"
"I would hardly go so far as to say that, my dear Watson.
The fact is that there is one really serious flaw in this
evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance."
"Indeed, Holmes! What is it?"
"Only this: that I KNOW that that mark was not there when
I examined the hall yesterday. And now, Watson, let us have
a little stroll round in the sunshine."
With a confused brain, but with a heart into which some warmth
of hope was returning, I accompanied my friend in a walk round
the garden. Holmes took each face of the house in turn and
examined it with great interest. He then led the way inside and
went over the whole building from basement to attics. Most of
the rooms were unfurnished, but none the less Holmes inspected
them all minutely. Finally, on the top corridor, which ran
outside three untenanted bedrooms, he again was seized with
a spasm of merriment.
"There are really some very unique features about this case,
Watson," said he. "I think it is time now that we took our
friend Lestrade into our confidence. He has had his little
smile at our expense, and perhaps we may do as much by him if
my reading of this problem proves to be correct.
Pages:
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95