for him to put a drop on the slab, roll it out into a thin film
+and take a clean impression with his stamp. It must be remembered that
+these precautions were quite necessary, since he had to make a
+recognisable print at the first attempt. A failure and a second trial
+would have destroyed the accidental appearance, and might have aroused
+suspicion."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You have made some enlarged photographs of the thumb-prints, have you
+not?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes. I have here two enlarged photographs, one of the 'Thumbograph'
+print and one of the red thumb-print. They both show the white mark very
+clearly and will assist comparison of the originals, in which the mark
+is plainly visible through a lens."
+</p>
+<p>
+He handed the two photographs up to the judge, together with the
+'Thumbograph,' the memorandum slip, and a powerful doublet lens with
+which to examine them.
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge inspected the two original documents with the aid of the lens
+and compared them with the photographs, nodding approvingly as he made
+out the points of agreement. Then he passed them on to the jury and made
+an entry in his notes.
+</p>
+<p>
+While this was going on my attention was attracted by Walter Hornby. An
+expression of terror and wild despair had settled on his face, which was
+ghastly in its pallor and bedewed with sweat. He looked furtively at
+Thorndyke and, as I noted the murderous hate in his eyes, I recalled our
+midnight adventure in John Street and the mysterious cigar.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly he rose to his feet, wiping his brow and steadying himself
+against the bench with a shaking hand; then he walked quietly to the
+door and went out. Apparently, I was not the only onlooker who had been
+interested in his doings, for, as the door swung to after him,
+Superintendent Miller rose from his seat and went out by the other door.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you cross-examining this witness?" the judge inquired, glancing at
+Sir Hector Trumpler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No, my lord," was the reply.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you calling any more witnesses, Mr. Anstey?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only one, my lord," replied Anstey&mdash;"the prisoner, whom I shall put in
+the witness-box, as a matter of form, in order that he may make a
+statement on oath."
+</p>
+<p>
+Reuben was accordingly conducted from the dock to the witness-box, and,
+having been sworn, made a solemn declaration of his innocence. A brief
+cross-examination followed, in which nothing was elicited, but that
+Reuben had spent the evening at his club and gone home to his rooms
+about half-past eleven and had let himself in with his latchkey. Sir
+Hector at length sat down; the prisoner was led back to the dock, and
+the Court settled itself to listen to the speeches of the counsel.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury," Anstey commenced in his clear,
+mellow tones, "I do not propose to occupy your time with a long speech.
+The evidence that has been laid before you is at once so intelligible,
+so lucid, and so conclusive, that you will, no doubt, arrive at your
+verdict uninfluenced by any display of rhetoric either on my part or on
+the part of the learned counsel for the prosecution.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Nevertheless, it is desirable to disentangle from the mass of evidence
+those facts which are really vital and crucial.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now the one fact which stands out and dominates the whole case is this:
+The prisoner's connection with this case rests solely upon the police
+theory of the infallibility of finger-prints. Apart from the evidence of
+the thumb-print there is not, and there never was, the faintest breath
+of suspicion against him. You have heard him described as a man of
+unsullied honour, as a man whose character is above reproach; a man who
+is trusted implicitly by those who have had dealings with him. And this
+character was not given by a casual stranger, but by one who has known
+him from childhood. His record is an unbroken record of honourable
+conduct; his life has been that of a clean-living, straightforward
+gentleman. And now he stands before you charged with a miserable, paltry
+theft; charged with having robbed that generous friend, the brother of
+his own father, the guardian of his childhood and the benefactor who has
+planned and striven for his well-being; charged, in short, gentlemen,
+with a crime which every circumstance connected with him and every trait
+of his known character renders utterly inconceivable. Now upon what
+grounds has this gentleman of irreproachable character been charged with
+this mean and sordid crime? Baldly stated, the grounds of the accusation
+are these: A certain learned and eminent man of science has made a
+statement, which the police have not merely accepted but have, in
+practice, extended beyond its original meaning. That statement is as
+follows: 'A complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two prints
+of a single finger ... affords evidence requiring no corroboration, that
+the persons from whom they were made are the same.'
+</p>
+<p>
+"That statement, gentlemen, is in the highest degree misleading, and
+ought not to have been made without due warning and qualification. So
+far is it from being true, in practice, that its exact contrary is the
+fact; the evidence of a finger-print, in the absence of corroboration,
+is absolutely worthless. Of all forms of forgery, the forgery of a
+finger-print is the easiest and most secure, as you have seen in this
+court to-day. Consider the character of the high-class forger&mdash;his
+skill, his ingenuity, his resource. Think of the forged banknotes, of
+which not only the engraving, the design and the signature, but even the
+very paper with its private watermarks, is imitated with a perfection
+that is at once the admiration and the despair of those who have to
+distinguish the true from the false; think of the forged cheque, in
+which actual perforations are filled up, of which portions are cut out
+bodily and replaced by indistinguishable patches; think of these, and
+then of a finger-print, of which any photo-engraver's apprentice can
+make you a forgery that the greatest experts cannot distinguish from the
+original, which any capable amateur can imitate beyond detection after a
+month's practice; and then ask yourselves if this is the kind of
+evidence on which, without any support or corroboration, a gentleman of
+honour and position should be dragged before a criminal court and
+charged with having committed a crime of the basest and most sordid
+type.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But I must not detain you with unnecessary appeals. I will remind you
+briefly of the salient facts. The case for the prosecution rests upon
+the assertion that the thumb-print found in the safe was made by the
+thumb of the prisoner. If that thumb-print was not made by the prisoner,
+there is not only no case against him but no suspicion of any kind.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, was that thumb-print made by the prisoner's thumb? You have had
+conclusive evidence that it was not. That thumb-print differed in the
+size, or scale, of the pattern from a genuine thumb-print of the
+prisoner's. The difference was small, but it was fatal to the police
+theory; the two prints were not identical.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But, if not the prisoner's thumb-print, what was it? The resemblance of
+the pattern was too exact for it to be the thumb-print of another
+person, for it reproduced not only the pattern of the ridges on the
+prisoner's thumb, but also the scar of an old wound. The answer that I
+propose to this question is, that it was an intentional imitation of the
+prisoner's thumb-print, made with the purpose of fixing suspicion on the
+prisoner, and so ensuring the safety of the actual criminal. Are there
+any facts which support this theory? Yes, there are several facts which
+support it very strongly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"First, there are the facts that I have just mentioned. The red
+thumb-print disagreed with the genuine print in its scale or dimensions.
+It was not the prisoner's thumb-print; but neither was it that of any
+other person. The only alternative is that it was a forgery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the second place, that print was evidently made with the aid of
+certain appliances and materials, and one of those materials, namely
+defibrinated blood, was found in the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the third place, there is the coincidence that the print was one
+which it was possible to forge. The prisoner has ten digits&mdash;eight
+fingers and two thumbs. But there were in existence actual prints of the
+two thumbs, whereas no prints of the fingers were in existence; hence it
+would have been impossible to forge a print of any of the fingers. So it
+happens that the red thumb-print resembled one of the two prints of
+which forgery was possible.
+</p>
+<p>
+"In the fourth place, the red thumb-print reproduces an accidental
+peculiarity of the 'Thumbograph' print. Now, if the red thumb-print is a
+forgery, it must have been made from the 'Thumbograph' print, since
+there exists no other print from which it could have been made. Hence we
+have the striking fact that the red thumb-print is an exact
+replica&mdash;including accidental peculiarities&mdash;of the only print from
+which a forgery could have been made. The accidental S-shaped mark in
+the 'Thumbograph' print is accounted for by the condition of the paper;
+the occurrence of this mark in the red thumb-print is not accounted for
+by any peculiarity of the paper, and can be accounted for in no way,
+excepting by assuming the one to be a copy of the other. The conclusion
+is thus inevitable that the red thumb-print is a photo-mechanical
+reproduction of the 'Thumbograph' print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But there is yet another point. If the red thumb-print is a forgery
+reproduced from the 'Thumbograph' print, the forger must at some time
+have had access to the 'Thumbograph.' Now, you have heard Mrs. Hornby's
+remarkable story of the mysterious disappearance of the 'Thumbograph'
+and its still more mysterious reappearance. That story can have left no
+doubt in your minds that some person had surreptitiously removed the
+'Thumbograph' and, after an unknown interval, secretly replaced it. Thus
+the theory of forgery receives confirmation at every point, and is in
+agreement with every known fact; whereas the theory that the red
+thumb-print was a genuine thumb-print, is based upon a gratuitous
+assumption, and has not had a single fact advanced in its support.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has
+been proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you
+for a verdict in accordance with that proof."
+</p>
+<p>
+As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the
+gallery. It subsided instantly on a gesture of disapproval from the
+judge, and a silence fell upon the court, in which the clock, with
+cynical indifference, continued to record in its brusque monotone the
+passage of the fleeting seconds.
+</p>
+<p>
+"He is saved, Dr. Jervis! Oh! surely he is saved!" Juliet exclaimed in
+an agitated whisper. "They must see that he is innocent now."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Have patience a little longer," I answered. "It will soon be over now."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector Trumpler was already on his feet and, after bestowing on the
+jury a stern hypnotic stare, he plunged into his reply with a really
+admirable air of conviction and sincerity.
+</p>
+<p>
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury: The case which is now before this
+Court is one, as I have already remarked, in which human nature is
+presented in a highly unfavourable light. But I need not insist upon
+this aspect of the case, which will already, no doubt, have impressed
+you sufficiently. It is necessary merely for me, as my learned friend
+has aptly expressed it, to disentangle the actual facts of the case from
+the web of casuistry that has been woven around them.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Those facts are of extreme simplicity. A safe has been opened and
+property of great value abstracted from it. It has been opened by means
+of false keys. Now there are two men who have, from time to time, had
+possession of the true keys, and thus had the opportunity of making
+copies of them. When the safe is opened by its rightful owner, the
+property is gone, and there is found the print of the thumb of one of
+these two men. That thumb-print was not there when the safe was closed.
+The man whose thumb-print is found is a left-handed man; the print is
+the print of a left thumb. It would seem, gentlemen, as if the
+conclusion were so obvious that no sane person could be found to contest
+it; and I submit that the conclusion which any sane person would arrive
+at&mdash;the only possible conclusion&mdash;is, that the person whose thumb-print
+was found in the safe is the person who stole the property from the
+safe. But the thumb-print was, admittedly, that of the prisoner at the
+bar, and therefore the prisoner at the bar is the person who stole the
+diamonds from the safe.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is true that certain fantastic attempts have been made to explain
+away these obvious facts. Certain far-fetched scientific theories have
+been propounded and an exhibition of legerdemain has taken place which,
+I venture to think, would have been more appropriate to some place of
+public entertainment than to a court of justice. That exhibition has, no
+doubt, afforded you considerable amusement. It has furnished a pleasing
+relaxation from the serious business of the court. It has even been
+instructive, as showing to what extent it is possible for plain facts to
+be perverted by misdirected ingenuity. But unless you are prepared to
+consider this crime as an elaborate hoax&mdash;as a practical joke carried
+out by a facetious criminal of extraordinary knowledge, skill and
+general attainments&mdash;you must, after all, come to the only conclusion
+that the facts justify: that the safe was opened and the property
+abstracted by the prisoner. Accordingly, gentlemen, I ask you, having
+regard to your important position as the guardians of the well-being
+and security of your fellow-citizens, to give your verdict in accordance
+with the evidence, as you have solemnly sworn to do; which verdict, I
+submit, can be no other than that the prisoner is guilty of the crime
+with which he is charged."
+</p>
+<p>
+Sir Hector sat down, and the jury, who had listened to his speech with
+solid attention, gazed expectantly at the judge, as though they should
+say: "Now, which of these two are we to believe?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge turned over his notes with an air of quiet composure, writing
+down a word here and there as he compared the various points in the
+evidence. Then he turned to the jury with a manner at once persuasive
+and confidential&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is not necessary, gentlemen," he commenced, "for me to occupy your
+time with an exhaustive analysis of the evidence. That evidence you
+yourselves have heard, and it has been given, for the most part, with
+admirable clearness. Moreover, the learned counsel for the defence has
+collated and compared that evidence so lucidly, and, I may say, so
+impartially, that a detailed repetition on my part would be superfluous.
+I shall therefore confine myself to a few comments which may help you in
+the consideration of your verdict.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I need hardly point out to you that the reference made by the learned
+counsel for the prosecution to far-fetched scientific theories is
+somewhat misleading. The only evidence of a theoretical character was
+that of the finger-print experts. The evidence of Dr. Rowe and of Dr.
+Thorndyke dealt exclusively with matters of fact. Such inferences as
+were drawn by them were accompanied by statements of the facts which
+yielded such inferences.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now, an examination of the evidence which you have heard shows, as the
+learned counsel for the defence has justly observed, that the entire
+case resolves itself into a single question, which is this: 'Was the
+thumb-print that was found in Mr. Hornby's safe made by the thumb of the
+prisoner, or was it not?' If that thumb-print was made by the prisoner's
+thumb, then the prisoner must, at least, have been present when the safe
+was unlawfully opened. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner's thumb, there is nothing to connect him with the crime. The
+question is one of fact upon which it will be your duty to decide; and I
+must remind you, gentlemen, that you are the sole judges of the facts of
+the case, and that you are to consider any remarks of mine as merely
+suggestions which you are to entertain or to disregard according to your
+judgement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Now let us consider this question by the light of the evidence. This
+thumb-print was either made by the prisoner or it was not. What evidence
+has been brought forward to show that it was made by the prisoner? Well,
+there is the evidence of the ridge-pattern. That pattern is identical
+with the pattern of the prisoner's thumb-print, and even has the
+impression of a scar which crosses the pattern in a particular manner in
+the prisoner's thumb-print. There is no need to enter into the elaborate
+calculations as to the chances of agreement; the practical fact, which
+is not disputed, is that if this red thumb-print is a genuine
+thumb-print at all, it was made by the prisoner's thumb. But it is
+contended that it is not a genuine thumb-print; that it is a mechanical
+imitation&mdash;in fact a forgery.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The more general question thus becomes narrowed down to the more
+particular question: 'Is this a genuine thumb-print or is it a
+forgery?' Let us consider the evidence. First, what evidence is there
+that it is a genuine thumb-print? There is none. The identity of the
+pattern is no evidence on this point, because a forgery would also
+exhibit identity of pattern. The genuineness of the thumb-print was
+assumed by the prosecution, and no evidence has been offered.
+</p>
+<p>
+"But now what evidence is there that the red thumb-print is a forgery?
+</p>
+<p>
+"First, there is the question of size. Two different-sized prints could
+hardly be made by the same thumb. Then there is the evidence of the use
+of appliances. Safe-robbers do not ordinarily provide themselves with
+inking-slabs and rollers with which to make distinct impressions of
+their own fingers. Then there is the accidental mark on the print which
+also exists on the only genuine print that could have been used for the
+purpose of forgery, which is easily explained on the theory of a
+forgery, but which is otherwise totally incomprehensible. Finally, there
+is the strange disappearance of the 'Thumbograph' and its strange
+reappearance. All this is striking and weighty evidence, to which must
+be added that adduced by Dr. Thorndyke as showing how perfectly it is
+possible to imitate a finger-print.
+</p>
+<p>
+"These are the main facts of the case, and it is for you to consider
+them. If, on careful consideration, you decide that the red thumb-print
+was actually made by the prisoner's thumb, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner guilty; but if, on weighing the evidence, you
+decide that the thumb-print is a forgery, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner not guilty. It is now past the usual luncheon
+hour, and, if you desire it, you can retire to consider your verdict
+while the Court adjourns."
+</p>
+<p>
+The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
+stood up.
+</p>
+<p>
+"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.
+</p>
+<p>
+The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
+brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
+addressed the jury.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"We are," replied the foreman.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
+Reuben.
+</p>
+<p>
+A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
+disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud&mdash;a strange,
+unnatural laugh&mdash;and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
+so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
+Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.
+</p>
+<p>
+After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
+commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
+calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush&mdash;
+</p>
+<p>
+"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
+have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
+charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
+evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
+possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
+innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
+the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
+rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
+Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
+by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
+have been very different.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
+was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
+but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
+his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
+very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
+half-past two."
+</p>
+<p>
+The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
+the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
+was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
+stairs into the body of the court.
+</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<a name="CH17"><!-- CH17 --></a>
+<h2>
+	CHAPTER XVII
+</h2>
+
+<h3>
+AT LAST
+</h3><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>
+"We had better let the people clear off," said Thorndyke, when the first
+greetings were over and we stood around Reuben in the fast-emptying
+court. "We don't want a demonstration as we go out."
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; anything but that, just now," replied Reuben. He still held Mrs.
+Hornby's hand, and one arm was passed through that of his uncle, who
+wiped his eyes at intervals, though his face glowed with delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should like you to come and have a little quiet luncheon with me at
+my chambers&mdash;all of us friends together," continued Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I should be delighted," said Reuben, "if the programme would include a
+satisfactory wash."
+</p>
+<p>
+"You will come, Anstey?" asked Thorndyke.
+</p>
+<p>
+"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and
+in his right mind&mdash;that is to say, in his usual whimsical,
+pseudo-frivolous character.
+</p>
+<p>
+"That question savours of gluttony," answered Thorndyke. "Come and see."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run
+off now, as I have to look in at my chambers."
+</p>
+<p>
+"How shall we go?" asked Thorndyke, as his colleague vanished through
+the doorway. "Polton has gone for a four-wheeler, but it won't hold us
+all."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It will hold four of us," said Reuben, "and Dr. Jervis will bring
+Juliet; won't you, Jervis?"
+</p>
+<p>
+The request rather took me aback, considering the circumstances, but I
+was conscious, nevertheless, of an unreasonable thrill of pleasure and
+answered with alacrity: "If Miss Gibson will allow me, I shall be very
+delighted." My delight was, apparently, not shared by Juliet, to judge
+by the uncomfortable blush that spread over her face. She made no
+objection, however, but merely replied rather coldly: "Well, as we can't
+sit on the roof of the cab, we had better go by ourselves."
+</p>
+<p>
+The crowd having by this time presumably cleared off, we all took our
+way downstairs. The cab was waiting at the kerb, surrounded by a group
+of spectators, who cheered Reuben as he appeared at the doorway, and we
+saw our friends enter and drive away. Then we turned and walked quickly
+down the Old Bailey towards Ludgate Hill.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Shall we take a hansom?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"No; let us walk," replied Juliet; "a little fresh air will do us good
+after that musty, horrible court. It all seems like a dream, and yet
+what a relief&mdash;oh! what a relief it is."
+</p>
+<p>
+"It is rather like the awakening from a nightmare to find the morning
+sun shining," I rejoined.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes; that is just what it is like," she agreed; "but I still feel dazed
+and shaken."
+</p>
+<p>
+We turned presently down New Bridge Street, towards the Embankment,
+walking side by side without speaking, and I could not help comparing,
+with some bitterness, our present stiff and distant relations with the
+intimacy and comradeship that had existed before the miserable incident
+of our last meeting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You don't look so jubilant over your success as I should have
+expected," she said at length, with a critical glance at me; "but I
+expect you are really very proud and delighted, aren't you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Delighted, yes; not proud. Why should I be proud? I have only played
+jackal, and even that I have done very badly."
+</p>
+<p>
+"That is hardly a fair statement of the facts," she rejoined, with
+another quick, inquisitive look at me; "but you are in low spirits
+to-day&mdash;which is not at all like you. Is it not so?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am afraid I am a selfish, egotistical brute," was my gloomy reply. "I
+ought to be as gay and joyful as everyone else to-day, whereas the fact
+is that I am chafing over my own petty troubles. You see, now that this
+case is finished, my engagement with Dr. Thorndyke terminates
+automatically, and I relapse into my old life&mdash;a dreary repetition of
+journeying amongst strangers&mdash;and the prospect is not inspiriting. This
+has been a time of bitter trial to you, but to me it has been a green
+oasis in the desert of a colourless, monotonous life. I have enjoyed the
+companionship of a most lovable man, whom I admire and respect above all
+other men, and with him have moved in scenes full of colour and
+interest. And I have made one other friend whom I am loth to see fade
+out of my life, as she seems likely to do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"If you mean me," said Juliet, "I may say that it will be your own fault
+if I fade out of your life. I can never forget all that you have done
+for us, your loyalty to Reuben, your enthusiasm in his cause, to say
+nothing of your many kindnesses to me. And, as to your having done your
+work badly, you wrong yourself grievously. I recognised in the evidence
+by which Reuben was cleared to-day how much you had done, in filling in
+the details, towards making the case complete and convincing. I shall
+always feel that we owe you a debt of the deepest gratitude, and so will
+Reuben, and so, perhaps, more than either of us, will someone else."
+</p>
+<p>
+"And who is that?" I asked, though with no great interest. The gratitude
+of the family was a matter of little consequence to me.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, it is no secret now," replied Juliet. "I mean the girl whom
+Reuben is going to marry. What is the matter, Dr. Jervis?" she added, in
+a tone of surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+We were passing through the gate that leads from the Embankment to
+Middle Temple Lane, and I had stopped dead under the archway, laying a
+detaining hand upon her arm and gazing at her in utter amazement.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The girl that Reuben is going to marry!" I repeated. "Why, I had always
+taken it for granted that he was going to marry you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But I told you, most explicitly, that was not so!" she exclaimed with
+some impatience.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I know you did," I admitted ruefully; "but I thought&mdash;well, I imagined
+that things had, perhaps, not gone quite smoothly and&mdash;"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you suppose that if I had cared for a man, and that man had been
+under a cloud, I should have denied the relation or pretended that we
+were merely friends?" she demanded indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am sure you wouldn't," I replied hastily. "I was a fool, an idiot&mdash;by
+Jove, what an idiot I have been!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was certainly very silly of you," she admitted; but there was a
+gentleness in her tone that took away all bitterness from the reproach.
+</p>
+<p>
+"The reason of the secrecy was this," she continued; "they became
+engaged the very night before Reuben was arrested, and, when he heard of
+the charge against him, he insisted that no one should be told unless,
+and until, he was fully acquitted. I was the only person who was in
+their confidence, and as I was sworn to secrecy, of course I couldn't
+tell you; nor did I suppose that the matter would interest you. Why
+should it?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Imbecile that I am," I murmured. "If I had only known!"
+</p>
+<p>
+"Well, if you <i>had</i> known," said she; "what difference could it have
+made to you?"
+</p>
+<p>
+This question she asked without looking at me, but I noted that her
+cheek had grown a shade paler.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Only this," I answered. "That I should have been spared many a day and
+night of needless self-reproach and misery."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But why?" she asked, still keeping her face averted. "What had you to
+reproach yourself with?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"A great deal," I answered, "if you consider my supposed position. If
+you think of me as the trusted agent of a man, helpless and deeply
+wronged&mdash;a man whose undeserved misfortunes made every demand upon
+chivalry and generosity; if you think of me as being called upon to
+protect and carry comfort to the woman whom I regarded as, virtually,
+that man's betrothed wife; and then if you think of me as proceeding
+straightway, before I had known her twenty-four hours, to fall
+hopelessly in love with her myself, you will admit that I had something
+to reproach myself with."
+</p>
+<p>
+She was still silent, rather pale and very thoughtful, and she seemed to
+breathe more quickly than usual.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Of course," I continued, "you may say that it was my own look-out, that
+I had only to keep my own counsel, and no one would be any the worse.
+But there's the mischief of it. How can a man who is thinking of a woman
+morning, noon and night; whose heart leaps at the sound of her coming,
+whose existence is a blank when she is away from him&mdash;a blank which he
+tries to fill by recalling, again and again, all that she has said and
+the tones of her voice, and the look that was in her eyes when she
+spoke&mdash;how can he help letting her see, sooner or later, that he cares
+for her? And if he does, when he has no right to, there is an end of
+duty and chivalry and even common honesty."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I understand now," said Juliet softly. "Is this the way?" She
+tripped up the steps leading to Fountain Court and I followed
+cheerfully. Of course it was not the way, and we both knew it, but the
+place was silent and peaceful, and the plane-trees cast a pleasant shade
+on the gravelled court. I glanced at her as we walked slowly towards the
+fountain. The roses were mantling in her cheeks now and her eyes were
+cast down, but when she lifted them to me for an instant, I saw that
+they were shining and moist.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Did you never guess?" I asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes," she replied in a low voice, "I guessed; but&mdash;but then," she added
+shyly, "I thought I had guessed wrong."
+</p>
+<p>
+We walked on for some little time without speaking again until we came
+to the further side of the fountain, where we stood listening to the
+quiet trickle of the water, and watching the sparrows as they took their
+bath on the rim of the basin. A little way off another group of sparrows
+had gathered with greedy joy around some fragments of bread that had
+been scattered abroad by the benevolent Templars, and hard by a more
+sentimentally-minded pigeon, unmindful of the crumbs and the marauding
+sparrows, puffed out his breast and strutted and curtsied before his
+mate with endearing gurgles.
+</p>
+<p>
+Juliet had rested her hand on one of the little posts that support the
+chain by which the fountain is enclosed and I had laid my hand on hers.
+Presently she turned her hand over so that mine lay in its palm; and so
+we were standing hand-in-hand when an elderly gentleman, of dry and
+legal aspect, came up the steps and passed by the fountain. He looked at
+the pigeons and then he looked at us, and went his way smiling and
+shaking his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Juliet," said I.
+</p>
+<p>
+She looked up quickly with sparkling eyes and a frank smile that was yet
+a little shy, too.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Why did he smile&mdash;that old gentleman&mdash;when he looked at us?"
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can't imagine," she replied mendaciously.
+</p>
+<p>
+"It was an approving smile," I said. "I think he was remembering his own
+spring-time and giving us his blessing."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Perhaps he was," she agreed. "He looked a nice old thing." She gazed
+fondly at the retreating figure and then turned again to me. Her cheeks
+had grown pink enough by now, and in one of them a dimple displayed
+itself to great advantage in its rosy setting.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Can you forgive me, dear, for my unutterable folly?" I asked
+presently, as she glanced up at me again.
+</p>
+<p>
+"I am not sure," she answered. "It was dreadfully silly of you."
+</p>
+<p>
+"But remember, Juliet, that I loved you with my whole heart&mdash;as I love
+you now and shall love you always."
+</p>
+<p>
+"I can forgive you anything when you say that," she answered softly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Here the voice of the distant Temple clock was heard uttering a polite
+protest. With infinite reluctance we turned away from the fountain,
+which sprinkled us with a parting benediction, and slowly retraced our
+steps to Middle Temple Lane and thence into Pump Court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"You haven't said it, Juliet," I whispered, as we came through the
+archway into the silent, deserted court.
+</p>
+<p>
+"Haven't I, dear?" she answered; "but you know it, don't you? You know I
+do."
+</p>
+<p>
+"Yes, I know," I said; "and that knowledge is all my heart's desire."
+</p>
+<p>
+She laid her hand in mine for a moment with a gentle pressure and then
+drew it away; and so we passed through into the cloisters.
+</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<center>
+THE END
+</center>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
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diff --git a/old/old/11128.txt b/old/old/11128.txt
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+++ b/old/old/11128.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Red Thumb Mark
+
+Author: R. Austin Freeman
+
+Release Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11128]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED THUMB MARK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+THE RED THUMB MARK
+
+
+BY R. AUSTIN FREEMAN
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose
+other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are
+interested in problems of crime and their solutions; and the story
+itself differs in no respect from others of its class, excepting in that
+an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary
+life, both in the characters and in the incidents.
+
+Nevertheless it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in
+drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of
+finger-prints and their evidential value; misapprehensions the extent of
+which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several
+Continental commercial houses have actually substituted finger-prints
+for signed initials.
+
+The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including
+the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are, of
+course, taken from Mr. Galton's great and important work on
+finger-prints; to which the reader who is interested in the subject is
+referred for much curious and valuable information.
+
+In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend
+Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain
+photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal
+Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in
+criminal trials.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER I
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+CHAPTER II
+THE SUSPECT
+
+CHAPTER III
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+CHAPTER IV
+CONFIDENCES
+
+CHAPTER V
+THE "THUMBOGRAPH"
+
+CHAPTER VI
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+CHAPTER VII
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+CHAPTER IX
+THE PRISONER
+
+CHAPTER X
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+CHAPTER XI
+THE AMBUSH
+
+CHAPTER XII
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+MURDER BY POST
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+CHAPTER XV
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+AT LAST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+MY LEARNED BROTHER
+
+
+"Conflagratam Anno 1677. Fabricatam Anno 1698. Richardo Powell Armiger
+Thesaurar." The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath
+the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarised the history of one of
+the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk and as I, somewhat
+absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between
+admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet
+dignity of the building, and an effort to reconstitute the dead and gone
+Richard Powell, and the stirring times in which he played his part.
+
+I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became
+occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, in its wig and obsolete
+habiliments, to the old-world surroundings that it seemed to complete
+the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted
+in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand,
+and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, he looked up
+and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the
+incurious gaze that casual strangers bestow on one another; then there
+was a flash of mutual recognition; the impassive and rather severe face
+of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching
+itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended in
+cordial greeting.
+
+"My dear Jervis," he exclaimed, as we clasped hands warmly, "this is a
+great and delightful surprise. How often have I thought of my old
+comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo! here he is,
+thrown up on the sounding beach of the Inner Temple, like the proverbial
+bread cast upon the waters."
+
+"Your surprise, Thorndyke, is nothing to mine," I replied, "for your
+bread has at least returned as bread; whereas I am in the position of a
+man who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it return in the
+form of a buttered muffin or a Bath bun. I left a respectable medical
+practitioner and I find him transformed into a bewigged and begowned
+limb of the law."
+
+Thorndyke laughed at the comparison.
+
+"Liken not your old friend unto a Bath bun," said he. "Say, rather, that
+you left him a chrysalis and come back to find him a butterfly. But the
+change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under
+the gown of Solon, as you will understand when I explain my
+metamorphosis; and that I will do this very evening, if you have no
+engagement."
+
+"I am one of the unemployed at present," I said, "and quite at your
+service."
+
+"Then come round to my chambers at seven," said Thorndyke, "and we will
+have a chop and a pint of claret together and exchange autobiographies.
+I am due in court in a few minutes."
+
+"Do you reside within that noble old portico?" I asked.
+
+"No," replied Thorndyke. "I often wish I did. It would add several
+inches to one's stature to feel that the mouth of one's burrow was
+graced with a Latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over.
+No; my chambers are some doors further down--number 6A"--and he turned
+to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row.
+
+At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndyke taking his way
+with fluttering gown towards the Law Courts, while I directed my steps
+westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent.
+
+The soft-voiced bell of the Temple clock was telling out the hour of
+seven in muffled accents (as though it apologised for breaking the
+studious silence) as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and
+turned into King's Bench Walk.
+
+The paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly
+before the doorway of number 6A, in which, though the wig had now given
+place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in
+recognising my friend.
+
+"Punctual to the moment, as of old," said he, meeting me half-way. "What
+a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been
+taking the air in Fountain Court, and will now introduce you to my
+chambers. Here is my humble retreat."
+
+We passed in through the common entrance and ascended the stone stairs
+to the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door, above
+which my friend's name was written in white letters.  "Rather a
+forbidding exterior," remarked Thorndyke, as he inserted the latchkey,
+"but it is homely enough inside."
+
+The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a baize-covered inner door,
+which Thorndyke pushed open and held for me to pass in.
+
+"You will find my chambers an odd mixture," said Thorndyke, "for they
+combine the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory and a
+workshop."
+
+"And a restaurant," added a small, elderly man, who was decanting a
+bottle of claret by means of a glass syphon: "you forgot that, sir."
+
+"Yes, I forgot that, Polton," said Thorndyke, "but I see you have not."
+He glanced towards a small table that had been placed near the fire and
+set out with the requisites for our meal.
+
+"Tell me," said Thorndyke, as we made the initial onslaught on the
+products of Polton's culinary experiments, "what has been happening to
+you since you left the hospital six years ago?"
+
+"My story is soon told," I answered, somewhat bitterly. "It is not an
+uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I
+had paid my examination and registration fees the coffer was absolutely
+empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains--to use
+Johnson's phrase--the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of
+avarice, there is a vast difference in practice between the potential
+and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes
+as an assistant, sometimes as a _locum tenens_. Just now I've got no
+work to do, and so have entered my name on Turcival's list of
+eligibles."
+
+Thorndyke pursed up his lips and frowned.
+
+"It's a wicked shame, Jervis," said he presently, "that a man of your
+abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his
+time on odd jobs like some half-qualified wastrel."
+
+"It is," I agreed. "My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked
+and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother? If
+poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty
+thousand candle-power luminary, your brilliancy is apt to be obscured."
+
+"Yes, I suppose that is so," grunted Thorndyke, and he remained for a
+time in deep thought.
+
+"And now," said I, "let us have your promised explanation. I am
+positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances
+has converted John Evelyn Thorndyke from a medical practitioner into a
+luminary of the law."
+
+Thorndyke smiled indulgently.
+
+"The fact is," said he, "that no such transformation has occurred. John
+Evelyn Thorndyke is still a medical practitioner."
+
+"What, in a wig and gown!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Yes, a mere sheep in wolf's clothing," he replied. "I will tell you how
+it has come about. After you left the hospital, six years ago, I stayed
+on, taking up any small appointments that were going--assistant
+demonstrator--or curatorships and such like--hung about the chemical and
+physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile
+took my M.D. and D.Sc. Then I got called to the bar in the hope of
+getting a coronership, but soon after this, old Stedman retired
+unexpectedly--you remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical
+jurisprudence--and I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise,
+I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my
+mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that
+might come."  "And what has come?" I asked.
+
+"Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice," he replied.
+"At first I only got an occasional analysis in a doubtful poisoning
+case, but, by degrees, my sphere of influence has extended until it now
+includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical
+science can be brought to bear upon law."
+
+"But you plead in court, I observe," said I.
+
+"Very seldom," he replied. "More usually I appear in the character of
+that _bete noir_ of judges and counsel--the scientific witness. But in
+most instances I do not appear at all; I merely direct investigations,
+arrange and analyse the results, and prime the counsel with facts and
+suggestions for cross-examination."
+
+"A good deal more interesting than acting as understudy for an absent
+g.p.," said I, a little enviously. "But you deserve to succeed, for you
+were always a deuce of a worker, to say nothing of your capabilities."
+
+"Yes, I worked hard," replied Thorndyke, "and I work hard still; but I
+have my hours of labour and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils
+of general practitioners, who are liable to be dragged away from the
+dinner table or roused out of your first sleep by--confound it all! who
+can that be?"
+
+For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation,
+there came a smart rapping at the outer door.
+
+"Must see who it is, I suppose," he continued, "though one expects
+people to accept the hint of a closed oak."
+
+He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no
+means gracious inquiry.
+
+"It's rather late for a business call," said an apologetic voice
+outside, "but my client was anxious to see you without delay."
+
+"Come in, Mr. Lawley," said Thorndyke, rather stiffly, and, as he held
+the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men--one
+middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance and of a typically legal aspect,
+and the other a fine, handsome young fellow of very prepossessing
+exterior, though at present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently
+in a state of profound agitation.
+
+"I am afraid," said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner
+table, "that our visit--for which I am alone responsible--is a most
+unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndyke,
+pray tell us, and my business must wait."
+
+Thorndyke had cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he
+now replied in a much more genial tone--
+
+"I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to
+inconveniencing us, why, my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you
+are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours
+his own unreservedly."
+
+I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to
+take a walk on the Embankment and return later, but the young man
+interrupted me.
+
+"Pray don't go away on my account," he said. "The facts that I am about
+to lay before Dr. Thorndyke will be known to all the world by this time
+to-morrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy."
+
+"In that case," said Thorndyke, "let us draw our chairs up to the fire
+and fall to business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner and were
+waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this
+moment."
+
+We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Polton had set the coffee on
+the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without
+preamble.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SUSPECT
+
+
+"I had better," said he, "give you a general outline of the case as it
+presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben
+Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions
+that you may wish to put to him.
+
+"Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle,
+John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner and dealer in precious
+metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work
+carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the
+testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South
+Africa.
+
+"About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter--another nephew
+of John Hornby--left school, and both were articled to their uncle, with
+the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house; and they
+have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions
+of considerable responsibility.
+
+"And now for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's
+establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some
+accredited representative of the firm--generally either Mr. Reuben or
+Mr. Walter--who has been despatched to meet the ship, and conveyed
+either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course
+every effort is made to have as little gold as possible on the premises,
+and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity;
+but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have often
+to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are furnished with
+a large and powerful safe or strong room for their reception. This safe
+is situated in the private office under the eye of the principal, and,
+as an additional precaution, the caretaker, who acts as night-watchman,
+occupies a room directly over the office, and patrols the building
+periodically through the night.
+
+"Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It
+happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested
+in a diamond mine, and, although transactions in precious stones form no
+part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent
+parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby, to be either
+deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers.
+
+"A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been
+despatched by the _Elmina Castle_, and it appeared that the parcel was
+an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and
+value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks
+at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the
+stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this
+was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and
+locked up in the safe."
+
+"Who placed them in the safe?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his
+return from the docks."
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "and what happened next?"
+
+"Well, on the following morning, when the safe was opened, the diamonds
+had disappeared."
+
+"Had the place been broken into?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. The place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had
+made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was,
+outwardly, quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys and
+locked again after the stones were removed."
+
+"And in whose custody were the keys of the safe?" inquired Thorndyke.
+
+"Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but, on occasions, when he
+was absent from the office, he handed them over to one of his
+nephews--whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this
+occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he
+locked up the safe, after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time
+when it was opened by him on the following morning."
+
+"And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Why, yes," said Mr. Lawley, with an uncomfortable glance at his client,
+"unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the
+diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for
+there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe and one or two
+bloody smears on a piece of paper, and, in addition, a remarkably clear
+imprint of a thumb."  "Also in blood?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes. The thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops and
+then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in
+taking hold of it or otherwise."
+
+"Well, and what next?"
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair, "to make a long story
+short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Reuben
+Hornby."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had
+better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further."
+
+He took from a drawer a small paper-covered notebook, on the cover of
+which he wrote "Reuben Hornby," and then, laying the book open on a
+blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes.
+
+"Now," he said, when he had finished, "with reference to this
+thumb-print. There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification?"
+
+"None whatever," replied Mr. Lawley. "The Scotland Yard people, of
+course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director
+of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those
+in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print
+does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their
+possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the
+ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb--which is a remarkably distinct
+and characteristic one--is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering
+identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with
+the thumb-print of Mr. Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print
+beyond any possible doubt."
+
+"Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the
+thumb-print could have been introduced by any person?"
+
+"No," answered the lawyer. "It is quite impossible. The paper on which
+the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had
+pencilled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it
+on the parcel before he closed up the safe."
+
+"Was anyone present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning?"
+asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No, he was alone," answered the lawyer. "He saw at a glance that the
+diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the
+thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for
+the police."
+
+"Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark,
+since it was so distinct and conspicuous?"
+
+"No, I think not," answered Mr. Lawley. "The paper was lying face
+downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it
+up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print.
+Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it,
+and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the marked
+surface downwards--probably when the parcel was transferred to the other
+hand."
+
+"You mentioned," said Thorndyke, "that the experts at Scotland Yard have
+identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how
+they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison?"
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Lawley. "Thereby hangs a very curious tale of
+coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there was so
+simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take
+thumb-prints of all the employees in the works; but this Mr. Hornby
+refused to sanction--rather quixotically, as it seems to me--saying that
+he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now
+it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly
+interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and
+considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the
+thumb-prints taken.
+
+"However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching
+to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete
+confidence and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter
+would probably have remained a mystery but for a very odd circumstance.
+
+"You may have seen on the bookstalls and in shop windows an appliance
+called a 'Thumbograph,' or some such name, consisting of a small book of
+blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together
+with an inking pad."
+
+"I have seen those devices of the Evil One," said Thorndyke, "in fact, I
+have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station."
+
+"Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John
+Hornby, purchased one of these toys--"
+
+"As a matter of fact," interrupted Reuben, "it was my cousin Walter who
+bought the thing and gave it to her."
+
+"Well, that is not material," said Mr. Lawley (though I observed that
+Thorndyke made a note of the fact in his book); "at any rate, Mrs.
+Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill
+it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now
+it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday
+at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the
+opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the
+thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at
+Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary,
+not only in the interests of justice but in the interests of the young
+men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the
+police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown
+by actual comparison that the thumb-print could not have been made by
+either of them. Moreover, it seemed that both the young men had
+expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been
+forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She
+suddenly remembered the 'Thumbograph,' and thinking to set the question
+at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the
+detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben (among
+others), and, as the detective had with him a photograph of the
+incriminating mark, the comparison was made then and there; and you may
+imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement when it was made clear that
+the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every
+particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe.
+
+"At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene and was, of course,
+overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would
+have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds
+out of his own funds, but, as that would have amounted practically to
+compounding a felony, he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result, a
+warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this
+morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bow Street and charged
+with the robbery."
+
+"Was any evidence taken?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"No. Only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, bail
+having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each."
+
+Thorndyke was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative.
+Like me, he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's
+manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position
+indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of
+the case.
+
+"What have you advised your client to do?" Thorndyke asked presently.
+
+"I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the
+clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself
+that there is no defence possible."
+
+The young man flushed crimson, but made no remark.
+
+"But let us be clear how we stand," said Thorndyke. "Are we defending an
+innocent man or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man
+who admits that he is guilty?"
+
+Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"That question can be best answered by our client himself," said he.
+
+Thorndyke directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking--
+
+"You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby,
+but I must know what position you intend to adopt."  Here I again
+proposed to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me.
+
+"There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis," he said. "My position
+is that I did not commit this robbery and that I know nothing whatever
+about it or about the thumb-print that was found in the safe. I do not,
+of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming
+evidence against me, but I do, nevertheless, declare in the most solemn
+manner before God, that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have
+no knowledge of it whatever."
+
+"Then I take it that you did not plead 'guilty'?" said Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly not; and I never will," replied Reuben hotly.
+
+"You would not be the first innocent man, by very many, who has entered
+that plea," remarked Mr. Lawley. "It is often the best policy, when the
+defence is hopelessly weak."
+
+"It is a policy that will not be adopted by me," rejoined Reuben. "I may
+be, and probably shall be, convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue
+to maintain my innocence, whatever happens. Do you think," he added,
+turning to Thorndyke, "that you can undertake my defence on that
+assumption?"
+
+"It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the
+case," replied Thorndyke.
+
+"And--if I may ask the question--" pursued Reuben anxiously, "do you
+find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent?"
+
+"Certainly I do," Thorndyke replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's
+eyebrows rise perceptibly. "I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and
+if I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence,
+I should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for
+evidence to prove it. Nevertheless," he continued, seeing the light of
+hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, "I must impress
+upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must
+be prepared to find them insuperable in spite of all our efforts."
+
+"I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and
+resolute voice, "and can face it like a man if only you do not take my
+guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making
+a defence."
+
+"Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndyke;
+"that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur
+to endeavour, as far as I am concerned. And now, let me ask you, have
+you any cuts or scratches on your fingers?"
+
+Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and
+I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a
+skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndyke set on the table a
+large condenser such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his
+client's hand, brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger
+in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with
+the aid of a pocket lens.
+
+"A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly,
+as he finished his examination, "but I don't perceive any trace of a
+scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jervis? The
+robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small
+cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is
+worth noting."
+
+He handed me the lens and I scrutinised every part of each hand without
+being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound.
+
+"There is one other matter that must be attended to before you go," said
+Thorndyke, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. "I will take
+one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information."
+
+In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some lair
+unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and, having received his
+instructions, retired, and presently returned carrying a box, which he
+laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndyke drew forth a bright
+copper plate mounted on a slab of hard wood, a small printer's roller, a
+tube of finger-print ink, and a number of cards with very white and
+rather glazed surfaces.
+
+"Now, Mr. Hornby," said he, "your hands, I see, are beyond criticism as
+to cleanliness, but we will, nevertheless, give the thumb a final
+polish."
+
+Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a
+well-soaked badger-hair nail-brush, and, having rinsed it in water,
+dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of
+chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a
+drop of the thick ink on to the copper plate and spread it out with the
+roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching
+the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of
+the cards.
+
+When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took
+Reuben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked
+plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he
+directed me to hold steady on the table, he repeated the pressure, when
+there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of
+the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with
+microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands, which
+appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges.
+This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of
+which thus received six impressions. Thorndyke then took one or two
+rolled prints, _i.e._ prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the
+inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of
+the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "that we may be furnished with all the
+necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood."
+
+The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndyke,
+having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized
+drop of blood on to a card.
+
+"There," said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the
+needle into a little shallow pool, "it is not every lawyer who is
+willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client."
+
+He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a
+number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it.
+
+"We are now," said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb,
+"furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you
+will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business
+concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for
+having detained you so long with these experiments."
+
+The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly
+concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they
+were at an end.
+
+"I have been highly interested," he said mendaciously, "though I confess
+I do not quite fathom your intentions. And, by the way, I should like to
+have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not
+mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes."
+
+"Not at all," said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by
+the lawyer's pretence. "Don't hurry on my account; my time is my own--at
+present." He held out his hand to Thorndyke, who grasped it cordially.
+
+"Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. "Do not be unreasonably
+sanguine, but at the same time, do not lose heart. Keep your wits about
+you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a
+bearing on the case."
+
+The young man then took his leave, and, as the door closed after him,
+Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndyke.
+
+"I thought I had better have a word with you alone," he said, "just to
+hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude
+has puzzled me completely."
+
+"What line would you propose?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"Well," said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "the position
+seems to be this: our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds and
+has been found out; at least, that is how the matter presents itself to
+me."
+
+"That is not how it presents itself to me," said Thorndyke drily. "He
+may have taken the diamonds or he may not. I have no means of judging
+until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I
+hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we
+postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen
+what line of defence it is possible to adopt."
+
+"As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, "but I am afraid
+you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only
+make his fall the harder--to say nothing of our own position. We don't
+want to make ourselves ridiculous in court, you know."
+
+"I don't, certainly," agreed Thorndyke. "However, I will look into the
+matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two."
+
+He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and
+when the footsteps at length died away, he closed it sharply and turned
+to me with an air of annoyance.
+
+"The 'young rogue,'" he remarked, "does not appear to me to have been
+very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jervis, I
+understand you are out of employment just now?"
+
+"That is so," I answered.
+
+"Would you care to help me--as a matter of business, of course--to work
+up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand and your assistance
+would be of great value to me."
+
+I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "come round to breakfast to-morrow and we will
+settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now let
+us light our pipes and finish our yarns as though agitated clients and
+thick-headed solicitors had no existence."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A LADY IN THE CASE
+
+
+When I arrived at Thorndyke's chambers on the following morning, I found
+my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the
+table, while at the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for
+examining plate-cultures of micro-organisms, on the wide stage of which
+was one of the cards bearing six thumb-prints in blood. A condenser
+threw a bright spot of light on the card, which Thorndyke had been
+examining when I knocked, as I gathered from the position of the chair,
+which he now pushed back against the wall.
+
+"I see you have commenced work on our problem," I remarked as, in
+response to a double ring of the electric bell, Polton entered with the
+materials for our repast.
+
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke. "I have opened the campaign, supported, as
+usual, by my trusty chief-of-staff; eh! Polton?"
+
+The little man, whose intellectual, refined countenance and dignified
+bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea-tray that he carried,
+smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affectionate admiration at my
+friend, replied--
+
+"Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet.
+There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement
+too, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your
+breakfast."
+
+"A wonderful man that, Jervis," my friend observed as his assistant
+retired. "Looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously
+intended by Nature to be a professor of physics. As an actual fact he
+was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he
+is mechanical factotum to a medical jurist. He is my right-hand, is
+Polton; takes an idea before you have time to utter it--but you will
+make his more intimate acquaintance by-and-by."
+
+"Where did you pick him up?" I asked.
+
+"He was an in-patient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably
+ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave
+him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was I
+took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and
+his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for."
+
+"What are the photographs he was referring to?" I asked.
+
+"He is making an enlarged _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints on
+bromide paper and a negative of the same size in case we want the print
+repeated."
+
+"You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby,"
+said I, "though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me
+his case seems as hopeless a one as it is possible to conceive. One
+doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost
+unthinkable."
+
+"It does certainly look like a hopeless case," Thorndyke agreed, "and I
+see no way out of it at present. But I make it a rule, in all cases, to
+proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry--collect
+facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification. And I
+always endeavour to keep a perfectly open mind.
+
+"Now, in the present case, assuming, as we must, that the robbery has
+actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses: (1) that
+the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby; (2) that it was committed by
+Walter Hornby; (3) that it was committed by John Hornby, or (4) that it
+was committed by some other person or persons.
+
+"The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present and confine
+myself to the examination of the other three."
+
+"You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the
+diamonds out of his own safe?" I exclaimed.
+
+"I incline at present to no one theory of the matter," replied
+Thorndyke. "I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the
+diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them."
+
+"But surely he was responsible to the owners."
+
+"Not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have
+difficulty in proving. You see, he was what is called a gratuitous
+bailee, and in such a case no responsibility for loss lies with the
+bailee unless there has been gross negligence."
+
+"But the thumb-mark, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed. "How can you possibly
+get over that?"
+
+"I don't know that I can," answered Thorndyke calmly; "but I see you are
+taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a
+finger-print as a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof, beyond
+which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A
+finger-print is merely a fact--a very important and significant one, I
+admit--but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be
+weighed and measured with reference to its evidential value."
+
+"And what do you propose to do first?"
+
+"I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumb-print is
+identical in character with that of Reuben Hornby--of which, however,
+I have very little doubt, for the finger-print experts may fairly be
+trusted in their own speciality."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance,
+and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your
+new duties."
+
+He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four
+small, paper-covered notebooks, laid them before me on the table.
+
+"One of these books," said he, "we will devote to data concerning Reuben
+Hornby. You will find out anything you can--anything, mind, no matter
+how trivial or apparently irrelevant--in any way connected with him and
+enter it in this book." He wrote on the cover "Reuben Hornby" and passed
+the book to me. "In this second book you will, in like manner, enter
+anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and, in the third book,
+data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that
+for stray facts connected with the case but not coming under either of
+the other headings. And now let us look at the product of Polton's
+industry."
+
+He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by eight
+broad, done on glazed bromide paper and mounted flatly on stiff card. It
+showed a greatly magnified _facsimile_ of one of the thumb-prints, in
+which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands
+and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could
+be seen only with the aid of a lens, were plainly visible to the naked
+eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black
+lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each
+square being distinguished by a number.
+
+"Excellent, Polton," said Thorndyke approvingly; "a most admirable
+enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb-print in
+contact with a numbered micrometer divided into square twelfths of an
+inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares are here
+each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these
+micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining
+cheques, doubtful signatures and such like. I see you have packed up the
+camera and the microscope, Polton; have you put in the micrometer?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied Polton, "and the six-inch objective and the
+low-power eye-piece. Everything is in the case; and I have put 'special
+rapid' plates into the dark-slides in case the light should be bad."
+
+"Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland Yard lions in their den,"
+said Thorndyke, putting on his hat and gloves.
+
+"But surely," said I, "you are not going to drag that great microscope
+to Scotland Yard, when you only want eight diameters. Haven't you a
+dissecting microscope or some other portable instrument?"
+
+"We have a most delightful instrument of the dissecting type, of
+Polton's own make--he shall show it to you. But I may have need of a
+more powerful instrument--and here let me give you a word of warning:
+whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials. We
+are seeking information, not giving it, you understand."
+
+At this moment the little brass knocker on the inner door--the outer
+oak being open--uttered a timid and apologetic rat-tat.
+
+"Who the deuce can that be?" muttered Thorndyke, replacing the
+microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it
+somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then
+perceived a lady standing on the threshold.
+
+"Dr. Thorndyke?" she inquired, and as my colleague bowed, she continued,
+"I ought to have written to ask for an appointment but the matter is
+rather urgent--it concerns Mr. Reuben Hornby and I only learned from him
+this morning that he had consulted you."
+
+"Pray come in," said Thorndyke. "Dr. Jervis and I were just setting out
+for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my
+colleague, who is working up the case with me."
+
+Our visitor, a tall handsome girl of twenty or thereabouts, returned my
+bow and remarked with perfect self-possession, "My name is Gibson--Miss
+Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character and need not
+detain you many minutes."
+
+She seated herself in the chair that Thorndyke placed for her, and
+continued in a brisk and business-like manner--
+
+"I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the
+last six years I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no
+relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to
+Mrs. Hornby, though, as I was only fifteen at the time, I need hardly
+say that my duties were not very onerous; in fact, I think Mrs. Hornby
+took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a
+livelihood, and she had no children of her own.
+
+"Three years ago I came into a little fortune which rendered me
+independent; but I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked
+to be allowed to remain with them, and there I have been ever since in
+the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal
+of their nephews, who spend a good part of their time at the house, and
+I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Reuben has fallen
+upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this:
+I do not believe that Reuben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out of
+character with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that he
+is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion."
+
+"In what way?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"By supplying the sinews of war," replied Miss Gibson. "I understand
+that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense."
+
+"I am afraid you are quite correctly informed," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Well, Reuben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it
+is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise
+me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his
+innocence if I make myself responsible for any costs that he is unable
+to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter, if it
+could be avoided."
+
+"Your friendship is of an eminently practical kind, Miss Gibson," said
+my colleague, with a smile. "As a matter of fact, the costs are no
+affair of mine. If the occasion arose for the exercise of your
+generosity you would have to approach Mr. Reuben's solicitor through the
+medium of your guardian, Mr. Hornby, and with the consent of the
+accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will arise, although I am
+very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance
+in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently
+impertinent questions."
+
+"I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered
+necessary to ask," our visitor replied.
+
+"Then," said Thorndyke, "I will venture to inquire if any special
+relations exist between you and Mr. Reuben."
+
+"You look for the inevitable motive in a woman," said Miss Gibson,
+laughing and flushing a little. "No, there have been no tender passages
+between Reuben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends; in fact,
+there is what I may call a tendency in another direction--Walter
+Hornby."
+
+"Do you mean that you are engaged to Mr. Walter?"
+
+"Oh, no," she replied; "but he has asked me to marry him--he has asked
+me, in fact, more than once; and I really believe that he has a sincere
+attachment to me."
+
+She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing
+asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently
+noticed by Thorndyke as well as me for he rejoined--
+
+"Of course he has. Why not?"
+
+"Well, you see," replied Miss Gibson, "I have some six hundred a year of
+my own and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like
+Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally
+takes that into account. But still, as I have said, I believe he is
+quite sincere in his professions and not merely attracted by my money."
+
+"I do not find your opinion at all incredible," said Thorndyke, with a
+smile, "even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man--which, I
+take it, he is not."
+
+Miss Gibson flushed very prettily as she replied--
+
+"Oh, pray do not trouble to pay me compliments; I assure you I am by no
+means insensible of my merits. But with regard to Walter Hornby, I
+should be sorry to apply the term 'mercenary' to him, and yet--well, I
+have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the
+value of money. He means to succeed in life and I have no doubt he
+will."
+
+"And do I understand that you refused him?"
+
+"Yes. My feelings towards him are quite friendly, but not of such a
+nature as to allow me to contemplate marrying him."
+
+"And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Reuben. You have known him for
+some years?"
+
+"I have known him intimately for six years," replied Miss Gibson.
+
+"And what sort of character do you give him?"
+
+"Speaking from my own observation of him," she replied, "I can say that
+I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonourable deed. As
+to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been
+inexpensive and frugal, he is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to
+the 'main chance' his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's
+keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Gibson," said Thorndyke. "We shall apply to you for
+further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help
+us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear
+head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr.
+Jervis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your
+assistance whenever we need it."
+
+After our fair visitor had departed, Thorndyke stood for a minute or
+more gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his
+watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the
+camera case to me and made for the door.  "How the time goes!" he
+exclaimed, as we descended the stairs; "but it hasn't been wasted,
+Jervis, hey?"
+
+"No, I suppose not," I answered tentatively.
+
+"You suppose not!" he replied. "Why here is as pretty a little problem
+as you could desire--what would be called in the jargon of the novels, a
+psychological problem--and it is your business to work it out, too."
+
+"You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men?"
+
+Thorndyke nodded.
+
+"Is it any concern of ours?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly it is," he replied. "Everything is a concern of ours at this
+preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing
+pass unscrutinised."
+
+"Well, then, to begin with, she is not wildly infatuated with Walter
+Hornby, I should say."
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke, laughing softly; "we may take it that the canny
+Walter has not inspired a grand passion."
+
+"Then," I resumed, "if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I
+would sooner stand in Reuben's shoes than in Walter's."
+
+"There again I am with you," said Thorndyke. "Go on."
+
+"Well," I continued, "our fair visitor conveyed to me the impression
+that her evident admiration of Reuben's character was tempered by
+something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of
+hers, 'speaking from my own observation,' seemed to imply that her
+observations of him were not in entire agreement with somebody else's."
+
+"Good man!" exclaimed Thorndyke, slapping me on the back, to the
+undissembled surprise of a policeman whom we were passing; "that is what
+I had hoped for in you--the capacity to perceive the essential
+underneath the obvious. Yes; somebody has been saying something about
+our client, and the thing that we have to find out is, what is it that
+has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a
+pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson."
+
+"By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant?" I asked foolishly.
+
+Thorndyke grinned in my face. "Why didn't you?" he retorted.
+
+"No," I rejoined, "I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning.
+Let me carry the microscope for a time; it is making your arm ache, I
+see."
+
+"Thanks," said he, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers; "it
+is rather ponderous."
+
+"I can't make out what you want with this great instrument," I said. "A
+common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six-inch
+objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters."
+
+"Two, with the draw-tube closed," replied Thorndyke, "and the low-power
+eye-piece brings it up to four. Polton made them both for me for
+examining cheques, bank-notes and other large objects. But you will
+understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to
+make no comments."
+
+We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard, and were
+passing up the narrow thoroughfare, when we encountered a uniformed
+official who halted and saluted my colleague.
+
+"Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, doctor," said he
+genially. "I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in
+hand."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "I am going to see what can be done for the
+defence."
+
+"Well," said the officer as he ushered us into the building, "you've
+given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you
+can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say."
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "there is no such thing. You mean that
+there is a _prima facie_ case against the accused."
+
+"Put it that way if you like," replied the officer, with a sly smile,
+"but I think you will find this about the hardest nut you ever tried
+your teeth on--and they're pretty strong teeth too, I'll say that. You
+had better come into Mr. Singleton's office," and he conducted us along
+a corridor and into a large, barely-furnished room, where we found a
+sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing table.
+
+"How-d'ye-do, doctor?" said the latter, rising and holding out his hand.
+"I can guess what you've come for. Want to see that thumb-print, eh?"
+
+"Quite right," answered Thorndyke, and then, having introduced me, he
+continued: "We were partners in the last game, but we are on opposite
+sides of the board this time."
+
+"Yes," agreed Mr. Singleton; "and we are going to give you check-mate."
+
+He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio, from which he
+extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be
+a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block, and bore the pencilled
+inscription: "Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01. J. H." At one end
+was a dark, glossy blood-stain, made by the falling of a good-sized
+drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb
+having been pressed on it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears
+and a remarkably distinct and clean print of a thumb.
+
+Thorndyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinising
+the thumb-print and the smears in turn, but making no remark, while Mr.
+Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity.
+
+"Not much difficulty in identifying that mark," the official at length
+observed.
+
+"No," agreed Thorndyke; "it is an excellent impression and a very
+distinctive pattern, even without the scar."
+
+"Yes," rejoined Mr. Singleton; "the scar makes it absolutely conclusive.
+You have a print with you, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke, and he drew from a wide flap-pocket the
+enlarged photograph, at the sight of which Mr. Singleton's face
+broadened into a smile.
+
+"You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that," he remarked; "not
+that you gain anything by so much enlargement; three diameters is ample
+for studying the ridge-patterns. I see you have divided it up into
+numbered squares--not a bad plan; but ours--or rather Galton's, for we
+borrowed the method from him--is better for this purpose."
+
+He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print
+which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was
+marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen,
+each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some
+other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
+
+"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr. Singleton, "is
+better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed
+at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or
+the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or
+unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark
+our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph,
+which will do as well."
+
+"I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said
+Thorndyke.
+
+"Certainly," replied Mr. Singleton, "if you would rather have one of
+your own taking. I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And
+now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me. Inspector Johnson
+will give you any assistance you may require."
+
+"And see that I don't pocket the original," added Thorndyke, with a
+smile at the inspector who had shown us in.
+
+"Oh, I'll see to that," said the latter, grinning; and, as Mr. Singleton
+returned to his table, Thorndyke unlocked the microscope case and drew
+forth the instrument.
+
+"What, are you going to put it under the microscope?" exclaimed Mr.
+Singleton, looking round with a broad smile.
+
+"Must do something for my fee, you know," replied Thorndyke, as he set
+up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives to the triple
+nose-piece.  "You observe that there is no deception," he added to the
+inspector, as he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it
+between two slips of glass.
+
+"I'm watching you, sir," replied the officer, with a chuckle; and he did
+watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndyke laid the
+glass slips on the microscope stage and proceeded to focus.
+
+I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my
+colleague's proceedings. After a preliminary glance with the six-inch
+glass, he swung round the nose-piece to the half-inch objective and
+slipped in a more powerful eye-piece, and with this power he examined
+the blood-stains carefully, and then moved the thumb-print into the
+field of vision. After looking at this for some time with deep
+attention, he drew from the case a tiny spirit lamp which was evidently
+filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit
+it I recognised the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced
+one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment, and having placed
+the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the
+spectroscope. Evidently my friend was fixing the position of the "D"
+line (or sodium line) in the spectrum.
+
+Having completed the adjustments, he now examined afresh the
+blood-smears and the thumb-print, both by transmitted and reflected
+light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his
+notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamp in the case and
+brought forth the micrometer--a slip of rather thin glass about three
+inches by one and a half--which he laid over the thumb-print in the
+place of the upper plate of glass.
+
+Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing
+its appearance with that of the lines on the large photograph, which he
+held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and
+readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me--
+
+"I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our
+print, so, with Inspector Johnson's assistance, we will take a
+photograph which we can examine at our leisure."
+
+He extracted the camera--a quarter-plate instrument--from its case and
+opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a
+horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany
+with three brass feet, on which he placed the camera, and which brought
+the latter to a level with the eye-piece of the microscope.
+
+The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black
+leather, and into this the eye-piece end of the microscope was now
+passed, the sleeve being secured round the barrel of the microscope by a
+stout indiarubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight
+connection.
+
+Everything was now ready for taking the photograph. The light from the
+window having been concentrated on the thumb-print by means of a
+condenser, Thorndyke proceeded to focus the image on the ground-glass
+screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the
+objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter.
+
+"I will ask you to sit down and remain quite still while I make the
+exposure," he said to me and the inspector. "A very little vibration is
+enough to destroy the sharpness of the image."
+
+We seated ourselves accordingly, and Thorndyke then removed the cap,
+standing motionless, watch in hand, while he exposed the first plate.
+
+"We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite
+perfect," he said, as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter.
+
+He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way,
+and then, having removed the micrometer and replaced it by a slip of
+plain glass, he made two more exposures.
+
+"There are two plates left," he remarked, as he drew out the second dark
+slide. "I think I will take a record of the blood-stain on them."
+
+He accordingly made two more exposures--one of the larger blood-stain
+and one of the smaller smears.
+
+"There," said he, with an air of satisfaction, as he proceeded to pack
+up what the inspector described as his "box of tricks." "I think we have
+all the data that we can squeeze out of Scotland Yard, and I am very
+much obliged to you, Mr. Singleton, for giving so many facilities to
+your natural enemy, the counsel for the defence."
+
+"Not our natural enemies, doctor," protested Mr. Singleton. "We work for
+a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the
+defence. You know that perfectly well."
+
+"Of course I do, my dear sir," replied Thorndyke, shaking the official
+by the hand. "Haven't I benefited by your help a score of times? But I
+am greatly obliged all the same. Good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye, doctor. I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it 'no
+go' this time."
+
+"We shall see," replied Thorndyke, and with a friendly wave of the hand
+to the inspector he caught up the two cases and led the way out of the
+building.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+CONFIDENCES
+
+
+During our walk home my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent, and
+his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could
+detect, in spite of his habitually impassive expression, a certain
+suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbore,
+however, from making any remarks or asking questions, not only because I
+saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the
+man, I judged that he would consider it his duty to keep his own counsel
+and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers he immediately handed over the camera to
+Polton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plates,
+and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without
+delay.
+
+We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndyke
+suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a
+smile of quiet amusement.
+
+"It has just been borne in upon me, Jervis," said he, "that you are the
+most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of
+silence."
+
+"If silence is the test of companionability," I answered, with a grin,
+"I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic
+terms."
+
+He laughed cheerfully and rejoined--
+
+"You are pleased to be sarcastic, I observe; but I maintain my position.
+The capacity to preserve an opportune silence is the rarest and most
+precious of social accomplishments. Now, most men would have plied me
+with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard,
+whereas you have allowed me to sort out, without interruption, a mass of
+evidence while it is still fresh and impressive, to docket each item and
+stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a
+ridiculous oversight."
+
+"What is that?" I asked.
+
+"The 'Thumbograph.' I never ascertained whether the police have it or
+whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"Does it matter?" I inquired.
+
+"Not much; only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent
+pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital
+this afternoon and Polton has his hands full, it would be a good plan
+for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens--that is the address, I think--and
+if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her, and
+extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Messieurs
+Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye
+lifting. Find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of
+those three gentlemen, regardless of all scruples of delicacy.
+Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors."
+
+"And with regard to the 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Find out who has it, and, if it is still in Mrs. Hornby's possession,
+get her to lend it to us or--what might, perhaps, be better--get her
+permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"It shall be done according to your word," said I. "I will furbish up my
+exterior, and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the
+character of Paul Pry."
+
+About an hour later I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's
+house in Endsley Gardens listening to the jangling of the bell that I
+had just set in motion.
+
+"Miss Gibson, sir?" repeated the parlourmaid in response to my question.
+"She _was_ going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If you
+will step in, I will go and see."
+
+I followed her into the drawing-room, and, threading my way amongst the
+litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies
+nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's
+shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the
+parlourmaid's report.
+
+I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself
+entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated
+myself on my timely arrival.
+
+"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis," she said,
+holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner, "but you are very
+welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something?"
+
+"On the contrary," I replied, "I have come to ask you something."
+
+"Well, that is better than nothing," she said, with a shade of
+disappointment. "Won't you sit down?"
+
+I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scrofulous aspect, and
+opened my business without preamble.
+
+"Do you remember a thing called a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+"Indeed I do," she replied with energy. "It was the cause of all this
+trouble."
+
+"Do you know if the police took possession of it?"
+
+"The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the finger-print experts
+might examine it and compare the two thumb-prints; and they wanted to
+keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of its being
+used in evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really
+had no further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves
+when they had Reuben in custody; in fact, he volunteered to have a print
+taken at once, as soon as he was arrested, and that was done."
+
+"So the 'Thumbograph' is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession?"
+
+"Yes, unless she has destroyed it. She spoke of doing so."
+
+"I hope she has not," said I, in some alarm, "for Dr. Thorndyke is
+extremely anxious, for some reason, to examine it."
+
+"Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told
+her you were here. Have you any idea what Dr. Thorndyke's reason is for
+wanting to see it?"
+
+"None whatever," I replied. "Dr. Thorndyke is as close as an oyster. He
+treats me as he treats every one else--he listens attentively, observes
+closely, and says nothing."
+
+"It doesn't sound very agreeable," mused Miss Gibson; "and yet he seemed
+very nice and sympathetic."
+
+"He _is_ very nice and sympathetic," I retorted with some emphasis, "but
+he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his clients' secrets."
+
+"I suppose not; and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed," said
+she, smiling, but evidently somewhat piqued by my not very tactful
+observation.
+
+I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations,
+when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was
+somewhat stout, amiable and placid of mien, and impressed me (to be
+entirely truthful) as looking rather foolish.
+
+"Here is Mrs. Hornby," said Miss Gibson, presenting me to her hostess;
+and she continued, "Dr. Jervis has come to ask about the 'Thumbograph.'
+You haven't destroyed it, I hope?"
+
+"No, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby. "I have it in my little bureau. What
+did Dr. Jervis wish to know about it?"
+
+Seeing that she was terrified lest some new and dreadful surprise should
+be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her.
+
+"My colleague, Dr. Thorndyke, is anxious to examine it. He is directing
+your nephew's defence, you know."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "Juliet told me about him. She says he is
+a dear. Do you agree with her?"
+
+Here I caught Miss Gibson's eye, in which was a mischievous twinkle, and
+noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks.
+
+"Well," I answered dubiously, "I have never considered my colleague in
+the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every
+respect."
+
+"That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent," said Miss Gibson,
+recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless
+repetition of her phrase had produced. "I think the feminine expression
+is more epigrammatic and comprehensive. But to return to the object of
+Dr. Jervis's visit. Would you let him have the 'Thumbograph,' aunt, to
+show to Dr. Thorndyke?"  "Oh, my dear Juliet," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I
+would do anything--anything--to help our poor boy. I will never believe
+that he could be guilty of theft--common, vulgar theft. There has been
+some dreadful mistake--I am convinced there has--I told the detectives
+so. I assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and
+that they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such
+an action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him
+since he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge, if anyone
+is. Diamonds, too! Now, I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds?
+and they were not even cut."
+
+Here Mrs. Hornby drew forth a lace-edged handkerchief and mopped her
+eyes.
+
+"I am sure Dr. Thorndyke will be very much interested to see this little
+book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
+reflections.
+
+"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
+the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
+feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
+Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
+to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
+'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
+return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
+from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."
+
+"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
+'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."
+
+"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
+return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
+fire. I wish never to see it again."
+
+But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
+that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
+custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.
+
+"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
+examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to put
+it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not go
+out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to ask
+for your permission to take a photograph of it."
+
+"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
+for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
+I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know--is he not, Juliet,
+dear?"
+
+"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
+would rather take the photograph himself."
+
+"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
+person would not be of much use to him."
+
+"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
+just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
+photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
+clever, I assure you."
+
+"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
+Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."
+
+"It is excessively good of you--" I began.
+
+"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
+evening?"
+
+"We should very much," I replied. "My colleague could then examine it
+and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much
+trouble."
+
+"It is nothing of the kind," said Miss Gibson. "You would not mind
+coming with me this evening, would you, aunt?"
+
+"Certainly not, my dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to
+enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose and, looking at her watch,
+declared that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make
+my adieux, and she then remarked--
+
+"If you are walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might
+arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along."
+
+I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds
+later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously
+after us from the open door.
+
+"Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think?" Miss Gibson asked, as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"It will do excellently, I should say," I answered. "If anything should
+render the meeting impossible I will send you a telegram. I could wish
+that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference."
+
+Miss Gibson laughed softly--and a very pleasant and musical laugh it
+was.
+
+"Yes," she agreed. "Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult
+to keep to one subject; but you must be indulgent to her little
+failings; you would be if you had experienced such kindness and
+generosity from her as I have."
+
+"I am sure I should," I rejoined; "in fact, I am. After all, a little
+diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults in a
+generous and amiable woman of her age."
+
+Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a
+little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence.
+Presently she turned to me with some suddenness and a very earnest
+expression, and said--
+
+"I want to ask you a question, Dr. Jervis, and please forgive me if I
+beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my
+favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thorndyke has any kind of
+hope or expectation of being able to save poor Reuben from the dreadful
+peril that threatens him."
+
+This was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider it
+before replying.
+
+"I should like," I replied at length, "to tell you as much as my duty to
+my colleague will allow me to; but that is so little that it is hardly
+worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence:
+Dr. Thorndyke has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he
+would, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had
+considered it a hopeless one."
+
+"That is a very encouraging view of the matter," said she, "which, had,
+however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your
+visit to Scotland Yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching; I am so
+terribly anxious and troubled."
+
+"I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I
+know very little; but I have an idea that Dr. Thorndyke is not
+dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts,
+though I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home he
+developed a sudden desire to examine the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Thank you, Dr. Jervis," she said gratefully. "You have cheered me more
+than I can tell you, and I won't ask you any more questions. Are you
+sure I am not bringing you out of the way?"
+
+"Not at all," I answered hastily. "The fact is, I had hoped to have a
+little chat with you when we had disposed of the 'Thumbograph,' so I can
+regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of
+pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you."
+
+She gave me a little ironical bow as she inquired--
+
+"And, in short, I may take it that I am to be pumped?"
+
+"Come, now," I retorted. "You have been plying the pump handle pretty
+vigorously yourself. But that is not my meaning at all. You see, we are
+absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of
+course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters. But, after
+all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our
+client, for instance. He impressed us both very favourably, I think; but
+he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then
+you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character and
+we are at once on firmer ground."
+
+"I see," said Miss Gibson thoughtfully; "and suppose that I or some one
+else had told you things that seemed to reflect on his character. Would
+they have influenced you in your attitude towards him?"
+
+"Only in this," I replied; "that we should have made it our business to
+inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin."
+
+"That is what one should always do, I suppose," said she, still with an
+air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire--
+
+"May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr.
+Reuben's disadvantage?"
+
+She pondered for some time before replying, and kept her eyes bent
+pensively on the ground. At length she said, not without some hesitation
+of manner--
+
+"It is a small thing and quite without any bearing on this affair. But
+it has been a great trouble to me since it has to some extent put a
+barrier between Reuben and me; and we used to be such close friends. And
+I have blamed myself for letting it influence me--perhaps unjustly--in
+my opinion of him. I will tell you about it, though I expect you will
+think me very foolish.
+
+"You must know, then, that Reuben and I used, until about six months
+ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you
+understand. But we were on the footing of relatives, so there was
+nothing out of the way in it. Reuben is a keen student of ancient and
+mediaeval art, in which I also am much interested, so we used to visit
+the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from
+comparing our views and impressions of what we saw.
+
+"About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day and, with a very
+serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between
+Reuben and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but nevertheless,
+I told him the truth, that Reuben and I were just friends and nothing
+more.
+
+"'If that is the case,' said he, looking mighty grave, 'I would advise
+you not to be seen about with him quite so much.'
+
+"'And why not?' I asked very naturally.
+
+"'Why, the fact is,' said Walter, 'that Reuben is a confounded fool. He
+has been chattering to the men at the club and seems to have given them
+the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting
+her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-souled philosopher
+above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to
+her blandishments and her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for
+your own guidance,' he continued, 'and I expect this to go no farther.
+You mustn't be annoyed with Reuben. The best of young men will often
+behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt the fellows have
+grossly exaggerated what he said; but I thought it right to put you on
+your guard.'
+
+"Now this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I
+wanted to have it out with Reuben then and there. But Walter refused to
+sanction this--'there was no use in making a scene' he said--and he
+insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence; so what
+was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Reuben as I always had done,
+but this I found impossible; my womanly pride was much too deeply hurt.
+And yet I felt it the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts
+of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself. And
+although it was most unlike Reuben in some respects, it was very like
+him in others; for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men
+who marry for a livelihood. So I have remained on the horns of a dilemma
+and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done?"
+
+I rubbed my chin in some embarrassment at this question. Needless to
+say, I was most disagreeably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and
+not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to
+his secret disparagement of his cousin; but I was obviously not in a
+position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case.
+
+"The position appears to be this," I said, after a pause, "either Reuben
+has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied
+deliberately about him."
+
+"Yes," she agreed, "that is the position; but which of the two
+alternatives appears to you the more probable?"
+
+"That is very difficult to say," I answered. "There is a certain kind of
+cad who is much given to boastful rhodomontade concerning his conquests.
+We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight, but I must
+say that Reuben Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man at all.
+Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have adopted, if
+he had really heard such rumours, was to have had the matter out with
+Reuben, instead of coming secretly to you with whispered reports. That
+is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but, of course, I may be quite wrong. I
+gather that our two young friends are not inseparable companions?"
+
+"Oh, they are very good friends, but you see, their interests and views
+of life are quite different. Reuben, although an excellent worker in
+business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a
+scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs--decidedly
+long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby
+said."
+
+"He takes photographs, for instance," I suggested.
+
+"Yes. But not ordinary amateur photographs; his work is more technical
+and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful
+series of micro-photographs of sections of metalliferous rocks which he
+reproduced for publication by the collotype process, and even printed
+off the plates himself."
+
+"I see. He must be a very capable fellow."
+
+"He is, very," she assented, "and very keen on making a position; but I
+am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not
+a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it?"
+
+I agreed that it was not.
+
+"Excessive keenness in money affairs," proceeded Miss Gibson oracularly,
+"is apt to lead a young man into bad ways--oh, you need not smile, Dr.
+Jervis, at my wise saws; it is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact
+is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich
+inclines him to try what looks like a quick and easy method of making
+money. He had a friend--a Mr. Horton--who is a dealer on the Stock
+Exchange and who 'operates' rather largely--'operate' I believe is the
+expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common
+gambling--and I have more than once suspected Walter of being concerned
+in what Mr. Horton calls 'a little flutter.'"
+
+"That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding," I remarked,
+with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore untempted.
+
+"No," she agreed, "it isn't. But your gambler always thinks he is going
+to win--though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is
+a gambler. But here is my destination. Thank you for escorting me so
+far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the
+Hornby family. We shall make our appearance to-night at eight
+punctually."
+
+She gave me her hand with a frank smile and tripped up the steps leading
+to the street door; and when I glanced back, after crossing the road,
+she gave me a little friendly nod as she turned to enter the house.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE 'THUMBOGRAPH'
+
+
+"So your net has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine
+conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the dinner table and I
+gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures.
+
+"Yes," I answered, "and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the
+consumer."
+
+I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such
+facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson.
+
+"You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I
+suppose?" said Thorndyke--"while the matter was still fresh?"
+
+"I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within
+five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson."
+
+"Good!" said Thorndyke. "And now let us see what you have collected."
+
+He glanced quickly through the entries in the two books, referring back
+once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then
+he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod.
+
+"Our information, then," he said, "amounts to this: Reuben is an
+industrious worker at his business and, in his leisure, a student of
+ancient and medieval art; possibly a babbling fool and a cad or, on the
+other hand, a maligned and much-abused man.  "Walter Hornby is
+obviously a sneak and possibly a liar; a keen man of business, perhaps a
+flutterer round the financial candle that burns in Throgmorton Street;
+an expert photographer and a competent worker of the collotype process.
+You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I wonder if you see
+the bearing of the facts that you have collected."
+
+"I think I see the bearing of some of them," I answered; "at least, I
+have formed certain opinions."
+
+"Then keep them to yourself, _mon ami_, so that I need not feel as if I
+ought to unbosom myself of my own views."
+
+"I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndyke," I replied, "and
+should have none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your
+opinions and theories are the property of your client and not to be used
+for the entertainment of your friends."
+
+Thorndyke patted me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly
+pleased, and said, with evident sincerity, "I am really grateful to you
+for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent
+with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I
+am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can
+do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink
+the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods!
+here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour
+of roasted flesh. Rump steak I ween," he added, sniffing, "food meet for
+the mighty Shamash (that pun was fortuitous, I need not say) or a
+ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Polton, how it is that
+your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have
+command of a special brand of ox?"
+
+The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as
+full of lines as a ground-plan of Clapham Junction.
+
+"Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir," he replied. "I
+usually bruise it in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the
+fibre too much, and then I heat up the little cupel furnace to about 600
+C, and put the steak in on a tripod."
+
+Thorndyke laughed outright. "The cupel furnace, too," he exclaimed.
+"Well, well, 'to what base uses'--but I don't know that it is a base use
+after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of
+ten by eight 'process' plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two
+ladies here this evening with a document."
+
+"Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Polton, with an alarmed
+expression.
+
+"I expect I shall have to," answered Thorndyke.
+
+"Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit," said Polton, who
+evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine and feminine
+view as to the proper appearance of working premises.
+
+"And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on the case?" said
+Thorndyke, when his voracity had become somewhat appeased.
+
+"Yes," I answered; and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I
+could remember it.
+
+"Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic," Thorndyke remarked, "and
+it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we
+show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard,
+then to the whole world. We know what their trump card is and can
+arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand."
+
+"You speak of the police as your antagonists; I noticed that at the
+'Yard' this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the
+position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender,
+not to fix the crime on some particular person."
+
+"That would seem to be so," replied Thorndyke, "but in practice it is
+otherwise. When the police have made an arrest they work for a
+conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs; it
+is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one--especially since
+the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be
+estimated by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement
+is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is
+of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not
+engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is
+trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without
+regard to its actual truth or even to the lawyer's own belief on the
+subject. That is what produces so much friction between lawyers and
+scientific witnesses; neither can understand the point of view of the
+other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this; it has
+gone half-past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room
+presentable."
+
+"I notice you don't use your office much," I remarked.
+
+"Hardly at all, excepting as a repository for documents and stationery.
+It is very cheerless to talk in an office, and nearly all my business is
+transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is
+no need for such formalities. All right, Polton; we shall be ready for
+you in five minutes."
+
+The Temple bell was striking eight as, at Thorndyke's request, I threw
+open the iron-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps
+came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for our two
+visitors, and led them into the room.
+
+"I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Hornby, when I had
+done the honours of introduction; "I have heard so much about you from
+Juliet--"
+
+"Really, my dear aunt," protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with
+a look of comical alarm, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous
+impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice
+and had been received with undeserved indulgence and consideration."
+
+"You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby, "but I
+suppose it doesn't matter."
+
+"We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favourable report of us,
+whatever may have been the actual form of expression," said Thorndyke,
+with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered her with
+smiling confusion, "and we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much
+trouble to help us."
+
+"It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure," replied Mrs. Hornby;
+and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened,
+like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out
+into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed chairs
+for the two ladies, and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed a stony
+gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Hornby's wrist.
+
+"Is the 'Thumbograph' in your bag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, in response
+to this mute appeal.
+
+"Of course it is, my dear Juliet," replied the elder lady. "You saw me
+put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are. Did you think I should
+have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are
+really very secure, you know, although I daresay they are safer than
+pockets, especially now that it is the fashion to have the pocket at the
+back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a
+pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know,
+to make a snatch and--in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I
+knew a lady--Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet--no, it wasn't Mrs.
+Moggridge, that was another affair, it was Mrs.--Mrs.--dear me, how
+silly of me!--now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You
+must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the
+Hawley-Johnsons'--I think it was the Hawley-Johnsons', or else it was
+those people, you know--"
+
+"Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph'?" interrupted
+Miss Gibson.
+
+"Why, of course, Juliet, dear. What else did we come here for?" With a
+slightly injured expression, Mrs. Hornby opened the little bag and
+commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents on to
+the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a
+visiting list, a packet of _papier poudre_, and when she had laid the
+last-mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into
+Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling
+discovery.
+
+"I remember the woman's name," she said in an impressive voice. "It was
+Gudge--Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of--"
+
+Here Miss Gibson made an unceremonious dive into the open bag and fished
+out a tiny parcel wrapped in notepaper and secured with a silk thread.
+
+"Thank you," said Thorndyke, taking it from her hand just as Mrs. Hornby
+was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread and drew from its
+wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbograph"
+stamped upon the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby
+rose and stood beside him.
+
+"That," said she, as she opened the book at the first page, "is the
+thumb-mark of a Miss Colley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is
+a little smeared--she said Reuben jogged her elbow, but I don't think he
+did; at any rate he assured me he did not, and, you know--"
+
+"Ah! Here is one we are looking for," interrupted Thorndyke, who had
+been turning the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling
+comments; "a very good impression, too, considering the rather rough
+method of producing it."
+
+He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the
+mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered
+through it at the thumb-print that he was looking for something. A
+moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had
+sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and
+composed air and made no remark, there was a sparkle of the eye and a
+scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I
+had begun to recognise beneath the impassive mask that he presented to
+the world.
+
+"I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he
+said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, "and, as I
+may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you
+and Miss Gibson to sign your names--as small as possible--on the page
+which bears Mr. Reuben's thumb-mark. That will anticipate any suggestion
+that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands."
+
+"It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such
+suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain
+pen in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and
+handed the pen to Miss Gibson, who signed underneath.
+
+"And now," said Thorndyke, "we will take an enlarged photograph of this
+page with the thumb-mark; not that it is necessary that it should be
+done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the
+photograph will be wanted, and as my man is expecting us and has the
+apparatus ready, we may as well despatch the business at once."
+
+To this both the ladies readily agreed (being, in fact, devoured by
+curiosity with regard to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly
+proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the
+ingenious Polton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur.
+
+It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me
+with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we
+entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small
+woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of
+mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I
+noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike
+neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndyke's observation,
+for his face relaxed into a grim smile as his eye travelled over the
+bare benches and the clean-swept floor.
+
+From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of
+which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shelves of
+reagents that covered the wall, and the flasks, retorts and other
+apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a
+drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large,
+massively-constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the
+lens, was fixed, and an easel or copyholder travelled on parallel guides
+towards, or away, from it, on a long stand.
+
+This apparatus Thorndyke proceeded to explain to our visitors while
+Polton was fixing the "Thumbograph" in a holder attached to the easel.
+
+"You see," he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, "I have a
+good deal to do with signatures, cheques and disputed documents of
+various kinds. Now a skilled eye, aided by a pocket-lens, can make out
+very minute details on a cheque or bank-note; but it is not possible to
+lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very
+convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the
+magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original.
+Small things, when magnified, develop quite unexpected characters; for
+instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but
+have you ever noticed the little white spots in the upper corner of a
+penny stamp, or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of
+the wreath?"
+
+Miss Gibson admitted that she had not.
+
+"Very few people have, I suppose, excepting stamp-collectors," continued
+Thorndyke; "but now just glance at this and you will find these
+unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed
+her a photograph, which he had taken from a drawer, showing a penny
+stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches.
+
+While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded
+with his work. The "Thumbograph" having been fixed in position, the
+light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted with a parabolic
+reflector, was concentrated on it, and the camera racked out to its
+proper distance.
+
+"What are those figures intended to show?" inquired Miss Gibson,
+indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides.
+
+"They show the amount of magnification or reduction," Thorndyke
+explained. "When the pointer is opposite 0, the photograph is the same
+size as the object photographed; when it points to, say, x 4, the
+photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while
+if it should point to, say, / 4, the photograph will be one-fourth the
+length of the object. It is now, you see, pointing to x 8, so the
+photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb-mark."
+
+By this time Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus and,
+when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image on the
+focussing screen, we withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to
+bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and
+the plate developed. Here, after an interval, we were joined by Polton,
+who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could
+be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb-mark.
+
+This Thorndyke scrutinised eagerly, and having pronounced it
+satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was
+attained, and thanked her for the trouble she had taken.
+
+"I am very glad we came," said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we
+walked slowly up Mitre Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorndyke;
+"and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has
+made me realise that something is being done and that Dr. Thorndyke
+really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely."
+
+"And very properly so," I replied. "I, too, although I really know
+nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would
+not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had
+not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking
+a hopeful view."
+
+"Thank you for saying that," she rejoined warmly; "and you will let me
+have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you?" She looked in my face
+so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and,
+indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully
+justify my colleague's reticence towards me.
+
+However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so, when we emerged
+into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a hansom, I
+could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see
+her again at the earliest opportunity--a promise which my inner
+consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled.
+
+"You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend,"
+Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back towards his chambers. "You are
+an insinuating dog, Jervis."
+
+"She is very frank and easy to get on with," I replied.
+
+"Yes. A good girl and a clever girl, and comely to look upon withal. I
+suppose it would be superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your
+eye?"
+
+"I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud," I
+replied sulkily.
+
+"Of course you wouldn't; hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic
+member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to
+Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"No," I answered.
+
+"It might be worth while to find out," said Thorndyke; and then he
+relapsed into silence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+COMMITTED FOR TRIAL
+
+
+Thorndyke's hint as to the possible danger foreshadowed by my growing
+intimacy with Juliet Gibson had come upon me as a complete surprise, and
+had, indeed, been resented by me as somewhat of an impertinence.
+Nevertheless, it gave me considerable food for meditation, and I
+presently began to suspect that the watchful eyes of my observant friend
+might have detected something in my manner towards Miss Gibson
+suggestive of sentiments that had been unsuspected by myself.
+
+Of course it would be absurd to suppose that any real feeling could have
+been engendered by so ridiculously brief an acquaintance. I had only met
+the girl three times, and even now, excepting for business relations,
+was hardly entitled to more than a bow of recognition. But yet, when I
+considered the matter impartially and examined my own consciousness, I
+could not but recognise that she had aroused in me an interest which
+bore no relation to the part that she had played in the drama that was
+so slowly unfolding. She was undeniably a very handsome girl, and her
+beauty was of a type that specially appealed to me--full of dignity and
+character that gave promise of a splendid middle age. And her
+personality was in other ways not less attractive, for she was frank and
+open, sprightly and intelligent, and though evidently quite
+self-reliant, was in nowise lacking in that womanly softness that so
+strongly engages a man's sympathy.
+
+In short, I realised that, had there been no such person as Reuben
+Hornby, I should have viewed Miss Gibson with uncommon interest.
+
+But, unfortunately, Reuben Hornby was a most palpable reality, and,
+moreover, the extraordinary difficulties of his position entitled him to
+very special consideration by any man of honour. It was true that Miss
+Gibson had repudiated any feelings towards Reuben other than those of
+old-time friendship; but young ladies are not always impartial judges of
+their own feelings, and, as a man of the world, I could not but have my
+own opinion on the matter--which opinion I believed to be shared by
+Thorndyke. The conclusions to which my cogitations at length brought me
+were: first, that I was an egotistical donkey, and, second, that my
+relations with Miss Gibson were of an exclusively business character and
+must in future be conducted on that basis, with the added consideration
+that I was the confidential agent, for the time being, of Reuben Hornby,
+and in honour bound to regard his interests as paramount.
+
+"I am hoping," said Thorndyke, as he held out his hand for my teacup,
+"that these profound reflections of yours are connected with the Hornby
+affair; in which case I should expect to hear that the riddle is solved
+and the mystery made plain."
+
+"Why should you expect that?" I demanded, reddening somewhat, I suspect,
+as I met his twinkling eye. There was something rather disturbing in
+the dry, quizzical smile that I encountered and the reflection that I
+had been under observation, and I felt as much embarrassed as I should
+suppose a self-conscious water-flea might feel on finding itself on the
+illuminated stage of a binocular microscope.
+
+"My dear fellow," said Thorndyke, "you have not spoken a word for the
+last quarter of an hour; you have devoured your food with the relentless
+regularity of a sausage-machine, and you have, from time to time, made
+the most damnable faces at the coffee-pot--though there I'll wager the
+coffee-pot was even with you, if I may judge by the presentment that it
+offers of my own countenance."
+
+I roused myself from my reverie with a laugh at Thorndyke's quaint
+conceit and a glance at the grotesquely distorted reflection of my face
+in the polished silver.
+
+"I am afraid I _have_ been a rather dull companion this morning," I
+admitted apologetically.
+
+"By no means," replied Thorndyke, with a grin. "On the contrary, I have
+found you both amusing and instructive, and I only spoke when I had
+exhausted your potentialities as a silent entertainer."
+
+"You are pleased to be facetious at my expense," said I.
+
+"Well, the expense was not a very heavy one," he retorted. "I have been
+merely consuming a by-product of your mental activity--Hallo! that's
+Anstey already."
+
+A peculiar knock, apparently delivered with the handle of a
+walking-stick on the outer door, was the occasion of this exclamation,
+and as Thorndyke sprang up and flung the door open, a clear, musical
+voice was borne in, the measured cadences of which proclaimed at once
+the trained orator.
+
+"Hail, learned brother!" it exclaimed. "Do I disturb you untimely at
+your studies?" Here our visitor entered the room and looked round
+critically. "'Tis even so," he declared. "Physiological chemistry and
+its practical applications appears to be the subject. A physico-chemical
+inquiry into the properties of streaky bacon and fried eggs. Do I see
+another learned brother?"
+
+He peered keenly at me through his pince-nez, and I gazed at him in some
+embarrassment.
+
+"This is my friend Jervis, of whom you have heard me speak," said
+Thorndyke. "He is with us in this case, you know."
+
+"The echoes of your fame have reached me, sir," said Anstey, holding out
+his hand. "I am proud to know you. I should have recognised you
+instantly from the portrait of your lamented uncle in Greenwich
+Hospital."
+
+"Anstey is a wag, you understand," explained Thorndyke, "but he has
+lucid intervals. He'll have one presently if we are patient."
+
+"Patient!" snorted our eccentric visitor, "it is I who need to be
+patient when I am dragged into police courts and other sinks of iniquity
+to plead for common thieves and robbers like a Kennington Lane
+advocate."
+
+"You've been talking to Lawley, I see," said Thorndyke.
+
+"Yes, and he tells me that we haven't a leg to stand upon."
+
+"No, we've got to stand on our heads, as men of intellect should. But
+Lawley knows nothing about the case."
+
+"He thinks he knows it all," said Anstey.
+
+"Most fools do," retorted Thorndyke. "They arrive at their knowledge by
+intuition--a deuced easy road and cheap travelling too. We reserve our
+defence--I suppose you agree to that?"
+
+"I suppose so. The magistrate is sure to commit unless you have an
+unquestionable _alibi_."
+
+"We shall put in an _alibi_, but we are not depending on it."
+
+"Then we had better reserve our defence," said Anstey; "and it is time
+that we wended on our pilgrimage, for we are due at Lawley's at
+half-past ten. Is Jervis coming with us?"
+
+"Yes, you'd better come," said Thorndyke. "It's the adjourned hearing of
+poor Hornby's case, you know. There won't be anything done on our side,
+but we may be able to glean some hint from the prosecution."
+
+"I should like to hear what takes place, at any rate," I said, and we
+accordingly sallied forth together in the direction of Lincoln's Inn, on
+the north side of which Mr. Lawley's office was situated.
+
+"Ah!" said the solicitor, as we entered, "I am glad you've come; I was
+getting anxious--it doesn't do to be late on these occasions, you know.
+Let me see, do you know Mr. Walter Hornby? I don't think you do." He
+presented Thorndyke and me to our client's cousin, and as we shook
+hands, we viewed one another with a good deal of mutual interest.
+
+"I have heard about you from my aunt," said he, addressing himself more
+particularly to me. "She appears to regard you as a kind of legal
+Maskelyne and Cooke. I hope, for my cousin's sake, that you will be able
+to work the wonders that she anticipates. Poor old fellow! He looks
+pretty bad, doesn't he?"
+
+I glanced at Reuben, who was at the moment talking to Thorndyke, and as
+he caught my eye he held out his hand with a warmth that I found very
+pathetic. He seemed to have aged since I had last seen him, and was
+pale and rather thinner, but he was composed in his manner and seemed to
+me to be taking his trouble very well on the whole.
+
+"Cab's at the door, sir," a clerk announced.
+
+"Cab," repeated Mr. Lawley, looking dubiously at me; "we want an
+omnibus."
+
+"Dr. Jervis and I can walk," Walter Hornby suggested. "We shall probably
+get there as soon as you, and it doesn't matter if we don't."
+
+"Yes, that will do," said Mr. Lawley; "you two walk down together. Now
+let us go."
+
+We trooped out on to the pavement, beside which a four-wheeler was drawn
+up, and as the others were entering the cab, Thorndyke stood close
+beside me for a moment.
+
+"Don't let him pump you," he said in a low voice, without looking at me;
+then he sprang into the cab and slammed the door.
+
+"What an extraordinary affair this is," Walter Hornby remarked, after we
+had been walking in silence for a minute or two; "a most ghastly
+business. I must confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it."
+
+"How is that?" I asked.
+
+"Why, do you see, there are apparently only two possible theories of the
+crime, and each of them seems to be unthinkable. On the one hand there
+is Reuben, a man of the most scrupulous honour, as far as my experience
+of him goes, committing a mean and sordid theft for which no motive can
+be discovered--for he is not poor, nor pecuniarily embarrassed nor in
+the smallest degree avaricious. On the other hand, there is this
+thumb-print, which, in the opinion of the experts, is tantamount to the
+evidence of an eye-witness that he did commit the theft. It is
+positively bewildering. Don't you think so?"
+
+"As you put it," I answered, "the case is extraordinarily puzzling."
+
+"But how else would you put it?" he demanded, with ill-concealed
+eagerness.
+
+"I mean that, if Reuben is the man you believe him to be, the thing is
+incomprehensible."
+
+"Quite so," he agreed, though he was evidently disappointed at my
+colourless answer.
+
+He walked on silently for a few minutes and then said: "I suppose it
+would not be fair to ask if you see any way out of the difficulty? We
+are all, naturally anxious about the upshot of the affair, seeing what
+poor old Reuben's position is."
+
+"Naturally. But the fact is that I know no more than you do, and as to
+Thorndyke, you might as well cross-examine a Whitstable native as put
+questions to him."
+
+"Yes, so I gathered from Juliet. But I thought you might have gleaned
+some notion of the line of defence from your work in the laboratory--the
+microscopical and photographic work I mean."
+
+"I was never in the laboratory until last night, when Thorndyke took me
+there with your aunt and Miss Gibson; the work there is done by the
+laboratory assistant, and his knowledge of the case, I should say, is
+about as great as a type-founder's knowledge of the books that he is
+helping to produce. No; Thorndyke is a man who plays a single-handed
+game and no one knows what cards he holds until he lays them on the
+table."
+
+My companion considered this statement in silence while I congratulated
+myself on having parried, with great adroitness, a rather inconvenient
+question. But the time was not far distant when I should have occasion
+to reproach myself bitterly for having been so explicit and emphatic.
+
+"My uncle's condition," Walter resumed after a pause, "is a pretty
+miserable one at present, with this horrible affair added to his own
+personal worries."
+
+"Has he any special trouble besides this, then?" I asked.
+
+"Why, haven't you heard? I thought you knew about it, or I shouldn't
+have spoken--not that it is in any way a secret, seeing that it is
+public property in the city. The fact is that his financial affairs are
+a little entangled just now."
+
+"Indeed!" I exclaimed, considerably startled by this new development.
+
+"Yes, things have taken a rather awkward turn, though I think he will
+pull through all right. It is the usual thing, you know--investments, or
+perhaps one should say speculations. He appears to have sunk a lot of
+capital in mines--thought he was 'in the know,' not unnaturally; but it
+seems he wasn't after all, and the things have gone wrong, leaving him
+with a deal more money than he can afford locked up and the possibility
+of a dead loss if they don't revive. Then there are these infernal
+diamonds. He is not morally responsible, we know; but it is a question
+if he is not legally responsible, though the lawyers think he is not.
+Anyhow, there is going to be a meeting of the creditors to-morrow."
+
+"And what do you think they will do?"
+
+"Oh, they will, most probably, let him go on for the present; but, of
+course, if he is made accountable for the diamonds there will be nothing
+for it but to 'go through the hoop,' as the sporting financier
+expresses it."
+
+"The diamonds were of considerable value, then?"
+
+"From twenty-five to thirty thousand pounds' worth vanished with that
+parcel."
+
+I whistled. This was a much bigger affair than I had imagined, and I was
+wondering if Thorndyke had realised the magnitude of the robbery, when
+we arrived at the police court.
+
+"I suppose our friends have gone inside," said Walter. "They must have
+got here before us."
+
+This supposition was confirmed by a constable of whom we made inquiry,
+and who directed us to the entrance to the court. Passing down a passage
+and elbowing our way through the throng of idlers, we made for the
+solicitor's box, where we had barely taken our seats when the case was
+called.
+
+Unspeakably dreary and depressing were the brief proceedings that
+followed, and dreadfully suggestive of the helplessness of even an
+innocent man on whom the law has laid its hand and in whose behalf its
+inexorable machinery has been set in motion.
+
+The presiding magistrate, emotionless and dry, dipped his pen while
+Reuben, who had surrendered to his bail, was placed in the dock and the
+charge read over to him. The counsel representing the police gave an
+abstract of the case with the matter-of-fact air of a house-agent
+describing an eligible property. Then, when the plea of "not guilty" had
+been entered, the witnesses were called. There were only two, and when
+the name of the first, John Hornby, was called, I glanced towards the
+witness-box with no little curiosity.
+
+I had not hitherto met Mr. Hornby, and as he now entered the box, I saw
+an elderly man, tall, florid, and well-preserved, but strained and wild
+in expression and displaying his uncontrollable agitation by continual
+nervous movements which contrasted curiously with the composed demeanour
+of the accused man. Nevertheless, he gave his evidence in a perfectly
+connected manner, recounting the events connected with the discovery of
+the crime in much the same words as I had heard Mr. Lawley use, though,
+indeed, he was a good deal more emphatic than that gentleman had been in
+regard to the excellent character borne by the prisoner.
+
+After him came Mr. Singleton, of the finger-print department at Scotland
+Yard, to whose evidence I listened with close attention. He produced the
+paper which bore the thumb-print in blood (which had previously been
+identified by Mr. Hornby) and a paper bearing the print, taken by
+himself, of the prisoner's left thumb. These two thumb-prints, he
+stated, were identical in every respect.
+
+"And you are of opinion that the mark on the paper that was found in Mr.
+Hornby's safe, was made by the prisoner's left thumb?" the magistrate
+asked in dry and business-like tones.
+
+"I am certain of it."
+
+"You are of opinion that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"No mistake is possible, your worship. It is a certainty."
+
+The magistrate looked at Anstey inquiringly, whereupon the barrister
+rose.  "We reserve our defence, your worship."
+
+The magistrate then, in the same placid, business-like manner, committed
+the prisoner for trial at the Central Criminal Court, refusing to accept
+bail for his appearance, and, as Reuben was led forth from the dock, the
+next case was called.
+
+By special favour of the authorities, Reuben was to be allowed to make
+his journey to Holloway in a cab, thus escaping the horrors of the
+filthy and verminous prison van, and while this was being procured, his
+friends were permitted to wish him farewell.
+
+"This is a hard experience, Hornby," said Thorndyke, when we three were,
+for a few moments, left apart from the others; and as he spoke the
+warmth of a really sympathetic nature broke through his habitual
+impassivity. "But be of good cheer; I have convinced myself of your
+innocence and have good hopes of convincing the world--though this is
+for your private ear, you understand, to be mentioned to no one."
+
+Reuben wrung the hand of this "friend in need," but was unable, for the
+moment, to speak; and, as his self-control was evidently strained to the
+breaking point, Thorndyke, with a man's natural instinct, wished him a
+hasty good-bye, and passing his hand through my arm, turned away.
+
+"I wish it had been possible to save the poor fellow from this delay,
+and especially from the degradation of being locked up in a jail," he
+exclaimed regretfully as we walked down the street.
+
+"There is surely no degradation in being merely accused of a crime," I
+answered, without much conviction, however. "It may happen to the best
+of us; and he is still an innocent man in the eyes of the law."
+
+"That, my dear Jervis, you know, as well as I do, to be mere casuistry,"
+he rejoined. "The law professes to regard the unconvicted man as
+innocent; but how does it treat him? You heard how the magistrate
+addressed our friend; outside the court he would have called him _Mr_.
+Hornby. You know what will happen to Reuben at Holloway. He will be
+ordered about by warders, will have a number label fastened on to his
+coat, he will be locked in a cell with a spy-hole in the door, through
+which any passing stranger may watch him; his food will be handed to him
+in a tin pan with a tin knife and spoon; and he will be periodically
+called out of his cell and driven round the exercise yard with a mob
+composed, for the most part, of the sweepings of the London slums. If he
+is acquitted, he will be turned loose without a suggestion of
+compensation or apology for these indignities or the losses he may have
+sustained through his detention."
+
+"Still I suppose these evils are unavoidable," I said.
+
+"That may or may not be," he retorted. "My point is that the presumption
+of innocence is a pure fiction; that the treatment of an accused man,
+from the moment of his arrest, is that of a criminal. However," he
+concluded, hailing a passing hansom, "this discussion must be adjourned
+or I shall be late at the hospital. What are you going to do?"
+
+"I shall get some lunch and then call on Miss Gibson to let her know the
+real position."
+
+"Yes, that will be kind, I think; baldly stated, the news may seem
+rather alarming. I was tempted to thrash the case out in the police
+court, but it would not have been safe. He would almost certainly have
+been committed for trial after all, and then we should have shown our
+hand to the prosecution."
+
+He sprang into the hansom and was speedily swallowed up in the traffic,
+while I turned back towards the police court to make certain inquiries
+concerning the regulations as to visitors at Holloway prison. At the
+door I met the friendly inspector from Scotland Yard, who gave me the
+necessary information, whereupon with a certain homely little French
+restaurant in my mind I bent my steps in the direction of Soho.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+SHOALS AND QUICKSANDS
+
+
+When I arrived at Endsley Gardens, Miss Gibson was at home, and to my
+unspeakable relief, Mrs. Hornby was not. My veneration for that lady's
+moral qualities was excessive, but her conversation drove me to the
+verge of insanity--an insanity not entirely free from homicidal
+tendencies.
+
+"It is good of you to come--though I thought you would," Miss Gibson
+said impulsively, as we shook hands. "You have been so sympathetic and
+human--both you and Dr. Thorndyke--so free from professional stiffness.
+My aunt went off to see Mr. Lawley directly we got Walter's telegram."
+
+"I am sorry for her," I said (and was on the point of adding "and him,"
+but fortunately a glimmer of sense restrained me); "she will find him
+dry enough."
+
+"Yes; I dislike him extremely. Do you know that he had the impudence to
+advise Reuben to plead 'guilty'?"
+
+"He told us he had done so, and got a well-deserved snubbing from
+Thorndyke for his pains."
+
+"I am so glad," exclaimed Miss Gibson viciously. "But tell me what has
+happened. Walter simply said 'Transferred to higher court,' which we
+agreed was to mean, 'Committed for trial.' Has the defence failed? And
+where is Reuben?"
+
+"The defence is reserved. Dr. Thorndyke considered it almost certain
+that the case would be sent for trial, and that being so, decided that
+it was essential to keep the prosecution in the dark as to the line of
+defence. You see, if the police knew what the defence was to be they
+could revise their own plans accordingly."
+
+"I see that," said she dejectedly, "but I am dreadfully disappointed. I
+had hoped that Dr. Thorndyke would get the case dismissed. What has
+happened to Reuben?"
+
+This was the question that I had dreaded, and now that I had to answer
+it I cleared my throat and bent my gaze nervously on the floor.
+
+"The magistrate refused bail," I said after an uncomfortable pause.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Consequently Reuben has been--er--detained in custody."
+
+"You don't mean to say that they have sent him to prison?" she exclaimed
+breathlessly.
+
+"Not as a convicted prisoner, you know. He is merely detained pending
+his trial."
+
+"But in prison?"
+
+"Yes," I was forced to admit; "in Holloway prison."
+
+She looked me stonily in the face for some seconds, pale and wide-eyed,
+but silent; then, with a sudden catch in her breath, she turned away,
+and, grasping the edge of the mantel-shelf, laid her head upon her arm
+and burst into a passion of sobbing.
+
+Now I am not, in general, an emotional man, nor even especially
+impulsive; but neither am I a stock or a stone or an effigy of wood;
+which I most surely must have been if I could have looked without being
+deeply moved on the grief, so natural and unselfish, of this strong,
+brave, loyal-hearted woman. In effect, I moved to her side and, gently
+taking in mine the hand that hung down, murmured some incoherent words
+of consolation in a particularly husky voice.
+
+Presently she recovered herself somewhat and softly withdrew her hand,
+as she turned towards me drying her eyes.
+
+"You must forgive me for distressing you, as I fear I have," she said;
+"for you are so kind, and I feel that you are really my friend and
+Reuben's."
+
+"I am indeed, dear Miss Gibson," I replied, "and so, I assure you, is my
+colleague."
+
+"I am sure of it," she rejoined. "But I was so unprepared for this--I
+cannot say why, excepting that I trusted so entirely in Dr.
+Thorndyke--and it is so horrible and, above all, so dreadfully
+suggestive of what may happen. Up to now the whole thing has seemed like
+a nightmare--terrifying, but yet unreal. But now that he is actually in
+prison, it has suddenly become a dreadful reality and I am overwhelmed
+with terror. Oh! poor boy! What will become of him? For pity's sake, Dr.
+Jervis, tell me what is going to happen."
+
+What could I do? I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to
+Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all
+he had said. Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own
+counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities. But I could
+not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
+
+"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said. "I have it
+from Dr. Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is
+hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world. But I did not have
+this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
+
+"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart."
+
+"And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it
+distress you too much. Try to think of it as of a surgical operation,
+which is a dreadful thing in itself, but is accepted in lieu of
+something which is immeasurably more dreadful."
+
+"I will try to do as you tell me," she answered meekly; "but it is so
+shocking to think of a cultivated gentleman like Reuben, herded with
+common thieves and murderers, and locked in a cage like some wild
+animal. Think of the ignominy and degradation!"
+
+"There is no ignominy in being wrongfully accused," I said--a little
+guiltily, I must own, for Thorndyke's words came back to me with all
+their force. But regardless of this I went on: "An acquittal will
+restore him to his position with an unstained character, and nothing but
+the recollection of a passing inconvenience to look back upon."
+
+She gave her eyes a final wipe, and resolutely put away her
+handkerchief.
+
+"You have given me back my courage," she said, "and chased away my
+terror. I cannot tell you how I feel your goodness, nor have I any
+thank-offering to make, except the promise to be brave and patient
+henceforth, and trust in you entirely."
+
+She said this with such a grateful smile, and looked withal so sweet and
+womanly that I was seized with an overpowering impulse to take her in my
+arms. Instead of this I said with conscious feebleness: "I am more than
+thankful to have been able to give you any encouragement--which you must
+remember comes from me second-hand, after all. It is to Dr. Thorndyke
+that we all look for ultimate deliverance."
+
+"I know. But it is you who came to comfort me in my trouble, so, you
+see, the honours are divided--and not divided quite equally, I fear, for
+women are unreasoning creatures, as, no doubt, your experience has
+informed you. I think I hear my aunt's voice, so you had better escape
+before your retreat is cut off. But before you go, you must tell me how
+and when I can see Reuben. I want to see him at the earliest possible
+moment. Poor fellow! He must not be allowed to feel that his friends
+have forgotten him even for a single instant."
+
+"You can see him to-morrow, if you like," I said; and, casting my good
+resolutions to the winds, I added: "I shall be going to see him myself,
+and perhaps Dr. Thorndyke will go."
+
+"Would you let me call at the Temple and go with you? Should I be much
+in the way? It is rather an alarming thing to go to a prison alone."
+
+"It is not to be thought of," I answered. "If you will call at the
+Temple--it is on the way--we can drive to Holloway together. I suppose
+you are resolved to go? It will be rather unpleasant, as you are
+probably aware."
+
+"I am quite resolved. What time shall I come to the Temple?"
+
+"About two o'clock, if that will suit you."
+
+"Very well. I will be punctual; and now you must go or you will be
+caught."
+
+She pushed me gently towards the door and, holding out her hand, said--
+ "I haven't thanked you half enough and I never can. Good-bye!"
+
+She was gone, and I stood alone in the street, up which yellowish
+wreaths of fog were beginning to roll. It had been quite clear and
+bright when I entered the house, but now the sky was settling down into
+a colourless grey, the light was failing and the houses dwindling into
+dim, unreal shapes that vanished at half their height. Nevertheless I
+stepped out briskly and strode along at a good pace, as a young man is
+apt to do when his mind is in somewhat of a ferment. In truth, I had a
+good deal to occupy my thoughts and, as will often happen both to young
+men and old, those matters that bore most directly upon my own life and
+prospects were the first to receive attention.
+
+What sort of relations were growing up between Juliet Gibson and me? And
+what was my position? As to hers, it seemed plain enough; she was
+wrapped up in Reuben Hornby and I was her very good friend because I was
+his. But for myself, there was no disguising the fact that I was
+beginning to take an interest in her that boded ill for my peace of
+mind.
+
+Never had I met a woman who so entirely realised my conception of what a
+woman should be, nor one who exercised so great a charm over me. Her
+strength and dignity, her softness and dependency, to say nothing of her
+beauty, fitted her with the necessary weapons for my complete and utter
+subjugation. And utterly subjugated I was--there was no use in denying
+the fact, even though I realised already that the time would presently
+come when she would want me no more and there would remain no remedy for
+me but to go away and try to forget her.
+
+But was I acting as a man of honour? To this I felt I could fairly
+answer "yes," for I was but doing my duty, and could hardly act
+differently if I wished to. Besides, I was jeopardising no one's
+happiness but my own, and a man may do as he pleases with his own
+happiness. No; even Thorndyke could not accuse me of dishonourable
+conduct.
+
+Presently my thoughts took a fresh turn and I began to reflect upon what
+I had heard concerning Mr. Hornby. Here was a startling development,
+indeed, and I wondered what difference it would make in Thorndyke's
+hypothesis of the crime. What his theory was I had never been able to
+guess, but as I walked along through the thickening fog I tried to fit
+this new fact into our collection of data and determine its bearings and
+significance.
+
+In this, for a time, I failed utterly. The red thumb-mark filled my
+field of vision to the exclusion of all else. To me, as to everyone else
+but Thorndyke, this fact was final and pointed to a conclusion that was
+unanswerable. But as I turned the story of the crime over and over,
+there came to me presently an idea that set in motion a new and very
+startling train of thought.
+
+Could Mr. Hornby himself be the thief? His failure appeared sudden to
+the outside world, but he must have seen difficulties coming. There,
+indeed, was the thumb-mark on the leaf which he had torn from his
+pocket-block. Yes! but who had seen him tear it off? No one. The fact
+rested on his bare statement.
+
+But the thumb-mark? Well, it was possible (though unlikely)--still
+possible--that the mark might have been made accidentally on some
+previous occasion and forgotten by Reuben, or even unnoticed. Mr. Hornby
+had seen the "Thumbograph," in fact his own mark was in it, and so would
+have had his attention directed to the importance of finger-prints in
+identification. He might have kept the marked paper for future use, and,
+on the occasion of the robbery, pencilled a dated inscription on it, and
+slipped it into the safe as a sure means of diverting suspicion. All
+this was improbable in the highest degree, but then so was every other
+explanation of the crime; and as to the unspeakable baseness of the
+deed, what action is too base for a gambler in difficulties?
+
+I was so much excited and elated by my own ingenuity in having formed an
+intelligible and practicable theory of the crime, that I was now
+impatient to reach home that I might impart my news to Thorndyke and see
+how they affected him. But as I approached the centre of the town the
+fog grew so dense that all my attention was needed to enable me to
+thread my way safely through the traffic; while the strange, deceptive
+aspect that it lent to familiar objects and the obliteration of
+landmarks made my progress so slow that it was already past six o'clock
+when I felt my way down Middle Temple Lane and crept through Crown
+Office Row towards my colleague's chambers.
+
+On the doorstep I found Polton peering with anxious face into the blank
+expanse of yellow vapour.
+
+"The Doctor's late, sir," said he. "Detained by the fog, I expect. It
+must be pretty thick in the Borough."
+
+(I may mention that, to Polton, Thorndyke was The Doctor. Other inferior
+creatures there were, indeed, to whom the title of "doctor" in a way,
+appertained; but they were of no account in Polton's eyes. Surnames were
+good enough for them.)
+
+"Yes, it must be," I replied, "judging by the condition of the Strand."
+
+I entered and ascended the stairs, glad enough of the prospect of a warm
+and well-lighted room after my comfortless groping in the murky streets,
+and Polton, with a final glance up and down the walk reluctantly
+followed.
+
+"You would like some tea, sir, I expect?" said he, as he let me in
+(though I had a key of my own now).
+
+I thought I should, and he accordingly set about the preparations in his
+deft methodical way, but with an air of abstraction that was unusual
+with him.
+
+"The Doctor said he should be home by five," he remarked, as he laid the
+tea-pot on the tray.
+
+"Then he is a defaulter," I answered. "We shall have to water his tea."
+
+"A wonderful punctual man, sir, is the Doctor," pursued Polton. "Keeps
+his time to the minute, as a rule, he does."
+
+"You can't keep your time to a minute in a 'London Particular,'" I said
+a little impatiently, for I wished to be alone that I might think over
+matters, and Polton's nervous flutterings irritated me somewhat. He was
+almost as bad as a female housekeeper.
+
+The little man evidently perceived my state of mind, for he stole away
+silently, leaving me rather penitent and ashamed, and, as I presently
+discovered on looking out of the window, resumed his vigil on the
+doorstep. From this coign of vantage he returned after a time to take
+away the tea-things; and thereafter, though it was now dark as well as
+foggy, I could hear him softly flitting up and down the stairs with a
+gloomy stealthiness that at length reduced me to a condition as
+nervously apprehensive as his own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT
+
+
+The Temple clock had announced in soft and confidential tones that it
+was a quarter to seven, in which statement it was stoutly supported by
+its colleague on our mantelpiece, and still there was no sign of
+Thorndyke. It was really a little strange, for he was the soul of
+punctuality, and moreover, his engagements were of such a kind as
+rendered punctuality possible. I was burning with impatience to impart
+my news to him, and this fact, together with the ghostly proceedings of
+Polton, worked me up to a state of nervous tension that rendered either
+rest or thought equally impossible. I looked out of the window at the
+lamp below, glaring redly through the fog, and then, opening the door,
+went out on to the landing to listen.
+
+At this moment Polton made a silent appearance on the stairs leading
+from the laboratory, giving me quite a start; and I was about to retire
+into the room when my ear caught the tinkle of a hansom approaching from
+Paper Buildings.
+
+The vehicle drew nearer, and at length stopped opposite the house, on
+which Polton slid down the stairs with the agility of a harlequin. A few
+moments later I heard his voice ascending from the hall--
+
+"I do hope, sir, you're not much hurt?"
+
+I ran down the stairs and met Thorndyke coming up slowly with his right
+hand on Polton's shoulder. His clothes were muddy, his left arm was in a
+sling, and a black handkerchief under his hat evidently concealed a
+bandage.
+
+"I am not really hurt at all," Thorndyke replied cheerily, "though very
+disreputable to look at. Just came a cropper in the mud, Jervis," he
+added, as he noted my dismayed expression. "Dinner and a clothes-brush
+are what I chiefly need." Nevertheless, he looked very pale and shaken
+when he came into the light on the landing, and he sank into his
+easy-chair in the limp manner of a man either very weak or very
+fatigued.
+
+"How did it happen?" I asked when Polton had crept away on tip-toe to
+make ready for dinner.
+
+Thorndyke looked round to make sure that his henchman had departed, and
+said--
+
+"A queer affair, Jervis; a very odd affair indeed. I was coming up from
+the Borough, picking my way mighty carefully across the road on account
+of the greasy, slippery mud, and had just reached the foot of London
+Bridge when I heard a heavy lorry coming down the slope a good deal too
+fast, considering that it was impossible to see more than a dozen yards
+ahead, and I stopped on the kerb to see it safely past. Just as the
+horses emerged from the fog, a man came up behind and lurched violently
+against me and, strangely enough, at the same moment passed his foot in
+front of mine. Of course I went sprawling into the road right in front
+of the lorry. The horses came stamping and sliding straight on to me,
+and, before I could wriggle out of the way, the hoof of one of them
+smashed in my hat--that was a new one that I came home in--and
+half-stunned me. Then the near wheel struck my head, making a dirty
+little scalp wound, and pinned down my sleeve so that I couldn't pull
+away my arm, which is consequently barked all the way down. It was a
+mighty near thing, Jervis; another inch or two and I should have been
+rolled out as flat as a starfish."
+
+"What became of the man?" I asked, wishing I could have had a brief
+interview with him.
+
+"Lost to sight though to memory dear: he was off like a lamplighter. An
+alcoholic apple-woman picked me up and escorted me back to the hospital.
+It must have been a touching spectacle," he added, with a dry smile at
+the recollection.
+
+"And I suppose they kept you there for a time to recover?"
+
+"Yes; I went into dry dock in the O. P. room, and then old Langdale
+insisted on my lying down for an hour or so in case any symptoms of
+concussion should appear. But I was only a trifle shaken and confused.
+Still, it was a queer affair."
+
+"You mean the man pushing you down in that way?"
+
+"Yes; I can't make out how his foot got in front of mine."
+
+"You don't think it was intentional, surely?" I said.
+
+"No, of course not," he replied, but without much conviction, as it
+seemed to me; and I was about to pursue the matter when Polton
+reappeared, and my friend abruptly changed the subject.
+
+After dinner I recounted my conversation with Walter Hornby, watching my
+colleague's face with some eagerness to see what effect this new
+information would produce on him. The result was, on the whole,
+disappointing. He was interested, keenly interested, but showed no
+symptoms of excitement.
+
+"So John Hornby has been plunging in mines, eh?" he said, when I had
+finished. "He ought to know better at his age. Did you learn how long he
+had been in difficulties?"
+
+"No. But it can hardly have been quite sudden and unforeseen."
+
+"I should think not," Thorndyke agreed. "A sudden slump often proves
+disastrous to the regular Stock Exchange gambler who is paying
+differences on large quantities of unpaid-for stock. But it looks as if
+Hornby had actually bought and paid for these mines, treating them as
+investments rather than speculations, in which case the depreciation
+would not have affected him in the same way. It would be interesting to
+know for certain."
+
+"It might have a considerable bearing on the present case, might it
+not?"
+
+"Undoubtedly," said Thorndyke. "It might bear on the case in more ways
+than one. But you have some special point in your mind, I think."
+
+"Yes. I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up
+gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form
+at the time of the robbery."
+
+"That is well considered," said my colleague. "But what is the special
+bearing on the case supposing it was so?"
+
+"On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr. Hornby was in actual
+pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me
+possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber."
+
+"I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing
+himself and regarding me with lively interest.
+
+"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at
+the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in
+fact, it is almost fantastic."
+
+"Never mind that," said he. "A sound thinker gives equal consideration
+to the probable and the improbable."
+
+Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it
+had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to
+observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his
+little nods of approval at each point that I made.
+
+When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and
+the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the
+data. At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the
+red embers--
+
+"This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity. We
+may disregard the improbability, seeing that the alternative theories
+are almost equally improbable, and the fact that emerges, and that
+gratifies me more than I can tell you, is that you are gifted with
+enough scientific imagination to construct a possible train of events.
+Indeed, the improbability--combined, of course, with possibility--really
+adds to the achievement, for the dullest mind can perceive the
+obvious--as, for instance, the importance of a finger-print. You have
+really done a great thing, and I congratulate you; for you have
+emancipated yourself, at least to some extent, from the great
+finger-print obsession, which has possessed the legal mind ever since
+Galton published his epoch-making monograph. In that work I remember he
+states that a finger-print affords evidence requiring no
+corroboration--a most dangerous and misleading statement which has been
+fastened upon eagerly by the police, who have naturally been delighted
+at obtaining a sort of magic touchstone by which they are saved the
+labour of investigation. But there is no such thing as a single fact
+that 'affords evidence requiring no corroboration.' As well might one
+expect to make a syllogism with a single premise."  "I suppose they
+would hardly go so far as that," I said, laughing.
+
+"No," he admitted. "But the kind of syllogism that they do make is
+this--
+
+"'The crime was committed by the person who made this finger-print.
+
+"'But John Smith is the person who made the finger-print.
+
+"'Therefore the crime was committed by John Smith.'"
+
+"Well, that is a perfectly good syllogism, isn't it?" I asked.
+
+"Perfectly," he replied. "But, you see, it begs the whole question,
+which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this
+finger-print?' That is where the corroboration is required."
+
+"That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference
+to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance."
+
+"Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable
+clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated. Take our
+present case, for instance. Without the thumb-print, the robbery might
+have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever. But the
+existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some
+person having access to his finger-prints."
+
+"Yes, I see. Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the
+perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one?"  "Quite," replied
+Thorndyke. "I have entertained it from the first; and the new facts that
+you have gathered increase its probability. You remember I said that
+four hypotheses were possible: that the robbery was committed either by
+Reuben, by Walter, by John Hornby, or by some other person. Now, putting
+aside the 'some other person' for consideration only if the first three
+hypotheses fail, we have left, Reuben, Walter, and John. But if we leave
+the thumb-print out of the question, the probabilities evidently point
+to John Hornby, since he, admittedly, had access to the diamonds,
+whereas there is nothing to show that the others had. The thumb-print,
+however, transfers the suspicion to Reuben; but yet, as your theory
+makes evident, it does not completely clear John Hornby. As the case
+stands, the balance of probabilities may be stated thus: John Hornby
+undoubtedly had access to the diamonds, and therefore might have stolen
+them. But if the thumb-mark was made after he closed the safe and before
+he opened it again, some other person must have had access to them, and
+was probably the thief.
+
+"The thumb-mark is that of Reuben Hornby, a fact that establishes a
+_prima facie_ probability that he stole the diamonds. But there is no
+evidence that he had access to them, and if he had not, he could not
+have made the thumb-mark in the manner and at the time stated.
+
+"But John Hornby may have had access to the previously-made thumb-mark
+of Reuben, and may possibly have obtained it; in which case he is almost
+certainly the thief.
+
+"As to Walter Hornby, he may have had the means of obtaining Reuben's
+thumb-mark; but there is no evidence that he had access either to the
+diamonds or to Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. The _prima facie_
+probabilities in his case, therefore, are very slight."
+
+"The actual points at issue, then," I said, "are, whether Reuben had any
+means of opening the safe, and whether Mr. Hornby ever did actually have
+the opportunity of obtaining Reuben's thumb-mark in blood on his
+memorandum block."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke. "Those are the points--with some others--and
+they are likely to remain unsettled. Reuben's rooms have been searched
+by the police, who failed to find any skeleton or duplicate keys; but
+this proves nothing, as he would probably have made away with them when
+he heard of the thumb-mark being found. As to the other matter, I have
+asked Reuben, and he has no recollection of ever having made a
+thumb-mark in blood. So there the matter rests."
+
+"And what about Mr. Hornby's liability for the diamonds?"
+
+"I think we may dismiss that," answered Thorndyke. "He had undertaken no
+liability and there was no negligence. He would not be liable at law."
+
+After my colleague retired, which he did quite early, I sat for a long
+time pondering upon this singular case in which I found myself involved.
+And the more I thought about it the more puzzled I became. If Thorndyke
+had no more satisfactory explanation to offer than that which he had
+given me this evening, the defence was hopeless, for the court was not
+likely to accept his estimate of the evidential value of finger-prints.
+Yet he had given Reuben something like a positive assurance that there
+would be an adequate defence, and had expressed his own positive
+conviction of the accused man's innocence. But Thorndyke was not a man
+to reach such a conviction through merely sentimental considerations.
+The inevitable conclusion was that he had something up his sleeve--that
+he had gained possession of some facts that had escaped my observation;
+and when I had reached this point I knocked out my pipe and betook
+myself to bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE PRISONER
+
+
+On the following morning, as I emerged from my room, I met Polton coming
+up with a tray (our bedrooms were on the attic floor above the
+laboratory and workshop), and I accordingly followed him into my
+friend's chamber.
+
+"I shan't go out to-day," said Thorndyke, "though I shall come down
+presently. It is very inconvenient, but one must accept the inevitable.
+I have had a knock on the head, and, although I feel none the worse, I
+must take the proper precautions--rest and a low diet--until I see that
+no results are going to follow. You can attend to the scalp wound and
+send round the necessary letters, can't you?"
+
+I expressed my willingness to do all that was required and applauded my
+friend's self-control and good sense; indeed, I could not help
+contrasting the conduct of this busy, indefatigable man, cheerfully
+resigning himself to most distasteful inaction, with the fussy behaviour
+of the ordinary patient who, with nothing of importance to do, can
+hardly be prevailed upon to rest, no matter how urgent the necessity.
+Accordingly, I breakfasted alone, and spent the morning in writing and
+despatching letters to the various persons who were expecting visits
+from my colleague.
+
+Shortly after lunch (a very spare one, by the way, for Polton appeared
+to include me in the scheme of reduced diet) my expectant ear caught
+the tinkle of a hansom approaching down Crown Office Row.
+
+"Here comes your fair companion," said Thorndyke, whom I had acquainted
+with my arrangements, "Tell Hornby, from me, to keep up his courage,
+and, for yourself, bear my warning in mind. I should be sorry indeed if
+you ever had cause to regret that you had rendered me the very valuable
+services for which I am now indebted to you. Good-bye; don't keep her
+waiting."
+
+I ran down the stairs and came out of the entry just as the cabman had
+pulled up and flung open the doors.
+
+"Holloway Prison--main entrance," I said, as I stepped up on to the
+footboard.
+
+"There ain't no back door there, sir," the man responded, with a grin;
+and I was glad that neither the answer nor the grin was conveyed to my
+fellow-passenger.
+
+"You are very punctual, Miss Gibson," I said. "It is not half-past one
+yet."
+
+"Yes; I thought I should like to get there by two, so as to have as long
+a time with him as is possible without shortening your interview."
+
+I looked at my companion critically. She was dressed with rather more
+than her usual care, and looked, in fact, a very fine lady indeed. This
+circumstance, which I noted at first with surprise and then with decided
+approbation, caused me some inward discomfort, for I had in my mind a
+very distinct and highly disagreeable picture of the visiting
+arrangements at a local prison in one of the provinces, at which I had
+acted temporarily as medical officer.
+
+"I suppose," I said at length, "it is of no use for me to re-open the
+question of the advisability of this visit on your part?"
+
+"Not the least," she replied resolutely, "though I understand and
+appreciate your motive in wishing to do so."
+
+"Then," said I, "if you are really decided, it will be as well for me to
+prepare you for the ordeal. I am afraid it will give you a terrible
+shock."
+
+"Indeed?" said she. "Is it so bad? Tell me what it will be like."
+
+"In the first place," I replied, "you must keep in your mind the purpose
+of a prison like Holloway. We are going to see an innocent man--a
+cultivated and honourable gentleman. But the ordinary inmates of
+Holloway are not innocent men; for the most part, the remand cases on
+the male side are professional criminals, while the women are either
+petty offenders or chronic inebriates. Most of them are regular
+customers at the prison--such is the idiotic state of the law--who come
+into the reception-room like travellers entering a familiar hostelry,
+address the prison officers by name and demand the usual privileges and
+extra comforts--the 'drunks,' for instance, generally ask for a dose of
+bromide to steady their nerves and a light in the cell to keep away the
+horrors. And such being the character of the inmates, their friends who
+visit them are naturally of the same type--the lowest outpourings of the
+slums; and it is not surprising to find that the arrangements of the
+prison are made to fit its ordinary inmates. The innocent man is a
+negligible quantity, and no arrangements are made for him or his
+visitors."
+
+"But shall we not be taken to Reuben's cell?" asked Miss Gibson.
+
+"Bless you! no," I answered; and, determined to give her every
+inducement to change her mind, I continued: "I will describe the
+procedure as I have seen it--and a very dreadful and shocking sight I
+found it, I can tell you. It was while I was acting as a prison doctor
+in the Midlands that I had this experience. I was going my round one
+morning when, passing along a passage, I became aware of a strange,
+muffled roar from the other side of the wall.
+
+"'What is that noise?' I asked the warder who was with me.
+
+"'Prisoners seeing their friends,' he answered. 'Like to have a look at
+them, sir?'
+
+"He unlocked a small door and, as he threw it open, the distant, muffled
+sound swelled into a deafening roar. I passed through the door and found
+myself in a narrow alley at one end of which a warder was sitting. The
+sides of the alley were formed by two immense cages with stout wire
+bars, one for the prisoners and the other for the visitors; and each
+cage was lined with faces and hands, all in incessant movement, the
+faces mouthing and grimacing, and the hands clawing restlessly at the
+bars. The uproar was so terrific that no single voice could be
+distinguished, though every one present was shouting his loudest to make
+himself heard above the universal din. The result was a very strange and
+horrid illusion, for it seemed as if no one was speaking at all, but
+that the noise came from outside, and that each one of the faces--low,
+vicious faces, mostly--was silently grimacing and gibbering, snapping
+its jaws and glaring furiously at the occupants of the opposite cage. It
+was a frightful spectacle. I could think of nothing but the
+monkey-house at the Zoo. It seemed as if one ought to walk up the alley
+and offer nuts and pieces of paper to be torn to pieces."
+
+"Horrible!" exclaimed Miss Gibson. "And do you mean to say that we shall
+be turned loose into one of these cages with a herd of other visitors?"
+
+"No. You are not turned loose anywhere in a prison. The arrangement is
+this: each cage is divided by partitions into a number of small boxes or
+apartments, which are numbered. The prisoner is locked in one box and
+his visitor in the corresponding box opposite. They are thus confronted,
+with the width of the alley between them; they can see one another and
+talk but cannot pass any forbidden articles across--a very necessary
+precaution, I need hardly say."
+
+"Yes, I suppose it is necessary, but it is horrible for decent people.
+Surely they ought to be able to discriminate."
+
+"Why not give it up and let me take a message to Reuben? He would
+understand and be thankful to me for dissuading you."
+
+"No, no," she said quickly; "the more repulsive it is the greater the
+necessity for me to go. He must not be allowed to think that a trifling
+inconvenience or indignity is enough to scare his friends away. What
+building is that ahead?"
+
+We had just swung round from Caledonian Road into a quiet and
+prosperous-looking suburban street, at the end of which rose the tower
+of a castellated building.
+
+"That is the prison," I replied. "We are looking at it from the most
+advantageous point of view; seen from the back, and especially from the
+inside, it is a good deal less attractive."  Nothing more was said
+until the cab drove into the courtyard and set us down outside the great
+front gates. Having directed the cabman to wait for us, I rang the bell
+and we were speedily admitted through a wicket (which was immediately
+closed and locked) into a covered court closed in by a second gate,
+through the bars of which we could see across an inner courtyard to the
+actual entrance to the prison. Here, while the necessary formalities
+were gone through, we found ourselves part of a numerous and very motley
+company, for a considerable assemblage of the prisoners' friends was
+awaiting the moment of admission. I noticed that my companion was
+observing our fellow-visitors with a kind of horrified curiosity, which
+she strove, however, and not unsuccessfully, to conceal; and certainly
+the appearance of the majority furnished eloquent testimony to the
+failure of crime as a means of worldly advancement. Their present
+position was productive of very varied emotions; some were silent and
+evidently stricken with grief; a larger number were voluble and excited,
+while a considerable proportion were quite cheerful and even inclined to
+be facetious.
+
+At length the great iron gate was unlocked and our party taken in charge
+by a warder, who conducted us to that part of the building known as "the
+wing"; and, in the course of our progress, I could not help observing
+the profound impression made upon my companion by the circumstance that
+every door had to be unlocked to admit us and was locked again as soon
+as we had passed through.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, as we neared our destination, "that you had
+better let me see Reuben first; I have not much to say to him and shall
+not keep you waiting long."
+
+"Why do you think so?" she asked, with a shade of suspicion.
+
+"Well," I answered, "I think you may be a little upset by the interview,
+and I should like to see you into your cab as soon as possible
+afterwards."
+
+"Yes," she said; "perhaps you are right, and it is kind of you to be so
+thoughtful on my account."
+
+A minute later, accordingly, I found myself shut into a narrow box, like
+one of those which considerate pawnbrokers provide for their more
+diffident clients, and in a similar, but more intense, degree, pervaded
+by a subtle odour of uncleanness. The woodwork was polished to an
+unctuous smoothness by the friction of numberless dirty hands and soiled
+garments, and the general appearance--taken in at a glance as I
+entered--was such as to cause me to thrust my hands into my pockets and
+studiously avoid contact with any part of the structure but the floor.
+The end of the box opposite the door was closed in by a strong grating
+of wire--excepting the lower three feet, which was of wood--and looking
+through this, I perceived, behind a second grating, Reuben Hornby,
+standing in a similar attitude to my own. He was dressed in his usual
+clothes and with his customary neatness, but his face was unshaven and
+he wore, suspended from a button-hole, a circular label bearing the
+characters "B.31"; and these two changes in his exterior carried with
+them a suggestiveness as subtle as it was unpleasant, making me more
+than ever regretful that Miss Gibson had insisted on coming.
+
+"It is exceedingly good of you, Dr. Jervis, to come and see me," he said
+heartily, making himself heard quite easily, to my surprise, above the
+hubbub of the adjoining boxes; "but I didn't expect you here. I was told
+I could see my legal advisers in the solicitor's box."
+
+"So you could," I answered. "But I came here by choice because I have
+brought Miss Gibson with me."  "I am sorry for that," he rejoined, with
+evident disapproval; "she oughtn't to have come among these riff-raff."
+
+"I told her so, and that you wouldn't like it, but she insisted."
+
+"I know," said Reuben. "That's the worst of women--they will make a
+beastly fuss and sacrifice themselves when nobody wants them to. But I
+mustn't be ungrateful; she means it kindly, and she's a deuced good
+sort, is Juliet."
+
+"She is indeed," I exclaimed, not a little disgusted at his cool,
+unappreciative tone; "a most noble-hearted girl, and her devotion to you
+is positively heroic."
+
+The faintest suspicion of a smile appeared on the face seen through the
+double grating; on which I felt that I could have pulled his nose with
+pleasure--only that a pair of tongs of special construction would have
+been required for the purpose.
+
+"Yes," he answered calmly, "we have always been very good friends."
+
+A rejoinder of the most extreme acidity was on my lips. Damn the fellow!
+What did he mean by speaking in that supercilious tone of the loveliest
+and sweetest woman in the world? But, after all, one cannot trample on a
+poor devil locked up in a jail on a false charge, no matter how great
+may be the provocation. I drew a deep breath, and, having recovered
+myself, outwardly at least, said--
+
+"I hope you don't find the conditions here too intolerable?"  "Oh, no,"
+he answered. "It's beastly unpleasant, of course, but it might easily be
+worse. I don't mind if it's only for a week or two; and I am really
+encouraged by what Dr. Thorndyke said. I hope he wasn't being merely
+soothing."
+
+"You may take it that he was not. What he said, I am sure he meant. Of
+course, you know I am not in his confidence--nobody is--but I gather
+that he is satisfied with the defence he is preparing."
+
+"If he is satisfied, I am," said Reuben, "and, in any case, I shall owe
+him an immense debt of gratitude for having stood by me and believed in
+me when all the world--except my aunt and Juliet--had condemned me."
+
+He then went on to give me a few particulars of his prison life, and
+when he had chatted for a quarter of an hour or so, I took my leave to
+make way for Miss Gibson.
+
+Her interview with him was not as long as I had expected, though, to be
+sure, the conditions were not very favourable either for the exchange of
+confidences or for utterances of a sentimental character. The
+consciousness that one's conversation could be overheard by the
+occupants of adjacent boxes destroyed all sense of privacy, to say
+nothing of the disturbing influence of the warder in the alley-way.
+
+When she rejoined me, her manner was abstracted and very depressed, a
+circumstance that gave me considerable food for reflection as we made
+our way in silence towards the main entrance. Had she found Reuben as
+cool and matter-of-fact as I had? He was assuredly a very calm and
+self-possessed lover, and it was conceivable that his reception of the
+girl, strung up, as she was, to an acute pitch of emotion, might have
+been somewhat in the nature of an anticlimax. And then, was it possible
+that the feeling was on her side only? Could it be that the priceless
+pearl of her love was cast before--I was tempted to use the colloquial
+singular and call him an "unappreciative swine!" The thing was almost
+unthinkable to me, and yet I was tempted to dwell upon it; for when a
+man is in love--and I could no longer disguise my condition from
+myself--he is inclined to be humble and to gather up thankfully the
+treasure that is rejected of another.
+
+I was brought up short in these reflections by the clank of the lock in
+the great iron gate. We entered together the gloomy vestibule, and a
+moment later were let out through the wicket into the courtyard; and as
+the lock clicked behind us, we gave a simultaneous sigh of relief to
+find ourselves outside the precincts of the prison, beyond the domain of
+bolts and bars.
+
+I had settled Miss Gibson in the cab and given her address to the
+driver, when I noticed her looking at me, as I thought, somewhat
+wistfully.
+
+"Can't I put you down somewhere?" she said, in response to a
+half-questioning glance from me.
+
+I seized the opportunity with thankfulness and replied--
+
+"You might set me down at King's Cross if it is not delaying you;" and
+giving the word to the cabman, I took my place by her side as the cab
+started and a black-painted prison van turned into the courtyard with
+its freight of squalid misery.
+
+"I don't think Reuben was very pleased to see me," Miss Gibson remarked
+presently, "but I shall come again all the same. It is a duty I owe both
+to him and to myself."
+
+I felt that I ought to endeavour to dissuade her, but the reflection
+that her visits must almost of necessity involve my companionship,
+enfeebled my will. I was fast approaching a state of infatuation.
+
+"I was so thankful," she continued, "that you prepared me. It was a
+horrible experience to see the poor fellow caged like a wild beast, with
+that dreadful label hanging from his coat; but it would have been
+overwhelming if I had not known what to expect."
+
+As we proceeded, her spirits revived somewhat, a circumstance that she
+graciously ascribed to the enlivening influence of my society; and I
+then told her of the mishap that had befallen my colleague.
+
+"What a terrible thing!" she exclaimed, with evidently unaffected
+concern. "It is the merest chance that he was not killed on the spot. Is
+he much hurt? And would he mind, do you think, if I called to inquire
+after him?"
+
+I said that I was sure he would be delighted (being, as a matter of
+fact, entirely indifferent as to his sentiments on the subject in my
+delight at the proposal), and when I stepped down from the cab at King's
+Cross to pursue my way homewards, there already opened out before me the
+prospect of the renewal of this bitter-sweet and all too dangerous
+companionship on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+POLTON IS MYSTIFIED
+
+
+A couple of days sufficed to prove that Thorndyke's mishap was not to be
+productive of any permanent ill consequences; his wounds progressed
+favourably and he was able to resume his ordinary avocations.
+
+Miss Gibson's visit--but why should I speak of her in these formal
+terms? To me, when I thought of her, which I did only too often, she was
+Juliet, with perhaps an adjective thrown in; and as Juliet I shall
+henceforth speak of her (but without the adjective) in this narrative,
+wherein nothing has been kept back from the reader--Juliet's visit,
+then, had been a great success, for my colleague was really pleased by
+the attention, and displayed a quiet geniality that filled our visitor
+with delight.
+
+He talked a good deal of Reuben, and I could see that he was
+endeavouring to settle in his own mind the vexed question of her
+relations with and sentiments towards our unfortunate client; but what
+conclusions he arrived at I was unable to discover, for he was by no
+means communicative after she had left. Nor was there any repetition of
+the visit--greatly to my regret--since, as I have said, he was able, in
+a day or two, to resume his ordinary mode of life.
+
+The first evidence I had of his renewed activity appeared when I
+returned to the chambers at about eleven o'clock in the morning, to find
+Polton hovering dejectedly about the sitting-room, apparently
+perpetrating as near an approach to a "spring clean" as could be
+permitted in a bachelor establishment.
+
+"Hallo, Polton!" I exclaimed, "have you contrived to tear yourself away
+from the laboratory for an hour or two?"
+
+"No, sir," he answered gloomily. "The laboratory has torn itself away
+from me."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked.
+
+"The Doctor has shut himself in and locked the door, and he says I am
+not to disturb him. It will be a cold lunch to-day."
+
+"What is he doing in there?" I inquired.
+
+"Ah!" said Polton, "that's just what I should like to know. I'm fair
+eaten up with curiosity. He is making some experiments in connection
+with some of his cases, and when the Doctor locks himself in to make
+experiments, something interesting generally follows. I should like to
+know what it is this time."
+
+"I suppose there is a keyhole in the laboratory door?" I suggested, with
+a grin.
+
+"Sir!" he exclaimed indignantly. "Dr. Jervis, I am surprised at you."
+Then, perceiving my facetious intent, he smiled also and added: "But
+there _is_ a keyhole if you'd like to try it, though I'll wager the
+Doctor would see more of you than you would of him."
+
+"You are mighty secret about your doings, you and the Doctor," I said.
+
+"Yes," he answered. "You see, it's a queer trade this of the Doctor's,
+and there are some queer secrets in it. Now, for instance, what do you
+make of this?"
+
+He produced from his pocket a leather case, whence he took a piece of
+paper which he handed to me. On it was a neatly executed drawing of what
+looked like one of a set of chessmen, with the dimensions written on the
+margin.
+
+"It looks like a pawn--one of the Staunton pattern," I said.
+
+"Just what I thought; but it isn't. I've got to make twenty-four of
+them, and what the Doctor is going to do with them fairly beats me."
+
+"Perhaps he has invented some new game," I suggested facetiously.  "He
+is always inventing new games and playing them mostly in courts of law,
+and then the other players generally lose. But this is a puzzler, and no
+mistake. Twenty-four of these to be turned up in the best-seasoned
+boxwood! What can they be for? Something to do with the experiments he
+is carrying on upstairs at this very moment, I expect." He shook his
+head, and, having carefully returned the drawing to his pocket-book,
+said, in a solemn tone--"Sir, there are times when the Doctor makes me
+fairly dance with curiosity. And this is one of them."
+
+Although not afflicted with a curiosity so acute as that of Polton, I
+found myself speculating at intervals on the nature of my colleague's
+experiments and the purpose of the singular little objects which he had
+ordered to be made; but I was unacquainted with any of the cases on
+which he was engaged, excepting that of Reuben Hornby, and with the
+latter I was quite unable to connect a set of twenty-four boxwood
+chessmen. Moreover, on this day, I was to accompany Juliet on her second
+visit to Holloway, and that circumstance gave me abundant mental
+occupation of another kind.
+
+At lunch, Thorndyke was animated and talkative but not communicative. He
+"had some work in the laboratory that he must do himself," he said, but
+gave no hint as to its nature; and as soon as our meal was finished, he
+returned to his labours, leaving me to pace up and down the walk,
+listening with ridiculous eagerness for the sound of the hansom that was
+to transport me to the regions of the blest, and--incidentally--to
+Holloway Prison.
+
+When I returned to the Temple, the sitting-room was empty and hideously
+neat, as the result of Polton's spring-cleaning efforts. My colleague
+was evidently still at work in the laboratory, and, from the
+circumstance that the tea-things were set out on the table and a kettle
+of water placed in readiness on the gas-ring by the fireplace, I
+gathered that Polton also was full of business and anxious not to be
+disturbed.
+
+Accordingly, I lit the gas and made my tea, enlivening my solitude by
+turning over in my mind the events of the afternoon.
+
+Juliet had been charming--as she always was--frank, friendly and
+unaffectedly pleased to have my companionship. She evidently liked me
+and did not disguise the fact--why should she indeed?--but treated me
+with a freedom, almost affectionate, as though I had been a favourite
+brother; which was very delightful, and would have been more so if I
+could have accepted the relationship. As to her feelings towards me, I
+had not the slightest misgiving, and so my conscience was clear; for
+Juliet was as innocent as a child, with the innocence that belongs to
+the direct, straightforward nature that neither does evil itself nor
+looks for evil motives in others. For myself, I was past praying for.
+The thing was done and I must pay the price hereafter, content to
+reflect that I had trespassed against no one but myself. It was a
+miserable affair, and many a heartache did it promise me in the lonely
+days that were to come, when I should have said "good-bye" to the Temple
+and gone back to my old nomadic life; and yet I would not have had it
+changed if I could; would not have bartered the bitter-sweet memories
+for dull forgetfulness.
+
+But other matters had transpired in the course of our drive than those
+that loomed so large to me in the egotism of my love. We had spoken of
+Mr. Hornby and his affairs, and from our talk there had emerged certain
+facts of no little moment to the inquiry on which I was engaged.
+
+"Misfortunes are proverbially sociable," Juliet had remarked, in
+reference to her adopted uncle. "As if this trouble about Reuben were
+not enough, there are worries in the city. Perhaps you have heard of
+them."
+
+I replied that Walter had mentioned the matter to me.
+
+"Yes," said Juliet rather viciously; "I am not quite clear as to what
+part that good gentleman has played in the matter. It has come out,
+quite accidentally, that he had a large holding in the mines himself,
+but he seems to have 'cut his loss,' as the phrase goes, and got out of
+them; though how he managed to pay such large differences is more than
+we can understand. We think he must have raised money somehow to do it."
+
+"Do you know when the mines began to depreciate?" I asked.
+
+"Yes, it was quite a sudden affair--what Walter calls 'a slump'--and it
+occurred only a few days before the robbery. Mr. Hornby was telling me
+about it only yesterday, and he recalled it to me by a ridiculous
+accident that happened on that day."
+
+"What was that?" I inquired.
+
+"Why, I cut my finger and nearly fainted," she answered, with a
+shamefaced little laugh. "It was rather a bad cut, you know, but I
+didn't notice it until I found my hand covered with blood. Then I turned
+suddenly faint, and had to lie down on the hearthrug--it was in Mr.
+Hornby's study, which I was tidying up at the time. Here I was found by
+Reuben, and a dreadful fright it gave him at first; and then he tore up
+his handkerchief to tie up the wounded finger, and you never saw such an
+awful mess as he got his hands in. He might have been arrested as a
+murderer, poor boy, from the condition he was in. It will make your
+professional gorge rise to learn that he fastened up the extemporised
+bandage with red tape, which he got from the writing table after rooting
+about among the sacred papers in the most ruthless fashion.
+
+"When he had gone I tried to put the things on the table straight again,
+and really you might have thought some horrible crime had been
+committed; the envelopes and papers were all smeared with blood and
+marked with the print of gory fingers. I remembered it afterwards, when
+Reuben's thumb-mark was identified, and thought that perhaps one of the
+papers might have got into the safe by accident; but Mr. Hornby told me
+that was impossible; he tore the leaf off his memorandum block at the
+time when he put away the diamonds."
+
+Such was the gist of our conversation as the cab rattled through the
+streets on the way to the prison; and certainly it contained matter
+sufficiently important to draw away my thoughts from other subjects,
+more agreeable, but less relevant to the case. With a sudden remembrance
+of my duty, I drew forth my notebook, and was in the act of committing
+the statements to writing, when Thorndyke entered the room.
+
+"Don't let me interrupt you, Jervis," said he. "I will make myself a cup
+of tea while you finish your writing, and then you shall exhibit the
+day's catch and hang your nets out to dry."
+
+I was not long in finishing my notes, for I was in a fever of impatience
+to hear Thorndyke's comments on my latest addition to our store of
+information. By the time the kettle was boiling my entries were
+completed, and I proceeded forthwith to retail to my colleague those
+extracts from my conversation with Juliet that I have just recorded.
+
+He listened, as usual, with deep and critical attention.
+
+"This is very interesting and important," he said, when I had finished;
+"really, Jervis, you are a most invaluable coadjutor. It seems that
+information, which would be strictly withheld from the forbidding
+Jorkins, trickles freely and unasked into the ear of the genial Spenlow.
+Now, I suppose you regard your hypothesis as having received very
+substantial confirmation?"
+
+"Certainly, I do."
+
+"And very justifiably. You see now how completely you were in the right
+when you allowed yourself to entertain this theory of the crime in spite
+of its apparent improbability. By the light of these new facts it has
+become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could
+only be shown that Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on
+the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability. The obvious
+moral is, never disregard the improbable. By the way, it is odd that
+Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him. Of
+course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone,
+but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked
+him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any
+papers."
+
+"I must try to find out if Mr. Hornby's memorandum block was on the
+table and among the marked papers," I said.
+
+"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the
+information will be forthcoming."
+
+My colleague's manner rather disappointed me. He had heard my report
+with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet
+he seemed to attach to the new and--as they appeared to me--highly
+important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical. Of
+course, his calmness might be assumed; but this did not seem likely, for
+John Thorndyke was far too sincere and dignified a character to
+cultivate in private life the artifices of the actor. To strangers,
+indeed, he presented habitually a calm and impassive exterior; but this
+was natural to him, and was but the outward sign of his even and
+judicial habit of mind.
+
+No; there was no doubt that my startling news had left him unmoved, and
+this must be for one of two reasons: either he already knew all that I
+had told him (which was perfectly possible), or he had some other and
+better means of explaining the crime. I was turning over these two
+alternatives, not unobserved by my watchful colleague, when Polton
+entered the room; a broad grin was on his face, and a drawing-board,
+that he carried like a tray, bore twenty-four neatly turned boxwood
+pieces.
+
+Thorndyke at once entered into the unspoken jest that beamed from the
+countenance of his subordinate.
+
+"Here is Polton with a problem for you, Jervis," he said. "He assumes
+that I have invented a new parlour game, and has been trying to work out
+the moves. Have you succeeded yet, Polton?"
+
+"No, sir, I haven't; but I suspect that one of the players will be a man
+in a wig and gown."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," said Thorndyke; "but that doesn't take you very
+far. Let us hear what Dr. Jervis has to say."
+
+"I can make nothing of them," I answered. "Polton showed me the drawing
+this morning, and then was terrified lest he had committed a breach of
+confidence, and I have been trying ever since, without a glimmer of
+success, to guess what they can be for."
+
+"H'm," grunted Thorndyke, as he sauntered up and down the room, teacup
+in hand, "to guess, eh? I like not that word 'guess' in the mouth of a
+man of science. What do you mean by a 'guess'?"
+
+His manner was wholly facetious, but I professed to take his question
+seriously, and replied--
+
+"By a guess, I mean a conclusion arrived at without data."
+
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed, with mock sternness. "Nobody but an utter
+fool arrives at a conclusion without data."
+
+"Then I must revise my definition instantly," I rejoined. "Let us say
+that a guess is a conclusion drawn from insufficient facts."
+
+"That is better," said he; "but perhaps it would be better still to say
+that a guess is a particular and definite conclusion deduced from facts
+which properly yield only a general and indefinite one. Let us take an
+instance," he continued. "Looking out of the window, I see a man walking
+round Paper Buildings. Now suppose I say, after the fashion of the
+inspired detective of the romances, 'That man is a stationmaster or
+inspector,' that would be a guess. The observed facts do not yield the
+conclusion, though they do warrant a conclusion less definite and more
+general."
+
+"You'd have been right though, sir!" exclaimed Polton, who had stepped
+forward with me to examine the unconscious subject of the demonstration.
+"That gent used to be the stationmaster at Camberwell. I remember him
+well."  The little man was evidently greatly impressed.
+
+"I happen to be right, you see," said Thorndyke; "but I might as easily
+have been wrong."
+
+"You weren't though, sir," said Polton. "You spotted him at a glance."
+
+In his admiration of the result he cared not a fig for the correctness
+of the means by which it had been attained.
+
+"Now why do I suggest that he is a stationmaster?" pursued Thorndyke,
+disregarding his assistant's comment.
+
+"I suppose you were looking at his feet," I answered. "I seem to have
+noticed that peculiar, splay-footed gait in stationmasters, now that you
+mention it."
+
+"Quite so. The arch of the foot has given way; the plantar ligaments
+have become stretched and the deep calf muscles weakened. Then, since
+bending of the weakened arch causes discomfort, the feet have become
+turned outwards, by which the bending of the foot is reduced to a
+minimum; and as the left foot is the more flattened, so it is turned out
+more than the right. Then the turning out of the toes causes the legs to
+splay outward from the knees downwards--a very conspicuous condition in
+a tall man like this one--and you notice that the left leg splays out
+more than the other.
+
+"But we know that depression of the arch of the foot is brought about by
+standing for long periods. Continuous pressure on a living structure
+weakens it, while intermittent pressure strengthens it; so the man who
+stands on his feet continuously develops a flat instep and a weak calf,
+while the professional dancer or runner acquires a high instep and a
+strong calf. Now there are many occupations which involve prolonged
+standing and so induce the condition of flat foot: waiters,
+hall-porters, hawkers, policemen, shop-walkers, salesmen, and station
+officials are examples. But the waiter's gait is characteristic--a
+quick, shuffling walk which enables him to carry liquids without
+spilling them. This man walks with a long, swinging stride; he is
+obviously not a waiter. His dress and appearance in general exclude the
+idea of a hawker or even a hall-porter; he is a man of poor physique and
+so cannot be a policeman. The shop-walker or salesman is accustomed to
+move in relatively confined spaces, and so acquires a short, brisk step,
+and his dress tends to rather exuberant smartness; the station official
+patrols long platforms, often at a rapid pace, and so tends to take long
+strides, while his dress is dignified and neat rather than florid. The
+last-mentioned characteristics, you see, appear in the subject of our
+analysis; he agrees with the general description of a stationmaster. But
+if we therefore conclude that he _is_ a stationmaster, we fall into the
+time-honoured fallacy of the undistributed middle term--the fallacy that
+haunts all brilliant guessers, including the detective, not only of
+romance, but too often also of real life. All that the observed facts
+justify us in inferring is that this man is engaged in some mode of life
+that necessitates a good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."
+
+"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
+"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
+With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
+departure.
+
+"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
+guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
+less striking result."
+
+"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
+present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
+firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
+wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
+pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
+no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
+nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
+material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
+the subject?"
+
+Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
+inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
+reflected for a few moments.
+
+"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
+at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
+form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
+more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
+this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
+exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
+recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
+lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
+in having these things made--as you will before long--you will probably
+be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
+forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
+say myself) after the day's labour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+
+"I am going to ask for your collaboration in another case," said
+Thorndyke, a day or two later. "It appears to be one of suicide, but the
+solicitors to the 'Griffin' office have asked me to go down to the
+place, which is in the neighbourhood of Barnet, and be present at the
+_post-mortem_ and the inquest. They have managed to arrange that the
+inquest shall take place directly after the _post-mortem_, so that we
+shall be able to do the whole business in a single visit."
+
+"Is the case one of any intricacy?" I asked.
+
+"I don't think so," he answered. "It looks like a common suicide; but
+you can never tell. The importance of the case at present arises
+entirely from the heavy insurance; a verdict of suicide will mean a gain
+of ten thousand pounds to the 'Griffin,' so, naturally, the directors
+are anxious to get the case settled and not inclined to boggle over a
+little expense."
+
+"Naturally. And when will the expedition take place?" I asked.
+
+"The inquest is fixed for to-morrow--what is the matter? Does that fall
+foul of any arrangement of yours?"
+
+"Oh, nothing of any importance," I replied hastily, deeply ashamed of
+the momentary change of countenance that my friend had been so quick to
+observe.
+
+"Well, what is it?" persisted Thorndyke. "You have got something on."
+
+"It is nothing, I tell you, but what can be quite easily arranged to
+suit your plans."
+
+"_Cherchez la_--h'm?" queried Thorndyke, with an exasperating grin.
+
+"Yes," I answered, turning as red as a pickled cabbage; "since you are
+so beastly inquisitive. Miss Gibson wrote, on behalf of Mrs. Hornby,
+asking me to dine with them _en famille_ to-morrow evening, and I sent
+off an acceptance an hour ago."
+
+"And you call that 'nothing of any importance'!" exclaimed Thorndyke.
+"Alas! and likewise alackaday (which is an approximately synonymous
+expression)! The age of chivalry is past, indeed. Of course you must
+keep your appointment; I can manage quite well alone."
+
+"We shouldn't be back early enough for me to go to Kensington from the
+station, I suppose?"
+
+"No; certainly not. I find that the trains are very awkward; we should
+not reach King's Cross until nearly one in the morning."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall write to Miss Gibson and excuse myself."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't do that," said Thorndyke; "it will disappoint them, and
+really it is not necessary."
+
+"I shall write forthwith," I said firmly, "so please don't try to
+dissuade me. I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought
+that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done
+nothing but idle about and amuse myself. The opportunity of doing
+something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip."
+
+Thorndyke chuckled indulgently. "You shall do as you please, my dear
+boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of
+idleness. When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will
+be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
+Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can
+assure you."
+
+"It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to
+learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a
+mere object of charity.
+
+"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to
+help me in this case, I will set you your task. The case, as I have
+said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the
+simplicity for granted. Here is the letter from the solicitors giving
+the facts as far as they are known at present. On the shelves there you
+will find Casper, Taylor, Guy and Ferrier, and the other authorities on
+medical jurisprudence, and I will put out one or two other books that
+you may find useful. I want you to extract and make classified notes of
+everything that may bear on such a case as the present one may turn out
+to be. We must go prepared to meet any contingency that may arise. This
+is my invariable practice, and even if the case turns out to be quite
+simple, the labour is never wasted, for it represents so much experience
+gained."
+
+"Casper and Taylor are pretty old, aren't they?" I objected.
+
+"So is suicide," he retorted drily. "It is a capital mistake to neglect
+the old authorities. 'There were strong men before Agamemnon,' and some
+of them were uncommonly strong, let me tell you. Give your best
+attention to the venerable Casper and the obsolete Taylor and you will
+not be without your reward."
+
+As a result of these injunctions, I devoted the remainder of the day to
+the consideration of the various methods by which a man might contrive
+to effect his exit from the stage of human activities. And a very
+engrossing study I found it, and the more interesting in view of the
+problem that awaited solution on the morrow; but yet not so engrossing
+but that I was able to find time to write a long, rather intimate and
+minutely explanatory letter to Miss Gibson, in which I even mentioned
+the hour of our return as showing the impossibility of my keeping my
+engagement. Not that I had the smallest fear of her taking offence, for
+it is an evidence of my respect and regard for her that I cancelled the
+appointment without a momentary doubt that she would approve of my
+action; but it was pleasant to write to her at length and to feel the
+intimacy of keeping her informed of the details of my life.
+
+The case, when we came to inquire into it on the spot, turned out to be
+a suicide of the most transparent type; whereat both Thorndyke and I
+were, I think, a little disappointed--he at having apparently done so
+little for a very substantial fee, and I at having no opportunity for
+applying my recently augmented knowledge.
+
+"Yes," said my colleague, as we rolled ourselves up in our rugs in
+adjacent corners of the railway carriage, "it has been a flat affair,
+and the whole thing could have been managed by the local solicitor. But
+it is not a waste of time after all, for, you see, I have to do many a
+day's work for which I get not a farthing of payment, nor even any
+recognition, so that I do not complain if I occasionally find myself
+receiving more payment than my actual services merit. And as to you, I
+take it that you have acquired a good deal of valuable knowledge on the
+subject of suicide, and knowledge, as the late Lord Bacon remarked with
+more truth than originality, is power."
+
+To this I made no reply, having just lit my pipe and feeling uncommonly
+drowsy; and, my companion having followed my example, we smoked in
+silence, becoming more and more somnolent, until the train drew up in
+the terminus and we turned out, yawning and shivering, on to the
+platform.
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed Thorndyke, drawing his rug round his shoulders; "this
+is a cheerless hour--a quarter past one. See how chilly and miserable
+all these poor devils of passengers look. Shall we cab it or walk?"
+
+"I think a sharp walk would rouse our circulation after sitting huddled
+up in the carriage for so long," I answered.
+
+"So do I," said Thorndyke, "so let us away; hark forward! and also Tally
+Ho! In fact one might go so far as to say Yoicks! That gentleman appears
+to favour the strenuous life, if one may judge by the size of his
+sprocket-wheel."
+
+He pointed to a bicycle that was drawn up by the kerb in the approach--a
+machine of the road-racer type, with an enormous sprocket-wheel,
+indicating a gear of, at least, ninety.
+
+"Some scorcher or amateur racer, probably," I said, "who takes the
+opportunity of getting a spin on the wood pavement when the streets are
+empty." I looked round to see if I could identify the owner, but the
+machine appeared to be, for the moment, taking care of itself.  King's
+Cross is one of those districts of which the inhabitants are slow in
+settling down for the night, and even at a quarter past one in the
+morning its streets are not entirely deserted. Here and there the
+glimmer of a street lamp or the far-reaching ray from a tall electric
+light reveals the form of some nocturnal prowler creeping along with
+cat-like stealthiness, or bursting, cat-like, into unmelodious song. Not
+greatly desirous of the society of these roysterers, we crossed quickly
+from the station into the Gray's Inn Road, now silent and excessively
+dismal in aspect, and took our way along the western side. We had turned
+the curve and were crossing Manchester Street, when a series of yelps
+from ahead announced the presence of a party of merry-makers, whom we
+were not yet able to see, however, for the night was an exceptionally
+dark one; but the sounds of revelry continued to increase in volume as
+we proceeded, until, as we passed Sidmouth Street, we came in sight of
+the revellers. They were some half-dozen in number, all of them roughs
+of the hooligan type, and they were evidently in boisterous spirits,
+for, as they passed the entrance to the Royal Free Hospital, they halted
+and battered furiously at the gate. Shortly after this exploit they
+crossed the road on to our side, whereupon Thorndyke caught my arm and
+slackened his pace.
+
+"Let them draw ahead," said he. "It is a wise precaution to give all
+hooligan gangs a very wide berth at this time of night. We had better
+turn down Heathcote Street and cross Mecklenburgh Square."
+
+We continued to walk on at reduced speed until we reached Heathcote
+Street, into which we turned and so entered Mecklenburgh Square, where
+we mended our pace once more.
+
+"The hooligan," pursued Thorndyke, as we walked briskly across the
+silent square, "covers a multitude of sins, ranging from highway robbery
+with violence and paid assassination (technically known as 'bashing')
+down to the criminal folly of the philanthropic magistrate, who seems to
+think that his function in the economy of nature is to secure the
+survival of the unfittest. There goes a cyclist along Guildford Street.
+I wonder if that is our strenuous friend from the station. If so, he has
+slipped past the hooligans."
+
+We were just entering Doughty Street, and, as Thorndyke spoke, a man on
+a bicycle was visible for an instant at the crossing of the two streets.
+When we reached Guildford Street we both looked down the long,
+lamp-lighted vista, but the cyclist had vanished.
+
+"We had better go straight on into Theobald's Road," said Thorndyke, and
+we accordingly pursued our way up the fine old-world street, from whose
+tall houses our footfalls echoed, so that we seemed to be accompanied by
+an invisible multitude, until we reached that part where it
+unaccountably changes its name and becomes John Street.
+
+"There always seems to me something very pathetic about these old
+Bloomsbury streets," said Thorndyke, "with their faded grandeur and
+dignified seediness. They remind me of some prim and aged gentlewoman in
+reduced circumstances who--Hallo! What was that?"
+
+A faint, sharp thud from behind had been followed instantly by the
+shattering of a ground-floor window in front.
+
+We both stopped dead and remained, for a couple of seconds, staring into
+the gloom, from whence the first sound had come; then Thorndyke darted
+diagonally across the road at a swift run and I immediately followed.
+
+At the moment when the affair happened we had gone about forty yards up
+John Street, that is, from the place where it is crossed by Henry
+Street, and we now raced across the road to the further corner of the
+latter street. When we reached it, however, the little thoroughfare was
+empty, and, as we paused for a moment, no sound of retreating footsteps
+broke the silence.
+
+"The shot certainly came from here!" said Thorndyke; "come on," and he
+again broke into a run. A few yards up the street a mews turns off to
+the left, and into this my companion plunged, motioning me to go
+straight on, which I accordingly did, and in a few paces reached the top
+of the street. Here a narrow thoroughfare, with a broad, smooth
+pavement, bears off to the left, parallel with the mews, and, as I
+arrived at the corner and glanced up the little street, I saw a man on a
+bicycle gliding swiftly and silently towards Little James' Street.
+
+With a mighty shout of "Stop thief!" I started in hot pursuit, but,
+though the man's feet were moving in an apparently leisurely manner, he
+drew ahead at an astonishing pace, in spite of my efforts to overtake
+him; and it then dawned upon me that the slow revolutions of his feet
+were due, in reality, to the unusually high gear of the machine that he
+was riding. As I realised this, and at the same moment recalled the
+bicycle that we had seen in the station, the fugitive swung round into
+Little James' Street and vanished.
+
+The speed at which the man was travelling made further pursuit utterly
+futile, so I turned and walked back, panting and perspiring from the
+unwonted exertion. As I re-entered Henry Street, Thorndyke emerged from
+the mews and halted on seeing me.
+
+"Cyclist?" he asked laconically, as I came up.
+
+"Yes," I answered; "riding a machine geared up to about ninety."
+
+"Ah! he must have followed us from the station," said Thorndyke. "Did
+you notice if he was carrying anything?"
+
+"He had a walking-stick in his hand. I didn't see anything else."
+
+"What sort of walking-stick?"
+
+"I couldn't see very distinctly. It was a stoutish stick--I should say a
+Malacca, probably--and it had what looked like a horn handle. I could
+see that as he passed a street lamp."
+
+"What kind of lamp had he?"
+
+"I couldn't see; but, as he turned the corner, I noticed that it seemed
+to burn very dimly."
+
+"A little vaseline, or even oil, smeared on the outside of the glass
+will reduce the glare of a lamp very appreciably," my companion
+remarked, "especially on a dusty road. Ha! here is the proprietor of the
+broken window. He wants to know, you know."
+
+We had once more turned into John Street and now perceived a man,
+standing on the wide doorstep of the house with the shattered window,
+looking anxiously up and down the street.
+
+"Do either of you gents know anything about this here?" he asked,
+pointing to the broken pane.
+
+"Yes," said Thorndyke, "we happened to be passing when it was done; in
+fact," he added, "I rather suspect that the missile, whatever it was,
+was intended for our benefit."
+
+"Oh!" said the man. "Who done it?"
+
+"That I can't say," replied Thorndyke. "Whoever he was, he made off on a
+bicycle and we were unable to catch him."
+
+"Oh!" said the man once more, regarding us with growing suspicion. "On a
+bicycle, hay! Dam funny, ain't it? What did he do it with?"
+
+"That is what I should like to find out," said Thorndyke. "I see this
+house is empty."
+
+"Yes, it's empty--leastways it's to let. I'm the caretaker. But what's
+that got to do with it?"
+
+"Merely this," answered Thorndyke, "that the object--stone, bullet or
+whatever it may have been--was aimed, I believe, at me, and I should
+like to ascertain its nature. Would you do me the favour of permitting
+me to look for it?"
+
+The caretaker was evidently inclined to refuse this request, for he
+glanced suspiciously from my companion to me once or twice before
+replying, but, at length, he turned towards the open door and gruffly
+invited us to enter.
+
+A paraffin lamp was on the floor in a recess of the hall, and this our
+conductor took up when he had closed the street door.
+
+"This is the room," he said, turning the key and thrusting the door
+open; "the library they call it, but it's the front parlour in plain
+English." He entered and, holding the lamp above his head, stared
+balefully at the broken window.
+
+Thorndyke glanced quickly along the floor in the direction that the
+missile would have taken, and then said--
+
+"Do you see any mark on the wall there?"
+
+As he spoke, he indicated the wall opposite the window, which obviously
+could not have been struck by a projectile entering with such extreme
+obliquity; and I was about to point out this fact when I fortunately
+remembered the great virtue of silence.
+
+Our friend approached the wall, still holding up the lamp, and
+scrutinised the surface with close attention; and while he was thus
+engaged, I observed Thorndyke stoop quickly and pick up something, which
+he deposited carefully, and without remark, in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+"I don't see no bruise anywhere," said the caretaker, sweeping his hand
+over the wall.
+
+"Perhaps the thing struck this wall," suggested Thorndyke, pointing to
+the one that was actually in the line of fire. "Yes, of course," he
+added, "it would be this one--the shot came from Henry Street."
+
+The caretaker crossed the room and threw the light of his lamp on the
+wall thus indicated.
+
+"Ah! here we are!" he exclaimed, with gloomy satisfaction, pointing to a
+small dent in which the wall-paper was turned back and the plaster
+exposed; "looks almost like a bullet mark, but you say you didn't hear
+no report."
+
+"No," said Thorndyke, "there was no report; it must have been a
+catapult."
+
+The caretaker set the lamp down on the floor and proceeded to grope
+about for the projectile, in which operation we both assisted; and I
+could not suppress a faint smile as I noted the earnestness with which
+Thorndyke peered about the floor in search of the missile that was
+quietly reposing in his waistcoat pocket.
+
+We were deep in our investigations when there was heard an
+uncompromising double knock at the street door, followed by the loud
+pealing of a bell in the basement.
+
+"Bobby, I suppose," growled the caretaker. "Here's a blooming fuss about
+nothing." He caught up the lamp and went out, leaving us in the dark.
+
+"I picked it up, you know," said Thorndyke, when we were alone.
+
+"I saw you," I answered.
+
+"Good; I applaud your discretion," he rejoined. The caretaker's
+supposition was correct. When he returned, he was accompanied by a burly
+constable, who saluted us with a cheerful smile and glanced facetiously
+round the empty room.
+
+"Our boys," said he, nodding towards the broken window; "they're playful
+lads, that they are. You were passing when it happened, sir, I hear."
+"Yes," answered Thorndyke; and he gave the constable a brief account of
+the occurrence, which the latter listened to, notebook in hand.
+
+"Well," said he when the narrative was concluded, "if those hooligan
+boys are going to take to catapults they'll make things lively all
+round."
+
+"You ought to run some of 'em in," said the caretaker.
+
+"Run 'em in!" exclaimed the constable in a tone of disgust; "yes! And
+then the magistrate will tell 'em to be good boys and give 'em five
+shillings out of the poor-box to buy illustrated Testaments. I'd
+Testament them, the worthless varmints!"
+
+He rammed his notebook fiercely into his pocket and stalked out of the
+room into the street, whither we followed.
+
+"You'll find that bullet or stone when you sweep up the room," he said,
+as he turned on to his beat; "and you'd better let us have it. Good
+night, sir."
+
+He strolled off towards Henry Street, while Thorndyke and I resumed our
+journey southward.
+
+"Why were you so secret about that projectile?" I asked my friend as we
+walked up the street.
+
+"Partly to avoid discussion with the caretaker," he replied; "but
+principally because I thought it likely that a constable would pass the
+house and, seeing the light, come in to make inquiries."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then I should have had to hand over the object to him."
+
+"And why not? Is the object a specially interesting one?"
+
+"It is highly interesting to me at the present moment," replied
+Thorndyke, with a chuckle, "because I have not examined it. I have a
+theory as to its nature, which theory I should like to test before
+taking the police into my confidence."
+
+"Are you going to take me into your confidence?" I asked.
+
+"When we get home, if you are not too sleepy," he replied.
+
+On our arrival at his chambers, Thorndyke desired me to light up and
+clear one end of the table while he went up to the workshop to fetch
+some tools. I turned back the table cover, and, having adjusted the gas
+so as to light this part of the table, waited in some impatience for my
+colleague's return. In a few minutes he re-entered bearing a small vice,
+a metal saw and a wide-mouthed bottle.
+
+"What have you got in that bottle?" I asked, perceiving a metal object
+inside it.
+
+"That is the projectile, which I have thought fit to rinse in distilled
+water, for reasons that will presently appear."
+
+He agitated the bottle gently for a minute or so, and then, with a pair
+of dissecting forceps, lifted out the object and held it above the
+surface of the water to drain, after which he laid it carefully on a
+piece of blotting-paper.
+
+I stooped over the projectile and examined it with great curiosity,
+while Thorndyke stood by regarding me with almost equal interest.
+
+"Well," he said, after watching me in silence for some time, "what do
+you see?"
+
+"I see a small brass cylinder," I answered, "about two inches long and
+rather thicker than an ordinary lead pencil. One end is conical, and
+there is a small hole at the apex which seems to contain a steel point;
+the other end is flat, but has in the centre a small square projection
+such as might fit a watch-key. I notice also a small hole in the side of
+the cylinder close to the flat end. The thing looks like a miniature
+shell, and appears to be hollow."
+
+"It is hollow," said Thorndyke. "You must have observed that, when I
+held it up to drain, the water trickled out through the hole at the
+pointed end."
+
+"Yes, I noticed that."
+
+"Now take it up and shake it."
+
+I did so and felt some heavy object rattle inside it.
+
+"There is some loose body inside it," I said, "which fits it pretty
+closely, as it moves only in the long diameter."
+
+"Quite so; your description is excellent. And now, what is the nature of
+this projectile?"
+
+"I should say it is a miniature shell or explosive bullet."
+
+"Wrong!" said Thorndyke. "A very natural inference, but a wrong one."
+
+"Then what is the thing?" I demanded, my curiosity still further
+aroused.
+
+"I will show you," he replied. "It is something much more subtle than an
+explosive bullet--which would really be a rather crude
+appliance--admirably thought out and thoroughly well executed. We have
+to deal with a most ingenious and capable man."
+
+I was fain to laugh at his enthusiastic appreciation of the methods of
+his would-be assassin, and the humour of the situation then appeared to
+dawn on him, for he said, with an apologetic smile--
+
+"I am not expressing approval, you must understand, but merely
+professional admiration. It is this class of criminal that creates the
+necessity for my services. He is my patron, so to speak; my ultimate
+employer. For the common crook can be dealt with quite efficiently by
+the common policeman!"
+
+While he was speaking he had been fitting the little cylinder between
+two pads of tissue-paper in the vice, which he now screwed up tight.
+Then, with the fine metal saw, he began to cut the projectile,
+lengthwise, into two slightly unequal parts. This operation took some
+time, especially since he was careful not to cut the loose body inside,
+but at length the section was completed and the interior of the cylinder
+exposed, when he released it from the vice and held it up before me with
+an expression of triumph.
+
+"Now, what do you make it?" he demanded.
+
+I took the object in my fingers and looked at it closely, but was at
+first more puzzled than before. The loose body I now saw to be a
+cylinder of lead about half an inch long, accurately fitting the inside
+of the cylinder but capable of slipping freely backwards and forwards.
+The steel point which I had noticed in the hole at the apex of the
+conical end, was now seen to be the pointed termination of a slender
+steel rod which projected fully an inch into the cavity of the cylinder,
+and the conical end itself was a solid mass of lead.
+
+"Well?" queried Thorndyke, seeing that I was still silent.
+
+"You tell me it is not an explosive bullet," I replied, "otherwise I
+should have been confirmed in that opinion. I should have said that the
+percussion cap was carried by this lead plunger and struck on the end of
+that steel rod when the flight of the bullet was suddenly arrested."
+
+"Very good indeed," said Thorndyke. "You are right so far that this is,
+in fact, the mechanism of a percussion shell.
+
+"But look at this. You see this little rod was driven inside the bullet
+when the latter struck the wall. Let us replace it in its original
+position."
+
+He laid the end of a small flat file against the end of the rod and
+pressed it firmly, when the rod slid through the hole until it projected
+an inch beyond the apex of the cone. Then he handed the projectile back
+to me.
+
+A single glance at the point of the steel rod made the whole thing
+clear, and I gave a whistle of consternation; for the "rod" was a fine
+tube with a sharply pointed end.
+
+"The infernal scoundrel!" I exclaimed; "it is a hypodermic needle."
+
+"Yes. A veterinary hypodermic, of extra large bore. Now you see the
+subtlety and ingenuity of the whole thing. If he had had a reasonable
+chance he would certainly have succeeded."
+
+"You speak quite regretfully," I said, laughing again at the oddity of
+his attitude towards the assassin.
+
+"Not at all," he replied. "I have the character of a single-handed
+player, but even the most self-reliant man can hardly make a
+_post-mortem_ on himself. I am merely appreciating an admirable piece of
+mechanical design most efficiently carried out. Observe the
+completeness of the thing, and the way in which all the necessities of
+the case are foreseen and met. This projectile was discharged from a
+powerful air-gun--the walking-stick form--provided with a force-pump and
+key. The barrel of that gun was rifled."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"Well, to begin with, it would be useless to fit a needle to the
+projectile unless the latter was made to travel with the point forwards;
+but there is direct evidence that the barrel was rifled. You notice the
+little square projection on the back surface of the cylinder. That was
+evidently made to fit a washer or wad--probably a thin plate of soft
+metal which would be driven by the pressure from behind into the grooves
+of the rifling and thus give a spinning motion to the bullet. When the
+latter left the barrel, the wad would drop off, leaving it free."
+
+"I see. I was wondering what the square projection was for. It is, as
+you say, extremely ingenious."
+
+"Highly ingenious," said Thorndyke, enthusiastically, "and so is the
+whole device. See how perfectly it would have worked but for a mere
+fluke and for the complication of your presence. Supposing that I had
+been alone, so that he could have approached to a shorter distance. In
+that case he would not have missed, and the thing would have been done.
+You see how it was intended to be done, I suppose?"
+
+"I think so," I answered; "but I should like to hear your account of the
+process."
+
+"Well, you see, he first finds out that I am returning by a late
+train--which he seems to have done--and he waits for me at the terminus.
+Meanwhile he fills the cylinder with a solution of a powerful alkaloidal
+poison, which is easily done by dipping the needle into the liquid and
+sucking at the small hole near the back end, when the piston will be
+drawn up and the liquid will follow it. You notice that the upper side
+of the piston is covered with vaseline--introduced through the hole, no
+doubt--which would prevent the poison from coming out into the mouth,
+and make the cylinder secure from leakage. On my arrival, he follows me
+on his bicycle until I pass through a sufficiently secluded
+neighbourhood. Then he approaches me, or passes me and waits round a
+corner, and shoots at pretty close range. It doesn't matter where he
+hits me; all parts are equally vital, so he can aim at the middle of my
+back. Then the bullet comes spinning through the air point foremost; the
+needle passes through the clothing and enters the flesh, and, as the
+bullet is suddenly stopped, the heavy piston flies down by its own great
+momentum and squirts out a jet of the poison into the tissues. The
+bullet then disengages itself and drops on to the ground.
+
+"Meanwhile, our friend has mounted his bicycle and is off, and when I
+feel the prick of the needle, I turn, and, without stopping to look for
+the bullet, immediately give chase. I am, of course, not able to
+overtake a man on a racing machine, but still I follow him some
+distance. Then the poison begins to take effect--the more rapidly from
+the violent exercise--and presently I drop insensible. Later on, my body
+is found. There are no marks of violence, and probably the
+needle-puncture escapes observation at the _post-mortem_, in which case
+the verdict will be death from heart-failure. Even if the poison and the
+puncture are discovered, there is no clue. The bullet lies some streets
+away, and is probably picked up by some boy or passing stranger, who
+cannot conjecture its use, and who would never connect it with the man
+who was found dead. You will admit that the whole plan has been worked
+out with surprising completeness and foresight."  "Yes," I answered;
+"there is no doubt that the fellow is a most infernally clever
+scoundrel. May I ask if you have any idea who he is?"
+
+"Well," Thorndyke replied, "seeing that, as Carlyle has unkindly pointed
+out, clever people are not in an overwhelming majority, and that, of the
+clever people whom I know, only a very few are interested in my
+immediate demise, I am able to form a fairly probable conjecture."
+
+"And what do you mean to do?"
+
+"For the present I shall maintain an attitude of masterly inactivity and
+avoid the night air."
+
+"But, surely," I exclaimed, "you will take some measures to protect
+yourself against attempts of this kind. You can hardly doubt now that
+your accident in the fog was really an attempted murder."
+
+"I never did doubt it, as a matter of fact, although I prevaricated at
+the time. But I have not enough evidence against this man at present,
+and, consequently, can do nothing but show that I suspect him, which
+would be foolish. Whereas, if I lie low, one of two things will happen;
+either the occasion for my removal (which is only a temporary one) will
+pass, or he will commit himself--will put a definite clue into my hands.
+Then we shall find the air-cane, the bicycle, perhaps a little stock of
+poison, and certain other trifles that I have in my mind, which will be
+good confirmatory evidence, though insufficient in themselves. And now,
+I think, I must really adjourn this meeting, or we shall be good for
+nothing to-morrow."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
+
+
+It was now only a week from the date on which the trial was to open. In
+eight days the mystery would almost certainly be solved (if it was
+capable of solution), for the trial promised to be quite a short one,
+and then Reuben Hornby would be either a convicted felon or a free man,
+clear of the stigma of the crime.
+
+For several days past, Thorndyke had been in almost constant possession
+of the laboratory, while his own small room, devoted ordinarily to
+bacteriology and microscopical work was kept continually locked; a state
+of things that reduced Polton to a condition of the most extreme nervous
+irritation, especially when, as he told me indignantly, he met Mr.
+Anstey emerging from the holy of holies, grinning and rubbing his hands
+and giving utterance to genial but unparliamentary expressions of amused
+satisfaction.
+
+I had met Anstey on several occasions lately, and each time liked him
+better than the last; for his whimsical, facetious manner covered a
+nature (as it often does) that was serious and thoughtful; and I found
+him, not only a man of considerable learning, but one also of a lofty
+standard of conduct. His admiration for Thorndyke was unbounded, and I
+could see that the two men collaborated with the utmost sympathy and
+mutual satisfaction.
+
+But although I regarded Mr. Anstey with feelings of the liveliest
+friendship, I was far from gratified when, on the morning of which I am
+writing, I observed him from our sitting-room window crossing the
+gravelled space from Crown Office Row and evidently bearing down on our
+chambers. For the fact is that I was awaiting the arrival of Juliet, and
+should greatly have preferred to be alone at the moment, seeing that
+Thorndyke had already gone out. It is true that my fair enslaver was not
+due for nearly half-an-hour, but then, who could say how long Anstey
+would stay, or what embarrassments might arise from my efforts to
+escape? By all of which it may be perceived that my disease had reached
+a very advanced stage, and that I was unequal to those tactics of
+concealment that are commonly attributed to the ostrich.
+
+A sharp rap of the knocker announced the arrival of the disturber of my
+peace, and when I opened the door Anstey walked in with the air of a man
+to whom an hour more or less is of no consequence whatever. He shook my
+hand with mock solemnity, and, seating himself upon the edge of the
+table, proceeded to roll a cigarette with exasperating deliberation.
+
+"I infer," said he, "that our learned brother is practising parlour
+magic upstairs, or peradventure he has gone on a journey?"
+
+"He has a consultation this morning," I answered. "Was he expecting
+you?"
+
+"Evidently not, or he would have been here. No, I just looked in to ask
+a question about the case of your friend Hornby. You know it comes on
+for trial next week?"
+
+"Yes; Thorndyke told me. What do you think of Hornby's prospects? Is he
+going to be convicted, or will he get an acquittal?"
+
+"_He_ will be entirely passive," replied Anstey, "but _we_"--here he
+slapped his chest impressively--"are going to secure an acquittal. You
+will be highly entertained, my learned friend, and Mr. The Enemy will be
+excessively surprised." He inspected the newly-made cigarette with a
+critical air and chuckled softly.
+
+"You seem pretty confident," I remarked.
+
+"I am," he answered, "though Thorndyke considers failure
+possible--which, of course, it is if the jury-box should chance to be
+filled with microcephalic idiots and the judge should prove incapable of
+understanding simple technical evidence. But we hope that neither of
+these things will happen, and, if they do not, we feel pretty safe. By
+the way, I hope I am not divulging your principal's secrets?"
+
+"Well," I replied, with a smile, "you have been more explicit than
+Thorndyke ever has."
+
+"Have I?" he exclaimed, with mock anxiety; "then I must swear you to
+secrecy. Thorndyke is so very close--and he is quite right too. I never
+cease admiring his tactics of allowing the enemy to fortify and
+barricade the entrance that he does _not_ mean to attack. But I see you
+are wishing me at the devil, so give me a cigar and I will go--though
+not to that particular destination."
+
+"Will you have one of Thorndyke's special brand?" I asked malignantly.
+
+"What! those foul Trichinopolies? Not while brown paper is to be
+obtained at every stationer's; I'd sooner smoke my own wig."
+
+I tendered my own case, from which he selected a cigar with anxious care
+and much sniffing; then he bade me a ceremonious adieu and departed down
+the stairs, blithely humming a melody from the latest comic opera.
+
+He had not left more than five minutes when a soft and elaborate
+rat-tat from the little brass knocker brought my heart into my mouth. I
+ran to the door and flung it open, revealing Juliet standing on the
+threshold.
+
+"May I come in?" she asked. "I want to have a few words with you before
+we start."
+
+I looked at her with some anxiety, for she was manifestly agitated, and
+the hand that she held out to me trembled.
+
+"I am greatly upset, Dr. Jervis," she said, ignoring the chair that I
+had placed for her. "Mr. Lawley has been giving us his views of poor
+Reuben's case, and his attitude fills me with dismay."
+
+"Hang Mr. Lawley!" I muttered, and then apologised hastily. "What made
+you go to him, Miss Gibson?"
+
+"I didn't go to him; he came to us. He dined with us last night--he and
+Walter--and his manner was gloomy in the extreme. After dinner Walter
+took him apart with me and asked him what he really thought of the case.
+He was most pessimistic. 'My dear sir,' he said, 'the only advice I can
+give you is that you prepare yourself to contemplate disaster as
+philosophically as you can. In my opinion your cousin is almost certain
+to be convicted.' 'But,' said Walter, 'what about the defence? I
+understood that there was at least a plausible case.' Mr. Lawley
+shrugged his shoulders. 'I have a sort of _alibi_ that will go for
+nothing, but I have no evidence to offer in answer to that of the
+prosecution, and no case; and I may say, speaking in confidence, that I
+do not believe there is any case. I do not see how there can be any
+case, and I have heard nothing from Dr. Thorndyke to lead me to suppose
+that he has really done anything in the matter.' Is this true, Dr.
+Jervis? Oh! do tell me the real truth about it! I have been so miserable
+and terrified since I heard this, and I was so full of hope before. Tell
+me, is it true? Will Reuben be sent to prison after all?"
+
+In her agitation she laid her hands on my arm and looked up into my face
+with her grey eyes swimming with tears, and was so piteous, so trustful,
+and, withal, so bewitching that my reserve melted like snow before a
+July sun.
+
+"It is not true," I answered, taking her hands in mine and speaking
+perforce in a low tone that I might not betray my emotion. "If it were,
+it would mean that I have wilfully deceived you, that I have been false
+to our friendship; and how much that friendship has been to me, no one
+but myself will ever know."
+
+She crept a little closer to me with a manner at once penitent and
+wheedling.
+
+"You are not going to be angry with me, are you? It was foolish of me to
+listen to Mr. Lawley after all you have told me, and it did look like a
+want of trust in you, I know. But you, who are so strong and wise, must
+make allowance for a woman who is neither. It is all so terrible that I
+am quite unstrung; but say you are not really displeased with me, for
+that would hurt me most of all."
+
+Oh! Delilah! That concluding stroke of the shears severed the very last
+lock, and left me--morally speaking--as bald as a billiard ball.
+Henceforth I was at her mercy and would have divulged, without a
+scruple, the uttermost secrets of my principal, but that that astute
+gentleman had placed me beyond the reach of temptation.
+
+"As to being angry with you," I answered, "I am not, like Thorndyke, one
+to essay the impossible, and if I could be angry it would hurt me more
+than it would you. But, in fact, you are not to blame at all, and I am
+an egotistical brute. Of course you were alarmed and distressed; nothing
+could be more natural. So now let me try to chase away your fears and
+restore your confidence.
+
+"I have told you what Thorndyke said to Reuben: that he had good hopes
+of making his innocence clear to everybody. That alone should have been
+enough."
+
+"I know it should," murmured Juliet remorsefully; "please forgive me for
+my want of faith."
+
+"But," I continued, "I can quote you the words of one to whose opinions
+you will attach more weight. Mr. Anstey was here less than half-an-hour
+ago--"
+
+"Do you mean Reuben's counsel?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And what did he say? Oh, do tell me what he said."
+
+"He said, in brief, that he was quite confident of obtaining an
+acquittal, and that the prosecution would receive a great surprise. He
+seemed highly pleased with his brief, and spoke with great admiration of
+Thorndyke."
+
+"Did he really say that--that he was confident of an acquittal?" Her
+voice was breathless and unsteady, and she was clearly, as she had said,
+quite unstrung. "What a relief it is," she murmured incoherently; "and
+so very, very kind of you!" She wiped her eyes and laughed a queer,
+shaky little laugh; then, quite suddenly, she burst into a passion of
+sobbing.
+
+Hardly conscious of what I did, I drew her gently towards me, and rested
+her head on my shoulder whilst I whispered into her ear I know not what
+words of consolation; but I am sure that I called her "dear Juliet," and
+probably used other expressions equally improper and reprehensible.
+Presently she recovered herself, and, having dried her eyes, regarded me
+somewhat shamefacedly, blushing hotly, but smiling very sweetly
+nevertheless.
+
+"I am ashamed of myself," she said, "coming here and weeping on your
+bosom like a great baby. It is to be hoped that your other clients do
+not behave in this way."
+
+Whereat we both laughed heartily, and, our emotional equilibrium being
+thus restored, we began to think of the object of our meeting.
+
+"I am afraid I have wasted a great deal of time," said Juliet, looking
+at her watch. "Shall we be too late, do you think?"
+
+"I hope not," I replied, "for Reuben will be looking for us; but we must
+hurry."
+
+I caught up my hat, and we went forth, closing the oak behind us, and
+took our way up King's Bench Walk in silence, but with a new and
+delightful sense of intimate comradeship. I glanced from time to time at
+my companion, and noted that her cheek still bore a rosy flush, and when
+she looked at me there was a sparkle in her eye, and a smiling softness
+in her glance, that stirred my heart until I trembled with the intensity
+of the passion that I must needs conceal. And even while I was feeling
+that I must tell her all, and have done with it, tell her that I was her
+abject slave, and she my goddess, my queen; that in the face of such a
+love as mine no man could have any claim upon her; even then, there
+arose the still, small voice that began to call me an unfaithful steward
+and to remind me of a duty and trust that were sacred even beyond love.
+
+In Fleet Street I hailed a cab, and, as I took my seat beside my fair
+companion, the voice began to wax and speak in bolder and sterner
+accents.
+
+"Christopher Jervis," it said, "what is this that you are doing? Are you
+a man of honour or nought but a mean, pitiful blackguard? You, the
+trusted agent of this poor, misused gentleman, are you not planning in
+your black heart how you shall rob him of that which, if he is a man at
+all, must be more to him than his liberty, or even his honour? Shame on
+you for a miserable weakling! Have done with these philanderings and
+keep your covenants like a gentleman--or, at least, an honest man!"
+
+At this point in my meditations Juliet turned towards me with a coaxing
+smile.
+
+"My legal adviser seems to be revolving some deep and weighty matter,"
+she said.
+
+I pulled myself together and looked at her--at her sparkling eyes and
+rosy, dimpling cheeks, so winsome and lovely and lovable.
+
+"Come," I thought, "I must put an end to this at once, or I am lost."
+But it cost me a very agony of effort to do it--which agony, I trust,
+may be duly set to my account by those who may sit in judgement on me.
+
+"Your legal adviser, Miss Gibson," I said (and at that "Miss Gibson" I
+thought she looked at me a little queerly), "has been reflecting that he
+has acted considerably beyond his jurisdiction."
+
+"In what respect?" she asked.
+
+"In passing on to you information which was given to him in very strict
+confidence, and, in fact, with an implied promise of secrecy on his
+part."
+
+"But the information was not of a very secret character, was it?"
+
+"More so than it appeared. You see, Thorndyke thinks it so important not
+to let the prosecution suspect that he has anything up his sleeve, that
+he has kept even Mr. Lawley in the dark, and he has never said as much
+to me as Anstey did this morning."
+
+"And now you are sorry you told me; you think I have led you into a
+breach of trust. Is it not so?" She spoke without a trace of petulance,
+and her tone of dignified self-accusation made me feel a veritable worm.
+
+"My dear Miss Gibson," I expostulated, "you entirely misunderstand me. I
+am not in the least sorry that I told you. How could I have done
+otherwise under the circumstances? But I want you to understand that I
+have taken the responsibility of communicating to you what is really a
+professional secret, and that you are to consider it as such."
+
+"That was how I understood it," replied Juliet; "and you may rely upon
+me not to utter a syllable on the subject to anyone."
+
+I thanked her for this promise, and then, by way of making conversation,
+gave her an account in detail of Anstey's visit, not even omitting the
+incident of the cigar.
+
+"And are Dr. Thorndyke's cigars so extraordinarily bad?" she asked.
+
+"Not at all," I replied; "only they are not to every man's taste. The
+Trichinopoly cheroot is Thorndyke's one dissipation, and, I must say, he
+takes it very temperately. Under ordinary circumstances he smokes a
+pipe; but after a specially heavy day's work, or on any occasion of
+festivity or rejoicing, he indulges in a Trichinopoly, and he smokes the
+very best that can be got."
+
+"So even the greatest men have their weaknesses," Juliet moralised; "but
+I wish I had known Dr. Thorndyke's sooner, for Mr. Hornby had a large
+box of Trichinopoly cheroots given to him, and I believe they were
+exceptionally fine ones. However, he tried one and didn't like it, so he
+transferred the whole consignment to Walter, who smokes all sorts and
+conditions of cigars."
+
+So we talked on from one commonplace to another, and each more
+conventional than the last. In my nervousness, I overdid my part, and
+having broken the ice, proceeded to smash it to impalpable fragments.
+Endeavouring merely to be unemotional and to avoid undue intimacy of
+manner, I swung to the opposite extreme and became almost stiff; and
+perhaps the more so since I was writhing with the agony of repression.
+
+Meanwhile a corresponding change took place in my companion. At first
+her manner seemed doubtful and bewildered; then she, too, grew more
+distant and polite and less disposed for conversation. Perhaps her
+conscience began to rebuke her, or it may be that my coolness suggested
+to her that her conduct had not been quite of the kind that would have
+commended itself to Reuben. But however that may have been, we continued
+to draw farther and farther apart; and in that short half-hour we
+retraced the steps of our growing friendship to such purpose that, when
+we descended from the cab at the prison gate, we seemed more like
+strangers than on the first day that we met. It was a miserable ending
+to all our delightful comradeship, and yet what other end could one
+expect in this world of cross purposes and things that might have been?
+In the extremity of my wretchedness I could have wept on the bosom of
+the portly warder who opened the wicket, even as Juliet had wept upon
+mine; and it was almost a relief to me, when our brief visit was over,
+to find that we should not return together to King's Cross as was our
+wont, but that Juliet would go back by omnibus that she might do some
+shopping in Oxford Street, leaving me to walk home alone.
+
+I saw her into her omnibus, and stood on the pavement looking wistfully
+at the lumbering vehicle as it dwindled in the distance. At last, with a
+sigh of deepest despondency, I turned my face homeward, and, walking
+like one in a dream, retraced the route over which I had journeyed so
+often of late and with such different sensations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MURDER BY POST
+
+
+The next few days were perhaps the most unhappy that I have known. My
+life, indeed, since I had left the hospital had been one of many
+disappointments and much privation. Unfulfilled desires and ambitions
+unrealised had combined with distaste for the daily drudgery that had
+fallen to my lot to embitter my poverty and cause me to look with gloomy
+distrust upon the unpromising future. But no sorrow that I had hitherto
+experienced could compare with the grief that I now felt in
+contemplating the irretrievable ruin of what I knew to be the great
+passion of my life. For to a man like myself, of few friends and deep
+affections, one great emotional upheaval exhausts the possibilities of
+nature; leaving only the capacity for feeble and ineffective echoes. The
+edifice of love that is raised upon the ruins of a great passion can
+compare with the original no more than can the paltry mosque that
+perches upon the mound of Jonah with the glories of the palace that lies
+entombed beneath.  I had made a pretext to write to Juliet and had
+received a reply quite frank and friendly in tone, by which I knew that
+she had not--as some women would have done--set the blame upon me for
+our temporary outburst of emotion. And yet there was a subtle difference
+from her previous manner of writing that only emphasised the finality of
+our separation.
+
+I think Thorndyke perceived that something had gone awry, though I was
+at great pains to maintain a cheerful exterior and keep myself occupied,
+and he probably formed a pretty shrewd guess at the nature of the
+trouble; but he said nothing, and I only judged that he had observed
+some change in my manner by the fact that there was blended with his
+usual quiet geniality an almost insensible note of sympathy and
+affection.
+
+A couple of days after my last interview with Juliet, an event occurred
+which served, certainly, to relieve the tension and distract my
+thoughts, though not in a very agreeable manner.
+
+It was the pleasant, reposeful hour after dinner when it was our custom
+to sit in our respective easy chairs and, as we smoked our pipes,
+discuss some of the many topics in which we had a common interest. The
+postman had just discharged into the capacious letter-box an avalanche
+of letters and circulars, and as I sat glancing through the solitary
+letter that had fallen to my share, I looked from time to time at
+Thorndyke and noticed, as I had often done before, with some surprise, a
+curious habit that he had of turning over and closely scrutinising every
+letter and package before he opened it.
+
+"I observe, Thorndyke," I now ventured to remark, "that you always
+examine the outside of a letter before looking at the inside. I have
+seen other people do the same, and it has always appeared to me a
+singularly foolish proceeding. Why speculate over an unopened letter
+when a glance at the contents will tell you all there is to know?"
+
+"You are perfectly right," he answered, "if the object of the inspection
+is to discover who is the sender of the letter. But that is not my
+object. In my case the habit is one that has been deliberately
+cultivated--not in reference to letters only, but to everything that
+comes into my hands--the habit of allowing nothing to pass without a
+certain amount of conscious attention. The observant man is, in reality,
+the attentive man, and the so-called power of observation is simply the
+capacity for continuous attention. As a matter of fact, I have found in
+practice, that the habit is a useful one even in reference to letters;
+more than once I have gleaned a hint from the outside of a letter that
+has proved valuable when applied to the contents. Here, for instance, is
+a letter which has been opened after being fastened up--apparently by
+the aid of steam. The envelope is soiled and rubbed, and smells faintly
+of stale tobacco, and has evidently been carried in a pocket along with
+a well-used pipe. Why should it have been opened? On reading it I
+perceive that it should have reached me two days ago, and that the date
+has been skilfully altered from the thirteenth to the fifteenth. The
+inference is that my correspondent has a highly untrustworthy clerk."
+
+"But the correspondent may have carried the letter in his own pocket," I
+objected.
+
+"Hardly," replied Thorndyke. "He would not have troubled to steam his
+own letter open and close it again; he would have cut the envelope and
+addressed a fresh one. This the clerk could not do, because the letter
+was confidential and was addressed in the principal's handwriting. And
+the principal would have almost certainly added a postscript; and,
+moreover, he does not smoke. This, however, is all very obvious; but
+here is something rather more subtle which I have put aside for more
+detailed examination. What do you make of it?"
+
+He handed me a small parcel to which was attached by string a
+typewritten address label, the back of which bore the printed
+inscription, "James Bartlett and Sons, Cigar Manufacturers, London and
+Havana."
+
+"I am afraid," said I, after turning the little packet over and
+examining every part of it minutely, "that this is rather too subtle for
+me. The only thing that I observe is that the typewriter has bungled the
+address considerably. Otherwise this seems to me a very ordinary packet
+indeed."
+
+"Well, you have observed one point of interest, at any rate," said
+Thorndyke, taking the packet from me. "But let us examine the thing
+systematically and note down what we see. In the first place, you will
+notice that the label is an ordinary luggage label such as you may buy
+at any stationer's, with its own string attached. Now, manufacturers
+commonly use a different and more substantial pattern, which is attached
+by the string of the parcel. But that is a small matter. What is much
+more striking is the address on the label. It is typewritten and, as you
+say, typed very badly. Do you know anything about typewriters?"
+
+"Very little."
+
+"Then you do not recognise the machine? Well, this label was typed with
+a Blickensderfer--an excellent machine, but not the form most commonly
+selected for the rough work of a manufacturer's office; but we will let
+that pass. The important point is this: the Blickensderfer Company make
+several forms of machine, the smallest and lightest of which is the
+literary, specially designed for the use of journalists and men of
+letters. Now this label was typed with the literary machine, or, at
+least, with the literary typewheel; which is really a very remarkable
+circumstance indeed."
+
+"How do you know that?" I asked.
+
+"By this asterisk, which has been written by mistake, the inexpert
+operator having pressed down the figure lever instead of the one for
+capitals. The literary typewheel is the only one that has an asterisk,
+as I noticed when I was thinking of purchasing a machine. Here, then, we
+have a very striking fact, for even if a manufacturer chose to use a
+'Blick' in his factory, it is inconceivable that he should select the
+literary form in preference to the more suitable 'commercial' machine."
+
+"Yes," I agreed; "it is certainly very singular."
+
+"And now," pursued Thorndyke, "to consider the writing itself. It has
+been done by an absolute beginner. He has failed to space in two places,
+he has written five wrong letters, and he has written figures instead of
+capitals in two instances."
+
+"Yes; he has made a shocking muddle of it. I wonder he didn't throw the
+label away and type another."
+
+"Precisely," said Thorndyke. "And if we wish to find out why he did not,
+we have only to look at the back of the label. You see that the name of
+the firm, instead of being printed on the label itself in the usual
+manner, is printed on a separate slip of paper which is pasted on the
+label--a most foolish and clumsy arrangement, involving an immense waste
+of time. But if we look closely at the printed slip itself we perceive
+something still more remarkable; for that slip has been cut down to fit
+the label, and has been cut with a pair of scissors. The edges are not
+quite straight, and in one place the 'overlap,' which is so
+characteristic of the cut made with scissors, can be seen quite
+plainly."
+
+He handed the packet to me with a reading-lens, through which I could
+distinctly make out the points he had mentioned.
+
+"Now I need not point out to you," he continued, "that these slips
+would, ordinarily, have been trimmed by the printer to the correct size
+in his machine, which would leave an absolutely true edge; nor need I
+say that no sane business man would adopt such a device as this. The
+slip of paper has been cut with scissors to fit the label, and it has
+then been pasted on to the surface that it has been made to fit, when
+all this waste of time and trouble--which, in practice, means
+money--could have been saved by printing the name on the label itself."
+
+"Yes, that is so; but I still do not see why the fellow should not have
+thrown away this label and typed another."
+
+"Look at the slip again," said Thorndyke. "It is faintly but evenly
+discoloured and, to me, has the appearance of having been soaked in
+water. Let us, for the moment, assume that it has been. That would look
+as if it had been removed from some other package, which again would
+suggest that the person using it had only the one slip, which he had
+soaked off the original package, dried, cut down and pasted on the
+present label. If he pasted it on before typing the address--which he
+would most probably have done--he might well be unwilling to risk
+destroying it by soaking it a second time."
+
+"You think, then, there is a suspicion that the package may have been
+tampered with?"
+
+"There is no need to jump to conclusions," replied Thorndyke. "I merely
+gave this case as an instance showing that careful examination of the
+outside of a package or letter may lead us to bestow a little extra
+attention on the contents. Now let us open it and see what those
+contents are."
+
+With a sharp knife he divided the outside cover, revealing a stout
+cardboard box wrapped in a number of advertisement sheets. The box, when
+the lid was raised, was seen to contain a single cigar--a large
+cheroot--packed in cotton wool.
+
+"A 'Trichy,' by Jove!" I exclaimed. "Your own special fancy, Thorndyke."
+
+"Yes; and another anomaly, at once, you see, which might have escaped
+our notice if we had not been on the _qui vive_."
+
+"As a matter of fact, I _don't_ see," said I. "You will think me an
+awful blockhead, but I don't perceive anything singular in a cigar
+manufacturer sending a sample cigar."
+
+"You read the label, I think?" replied Thorndyke. "However, let us look
+at one of these leaflets and see what they say. Ah! here we are:
+'Messrs. Bartlett and Sons, who own extensive plantations on the island
+of Cuba, manufacture their cigars exclusively from selected leaves grown
+by themselves.' They would hardly make a Trichinopoly cheroot from leaf
+grown in the West Indies, so we have here a striking anomaly of an East
+Indian cigar sent to us by a West Indian grower."
+
+"And what do you infer from that?"
+
+"Principally that this cigar--which, by the way, is an uncommonly fine
+specimen and which I would not smoke for ten thousand pounds--is
+deserving of very attentive examination." He produced from his pocket a
+powerful doublet lens, with the aid of which he examined every part of
+the surface of the cigar, and finally, both ends.  "Look at the small
+end," he said, handing me the cigar and the lens, "and tell me if you
+notice anything."
+
+I focussed the lens on the flush-cut surface of closely-rolled leaf, and
+explored every part of it minutely.
+
+"It seems to me," I said, "that the leaf is opened slightly in the
+centre, as if a fine wire had been passed up it."
+
+"So it appeared to me," replied Thorndyke; "and, as we are in agreement
+so far, we will carry our investigations a step further."
+
+He laid the cigar down on the table, and, with the keen, thin-bladed
+penknife, neatly divided it lengthwise into two halves.
+
+"_Ecce signum_!" exclaimed Thorndyke, as the two parts fell asunder; and
+for a few moments we stood silently regarding the dismembered cheroot.
+For, about half an inch from the small end, there appeared a little
+circular patch of white, chalky material which, by the even manner in
+which it was diffused among the leaf, had evidently been deposited from
+a solution.
+
+"Our ingenious friend again, I surmise," said Thorndyke at length,
+taking up one of the halves and examining the white patch through his
+lens. "A thoughtful soul, Jervis, and original too. I wish his talents
+could be applied in some other direction. I shall have to remonstrate
+with him if he becomes troublesome."  "It is your duty to society,
+Thorndyke," I exclaimed passionately, "to have this infernal,
+cold-blooded scoundrel arrested instantly. Such a man is a standing
+menace to the community. Do you really know who sent this thing?"
+
+"I can form a pretty shrewd guess, which, however, is not quite the same
+thing. But, you see, he has not been quite so clever this time, for he
+has left one or two traces by which his identity might be ascertained."
+
+"Indeed! What traces has he left?"
+
+"Ah! now there is a nice little problem for us to consider." He settled
+himself in his easy chair and proceeded to fill his pipe with the air of
+a man who is about to discuss a matter of merely general interest.
+
+"Let us consider what information this ingenious person has given us
+about himself. In the first place, he evidently has a strong interest in
+my immediate decease. Now, why should he feel so urgent a desire for my
+death? Can it be a question of property? Hardly; for I am far from a
+rich man, and the provisions of my will are known to me alone. Can it
+then be a question of private enmity or revenge? I think not. To the
+best of my belief I have no private enemies whatever. There remains only
+my vocation as an investigator in the fields of legal and criminal
+research. His interest in my death must, therefore, be connected with my
+professional activities. Now, I am at present conducting an exhumation
+which may lead to a charge of murder; but if I were to die to-night the
+inquiry would be carried out with equal efficiency by Professor Spicer
+or some other toxicologist. My death would not affect the prospects of
+the accused. And so in one or two other cases that I have in hand; they
+could be equally well conducted by someone else. The inference is that
+our friend is not connected with any of these cases, but that he
+believes me to possess some exclusive information concerning
+him--believes me to be the one person in the world who suspects and can
+convict him. Let us assume the existence of such a person--a person of
+whose guilt I alone have evidence. Now this person, being unaware that I
+have communicated my knowledge to a third party, would reasonably
+suppose that by making away with me he had put himself in a position of
+security.
+
+"Here, then, is our first point. The sender of this offering is probably
+a person concerning whom I hold certain exclusive information.
+
+"But see, now, the interesting corollary that follows from this. I,
+alone, suspect this person; therefore I have not published my
+suspicions, or others would suspect him too. Why, then, does he suspect
+me of suspecting him, since I have not spoken? Evidently, he too must be
+in possession of exclusive information. In other words, my suspicions
+are correct; for if they were not, he could not be aware of their
+existence.
+
+"The next point is the selection of this rather unusual type of cigar.
+Why should he have sent a Trichinopoly instead of an ordinary Havana
+such as Bartletts actually manufacture? It looks as if he were aware of
+my peculiar predilection, and, by thus consulting my personal tastes,
+had guarded against the chance of my giving the cigar to some other
+person. We may, therefore, infer that our friend probably has some
+knowledge of my habits.
+
+"The third point is, What is the social standing of this gentle
+stranger, whom we will call X? Now, Bartletts do not send their
+advertisements and samples to Thomas, Richard and Henry. They send,
+chiefly, to members of the professions and men of means and position. It
+is true that the original package might have been annexed by a clerk,
+office boy or domestic servant; but the probabilities are that X
+received the package himself, and this is borne out by the fact that he
+was able to obtain access to a powerful alkaloidal poison--such as this
+undoubtedly is."
+
+"In that case he would probably be a medical man or a chemist," I
+suggested.
+
+"Not necessarily," replied Thorndyke. "The laws relating to poisons are
+so badly framed and administered that any well-to-do person, who has the
+necessary knowledge, can obtain almost any poison that he wants. But
+social position is an important factor, whence we may conclude that X
+belongs, at least, to the middle class.
+
+"The fourth point relates to the personal qualities of X. Now it is
+evident, from this instance alone, that he is a man of exceptional
+intelligence, of considerable general information, and both ingenious
+and resourceful. This cigar device is not only clever and original, but
+it has been adapted to the special circumstances with remarkable
+forethought. Thus the cheroot was selected, apparently, for two
+excellent reasons: first, that it was the most likely form to be smoked
+by the person intended, and second, that it did not require to have the
+end cut off--which might have led to a discovery of the poison. The plan
+also shows a certain knowledge of chemistry; the poison was not intended
+merely to be dissolved in the moisture of the mouth. The idea evidently
+was that the steam generated by the combustion of the leaf at the
+distal end, would condense in the cooler part of the cigar and dissolve
+the poison, and the solution would then be drawn into the mouth. Then
+the nature of the poison and certain similarities of procedure seem to
+identify X with the cyclist who used that ingenious bullet. The poison
+in this case is a white, non-crystalline solid; the poison contained in
+the bullet was a solution of a white, non-crystalline solid, which
+analysis showed to be the most poisonous of all akaloids.
+
+"The bullet was virtually a hypodermic syringe; the poison in this cigar
+has been introduced, in the form of an alcoholic or ethereal solution,
+by a hypodermic syringe. We shall thus be justified in assuming that the
+bullet and the cigar came from the same person; and, if this be so, we
+may say that X is a person of considerable knowledge, of great ingenuity
+and no mean skill as a mechanician--as shown by the manufacture of the
+bullet.
+
+"These are our principal facts--to which we may add the surmise that he
+has recently purchased a second-hand Blickensderfer of the literary form
+or, at least, fitted with a literary typewheel."
+
+"I don't quite see how you arrive at that," I said, in some surprise.
+
+"It is merely a guess, you know," he replied, "though a probable one. In
+the first place he is obviously unused to typing, as the numerous
+mistakes show; therefore he has not had the machine very long. The type
+is that which is peculiar to the Blickensderfer, and, in one of the
+mistakes, an asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
+literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
+of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
+have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
+letters which are the most used--the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
+is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
+the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
+second-hand."
+
+"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."
+
+"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
+secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
+having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
+the machine, should we ever meet with it."
+
+He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
+lens.
+
+"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
+times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
+each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
+summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type--caused,
+probably, by its striking some small, hard object."
+
+"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
+valuable point for identification."
+
+"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
+joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
+premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
+has placed at our disposal.
+
+"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
+information.
+
+"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.
+
+"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.
+
+"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
+skill.
+
+"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
+fitted with a literary typewheel.  "Sixth: That machine, whether his
+own or some other person's property, can be identified by a
+characteristic mark on the small 'e.'
+
+"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
+expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
+able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"
+
+"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
+suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
+society--to say nothing of your clients, whose interests would suffer by
+your death--to have this fellow laid by the heels before he does any
+mischief."
+
+"Yes; I shall have to interfere if he becomes really troublesome, but I
+have reasons for wishing to leave him alone at present."
+
+"You do really know who he is, then?"
+
+"Well, I think I can solve the equation that I have just offered to you
+for solution. You see, I have certain data, as you suggest, which you do
+not possess. There is, for instance, a certain ingenious gentleman
+concerning whom I hold what I believe to be exclusive information, and
+my knowledge of him does not make it appear unlikely that he might be
+the author of these neat little plans."
+
+"I am much impressed," I said, as I put away my notebook, after having
+jotted down the points that Thorndyke had advised me to consider--"I am
+much impressed by your powers of observation and your capacity for
+reasoning from apparently trivial data; but I do not see, even now, why
+you viewed that cigar with such immediate and decided suspicion. There
+was nothing actually to suggest the existence of poison in it, and yet
+you seemed to form the suspicion at once and to search for it as though
+you expected to find it."
+
+"Yes," replied Thorndyke; "to a certain extent you are right. The idea
+of a poisoned cigar was not new to me--and thereby hangs a tale."
+
+He laughed softly and gazed into the fire with eyes that twinkled with
+quiet amusement. "You have heard me say," he resumed, after a short
+pause, "that when I first took these chambers I had practically nothing
+to do. I had invented a new variety of medico-legal practice and had to
+build it up by slow degrees, and the natural consequence was that, for a
+long time, it yielded nothing but almost unlimited leisure. Now, that
+leisure was by no means wasted, for I employed it in considering the
+class of cases in which I was likely to be employed, and in working out
+theoretical examples; and seeing that crimes against the person have
+nearly always a strong medical interest, I gave them special attention.
+For instance, I planned a series of murders, selecting royal personages
+and great ministers as the victims, and on each murder I brought to bear
+all the special knowledge, skill and ingenuity at my command. I inquired
+minutely into the habits of my hypothetical victims; ascertained who
+were their associates, friends, enemies and servants; considered their
+diet, their residences, their modes of conveyance, the source of their
+clothing and, in fact, everything which it was necessary to know in
+order to achieve their deaths with certainty and with absolute safety to
+the murderer."
+
+"How deeply gratified and flattered those great personages would have
+felt," I remarked, "if they had known how much attention they were
+receiving."
+
+"Yes; I suppose it would have been somewhat startling, to the Prime
+Minister, for instance, to have learned that he was being watched and
+studied by an attentive observer and that the arrangements for his
+decease had been completed down to the minutest detail. But, of course,
+the application of the method to a particular case was the essential
+thing, for it brought into view all the incidental difficulties, in
+meeting which all the really interesting and instructive details were
+involved. Well, the particulars of these crimes I wrote out at length,
+in my private shorthand, in a journal which I kept for the purpose--and
+which, I need not say, I locked up securely in my safe when I was not
+using it. After completing each case, it was my custom to change sides
+and play the game over again from the opposite side of the board; that
+is to say, I added, as an appendix to each case, an analysis with a
+complete scheme for the detection of the crime. I have in my safe at the
+present moment six volumes of cases, fully indexed; and I can assure you
+that they are not only highly instructive reading, but are really
+valuable as works of reference."
+
+"That I can readily believe," I replied, laughing heartily,
+nevertheless, at the grotesqueness of the whole proceeding, "though they
+might have proved rather incriminating documents if they had passed out
+of your possession."
+
+"They would never have been read," rejoined Thorndyke. "My shorthand is,
+I think, quite undecipherable; it has been so made intentionally with a
+view to secrecy."
+
+"And have any of your theoretical cases ever turned up in real life?"
+
+"Several of them have, though very imperfectly planned and carried out
+as a rule. The poisoned cigar is one of them, though, of course I
+should never have adopted such a conspicuous device for presenting it;
+and the incident of the other night is a modification--for the worse--of
+another. In fact, most of the intricate and artistic crimes with which I
+have had to deal professionally have had their more complete and
+elaborate prototypes in my journals."
+
+I was silent for some time, reflecting on the strange personality of my
+gifted friend and the singular fitness that he presented for the part he
+had chosen to play in the drama of social life; but presently my
+thoughts returned to the peril that overshadowed him, and I came back,
+once more, to my original question.
+
+"And now, Thorndyke," I said, "that you have penetrated both the motives
+and the disguise of this villain, what are you going to do? Is he to be
+put safely under lock and key, or is he to be left in peace and security
+to plan some other, and perhaps more successful, scheme for your
+destruction?"
+
+"For the present," replied Thorndyke, "I am going to put these things in
+a place of safety. To-morrow you shall come with me to the hospital and
+see me place the ends of the cigar in the custody of Dr. Chandler, who
+will make an analysis and report on the nature of the poison. After that
+we shall act in whatever way seems best."
+
+Unsatisfactory as this conclusion appeared, I knew it was useless to
+raise further objections, and, accordingly, when the cigar with its
+accompanying papers and wrappings had been deposited in a drawer, we
+dismissed it, if not from our thoughts, at least from our conversation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+The morning of the trial, so long looked forward to, had at length
+arrived, and the train of events which it has been my business to
+chronicle in this narrative was now fast drawing to an end. To me those
+events had been in many ways of the deepest moment. Not only had they
+transported me from a life of monotonous drudgery into one charged with
+novelty and dramatic interest; not only had they introduced me to a
+renascence of scientific culture and revived under new conditions my
+intimacy with the comrade of my student days; but, far more momentous
+than any of these, they had given me the vision--all too fleeting--of
+happiness untold, with the reality of sorrow and bitter regret that
+promised to be all too enduring.
+
+Whence it happened that on this morning my thoughts were tinged with a
+certain greyness. A chapter in my life that had been both bitter and
+sweet was closing, and already I saw myself once more an Ishmaelite and
+a wanderer among strangers.
+
+This rather egotistical frame of mind, however, was soon dispelled when
+I encountered Polton, for the little man was in a veritable twitter of
+excitement at the prospect of witnessing the clearing up of the
+mysteries that had so severely tried his curiosity; and even Thorndyke,
+beneath his habitual calm, showed a trace of expectancy and pleasurable
+anticipation.
+
+"I have taken the liberty of making certain little arrangements on your
+behalf," he said, as we sat at breakfast, "of which I hope you will not
+disapprove. I have written to Mrs. Hornby, who is one of the witnesses,
+to say that you will meet her at Mr. Lawley's office and escort her and
+Miss Gibson to the court. Walter Hornby may be with them, and, if he is,
+you had better leave him, if possible, to come on with Lawley."
+
+"You will not come to the office, then?"
+
+"No. I shall go straight to the court with Anstey. Besides, I am
+expecting Superintendent Miller from Scotland Yard, who will probably
+walk down with us."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," I said; "for I have been rather uneasy at the
+thought of your mixing in the crowd without some kind of protection."
+
+"Well, you see that I am taking precautions against the assaults of the
+too-ingenious X, and, to tell the truth--and also to commit a flagrant
+bull--I should never forgive myself if I allowed him to kill me before I
+had completed Reuben Hornby's defence. Ah, here is Polton--that man is
+on wires this morning; he has been wandering in and out of the rooms
+ever since he came, like a cat in a new house."
+
+"It's quite true, sir," said Polton, smiling and unabashed, "so it's no
+use denying it. I have come to ask what we are going to take with us to
+the court."
+
+"You will find a box and a portfolio on the table in my room," replied
+Thorndyke. "We had better also take a microscope and the micrometers,
+though we are not likely to want them; that is all, I think."
+
+"A box and a portfolio," repeated Polton in a speculative tone. "Yes,
+sir, I will take them with me." He opened the door and was about to
+pass out, when, perceiving a visitor ascending the stairs, he turned
+back.
+
+"Here's Mr. Miller, from Scotland Yard, sir; shall I show him in?"
+
+"Yes, do." He rose from his chair as a tall, military-looking man
+entered the room and saluted, casting, at the same time, an inquiring
+glance in my direction.
+
+"Good morning, Doctor," he said briskly. "I got your letter and couldn't
+make such of it, but I have brought down a couple of plain-clothes men
+and a uniform man, as you suggested. I understand you want a house
+watched?"
+
+"Yes, and a man, too. I will give you the particulars presently--that
+is, if you think you can agree to my conditions."
+
+"That I act entirely on my own account and make no communication to
+anybody? Well, of course, I would rather you gave me all the facts and
+let me proceed in the regular way; but if you make conditions I have no
+choice but to accept them, seeing that you hold the cards."
+
+Perceiving that the matter in hand was of a confidential nature, I
+thought it best to take my departure, which I accordingly did, as soon
+as I had ascertained that it wanted yet half-an-hour to the time at
+which Mrs. Hornby and Juliet were due at the lawyer's office.
+
+Mr. Lawley received me with stiffness that bordered on hostility. He was
+evidently deeply offended at the subordinate part that he had been
+compelled to play in the case, and was at no great pains to conceal the
+fact.
+
+"I am informed," said he, in a frosty tone, when I had explained my
+mission, "that Mrs. Hornby and Miss Gibson are to meet you here. The
+arrangement is none of my making; none of the arrangements in this case
+are of my making. I have been treated throughout with a lack of ceremony
+and confidence that is positively scandalous. Even now, I--the
+solicitor for the defence--am completely in the dark as to what defence
+is contemplated, though I fully expect to be involved in some ridiculous
+fiasco. I only trust that I may never again be associated with any of
+your hybrid practitioners. _Ne sutor ultra crepidam_, sir, is an
+excellent motto; let the medical cobbler stick to his medical last."
+
+"It remains to be seen what kind of boot he can turn out on the legal
+last," I retorted.
+
+"That is so," he rejoined; "but I hear Mrs. Hornby's voice in the outer
+office, and as neither you nor I have any time to waste in idle talk, I
+suggest that you make your way to the court without delay. I wish you
+good morning!"
+
+Acting on this very plain hint, I retired to the clerks' office, where I
+found Mrs. Hornby and Juliet, the former undisguisedly tearful and
+terrified, and the latter calm, though pale and agitated.
+
+"We had better start at once," I said, when we had exchanged greetings.
+"Shall we take a cab, or walk?"
+
+"I think we will walk, if you don't mind," said Juliet. "Mrs. Hornby
+wants to have a few words with you before we go into court. You see, she
+is one of the witnesses, and she is terrified lest she should say
+something damaging to Reuben."
+
+"By whom was the subpoena served?" I asked.
+
+"Mr. Lawley sent it," replied Mrs. Hornby, "and I went to see him about
+it the very next day, but he wouldn't tell me anything--he didn't seem
+to know what I was wanted for, and he wasn't at all nice--not at all."
+
+"I expect your evidence will relate to the 'Thumbograph,'" I said.
+"There is really nothing else in connection with the case that you have
+any knowledge of."
+
+"That is just what Walter said," exclaimed Mrs. Hornby. "I went to his
+rooms to talk the matter over with him. He is very upset about the whole
+affair, and I am afraid he thinks very badly of poor Reuben's prospects.
+I only trust he may be wrong! Oh dear! What a dreadful thing it is, to
+be sure!" Here the poor lady halted to mop her eyes elaborately, to the
+surprise and manifest scorn of a passing errand boy.
+
+"He was very thoughtful and sympathetic--Walter, I mean, you know,"
+pursued Mrs. Hornby, "and most helpful. He asked me all I knew about
+that horrid little book, and took down my answers in writing. Then he
+wrote out the questions I was likely to be asked, with my answers, so
+that I could read them over and get them well into my head. Wasn't it
+good of him! And I made him print them with his machine so that I could
+read them without my glasses, and he did it beautifully. I have the
+paper in my pocket now."
+
+"I didn't know Mr. Walter went in for printing," I said. "Has he a
+regular printing press?"
+
+"It isn't a printing press exactly," replied Mrs. Hornby; "it is a small
+thing with a lot of round keys that you press down--Dickensblerfer, I
+think it is called--ridiculous name, isn't it? Walter bought it from one
+of his literary friends about a week ago; but he is getting quite clever
+with it already, though he does make a few mistakes still, as you can
+see."  She halted again, and began to search for the opening of a
+pocket which was hidden away in some occult recess of her clothing, all
+unconscious of the effect that her explanation had produced on me. For,
+instantly, as she spoke, there flashed into my mind one of the points
+that Thorndyke had given me for the identification of the mysterious X.
+"He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand
+Blickensderfer, fitted with a literary typewheel." The coincidence was
+striking and even startling, though a moment's reflection convinced me
+that it was nothing more than a coincidence; for there must be hundreds
+of second-hand "Blicks" on the market, and, as to Walter Hornby, he
+certainly could have no quarrel with Thorndyke, but would rather be
+interested in his preservation on Reuben's account.
+
+These thoughts passed through my mind so rapidly that by the time Mrs.
+Hornby had run her pocket to earth I had quite recovered from the
+momentary shock.
+
+"Ah! here it is," she exclaimed triumphantly, producing an obese Morocco
+purse. "I put it in here for safety, knowing how liable one is to get
+one's pocket picked in these crowded London streets." She opened the
+bulky receptacle and drew it out after the manner of a concertina,
+exhibiting multitudinous partitions, all stuffed with pieces of paper,
+coils of tape and sewing silk, buttons, samples of dress materials and
+miscellaneous rubbish, mingled indiscriminately with gold, silver, and
+copper coins.
+
+"Now just run your eye through that, Dr. Jervis," she said, handing me a
+folded paper, "and give me your advice on my answers."
+
+I opened the paper and read: "The Committee of the Society for the
+Protection of Paralysed Idiots, in submitting this--"
+
+"Oh! that isn't it; I have given you the wrong paper. How silly of me!
+That is the appeal of--you remember, Juliet, dear, that troublesome
+person--I had, really, to be quite rude, you know, Dr. Jervis; I had to
+tell him that charity begins at home, although, thank Heaven! none of us
+are paralysed, but we must consider our own, mustn't we? And then--"
+
+"Do you think this is the one, dear?" interposed Juliet, in whose pale
+cheek the ghost of a dimple had appeared. "It looks cleaner than most of
+the others."
+
+She selected a folded paper from the purse which Mrs. Hornby was holding
+with both hands extended to its utmost, as though she were about to
+produce a burst of music, and, opening it, glanced at its contents.
+
+"Yes, this is your evidence," she said, and passed the paper to me.
+
+I took the document from her hand and, in spite of the conclusion at
+which I had arrived, examined it with eager curiosity. And at the very
+first glance I felt my head swim and my heart throb violently. For the
+paper was headed: "Evidence respecting the Thumbograph," and in every
+one of the five small "e's" that occurred in that sentence I could see
+plainly by the strong out-door light a small break or interval in the
+summit of the loop.
+
+I was thunderstruck.
+
+One coincidence was quite possible and even probable; but the two
+together, and the second one of so remarkable a character, were beyond
+all reasonable limits of probability. The identification did not seem to
+admit of a doubt, and yet--
+
+"Our legal adviser appears to be somewhat preoccupied," remarked Juliet,
+with something of her old gaiety of manner; and, in fact, though I held
+the paper in my hand, my gaze was fixed unmeaningly on an adjacent
+lamp-post. As she spoke, I pulled myself together, and, scanning the
+paper hastily, was fortunate enough to find in the first paragraph
+matter requiring comment.
+
+"I observe, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "that in answer to the first question,
+'Whence did you obtain the "Thumbograph"?' you say, 'I do not remember
+clearly; I think I must have bought it at a railway bookstall.' Now I
+understood that it was brought home and given to you by Walter himself."
+
+"That was what I thought," replied Mrs. Hornby, "but Walter tells me
+that it was not so, and, of course, he would remember better than I
+should."
+
+"But, my dear aunt, I am sure he gave it to you," interposed Juliet.
+"Don't you remember? It was the night the Colleys came to dinner, and we
+were so hard pressed to find amusement for them, when Walter came in and
+produced the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Yes, I remember quite well now," said Mrs. Hornby. "How fortunate that
+you reminded me. We must alter that answer at once."
+
+"If I were you, Mrs. Hornby," I said, "I would disregard this paper
+altogether. It will only confuse you and get you into difficulties.
+Answer the questions that are put, as well as you can, and if you don't
+remember, say so."
+
+"Yes, that will be much the wisest plan," said Juliet. "Let Dr. Jervis
+take charge of the paper and rely on your own memory."  "Very well, my
+dear," replied Mrs. Hornby, "I will do what you think best, and you can
+keep the paper, Dr. Jervis, or throw it away."
+
+I slipped the document into my pocket without remark, and we proceeded
+on our way, Mrs. Hornby babbling inconsequently, with occasional
+outbursts of emotion, and Juliet silent and abstracted. I struggled to
+concentrate my attention on the elder lady's conversation, but my
+thoughts continually reverted to the paper in my pocket, and the
+startling solution that it seemed to offer of the mystery of the
+poisoned cigar.
+
+Could it be that Walter Hornby was in reality the miscreant X? The thing
+seemed incredible, for, hitherto, no shadow of suspicion had appeared to
+fall on him. And yet there was no denying that his description tallied
+in a very remarkable manner with that of the hypothetical X. He was a
+man of some means and social position; he was a man of considerable
+knowledge and mechanical skill, though as to his ingenuity I could not
+judge. He had recently bought a second-hand Blickensderfer which
+probably had a literary typewheel, since it was purchased from a
+literary man; and that machine showed the characteristic mark on the
+small "e." The two remaining points, indeed, were not so clear.
+Obviously I could form no opinion as to whether or not Thorndyke held
+any exclusive information concerning him, and, with reference to his
+knowledge of my friend's habits, I was at first inclined to be doubtful
+until I suddenly recalled, with a pang of remorse and self-accusation,
+the various details that I had communicated to Juliet and that she might
+easily, in all innocence, have handed on to Walter. I had, for instance,
+told her of Thorndyke's preference for the Trichinopoly cheroot, and of
+this she might very naturally have spoken to Walter, who possessed a
+supply of them. Again, with regard to the time of our arrival at King's
+Cross, I had informed her of this in a letter which was in no way
+confidential, and again there was no reason why the information should
+not have been passed on to Walter, who was to have been one of the party
+at the family dinner. The coincidence seemed complete enough, in all
+truth; yet it was incredible that Reuben's cousin could be so
+blackhearted a villain or could have any motive for these dastardly
+crimes.
+
+Suddenly a new idea struck me. Mrs Hornby had obtained access to this
+typewriting machine; and if Mrs. Hornby could do so, why not John
+Hornby? The description would, for the most part, fit the elder man as
+well as the younger, though I had no evidence of his possessing any
+special mechanical skill; but my suspicions had already fastened upon
+him, and I remembered that Thorndyke had by no means rejected my theory
+which connected him with the crime.
+
+At this point, my reflections were broken in upon by Mrs. Hornby, who
+grasped my arm and uttered a deep groan. We had reached the corner of
+the Old Bailey, and before us were the frowning walls of Newgate. Within
+those walls, I knew--though I did not mention the fact--that Reuben
+Hornby was confined with the other prisoners who were awaiting their
+trial; and a glance at the massive masonry, stained to a dingy grey by
+the grime of the city, put an end to my speculations and brought me back
+to the drama that was so nearly approaching its climax.
+
+Down the old thoroughfare, crowded with so many memories of hideous
+tragedy; by the side of the gloomy prison; past the debtors' door with
+its forbidding spiked wicket; past the gallows gate with its festoons
+of fetters; we walked in silence until we reached the entrance to the
+Sessions House.
+
+Here I was not a little relieved to find Thorndyke on the look-out for
+us, for Mrs. Hornby, in spite of really heroic efforts to control her
+emotion, was in a state of impending hysteria, while Juliet, though
+outwardly calm and composed, showed by the waxen pallor of her cheeks
+and a certain wildness of her eyes that all her terror was reviving; and
+I was glad that they were spared the unpleasantness of contact with the
+policemen who guarded the various entrances.
+
+"We must be brave," said Thorndyke gently, as he took Mrs. Hornby's
+hand, "and show a cheerful face to our friend who has so much to bear
+and who bears it so patiently. A few more hours, and I hope we shall see
+restored, not only his liberty, but his honour. Here is Mr. Anstey, who,
+we trust, will be able to make his innocence apparent."
+
+Anstey, who, unlike Thorndyke, had already donned his wig and gown,
+bowed gravely, and, together, we passed through the mean and grimy
+portals into a dark hall. Policemen in uniform and unmistakable
+detectives stood about the various entries, and little knots of people,
+evil-looking and unclean for the most part, lurked in the background or
+sat on benches and diffused through the stale, musty air that
+distinctive but indescribable odour that clings to police vans and
+prison reception rooms; an odour that, in the present case, was
+pleasantly mingled with the suggestive aroma of disinfectants. Through
+the unsavoury throng we hurried, and up a staircase to a landing from
+which several passages diverged. Into one of these passages--a sort of
+"dark entry," furnished with a cage-like gate of iron bars--we passed
+to a black door, on which was painted the inscription, "Old Court.
+Counsel and clerks."
+
+Anstey held the door open for us, and we passed through into the court,
+which at once struck me with a sense of disappointment. It was smaller
+than I had expected, and plain and mean to the point of sordidness. The
+woodwork was poor, thinly disguised by yellow graining, and slimy with
+dirt wherever a dirty hand could reach it. The walls were distempered a
+pale, greenish grey; the floor was of bare and dirty planking, and the
+only suggestions of dignity or display were those offered by the canopy
+over the judge's seat--lined with scarlet baize and surmounted by the
+royal arms--the scarlet cushions of the bench, and the large, circular
+clock in the gallery, which was embellished with a gilded border and
+asserted its importance by a loud, aggressive tick.
+
+Following Anstey and Thorndyke into the well of the court, we were
+ushered into one of the seats reserved for counsel--the third from the
+front--where we sat down and looked about us, while our two friends
+seated themselves in the front bench next to the central table. Here, at
+the extreme right, a barrister--presumably the counsel for the
+prosecution--was already in his place and absorbed in the brief that lay
+on the desk before him. Straight before us were the seats for the jury,
+rising one above the other, and at their side the witness-box. Above us
+on the right was the judge's seat, and immediately below it a structure
+somewhat resembling a large pew or a counting-house desk, surmounted by
+a brass rail, in which a person in a grey wig--the clerk of the
+court--was mending a quill pen. On our left rose the dock--suggestively
+large and roomy--enclosed at the sides with high glazed frames; and
+above it, near the ceiling, was the spectators' gallery.
+
+"What a hideous place!" exclaimed Juliet, who separated me from Mrs.
+Hornby. "And how sordid and dirty everything looks!"
+
+"Yes," I answered. "The uncleanness of the criminal is not confined to
+his moral being; wherever he goes, he leaves a trail of actual,
+physical dirt. It is not so long ago that the dock and the bench alike
+used to be strewn with medicinal herbs, and I believe the custom still
+survives of furnishing the judge with a nosegay as a preventive of
+jail-fever."
+
+"And to think that Reuben should be brought to a place like this!"
+Juliet continued bitterly; "to be herded with such people as we saw
+downstairs!"
+
+She sighed and looked round at the benches that rose behind us, where a
+half-dozen reporters were already seated and apparently in high spirits
+at the prospect of a sensational case.
+
+Our conversation was now interrupted by the clatter of feet on the
+gallery stairs, and heads began to appear over the wooden parapet.
+Several junior counsel filed into the seats in front of us; Mr. Lawley
+and his clerk entered the attorney's bench; the ushers took their stand
+below the jury-box; a police officer seated himself at a desk in the
+dock; and inspectors, detectives and miscellaneous officers began to
+gather in the entries or peer into the court through the small glazed
+openings in the doors.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE FINGER-PRINT EXPERTS
+
+
+The hum of conversation that had been gradually increasing as the court
+filled suddenly ceased. A door at the back of the dais was flung open;
+counsel, solicitors, and spectators alike rose to their feet; and the
+judge entered, closely followed by the Lord Mayor, the sheriff, and
+various civic magnates, all picturesque and gorgeous in their robes and
+chains of office. The Clerk of Arraigns took his place behind his table
+under the dais; the counsel suspended their conversation and fingered
+their briefs; and, as the judge took his seat, lawyers, officials, and
+spectators took their seats, and all eyes were turned towards the dock.
+
+A few moments later Reuben Hornby appeared in the enclosure in company
+with a warder, the two rising, apparently, from the bowels of the earth,
+and, stepping forward to the bar, stood with a calm and self-possessed
+demeanour, glancing somewhat curiously around the court. For an instant
+his eye rested upon the group of friends and well-wishers seated behind
+the counsel, and the faintest trace of a smile appeared on his face; but
+immediately he turned his eyes away and never again throughout the trial
+looked in our direction.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns now rose and, reading from the indictment which
+lay before him on the table, addressed the prisoner--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, you stand indicted for that you did, on the ninth or
+tenth day of March, feloniously steal a parcel of diamonds of the goods
+and chattels of John Hornby. Are you guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied Reuben.
+
+The Clerk of Arraigns, having noted the prisoner's reply, then
+proceeded--
+
+"The gentlemen whose names are about to be called will form the jury who
+are to try you. If you wish to object to any of them, you must do so as
+each comes to the book to be sworn, and before he is sworn. You will
+then be heard."
+
+In acknowledgment of this address, which was delivered in clear, ringing
+tones, and with remarkable distinctness, Reuben bowed to the clerk, and
+the process of swearing-in the jury was commenced, while the counsel
+opened their briefs and the judge conversed facetiously with an
+official in a fur robe and a massive neck chain.
+
+Very strange, to unaccustomed eyes and ears, was the effect of this
+function--half solemn and half grotesque, with an effect intermediate
+between that of a religious rite and that of a comic opera. Above the
+half-suppressed hum of conversation the clerk's voice arose at regular
+intervals, calling out the name of one of the jurymen, and, as its owner
+stood up, the court usher, black-gowned and sacerdotal of aspect,
+advanced and proffered the book. Then, as the juryman took the volume in
+his hand, the voice of the usher resounded through the court like that
+of a priest intoning some refrain or antiphon--an effect that was
+increased by the rhythmical and archaic character of the formula--
+
+"Samuel Seppings!"
+
+A stolid-looking working-man rose and, taking the Testament in his hand,
+stood regarding the usher while that official sang out in a solemn
+monotone--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have
+in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence. So help
+you God!"
+
+"James Piper!" Another juryman rose and was given the Book to hold; and
+again the monotonous sing-song arose--
+
+"You shall well and truly try and true deliverance make, etc."
+
+"I shall scream aloud if that horrible chant goes on much longer,"
+Juliet whispered. "Why don't they all swear at once and have done with
+it?"
+
+"That would not meet the requirements," I answered. "However, there are
+only two more, so you must have patience."
+
+"And you will have patience with me, too, won't you? I am horribly
+frightened. It is all so solemn and dreadful."
+
+"You must try to keep up your courage until Dr. Thorndyke has given his
+evidence," I said. "Remember that, until he has spoken, everything is
+against Reuben; so be prepared."
+
+"I will try," she answered meekly; "but I can't help being terrified."
+
+The last of the jurymen was at length sworn, and when the clerk had once
+more called out the names one by one, the usher counting loudly as each
+man answered to his name, the latter officer turned to the Court and
+spectators, and proclaimed in solemn tones--
+
+"If anyone can inform my Lords the King's justices, the King's
+attorney-general, or the King's serjeant, ere this inquest be now taken
+between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, of any
+treason, murder, felony or misdemeanour, committed or done by him, let
+him come forth and he shall be heard; for the prisoner stands at the bar
+upon his deliverance."
+
+This proclamation was followed by a profound silence, and after a brief
+interval the Clerk of Arraigns turned towards the jury and addressed
+them collectively--
+
+"Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner at the bar stands indicted by the
+name of Reuben Hornby, for that he, on the ninth or tenth of March,
+feloniously did steal, take and carry away a parcel of diamonds of the
+goods of John Hornby. To this indictment he has pleaded that he is not
+guilty, and your charge is to inquire whether he be guilty or not and to
+hearken to the evidence."
+
+When he had finished his address the clerk sat down, and the judge, a
+thin-faced, hollow-eyed elderly man, with bushy grey eyebrows and a very
+large nose, looked attentively at Reuben for some moments over the tops
+of his gold-rimmed pince-nez. Then he turned towards the counsel nearest
+the bench and bowed slightly.
+
+The barrister bowed in return and rose, and for the first time I
+obtained a complete view of Sir Hector Trumpler, K.C., the counsel for
+the prosecution. His appearance was not prepossessing nor--though he was
+a large man and somewhat florid as to his countenance--particularly
+striking, except for a general air of untidiness. His gown was slipping
+off one shoulder, his wig was perceptibly awry, and his pince-nez
+threatened every moment to drop from his nose.
+
+"The case that I have to present to you, my lord and gentlemen of the
+jury," he began in a clear, though unmusical voice, "is one the like of
+which is but too often met with in this court. It is one in which we
+shall see unbounded trust met by treacherous deceit, in which we shall
+see countless benefactions rewarded by the basest ingratitude, and in
+which we shall witness the deliberate renunciation of a life of
+honourable effort in favour of the tortuous and precarious ways of the
+criminal. The facts of the case are briefly as follows: The prosecutor
+in this case--most unwilling prosecutor, gentlemen--is Mr. John Hornby,
+who is a metallurgist and dealer in precious metals. Mr. Hornby has two
+nephews, the orphan sons of his two elder brothers, and I may tell you
+that since the decease of their parents he has acted the part of a
+father to both of them. One of these nephews is Mr. Walter Hornby, and
+the other is Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at the bar. Both of these
+nephews were received by Mr. Hornby into his business with a view to
+their succeeding him when he should retire, and both, I need not say,
+occupied positions of trust and responsibility.
+
+"Now, on the evening of the ninth of March there was delivered to Mr.
+Hornby a parcel of rough diamonds of which one of his clients asked him
+to take charge pending their transfer to the brokers. I need not burden
+you with irrelevant details concerning this transaction. It will suffice
+to say that the diamonds, which were of the aggregate value of about
+thirty thousand pounds, were delivered to him, and the unopened package
+deposited by him in his safe, together with a slip of paper on which he
+had written in pencil a memorandum of the circumstances. This was on the
+evening of the ninth of March, as I have said. Having deposited the
+parcel, Mr. Hornby locked the safe, and shortly afterwards left the
+premises and went home, taking the keys with him.
+
+"On the following morning, when he unlocked the safe, he perceived with
+astonishment and dismay that the parcel of diamonds had vanished. The
+slip of paper, however, lay at the bottom of the safe, and on picking it
+up Mr. Hornby perceived that it bore a smear of blood, and in addition,
+the distinct impression of a human thumb. On this he closed and locked
+the safe and sent a note to the police station, in response to which a
+very intelligent officer--Inspector Sanderson--came and made a
+preliminary examination. I need not follow the case further, since the
+details will appear in the evidence, but I may tell you that, in effect,
+it has been made clear, beyond all doubt, that the thumb-print on that
+paper was the thumb-print of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+He paused to adjust his glasses, which were in the very act of falling
+from his nose, and hitch up his gown, while he took a leisurely survey
+of the jury, as though he were estimating their impressionability. At
+this moment I observed Walter Hornby enter the court and take up a
+position at the end of our bench nearest the door; and, immediately
+after, Superintendent Miller came in and seated himself on one of the
+benches opposite.
+
+"The first witness whom I shall call," said Sir Hector Trumpler, "is
+John Hornby."
+
+Mr. Hornby, looking wild and agitated, stepped into the witness-box, and
+the usher, having handed him the Testament, sang out--
+
+"The evidence you shall give to the court and jury sworn, between our
+Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar shall be the truth,
+the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+Mr. Hornby kissed the Book, and, casting a glance of unutterable misery
+at his nephew, turned towards the counsel.
+
+"Your name is John Hornby, is it not?" asked Sir Hector.
+
+"It is."
+
+"And you occupy premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+
+"Yes. I am a dealer in precious metals, but my business consists
+principally in the assaying of samples of ore and quartz and bars of
+silver and gold."
+
+"Do you remember what happened on the ninth of March last?"
+
+"Perfectly. My nephew Reuben--the prisoner--delivered to me a parcel of
+diamonds which he had received from the purser of the _Elmina Castle_,
+to whom I had sent him as my confidential agent. I had intended to
+deposit the diamonds with my banker, but when the prisoner arrived at my
+office, the banks were already closed, so I had to put the parcel, for
+the night, in my own safe. I may say that the prisoner was not in any
+way responsible for the delay."
+
+"You are not here to defend the prisoner," said Sir Hector. "Answer my
+questions and make no comments, if you please. Was anyone present when
+you placed the diamonds in the safe?"
+
+"No one was present but myself."
+
+"I did not ask if you were present when you put them in," said Sir
+Hector (whereupon the spectators sniggered and the judge smiled
+indulgently). "What else did you do?"
+
+"I wrote in pencil on a leaf of my pocket memorandum block, 'Handed in
+by Reuben at 7.3 p.m., 9.3.01,' and initialled it. Then I tore the leaf
+from the block and laid it on the parcel, after which I closed the safe
+and locked it."
+
+"How soon did you leave the premises after this?"
+
+"Almost immediately. The prisoner was waiting for me in the outer
+office--"
+
+"Never mind where the prisoner was; confine your answers to what is
+asked. Did you take the keys with you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"When did you next open the safe?"
+
+"On the following morning at ten o'clock."
+
+"Was the safe locked or unlocked when you arrived?"
+
+"It was locked. I unlocked it."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual about the safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Had the keys left your custody in the interval?"
+
+"No. They were attached to a key-chain, which I always wear."
+
+"Are there any duplicates of those keys?--the keys of the safe, I mean."
+
+"No, there are no duplicates."
+
+"Have the keys ever gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Yes. If I have had to be absent from the office for a considerable
+time, it has been my custom to hand the keys to one of my nephews,
+whichever has happened to be in charge at the time."
+
+"And never to any other person?"
+
+"Never to any other person."
+
+"What did you observe when you opened the safe?"
+
+"I observed that the parcel of diamonds had disappeared."
+
+"Did you notice anything else?"
+
+"Yes. I found the leaf from my memorandum block lying at the bottom of
+the safe. I picked it up and turned it over, and then saw that there
+were smears of blood on it and what looked like the print of a thumb in
+blood. The thumb-mark was on the under-surface, as the paper lay at the
+bottom of the safe."
+
+"What did you do next?"
+
+"I closed and locked the safe, and sent a note to the police station
+saying that a robbery had been committed on my premises."
+
+"You have known the prisoner several years, I believe?"
+
+"Yes; I have known him all his life. He is my eldest brother's son."
+
+"Then you can tell us, no doubt, whether he is left-handed or
+right-handed?"
+
+"I should say he was ambidextrous, but he uses his left hand by
+preference."
+
+"A fine distinction, Mr. Hornby; a very fine distinction. Now tell me,
+did you ascertain beyond all doubt that the diamonds were really gone?"
+
+"Yes; I examined the safe thoroughly, first by myself and afterwards
+with the police. There was no doubt that the diamonds had really gone."
+
+"When the detective suggested that you should have the thumb-prints of
+your two nephews taken, did you refuse?"
+
+"I refused."
+
+"Why did you refuse?"
+
+"Because I did not choose to subject my nephews to the indignity.
+Besides, I had no power to make them submit to the proceeding."
+
+"Had you any suspicions of either of them?"
+
+"I had no suspicions of anyone."
+
+"Kindly examine this piece of paper, Mr. Hornby," said Sir Hector,
+passing across a small oblong slip, "and tell us if you recognise it."
+
+Mr. Hornby glanced at the paper for a moment, and then said--
+
+"This is the memorandum slip that I found lying at the bottom of the
+safe."
+
+"How do you identify it?"
+
+"By the writing on it, which is in my own hand, and bears my initials."
+
+"Is it the memorandum that you placed on the parcel of diamonds?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Was there any thumb-mark or blood-smear on it when you placed it in the
+safe?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Was it possible that there could have been any such marks?"
+
+"Quite impossible. I tore it from my memorandum block at the time I
+wrote upon it."
+
+"Very well." Sir Hector Trumpler sat down, and Mr. Anstey stood up to
+cross-examine the witness.
+
+"You have told us, Mr. Hornby," said he, "that you have known the
+prisoner all his life. Now what estimate have you formed of his
+character?"
+
+"I have always regarded him as a young man of the highest
+character--honourable, truthful, and in every way trustworthy. I have
+never, in all my experience of him, known him to deviate a
+hair's-breadth from the strictest honour and honesty of conduct."
+
+"You regarded him as a man of irreproachable character. Is that so?"
+
+"That is so; and my opinion of him is unchanged."
+
+"Has he, to your knowledge, any expensive or extravagant habits?"
+
+"No. His habits are simple and rather thrifty."
+
+"Have you ever known him to bet, gamble, or speculate?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Has he ever seemed to be in want of money?"
+
+"No. He has a small private income, apart from his salary, which I know
+he does not spend, since I have occasionally employed my broker to
+invest his savings."
+
+"Apart from the thumb-print which was found in the safe, are you aware
+of any circumstances that would lead you to suspect the prisoner of
+having stolen the diamonds?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+Mr. Anstey sat down, and as Mr. Hornby left the witness-box, mopping the
+perspiration from his forehead, the next witness was called.
+
+"Inspector Sanderson!"
+
+The dapper police officer stepped briskly into the box, and having been
+duly sworn, faced the prosecuting counsel with the air of a man who was
+prepared for any contingency.
+
+"Do you remember," said Sir Hector, after the usual preliminaries had
+been gone through, "what occurred on the morning of the tenth of March?"
+
+"Yes. A note was handed to me at the station at 10.23 a.m. It was from
+Mr. John Hornby, and stated that a robbery had occurred at his premises
+in St. Mary Axe. I went to the premises and arrived there at 10.31 a.m.
+There I saw the prosecutor, Mr. John Hornby, who told me that a parcel
+of diamonds had been stolen from the safe. At his request I examined the
+safe. There were no signs of its having been forced open; the locks
+seemed to be quite uninjured and in good order. Inside the safe, on the
+bottom, I found two good-sized drops of blood, and a slip of paper with
+pencil-writing on it. The paper bore two blood-smears and a print of a
+human thumb in blood."
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the counsel, passing a small slip across to
+the witness.
+
+"Yes," replied the inspector, after a brief glance at the document.
+
+"What did you do next?"  "I sent a message to Scotland Yard acquainting
+the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department with the facts, and
+then went back to the station. I had no further connection with the
+case."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the judge glanced at Anstey.
+
+"You tell us," said the latter, rising, "that you observed two
+good-sized drops of blood on the bottom of the safe. Did you notice the
+condition of the blood, whether moist or dry?"
+
+"The blood looked moist, but I did not touch it. I left it undisturbed
+for the detective officers to examine."
+
+The next witness called was Sergeant Bates, of the Criminal
+Investigation Department. He stepped into the box with the same ready,
+business-like air as the other officer, and, having been sworn,
+proceeded to give his evidence with a fluency that suggested careful
+preparation, holding an open notebook in his hand but making no
+references to it.
+
+"On the tenth of March, at 12.8 p.m., I received instructions to proceed
+to St. Mary Axe to inquire into a robbery that had taken place there.
+Inspector Sanderson's report was handed to me, and I read it in the cab
+on my way to the premises. On arriving at the premises at 12.30 p.m., I
+examined the safe carefully. It was quite uninjured, and there were no
+marks of any kind upon it. I tested the locks and found them perfect;
+there were no marks or indications of any picklock having been used. On
+the bottom of the inside I observed two rather large drops of a dark
+fluid. I took up some of the fluid on a piece of paper and found it to
+be blood. I also found, in the bottom of the safe, the burnt head of a
+wax match, and, on searching the floor of the office, I found, close by
+the safe, a used wax match from which the head had fallen. I also found
+a slip of paper which appeared to have been torn from a perforated
+block. On it was written in pencil, 'Handed in by Reuben at 7.3 p.m.
+9.3.01. J.H.' There were two smears of blood on the paper and the
+impression of a human thumb in blood. I took possession of the paper in
+order that it might be examined by the experts. I inspected the office
+doors and the outer door of the premises, but found no signs of forcible
+entrance on any of them. I questioned the housekeeper, but obtained no
+information from him. I then returned to headquarters, made my report
+and handed the paper with the marks on it to the Superintendent."
+
+"Is this the paper that you found in the safe?" asked the counsel, once
+more handing the leaflet across.
+
+"Yes; this is the paper."
+
+"What happened next?"
+
+"The following afternoon I was sent for by Mr. Singleton, of the
+Finger-print Department. He informed me that he had gone through the
+files and had not been able to find any thumb-print resembling the one
+on the paper, and recommended me to endeavour to obtain prints of the
+thumbs of any persons who might have been concerned in the robbery. He
+also gave me an enlarged photograph of the thumb-print for reference if
+necessary. I accordingly went to St. Mary Axe and had an interview with
+Mr. Hornby, when I requested him to allow me to take prints of the
+thumbs of all the persons employed on the premises, including his two
+nephews. This he refused, saying that he distrusted finger-prints and
+that there was no suspicion of anyone on the premises. I asked if he
+would allow his nephews to furnish their thumb-prints privately, to
+which he replied, 'Certainly not.'"
+
+"Had you then any suspicion of either of the nephews?"
+
+"I thought they were both open to some suspicion. The safe had certainly
+been opened with false keys, and as they had both had the real keys in
+their possession it was possible that one of them might have taken
+impressions in wax and made counterfeit keys."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I called on Mr. Hornby several times and urged him, for the sake of his
+nephews' reputations, to sanction the taking of the thumb-prints; but he
+refused very positively and forbade them to submit, although I
+understood that they were both willing. It then occurred to me to try if
+I could get any help from Mrs. Hornby, and on the fifteenth of March I
+called at Mr. Hornby's private house and saw her. I explained to her
+what was wanted to clear her nephews from the suspicion that rested on
+them, and she then said that she could dispose of those suspicions at
+once, for she could show me the thumb-prints of the whole family: she
+had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"A 'Thumbograph'?" repeated the judge. "What is a 'Thumbograph'?"
+
+Anstey rose with the little red-covered volume in his hand.
+
+"A 'Thumbograph,' my lord," said he, "is a book, like this, in which
+foolish people collect the thumb-prints of their more foolish
+acquaintances."
+
+He passed the volume up to the judge, who turned over the leaves
+curiously and then nodded to the witness.
+
+"Yes. She said she had them all in a 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Then she fetched from a drawer a small red-covered book which she
+showed to me. It contained the thumb-prints of all the family and some
+of her friends."
+
+"Is this the book?" asked the judge, passing the volume down to the
+witness.
+
+The sergeant turned over the leaves until he came to one which he
+apparently recognised, and said--
+
+"Yes, m'lord; this is the book. Mrs. Hornby showed me the thumb-prints
+of various members of the family, and then found those of the two
+nephews. I compared them with the photograph that I had with me and
+discovered that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby was in
+every respect identical with the thumb-print shown in the photograph."
+
+"What did you do then?"
+
+"I asked Mrs. Hornby to lend me the 'Thumbograph' so that I might show
+it to the Chief of the Finger-print Department, to which she consented.
+I had not intended to tell her of my discovery, but, as I was leaving,
+Mr. Hornby arrived home, and when he heard of what had taken place, he
+asked me why I wanted the book, and then I told him. He was greatly
+astonished and horrified, and wished me to return the book at once. He
+proposed to let the whole matter drop and take the loss of the diamonds
+on himself; but I pointed out that this was impossible as it would
+practically amount to compounding a felony. Seeing that Mrs. Hornby was
+so distressed at the idea of her book being used in evidence against her
+nephew, I promised her that I would return it to her if I could obtain a
+thumb-print in any other way.
+
+"I then took the 'Thumbograph' to Scotland Yard and showed it to Mr.
+Singleton, who agreed that the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby
+was in every respect identical with the thumb-print on the paper found
+in the safe. On this I applied for a warrant for the arrest of Reuben
+Hornby, which I executed on the following morning. I told the prisoner
+what I had promised Mrs. Hornby, and he then offered to allow me to take
+a print of his left thumb so that his aunt's book should not have to be
+used in evidence."
+
+"How is it, then," asked the judge, "that it has been put in evidence?"
+
+"It has been put in by the defence, my lord," said Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I see," said the judge. "'A hair of the dog that bit him.' The
+'Thumbograph' is to be applied as a remedy on the principle that
+_similia similibus curantur_. Well?"
+
+"When I arrested him, I administered the usual caution, and the prisoner
+then said, 'I am innocent. I know nothing about the robbery.'"
+
+The counsel for the prosecution sat down, and Anstey rose to
+cross-examine.
+
+"You have told us," said he, in his clear musical voice, "that you found
+at the bottom of the safe two rather large drops of a dark fluid which
+you considered to be blood. Now, what led you to believe that fluid to
+be blood?"
+
+"I took some of the fluid up on a piece of white paper, and it had the
+appearance and colour of blood."
+
+"Was it examined microscopically or otherwise?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge."
+
+"Was it quite liquid?"
+
+"Yes, I should say quite liquid."
+
+"What appearance had it on paper?"
+
+"It looked like a clear red liquid of the colour of blood, and was
+rather thick and sticky."
+
+Anstey sat down, and the next witness, an elderly man, answering to the
+name of Francis Simmons, was called.
+
+"You are the housekeeper at Mr. Hornby's premises in St. Mary Axe?"
+asked Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Did you notice anything unusual on the night of the ninth of March?"
+
+"I did not."
+
+"Did you make your usual rounds on that occasion?"
+
+"Yes. I went all over the premises several times during the night, and
+the rest of the time I was in a room over the private office."
+
+"Who arrived first on the morning of the tenth?"
+
+"Mr. Reuben. He arrived about twenty minutes before anybody else."
+
+"What part of the building did he go to?"
+
+"He went into the private office, which I opened for him. He remained
+there until a few minutes before Mr. Hornby arrived, when he went up to
+the laboratory."
+
+"Who came next?"
+
+"Mr. Hornby, and Mr. Walter came in just after him."
+
+The counsel sat down, and Anstey proceeded to cross-examine the witness.
+
+"Who was the last to leave the premises on the evening of the ninth?"
+
+"I am not sure."
+
+"Why are you not sure?"
+
+"I had to take a note and a parcel to a firm in Shoreditch. When I
+started, a clerk named Thomas Holker was in the outer office and Mr.
+Walter Hornby was in the private office. When I returned they had both
+gone."
+
+"Was the outer door locked?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Had Holker a key of the outer door?"
+
+"No. Mr. Hornby and his two nephews had each a key, and I have one. No
+one else had a key."
+
+"How long were you absent?"
+
+"About three-quarters of an hour."
+
+"Who gave you the note and the parcel?"
+
+"Mr. Walter Hornby."
+
+"When did he give them to you?"
+
+"He gave them to me just before I started, and told me to go at once for
+fear the place should be closed before I got there."
+
+"And was the place closed?"
+
+"Yes. It was all shut up, and everybody had gone."
+
+Anstey resumed his seat, the witness shuffled out of the box with an air
+of evident relief, and the usher called out, "Henry James Singleton."
+
+Mr. Singleton rose from his seat at the table by the solicitors for the
+prosecution and entered the box. Sir Hector adjusted his glasses, turned
+over a page of his brief, and cast a steady and impressive glance at the
+jury.
+
+"I believe, Mr. Singleton," he said at length, "that you are connected
+with the Finger-print Department at Scotland Yard?"
+
+"Yes. I am one of the chief assistants in that department."
+
+"What are your official duties?"
+
+"My principal occupation consists in the examination and comparison of
+the finger-prints of criminals and suspected persons. These
+finger-prints are classified by me according to their characters and
+arranged in files for reference."
+
+"I take it that you have examined a great number of finger-prints?"
+
+"I have examined many thousands of finger-prints, and have studied them
+closely for purposes of identification."
+
+"Kindly examine this paper, Mr. Singleton" (here the fatal leaflet was
+handed to him by the usher); "have you ever seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. It was handed to me for examination at my office on the tenth of
+March."
+
+"There is a mark upon it--the print of a finger or thumb. Can you tell
+us anything about that mark?"
+
+"It is the print of the left thumb of Reuben Hornby, the prisoner at
+the bar."
+
+"You are quite sure of that?"
+
+"I am quite sure."
+
+"Do you swear that the mark upon that paper was made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Could it not have been made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No; it is impossible that it could have been made by any other person."
+
+At this moment I felt Juliet lay a trembling hand on mine, and, glancing
+at her, I saw that she was deathly pale. I took her hand in mine and,
+pressing it gently, whispered to her, "Have courage; there is nothing
+unexpected in this."
+
+"Thank you," she whispered in reply, with a faint smile; "I will try;
+but it is all so horribly unnerving."
+
+"You consider," Sir Hector proceeded, "that the identity of this
+thumb-print admits of no doubt?"  "It admits of no doubt whatever,"
+replied Mr. Singleton.
+
+"Can you explain to us, without being too technical, how you have
+arrived at such complete certainty?"
+
+"I myself took a print of the prisoner's thumb--having first obtained
+the prisoner's consent after warning him that the print would be used in
+evidence against him--and I compared that print with the mark on this
+paper. The comparison was made with the greatest care and by the most
+approved method, point by point and detail by detail, and the two prints
+were found to be identical in every respect.
+
+"Now it has been proved by exact calculations--which calculations I have
+personally verified---that the chance that the print of a single finger
+of any given person will be exactly like the print of the same finger of
+any other given person is as one to sixty-four thousand millions. That
+is to say that, since the number of the entire human race is about
+sixteen thousand millions, the chance is about one to four that the
+print of a single finger of any one person will be identical with that
+of the same finger of any other member of the human race.
+
+"It has been said by a great authority--and I entirely agree with the
+statement--that a complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two
+prints of a single finger affords evidence requiring no corroboration
+that the persons from whom they were made are the same.
+
+"Now, these calculations apply to the prints of ordinary and normal
+fingers or thumbs. But the thumb from which these prints were taken is
+not ordinary or normal. There is upon it a deep but clean linear
+scar--the scar of an old incised wound--and this scar passes across the
+pattern of the ridges, intersecting the latter at certain places and
+disturbing their continuity at others. Now this very characteristic scar
+is an additional feature, having a set of chances of its own. So that we
+have to consider not only the chance that the print of the prisoner's
+left thumb should be identical with the print of some other person's
+left thumb--which is as one to sixty-four thousand millions--but the
+further chance that these two identical thumb-prints should be traversed
+by the impression of a scar identical in size and appearance, and
+intersecting the ridges at exactly the same places and producing
+failures of continuity in the ridges of exactly the same character. But
+these two chances, multiplied into one another, yield an ultimate chance
+of about one to four thousand trillions that the prisoner's left thumb
+will exactly resemble the print of some other person's thumb, both as to
+the pattern and the scar which crosses the pattern; in other words such
+a coincidence is an utter impossibility."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler took off his glasses and looked long and steadily at
+the jury as though he should say, "Come, my friends; what do you think
+of that?" Then he sat down with a jerk and turned towards Anstey and
+Thorndyke with a look of triumph.
+
+"Do you propose to cross-examine the witness?" inquired the judge,
+seeing that the counsel for the defence made no sign.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Anstey.
+
+Thereupon Sir Hector Trumpler turned once more towards the defending
+counsel, and his broad, red face was illumined by a smile of deep
+satisfaction. That smile was reflected on the face of Mr. Singleton as
+he stepped from the box, and, as I glanced at Thorndyke, I seemed to
+detect, for a single instant, on his calm and immovable countenance, the
+faintest shadow of a smile.
+
+"Herbert John Nash!"
+
+A plump, middle-aged man, of keen, though studious, aspect, stepped into
+the box, and Sir Hector rose once more.
+
+"You are one of the chief assistants in the Finger-print Department, I
+believe, Mr. Nash?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you heard the evidence of the last witness?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree with the statements made by that witness?"
+
+"Entirely. I am prepared to swear that the print on the paper found in
+the safe is that of the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby."
+
+"And you are certain that no mistake is possible?"
+
+"I am certain that no mistake is possible."
+
+Again Sir Hector glanced significantly at the jury as he resumed his
+seat, and again Anstey made no sign beyond the entry of a few notes on
+the margin of his brief.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses?" asked the judge, dipping his pen
+in the ink.
+
+"No, my lord," replied Sir Hector. "That is our case."
+
+Upon this Anstey rose and, addressing the judge, said--
+
+"I call witnesses, my lord."
+
+The judge nodded and made an entry in his notes while Anstey delivered
+his brief introductory speech--
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, I shall not occupy the time of the
+Court with unnecessary appeals at this stage, but shall proceed to take
+the evidence of my witnesses without delay."
+
+There was a pause of a minute or more, during which the silence was
+broken only by the rustle of papers and the squeaking of the judge's
+quill pen. Juliet turned a white, scared face to me and said in a hushed
+whisper--
+
+"This is terrible. That last man's evidence is perfectly crushing. What
+can possibly be said in reply? I am in despair; oh! poor Reuben! He is
+lost, Dr. Jervis! He hasn't a chance now."
+
+"Do you believe that he is guilty?" I asked.
+
+"Certainly not!" she replied indignantly. "I am as certain of his
+innocence as ever."
+
+"Then," said I, "if he is innocent, there must be some means of proving
+his innocence."
+
+"Yes. I suppose so," she rejoined in a dejected whisper. "At any rate we
+shall soon know now."
+
+At this moment the usher's voice was heard calling out the name of the
+first witness for the defence.
+
+"Edmund Horford Rowe!"
+
+A keen-looking, grey-haired man, with a shaven face and close-cut
+side-whiskers, stepped into the box and was sworn in due form.
+
+"You are a doctor of medicine, I believe," said Anstey, addressing the
+witness, "and lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the South London
+Hospital?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Have you had occasion to study the properties of blood?"
+
+"Yes. The properties of blood are of great importance from a
+medico-legal point of view."
+
+"Can you tell us what happens when a drop of blood--say from a cut
+finger--falls upon a surface such as the bottom of an iron safe?"
+
+"A drop of blood from a living body falling upon any non-absorbent
+surface will, in the course of a few minutes, solidify into a jelly
+which will, at first, have the same bulk and colour as the liquid
+blood."
+
+"Will it undergo any further change?"
+
+"Yes. In a few minutes more the jelly will begin to shrink and become
+more solid so that the blood will become separated into two parts, the
+solid and the liquid. The solid part will consist of a firm, tough jelly
+of a deep red colour, and the liquid part will consist of a pale yellow,
+clear, watery liquid."
+
+"At the end, say, of two hours, what will be the condition of the drop
+of blood?"
+
+"It will consist of a drop of clear, nearly colourless liquid, in the
+middle of which will be a small, tough, red clot."
+
+"Supposing such a drop to be taken up on a piece of white paper, what
+would be its appearance?"
+
+"The paper would be wetted by the colourless liquid, and the solid clot
+would probably adhere to the paper in a mass."
+
+"Would the blood on the paper appear as a clear, red liquid?"
+
+"Certainly not. The liquid would appear like water, and the clot would
+appear as a solid mass sticking to the paper."
+
+"Does blood always behave in the way you have described?"
+
+"Always, unless some artificial means are taken to prevent it from
+clotting."
+
+"By what means can blood be prevented from clotting or solidifying?"
+
+"There are two principal methods. One is to stir or whip the fresh blood
+rapidly with a bundle of fine twigs. When this is done, the fibrin--the
+part of the blood that causes solidification--adheres to the twigs, and
+the blood that remains, though it is unchanged in appearance, will
+remain liquid for an indefinite time. The other method is to dissolve a
+certain proportion of some alkaline salt in the fresh blood, after which
+it no longer has any tendency to solidify."
+
+"You have heard the evidence of Inspector Sanderson and Sergeant Bates?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Inspector Sanderson has told us that he examined the safe at 10.31 a.m.
+and found two good-sized drops of blood on the bottom. Sergeant Bates
+has told us that he examined the safe two hours later, and that he took
+up one of the drops of blood on a piece of white paper. The blood was
+then quite liquid, and, on the paper, it looked like a clear, red liquid
+of the colour of blood. What should you consider the condition and
+nature of that blood to have been?"
+
+"If it was really blood at all, I should say that it was either
+defibrinated blood--that is, blood from which the fibrin has been
+extracted by whipping--or that it had been treated with an alkaline
+salt."
+
+"You are of opinion that the blood found in the safe could not have been
+ordinary blood shed from a cut or wound?"
+
+"I am sure it could not have been."
+
+"Now, Dr. Rowe, I am going to ask you a few questions on another
+subject. Have you given any attention to finger-prints made by bloody
+fingers?"
+
+"Yes. I have recently made some experiments on the subject."
+
+"Will you give us the results of those experiments?"
+
+"My object was to ascertain whether fingers wet with fresh blood would
+yield distinct and characteristic prints. I made a great number of
+trials, and as a result found that it is extremely difficult to obtain a
+clear print when the finger is wetted with fresh blood. The usual result
+is a mere red blot showing no ridge pattern at all, owing to the blood
+filling the furrows between the ridges. But if the blood is allowed to
+dry almost completely on the finger, a very clear print is obtained."
+
+"Is it possible to recognise a print that has been made by a nearly dry
+finger?"
+
+"Yes; quite easily. The half-dried blood is nearly solid and adheres to
+the paper in a different way from the liquid, and it shows minute
+details, such as the mouths of the sweat glands, which are always
+obliterated by the liquid."
+
+"Look carefully at this paper, which was found in the safe, and tell me
+what you see."
+
+The witness took the paper and examined it attentively, first with the
+naked eye and then with a pocket-lens.
+
+"I see," said he, "two blood-marks and a print, apparently of a thumb.
+Of the two marks, one is a blot, smeared slightly by a finger or thumb;
+the other is a smear only. Both were evidently produced with quite
+liquid blood. The thumb-print was also made with liquid blood."
+
+"You are quite sure that the thumb-print was made with liquid blood?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"Is there anything unusual about the thumb-print?"
+
+"Yes. It is extraordinarily clear and distinct. I have made a great
+number of trials and have endeavoured to obtain the clearest prints
+possible with fresh blood; but none of my prints are nearly as distinct
+as this one."
+
+Here the witness produced a number of sheets of paper, each of which was
+covered with the prints of bloody fingers, and compared them with the
+memorandum slip.
+
+The papers were handed to the judge for his inspection, and Anstey sat
+down, when Sir Hector Trumpler rose, with a somewhat puzzled expression
+on his face, to cross-examine.
+
+"You say that the blood found in the safe was defibrinated or
+artificially treated. What inference do you draw from that fact?"
+
+"I infer that it was not dropped from a bleeding wound."
+
+"Can you form any idea how such blood should have got into the safe?"
+
+"None whatever."
+
+"You say that the thumb-print is a remarkably distinct one. What
+conclusion do you draw from that?"
+
+"I do not draw any conclusion. I cannot account for its distinctness at
+all."
+
+The learned counsel sat down with rather a baffled air, and I observed a
+faint smile spread over the countenance of my colleague.
+
+"Arabella Hornby."
+
+A muffled whimpering from my neighbour on the left hand was accompanied
+by a wild rustling of silk. Glancing at Mrs. Hornby, I saw her stagger
+from the bench, shaking like a jelly, mopping her eyes with her
+handkerchief and grasping her open purse. She entered the witness-box,
+and, having gazed wildly round the court, began to search the
+multitudinous compartments of her purse.
+
+"The evidence you shall give," sang out the usher--whereat Mrs. Hornby
+paused in her search and stared at him apprehensively--"to the court and
+jury sworn, between our Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the
+bar shall be the truth,--"
+
+"Certainly," said Mrs. Hornby stiffly, "I--"
+
+"--the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God!"
+
+He held out the Testament, which she took from him with a trembling hand
+and forthwith dropped with a resounding bang on to the floor of the
+witness-box, diving after it with such precipitancy that her bonnet
+jammed violently against the rail of the box.
+
+She disappeared from view for a moment, and then rose from the depths
+with a purple face and her bonnet flattened and cocked over one ear like
+an artillery-man's forage cap.
+
+"Kiss the Book, if you please," said the usher, suppressing a grin by an
+heroic effort, as Mrs. Hornby, encumbered by her purse, her handkerchief
+and the Testament, struggled to unfasten her bonnet-strings. She clawed
+frantically at her bonnet, and, having dusted the Testament with her
+handkerchief, kissed it tenderly and laid it on the rail of the box,
+whence it fell instantly on to the floor of the court.
+
+"I am really very sorry!" exclaimed Mrs. Hornby, leaning over the rail
+to address the usher as he stooped to pick up the Book, and discharging
+on to his back a stream of coins, buttons and folded bills from her open
+purse; "you will think me very awkward, I'm afraid."
+
+She mopped her face and replaced her bonnet rakishly on one side, as
+Anstey rose and passed a small red book across to her.
+
+"Kindly look at that book, Mrs. Hornby."
+
+"I'd rather not," said she, with a gesture of repugnance. "It is
+associated with matters of so extremely disagreeable a character--"
+
+"Do you recognise it?"
+
+"Do I recognise it! How can you ask me such a question when you must
+know--"
+
+"Answer the question," interposed the judge. "Do you or do you not
+recognise the book in your hand?"
+
+"Of course I recognise it. How could I fail to--"
+
+"Then say so," said the judge.
+
+"I have said so," retorted Mrs. Hornby indignantly.
+
+The judge nodded to Anstey, who then continued--"It is called a
+'Thumbograph,' I believe."
+
+"Yes: the name 'Thumbograph' is printed on the cover, so I suppose that
+is what it is called."
+
+"Will you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?"
+
+For one moment Mrs. Hornby stared wildly at her interrogator; then she
+snatched a paper from her purse, unfolded it, gazed at it with an
+expression of dismay, and crumpled it up in the palm of her hand.
+
+"You are asked a question," said the judge.
+
+"Oh! yes," said Mrs. Hornby. "The Committee of the Society--no, that is
+the wrong one--I mean Walter, you know--at least--"
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Anstey, with polite gravity.
+
+"You were speaking of the committee of some society," interposed the
+judge. "What society were you referring to?"
+
+Mrs. Hornby spread out the paper and, after a glance at it, replied--
+
+"The Society of Paralysed Idiots, your worship," whereat a rumble of
+suppressed laughter arose from the gallery.
+
+"But what has that society to do with the 'Thumbograph'?" inquired the
+judge.
+
+"Nothing, your worship. Nothing at all."
+
+"Then why did you refer to it?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," said Mrs. Hornby, wiping her eyes with the
+paper and then hastily exchanging it for her handkerchief.
+
+The judge took off his glasses and gazed at Mrs. Hornby with an
+expression of bewilderment. Then he turned to the counsel and said in a
+weary voice--"Proceed, if you please, Mr. Anstey."
+
+"Can you tell us, Mrs. Hornby, how the 'Thumbograph' came into your
+possession?" said the latter in persuasive accents.
+
+"I thought it was Walter, and so did my niece, but Walter says it was
+not, and he ought to know, being young and having a most excellent
+memory, as I had myself when I was his age, and really, you know, it
+can't possibly matter where I got the thing--"
+
+"But it does matter," interrupted Anstey. "We wish particularly to
+know."
+
+"If you mean that you wish to get one like it--"
+
+"We do not," said Anstey. "We wish to know how that particular
+'Thumbograph' came into your possession. Did you, for instance, buy it
+yourself, or was it given to you by someone?"
+
+"Walter says I bought it myself, but I thought he gave it to me, but he
+says he did not, and you see--"
+
+"Never mind what Walter says. What is your own impression?"
+
+"Why I still think that he gave it to me, though, of course, seeing that
+my memory is not what it was--"
+
+"You think that Walter gave it to you?"
+
+"Yes, in fact I feel sure he did, and so does my niece."
+
+"Walter is your nephew, Walter Hornby?"
+
+"Yes, of course. I thought you knew."
+
+"Can you recall the occasion on which the 'Thumbograph' was given to
+you?"
+
+"Oh yes, quite distinctly. We had some people to dinner--some people
+named Colley--not the Dorsetshire Colleys, you know, although they are
+exceedingly nice people, as I have no doubt the other Colleys are, too,
+when you know them, but we don't. Well, after dinner we were a little
+dull and rather at a loss, because Juliet, my niece, you know, had cut
+her finger and couldn't play the piano excepting with the left hand, and
+that is so monotonous as well as fatiguing, and the Colleys are not
+musical, excepting Adolphus, who plays the trombone, but he hadn't got
+it with him, and then, fortunately, Walter came in and brought the
+'Thumbograph' and took all our thumb-prints and his own as well, and we
+were very much amused, and Matilda Colley--that is the eldest daughter
+but one--said that Reuben jogged her elbow, but that was only an
+excuse--"
+
+"Exactly," interrupted Anstey. "And you recollect quite clearly that
+your nephew Walter gave you the 'Thumbograph' on that occasion?"
+
+"Oh, distinctly; though, you know, he is really my husband's nephew--"
+
+"Yes. And you are sure that he took the thumb-prints?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"And you are sure that you never saw the 'Thumbograph' before that?"
+
+"Never. How could I? He hadn't brought it."
+
+"Have you ever lent the 'Thumbograph' to anyone?"
+
+"No, never. No one has ever wanted to borrow it, because, you see--"
+
+"Has it never, at any time, gone out of your possession?"
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that; in fact, I have often thought, though I hate
+suspecting people, and I really don't suspect anybody in particular, you
+know, but it certainly was very peculiar and I can't explain it in any
+other way. You see, I kept the 'Thumbograph' in a drawer in my writing
+table, and in the same drawer I used to keep my handkerchief-bag--in
+fact I do still, and it is there at this very moment, for in my hurry
+and agitation, I forgot about it until we were in the cab, and then it
+was too late, because Mr. Lawley--"
+
+"Yes. You kept it in a drawer with your handkerchief-bag."
+
+"That was what I said. Well, when Mr. Hornby was staying at Brighton he
+wrote to ask me to go down for a week and bring Juliet--Miss Gibson, you
+know--with me. So we went, and, just as we were starting, I sent Juliet
+to fetch my handkerchief-bag from the drawer, and I said to her,
+'Perhaps we might take the thumb-book with us; it might come in useful
+on a wet day.' So she went, and presently she came back and said that
+the 'Thumbograph' was not in the drawer. Well, I was so surprised that I
+went back with her and looked myself, and sure enough the drawer was
+empty. Well, I didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came
+home again, as soon as we got out of the cab, I gave Juliet my
+handkerchief-bag to put away, and presently she came running to me in a
+great state of excitement. 'Why, Auntie,' she said,' the "Thumbograph"
+is in the drawer; somebody must have been meddling with your writing
+table.' I went with her to the drawer, and there, sure enough, was the
+'Thumbograph.' Somebody must have taken it out and put it back while we
+were away."
+
+"Who could have had access to your writing table?"
+
+"Oh, anybody, because, you see, the drawers were never locked. We
+thought it must have been one of the servants."
+
+"Had anyone been to the house during your absence?"
+
+"No. Nobody, except, of course, my two nephews; and neither of them had
+touched it, because we asked them, and they both said they had not."
+
+"Thank you." Anstey sat down, and Mrs. Hornby having given another
+correcting twist to her bonnet, was about to step down from the box when
+Sir Hector rose and bestowed upon her an intimidating stare.
+
+"You made some reference," said he, "to a society--the Society of
+Paralysed Idiots, I think, whatever that may be. Now what caused you to
+make that reference?"
+
+"It was a mistake; I was thinking of something else."
+
+"I know it was a mistake. You referred to a paper that was in your
+hand."
+
+"I did not refer to it, I merely looked at it. It is a letter from the
+Society of Paralysed Idiots. It is nothing to do with me really, you
+know; I don't belong to the society, or anything of that sort."
+
+"Did you mistake that paper for some other paper?"
+
+"Yes, I took it for a paper with some notes on it to assist my memory."
+
+"What kind of notes?"
+
+"Oh, just the questions I was likely to be asked."
+
+"Were the answers that you were to give to those questions also written
+on the paper?"
+
+"Of course they were. The questions would not have been any use without
+the answers."
+
+"Have you been asked the questions that were written on the paper?"
+
+"Yes; at least, some of them."
+
+"Have you given the answers that were written down?"
+
+"I don't think I have--in fact, I am sure I haven't, because, you see--"
+
+"Ah! you don't think you have." Sir Hector Trumpler smiled significantly
+at the jury, and continued--
+
+"Now who wrote down those questions and answers?"
+
+"My nephew, Walter Hornby. He thought, you know--"
+
+"Never mind what he thought. Who advised or instructed him to write them
+down?"
+
+"Nobody. It was entirely his own idea, and very thoughtful of him, too,
+though Dr. Jervis took the paper away from me and said I must rely on my
+memory."
+
+Sir Hector was evidently rather taken aback by this answer, and sat down
+suddenly, with a distinctly chapfallen air.
+
+"Where is this paper on which the questions and answers are written?"
+asked the judge. In anticipation of this inquiry I had already handed it
+to Thorndyke, and had noted by the significant glance that he bestowed
+on me that he had not failed to observe the peculiarity in the type.
+Indeed the matter was presently put beyond all doubt, for he hastily
+passed to me a scrap of paper, on which I found, when I opened it out,
+that he had written "X = W.H."
+
+As Anstey handed the rather questionable document up to the judge, I
+glanced at Walter Hornby and observed him to flush angrily, though he
+strove to appear calm and unconcerned, and the look that he directed at
+his aunt was very much the reverse of benevolent.
+
+"Is this the paper?" asked the judge, passing it down to the witness.
+
+"Yes, your worship," answered Mrs. Hornby, in a tremulous voice;
+whereupon the document was returned to the judge, who proceeded to
+compare it with his notes.
+
+"I shall order this document to be impounded," said he sternly, after
+making a brief comparison. "There has been a distinct attempt to tamper
+with witnesses. Proceed with your case, Mr. Anstey."
+
+There was a brief pause, during which Mrs. Hornby tottered across the
+court and resumed her seat, gasping with excitement and relief; then the
+usher called out--
+
+"John Evelyn Thorndyke!"
+
+"Thank God!" exclaimed Juliet, clasping her hands. "Oh! will he be able
+to save Reuben? Do you think he will, Dr. Jervis?"
+
+"There is someone who thinks he will," I replied, glancing towards
+Polton, who, clasping in his arms the mysterious box and holding on to
+the microscope case, gazed at his master with a smile of ecstasy.
+"Polton has more faith than you have, Miss Gibson."
+
+"Yes, the dear, faithful little man!" she rejoined. "Well, we shall know
+the worst very soon now, at any rate."
+
+"The worst or the best," I said. "We are now going to hear what the
+defence really is."
+
+"God grant that it may be a good defence," she exclaimed in a low voice;
+and I--though not ordinarily a religious man--murmured "Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THORNDYKE PLAYS HIS CARD
+
+
+As Thorndyke took his place in the box I looked at him with a sense of
+unreasonable surprise, feeling that I had never before fully realised
+what manner of man my friend was as to his externals. I had often noted
+the quiet strength of his face, its infinite intelligence, its
+attractiveness and magnetism; but I had never before appreciated what
+now impressed me most: that Thorndyke was actually the handsomest man I
+had ever seen. He was dressed simply, his appearance unaided by the
+flowing gown or awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
+court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
+looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
+at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
+distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
+massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
+the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
+it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
+of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
+and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.
+
+"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
+believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.
+
+"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."
+
+"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"
+
+"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."
+
+"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
+safe?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
+treated--probably by defibrination."
+
+"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"
+
+"I can."
+
+"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
+on the paper that was found in the safe?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"
+
+"Yes. A great deal of attention."
+
+"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
+Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"
+
+"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."
+
+"Did you examine it thoroughly?"
+
+"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
+their permission, I took several photographs of it."
+
+"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"
+
+"There is."
+
+"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
+the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"Do you agree to that statement?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
+prisoner?"
+
+"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."
+
+"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"
+
+"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."
+
+At this statement the judge paused for a moment, pen in hand, and stared
+at Thorndyke with his mouth slightly open, while the two experts looked
+at one another with raised eyebrows.
+
+"By what means do you consider that the mark was produced?"
+
+"By means of a stamp, either of indiarubber or, more probably, of
+chromicized gelatine."
+
+Here Polton, who had been, by degrees, rising to an erect posture, smote
+his thigh a resounding thwack and chuckled aloud, a proceeding that
+caused all eyes, including those of the judge, to be turned on him.
+
+"If that noise is repeated," said the judge, with a stony stare at the
+horrified offender--who had shrunk into the very smallest space that I
+have ever seen a human being occupy--"I shall cause the person who made
+it to be removed from the court."
+
+"I understand, then," pursued Anstey, "that you consider the
+thumb-print, which has been sworn to as the prisoner's, to be a
+forgery?"
+
+"Yes. It is a forgery."
+
+"But is it possible to forge a thumb-print or a finger-print?"
+
+"It is not only possible, but quite easy to do."
+
+"As easy as to forge a signature, for instance?"  "Much more so, and
+infinitely more secure. A signature, being written with a pen, requires
+that the forgery should also be written with a pen, a process demanding
+very special skill and, after all, never resulting in an absolute
+_facsimile_. But a finger-print is a stamped impression--the finger-tip
+being the stamp; and it is only necessary to obtain a stamp identical in
+character with the finger-tip, in order to produce an impression which
+is an absolute _facsimile_, in every respect, of the original, and
+totally indistinguishable from it."
+
+"Would there be no means at all of detecting the difference between a
+forged finger-print and the genuine original?"
+
+"None whatever; for the reason that there would be no difference to
+detect."
+
+"But you have stated, quite positively, that the thumb-print on this
+paper is a forgery. Now, if the forged print is indistinguishable from
+the original, how are you able to be certain that this particular print
+is a forgery?"
+
+"I was speaking of what is possible with due care, but, obviously, a
+forger might, through inadvertence, fail to produce an absolute
+_facsimile_ and then detection would be possible. That is what has
+happened in the present case. The forged print is not an absolute
+_facsimile_ of the true print. There is a slight discrepancy. But, in
+addition to this, the paper bears intrinsic evidence that the
+thumb-print on it is a forgery."  "We will consider that evidence
+presently, Dr. Thorndyke. To return to the possibility of forging a
+finger-print, can you explain to us, without being too technical, by
+what methods it would be possible to produce such a stamp as you have
+referred to?"
+
+"There are two principal methods that suggest themselves to me. The
+first, which is rather crude though easy to carry out, consists in
+taking an actual cast of the end of the finger. A mould would be made by
+pressing the finger into some plastic material, such as fine modelling
+clay or hot sealing wax, and then, by pouring a warm solution of
+gelatine into the mould, and allowing it to cool and solidify, a cast
+would be produced which would yield very perfect finger-prints. But this
+method would, as a rule, be useless for the purpose of the forger, as it
+could not, ordinarily, be carried out without the knowledge of the
+victim; though in the case of dead bodies and persons asleep or
+unconscious or under an anaesthetic, it could be practised with success,
+and would offer the advantage of requiring practically no technical
+skill or knowledge and no special appliances. The second method, which
+is much more efficient, and is the one, I have no doubt, that has been
+used in the present instance, requires more knowledge and skill.
+
+"In the first place it is necessary to obtain possession of, or access
+to, a genuine finger-print. Of this finger-print a photograph is taken,
+or rather, a photographic negative, which for this purpose requires to
+be taken on a reversed plate, and the negative is put into a special
+printing frame, with a plate of gelatine which has been treated with
+potassium bichromate, and the frame is exposed to light.
+
+"Now gelatine treated in this way--chromicized gelatine, as it is
+called--has a very peculiar property. Ordinary gelatine, as is well
+known, is easily dissolved in hot water, and chromicized gelatine is
+also soluble in hot water as long as it is not exposed to light; but on
+being exposed to light, it undergoes a change and is no longer capable
+of being dissolved in hot water. Now the plate of chromicized gelatine
+under the negative is protected from the light by the opaque parts of
+the negative, whereas the light passes freely through the transparent
+parts; but the transparent parts of the negative correspond to the black
+marks on the finger-print, and these correspond to the ridges on the
+finger. Hence it follows that the gelatine plate is acted upon by light
+only on the parts corresponding to the ridges; and in these parts the
+gelatine is rendered insoluble, while all the rest of the gelatine is
+soluble. The gelatine plate, which is cemented to a thin plate of metal
+for support, is now carefully washed with hot water, by which the
+soluble part of the gelatine is dissolved away leaving the insoluble
+part (corresponding to the ridges) standing up from the surface. Thus
+there is produced a _facsimile_ in relief of the finger-print having
+actual ridges and furrows identical in character with the ridges and
+furrows of the finger-tip. If an inked roller is passed over this
+relief, or if the relief is pressed lightly on an inked slab, and then
+pressed on a sheet of paper, a finger-print will be produced which will
+be absolutely identical with the original, even to the little white
+spots which mark the orifices of the sweat glands. It will be impossible
+to discover any difference between the real finger-print and the
+counterfeit because, in fact, no difference exists."
+
+"But surely the process you have described is a very difficult and
+intricate one?"
+
+"Not at all; it is very little more difficult than ordinary carbon
+printing, which is practised successfully by numbers of amateurs.
+Moreover, such a relief as I have described--which is practically
+nothing more than an ordinary process block--could be produced by any
+photo-engraver. The process that I have described is, in all essentials,
+that which is used in the reproduction of pen-and-ink drawings, and any
+of the hundreds of workmen who are employed in that industry could make
+a relief-block of a finger-print, with which an undetectable forgery
+could be executed."
+
+"You have asserted that the counterfeit finger-print could not be
+distinguished from the original. Are you prepared to furnish proof that
+this is the case?"
+
+"Yes. I am prepared to execute a counterfeit of the prisoner's
+thumb-print in the presence of the Court."
+
+"And do you say that such a counterfeit would be indistinguishable from
+the original, even by the experts?"
+
+"I do."
+
+Anstey turned towards the judge. "Would your lordship give your
+permission for a demonstration such as the witness proposes?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the judge. "The evidence is highly material. How do
+you propose that the comparison should be made?" he added, addressing
+Thorndyke.
+
+"I have brought, for the purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
+sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
+propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
+thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
+propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
+Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."
+
+"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
+objection to offer, Sir Hector?"
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
+sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
+enthusiasm--
+
+"We have no objection to offer, my lord."
+
+"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
+from the court while the prints are being made."
+
+In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
+and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
+small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.
+
+"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
+two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
+your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."
+
+"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
+for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
+the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
+jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."
+
+In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
+dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.
+
+"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
+your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
+lordship."
+
+He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
+the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
+gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
+delight.
+
+The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
+the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
+table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
+were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
+"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
+twinkle of amusement and triumph.
+
+"Are those all stamps?" inquired the judge, glancing curiously at the
+array of turned-wood handles.
+
+"They are all stamps, my lord," replied Thorndyke, "and each is taken
+from a different impression of the prisoner's thumb."
+
+"But why so many?" asked the judge.
+
+"I have multiplied them," answered Thorndyke, as he squeezed out a drop
+of finger-print ink on to the slab and proceeded to roll it out into a
+thin film, "to avoid the tell-tale uniformity of a single stamp. And I
+may say," he added, "that it is highly important that the experts should
+not be informed that more than one stamp has been used."
+
+"Yes, I see that," said the judge. "You understand that, Sir Hector," he
+added, addressing the counsel, who bowed stiffly, clearly regarding the
+entire proceeding with extreme disfavour.
+
+Thorndyke now inked one of the stamps and handed it to the judge, who
+examined it curiously and then pressed it on a piece of waste paper, on
+which there immediately appeared a very distinct impression of a human
+thumb.  "Marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Most ingenious! Too ingenious!" He
+chuckled softly and added, as he handed the stamp and the paper to the
+foreman of the jury: "It is well, Dr. Thorndyke, that you are on the
+side of law and order, for I am afraid that, if you were on the other
+side, you would be one too many for the police. Now, if you are ready,
+we will proceed. Will you, please, stamp an impression in square number
+three."
+
+Thorndyke drew a stamp from its compartment, inked it on the slab, and
+pressed it neatly on the square indicated, leaving there a sharp, clear
+thumb-print.
+
+The process was repeated on nine other squares, a different stamp being
+used for each impression. The judge then marked the ten corresponding
+squares of the other two sheets of paper, and having checked them,
+directed the foreman to exhibit the sheet bearing the false thumb-prints
+to the jury, together with the marked sheet which they were to retain,
+to enable them to check the statements of the expert witnesses. When
+this was done, the prisoner was brought from the dock and stood beside
+the table. The judge looked with a curious and not unkindly interest at
+the handsome, manly fellow who stood charged with a crime so sordid and
+out of character with his appearance, and I felt, as I noted the look,
+that Reuben would, at least, be tried fairly on the evidence, without
+prejudice or even with some prepossession in his favour.
+
+With the remaining part of the operation Thorndyke proceeded carefully
+and deliberately. The inking-slab was rolled afresh for each impression,
+and, after each, the thumb was cleansed with petrol and thoroughly
+dried; and when the process was completed and the prisoner led back to
+the dock, the twenty squares on the paper were occupied by twenty
+thumb-prints, which, to my eye, at any rate, were identical in
+character.
+
+The judge sat for near upon a minute poring over this singular document
+with an expression half-way between a frown and a smile. At length, when
+we had all returned to our places, he directed the usher to bring in the
+witnesses.
+
+I was amused to observe the change that had come over the experts in the
+short interval. The confident smile, the triumphant air of laying down a
+trump card, had vanished, and the expression of both was one of anxiety,
+not unmixed with apprehension. As Mr. Singleton advanced hesitatingly to
+the table, I recalled the words that he had uttered in his room at
+Scotland Yard; evidently his scheme of the game that was to end in an
+easy checkmate, had not included the move that had just been made.
+
+"Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "here is a paper on which there are
+twenty thumb-prints. Ten of them are genuine prints of the prisoner's
+left thumb and ten are forgeries. Please examine them and note down in
+writing which are the true prints and which are the forgeries. When you
+have made your notes the paper will be handed to Mr. Nash."
+
+"Is there any objection to my using the photograph that I have with me
+for comparison, my lord?" asked Mr. Singleton.
+
+"I think not," replied the judge. "What do you say, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"No objection whatever, my lord," answered Anstey.
+
+Mr. Singleton accordingly drew from his pocket an enlarged photograph of
+the thumb-print and a magnifying glass, with the aid of which he
+explored the bewildering array of prints on the paper before him; and as
+he proceeded I remarked with satisfaction that his expression became
+more and more dubious and worried. From time to time he made an entry on
+a memorandum slip beside him, and, as the entries accumulated, his frown
+grew deeper and his aspect more puzzled and gloomy.
+
+At length he sat up, and taking the memorandum slip in his hand,
+addressed the judge.
+
+"I have finished my examination, my lord."
+
+"Very well. Mr. Nash, will you kindly examine the paper and write down
+the results of your examination?"
+
+"Oh! I wish they would make haste," whispered Juliet. "Do you think they
+will be able to tell the real from the false thumb-prints?"
+
+"I can't say," I replied; "but we shall soon know. They looked all alike
+to me."
+
+Mr. Nash made his examination with exasperating deliberateness, and
+preserved throughout an air of stolid attention; but at length he, too,
+completed his notes and handed the paper back to the usher.
+
+"Now, Mr. Singleton," said the judge, "let us hear your conclusions. You
+have been sworn."
+
+Mr. Singleton stepped into the witness-box, and, laying his notes on the
+ledge, faced the judge.
+
+"Have you examined the paper that was handed to you?" asked Sir Hector
+Trumpler.
+
+"I have."
+
+"What did you see on the paper?"
+
+"I saw twenty thumb-prints, of which some were evident forgeries, some
+were evidently genuine, and some were doubtful."
+
+"Taking the thumb-prints _seriatim_, what have you noted about them?"
+
+Mr. Singleton examined his notes and replied--"The thumb-print on square
+one is evidently a forgery, as is also number two, though it is a
+passable imitation. Three and four are genuine; five is an obvious
+forgery. Six is a genuine thumb-print; seven is a forgery, though a good
+one; eight is genuine; nine is, I think, a forgery, though it is a
+remarkably good imitation. Ten and eleven are genuine thumb-marks;
+twelve and thirteen are forgeries; but as to fourteen I am very
+doubtful, though I am inclined to regard it as a forgery. Fifteen is
+genuine, and I think sixteen is also; but I will not swear to it.
+Seventeen is certainly genuine. Eighteen and nineteen I am rather
+doubtful about, but I am disposed to consider them both forgeries.
+Twenty is certainly a genuine thumb-print."
+
+As Mr. Singleton's evidence proceeded, a look of surprise began to make
+its appearance on the judge's face, while the jury glanced from the
+witness to the notes before them and from their notes to one another in
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+As to Sir Hector Trumpler, that luminary of British jurisprudence was
+evidently completely fogged; for, as statement followed statement, he
+pursed up his lips and his broad, red face became overshadowed by an
+expression of utter bewilderment.
+
+For a few seconds he stared blankly at his witness and then dropped on
+to his seat with a thump that shook the court.
+
+"You have no doubt," said Anstey, "as to the correctness of your
+conclusions? For instance, you are quite sure that the prints one and
+two are forgeries?"
+
+"I have no doubt."
+
+"You swear that those two prints are forgeries?"
+
+Mr. Singleton hesitated for a moment. He had been watching the judge and
+the jury and had apparently misinterpreted their surprise, assuming it
+to be due to his own remarkable powers of discrimination; and his
+confidence had revived accordingly.
+
+"Yes," he answered; "I swear that they are forgeries."
+
+Anstey sat down, and Mr. Singleton, having passed his notes up to the
+judge, retired from the box, giving place to his colleague.
+
+Mr. Nash, who had listened with manifest satisfaction to the evidence,
+stepped into the box with all his original confidence restored. His
+selection of the true and the false thumb-prints was practically
+identical with that of Mr. Singleton, and his knowledge of this fact led
+him to state his conclusions with an air that was authoritative and even
+dogmatic.
+
+"I am quite satisfied of the correctness of my statements," he said, in
+reply to Anstey's question, "and I am prepared to swear, and do swear,
+that those thumb-prints which I have stated to be forgeries, are
+forgeries, and that their detection presents no difficulty to an
+observer who has an expert acquaintance with finger-prints."
+
+"There is one question that I should like to ask," said the judge, when
+the expert had left the box and Thorndyke had re-entered it to continue
+his evidence. "The conclusions of the expert witnesses--manifestly _bona
+fide_ conclusions, arrived at by individual judgement, without collusion
+or comparison of results--are practically identical. They are virtually
+in complete agreement. Now, the strange thing is this: their conclusions
+are wrong in every instance" (here I nearly laughed aloud, for, as I
+glanced at the two experts, the expression of smug satisfaction on their
+countenances changed with lightning rapidity to a ludicrous spasm of
+consternation); "not sometimes wrong and sometimes right, as would have
+been the case if they had made mere guesses, but wrong every time. When
+they are quite certain, they are quite wrong; and when they are
+doubtful, they incline to the wrong conclusion. This is a very strange
+coincidence, Dr. Thorndyke. Can you explain it?"
+
+Thorndyke's face, which throughout the proceedings had been as
+expressionless as that of a wooden figurehead, now relaxed into a dry
+smile.
+
+"I think I can, my lord," he replied. "The object of a forger in
+executing a forgery is to produce deception on those who shall examine
+the forgery."
+
+"Ah!" said the judge; and _his_ face relaxed into a dry smile, while the
+jury broke out into unconcealed grins.
+
+"It was evident to me," continued Thorndyke, "that the experts would be
+unable to distinguish the real from the forged thumb-prints, and, that
+being so, that they would look for some collateral evidence to guide
+them. I, therefore, supplied that collateral evidence. Now, if ten
+prints are taken, without special precautions, from a single finger, it
+will probably happen that no two of them are exactly alike; for the
+finger being a rounded object of which only a small part touches the
+paper, the impressions produced will show little variations according to
+the part of the finger by which the print is made. But a stamp such as I
+have used has a flat surface like that of a printer's type, and, like a
+type, it always prints the same impression. It does not reproduce the
+finger-tip, but a particular print of the finger, and so, if ten prints
+are made with a single stamp, each print will be a mechanical repetition
+of the other nine. Thus, on a sheet bearing twenty finger-prints, of
+which ten were forgeries made with a single stamp, it would be easy to
+pick out the ten forged prints by the fact that they would all be
+mechanical repetitions of one another; while the genuine prints could be
+distinguished by the fact of their presenting trifling variations in the
+position of the finger.
+
+"Anticipating this line of reasoning, I was careful to make each print
+with a different stamp and each stamp was made from a different
+thumb-print, and I further selected thumb-prints which varied as widely
+as possible when I made the stamps. Moreover, when I made the real
+thumb-prints, I was careful to put the thumb down in the same position
+each time as far as I was able; and so it happened that, on the sheet
+submitted to the experts, the real thumb-prints were nearly all alike,
+while the forgeries presented considerable variations. The instances in
+which the witnesses were quite certain were those in which I succeeded
+in making the genuine prints repeat one another, and the doubtful cases
+were those in which I partially failed."
+
+"Thank you, that is quite clear," said the judge, with a smile of deep
+content, such as is apt to appear on the judicial countenance when an
+expert witness is knocked off his pedestal. "We may now proceed, Mr.
+Anstey."
+
+"You have told us," resumed Anstey, "and have submitted proofs, that it
+is possible to forge a thumb-print so that detection is impossible. You
+have also stated that the thumb-print on the paper found in Mr. Hornby's
+safe is a forgery. Do you mean that it _may_ be a forgery, or that it
+actually is one?"
+
+"I mean that it actually is a forgery."
+
+"When did you first come to the conclusion that it was a forgery?"
+
+"When I saw it at Scotland Yard. There are three facts which suggested
+this conclusion. In the first place the print was obviously produced
+with liquid blood, and yet it was a beautifully clear and distinct
+impression. But such an impression could not be produced with liquid
+blood without the use of a slab and roller, even if great care were
+used, and still less could it have been produced by an accidental smear.
+
+"In the second place, on measuring the print with a micrometer, I found
+that it did not agree in dimensions with a genuine thumb-print of Reuben
+Hornby. It was appreciably larger. I photographed the print with the
+micrometer in contact and on comparing this with a genuine thumb-print,
+also photographed with the same micrometer in contact, I found that the
+suspected print was larger by the fortieth of an inch, from one given
+point on the ridge-pattern to another given point. I have here
+enlargements of the two photographs in which the disagreement in size is
+clearly shown by the lines of the micrometer. I have also the micrometer
+itself and a portable microscope, if the Court wishes to verify the
+photographs."
+
+"Thank you," said the judge, with a bland smile; "we will accept your
+sworn testimony unless the learned counsel for the prosecution demands
+verification."
+
+He received the photographs which Thorndyke handed up and, having
+examined them with close attention, passed them on to the jury.
+
+"The third fact," resumed Thorndyke, "is of much more importance, since
+it not only proves the print to be a forgery, but also furnishes a very
+distinct clue to the origin of the forgery, and so to the identity of
+the forger." (Here the court became hushed until the silence was so
+profound that the ticking of the clock seemed a sensible interruption. I
+glanced at Walter, who sat motionless and rigid at the end of the bench,
+and perceived that a horrible pallor had spread over his face, while his
+forehead was covered with beads of perspiration.) "On looking at the
+print closely, I noticed at one part a minute white mark or space. It
+was of the shape of a capital S and had evidently been produced by a
+defect in the paper--a loose fibre which had stuck to the thumb and been
+detached by it from the paper, leaving a blank space where it had been.
+But, on examining the paper under a low power of the microscope, I found
+the surface to be perfect and intact. No loose fibre had been detached
+from it, for if it had, the broken end or, at least, the groove in which
+it had lain, would have been visible. The inference seemed to be that
+the loose fibre had existed, not in the paper which was found in the
+safe, but in the paper on which the original thumb-mark had been made.
+Now, as far as I knew, there was only one undoubted thumb-print of
+Reuben Hornby's in existence--the one in the 'Thumbograph.' At my
+request, the 'Thumbograph' was brought to my chambers by Mrs. Hornby,
+and, on examining the print of Reuben Hornby's left thumb, I perceived
+on it a minute, S-shaped white space occupying a similar position to
+that in the red thumb-mark; and when I looked at it through a powerful
+lens, I could clearly see the little groove in the paper in which the
+fibre had lain and from which it had been lifted by the inked thumb. I
+subsequently made a systematic comparison of the marks in the two
+thumb-prints; I found that the dimensions of the mark were
+proportionally the same in each--that is to say, the mark in the
+'Thumbograph' print had an extreme length of 26/1000 of an inch and an
+extreme breadth of 14.5/1000 of an inch, while that in the red
+thumb-mark was one-fortieth larger in each dimension, having an extreme
+length of 26.65/1000 of an inch and an extreme breadth of 14.86/1000 of
+an inch; that the shape was identical, as was shown by superimposing
+tracings of greatly enlarged photographs of each mark on similar
+enlargements of the other; and that the mark intersected the ridges of
+the thumb-print in the same manner and at exactly the same parts in the
+two prints."
+
+"Do you say that--having regard to the facts which you have stated--it
+is certain that the red thumb-mark is a forgery?"
+
+"I do; and I also say that it is certain that the forgery was executed
+by means of the 'Thumbograph.'"
+
+"Might not the resemblances be merely a coincidence?"
+
+"No. By the law of probabilities which Mr. Singleton explained so
+clearly in his evidence, the adverse chances would run into untold
+millions. Here are two thumb-prints made in different places and at
+different times--an interval of many weeks intervening. Each of them
+bears an accidental mark which is due not to any peculiarity of the
+thumb, but to a peculiarity of the paper. On the theory of coincidences
+it is necessary to suppose that each piece of paper had a loose fibre of
+exactly identical shape and size and that this fibre came, by accident,
+in contact with the thumb at exactly the same spot. But such a
+supposition would be more opposed to probabilities even than the
+supposition that two exactly similar thumb-prints should have been made
+by different persons. And then there is the further fact that the paper
+found in the safe had no loose fibre to account for the mark."
+
+"What is your explanation of the presence of defibrinated blood in the
+safe?"
+
+"It was probably used by the forger in making the thumb-print, for which
+purpose fresh blood would be less suitable by reason of its clotting. He
+would probably have carried a small quantity in a bottle, together with
+the pocket slab and roller invented by Mr. Galton. It would thus be
+possible for him to put a drop on the slab, roll it out into a thin film
+and take a clean impression with his stamp. It must be remembered that
+these precautions were quite necessary, since he had to make a
+recognisable print at the first attempt. A failure and a second trial
+would have destroyed the accidental appearance, and might have aroused
+suspicion."
+
+"You have made some enlarged photographs of the thumb-prints, have you
+not?"
+
+"Yes. I have here two enlarged photographs, one of the 'Thumbograph'
+print and one of the red thumb-print. They both show the white mark very
+clearly and will assist comparison of the originals, in which the mark
+is plainly visible through a lens."
+
+He handed the two photographs up to the judge, together with the
+'Thumbograph,' the memorandum slip, and a powerful doublet lens with
+which to examine them.
+
+The judge inspected the two original documents with the aid of the lens
+and compared them with the photographs, nodding approvingly as he made
+out the points of agreement. Then he passed them on to the jury and made
+an entry in his notes.
+
+While this was going on my attention was attracted by Walter Hornby. An
+expression of terror and wild despair had settled on his face, which was
+ghastly in its pallor and bedewed with sweat. He looked furtively at
+Thorndyke and, as I noted the murderous hate in his eyes, I recalled our
+midnight adventure in John Street and the mysterious cigar.
+
+Suddenly he rose to his feet, wiping his brow and steadying himself
+against the bench with a shaking hand; then he walked quietly to the
+door and went out. Apparently, I was not the only onlooker who had been
+interested in his doings, for, as the door swung to after him,
+Superintendent Miller rose from his seat and went out by the other door.
+
+"Are you cross-examining this witness?" the judge inquired, glancing at
+Sir Hector Trumpler.
+
+"No, my lord," was the reply.
+
+"Are you calling any more witnesses, Mr. Anstey?"
+
+"Only one, my lord," replied Anstey--"the prisoner, whom I shall put in
+the witness-box, as a matter of form, in order that he may make a
+statement on oath."
+
+Reuben was accordingly conducted from the dock to the witness-box, and,
+having been sworn, made a solemn declaration of his innocence. A brief
+cross-examination followed, in which nothing was elicited, but that
+Reuben had spent the evening at his club and gone home to his rooms
+about half-past eleven and had let himself in with his latchkey. Sir
+Hector at length sat down; the prisoner was led back to the dock, and
+the Court settled itself to listen to the speeches of the counsel.
+
+"My lord and gentlemen of the jury," Anstey commenced in his clear,
+mellow tones, "I do not propose to occupy your time with a long speech.
+The evidence that has been laid before you is at once so intelligible,
+so lucid, and so conclusive, that you will, no doubt, arrive at your
+verdict uninfluenced by any display of rhetoric either on my part or on
+the part of the learned counsel for the prosecution.
+
+"Nevertheless, it is desirable to disentangle from the mass of evidence
+those facts which are really vital and crucial.
+
+"Now the one fact which stands out and dominates the whole case is this:
+The prisoner's connection with this case rests solely upon the police
+theory of the infallibility of finger-prints. Apart from the evidence of
+the thumb-print there is not, and there never was, the faintest breath
+of suspicion against him. You have heard him described as a man of
+unsullied honour, as a man whose character is above reproach; a man who
+is trusted implicitly by those who have had dealings with him. And this
+character was not given by a casual stranger, but by one who has known
+him from childhood. His record is an unbroken record of honourable
+conduct; his life has been that of a clean-living, straightforward
+gentleman. And now he stands before you charged with a miserable, paltry
+theft; charged with having robbed that generous friend, the brother of
+his own father, the guardian of his childhood and the benefactor who has
+planned and striven for his well-being; charged, in short, gentlemen,
+with a crime which every circumstance connected with him and every trait
+of his known character renders utterly inconceivable. Now upon what
+grounds has this gentleman of irreproachable character been charged with
+this mean and sordid crime? Baldly stated, the grounds of the accusation
+are these: A certain learned and eminent man of science has made a
+statement, which the police have not merely accepted but have, in
+practice, extended beyond its original meaning. That statement is as
+follows: 'A complete, or nearly complete, accordance between two prints
+of a single finger ... affords evidence requiring no corroboration, that
+the persons from whom they were made are the same.'
+
+"That statement, gentlemen, is in the highest degree misleading, and
+ought not to have been made without due warning and qualification. So
+far is it from being true, in practice, that its exact contrary is the
+fact; the evidence of a finger-print, in the absence of corroboration,
+is absolutely worthless. Of all forms of forgery, the forgery of a
+finger-print is the easiest and most secure, as you have seen in this
+court to-day. Consider the character of the high-class forger--his
+skill, his ingenuity, his resource. Think of the forged banknotes, of
+which not only the engraving, the design and the signature, but even the
+very paper with its private watermarks, is imitated with a perfection
+that is at once the admiration and the despair of those who have to
+distinguish the true from the false; think of the forged cheque, in
+which actual perforations are filled up, of which portions are cut out
+bodily and replaced by indistinguishable patches; think of these, and
+then of a finger-print, of which any photo-engraver's apprentice can
+make you a forgery that the greatest experts cannot distinguish from the
+original, which any capable amateur can imitate beyond detection after a
+month's practice; and then ask yourselves if this is the kind of
+evidence on which, without any support or corroboration, a gentleman of
+honour and position should be dragged before a criminal court and
+charged with having committed a crime of the basest and most sordid
+type.  "But I must not detain you with unnecessary appeals. I will
+remind you briefly of the salient facts. The case for the prosecution
+rests upon the assertion that the thumb-print found in the safe was made
+by the thumb of the prisoner. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner, there is not only no case against him but no suspicion of any
+kind.
+
+"Now, was that thumb-print made by the prisoner's thumb? You have had
+conclusive evidence that it was not. That thumb-print differed in the
+size, or scale, of the pattern from a genuine thumb-print of the
+prisoner's. The difference was small, but it was fatal to the police
+theory; the two prints were not identical.
+
+"But, if not the prisoner's thumb-print, what was it? The resemblance of
+the pattern was too exact for it to be the thumb-print of another
+person, for it reproduced not only the pattern of the ridges on the
+prisoner's thumb, but also the scar of an old wound. The answer that I
+propose to this question is, that it was an intentional imitation of the
+prisoner's thumb-print, made with the purpose of fixing suspicion on the
+prisoner, and so ensuring the safety of the actual criminal. Are there
+any facts which support this theory? Yes, there are several facts which
+support it very strongly.
+
+"First, there are the facts that I have just mentioned. The red
+thumb-print disagreed with the genuine print in its scale or dimensions.
+It was not the prisoner's thumb-print; but neither was it that of any
+other person. The only alternative is that it was a forgery.
+
+"In the second place, that print was evidently made with the aid of
+certain appliances and materials, and one of those materials, namely
+defibrinated blood, was found in the safe.
+
+"In the third place, there is the coincidence that the print was one
+which it was possible to forge. The prisoner has ten digits--eight
+fingers and two thumbs. But there were in existence actual prints of the
+two thumbs, whereas no prints of the fingers were in existence; hence it
+would have been impossible to forge a print of any of the fingers. So it
+happens that the red thumb-print resembled one of the two prints of
+which forgery was possible.
+
+"In the fourth place, the red thumb-print reproduces an accidental
+peculiarity of the 'Thumbograph' print. Now, if the red thumb-print is a
+forgery, it must have been made from the 'Thumbograph' print, since
+there exists no other print from which it could have been made. Hence we
+have the striking fact that the red thumb-print is an exact
+replica--including accidental peculiarities--of the only print from
+which a forgery could have been made. The accidental S-shaped mark in
+the 'Thumbograph' print is accounted for by the condition of the paper;
+the occurrence of this mark in the red thumb-print is not accounted for
+by any peculiarity of the paper, and can be accounted for in no way,
+excepting by assuming the one to be a copy of the other. The conclusion
+is thus inevitable that the red thumb-print is a photo-mechanical
+reproduction of the 'Thumbograph' print.
+
+"But there is yet another point. If the red thumb-print is a forgery
+reproduced from the 'Thumbograph' print, the forger must at some time
+have had access to the 'Thumbograph.' Now, you have heard Mrs. Hornby's
+remarkable story of the mysterious disappearance of the 'Thumbograph'
+and its still more mysterious reappearance. That story can have left no
+doubt in your minds that some person had surreptitiously removed the
+'Thumbograph' and, after an unknown interval, secretly replaced it. Thus
+the theory of forgery receives confirmation at every point, and is in
+agreement with every known fact; whereas the theory that the red
+thumb-print was a genuine thumb-print, is based upon a gratuitous
+assumption, and has not had a single fact advanced in its support.
+
+"Accordingly, gentlemen, I assert that the prisoner's innocence has been
+proved in the most complete and convincing manner, and I ask you for a
+verdict in accordance with that proof."
+
+As Anstey resumed his seat, a low rumble of applause was heard from the
+gallery. It subsided instantly on a gesture of disapproval from the
+judge, and a silence fell upon the court, in which the clock, with
+cynical indifference, continued to record in its brusque monotone the
+passage of the fleeting seconds.
+
+"He is saved, Dr. Jervis! Oh! surely he is saved!" Juliet exclaimed in
+an agitated whisper. "They must see that he is innocent now."
+
+"Have patience a little longer," I answered. "It will soon be over now."
+
+Sir Hector Trumpler was already on his feet and, after bestowing on the
+jury a stern hypnotic stare, he plunged into his reply with a really
+admirable air of conviction and sincerity.  "My lord and gentlemen of
+the jury: The case which is now before this Court is one, as I have
+already remarked, in which human nature is presented in a highly
+unfavourable light. But I need not insist upon this aspect of the case,
+which will already, no doubt, have impressed you sufficiently. It is
+necessary merely for me, as my learned friend has aptly expressed it, to
+disentangle the actual facts of the case from the web of casuistry that
+has been woven around them.
+
+"Those facts are of extreme simplicity. A safe has been opened and
+property of great value abstracted from it. It has been opened by means
+of false keys. Now there are two men who have, from time to time, had
+possession of the true keys, and thus had the opportunity of making
+copies of them. When the safe is opened by its rightful owner, the
+property is gone, and there is found the print of the thumb of one of
+these two men. That thumb-print was not there when the safe was closed.
+The man whose thumb-print is found is a left-handed man; the print is
+the print of a left thumb. It would seem, gentlemen, as if the
+conclusion were so obvious that no sane person could be found to contest
+it; and I submit that the conclusion which any sane person would arrive
+at--the only possible conclusion--is, that the person whose thumb-print
+was found in the safe is the person who stole the property from the
+safe. But the thumb-print was, admittedly, that of the prisoner at the
+bar, and therefore the prisoner at the bar is the person who stole the
+diamonds from the safe.
+
+"It is true that certain fantastic attempts have been made to explain
+away these obvious facts. Certain far-fetched scientific theories have
+been propounded and an exhibition of legerdemain has taken place which,
+I venture to think, would have been more appropriate to some place of
+public entertainment than to a court of justice. That exhibition has, no
+doubt, afforded you considerable amusement. It has furnished a pleasing
+relaxation from the serious business of the court. It has even been
+instructive, as showing to what extent it is possible for plain facts to
+be perverted by misdirected ingenuity. But unless you are prepared to
+consider this crime as an elaborate hoax--as a practical joke carried
+out by a facetious criminal of extraordinary knowledge, skill and
+general attainments--you must, after all, come to the only conclusion
+that the facts justify: that the safe was opened and the property
+abstracted by the prisoner. Accordingly, gentlemen, I ask you, having
+regard to your important position as the guardians of the well-being and
+security of your fellow-citizens, to give your verdict in accordance
+with the evidence, as you have solemnly sworn to do; which verdict, I
+submit, can be no other than that the prisoner is guilty of the crime
+with which he is charged."
+
+Sir Hector sat down, and the jury, who had listened to his speech with
+solid attention, gazed expectantly at the judge, as though they should
+say: "Now, which of these two are we to believe?"
+
+The judge turned over his notes with an air of quiet composure, writing
+down a word here and there as he compared the various points in the
+evidence. Then he turned to the jury with a manner at once persuasive
+and confidential--
+
+"It is not necessary, gentlemen," he commenced, "for me to occupy your
+time with an exhaustive analysis of the evidence. That evidence you
+yourselves have heard, and it has been given, for the most part, with
+admirable clearness. Moreover, the learned counsel for the defence has
+collated and compared that evidence so lucidly, and, I may say, so
+impartially, that a detailed repetition on my part would be
+superfluous. I shall therefore confine myself to a few comments which
+may help you in the consideration of your verdict.
+
+"I need hardly point out to you that the reference made by the learned
+counsel for the prosecution to far-fetched scientific theories is
+somewhat misleading. The only evidence of a theoretical character was
+that of the finger-print experts. The evidence of Dr. Rowe and of Dr.
+Thorndyke dealt exclusively with matters of fact. Such inferences as
+were drawn by them were accompanied by statements of the facts which
+yielded such inferences.
+
+"Now, an examination of the evidence which you have heard shows, as the
+learned counsel for the defence has justly observed, that the entire
+case resolves itself into a single question, which is this: 'Was the
+thumb-print that was found in Mr. Hornby's safe made by the thumb of the
+prisoner, or was it not?' If that thumb-print was made by the prisoner's
+thumb, then the prisoner must, at least, have been present when the safe
+was unlawfully opened. If that thumb-print was not made by the
+prisoner's thumb, there is nothing to connect him with the crime. The
+question is one of fact upon which it will be your duty to decide; and I
+must remind you, gentlemen, that you are the sole judges of the facts of
+the case, and that you are to consider any remarks of mine as merely
+suggestions which you are to entertain or to disregard according to your
+judgement.
+
+"Now let us consider this question by the light of the evidence. This
+thumb-print was either made by the prisoner or it was not. What evidence
+has been brought forward to show that it was made by the prisoner? Well,
+there is the evidence of the ridge-pattern. That pattern is identical
+with the pattern of the prisoner's thumb-print, and even has the
+impression of a scar which crosses the pattern in a particular manner
+in the prisoner's thumb-print. There is no need to enter into the
+elaborate calculations as to the chances of agreement; the practical
+fact, which is not disputed, is that if this red thumb-print is a
+genuine thumb-print at all, it was made by the prisoner's thumb. But it
+is contended that it is not a genuine thumb-print; that it is a
+mechanical imitation--in fact a forgery.
+
+"The more general question thus becomes narrowed down to the more
+particular question: 'Is this a genuine thumb-print or is it a forgery?'
+Let us consider the evidence. First, what evidence is there that it is a
+genuine thumb-print? There is none. The identity of the pattern is no
+evidence on this point, because a forgery would also exhibit identity of
+pattern. The genuineness of the thumb-print was assumed by the
+prosecution, and no evidence has been offered.
+
+"But now what evidence is there that the red thumb-print is a forgery?
+
+"First, there is the question of size. Two different-sized prints could
+hardly be made by the same thumb. Then there is the evidence of the use
+of appliances. Safe-robbers do not ordinarily provide themselves with
+inking-slabs and rollers with which to make distinct impressions of
+their own fingers. Then there is the accidental mark on the print which
+also exists on the only genuine print that could have been used for the
+purpose of forgery, which is easily explained on the theory of a
+forgery, but which is otherwise totally incomprehensible. Finally, there
+is the strange disappearance of the 'Thumbograph' and its strange
+reappearance. All this is striking and weighty evidence, to which must
+be added that adduced by Dr. Thorndyke as showing how perfectly it is
+possible to imitate a finger-print.
+
+"These are the main facts of the case, and it is for you to consider
+them. If, on careful consideration, you decide that the red thumb-print
+was actually made by the prisoner's thumb, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner guilty; but if, on weighing the evidence, you
+decide that the thumb-print is a forgery, then it will be your duty to
+pronounce the prisoner not guilty. It is now past the usual luncheon
+hour, and, if you desire it, you can retire to consider your verdict
+while the Court adjourns."
+
+The jurymen whispered together for a few moments and then the foreman
+stood up.
+
+"We have agreed on our verdict, my lord," he said.
+
+The prisoner, who had just been led to the back of the dock, was now
+brought back to the bar. The grey-wigged clerk of the court stood up and
+addressed the jury.
+
+"Are you all agreed upon your verdict, gentlemen?"
+
+"We are," replied the foreman.
+
+"What do you say, gentlemen? Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
+
+"Not guilty," replied the foreman, raising his voice and glancing at
+Reuben.
+
+A storm of applause burst from the gallery and was, for the moment,
+disregarded by the judge. Mrs. Hornby laughed aloud--a strange,
+unnatural laugh--and then crammed her handkerchief into her mouth, and
+so sat gazing at Reuben with the tears coursing down her face, while
+Juliet laid her head upon the desk and sobbed silently.
+
+After a brief space the judge raised an admonitory hand, and, when the
+commotion had subsided, addressed the prisoner, who stood at the bar,
+calm and self-possessed, though his face bore a slight flush--
+
+"Reuben Hornby, the jury, after duly weighing the evidence in this case,
+have found you to be not guilty of the crime with which you were
+charged. With that verdict I most heartily agree. In view of the
+evidence which has been given, I consider that no other verdict was
+possible, and I venture to say that you leave this court with your
+innocence fully established, and without a stain upon your character. In
+the distress which you have recently suffered, as well as in your
+rejoicing at the verdict of the jury, you have the sympathy of the
+Court, and of everyone present, and that sympathy will not be diminished
+by the consideration that, with a less capable defence, the result might
+have been very different.
+
+"I desire to express my admiration at the manner in which that defence
+was conducted, and I desire especially to observe that not you alone,
+but the public at large, are deeply indebted to Dr. Thorndyke, who, by
+his insight, his knowledge and his ingenuity, has probably averted a
+very serious miscarriage of justice. The Court will now adjourn until
+half-past two."
+
+The judge rose from his seat and everyone present stood up; and, amidst
+the clamour of many feet upon the gallery stairs, the door of the dock
+was thrown open by a smiling police officer and Reuben came down the
+stairs into the body of the court.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+AT LAST
+
+
+"We had better let the people clear off," said Thorndyke, when the first
+greetings were over and we stood around Reuben in the fast-emptying
+court. "We don't want a demonstration as we go out."
+
+"No; anything but that, just now," replied Reuben. He still held Mrs.
+Hornby's hand, and one arm was passed through that of his uncle, who
+wiped his eyes at intervals, though his face glowed with delight.
+
+"I should like you to come and have a little quiet luncheon with me at
+my chambers--all of us friends together," continued Thorndyke.
+
+"I should be delighted," said Reuben, "if the programme would include a
+satisfactory wash."
+
+"You will come, Anstey?" asked Thorndyke.
+
+"What have you got for lunch?" demanded Anstey, who was now disrobed and
+in his right mind--that is to say, in his usual whimsical,
+pseudo-frivolous character.
+
+"That question savours of gluttony," answered Thorndyke. "Come and see."
+
+"I will come and eat, which is better," answered Anstey, "and I must run
+off now, as I have to look in at my chambers."
+
+"How shall we go?" asked Thorndyke, as his colleague vanished through
+the doorway. "Polton has gone for a four-wheeler, but it won't hold us
+all."
+
+"It will hold four of us," said Reuben, "and Dr. Jervis will bring
+Juliet; won't you, Jervis?"
+
+The request rather took me aback, considering the circumstances, but I
+was conscious, nevertheless, of an unreasonable thrill of pleasure and
+answered with alacrity: "If Miss Gibson will allow me, I shall be very
+delighted." My delight was, apparently, not shared by Juliet, to judge
+by the uncomfortable blush that spread over her face. She made no
+objection, however, but merely replied rather coldly: "Well, as we can't
+sit on the roof of the cab, we had better go by ourselves."
+
+The crowd having by this time presumably cleared off, we all took our
+way downstairs. The cab was waiting at the kerb, surrounded by a group
+of spectators, who cheered Reuben as he appeared at the doorway, and we
+saw our friends enter and drive away. Then we turned and walked quickly
+down the Old Bailey towards Ludgate Hill.  "Shall we take a hansom?" I
+asked.
+
+"No; let us walk," replied Juliet; "a little fresh air will do us good
+after that musty, horrible court. It all seems like a dream, and yet
+what a relief--oh! what a relief it is."
+
+"It is rather like the awakening from a nightmare to find the morning
+sun shining," I rejoined.
+
+"Yes; that is just what it is like," she agreed; "but I still feel dazed
+and shaken."
+
+We turned presently down New Bridge Street, towards the Embankment,
+walking side by side without speaking, and I could not help comparing,
+with some bitterness, our present stiff and distant relations with the
+intimacy and comradeship that had existed before the miserable incident
+of our last meeting.
+
+"You don't look so jubilant over your success as I should have
+expected," she said at length, with a critical glance at me; "but I
+expect you are really very proud and delighted, aren't you?"
+
+"Delighted, yes; not proud. Why should I be proud? I have only played
+jackal, and even that I have done very badly."
+
+"That is hardly a fair statement of the facts," she rejoined, with
+another quick, inquisitive look at me; "but you are in low spirits
+to-day--which is not at all like you. Is it not so?"
+
+"I am afraid I am a selfish, egotistical brute," was my gloomy reply. "I
+ought to be as gay and joyful as everyone else to-day, whereas the fact
+is that I am chafing over my own petty troubles. You see, now that this
+case is finished, my engagement with Dr. Thorndyke terminates
+automatically, and I relapse into my old life--a dreary repetition of
+journeying amongst strangers--and the prospect is not inspiriting. This
+has been a time of bitter trial to you, but to me it has been a green
+oasis in the desert of a colourless, monotonous life. I have enjoyed the
+companionship of a most lovable man, whom I admire and respect above all
+other men, and with him have moved in scenes full of colour and
+interest. And I have made one other friend whom I am loth to see fade
+out of my life, as she seems likely to do."
+
+"If you mean me," said Juliet, "I may say that it will be your own fault
+if I fade out of your life. I can never forget all that you have done
+for us, your loyalty to Reuben, your enthusiasm in his cause, to say
+nothing of your many kindnesses to me. And, as to your having done your
+work badly, you wrong yourself grievously. I recognised in the evidence
+by which Reuben was cleared to-day how much you had done, in filling in
+the details, towards making the case complete and convincing. I shall
+always feel that we owe you a debt of the deepest gratitude, and so will
+Reuben, and so, perhaps, more than either of us, will someone else."
+
+"And who is that?" I asked, though with no great interest. The gratitude
+of the family was a matter of little consequence to me.
+
+"Well, it is no secret now," replied Juliet. "I mean the girl whom
+Reuben is going to marry. What is the matter, Dr. Jervis?" she added, in
+a tone of surprise.
+
+We were passing through the gate that leads from the Embankment to
+Middle Temple Lane, and I had stopped dead under the archway, laying a
+detaining hand upon her arm and gazing at her in utter amazement.
+
+"The girl that Reuben is going to marry!" I repeated. "Why, I had always
+taken it for granted that he was going to marry you."
+
+"But I told you, most explicitly, that was not so!" she exclaimed with
+some impatience.
+
+"I know you did," I admitted ruefully; "but I thought--well, I imagined
+that things had, perhaps, not gone quite smoothly and--"
+
+"Did you suppose that if I had cared for a man, and that man had been
+under a cloud, I should have denied the relation or pretended that we
+were merely friends?" she demanded indignantly.
+
+"I am sure you wouldn't," I replied hastily. "I was a fool, an idiot--by
+Jove, what an idiot I have been!"
+
+"It was certainly very silly of you," she admitted; but there was a
+gentleness in her tone that took away all bitterness from the reproach.
+
+"The reason of the secrecy was this," she continued; "they became
+engaged the very night before Reuben was arrested, and, when he heard of
+the charge against him, he insisted that no one should be told unless,
+and until, he was fully acquitted. I was the only person who was in
+their confidence, and as I was sworn to secrecy, of course I couldn't
+tell you; nor did I suppose that the matter would interest you. Why
+should it?"
+
+"Imbecile that I am," I murmured. "If I had only known!"
+
+"Well, if you _had_ known," said she; "what difference could it have
+made to you?"
+
+This question she asked without looking at me, but I noted that her
+cheek had grown a shade paler.
+
+"Only this," I answered. "That I should have been spared many a day and
+night of needless self-reproach and misery."
+
+"But why?" she asked, still keeping her face averted. "What had you to
+reproach yourself with?"
+
+"A great deal," I answered, "if you consider my supposed position. If
+you think of me as the trusted agent of a man, helpless and deeply
+wronged--a man whose undeserved misfortunes made every demand upon
+chivalry and generosity; if you think of me as being called upon to
+protect and carry comfort to the woman whom I regarded as, virtually,
+that man's betrothed wife; and then if you think of me as proceeding
+straightway, before I had known her twenty-four hours, to fall
+hopelessly in love with her myself, you will admit that I had something
+to reproach myself with."
+
+She was still silent, rather pale and very thoughtful, and she seemed to
+breathe more quickly than usual.
+
+"Of course," I continued, "you may say that it was my own look-out, that
+I had only to keep my own counsel, and no one would be any the worse.
+But there's the mischief of it. How can a man who is thinking of a woman
+morning, noon and night; whose heart leaps at the sound of her coming,
+whose existence is a blank when she is away from him--a blank which he
+tries to fill by recalling, again and again, all that she has said and
+the tones of her voice, and the look that was in her eyes when she
+spoke--how can he help letting her see, sooner or later, that he cares
+for her? And if he does, when he has no right to, there is an end of
+duty and chivalry and even common honesty."
+
+"Yes, I understand now," said Juliet softly. "Is this the way?" She
+tripped up the steps leading to Fountain Court and I followed
+cheerfully. Of course it was not the way, and we both knew it, but the
+place was silent and peaceful, and the plane-trees cast a pleasant shade
+on the gravelled court. I glanced at her as we walked slowly towards the
+fountain. The roses were mantling in her cheeks now and her eyes were
+cast down, but when she lifted them to me for an instant, I saw that
+they were shining and moist.
+
+"Did you never guess?" I asked.
+
+"Yes," she replied in a low voice, "I guessed; but--but then," she
+added shyly, "I thought I had guessed wrong."
+
+We walked on for some little time without speaking again until we came
+to the further side of the fountain, where we stood listening to the
+quiet trickle of the water, and watching the sparrows as they took their
+bath on the rim of the basin. A little way off another group of sparrows
+had gathered with greedy joy around some fragments of bread that had
+been scattered abroad by the benevolent Templars, and hard by a more
+sentimentally-minded pigeon, unmindful of the crumbs and the marauding
+sparrows, puffed out his breast and strutted and curtsied before his
+mate with endearing gurgles.
+
+Juliet had rested her hand on one of the little posts that support the
+chain by which the fountain is enclosed and I had laid my hand on hers.
+Presently she turned her hand over so that mine lay in its palm; and so
+we were standing hand-in-hand when an elderly gentleman, of dry and
+legal aspect, came up the steps and passed by the fountain. He looked at
+the pigeons and then he looked at us, and went his way smiling and
+shaking his head.
+
+"Juliet," said I.
+
+She looked up quickly with sparkling eyes and a frank smile that was yet
+a little shy, too.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why did he smile--that old gentleman--when he looked at us?"
+
+"I can't imagine," she replied mendaciously.
+
+"It was an approving smile," I said. "I think he was remembering his own
+spring-time and giving us his blessing."
+
+"Perhaps he was," she agreed. "He looked a nice old thing." She gazed
+fondly at the retreating figure and then turned again to me. Her cheeks
+had grown pink enough by now, and in one of them a dimple displayed
+itself to great advantage in its rosy setting.
+
+"Can you forgive me, dear, for my unutterable folly?" I asked presently,
+as she glanced up at me again.
+
+"I am not sure," she answered. "It was dreadfully silly of you."
+
+"But remember, Juliet, that I loved you with my whole heart--as I love
+you now and shall love you always."
+
+"I can forgive you anything when you say that," she answered softly.
+
+Here the voice of the distant Temple clock was heard uttering a polite
+protest. With infinite reluctance we turned away from the fountain,
+which sprinkled us with a parting benediction, and slowly retraced our
+steps to Middle Temple Lane and thence into Pump Court.
+
+"You haven't said it, Juliet," I whispered, as we came through the
+archway into the silent, deserted court.
+
+"Haven't I, dear?" she answered; "but you know it, don't you? You know I
+do."
+
+"Yes, I know," I said; "and that knowledge is all my heart's desire."
+
+She laid her hand in mine for a moment with a gentle pressure and then
+drew it away; and so we passed through into the cloisters.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Thumb Mark, by R. Austin Freeman
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