Look for such a
pencil, Mr. Soames, and you have got your man. When I add that he
possesses a large and very blunt knife, you have an additional aid."
Mr. Soames was somewhat overwhelmed by this flood of information.
"I can follow the other points," said he, "but really, in this
matter of the length ----"
Holmes held out a small chip with the letters NN and a space of
clear wood after them.
"You see?"
"No, I fear that even now ----"
"Watson, I have always done you an injustice. There are others.
What could this NN be? It is at the end of a word.
You are aware that Johann Faber is the most common maker's name.
Is it not clear that there is just as much of the pencil left
as usually follows the Johann?" He held the small table sideways
to the electric light. "I was hoping that if the paper on which
he wrote was thin some trace of it might come through upon this
polished surface. No, I see nothing. I don't think there is
anything more to be learned here. Now for the central table.
This small pellet is, I presume, the black, doughy mass you spoke
of. Roughly pyramidal in shape and hollowed out, I perceive.
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