The Red Thumb Mark

feminine conversation," remarked Thorndyke when we met at the di

re is the catch cleaned an

hich I had entered such facts as I had been

e after your return, I suppose?" said Tho

seat in Kensington Gardens within fiv

"And now let us see wh

ck once or twice, and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted.

at his business and, in his leisure, a student of ancient and medieval art; possib

al candle that burns in Throgmorton Street; an expert photographer and a competent worker of the collotype process. Yo

e of them," I answered; "at least

so that I need not feel as if I ough

none the better opinion of you. I realise fully that your opinions and theories are t

ed to find you so discerning and sympathetic. The least I can do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pommard, and drink the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah! Praise the gods! here is Polton, like a sacrificial priest accompanied by a sweet savour of roasted flesh.

with pleasure until it was as full of li

t in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the fibre too much, and then I

on't know that it is a base use after all. Anyhow, Polton, open a bottle of Pommard and put a couple of ten

irs, sir?" inquired Polton,

ll have to," an

who evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine a

ate views on the case?" said Thorndyke, whe

repeated our conversation as

or it is essential that we show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard; and if to Scotland Yard, then to the whole

g, and was surprised to find that they accepted the position. But surely their busines

ed by the number of convictions he has secured, and an inducement is thus held out to him to obtain a conviction, if possible; but it is of a piece with legislative procedure in general. Lawyers are not engaged in academic discussions or in the pursuit of truth, but each is trying, by hook or by crook, to make out a particular case without regard t

t use your office

an office, and nearly all my business is transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, s

on-bound "oak"; and even as I did so the sound of footsteps came up from the stair

. Hornby, when I had done the honours of introduct

m, "you will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous impression. I merely mentioned that I had intr

way, my dear," said Mrs. Hornby,

l form of expression," said Thorndyke, with a momentary glance at the younger lady which covered he

ed, like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out into infinity. In the midst of this discourse Thorndyke placed cha

ag?" interrupted Miss Gibson, i

it is the fashion to have the pocket at the back. Still, I have often thought how easy it would be for a thief or a pickpocket or some other dreadful creature of that kind, don't you know, to make a snatch and-in fact, the thing has actually happened. Why, I knew a lady-Mrs. Moggridge, you know, Juliet-no, i

Thorndyke the 'Thumbograph

deliberation, to turn out its contents on to the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card-case, a visiting list, a packet of papier poudré, and wh

id in an impressive voice. "It was Gu

o the open bag and fished out a tiny parcel wra

t. He cut the thread and drew from its wrappings a little book bound in red cloth, with the word "Thumbo

olley. She is no connection of ours. You see it is a little smeared-she said Reuben jogged

ing the leaves of the book regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling comments; "a v

r something. A moment later I felt sure that he had found that something which he had sought, for, though he replaced the lens upon its nail with a quiet and composed air and made no remark,

may possibly put it in evidence, it would be a wise precaution for you and Miss Gibson to sign your names-as small as possible-on the pag

y began; but on Thorndyke's placing his fountain pen in her hand, she wrote her signa

necessary that it should be done now, as you are leaving the book in my possession; but the photograph will be

to my colleague's premises), and we accordingly proceeded to invade the set of rooms on th

a small woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metal work and a number of mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine; but I noticed that the entire place presented to the eye a m

and the flasks, retorts and other apparatus that were arranged on the bench, like ornaments on a drawing-room mantelpiece. On the opposite side of the room was a large, massivel

to our visitors while Polton was fixing the "T

it is not possible to lend one's skilled eye to a judge or juryman, so that it is often very convenient to be able to hand them a photograph in which the magnification is already done, which they can compare with the original. Small things, when magnified, dev

admitted tha

t this and you will find these unnoticed details forced upon your attention." As he spoke, he handed her a

ograph" having been fixed in position, the light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp, fitted wi

" inquired Miss Gibson, indicating the gr

raphed; when it points to, say, × 4, the photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while if it should point to, say, ÷ 4, the photograph

withdrew to a smaller room which was devoted to bacteriology and microscopical research, while the exposure was made and the plate developed. Here, after an inte

satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her vis

rs. Hornby and Thorndyke; "and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has made me realise that

doing, feel very strongly that he would not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable ti

won't you?" She looked in my face so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved; and, indeed,

ready ensconced in a hansom, I could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me, to see her ag

ir friend," Thorndyke remarked, as we strolled back tow

and easy to get o

to look upon withal. I suppose it would be super

y to cut out a man who is und

to the ophthalmic member. Have you ascertained what

I an

ind out," said Thorndyke; and