murderer. So and so, of Ballarat.
It is wonderful! I exclaimed.
It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down
considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point which,
granting the son s statement to be correct, was a certainty. We have
come now out of mere vagueness to the definite conception of an
Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak.
Certainly.
And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only be
approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hardly
wander.
Quite so.
Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ground I
gained the trifling details which I gave to that imbecile Lestrade, as
to the personality of the criminal.
But how did you gain them?
You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles.
His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of his
stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces.
Yes, they were peculiar boots.
But his lameness?
The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his
left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped he was lame.
But his left-handedness.
You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded by
the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from immediately
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