? ? ? ? "Precisely. It is a piece of tarred twine. You have also, no doubt, remarked that Miss Cushing has cut the cord with a scissors, as can be seen by the double fray on each side. This is of importance."
? ? ? ? "I cannot see the importance," said Lestrade.
? ? ? ? "The importance lies in the fact that the knot is left intact, and that this knot is of a peculiar character."
? ? ? ? "It is very neatly tied. I had already made a note to that effect," said Lestrade complacently.
? ? ? ? "So much for the string, then," said Holmes, smiling, "now for the box wrapper. Brown paper, with a distinct smell of coffee. What, did you not observe it? I think there can be no doubt of it. Address printed in rather straggling characters: 'Miss S. Cushing, Cross Street, Croydon.' Done with a broad-pointed pen, probably a J, and with very inferior ink. The word 'Croydon' has been originally spelled with an 'i,' which has been changed to 'y.' The parcel was directed, then, by a man -- the printing is distinctly masculine -- of limited education and unacquainted with the town of Croydon. So far, so good! The box is a yellow half-pound honeydew box, with nothing distinctive save two thumb marks at the left bottom corner.
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