lfamillionmissing.Howwasthewindow?”
“Fastenedbuttherearestepsonthesill.”
“Well,well,ifitwasfastenedthestepscouldhavenothingtodowiththematter.That’scommonsense.Manmighthavediedinafitbutthenthejewelsaremissing.Ha!Ihaveatheory.Theseflashescomeuponmeattimes.—Juststepoutside,sergeant,andyou,Mr.Sholto.Yourfriendcanremain.—Whatdoyouthinkofthis,Holmes?Sholtowas,onhisownconfession,withhisbrotherlastnight.Thebrotherdiedinafit,onwhichSholtowalkedoffwiththetreasure.How’sthat?”
“Onwhichthedeadmanveryconsideratelygotupandlockedthedoorontheinside.”
“Hum!There’saflawthere.Letusapplycommonsensetothematter.ThisThaddeusSholtowaswithhisbrothertherewasaquarrelsomuchweknow.Thebrotherisdeadandthejewelsaregone.Somuchalsoweknow.NoonesawthebrotherfromthetimeThaddeuslefthim.Hisbedhadnotbeensleptin.Thaddeusisevidentlyinamostdisturbedstateofmind.Hisappearanceis—well,notattractive.YouseethatIamweavingmywebroundThaddeus.Thenetbeginstocloseuponhim.”
“Youarenotquiteinpossessionofthefactsyet,”saidHolmes.“Thissplinterofwood,whichIhaveeveryreasontobelievetobepoisoned,wasintheman’sscalpwhereyoustillseethemarkthiscard,inscribedasyouseeit,wasonthetableandbesideitlaythisrathercuriousstone-headedinstrument.Howdoesallthatfitintoyourtheory?”
“Confirmsitineveryrespect,”saidthefatdetective,pompously.“HouseisfullofIndiancuriosities.Thaddeusbroughtthisup,andifthissplinterbepoisonousThaddeusmayaswellhavemademurderoususeofitasanyotherman.Thecardissomehocus-pocus,—ablind,aslikeasnot.Theonlyquestionis,howdidhedepart?Ah,ofcourse,hereisaholeintheroof.”Withgreatactivity,consideringhisbulk,hesprangupthestepsandsqueezedthroughintothegarret,andimmediatelyafterwardsweheardhisexultingvoiceproclaimingthathehadfoundthetrap-door.
“Hecanfindsomething,”rema