Pulling a folded sheet of paper out of his jacket pocket, Sure-Luck continued, 'Bryon, what I have here also requires some satisfactory explaining.'
        Unfolding it, he showed it to Bryon for a brief moment, then refolded it and placed it back in his pocket. 'What you saw, was the will found last Friday, in this typewriter.  And you would have to admit, that is an awful lot to type, in the short time your uncle had, which could have been no more than 15 to 20 minutes, at the most.
        I already know that your uncle used a typewriter very seldom.  He was certainly no expert. In fact, he purchased the typewriter, not for himself, but for his daughter's use, since her school work required the use of it quite often.'
        Bryon nodded his agreement on just such a fact. 'Yes, I'm also aware of that.'
        'So  what  is  now  obviously  bothering  me,'   Homes  went  on,  'is  how  could  he  possibly have completed the will so quickly ?'
        'Sir, I believe the word you used, completed, is possibly the answer.'  spoke Bryon.  'In other words, maybe he didn't actually start the will last Friday, but finished it then.  Perhaps he had already begun typing it at an earlier date.  I'm sure he had almost any day to have begun it during Melonie's absence.'
        'Ah !', stated Homes. 'But that in itself poses a problem. What you have suggested requires the removal of the paper, to be, shall we say, hidden away someplace, then later placed back in the typewriter, correct ?'
        'Of course !', replied a somewhat puzzled Bryon.'
        Well, then as I see it,' continued Sure-Luck, 'my next problem is how could he have managed to line up the printing so accurately ? The will was thoroughly checked, downtown, and there is absolutely no evidence of the paper having been removed and replaced.'
        Bryon's puzzled looked immediately turned to a broad grin. 'Mr. Homes, those guys downtown obviously know nothing about this typewriter then.  I believe a history of this particular typewriter is warranted. Sir, this is no run-of-the-mill average type typewriter. One look at it tells you that.  But it's unique differences are a bit deceptive, and are only noticeable with actual use of it.
        But let me explain why I know something about it.  It was I, who first suggested to my uncle that he get it.  Maria had need of one and her father preferred he buy it himself, perhaps so he had an excuse to use it also. Now anyone who knew my uncle, knows he always wanted the best of everything.
        Well, by chance a friend of mine had previously shown me his new one, and when my uncle had mentioned the desire to buy a good typewriter, I naturally told him of this particular brand.  It is, by the way, an imported model, and far superior to any that are made here in the States.  It is also very expensive.
        My uncle then ordered one and by the time it arrived, I had returned to have a look at it for myself.  Of the numerous unusual features it has, one of them I would like to demonstrate right now, if you don't mind.'   Then moving to the desk and looking in several drawers, he found a stack of typewriter paper. He took a sheet and placed it in the carriage.  Then winding the carriage to a preferable position, Bryon typed out a few letters.  After which, he removed the paper and showed it to Sure-Luck.
        'Okay,' continued Bryon, 'I will now insert it back in again, and type some additional letters to the end of the first group.'  He did so, then again removed the paper and handed it to Homes.
Sure-Luck examined it as closely as possible.
        'Now Bryon, while I cannot see any visible notice of anything being out of line or position, perhaps the lab boys might !'
        Shaking his head, Bryon replied, 'While you can do so, if you like, I guarantee they won't see it any different than the will itself.  The reason being, this typewriter has an automatic aligning mechanism that provides for a perfect fit, every single time !  The first line of characters will always begin an exact distance from the top and sides.'
        'Well,' responded Sure-Luck, 'I'll most likely then take your word on it.  Still, yet one more puzzle is the date typed on the will.  It is at the top. And it is dated as of last Friday.  Now since I have believed he could not have done the whole thing in the short time allowed, he would have needed at least one previous day to have first begun it.  And consequently, he would have likely typed in the date of the previous initial typing ?'
        Bryon was quick to respond, 'Not necessarily Mr. Homes.  Don't forget, he could have begun it that very same morning.'
        Homes, looking a bit flustered, had to agree.  Then composing himself, he said, ' Well, I imagine it may not really matter at all about any of what we have discussed. For there ought to be one sure thing that is found indisputable.  And that is the typewriter's "fingerprints".'
        A look of surprise came over Bryon. 'Sir, are you implying that any fingerprints found on the typewriter will prove something ?  I mean, I'm sure a lot of people have handled it, especially last Friday, during all the commotion.'
        Smiling, Homes responded with, 'No, my boy !  You misinterrupted my meaning.  I wasn't referring to "human" fingerprints, and yes, I'm aware that prints on the keys themselves would naturally be smeared, from repeated pressings.
        No, what I was referring to, was the printout that this particular typewriter has produced.  You have just provided me with one, which I can have the lab boys downtown check out.'
        Obvious confusion was written all over the young man's face.  Homes was aware of it and went on,  'Bryon, what I am talking about, is that like all typewriters, or in fact almost all products made by mass production, minute small differences will appear, as a result.
        For instance, let's imagine that the will in question was actually not typed on this machine at all, but rather on a different one, though perhaps the same brand and model.  An examination under extreme magnification would reveal this to be true, should those "fingerprints" I spoke of show so.
In other words, I'm referring specifically to the characters on the key bars.  They may appear identical on a hundred different typewriters, but the impressions of them, printed out on paper and examined under high magnification would reveal that they all have some "individual difference".
         No two would be 100% alike.  Bits of metal or crack slivers would be seen.  That's why I referred to them as "fingerprints".'
        Bryon sat back in the chair, looking quite perplexed !   'Mr. Homes,' he began, 'am I to assume that you actually don't believe my uncle typed his own will out ?   And if so, what are you implying here ?'
        'Bryon, my boy, do not confuse my intentions.  I have witnessed a LOT of circumstantial evidence thus far, and if I seem 'suspicious' then so be it.  The evidence exists, so I must scrutinize it. But understand me.  While this may be my first assignment, I am no fool.  I have come here prepared to do a job, and do it as well as anyone who has been in my position, for many years.
        Certainly I might "appear" to be carrying out a one-sided inquiry, but I assure you, my utmost duty is to obtain all the facts and make my decisions based on them and nothing else. I am NOT trying to prosecute any innocent individual.
        Admittedly, there appears to be far too many questionable situations here, and I am only leaning with them, by natural design.  If and when I find evidence to the contrary, I will be equally happy to make a strong issue of such, also.'
        'So I gather you feel an examination of the will and what I just typed out will show that the two typings are done on different typewriters ?' asked Bryon.
        'Well,' answered Homes, ' it should either prove they were or weren't.  To which conclusion is reached is really none of my concern.  I'm merely after the truth of the matter.'
        'In that case, sir, I can save you some time and trouble !'
        'Oh ?' was Homes' only response.
        Clearing his throat, Bryon asked Sure-Luck to take out the will. Sure-Luck did so.
        'Now Mr. Homes, take a look at what I had typed moments earlier. To save some time, merely check out any of the lower case (e).  Then tell me if you notice anything unusual about it.'
        Homes did so, and after some moments, he stated, 'Hmmm ! Are you referring to the fact that it has a small portion in the lower left, missing ?'
        'Precisely ! Now do the same check of the will. I'm sure you will see the same thing.'
        After examining the will as well, Homes nodded, saying, 'Well I'll be !   They are identical !'
        'Okay, now finally, come close and take a look at the letter (e) key bar. You'll see the reason for the missing portion.'
        Homes got his eyes as close as he could, and then backed off, saying, 'Well I'll be.  The bar has a missing piece broken off of it.'
        'Indeed it does !  It must have been broken off either during manufacture or during transit. At any rate, I believe you will have to agree that the will was indeed typed with this very typewriter.'

'What-son,' I must admit that the evidence Bryon showed me had me not feeling too good about things.', said Sure-Luck.
        'Oh ?', replied the doctor.
        'Yes !  To tell you the truth, I had put a lot of high hopes in verifying my suspicions with such an examination, and wasn't prepared for the surprising evidence I saw to the contrary.'
        'Yes, I see !' said What-son. 'If you could prove the will was typed on a different machine, then there was no way that Mr. Langford could have typed it on his own. And that would have put suspicion directly at the young lady herself. It would have suggested that she had probably typed it herself, and had placed it in the carriage, herself, as well.'
        'Exactly !  And that left me in a very uncomfortable position. At that point, the only problem left, was that I had "run out of problems" to check out !'