r awe-inspiring wig, and yet his presence dominated the
court. Even the judge, despite his scarlet robe and trappings of office,
looked commonplace by comparison, while the jurymen, who turned to look
at him, seemed like beings of an inferior order. It was not alone the
distinction of the tall figure, erect and dignified, nor the power and
massive composure of his face, but the actual symmetry and comeliness of
the face itself that now arrested my attention; a comeliness that made
it akin rather to some classic mask, wrought in the ivory-toned marble
of Pentelicus, than to the eager faces that move around us in the hurry
and bustle of a life at once strenuous and trivial.

"You are attached to the medical school at St. Margaret's Hospital, I
believe, Dr. Thorndyke?" said Anstey.

"Yes. I am the lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology."

"Have you had much experience of medico-legal inquiries?"

"A great deal. I am engaged exclusively in medico-legal work."

"You heard the evidence relating to the two drops of blood found in the
safe?"

"I did."

"What is your opinion as to the condition of that blood?"

"I should say there is no doubt that it had been artificially
treated--probably by defibrination."

"Can you suggest any explanation of the condition of that blood?"

"I can."

"Is your explanation connected with any peculiarities in the thumb-print
on the paper that was found in the safe?"

"It is."

"Have you given any attention to the subject of finger-prints?"

"Yes. A great deal of attention."

"Be good enough to examine that paper" (here the usher handed to
Thorndyke the memorandum slip). "Have you seen it before?"

"Yes. I saw it at Scotland Yard."

"Did you examine it thoroughly?"

"Very thoroughly. The police officials gave me every facility and, with
their permission, I took several photographs of it."

"There is a mark on that paper resembling the print of a human thumb?"

"There is."

"You have heard two expert witnesses swear that that mark was made by
the left thumb of the prisoner, Reuben Hornby?"

"I have."

"Do you agree to that statement?"

"I do not."

"In your opinion, was the mark upon that paper made by the thumb of the
prisoner?"

"No. I am convinced that it was not made by the thumb of Reuben Hornby."

"Do you think that it was made by the thumb of some other person?"

"No. I am of opinion that it was not made by a human thumb at all."

At this statem