'"
"What did he write it with?"
"A pen, sir."
"Was the telegraphic form one of these on the table?"
"Yes, sir; it was the top one."
Holmes rose. Taking the forms he carried them over to the
window and carefully examined that which was uppermost.
"It is a pity he did not write in pencil," said he, throwing
them down again with a shrug of disappointment. "As you have no
doubt frequently observed, Watson, the impression usually goes
through -- a fact which has dissolved many a happy marriage.
However, I can find no trace here. I rejoice, however,
to perceive that he wrote with a broad-pointed quill pen,
and I can hardly doubt that we will find some impression upon
this blotting-pad. Ah, yes, surely this is the very thing!"
He tore off a strip of the blotting-paper and turned towards
us the following hieroglyphic:--
GRAPHIC
Cyril Overton was much excited. "Hold it to the glass!" he cried.
"That is unnecessary," said Holmes. "The paper is thin,
and the reverse will give the message. Here it is."
He turned it over and we read:--
GRAPHIC
"So that is the tail end of the telegram which Godfrey Staunton
dispatched within a few hours of his disappearance.
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