purpose, my lord," answered Thorndyke, "some
sheets of paper, each of which is ruled into twenty numbered squares. I
propose to make on ten of the squares counterfeits of the prisoner's
thumb-mark, and to fill the remaining ten with real thumb-marks. I
propose that the experts should then examine the paper and tell the
Court which are the real thumb-prints and which are the false."

"That seems a fair and efficient test," said his lordship. "Have you any
objection to offer, Sir Hector?"

Sir Hector Trumpler hastily consulted with the two experts, who were
sitting in the attorney's bench, and then replied, without much
enthusiasm--

"We have no objection to offer, my lord."

"Then, in that case, I shall direct the expert witnesses to withdraw
from the court while the prints are being made."

In obedience to the judge's order, Mr. Singleton and his colleague rose
and left the court with evident reluctance, while Thorndyke took from a
small portfolio three sheets of paper which he handed up to the judge.

"If your lordship," said he, "will make marks in ten of the squares on
two of these sheets, one can be given to the jury and one retained by
your lordship to check the third sheet when the prints are made on it."

"That is an excellent plan," said the judge; "and, as the information is
for myself and the jury, it would be better if you came up and performed
the actual stamping on my table in the presence of the foreman of the
jury and the counsel for the prosecution and defence."

In accordance with the judge's direction Thorndyke stepped up on the
dais, and Anstey, as he rose to follow, leaned over towards me.

"You and Polton had better go up too," said he: "Thorndyke will want
your assistance, and you may as well see the fun. I will explain to his
lordship."

He ascended the stairs leading to the dais and addressed a few words to
the judge, who glanced in our direction and nodded, whereupon we both
gleefully followed our counsel, Polton carrying the box and beaming with
delight.

The judge's table was provided with a shallow drawer which pulled out at
the side and which accommodated the box comfortably, leaving the small
table-top free for the papers. When the lid of the box was raised, there
were displayed a copper inking-slab, a small roller and the twenty-four
"pawns" which had so puzzled Polton, and on which he now gazed with a
twinkle of amusement and triumph.

"Are those all stamps?" inquired the j