Monday
noon
`` To think that I should be insulted so by a perfect stranger in my own home ! '' And the Countess wept some more . `` What earthly connection is there between your silly questions about the Earl 's cigars and the diamond-robbery , I should like to know ? '' `` Simply this , '' returned Holmes patiently , as the Countess wiped her tear-stained face with her handkerchief ; `` with the aid of my powerful microscope I was enabled to find that the specks of cigar-ashes adhering to the soles of your shoes that you wore Monday , the ones that I was compelled to take for evidence last night , and replaced in your room this morning , were from a Pampango cigar ; and as you told me that the only time recently that the Earl smoked one of that brand was Monday morning , in his room , and that his room was swept out Monday noon , that proves conclusively that you were in his room during Monday morning . The fact that you also claimed to have been up here in your own room all during Monday morning shows that you had a strong motive for concealing your presence in the Earl 's room at the time some of the cuff-buttons disappeared , which can only mean that you wished to cover up your theft . Is that clear enough ? '' `` I suppose so , '' remarked the Countess listlessly , rising and going over to her dresser at one side of the room , where she unlocked one of the drawers , took out the cuff-button Holmes was after , and handed it to him .