Page 40 - The Noorwood Mistery

thumbprint the 'Please take us to him.' Holmes looked very thoughtful.
mark that your
thumb makes Holmes and Watson went in and followed Mrs Lexington 'You're very quiet, Mr Holmes,' said the Inspector. 'Do you
when it touches 1
something to the back of the house. Lestrade was sitting at a table. He have nothing to say?'
looked very pleased to see them. Holmes stood up. l\s I said before, Inspector, it's obvious
'Mr Holmes, Dr Watson! Good morning!' he said, standing that you are right about McFarlane. He killed the builder for
up. ' Y ou've come to see my proof. I suppose.' his money and his house. I have only two questions.'
'That's right, ' Holmes agreed with a smile. 'I am very happy 'Go on,' said Lestrade, who was no longer smiling.
for you, Lestrade, that you were right all the time.' 'First,' said Holmes, 'who found this thumbprint?'
'It's good of you to agree that you were wrong,' said the 'It was Mrs Lexington, the housekeeper, who saw it first,'
Inspector. l\s for me, I never thought that Mcfarlane was the Inspector replied. 'She showed it to Sergeant Judd.'
innocent. The man is a murderer.' 'Really?' Holmes looked very pleased with this answer.
Tm sure that you are right, Inspector,' Holmes agreed, 'What's your second question, Mr Holmes?' asked Lestrade.
'but perhaps we can see your proof now.' 'Why didn't your men find the thumbprint yesterday?'
'Of course,' said Lestrade. 'Come with me.' 'That's easy to explain,' the Inspector replied. 'They weren't
He stood up and Holmes and Watson followed him into looking for thumbprints yesterday, not in the hall. And the
the hall. thumbprint is a little hard to see.'
'Here,' said the Inspector. 'Look at this.' 'Yes, it's hard to see,' Holmes agreed. 'Watson and I had
Holmes and Watson crouched down to look at a bloodstain l o crouch down to see it. But Mrs Lexington saw it. Perhaps
on the wall. she was washing the floor. I suppose that you are sure that
'
' I t's a thumbprint,' Lestrade explained. 'John McFarlane's t h e thumbprint was here yesterday, Inspector?'
thumbprint.' 'Of course it was!' Lestrade replied crossly. 'Do you think
l\re you sure?' asked Watson. t h at McFarlane left Scotland Yard during the night and came
' O h yes, ' Lestrc0e replied. h ·re to make a thumbprint in blood on the wall?'
'That is John McFarlane's ' P erhaps not,' said Holmes thoughtfully.
thumbprint. I'm sorry, Dr 'Then I must ask you both to excuse me. I must return
Watson, but your young l o Scotland Yard to talk to the murderer.'
friend killed Jonas I .estrade left the room.
Oldacre. He will die 'So John Mcfarlane is a murderer,' said Watson sadly.
for this crime.' ' I don't think so, Watson,' Holmes replied.
' W hat? But Lestrade's proof - the thumbprint! How do
you explain it, Holmes?'
' I t 's impossible to explain,' said Holmes, 'and for a very
ood reason. There was no thumbprint on this wall when
I was here yesterday.'

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