microscope between us, was too much for the police officer's gravity, and he laughed long and joyously.
"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 forwarder 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 a few moments, we will come with you." He poured a few drops of xylol balsam on the cards to fix the reconstituted lenses to their supports and then, packing them and the microscope in the case, announced that he was ready to start.
"Is there any village or hamlet near?" he asked the station-master.
"None nearer than Corfield. That is about half-a-mile from here."
"And where is the nearest road?"
"There is a half-made road that runs past a house about three hundred yards from here. It belonged to a building estate that was never built. There is a footpath from it to the station."
"Are there any other houses near?"
