There is no doubt, I suppose, as to the identification ?" "None whatever," replied Mr.Lawley.

"The Scotland Yard people, of course, took possession of the paper, which was handed to the director of the finger-print department for examination and comparison with those in their collection.

The report of the experts is that the thumb-print does not agree with any of the thumb-prints of criminals in their possession; that it is a very peculiar one, inasmuch as the ridge-pattern on the bulb of the thumb--which is a remarkably distinct and characteristic one--is crossed by the scar of a deep cut, rendering identification easy and infallible; that it agrees in every respect with the thumb-print of Mr.Reuben Hornby, and is, in fact, his thumb-print beyond any possible doubt." "Is there any possibility," asked Thorndyke, "that the paper bearing the thumb-print could have been introduced by any person ?" "No," answered the lawyer.

"It is quite impossible.

The paper on which the mark was found was a leaf from Mr.Hornby's memorandum block.