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Page 118
"Everyone knows now that the examination of hands and fingers is
an infallible aid in the identification of criminals and in the
proof of the presence of a suspect at the scene of a crime--I
refer to fingerprints, of course. But fingerprints are only one
small detail in this department of investigation. Our criminals
know that gloves must be worn, or any smooth surface wiped so as
to remove the prints. In that way they believe they cheat the
microscope or the pocket lens.
"As a matter of fact few people have thought of another way of
gaining evidence from the finger tips, but it is a method
possible to the scientist, and is not only practicable but
exceedingly effective. In time it will be recognized by all
specialists in crime. Now I refer to the deposits under the
finger nail.
"Indeed, it is surprising how many things find their way under
the nail and into the corners of the cuticle." Kennedy indicated
the files and pocket knives visible in the shaded square of light
before him. "The value of examining finger-nail deposits becomes
evident when we realize that everyone carries away in that
fashion a sample of every bit of material he handles. To touch a
piece of cloth, even lightly, will result in the catching of a
few of its fibers. Similarly, the finger nails will deposit
either a small or large portion of their accumulation upon such
things as the knife blades or files used to clean them; and there
identification still is possible. Nothing in the world is too
infinitesimal for use as evidence beneath the microscope.
"In classifying these accumulations"--Kennedy paused and the
silence in the little room was death-like--"we may say that there
are some which are legitimate and some which are not. It is the
latter which concern us now. The first day we were here at the
studio, just four days ago now, and immediately following the
murder of Miss Lamar, Mr. Jameson discovered a towel in the
washroom on the second floor of the office building. On that
towel there were spots of Chinese yellow, make-up, as though it
had been used to wipe a face or hands by some actor or actress.
Those spots were unimportant. There were others, however, of an
entirely different nature, together with the mark of blood and a
stain which showed that a hypodermic needle had been cleaned upon
the towel before it was thrown in the basket."
Kennedy leaned forward. His eyes traveled from face to face.
"That towel was a dangerous clue." Now there was a new grim
element in his voice. "That towel alone has given me the evidence
on which I shall obtain a conviction in this case. To-day I let
it be known that it was in my possession and the guilty man or
woman understood at once the value it would be to me. In order to
gain additional clues I purposely gave the impression that I had
yet to analyze either the spots or the trace of blood. I wanted
the towel stolen, and for that purpose I placed the bag
containing it in a locker and left the locker unguarded. I coated
the towel with a substance which would cause discomfort and
alarm--itching salve--not with the idea that anyone would be
foolish enough to go about scratching before my eyes, but with
the idea of making that person believe that such was my purpose
and with the idea of driving him--or her--to washing his hands at
once and, more, with the idea of forcing him or scaring him into
cleaning his fingernails.
"I succeeded. On one of these files or knife blades I have found
and identified the fibers of that towel. I do not yet know the
person, but I know the mark placed by Mackay on the outside of
the little envelope, and when I tell Mackay the mark he will name
the guilty person."
"Mr. Kennedy!" Manton spoke up, impulsively, "every towel in the
studio is the same. I bought them all at the same time. The
fibers would all be alike. You have named seven people to me,
including myself, as possibly guilty of these--these murders.
Your conclusions may be very unjust--and may lead to a serious
miscarriage of justice."
Kennedy was unperturbed. "This particular towel, in addition to
the itching salve, was thoroughly impregnated with a colorless
chemical which changed the composition of the fibers in a way
easily distinguishing them from the others under the microscope.
Do you see, Mr. Manton?"
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