 Preface to The Red Thumb Mark. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman. Preface. In writing the following story, the author has had in view no purpose other than that of affording entertainment to such readers as are interested in problems of crime and their solutions, and the story itself differs in no respect from others of its class, accepting in that an effort has been made to keep within the probabilities of ordinary life, both in the characters and in the incidents. Nevertheless, it may happen that the book may serve a useful purpose in drawing attention to certain popular misapprehensions on the subject of fingerprints and their evidential value. Misapprehensions, to the extent of which may be judged when we learn from the newspapers that several continental commercial houses have actually substituted fingerprints for signed initials. The facts and figures contained in Mr. Singleton's evidence, including the very liberal estimate of the population of the globe, are of course taken from Mr. Gowton's great and important work on fingerprints, to which the reader who is interested in the subject is referred for much curious and valuable information. In conclusion, the author desires to express his thanks to his friend Mr. Bernard E. Bishop for the assistance rendered to him in certain photographic experiments, and to those officers of the Central Criminal Court who very kindly furnished him with details of the procedure in criminal trials. End of Preface. The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman. Chapter 1. My Learned Brother. Confrugratum Anno. 1677. Rabricatum Anno. 1698. Riccardo Paolo Armazer Sassore. The words, set in four panels, which formed a frieze beneath the pediment of a fine brick portico, summarized the history of one of the tall houses at the upper end of King's Bench Walk, and as I, somewhat absently, read over the inscription, my attention was divided between admiration of the exquisitely finished carved brickwork and the quiet dignity of the building, and an effort to re-constitute the dead and gone Richard Paolo in the stirring times in which he played his part. I was about to turn away when the empty frame of the portico became occupied by a figure, and one so appropriate, and its wig and obsolete habiliments to the old world surroundings that it seemed to complete the picture, and I lingered idly to look at it. The barrister had halted in the doorway to turn over a sheaf of papers that he held in his hand, and, as he replaced the red tape which bound them together, I looked up and our eyes met. For a moment we regarded one another with the incurious gaze the casual strangers bestow on one another. Then there was a flash of mutual recognition. The impassive and rather severe face of the lawyer softened into a genial smile, and the figure, detaching itself from its frame, came down the steps with a hand extended and cordial greeting. My dear Jervis, he exclaimed, as we clapped his hands warmly. This is a great and delightful surprise how often have I thought of my old comrade and wondered if I should ever see him again, and lo, here he is, thrown up on the sounding beach of the inner temple like the proverbial bread cast upon the waters. Your surprise, Thorndike, is nothing to mine. I replied, your bread has at least returned as bread, whereas I am in the position of a man, who, having cast his bread upon the waters, sees it returned on the form of a buttered muffin or a bath bun. I left the respectable medical practitioner, and I find him transformed into a bewigdant, begound limb of the law. Thorndike laughed at the comparison. I can not show old friend unto a bath bun, said he. Rather, that you left him a chrysalis and came back to find him a butterfly. But the change is not so great as you think. Hippocrates is only hiding under the gown of Solvon, as you will understand when I explain my metamorphosis, and that I will do this very evening, if you have no engagement. I am one of the unemployed at present, I said, and quite at your service. Then come round to my chambers at seven, said Thorndike, and we will have a chop and a pint of quarry together, and exchange autobiographies. I am due in court in a few minutes. Do you reside within that noble old portico, I asked? No, replied Thorndike. I often wish I did. It would add several inches to one in statute of feel that the mouth of one's burrow was graced with a latin inscription for admiring strangers to ponder over. No, my chambers are of some doors further down. No. 6A. He turned to point out the house as we crossed towards Crown Office Row. At the top of Middle Temple Lane we parted, Thorndike taking his way with fluttering gown towards the law courts, while I directed my steps westward towards Adam Street, the chosen haunt of the medical agent. The soft voice bellow of the temple clock was telling out the hour of seven and muffled accents, as though it apologized for breaking the studio's silence as I emerged from the archway of Mitre Court and returned into King's Bench Walk. Paved footway was empty save for a single figure, pacing slowly before the doorway of No. 6A, in which, though the wig had now given place to a felt hat and the gown to a jacket, I had no difficulty in recognizing my old friend. Punctual to the moment, as of old, said he, meeting me halfway. What a blessed virtue is punctuality, even in small things. I have just been taking the air in the fountain court, and will now introduce you to my chambers. Here is my humble retreat. We passed him through the common entrance and ascended stone stairs to find the first floor, where we were confronted by a massive door above which my friend's name was written in white letters. Rather a forbidding exterior, marked Thorndike, as he inserted the latch key, but it is homely enough inside. The heavy door swung outwards and disclosed a beige covered inner door, which Thorndike pushed open and held for me to pass in. You will find my chambers an odd mixture, said Thorndike, for they combined the attractions of an office, a museum, a laboratory, and a workshop. And a restaurant, out of the small elderly man who is decanting a bottle of Choré by means of a glass siphon. You forget that, sir. Yes, I forgot that, Polton, said Thorndike, but I see you have not. He glanced toward a small table that had been placed near the fire and set out with the requisites for our meal. Tell me, said Thorndike, as we made the initial onslaught on the products of Polton's culinary experiments, what has been happening to you since you left the hospital six years ago? My story is soon told, I answered somewhat bitterly. It is not an uncommon one. My funds ran out, as you know, rather unexpectedly. When I had paid my examination and registration fees, the coffer was absolutely empty, and though, no doubt, a medical diploma contains, to use Johnson's phrase, the potentiality of wealth beyond the dreams of avarice, there is a vast difference in the practice between the potential and the actual. I have, in fact, been earning a subsistence, sometimes as an assistant, sometimes as a locomtenance. Just now I've got no work to do, and so I have entered my name on Terceful's list of eligible. Thorndike pursed his lips and frowned. It's a wicked shame, Jervis, said he presently, that a man of your abilities and scientific acquirements should be frittering away his time on odd jobs like some half-qualified waste drill. It is, I agreed. My merits are grossly undervalued by a stiff-necked and obtuse generation. But what would you have, my learned brother, if poverty steps behind you and claps the occulting bushel over your thirty-thousand candle-powered luminary? Your brilliance is apt to be obscured. Yes, I suppose that is so, grunted Thorndike, and he remained for a time in deep thought. And now, said I, let us have your promised explanation. I am positively frizzling with curiosity to know what chain of circumstances has converted John Evelyn Thorndike from a medical practitioner into a luminary of the law. Thorndike smiled indulgently. The fact is, he said, that no such transformation has occurred. John Evelyn Thorndike is still a medical practitioner. What, in a wig and gown, I exclaimed? Yes, a mere sheep and wolf's clothing, he replied. I will tell you how it has come about. After you left the hospital six years ago, I stayed on, taking up any small appointments that were going, assistant demonstrator or curatorship and such like, hung about the chemical and physical laboratories, the museum and post mortem room, and meanwhile took my MD and DS. Then I got called to the bar in hope of getting a coronership. But soon after this, old Stedman retired unexpectedly. You remember Stedman, the lecturer on medical jurisprudence? And I put in for the vacant post. Rather to my surprise, I was appointed lecturer, whereupon I dismissed the coronership from my mind, took my present chambers and sat down to wait for anything that might come. And what has come, I asked. Why, a very curious assortment of miscellaneous practice, he replied. At first I only got an occasional analysis and a doubtful poisoning case, but by degrees my sphere of influence has extended until it now includes all cases in which a special knowledge of medicine or physical science can be brought to bear upon law. But you plead in court, I observe, said I. Very seldom, he replied. More usually I appear in the character of that bait and whore of judges and counsel, a scientific witness. But in most instances, I do not appear at all. I merely direct investigations, arrange and analyze the results, and prime the counsel with facts and suggestions for cross-examination. A good deal more interesting than acting is an understudy for an absent GP, said I, a little enviously. But you deserve to succeed, for you are always a deusive worker to say nothing of your capabilities. Yes, I worked hard, replied Thorndike, and I work hard still. But I have my hours of labor and my hours of leisure, unlike you poor devils of general practitioners who are liable to be dragged away from the dinner table aroused out of your first sleep by... Confound it all, who can that be? For at this moment, as a sort of commentary on his self-congratulation, there came a smart wrapping at the outer door. Must see who it is, I suppose, he continued, though one expects people to accept the hint of a closed oak. He strode across the room and flung open the door with an air of by no means gracious inquiry. It's rather late for a business call, said an apologetic voice outside, but my client was anxious to see you without delay. Come in, Mr. Lawley, said Thorndike, rather stiffly, and, as he held the door open, the two visitors entered. They were both men, one middle-aged, rather foxy in appearance, and of a typical legal aspect, and the other of a fine, handsome young fellow of a very prepossessing exterior, the present rather pale and wild-looking, and evidently in a state of profound agitation. I'm afraid, said the latter, with a glance at me and the dinner table, that our visit, for which I am alone responsible, is the most unseasonable one. If we are really inconveniencing you, Dr. Thorndike, pray tell us, and my business must wait. Thorndike cast a keen and curious glance at the young man, and he now replied in a much more genial tone. I take it that your business is of a kind that will not wait, and as to inconveniencing us, why my friend and I are both doctors, and, as you are aware, no doctor expects to call any part of the twenty-four hours his own unreservedly. I had risen on the entrance of the two strangers, and now proposed to take a walk on the embankment and return later, but the young man interrupted me. Pray don't go away on my account, he said, but the fact that I am about to lay before Dr. Thorndike will be known to all the world by this time tomorrow, so there is no occasion for any show of secrecy. In that case, said Thorndike, we'll just draw our chairs up to the fire, and fault the business forthwith. We had just finished our dinner, and were waiting for the coffee, which I hear my man bringing down at this moment. We accordingly drew up our chairs, and when Poulton had set the coffee on the table and retired, the lawyer plunged into the matter without preamble. End of Chapter One. Recording by Chelsea Baker. The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman The Suspect I had better," said he, give you a general outline of the case as it presents itself to the legal mind, and then my client, Mr. Reuben Hornby, can fill in the details if necessary, and answer any questions that you may wish to put to him. Mr. Reuben occupies a position of trust in the business of his uncle, John Hornby, who is a gold and silver refiner, and dealer in precious metals generally. There is a certain amount of outside assay work carried on in the establishment, but the main business consists in the testing and refining of samples of gold sent from certain mines in South Africa. About five years ago Mr. Reuben and his cousin Walter, another nephew of John Hornby, left school, and both were artichored to their uncle, with the view to their ultimately becoming partners in the house, and they have remained with him ever since, occupying, as I have said, positions of considerable responsibility. And now, for a few words as to how business is conducted in Mr. Hornby's establishment. The samples of gold are handed over at the docks to some accredited representative of the firm, generally either Mr. Reuben or Mr. Walter, who has been dispatched to meet the ship and conveyed either to the bank or to the works according to circumstances. Of course every effort is made to have as little gold as possible in the premises, and the bars are always removed to the bank at the earliest opportunity, but it happens unavoidably that samples of considerable value have often to remain on the premises all night, and so the works are furnished with a large and powerful safe or strong room for their reception. This safe is situated in the private office under the eye of the principal, and as an additional precaution the caretaker, who acts as a night watchman, occupies a room directly over the office and patrols the building periodically through the night. Now a very strange thing has occurred with regard to this safe. It happens that one of Mr. Hornby's customers in South Africa is interested in a diamond mind, and although transactions in precious stones form no part of the business of the house, he has, from time to time, sent parcels of rough diamonds addressed to Mr. Hornby to be either deposited in the bank or handed on to the diamond brokers. A fortnight ago Mr. Hornby was advised that a parcel of stones had been dispatched by the Elimna Castle, and it appeared that the parcel was an unusually large one and contained stones of exceptional size and value. Under these circumstances Mr. Reuben was sent down to the docks at an early hour in the hope the ship might arrive in time for the stones to be lodged in the bank at once. Unfortunately, however, this was not the case, and the diamonds had to be taken to the works and locked up in the safe. Who placed them in the safe? asked Thorndike. Mr. Hornby himself, to whom Mr. Reuben delivered up the package on his return from the docks. Yes, said Thorndike, and what happened next? Well, on the following morning when the safe was opened the diamonds had disappeared. Had the place been broken into? asked Thorndike. No, the place was all locked up as usual, and the caretaker, who had made his accustomed rounds, had heard nothing, and the safe was outwardly quite undisturbed. It had evidently been opened with keys, and locked again after the stones were removed. And in whose custody were the keys of the safe? inquired Thorndike. Mr. Hornby usually kept the keys himself, but on occasions when he was absent from the office he handed them over to one of his nephews, whichever happened to be in charge at the time. But on this occasion the keys did not go out of his custody from the time when he locked up the safe after depositing the diamonds in it, to the time when it was opened by him on the following morning. And was there anything that tended to throw suspicion upon anyone? asked Thorndike. Why, yes, said Mr. Lawley with an uncomfortable glance at his client. Unfortunately there was. It seemed that the person who abstracted the diamonds must have cut or scratched his thumb or finger in some way, for there were two drops of blood on the bottom of the safe, and one or two bloody smears on a piece of paper, and in addition a remarkably clear imprint of a thumb. Also in blood? asked Thorndike. Yes, the thumb had apparently been put down on one of the drops, and then, while still wet with blood, had been pressed on the paper in taking hold of it, or otherwise. Well, and what next? Well, said the lawyer, fidgeting in his chair. To make a long story short, the thumb-print has been identified as that of Mr. Ruben Hornby. Huh! exclaimed Thorndike. The plot thickens with a vengeance. I had better jot down a few notes before you proceed any further. He took from a drawer a small paper-covered note-book, on the cover of which he wrote, Ruben Hornby, and then, laying the book on a blotting-pad, which he rested on his knee, he made a few brief notes. Now, he said, when he had finished. With reference to this thumb-print, there is no doubt I suppose as to the identification. None whatever, replied Mr. Lawley. The Scotland-yard people, of course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director of the Fingerprint Department for examination and comparison with those in their collection. The report of the experts is that the thumb-print does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their possession. That it is a very peculiar one, in as much as the ridge-pattern of the bulb of the thumb, which is a remarkably distinct and characteristic one, is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering identification easy and infallible. That it agrees, in every respect, with the thumb-print of Mr. Ruben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print beyond any possible doubt. Is there any possibility, asked Thorndike, that the paper bearing the thumb-print could have been introduced by any person? No, answered the lawyer. It is quite impossible. The paper in which the mark was found was a leaf from Mr. Hornby's memorandum block. He had penciled on it some particulars relating to the diamonds, and laid it on the parcel before he closed up the safe. Was any one present when Mr. Hornby opened the safe in the morning? asked Thorndike. No, he was alone, answered the lawyer. He saw at a glance that the diamonds were missing, and then he observed the paper with the thumb-mark on it, on which he closed and locked the safe and sent for the police. Is it not rather odd that the thief did not notice the thumb-mark, since it was so distinct and conspicuous? No, I think not, answered Mr. Lawley. The paper was lying face downwards on the bottom of the safe, and it was only when he picked it up and turned it over that Mr. Hornby discovered the thumb-print. Apparently the thief had taken hold of the parcel, with the paper on it, and the paper had afterwards dropped off and fallen with the mark surfaced downwards, probably when the parcel was transferred to the other hand. You mentioned, said Thorndike, that the experts at Scotland Yard have identified this thumb-mark as that of Mr. Reuben Hornby. May I ask how they came to have the opportunity of making the comparison? Ah! said Mr. Lawley, thereby hangs a very curious tale of coincidences. The police, of course, when they found that there were so simple a means of identification as a thumb-mark, wished to take thumb-prints from all the employees in the works. But this Mr. Hornby refused to sanction, rather quixotically, as it seems to me saying that he would not allow his nephews to be subjected to such an indignity. Now it was, naturally, these nephews in whom the police were chiefly interested, seeing that they alone had had the handling of the keys, and considerable pressure was brought to bear upon Mr. Hornby to have the thumb-prints taken. However, he was obdurate, scouting the idea of any suspicion attaching to either of the gentlemen in whom he had reposed such complete confidence, and whom he had known all their lives, and so the matter would probably have remained a mystery, but for a very odd circumstance. You may have seen on the bookstores and in-shop windows an appliance called a thumbograph, or some such name, consisting of a small book of blank paper for collecting the thumb-prints of one's friends, together with an inking-pad. I have seen those devices of the evil one," said Thorndike. In fact I have one, which I bought at Charing Cross Station. Well, it seems that some months ago Mrs. Hornby, the wife of John Hornby, purchased one of these toys. As a matter of fact—interrupted Reuben—it was my cousin Walter who bought the thing and gave it to her. Well, that is not material, said Mr. Lawley, though I observed that Thorndike made a note of the fact in his book. At any rate Mrs. Hornby became possessed of one of these appliances and proceeded to fill it with the thumb-prints of her friends, including her two nephews. Now it happened that the detective in charge of this case called yesterday at Mr. Hornby's house when the latter was absent from home, and took the opportunity of urging her to induce her husband to consent to have the thumb-prints of her nephews taken for the inspection of the experts at Scotland Yard. He pointed out that the procedure was really necessary, not only in the interests of justice, but in the interests of the young men themselves, who were regarded with considerable suspicion by the police, which suspicion would be completely removed if it could be shown by actual comparison, that the thumb-print could not have been made by either of them. Moreover it seems that both the young men had expressed their willingness to have the test applied, but had been forbidden by their uncle. Then Mrs. Hornby had a brilliant idea. She suddenly remembered the thumb-graph, and thinking to set the question at rest once for all, fetched the little book and showed it to the detective. It contained the prints of both thumbs of Mr. Reuben, among others, and as the detective had with him a photograph of the incriminating mark the comparison was made then and there. And you may imagine Mrs. Hornby's horror and amazement, when it was made clear that the print of her nephew Reuben's left thumb corresponded in every particular with the thumb-print that was found in the safe. At this juncture Mr. Hornby arrived on the scene, and was, of course, overwhelmed with consternation at the turn events had taken. He would have liked to let the matter drop and make good the loss of the diamonds out of his own funds, but as that would have amounted practically to compounding a felony he had no choice but to prosecute. As a result a warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Reuben, and was executed this morning, and my client was taken forthwith to Bale Street in charge with the robbery. Was any evidence taken? asked Thorndike. No, only evidence of arrest. The prisoner is remanded for a week, Bale having been accepted in two sureties of five hundred pounds each. Thorndike was silent for a space after the conclusion of the narrative. Unlike me he was evidently not agreeably impressed by the lawyer's manner, which seemed to take his client's guilt for granted, a position indeed not entirely without excuse having regard to the circumstances of the case. What have you advised your client to do, Thorndike asked presently? I have recommended him to plead guilty and throw himself on the clemency of the court as a first offender. You must see for yourself that there is no defence possible. The young man flushed crimson but made no remark. But let us be clear how we stand, said Thorndike. Are we defending an innocent man, or are we endeavouring to obtain a light sentence for a man who admits that he is guilty? Mr. Lawley shrugged his shoulders. That question can be best answered by our client himself, said he. Thorndike directed an inquiring glance at Reuben Hornby, remarking, You are not called upon to incriminate yourself in any way, Mr. Hornby, but I must know what position you intend to adopt. Here I again propose to withdraw, but Reuben interrupted me. There is no need for you to go away, Dr. Jervis, he said. My position is that I did not commit this robbery, and that I know nothing whatever about it, or about the thumbprint that was found in the safe. I do not, of course, expect you to believe me in the face of the overwhelming evidence against me, but I do nevertheless declare in the most solemn manner before God that I am absolutely innocent of this crime and have no knowledge of it whatever. Then I take it that you did not plead guilty, said Thorndike. Certainly not, and I never will, replied Reuben hotly. You would not be the first innocent man by very many who has entered that plea, remarked Mr. Lawley. It is often the best policy when the defence is hopelessly weak. It is a policy that will not be adopted by me, rejoined Reuben. I may be and probably shall be convicted and sentenced, but I shall continue to maintain my innocence whatever happens. Do you think, he added, turning to Thorndike, that you can undertake my defence on that assumption? It is the only assumption on which I should agree to undertake the case, replied Thorndike. And if I may ask the question, pursued Reuben anxiously, do you find it possible to conceive that I may really be innocent? Certainly I do, Thorndike replied, on which I observed Mr. Lawley's eyebrows rise perceptibly. I am a man of facts, not an advocate, and if I found it impossible to entertain the hypothesis of your innocence, I should not be willing to expend time and energy in searching for evidence to prove it. Nevertheless, he continued, seeing the light of hope break out on the face of the unfortunate young man, I must impress upon you that the case presents enormous difficulties and that we must be prepared to find them insufferable in spite of all our efforts. I expect nothing but a conviction," replied Reuben in a calm and resolute voice, and can face it like a man, if only you do not take my guilt for granted, but give me a chance, no matter how small, of making it a fence. Everything shall be done that I am capable of doing," said Thorndike, that I can promise you. The long odds against us are themselves a spur to endeavour, as far as I am concerned, and now let me ask you, have you any cuts or scratches on your fingers? Reuben Hornby held out both his hands for my colleague's inspection, and I noticed that they were powerful and shapely, like the hands of a skilled craftsman, though faultlessly kept. Thorndike set on the table a large condenser, such as is used for microscopic work, and taking his client's hand brought the bright spot of light to bear on each finger in succession, examining their tips and the parts around the nails with the aid of a pocket-lens. A fine, capable hand, this," said he, regarding the member approvingly, as he finished his examination. But I don't perceive any traces of a scar on either the right or left. Will you go over them, Jebus? The robbery took place a fortnight ago, so there has been time for a small cut or scratch to heal and disappear entirely. Still, the matter is worth noting. He handed me the lens, and I scrutinised every part of each hand without being able to detect the faintest trace of any recent wound. There is one matter that must be attended to before you go," said Thorndike, pressing the electric bell-push by his chair. I will take one or two prints of the left thumb for my own information. In response to the summons, Polton made his appearance from some layer unknown to me, but presumably the laboratory, and having received his instructions, retired and presently returned carrying a box which he laid on the table. From this receptacle Thorndike drew forth a bright copper plate mounted on a slab of hardwood, a small printer's roller, a tube of fingerprint ink, and a number of cards with very white and rather glazed surfaces. Now Mr. Hornby, said he, your hands I see are beyond criticism as to cleanliness, but we will nevertheless give the thumb a final polish. Accordingly he proceeded to brush the bulb of the thumb with a well-soaked badger hair nail brush, and having rinsed it in water, dried it with a silk handkerchief, and gave it a final rub on a piece of chamois leather. The thumb having been thus prepared, he squeezed out a drop of the thick ink onto the copper plate and spread it out with a roller, testing the condition of the film from time to time by touching the plate with the tip of his finger and taking an impression on one of the cards. When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took Ruben's hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly onto the inked plate, then transferring the thumb to one of the cards which he directed me to hold steady on the table. For example, he repeated the pressure when there was left on the card a beautifully sharp and clear impression of the bulb of the thumb, the tiny papillary ridges being shown with microscopic distinctness, and even the mouths of the sweat glands which appeared as rows of little white dots on the black lines of the ridges. This manoeuvre was repeated a dozen times on two of the cards, each of which thus received six impressions. Thorndike then took one or two rolled prints, therefore prints produced by rolling the thumb first on the inked slab and then on the card, by which means a much larger portion of the surface of the thumb was displayed in a single print. And now, said Thorndike, that we may be furnished with all the necessary means of comparison, we will take an impression in blood. The thumb was accordingly cleansed and dried afresh, when Thorndike, having pricked his own thumb with a needle, squeezed out a good-sized drop of blood onto a card. There, said he, with a smile, as he spread the drop out with the needle into a little shallow pool, it is not every lawyer who is willing to shed his blood in the interests of his client. He proceeded to make a dozen prints as before on two cards, writing a number with his pencil opposite each print as he made it. We are now, said he, as he finally cleansed his client's thumb, furnished with the material for a preliminary investigation, and if you will now give me your address, Mr. Hornby, we may consider our business concluded for the present. I must apologise to you, Mr. Lawley, for having detained you so long with these experiments. The lawyer had, in fact, been viewing the proceedings with hardly concealed impatience, and he now rose with evident relief that they were at an end. I have been highly interested, he said mendaciously, though I confess I do not quite fathom your intentions, and, by the way, I should like to have a few words with you on another matter, if Mr. Reuben would not mind waiting for me in the square just a few minutes. Not at all, said Reuben, who was, I perceived, in no way deceived by the lawyer's pretence. Don't hurry on my account, my time is my own, at present. He held out his hand to Thorndike, who grasped it courteously. Good-bye, Mr. Hornby," said the latter. Do not be unreasonably sanguine, but at the same time do not lose heart. Keep your wits about you and let me know at once if anything occurs to you that may have a bearing on the case. The young man then took his leave, and as the door closed after him, Mr. Lawley turned towards Thorndike. I thought I had better have a word with you alone, he said. Just to hear what line you propose to take up, for I confess that your attitude has puzzled me completely. What line would you propose? asked Thorndike. Well, said the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoulders. The position seems to be this. Our young friend has stolen a parcel of diamonds, and has been found out. At least that is how the matter presents itself to me. That is not how it presents itself to me, said Thorndike dryly. He may have taken the diamonds, or he may not. I have no means of judging until I have sifted the evidence and acquired a few more facts. This I hope to do in the course of the next day or two, and I suggest that we postpone the consideration of our plan of campaign until I have seen what line of defence it is possible to adopt. As you will," replied the lawyer, taking up his hat, but I am afraid you are encouraging the young rogue to entertain hopes that will only make his fall the harder, to say nothing of our own position. We don't want to make ourselves ridiculous in the court, you know. I don't, certainly, agreed Thorndike. However, I will look into the matter and communicate with you in the course of a day or two. He stood holding the door open as the lawyer descended the stairs, and when the footsteps at length died away he closed it sharply and turned to me with an air of annoyance. The young rogue, he remarked, does not appear to me to have been very happy in his choice of a solicitor. By the way, Jebus, I understand you are out of employment just now. That is so," I answered. Would you care to help me, as a matter of business, of course, to work up this case? I have a lot of other work on hand, and your assistance would be of great value to me. I said, with great truth, that I should be delighted. Then, said Thorndike, come round to breakfast to-morrow, and we will settle the terms, and you can commence your duties at once. And now, let us light up our pipes and finish our yarns, as though agitated clients and thick-headed solicitors had no existence. When I arrived at Thorndike's chambers on the following morning, I found my friend already hard at work. Breakfast was laid at one end of the table, what the other stood a microscope of the pattern used for examining plate cultures of microorganisms, on the wide stage of which was one of the cards bearing six thumbprints and blood, a condenser through a bright light, and a red thumb mark. I remember, as, in response to a double ring of the electric bell, Holton entered with the materials for our past. Yes, answered Thorndike. I have opened the campaign, supported, as usual, by my trusty chief of staff, A. Pultlund, who is now a member of Thorndike's team. In response to a double ring of the electric bell, Holton entered with the materials for our past. Yes, answered Thorndike. I have opened the campaign, supported, as usual, by my trusty chief of staff, A. Pultlund, the little man whose intellectual refined countenance and dignified bearing seemed oddly out of character with the tea tray that he carried, smiled proudly, and, with a glance of affection and admiration at my friend, replied, Yes, sir. We haven't been letting the grass grow under our feet. There's a beautiful negative washing upstairs and a bromide enlargement tube, which will be mounted and dried by the time you have finished your breakfast. A wonderful man that, Jervis, my friend observed as his assistant retired, looks like a rural dean or a chancery judge, and was obviously intended by nature to be a professor of physics, as an actual fact he was first a watchmaker, then a maker of optical instruments, and now he is a mechanical factitum to a medical jurist. He is my right hand, as Pultlund takes an idea before you have time to utter it, but you will make his more intimate acquaintance by and by. Where did you pick him up? I asked. He was an inpatient at the hospital when I first met him, miserably ill and broken, a victim of poverty and undeserved misfortune. I gave him one or two little jobs, and when I found what class of man he was, I took him permanently into my service. He is perfectly devoted to me, and his gratitude is as boundless as it is uncalled for. What are the photographs he was referring to? I asked. He is making an enlarged facsimile of one of the some prints on bromide paper in a negative of the same size, in case we want the print repeated. You evidently have some expectation of being able to help poor Hornby, said I, though I cannot imagine how you propose to go to work. To me his case seems as hopeless as one as it is possible to conceive. One doesn't like to condemn him, but yet his innocence seems almost unthinkable. It does certainly look like a hopeless case, Thorndike agreed, and I see no way out of it at present, but I make it a rule in all cases to proceed on the strictly classical lines of inductive inquiry. Collect facts, make hypotheses, test them and seek for verification, and I always endeavor to keep a perfectly open mind. Now, in the present case, assuming as we must, the robbery has actually taken place, there are four conceivable hypotheses. One, that the robbery was committed by Reuben Hornby. Two, that it was committed by Walter Hornby. Three, that it was committed by John Hornby. Or four, that it was committed by some other person or persons. The last hypothesis I propose to disregard for the present, then can find myself to the examination of the other three. You don't think it possible that Mr. Hornby could have stolen the diamonds out of his own safe, I explained. I inquire at present to know one theory of the matter, applied to Thorndike. I merely state the hypotheses. John Hornby had access to the diamonds, therefore it is possible that he stole them. But surely he was responsible to the owners, not in the absence of gross negligence, which the owners would have difficulty improving. You see, he is what is called a Gratuous Bailey. And in such a case, no responsibility for loss lies with the Bailey, unless there has been gross negligence. But the thumb mark, my dear fellow, I explained, how can you possibly get over that? I don't know that I can, answered Thorndike calmly, but I see you are taking the same view as the police, who persist in regarding a fingerprint is a kind of magical touchstone, a final proof beyond which inquiry need not go. Now, this is an entire mistake. A fingerprint is merely a fact, a very important and significant one I admit, but still a fact, which, like any other fact, requires to be weighed and measured with reference to its individual value. And what do you propose to do first? I shall first satisfy myself that the suspected thumbprint is identical in character without a Ruben Hornby, of which, however, I have very little doubt, for the fingerprint experts may be fairly trusted in their own speciality. And then, I shall collect fresh facts, in which I look to you for assistance, and, if we have finished breakfast, I may as well induct you into your new duties. He rose and rang the bell, and then, fetching from the office four small, paper-covered notebooks, lay them before me on the table. One of these books, said he, we will devote to data concerning Ruben Hornby. You will find out anything you can, anything, mind, no matter how trivial or apparently irrelevant, in any way connected with him, and entered into this book. He wrote on the cover Ruben Hornby, and passed the book to me. In this second book, you will, in like manner, enter anything that you can learn about Walter Hornby, and in this third book, data concerning John Hornby. As to the fourth book, you will keep that for stray facts connected with the case, but not coming under either of the other headings. And now, let us look at the product of Polton's industry. He took from his assistant's hand a photograph ten inches long by Eight Broad, done on glazed bromide paper, and mounted flatly on stiff card. It showed a great magnified facsimile of one of the thumb prints, in which all the minute details, such as the orifices of the sweat glands and trifling irregularities in the ridges, which, in the original, could be seen only with the aid of the lens, were plainly visible to the naked eye. Moreover, the entire print was covered by a network of fine black lines, by which it was divided into a multitude of small squares, each square being distinguished by a number. Excellent, Polton, said Thorndike approvingly. Most admirable enlargement. You see, Jervis, we have photographed the thumb print in contact with a numbered micrometer, divided into square twelfths of an inch. The magnification is eight diameters, so that the squares here are each two-thirds of an inch in diameter. I have a number of these micrometers of different scales, and I find them invaluable in examining checks, doubtful signatures, and such like. I see you have packed up the camera in the microscope, Polton. Have you put in the micrometer? Yes, sir, replied Polton. And the six-inch objective in the low-power eyepiece. Everything is in the case. And I have put special rapid plate into the dark slides in case the light should be bad. Then we will go forth and beard the Scotland yard lions in their den, so Thorndike putting on his hat and gloves. But surely, said I, you are not going to drag that great microscope to Scotland yard when you only want eight diameters. How much are you dissecting the microscope or some other portable instrument? We have a most delightful instrument of a dissecting type of Polton's own make. He shall show it to you. But I may have a need of a more powerful instrument, and here let me give you a word of warning. Whatever you may see me do, make no comments before the officials when you're seeking information, not giving it you understand. At this moment, the little brass knocker on the inner door, the outer oak being open, uttered a timid and apologetic rat tap. Who the deuce can that be, muttered Thorndike, replacing the microscope on the table. He strode across to the door and opened it somewhat brusquely, but immediately whisked his hat off, and I then perceived a lady standing on threshold. Dr. Thorndike, she inquired, as my colleague bowed, she continued, I ought to have written to ask for an appointment, but the matter is rather urgent. It concerns Mr. Ruben Hornby, and I only learned from him this morning that he had consulted you. Pray, come in, said Thorndike. Dr. Dervis and I were just sitting out for Scotland Yard on this very business. Let me present you to my colleague, who was working up the case with me. Our visitor, a tall, handsome girl of 20th-earth thereabouts, returned my bow and remarked with perfect self-possession. My name is Gibson, Miss Juliet Gibson. My business is of a very simple character, and need not detain you many minutes. She seated herself in the chair that Thorndike placed for her and continued in a brisk and business-like manner. I must tell you who I am in order to explain my visit to you. For the last six years, I have lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, although I am no relation to them. I first came to the house as a sort of companion to Mrs. Hornby. Though, as I was only 15 at the time, I need hardly say that my duties were not very onerous. In fact, I think Mrs. Hornby took me because I was an orphan without the proper means of getting a livelihood, and she had no children of her own. Three years ago, I came into a little fortune, which rendered me independent. But I had been so happy with my kind friends that I asked to be allowed to remain with them, and there have been ever since in the position of an adopted daughter. Naturally, I have seen a great deal over their nephews who spend a good part of their time at the house, and I need not tell you that the horrible charge against Ruben has fallen upon us like a thunderbolt. Now, what I have come to say to you is this. I do not believe that Ruben stole those diamonds. It is entirely out of character, with all my previous experience of him. I am convinced that he is innocent, and I am prepared to back my opinion. In what way? I still undyke. By supplying the sinners of war, replied Miss Gibson, I understand that legal advice and assistance involves considerable expense. I am afraid you were quite correctly informed, said Thorndyke. Well, Ruben's pecuniary resources are, I am sure, quite small, so it is necessary for his friends to support him, and I want you to promise me that nothing shall be left undone that might help to prove his innocence if I can make myself responsible for any cost that he is unable to meet. I should prefer, of course, not to appear in the matter if it could be avoided. Your friendship is of an imminently practical kind, Miss Gibson, said my colleague with a smile. As a matter of fact, the costs are no affair of mine. If the occasion rose for the exercise of your generosity, you would have to approach Mr. Ruben's solicitor through the medium of your garden, Mr. Horneby, and with the consent of the accused. But I do not suppose the occasion will rise, although I am very glad you called, as you may be able to give us valuable assistance in other ways. For example, you might answer one or two apparently impertinent questions. I should not consider any question impertinent that you considered necessary to ask a visitor required. Then, said Thordak, I will venture to inquire if any special relations exist between you and Mr. Ruben. You look for the inevitable motive in a woman, said Miss Gibson, laughing and flushing a little. No, there have been no tender passages between Ruben and me. We are merely old and intimate friends. In fact, there is what I may call a tendency in another direction, Walter Horneby. Do you mean that you are engaged, Mr. Walter? Oh, no, she replied, but he has asked me to marry him. He has asked me, in fact, more than once, and I really believe that he has a sincere attachment to me. She made this latter statement with an odd air, as though the thing asserted were curious and rather incredible, and the tone was evidently noticed by Thordak as well as me, for he were rejoined. Of course he has, why not? Well, you see, replied Miss Gibson, I have some six hundred a year of my own, and should not be considered a bad match for a young man like Walter, who has neither property nor expectations, and one naturally takes that into account, but still, as I have said, I believe he is quite sincere in his professions, and not merely attracted by my money. I do not find your opinion at all incredible, so Thordak with a smile, even if Mr. Walter were quite a mercenary young man, which I take it he is not. Miss Gibson flushed very prettily, as she replied. O prey, do not trouble to pay me compliments. I assure you I am by no means insensible of my merits, but with regard to Walter Hornby, I should be sorry to apply the term mercenary to him, and yet, well, I have never met a young man who showed a stronger appreciation of the value of money. He means to succeed in life, and I have no doubt he will. And do I understand that you refused him? Yes, my feelings toward him are quite friendly, but not of such a nature to allow me to contemplate marrying him. And now, to return for a moment to Mr. Rubin, you have known him for some years. I have known him intimately for six years, replied Miss Gibson. And what sort of character do you give him? Speaking from my own observation of him, she replied, I can say that I have never known him to tell an untruth or do a dishonorable deed. As to theft, it is merely ridiculous. His habits have always been inexpensive and frugal. He is unambitious to a fault, and in respect to the main chance, his indifference is as conspicuous as Walter's keenness. He is a generous man, too, although careful and industrious. Thank you, Miss Gibson. So, Dordek, we shall apply to you for further information as the case progresses. I am sure that you will help us if you can, and that you can help us if you will, with your clear head and your admirable frankness. If you will leave us your card, Dr. Drubis and I will keep you informed of our prospects and ask for your assistance whenever we need it. After our fare visitor had departed, Dordek stood for a moment or more, gazing dreamily into the fire. Then, with a quick glance at his watch, he resumed his hat and, catching up the microscope, handed the camera case to me and made for the door. How time goes, he exclaimed, as we descended the stairs, but it hasn't been wasted, Drubis, hey? No, I suppose not, and so tentatively. You suppose not, he replied, while here is as pretty a little problem as you could desire. What would be called in the jargon of the novels, the psychological problem, and it is your business to work it out, too? You mean as to Miss Gibson's relations with these two young men, Dordek nodded. Is it any concern of ours, I asked? Certainly it is, he replied. Everything is a concern of ours at this preliminary stage. We are groping about for a clue and must let nothing pass unscrutinized. Well then, to begin with, she's not wildly infatuated with Walter Hornby, I should say. No, agreed Dordek, laughing softly, we may take it that the canny Walter has not inspired a grand passion. Then, I resumed, if I were a suitor for Miss Gibson's hand, I think I would sooner stand in Ruben's shoes than in Walter's. There again I am with you, so Dordek, go on. Well, I continued. A fair visitor conveyed to me the impression that her evident admiration of Ruben's character was tempered by something that she had heard from a third party. That expression of hers, speaking for my own observation, seemed to imply that her observations of him were not an entire agreement with somebody else's. Good man, exclaimed Dordek, slapping me on the back to the undisimpled surprise of the policeman whom we were passing. That is what I had hoped for in you, the capacity to perceive the essential underneath the obvious. Yes, somebody has been saying something about our client, and the thing that we have to find out is what it is that has been said and who has been saying it. We shall have to make a pretext for another interview with Miss Gibson. By the way, why didn't you ask her what she meant? I asked foolishly. Thorn-died grinned with my face. Why didn't you? He retorted. No, I rejoined. I suppose it is not politic to appear too discerning. Let me carry the microscope for a time. It is making your arm ache, I see. Thanks, he said, handing the case to me and rubbing his fingers. It is rather ponderous. I can't make out what you want with this great instrument, I said. A common pocket lens would do all that you require. Besides, a six inch objective will not magnify more than two or three diameters. Two, with the draw tube closed, applied thorn-died, and the low-power eyepiece brings it up to four. Poulton made them both for me for examining checks, banknotes, and other large objects. But you will understand when you see me use the instrument, and remember, you are to make no comments. We had by this time arrived at the entrance to Scotland Yard and were passing up the narrow thoroughfare and they encountered a uniformed official who halted and saluted my call. Ah, I thought we should see you here before long, Doctor. He said genially. I heard this morning that you have this thumb-print case in hand. Yes, replied Dorn-Dyke. I'm going to see what can be done for the defence. Well, said the officer as he ushered us into the building. You've given us a good many surprises, but you'll give us a bigger one if you can make anything of this. It's a foregone conclusion, I should say. My dear fellow, said Dorn-Dyke, there's no such thing. You mean that there is a prima facé case against the accused. Put it that way if you like, replied the officer with a sly smile. But I think you will find this about the hardest nut you've ever tried your teeth on, and they're pretty strong teeth too. I'll say that. You'd better come into Mr. Singleton's office. And he conducted us along a corridor and into a large, barely finished room where we found a sedate-looking gentleman seated at a large writing-table. How do you do, doctor? Said the latter, rising and holding out his hand. I can guess what you've come for. I want to see that thumb, Pernay. Quite right, answered Dorn-Dyke, and then, having introduced me, he continued. We were partners in the last game, but we were on opposite sides of the board this time. Yes, agreed Mr. Singleton, and we are going to give you checkmate. He unlocked a drawer and drew forth a small portfolio from which he extracted a piece of paper which he laid on the table. It appeared to be a sheet torn from a perforated memorandum block and bore the penciled inscription, handed in by Ruben at 7.30 p.m., 9.301, J.H. At the end was a dark, glossy bloodstain made by the following of a good-sized drop, and this was smeared slightly, apparently by a finger or thumb having been pressed onto it. Near to it were two or three smaller smears and a remarkably distinct and clear print of a thumb. Dorn-Dyke gazed intently at the paper for a minute or two, scrutinizing the thumbprint and the smears in turn, but making no remark while Mr. Singleton watched his impassive face with expectant curiosity. Not much difficulty in identifying that mark, the official at length observed. No, agreed Dorn-Dyke, it is an excellent impression and a very distinctive pattern, even without the scar. Yes, rejoined Mr. Singleton, that scar makes it absolutely conclusive. You have a print with you, I suppose. Yes, replied Dorn-Dyke, and he drew from a wide-flat pocket the enlarged photograph at the side of which Mr. Singleton's face broadened into a smile. You don't want to put on spectacles to look at that, you remarked. Not that you gain anything by so much enlargement, three diameters is ample for steadying the ridge patterns. I see you have divided it up into numbered squares, not a bad plan, but ours, or rather goutons, for we borrowed the method from him, is better for this purpose. He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph from print which appeared magnified to about four inches in length. The print was marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen, each figure being placed on an island, a loop, a bifurcation, or some other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge pattern. This system of marking with reference numbers, said Mr. Singleton, is better than your method of squares because the numbers are only placed at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares, or the intersections of the lines, fall arbitrarily on important or unimportant points according to chance. Besides, we can't let you mark our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph, which we'll do as well. I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently, said Thorndike. Certainly, replied Singleton, if you would rather have one of your own taking, I know you don't care to take anything on trust. And now I must get on with my work, if you'll excuse me. Inspector Johnson will give you any assistance you may require, and see that I don't pocket the original out of Thorndike with a smile the Inspector who had shown us in. Oh, I'll see to that. So the latter, gritting, and, as Mr. Singleton returned to his table, Thorndike unlocked the microscope case and drew forth the instrument. What? Are you going to put it under the microscope, exclaimed Mr. Singleton, looking around with a broad smile? Must do something for my fee, you know, replied Thorndike, as he set up the microscope and screwed on two extra objectives, the nosepiece. You observed that there is no deception. He added the Inspector, as he took the paper from Mr. Singleton's table and placed it between two slips of glass. I'm watching you, sir, replied the officer with the chuckle, and he did watch, with close attention and great interest, while Thorndike laid the glass slips on the microscope on the stage and proceeded to focus. I also watched, and was a good deal exercised in my mind by my colleagues' proceedings. After a preliminary glance with a six-inch glass, he swung around the nosepiece to the half-inch objective and slipped in a more powerful eyepiece, and with this power, he examined the bloodstains carefully and then moved the thumbprint into the field of vision, after looking at this for some time with deep attention. He drew from the case the tiny spirit lamp, which was evidently filled with an alcoholic solution of some sodium salt, for when he lit it, I recognized the characteristic yellow sodium flame. Then he replaced one of the objectives by a spectroscopic attachment and having placed the little lamp close to the microscope mirror, adjusted the spectroscope. Evidently, my friend was fixing the position of the D-line, the sodium line, and the spectrum. Having completed the adjustments, he now examined the fresh, the blood smears, and the thumbprint, both both transmitted and reflected light, and I observed him hurriedly draw one or two diagrams in his notebook. Then he replaced the spectroscope and lamped the case and brought forth the micrometer, a slip of rather thin glass about three inches by one and a half, which he laid over the thumbprint and places the upper plate of glass. Having secured it in position by the clips, he moved it about, comparing its appearance without of the lines on the large photograph, which he held in his hand. After a considerable amount of adjustment and readjustment, he appeared to be satisfied, for he remarked to me, I think I have got the lines in the same position as they are on our print. So, with the Inspector Johnson's assistant, we will take a photograph that we can examine at a leisure. He extracted the camera, a quarter plate instrument from its case and opened it. Then, having swung the microscope on its stand into a horizontal position, he produced from the camera case a slab of mahogany with three brass beads, in which he placed the camera and then brought the ladder to a level with the eyepiece of the microscope. The front of the camera was fitted with a short sleeve of thin black leather and into this the eyepiece and the microscope was now passed, leaving being secured around the barrel of the microscope by a stout into a rubber band, thus producing a completely light-tight connection. Everything was now ready for taking the photograph, the light from the window having been concentrated on the thumbprint by means of a condenser. Thorndike proceeded to focus the image on the ground glass screen with extreme care and then, slipping a small leather cap over the objective, introduced the dark slide and drew out the shutter. I will ask you to sit down quite still while I make the exposure, he said to me and the inspector, a very little vibration is enough to destroy the sharpness of the image. We seated ourselves accordingly and Thorndike then removed the cap, standing motionless, watch in hand while he exposed the first plate. We may as well take a second, in case this should not turn out quite perfect, he said as he replaced the cap and closed the shutter. He reversed the dark slide and made another exposure in the same way with a slip of plain glass, made two more exposures. There are two plates left, he remarked as he drew out the second dark slide, I think I will take a record of the blood stain on them. He accordingly made two more exposures, one of the larger blood stain and one of the smaller smears. There, he said, with an air of satisfaction as he proceeded to pack up what the inspector described as his box of tricks. I think we have all the data that we can squeeze out of Scott Oneyard to Mr. Singleton for giving so many facilities to your natural enemy, the council for the defense. Not our natural enemies, doctor, protested Mr. Singleton. We work for a conviction, of course, but we don't throw obstacles in the way of the defense. You know that perfectly well. Of course I do, my dear sir, quite Thorndike, shaking the official by the hand and having I benefited by your help a score of times, but I am greatly obliged all the same. Goodbye, doctor, I wish you luck, though I fear you will find it no go this time. We shall see, replied Thorndike, and with a friendly wave of a hand to the inspector, he caught up the two cases another way out of the building. End of Chapter 3, Recording by Chelsea Baker Chapter 4 of The Red Thumb Mark This is a LibriBox recording. All LibriBox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriBox.org The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman Chapter 4 Confidences During our walk home, my friend was unusually thoughtful and silent. In his face bore a look of concentration under which I thought I could detect in spite of his habitually impassive expression a certain suppressed excitement of a not entirely unpleasurable kind. I forbode, however, for making any remarks or asking questions. Not only because I saw that he was preoccupied, but also because, from my knowledge of the man, I judged that he would consider his duty to keep his own counsel and to make no unnecessary confidences even to me. On our arrival at his chambers, he immediately handed over the camera to Poulton with a few curt directions as to the development of the plate and, lunch being already prepared, we sat down at the table without delay. We had proceeded with our meal in silence for some time when Thorndike suddenly laid down his knife and fork and looked into my face with a smile of quiet amusement. It has just been born in the pond, Majorvis, said he, that you were the most companionable fellow in the world. You have the heaven-sent gift of silence. If silence is the test of companionability, I answered with a grin. I think I can pay you a similar compliment in even more emphatic terms. He laughed cheerfully and rejoined. You were pleased to be sarcastic, I observed, but I maintained my position. The capacity to preserve and opportune silence is the rarest and most precious of social accomplishments. Now most men would have applied me with questions and babbled comments on my proceedings at Scotland Yard, whereas you have allowed me to sort out without interruption massive evidence while it is still fresh and impressive to docket each item and stow it away in the pigeonholes of my brain. By the way, I have made a ridiculous oversight. What is that? I asked. The thumbograph. I never ascertained whether the police have it or whether it is still in the possession of Mrs. Hornby. Does it matter? I inquired. Not much. Only I must see it. And perhaps it will furnish an excellent pretext for you to call on Miss Gibson. As I am busy at the hospital this afternoon, and Poulton has his hands full, it would be a good plan for you to drop in at Endsley Gardens. That is the address, I think. And if you can see Miss Gibson, try to get a confidential chat with her and extend your knowledge of the manners and customs of the three Monchers Hornby. Put on your best bedside manner and keep your weather eye-lifting. And find out everything you can as to the characters and habits of those three gentlemen, regardless of any scruples of delicacy. Everything is of importance to us, even to the names of their tailors. And with regard to the thumbograph, find out who has it, and if it is still Mrs. Hornby's possession, get her to lend it to us or, what might perhaps be better, get her permission to take a photograph of it. It shall be done according to your word, said I. I will furbish up my exterior and this very afternoon make my first appearance in the character of Paul Pry. About an hour later, I found myself upon the doorstep of Mr. Hornby's house in Endsley Gardens, listening to the jangling of the bell that I had just set in motion. Miss Gibson, sir, repeated the parlor maid in response to my question. She was going out, but I am not sure whether she has gone yet. If you will step back, I will go and see. I followed her into the drawing room and, threading my way amongst the litter of small tables and miscellaneous furniture by which ladies nowadays convert their special domain into the semblance of a broker's shop, let go my anchor in the vicinity of the fireplace to await the parlor maid's report. I had not long to wait, for in less than a minute Miss Gibson herself entered the room. She wore her hat and gloves, and I congratulated myself on my timely arrival. I did not expect to see you again so soon, Dr. Jervis, she said, holding out her hand with a frank and friendly manner. But you were very welcome all the same. You have come to tell me something? On the contrary, I replied, I have come to ask you something. Well, that is better than nothing, she said with a shade of disappointment. Won't you sit down? I seated myself with caution on a dwarf chair of scruffulous aspect and opened my business without preamble. Do you remember a thing called a thumbograph? Indeed I do, she replied with energy. It was the cause of all this trouble. Do you know if the police took possession of it? The detective took it to Scotland Yard that the fingerprint experts might examine it and compare the two thumbprints. And they wanted to keep it, but Mrs. Hornby was so distressed at the idea of it being used as evidence that they let her have it back. You see, they really had no further need of it, as they could take a print for themselves in custody. In fact, he volunteered to have a print taken at once as soon as he was arrested, and that was done. So the thumbograph is now in Mrs. Hornby's possession. Yes, unless she destroyed it, she spoke of doing so. I hope she has not, said I, in some alarm. Her Dr. Thorndike is extremely anxious for some reason to examine it. Well, she will be down in a few minutes, and then we shall know. I told her you were here. None whatsoever, I replied. Dr. Thorndike is as close as an oyster. He treats me as he treats everyone else. He listens attentively, observes closely, and says nothing. It doesn't sound very agreeable, used Ms. Gibson, and yet he seemed very nice and sympathetic. He is very nice and sympathetic, I retorted with some emphasis, but he doesn't make himself agreeable by divulging his client's secrets. I suppose not, and I regard myself as very effectively snubbed. Said she, smiling, but evidently somewhat peaked by my not very tactful observation. I was hastening to repair my error with apologies and self-accusations when the door opened and an elderly lady entered the room. She was somewhat stout, amiable, and placid of mine, and impressed me to be entirely truthful, as looking rather foolish. Here is Mrs. Hornby, said Ms. Gibson, presenting me to her hostess, and she continued, I came to ask about the thermograph. You haven't destroyed it, I hope. No, my dear, replied Mrs. Hornby. I have it in my little bureau. What did Dr. Gervis want to know about it? Seeing that she was terrified, lest some new and dreadful surprise should be sprung upon her, I hastened to reassure her. My colleague, Dr. Thorndike, is anxious to examine it. He is directing your nephew's defense, you know. Yes, yes, said Mrs. Hornby. My dear, do you agree with her? Here I caught Ms. Gibson's eye, and which was the mischievous twinkle and noted a little deeper pink in her cheeks. Well, I answered dubiously. I have never considered my colleague in the capacity of a dear, but I have a very high opinion of him in every respect. That, no doubt, is the masculine equivalent, said Ms. Gibson, recovering from the momentary embarrassment that Mrs. Hornby's artless repetition of her phrase had produced. I think the feminine expression is more epigrammatic and comprehensive, but to return to the object of Dr. Dervis's visit, would you let him have the thermograph ant to show to Dr. Thorndike? Oh, my dear Juliet, replied Mrs. Hornby. I would do anything, anything, to help our poor boy. I will never believe that he could be guilty of theft, common vulgar theft. There has been some dreadful mistake. I am convinced there has. I assured them that Reuben could not have committed the robbery, and that they were totally mistaken in supposing him to be capable of such an action. But they would not listen to me, although I have known him since he was a little child, and ought to be able to judge if anyone is. Diamonds, too. Now I ask you, what could Reuben want with diamonds? And they were not even cut. Here, Mrs. Hornby, drew forth a lace-edge tanker-chief and mopped her eyes. I am sure Dr. Thorndike will be very much interested to see this little book of yours, said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her reflections. Oh, the thumbograph, she replied. Yes, I will let him have it with the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it. It makes one feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case. Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis? Those detective people actually wanted to keep it to bring up evidence against the poor boy. My thumbograph, mind you. But I put my foot down there, and they had to return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance from me, and their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair. Then perhaps, said Miss Gibson, you might give Dr. Jervis the thumbograph, and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndike. Of course I will, said Mrs. Hornby. Instantly, and you need not return it, Dr. Jervis, when you have finished with it, fling it into the fire. I wish never to see it again. But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's custody. And this I now proceeded to explain. I have no idea, I said. For what purpose Dr. Thorndike wishes to examine the thumbograph? But it occurs to me that he may desire to put it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not go out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to ask for your permission to take a photograph of it. Oh, if he wants a photograph, said Mrs. Hornby, I could get one done for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us. I am sure, if I asked him, he is so clever, you know. Is he not, Julie, at dear? Yes, Aunt, replied Miss Gibson quickly. But I expect Dr. Thorndike would rather take the photograph himself. I am sure he would, I agreed. In fact, a photograph taken by another person would not be of much use to him. Ah, said Mrs. Hornby, in a slightly injured tone. You think Walter is just an ordinary amateur. But if I were to show you some of the photographs he has taken, you would really be surprised. He is remarkably clever, I assure you. Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndike's chambers, asked Miss Gibson? That would save time and trouble. It is excessively good of you, I began. Not at all, when shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this evening? We would very much, I replied. My colleague could then examine it and decide what is to be done with it. But it is giving you so much trouble. It is nothing of the kind, said Miss Gibson. You would not mind coming with me this evening, would you, Aunt? Certainly not, my dear, replied Mrs. Hornby, and she was about to enlarge on the subject when Miss Gibson rose, and, looking at her watch, decored that she must start on her errand at once. I also rose to make my adieu, and then she remarked, if you were walking in the same direction as I am, Dr. Jervis, we might arrange the time of our proposed visit as we go along. I was not slow to avail myself of this invitation, and a few seconds later we left the house together, leaving Mrs. Hornby smiling fatuously after us from the open door. Will eight o'clock suit you, do you think? Miss Gibson asked as we walked up the street. It will do excellently, I should say, I answered. If anything should render the meeting impossible, I will send you a telegram. I could wish that you were coming alone, as ours is to be a business conference. Miss Gibson laughed softly, in a very pleasant and musical laugh it was. Yes, she agreed. Dear Mrs. Hornby is a little diffuse and difficult to keep on one subject, but you must be intelligent to her little failings. You would be if you had experienced such kindness and generosity from her as I have. I am sure I should. I rejoined. In fact, I am. After all, a little diffuseness of speech and haziness of ideas are no great faults and a generous and amiable woman of her age. Miss Gibson rewarded me for these highly correct sentiments with a little smile of approval, and we walked on for some time in silence. Presently she turned to me with some suddenness, and a very earnest expression, and said, I want to ask you a question, Dr. Dervis, and please forgive me if I beg you to put aside your professional reserve just a little in my favour. I want you to tell me if you think Dr. Thornback has any kind of hope or expectation of being able to save poor Rubin from the dreadful peril that threatens him. It was a rather pointed question, and I took some time to consider before replying. I should like, I replied at length, to tell you as much as my duty to my colleague will allow me to, but that is so little that it is hardly worth telling. However, I may say this without breaking any confidence. Dr. Thornback has undertaken the case and is working hard at it, and he would not, most assuredly, have done neither the one nor the other if he had considered it was a hopeless one. This is a very encouraging view of the matter, said she, which had, however, already occurred to me. May I ask if anything came of your visit to the yard? Oh, please don't think me encroaching. I'm so terribly anxious and troubled. I can tell you very little about the results of our expedition, for I know very little, but I have an idea that Dr. Thornback is not dissatisfied with his morning's work. He certainly picked up some facts, so I have no idea of their nature, and as soon as we reached home, he developed a sudden desire to examine the femograph. Thank you, Dr. Dervis, she said gratefully, you have cheered me more than I can tell you, are you sure I am not bringing you out of the way? Not at all, I answered hastily. The fact is, I had hoped to have a little chat with you when we had disposed with the femograph, so I can regard myself as combining a little business with a great deal of pleasure if I am allowed to accompany you. She gave me a little ironic bow, as she inquired, and in short, may I take it that I am to be pumped? Come now, I retorted. You have been plying the pump handle pretty vigorously yourself, you see, we are absolute strangers to all the parties concerned in this case, which, of course, makes for an impartial estimate of their characters, but after all, knowledge is more useful to us than impartiality. There is our client, for instance, he impressed us both very favorably, I think, but he might have been a plausible rascal with the blackest of records. Then you come and tell us that he is a gentleman of stainless character, and we are once on farmer ground. I see, said Miss Gibson thoughtfully, and I suppose that I or someone else had told you things that seem to reflect on his character. Would they have influenced you in your attitude towards him? Only in this, I replied, that we should have made it our business to inquire into the truth of those reports and ascertain their origin. That is what one should always do, I suppose, said she, still with an air of deep thoughtfulness which encouraged me to inquire. May I ask if anyone to your knowledge has ever said anything to Mr. Rubin's disadvantage? She pondered for some time before replying and kept her eyes bent and pensively on the ground. At length, she said, not without some hesitation of manner. It is a small thing, and quite without any bearing on this affair, but it has been a great trouble to me since it has, to some extent, put a barrier between Rubin and me, and we used to be such close friends, and I have blamed myself in letting it influence me. Perhaps unjustly, in my opinion of him, I will tell you about it, though I expect you will think me very foolish. You must know, then, that Rubin and I used, until about six months ago, to be very much together, though we were only friends, you understand, but we were on the footing of relatives, so there was nothing out of the way in it. Rubin is a keen student of ancient and medieval art, in which I am also much interested. So we used to visit the museums and galleries together and get a great deal of pleasure from comparing our views and impressions of what we saw. About six months ago, Walter took me aside one day, and, with a very serious face, asked me if there was any kind of understanding between Rubin and me. I thought it rather impertinent of him, but, nevertheless, I told him the truth. The Rubin and I were just friends and nothing more. If that is the case, said he, looking mighty grave, I would advise you not to be seen about with him quite so much. And why not? I asked very naturally. Why, the fact is, said Walter, that Rubin is a confounded fool. He has been chattering to the men at the club, and seems to have given them the impression that a young lady of means and position has been setting her cap at him very hard, but that he, being a high-soul gloss for above the temptations that beset ordinary mortals, is superior both to her blindishments and to her pecuniary attractions. I give you the hint for your own guidance, he continued, and I expect this to go no further. You mustn't be annoyed with Rubin. The best of young men will often behave like prigs and donkeys, and I have no doubt those have grossly exaggerated what he said, but I thought it right to put you on your guard. Now, this report, as you may suppose, made me excessively angry, and I wanted to have it out with Rubin then and there, but Walter refused to sanction this. There was no use in making a scene, he said, and he insisted that the caution was given to me in strict confidence. So what was I to do? I tried to ignore it and treat Rubin as I always had done, but I found this impossible. My womanly pride was much too deeply hurt, and yet I felt the lowest depth of meanness to harbour such thoughts of him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself, and although it was most unlike Rubin in some respects, it was very like him in others, for he has always expressed the utmost contempt for men who marry for a livelihood, so I have remained on the horns of a dilemma and am there still. What do you think I ought to have done? I rubbed my chin and some embarrassment at this question, needless to say I was most arguably impressed by Walter Hornby's conduct, and not a little disposed to blame my fair companion for giving an ear to his secret disparagement of his cousin, but I was obviously not in a position to pronounce, offhand, upon the merits of the case. The position appears to be this, I said, after a pause, either Rubin has spoken most unworthily and untruthfully of you, or Walter has lied deliberately about him. Yes, she agreed, that is the position, but which of the two alternatives appears to view the more probable? That is difficult to say, I answered. There is a certain kind of cad who is much given to boastful Rotomontad concerning his conquest. We all know him and can generally spot him at first sight, but I must say that Rubin Hornby did not strike me as that kind of man at all. Then it is clear that the proper course for Walter to have adopted, if he had really heard such rumors, was to have the matter out with Rubin instead of coming secretly to you with whispered reports. That is my feeling, Miss Gibson, but of course I may be quite wrong. I gather that our two young friends are not inseparable companions. Oh, they are very good friends, but you see their interests and views of life are quite different. Rubin, although an excellent worker in business hours, is a student, or perhaps rather what one would call a scholar, whereas Walter is more a practical man of affairs, decidedly long-headed and shrewd. He is undoubtedly very clever, as Mrs. Hornby said. He takes photographs, for instance, I suggested. Yes, but not ordinary amateur photographs. His work is more technical and quite excellent of its kind. For example, he did a most beautiful series of micro photographs of sections of metaliferous rocks, which he reproduced for publication by the colotype process, and even printed off the plates himself. I see he must be a very capable fellow. He is very, she assented, and very keen on making a position, but I am afraid he is rather too fond of money for its own sake, which is not a pleasant feature in a young man's character, is it? I agreed that it was not. Excessive keenness in money affairs, preceded Miss Gibson iracularily, is absolutely to young man into bad ways. Oh, you need not smile, Dr. Jervis, at my wise saws. It is perfectly true, and you know it. The fact is, I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that Walter's desire to be rich inclines him to try what looks like a quick method of making money. He had a friend, Mr. Horton, who is a dealer on the stock exchange and who operates, rather, largely operate, I believe, is the expression used, although it seems to be nothing more than common gambling. And I have more than one suspected Walter being concerned in what Mr. Horton calls a little flutter. That doesn't strike me as a very long-headed proceeding, I remarked, with the impartial wisdom of the impecunious, and therefore un-tempted. No, she agreed it isn't, but your gambler always thinks he's going to win, though you mustn't let me give you the impression that Walter is a gambler. But here's my destination. Thank you for escorting me so far, and I hope you are beginning to feel less like a stranger to the Hornby family. We shall make her appearance tonight at eight punctually. She gave me her hand with a frank smile, and dripped up the steps leading to the street door, and when I went back after crossing the road, she gave me a friendly nod as she turned to enter the house. End of Chapter 4. Recording by Chelsea Baker Chapter 5 of The Red Thumb Mark This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Bologna Times The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman Chapter 5 So your nut has been sweeping the quiet and pleasant waters of feminine conversation," remarked Thorn Dyke when we met at the dinner table, and I gave him an outline of my afternoon's adventures. Yes, I answered, and here is the catch cleaned and ready for the consumer. I laid on the table two of my notebooks in which I had entered such facts as I had been able to extract from my talk with Miss Gibson. You made your entries as soon as possible after your return, I suppose," said Thorn Dyke, while the matter was still fresh. I wrote down my notes as I sat on a seat in Kensington Gardens within five minutes after leaving Miss Gibson. Good, said Thorn Dyke, and now let us see what you have collected. He glanced quickly through the entries and the two books, referring back once or twice and stood for a few moments silent and abstracted. Then he laid the little books down on the table with a satisfied nod. Our information, then, he said, amounts to this. Ruben is an industrious worker at his business and in his leisure a student of ancient and medieval art, possibly a babbling fool, and a cad, or, on the other hand, blind and much abused man. Walter Hornsby is obviously a snake and possibly a liar, a keen man of business, perhaps a flutterer round the financial candle that burns in Throgmorton Street, an expert photographer and a competent worker of the colotype process. You have done a very excellent day's work, Jervis. I wonder if you see the bearing of the facts that you have given me. I think I see the bearing of some of them, I answered, at least I have formed certain opinions. Then keep them to yourself, monomy, so that I need not fail as if I ought to unbuzzle myself of my own views. I should be very much surprised if you did, Thorndike, I replied, and should have none the better opinion of the client and not be used for the entertainment of your friends. Thorndike padded me on the back playfully, but he looked uncommonly pleased and said, with evidence sincerity, I am really grateful to you for saying that, for I have felt a little awkward in being so reticent with you who know so much of this case. But you are quite right, and I am delighted to find you so discerning and sympathetic. What I do under the circumstances is to uncork a bottle of Pomard and drink the health of so loyal and helpful a colleague. Ah, praise the gods, here is Poulton, like a sacrificial priest, accompanied by a sweet saver of roasted flesh. Rump steak, I wean, he added, sniffing. Food, meat, for the mighty shamash that pun was fortuitous, I would say, or a ravenous medical jurist. Can you explain to me, Poulton, how it is that your rump steak is better than any other steak? Is it that you have command of a special brand of ox? The little man's dry countenance wrinkled with pleasure until it was as full of lines as a ground plan of Clapham Junction. Perhaps it is the special treatment it gets, sir, he replied. I usually eat in the mortar before cooking, without breaking up the fiber too much, and then I heat up the little cup of furnace to about 600 Celsius, and put the steak in on a tripod. Thorndike laughed outright. The cup of furnace, too, he exclaimed, well, well, to what base uses. But I don't know that it is a base use, after all. Anyhow, Poulton, opened a bottle of Pomard and put a couple of ten-by-eight process plates in your dark slides. I am expecting two ladies here this evening, with a document. Shall you bring them upstairs, sir?" inquired Poulton, with an unalarm expression. I expect I shall have to, answered Thorndike. Then I shall just smarten the laboratory up a bit, said Poulton, who evidently appreciated the difference between the masculine appearance of working premises. And so Miss Gibson wanted to know our private views on this case, said Thorndike, when his veracity had become somewhat appeased. Yes, I answered, and then I repeated our conversation as nearly as I could remember it. Your answer was very discreet and diplomatic, Thorndike remarked, and it was very necessary that it should be, for it is essential that we show the backs of our cards to Scotland Yard, and if to Scotland Yard, then to the whole world, we know what their trump card is, and can arrange our play accordingly, so long as we do not show our hand. You speak of the police as your antagonist. I noticed that at the yard this morning, and was surprised to find that they accepted the position. But surely their business is to discover the actual offender, not to fix that would seem to be so, replied Thorndike, but in practice it is otherwise. When the police have made an arrest, they work for a conviction. If the man is innocent, that is his business, not theirs. It is for him to prove it. The system is a pernicious one, especially since the efficiency of a police officer is, in consequence, apt to be estimated 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 to its actual truth, or even to the lawyer's own belief on the subject. That is what produces so much friction between men and scientific witnesses. Neither can understand the point of view of the other. But we must not sit over the table chattering like this. It has gone half past seven, and Polton will be wanting to make this room presentable. I notice you don't use your office much, I remarked. Hardly at all, accepting as a repository for documents and stationery, it is very cheerless to find an office, and nearly all my business is transacted with solicitors and counsel who are known to me, so there is no need for such formalities. All right, Polton, we shall be ready for you in five minutes. The temple bell was striking aid, as at Thorndyke's request I threw open the ironbound oak. And even as I did so the sound of footsteps came up from the stairs below. I waited on the landing for two visitors, and led them into the room. I am so glad to make your acquaintance," said Mrs. Ornby, when I had done the honors of introduction. I have heard so much about you from Juliet. Really, my dear aunt protested Miss Gibson, as she caught my eye with a look of comical alarm. You will give Dr. Thorndyke a most erroneous impression. I merely mentioned that I had intruded on him without notice, and had been served indulgence and consideration. You didn't put it quite in that way, my dear," said Mrs. Ornby, but I suppose it doesn't matter. We are highly gratified by Miss Gibson's favorable report of us whatever may have been the actual form of expression, said Thorndyke, with a momentary glance at the younger lady, which covered her with smiling confusion. And we are deeply indebted to you for taking so much time to help us. It is no trouble at all, but a great pleasure, replied Mrs. Ornby, and she proceeded to enlarge on the matter until her remarks threatened, like the rippling circles produced by a falling stone, to spread out into infinity. In the midst of this discourse, Thorndyke placed chairs for the two ladies and, leaning against the mantelpiece, fixed his stony gaze upon the small handbag that hung from Mrs. Ornby's wrist. Is the thumbograph in your bag, interrupted Miss Gibson, in response to this mute appeal? Of course it is, my dear Juliet, replied the older lady. You saw me put it in yourself. What an odd girl you are! Do you think I should have taken it out and put it somewhere else? Not that these handbags are really very secure, you know, although I dare say that they are safer than pockets, especially now that 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. Mogridge. You know, Juliet. No, it wasn't Mrs. Mogridge. That was another affair. It was Mrs. dear me, how silly of me. Now, what was her name? Can't you help me, Juliet? You must surely remember the woman. She used to visit a good deal at the Holly Johnson's. I think it was the Holly Johnson's, or else it was those people, you know. Hadn't you better give Dr. Thorndike the thumbograph? Interrupted Miss Gibson. Why, of course, Juliet, dear, what else did we come here for? With a slightly injured expression in the hornby, opened the little bag and commenced, with the utmost deliberation, to turn out its contents onto the table. These included a laced handkerchief, a purse, a card case, a visiting list, a packet of papier-putret, and when she had laid the last mentioned article on the table, she paused abruptly and gazed into Miss Gibson's face with the air of one who has made a startling discovery. I remembered the woman's name, she said, and an impressive voice. It was Gudge. Mrs. Gudge, the sister-in-law of here Miss Gibson, made an unceremonious dive into the open bag, and fished out a tiny parcel, wrapped in note paper, and secured with a silk thread. Thank you, said Thorndike, taking it from her hand, just as Mrs. Hornby was reaching out to intercept it. He cut the thread through from its wrappings a little book, bound in red cloth, with the word thumbograph stamped on the cover, and was beginning to inspect it when Mrs. Hornby rose and stood beside him. That, said she, as she opened the book at the first page, is the thumbmark of a Miss Collie. She is no conuction of ours. You see, it is a little smeared. She said Ruben jogged her elbow, but I don't think he did. At any rate, he assured me, he did not. And, you know, ah, here is one we are looking for, interrupted Thorndike, who had been turning the leaves of the book, regardless of Mrs. Hornby's rambling comments. A very good impression, too, considering the rather rough method of producing it. He reached out for the reading lens that hung from its nail above the mantelpiece, and I could tell by the eagerness with which he peered through it at the thumbprint that he was looking for 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, there was a sparkle of the eye and a scarcely perceptible flush of suppressed excitement and triumph which I had begun to recognize beneath the impassive mask that he presented to the world. I shall ask you to leave this little book with me, Mrs. Hornby," he said, breaking in upon that lady's inconsequent babblings, and, as I 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 page which bears Mr. Rubin's thumbmark. That will anticipate any suggestion that the book has been tampered with after leaving your hands. It would be a great impertinence for anyone to make any such suggestion," Mrs. Hornby began. But on Thorndike's placing his fountain pin in her hand, she wrote her signature in the place indicated and handed the pin to Miss Gibson who signed underneath. And now, said Thorndike, we will take an enlarged photograph of this page with the thumbmark. Not that it is necessary that it should be done now as you are leaving the book in my possession. But the photograph will be wanted, and, as my man is expecting us, and has the apparatus ready, we may as well dispatch the business at once. To this both the ladies readily agreed, being in fact devoured by curiosity with regard to my colleagues' premises. And we accordingly proceeded to invade the set of rooms on the floor above, over which the ingenious Fulton was accustomed to reign in solitary grandeur. It was my first visit to these mysterious regions, and I looked about me with as much curiosity as did the two ladies. The first room that we entered was apparently the workshop, for it contained a small woodworker's bench, a lathe, a bench for metalwork and a number of mechanical appliances which I was not then able to examine. But I noticed that the entire place was presented to the eye a most unworkmanlike neatness, a circumstance that did not escape Thorndug's observation, for his face relaxed into a grim smile, as his eye traveled over the bare benches and the clean swept floor. From this room we entered the laboratory, a large apartment, one side of which was given up to chemical research, as was shown by the shells of reagents that covered the wall, and the masks, 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, massively constructed copying camera, the front of which, carrying the lens, was fixed, and an easel or copy-holder traveled on parallel guides towards or away from it on a long stand. This apparatus, Thorndug proceeded to explain to our visitors while Poulton was fixing the thumbograph in a holder attached to the easel. You see, he said, in answer to a question from Miss Gibson, I have a good deal to do with signatures, checks, and disputed documents of various kinds. Now, a skilled eye aided by a pocket lens can make out very minute details on a check or banknote, but 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, develop quite unexpected characters. For instance, you have handled a good many postage stamps, I suppose, but have you ever noticed the little white spots in the front of a penny stamp or even the difference in the foliage on the two sides of the wreath? Miss Gibson admitted that she had not. Very few people have, I suppose, accepting stamp collectors, continued Thorne Dyke. But now, just glance at this and you will find these unnoticed details forced upon your attention. As he spoke, he had taken from a drawer showing a penny stamp enlarged to a length of eight inches. While the ladies were marvelling over this production, Polton proceeded with his work. The thermograph, having been fixed in position, the light from a powerful incandescent gas lamp fitted with a parabolic reflector was concentrated on it and the camera racked out to its proper distance. What are those figures intended to show, inquired Miss Gibson, indicating the graduation on the side of one of the guides? They show the amount of magnification or a reduction, Thorne Dyke explained. When the pointer is opposite zero, the photograph is the same size as the object, a photograph. When it points to, say, X4, the photograph will be four times the width and length of the object, while if it should point to, say, divide four, the photograph will be one fourth the length of the object. It is now, you see, pointy to times eight, so the photograph will be eight times the diameter of the original thumb mark. By this time, Polton had brought the camera to an accurate focus, and when we had all been gratified by a glimpse of the enlarged image screen, we 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 interval, we were joined by Polton, who bore with infinite tenderness the dripping negative on which could be seen the grotesque transparency of a colossal thumb mark. This Thorne Dyke scrutinized eagerly, and having pronounced it satisfactory, informed Mrs. Hornby that the object of her visit was attained and thanked her for the trouble she had taken. I am very glad we came, said Miss Gibson to me, as a little later we walked slowly up Miter Court in the wake of Mrs. Hornby and Thorne Dyke, and I am glad to have seen these wonderful instruments, too. It has made me realize that something is being done, and Thorne Dyke really has some object in view. It has really encouraged me immensely. And very properly so, I replied. I, too, although I really know nothing of what my colleague is doing, feel very strongly that he would not take all this trouble and give up so much valuable time if he had not some very definite purpose and some substantial reasons for taking a hopeful view. Thank you for saying that, she rejoined warmly, and you will let me have a crumb of comfort when you can, won't you? She looked in my face so wistfully as she made this appeal that I was quite moved. And, indeed, I am not sure that my state of mind at that moment did not fully justify my colleague's reticence towards me. However, I, fortunately, had nothing to tell, and so when we emerged into Fleet Street to find Mrs. Hornby already ensconced in a handsome I could only promise, as I grasped the hand that she offered to me to see her again at the earliest opportunity, a promise which my inner consciousness assured me would be strictly fulfilled. You seem to be on quite confidential terms with our fair friend, the Thorne Dyke remarked as we strolled back towards his chambers. You are an insinuating dog, Jervis. She is very frank and easy to get on with, I replied. Yes, a good girl, and a clever girl, and comely to look upon with all. I suppose it would be as superfluous for me to suggest that you mind your eye? I shouldn't, in any case, try to cut out a man who is under a cloud, I replied sulkily. Of course you wouldn't. Hence the need of attention to the ophthalmic member. Have you ascertained what Miss Gibson's actual relation is to Ruben Hornby? No, I answered. It might be worthwhile to find out, said Thorne Dyke, and then he relapsed into silence. End of Chapter 5