When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue.
"On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could at once see that someone had passed out.

I could distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in.

I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred.

A man had waited outside the window; someone had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which neither alone could have effected.

He had returned with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent.