TheBoscombePool, whichisalittlereed-girtsheetofwatersomefiftyyardsacross, , juttingpinnacleswhichmarkedthesiteoftherichlandowner', , and, indeed, somoistwastheground, , asIcouldseebyhiseagerfaceandpeeringeyes, , likeadogwhoispickingupascent, andthenturneduponmycompanion.
"Whatdidyougointothepoolfor?"heasked.
"..."
"Oh, tut, tut!Ihavenotime!, , -keepercame, ."Hedrewoutalensandlaydownuponhiswaterprooftohaveabetterview, talkingallthetimerathertohimselfthantous."TheseareyoungMcCarthy', andonceheranswiftly, ', then??Ha, ha!Whathavewehere?Tiptoes!tiptoes!Square, too, quiteunusualboots!Theycome, theygo, theycomeagain...?"
Heranupanddown, sometimeslosing, sometimesfindingthetrackuntilwewerewellwithintheedgeofthewoodandundertheshadowofagreatbeech, , turningovertheleavesanddriedsticks, , , wherealltraceswerelost.
"Ithasbeenacaseofconsiderableinterest,"heremarked, returningtohisnaturalmanner.", , , andIshallbewithyoupresently."
ItwasabouttenminutesbeforeweregainedourcabanddrovebackintoRoss, Holmesstillcarryingwithhimthestonewhichhehadpickedupinthewood.
"Thismayinterestyou, Lestrade,"heremarked, holdingitout."Themurderwasdonewithit."
"Iseenomarks."
"Therearenone."
"Howdoyouknow, then?"
"."
"Andthemurderer?"
"Isatallman, left-handed, limpswiththerightleg, wearsthick-soledshooting-bootsandagreycloak, smokesIndiancigars, usesacigar-holder, , butthesemaybeenoughtoaidusinoursearch."
Lestradelaughed."IamafraidthatIamstillasceptic,"hesaid."Theoriesareallverywell, butwehavetodealwithahard-headedBritishjury."
