The A, if you noticed, was printed somewhat after the German fashion.

 

Now, a real German invariably prints in the Latin character, so that we may

safely say that this was not written by one, but by a clumsy imitator who

overdid his part. It was simply a ruse to divert inquiry into a wrong channel.

I’m not going to tell you much more of the case, Doctor. You know a conjuror

gets no credit when once he has explained his trick, and if I show you too much

of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very

ordinary individual after all.”

 

“I shall never do that,” I answered; “you have brought detection as near an

exact science as it ever will be brought in this world.”

 

My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which

I uttered them. I had already observed that he was as sensitive to flattery on

the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.

 

“I’ll tell you one other thing,” he said. “Patent-leathers and Square-toes came

in the same cab, and they walked down the pathway together as friendly as

possible—arm-in-arm, in all probability. When they got inside they walked up and

down the room—or rather, Patent-leathers stood still while Square-toes walked up

and down. I could read all that in the dust; and I could read that as he walked

he grew more and more excited. That is shown by the increased length of his

strides. He was talking all the while, and working himself up, no doubt, into a

fury. Then the tragedy occurred. I’ve told you all I know myself now, for the