According to the country surgeon
the lady had stains upon her face, but none upon her hand.
"The absence of the latter means nothing, though its presence
may mean everything," said Holmes. "Unless the powder from
a badly-fitting cartridge happens to spurt backwards, one may
fire many shots without leaving a sign. I would suggest that
Mr. Cubitt's body may now be removed. I suppose, doctor,
you have not recovered the bullet which wounded the lady?"
"A serious operation will be necessary before that can be done.
But there are still four cartridges in the revolver. Two have
been fired and two wounds inflicted, so that each bullet can be
accounted for."
"So it would seem," said Holmes. "Perhaps you can account also for
the bullet which has so obviously struck the edge of the window?"
He had turned suddenly, and his long, thin finger was pointing
to a hole which had been drilled right through the lower
window-sash about an inch above the bottom.
"By George!" cried the inspector. "How ever did you see that?"
"Because I looked for it."
"Wonderful!" said the country doctor. "You are certainly right,
sir.
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