? ? ? ?
The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," said he.
? ? ? ?
"Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard nothing of it?"
? ? ? ?
"I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me."
? ? ? ?
"But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Miss Holder?"
? ? ? ?
"I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity."
? ? ? ?
"Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?"
? ? ? ?
"He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt.
Pages:
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531