ay you will find
me writing my report in the sitting-room."
holmes had recovered his equanimity, though i still seemed
to detect gleams of amusement in his expression.
"dear me, this is a very sad development, watson, is it not?"
said he. "and yet there are singular points about it which
hold out some hopes for our client."
"i am delighted to hear it," said i, heartily. "i was
afraid it was all up with him."
"i would hardly go 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 sunshine."
with a confused brain, but with a heart into which some
warmth of hope was returning, i accompanied my friend in a
walk round the garden. holmes took each face of the house
in turn and examined it with great interest. he then led
the way inside and went over the whole building from
basement to attics. 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 bedrooms, he again 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 we may do as
much by him if my reading of this problem proves to be
correct. yes, yes; i think i see how we should approach it."
the scotland yard inspector was still writing in the
parlour when holmes interrupted him.
"i understood that you were writing a report of this case,"
said he.
"so i am."
"don't you think it may be a little premature? i can't
help thinking that your evidence is not complete."
lestrade knew my friend too well to disregard 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 holmes. "may i ask if they are all
large, 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
accompany me to the top landing."
as i have said, there was a broad corridor there, which ran
outside three empty bedrooms. at one end of the corridor
we were all marshalled by sherlock holmes, the constables
grinning and lestrade staring at my friend with amazement,
expectation, and derision chasing each other across his
features. holmes stood before us with the air of a
conjurer who is performing 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 know whether you are playing a game with us, mr.
sherlock holmes," said he. "if you know anything, you can
surely say it without all this tomfoolery."
"i assure you, my good lestrade, that i have an excellent
reason for everything that i do. you may possibly remember
that you chaffed me a little some hours ago, when the sun
seemed on your side of the hedge, so you must not grudge me
a little pomp and ceremony now. might i ask you, watson,
to open that window, and then to put a match to the edge of
the straw?"
i did so, and, driven by the draught, a coil of grey smoke
swirled down the corridor, while the dry straw crackled and
flamed.
"now we must see if we can find this witness for you,
lestrade. might 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 more, gentlemen, and all together."
"fire!" the shout must have rung over norwood.
it had hardly died away when an amazing thing happened.
a door suddenly flew open out of what appeared to be solid
wall at the end of the corridor, and a little, wizened m
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