A change had come over Holmes's manner. He had lost his listless
expression, and again I saw an alert light of interest in his keen,
deep-set eyes. He raised the cork and examined it minutely.
"How did they draw it?" he asked.
Hopkins pointed to a half-opened drawer. In it lay some table
linen and a large cork-screw.
"Did Lady Brackenstall say that screw was used?"
"No; you remember that she was senseless at the moment when the
bottle was opened."
"Quite so. As a matter of fact that screw was NOT used.
This bottle was opened by a pocket-screw, probably contained
in a knife, and not more than an inch and a half long. If you
examine the top of the cork you will observe that the screw was
driven in three times before the cork was extracted. It has never
been transfixed. This long screw would have transfixed it and
drawn it with a single pull. When you catch this fellow you will
find that he has one of these multiplex knives in his possession."
"Excellent!" said Hopkins.
"But these glasses do puzzle me, I confess. Lady Brackenstall
actually SAW the three men drinking, did she not?"
"Yes; she was clear about that.
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