see this little
book of yours," said I, with a view to stemming the tide of her
reflections.

"Oh, the 'Thumbograph,'" she replied. "Yes, I will let him have it with
the greatest pleasure. I am so glad he wishes to see it; it makes one
feel hopeful to know that he is taking so much interest in the case.
Would you believe it, Dr. Jervis, those detective people actually wanted
to keep it to bring up in evidence against the poor boy. My
'Thumbograph,' mind you. But I put my foot down there and they had to
return it. I was resolved that they should not receive any assistance
from me in their efforts to involve my nephew in this horrible affair."

"Then, perhaps," said Miss Gibson, "you might give Dr. Jervis the
'Thumbograph' and he can hand it to Dr. Thorndyke."

"Of course I will," said Mrs. Hornby; "instantly; and you need not
return it, Dr. Jervis. When you have finished with it, fling it into the
fire. I wish never to see it again."

But I had been considering the matter, and had come to the conclusion
that it would be highly indiscreet to take the book out of Mrs. Hornby's
custody, and this I now proceeded to explain.

"I have no idea," I said, "for what purpose Dr. Thorndyke wishes to
examine the 'Thumbograph,' but it occurs to me that he may desire to put
it in evidence, in which case it would be better that it should not go
out of your possession for the present. He merely commissioned me to ask
for your permission to take a photograph of it."

"Oh, if he wants a photograph," said Mrs. Hornby, "I could get one done
for him without any difficulty. My nephew Walter would take one for us,
I am sure, if I asked him. He is so clever, you know--is he not, Juliet,
dear?"

"Yes, aunt," replied Miss Gibson quickly, "but I expect Dr. Thorndyke
would rather take the photograph himself."

"I am sure he would," I agreed. "In fact, a photograph taken by another
person would not be of much use to him."

"Ah," said Mrs. Hornby in a slightly injured tone, "you think Walter is
just an ordinary amateur; but if I were to show you some of the
photographs he has taken you would really be surprised. He is remarkably
clever, I assure you."

"Would you like us to bring the book to Dr. Thorndyke's chambers?" asked
Miss Gibson. "That would save time and trouble."

"It is excessively good of you--" I began.

"Not at all. When shall we bring it? Would you like to have it this
evening?"

"We should very much," I replied. "My co