n asterisk has been printed in place of a letter. But the
literary typewheel is the only one that has the asterisk. As to the age
of the machine, there are evident signs of wear, for some of the letters
have lost their sharpness, and this is most evident in the case of those
letters which are the most used--the 'e,' you will notice, for instance,
is much worn; and 'e' occurs more frequently than any other letter of
the alphabet. Hence the machine, if recently purchased, was bought
second-hand."

"But," I objected, "it may not have been his own machine at all."

"That is quite possible," answered Thorndyke, "though, considering the
secrecy that would be necessary, the probabilities are in favour of his
having bought it. But, in any case, we have here a means of identifying
the machine, should we ever meet with it."

He picked up the label and handed it to me, together with his pocket
lens.

"Look closely at the 'e' that we have been discussing; it occurs five
times; in 'Thorndyke,' in 'Bench,' in 'Inner,' and in 'Temple.' Now in
each case you will notice a minute break in the loop, just at the
summit. That break corresponds to a tiny dent in the type--caused,
probably, by its striking some small, hard object."

"I can make it out quite distinctly," I said, "and it should be a most
valuable point for identification."

"It should be almost conclusive," Thorndyke replied, "especially when
joined to other facts that would be elicited by a search of his
premises. And now let us just recapitulate the facts which our friend X
has placed at our disposal.

"First: X is a person concerning whom I possess certain exclusive
information.

"Second: He has some knowledge of my personal habits.

"Third: He is a man of some means and social position.

"Fourth: He is a man of considerable knowledge, ingenuity and mechanical
skill.

"Fifth: He has probably purchased, quite recently, a second-hand 'Blick'
fitted with a literary typewheel. "Sixth: That machine, whether his
own or some other person's property, can be identified by a
characteristic mark on the small 'e.'

"If you will note down those six points and add that X is probably an
expert cyclist and a fairly good shot with a rifle, you may possibly be
able, presently, to complete the equation, X = ?"

"I am afraid," I said, "I do not possess the necessary data; but I
suspect you do, and if it is so, I repeat that it is your duty to
society--to say nothing of your cl