Pagina 209 de 657

"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?"