as well have made murderous use of it as any other man. The card
is some hocus-pocus,--a blind, as like as not. The only question
is, how did he depart? Ah, of course, here is a hole in the
roof." With great activity, considering his bulk, he sprang up
the steps and squeezed through into the garret, and immediately
afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had
found the trap-door.

"He can find something," remarked Holmes, shrugging his
shoulders. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason. Il n'y a
pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!"

"You see!" said Athelney Jones, reappearing down the steps again.
"Facts are better than mere theories, after all. My view of the
case is confirmed. There is a trap-door communicating with the
roof, and it is partly open."

"It was I who opened it."

"Oh, indeed! You did notice it, then?" He seemed a little
crestfallen at the discovery. "Well, whoever noticed it, it
shows how our gentleman got away. Inspector!"

"Yes, sir," from the passage.

"Ask Mr. Sholto to step this way.--Mr. Sholto, it is my duty to
inform you that anything which you may say will be used against
you. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the
death of your brother."