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Page 72
"Get it printed as soon as possible," he said; "I
think your idea is an excellent one."
Holmes put the slip of paper carefully away into his
pocket-book.
"And now," said he, "it really would be a good thing
that we should all go over the house together and make
certain that this rather erratic burglar did not,
after all, carry anything away with him."
Before entering, Holmes made an examination of the
door which had been forced. It was evident that a
chisel or strong knife had been thrust in, and the
lock forced back with it. We could see the marks in
the wood where it had been pushed in.
"You don't use bars, then?" he asked.
"We have never found it necessary."
"You don't keep a dog?"
"Yes, but he is chained on the other side of the
house."
"When do the servants go to bed?"
"About ten."
"I understand that William was usually in bed also at
that hour."
"Yes."
"It is singular that on this particular night he
should have been up. Now, I should be very glad if
you would have the kindness to show us over the house,
Mr. Cunningham."
A stone-flagged passage, with the kitchens branching
away from it, led by a wooden staircase directly to
the first floor of the house. It came out upon the
landing opposite to a second more ornamental stair
which came up from the front hall. Out of this
landing opened the drawing-room and several bedrooms,
including those of Mr. Cunningham and his son. Holmes
walked slowly, taking keen note of the architecture of
the house. I could tell from his expression that he
was on a hot scent, and yet I could not in the least
imagine in what direction his inferences were leading
him.
"My good sir," said Mr. Cunningham with some
impatience, "this is surely very unnecessary. That is
my room at the end of the stairs, and my son's is the
one beyond it. I leave it to your judgment whether it
was possible for the thief to have come up here
without disturbing us."
"You must try round and get on a fresh scent, I
fancy," said the son with a rather malicious smile.
"Still, I must ask you to humor me a little further.
I should like, for example, to see how far the windows
of the bedrooms command the front. This, I understand
is your son's room"--he pushed open the door--"and
that, I presume, is the dressing-room in which he sat
smoking when the alarm was given. Where does the
window of that look out to?" He stepped across the
bedroom, pushed open the door, and glanced round the
other chamber.
"I hope that you are satisfied now?" said Mr.
Cunningham, tartly.
"Thank you, I think I have seen all that I wished."
"Then if it is really necessary we can go into my
room."
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