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And then the incident of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy.

If that were true the murderer must have dropped some part of his

dress, presumably his overcoat, in his flight, and must have had

the hardihood to return and to carry it away at the instant when

the son was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off.

What a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing

was! I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so

much faith in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope

as long as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction

of young McCarthy's innocence.

It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone,

for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town.