"
Holmes had been examining the cover of the note-book with his
magnifying lens.
"Surely there is some discolouration here," said he.
"Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain. I told you that I picked
the book off the floor."
"Was the blood-stain above or below?"
"On the side next the boards."
"Which proves, of course, that the book was dropped after
the crime was committed."
"Exactly, Mr. Holmes. I appreciated that point,
and I conjectured that it was dropped by the murderer
in his hurried flight. It lay near the door."
"I suppose that none of these securities have been found among
the property of the dead man?"
"No, sir."
"Have you any reason to suspect robbery?"
"No, sir. Nothing seemed to have been touched."
"Dear me, it is certainly a very interesting case.
Then there was a knife, was there not?"
"A sheath-knife, still in its sheath. It lay at the feet
of the dead man. Mrs. Carey has identified it as being her
husband's property."
Holmes was lost in thought for some time.
"Well," said he, at last, "I suppose I shall have to come out
and have a look at it."
Stanley Hopkins gave a cry of joy.
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