There were some papers of importance in the cupboard,
but there were no signs that this had been tampered with, and the
Professor assures me that nothing was missing. It is certain that
no robbery has been committed.
"I come now to the body of the young man.
It was found near the bureau, and just to the left of it,
as marked upon that chart. The stab was on the right side
of the neck and from behind forwards, so that it is almost
impossible that it could have been self-inflicted."
"Unless he fell upon the knife," said Holmes.
"Exactly. The idea crossed my mind. But we found the knife some
feet away from the body, so that seems impossible. Then, of course,
there are the man's own dying words. And, finally, there was this
very important piece of evidence which was found clasped in the
dead man's right hand."
From his pocket Stanley Hopkins drew a small paper packet.
He unfolded it and disclosed a golden pince-nez, with two broken
ends of black silk cord dangling from the end of it.
"Willoughby Smith had excellent sight," he added. "There can be
no question that this was snatched from the face or the person
of the assassin.
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