“Notice the capital A in Gordon’s given name,” said he, pointing. “It has the proper form for the capital. Here, in this letter, are no less than three of the same capitals, and all of a different shape.” “How different?” “They are the enlarged form of the small letter, a form which many persons use when writing that capital,” said Nick. “If it appeared only once, it might be attributed to chance, but all three show plainly that Tilly Lancey habitually wrote the capital A in the form of the small letter. Here is the other form, however, in this writing on the wall. Don’t expect me to believe that this woman would, under such circumstances, have changed her habit of writing.” “By Jove, that is important,” said Chick, eyes lighting. “But why blood on the tip of her forefinger?” Phelan protested. “Isn’t that enough evidence that she----” “It is not reliable evidence,” Nick objected, interrupting. “But the size of her finger tip corresponds with the marks on the wall.” “That cuts no ice,” Nick again insisted. “Clever crooks, bent upon this deception, would have dragged the woman near enough to the wall, after killing her, to grasp her lax hand and finger and forced it to inscribe the desired words. That is precisely what was done. This inconsistency in the capital A alone convinces me of that.” “I am not so sure of it, Carter, all the same,” Phelan still objected. “Well, I am, Phelan, and I was reasonably sure of it from the first,” said Nick. “Why so?” “Notice her fractured skull. Such wounds are prohibitive. Tilly Lancey did not recover consciousness, to say nothing of having revived sufficiently to write these words. Furthermore, if she had, she would not have done so.” “You mean?” “Here is the telephone stand scarce three feet away,” Nick continued. “With consciousness and reason restored, and sufficient strength to have dragged herself to the wall and written these words, she would have taken a simpler method to expose her assailant.” “You mean with the telephone.” “Certainly. It was directly in front of her. She must have seen it. Even if she could not rise, she could have tipped over the stand and got hold of the instrument. In half the time it would have taken her to dip her finger in blood and write these words, she could have told the whole story to a telephone operator, or even have called up the police.” “By gracious, Nick, that admits of no argument,” said Chick emphatically. “She surely would have done so. The several circumstances combined leave no room for a doubt.” “I think so, too,” Phelan nodded. “I guess you are right, Carter, after all. I blundered like a fool in getting after Gordon so quickly.” Nick did not reply.