If two prints agreed in all these details, their
identity was certain. He then proceeded to show that the prints made
that morning by Swain did so agree with the photographs of the prints
on the garments. Finally the witness was turned over to me for
cross-examination.
"Mr. Sylvester," I began, "are you willing to assert that those
finger-prints could have been made by no man in the world except Mr.
Swain?"
Sylvester hesitated, just as I hoped he would do.
"No," he answered, at last, "I can't assert that, Mr. Lester. There
may be three or four other men in the world with finger-prints like
these. But the probabilities against any of these men having made
these prints are very great. Besides, it is a thing easily proved--the
number of persons who might have committed the crime is limited, and
it is an easy thing to secure prints of their fingers."
"That is what I was about to propose," I agreed. "I should like the
finger-prints taken of every one who was in the house Thursday night."
"Do I understand that your case stands or falls upon this point?"
asked the coroner.
"Your Honor," I answered, "my client cannot explain how the prints of
his fingers, if they are his, came to be upon that robe.
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