He was pinned like a beetle on a card.
Of course, he was quite dead, and had been so from the instant
that he had uttered that last yell of agony.
"I know your methods, sir, and I applied them.
Before I permitted anything to be moved I examined most
carefully the ground outside, and also the floor of the room.
There were no footmarks."
"Meaning that you saw none?"
"I assure you, sir, that there were none."
"My good Hopkins, I have investigated many crimes, but I have
never yet seen one which was committed by a flying creature.
As long as the criminal remains upon two legs so long must there
be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement
which can be detected by the scientific searcher. It is
incredible that this blood-bespattered room contained no trace
which could have aided us. I understand, however, from the
inquest that there were some objects which you failed to overlook?"
The young inspector winced at my companion's ironical comments.
"I was a fool not to call you in at the time, Mr. Holmes.
However, that's past praying for now. Yes, there were several
objects in the room which called for special attention.
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