The Return of Sherlock Holmes Part 2 (2/2)
”It was the housekeeper, Mrs Lexington, who drew the night constable's attention to it”
”Where was the night constable?”
”He reuard in the bedroo was touched”
”But why didn't the police see this mark yesterday?”
”Well, we had no particular reason to make a careful examination of the hall Besides, it's not in a very prominent place, as you see”
”No, no--of course not I suppose there is no doubt that the mark was there yesterday?”
Lestrade looked at Hol out of his mind I confess that I was myself surprised both at his hilarious manner and at his rather wild observation
”I don't knohether you think that McFarlane cathen the evidence against himself,” said Lestrade ”I leave it to any expert in the world whether that is not the mark of his thumb”
”It is unquestionably the h,” said Lestrade ”I aotto say, you will find -rooh I still seeleams of amusement in his expression
”Dear me, this is a very sad developular points about it which hold out sohted to hear it,” said I, heartily ”I was afraid it was all up with hio so far as to say that, my dear Watson The fact is that there is one really serious flaw in this evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance”
”Indeed, Holmes! What is it?”
”Only this: that I KNOW that that mark was not there when I examined the hall yesterday And now, Watson, let us have a little stroll round in the sunshi+ne”
With a confused brain, but with a heart into which so, I accoarden Holmes took each face of the house in turn, and exareat interest He then led the way inside, and went over the whole building from basement to attic Most of the rooms were unfurnished, but none the less Holmes inspected them all minutely Finally, on the top corridor, which ran outside three untenanted bedrooain was seized with a spasm of merriment
”There are really some very unique features about this case, Watson,” said he ”I think it is time now that we took our friend Lestrade into our confidence He has had his little smile at our expense, and perhaps weof this problem proves to be correct Yes, yes, I think I see hoe should approach it”
The Scotland Yard inspector was still writing in the parlour when Hol a report of this case,” said he
”So I am”
”Don't you think itthat your evidence is not coard his words He laid down his pen and looked curiously at him
”What do you mean, Mr Holmes?”
”Only that there is an important witness whom you have not seen”
”Can you produce him?”
”I think I can”
”Then do so”
”I will do my best How many constables have you?”
”There are three within call”
”Excellent!” said Hole, able-bodied men with powerful voices?”
”I have no doubt they are, though I fail to see what their voices have to do with it”
”Perhaps I can help you to see that and one or two other things as well,” said Holmes ”Kindly summon your men, and I will try”
Five minutes later, three policemen had assembled in the hall
”In the outhouse you will find a considerable quantity of straw,” said Holmes ”I will ask you to carry in two bundles of it I think it will be of the greatest assistance in producing the witness whom I require Thank you very much I believe you have some matches in your pocket Watson Now, Mr Lestrade, I will ask you all to acco”
As I have said, there was a broad corridor there, which ran outside three empty bedrooms At one end of the corridor ere alland Lestrade staring ateach other across his features Holmes stood before us with the air of a conjurer who is perfor a trick
”Would you kindly send one of your constables for two buckets of water? Put the straw on the floor here, free from the wall on either side Now I think that we are all ready”
Lestrade's face had begun to grow red and angry ”I don't knohether you are playing a game with us, Mr Sherlock Hol, you can surely say it without all this toood Lestrade, that I have an excellent reason for everything that I do You may possibly reo, when the sun seee ht I ask you, Watson, to open that , and then to put a e of the straw?”
I did so, and driven by the draught a coil of gray smoke swirled down the corridor, while the dry straw crackled and flamed
”Noe ht I ask you all to join in the cry of `Fire!'? Now then; one, two, three----”
”Fire!” we all yelled
”Thank you I will trouble you once again”
”Fire!”
”Just once ether”
”Fire!” The shoutover Norwood
It had hardly died ahen an a happened A door suddenly flew open out of what appeared to be solid wall at the end of the corridor, and a little, wizened man darted out of it, like a rabbit out of its burrow
”Capital!” said Holmes, calmly ”Watson, a bucket of water over the straw That will do! Lestrade, allowwitness, Mr Jonas Oldacre”