Chapter 12

“You must excuse me, gentlemen,” he said apologetically, “but really, you know, to an old hand, like myself, it does look a little—well—you understand—I dare say a microscope is a very interesting and amusing thing, but it doesn’t get you much forrader in a case like this, does it?” “Perhaps not,” replied Thorndyke. “By the way, where did you find the hat, after all?” “We haven’t found it,” the inspector replied, a little sheepishly. “Then we must help you to continue the search,” said Thorndyke. “If you will wait …