"But, you see, it begs the whole question, which is, 'Was the crime committed by the person who made this finger-print ?' That is where the corroboration is required." "That practically leaves the case to be investigated without reference to the finger-print, which thus becomes of no importance." "Not at all," rejoined Thorndyke; "the finger-print is a most valuable clue as long as its evidential value is not exaggerated.

Take our present case, for instance.

Without the thumb-print, the robbery might have been committed by anybody; there is no clue whatever.

But the existence of the thumb-print narrows the inquiry down to Reuben or some person having access to his finger-prints." "Yes, I see.

Then you consider my theory of John Hornby as the perpetrator of the robbery as quite a tenable one ?" "Quite," replied Thorndyke.