" man Horner is innocent ? "

" tell "

"Well, then, imagine other one, Henry Baker, had anything matter ? "

" , , much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea bird which carrying was of considerably more value than were made of solid gold That, however, determine by very simple test an answer to our advertisement "

"And do nothing until then ? "

"Nothing "

" case continue my professional round But come back evening hour mentioned, for like the solution of so tangled business "

"Very you I dine at seven woodcock, I believe , in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs Hudson to examine its crop "

I delayed at case, and little after half-past six when myself in Baker Street once more As I approached the house tall man in Scotch bonnet with coat buttoned up chin waiting outside bright semicircle thrown fanlight Just as l arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room

" Mr Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising armchair and greeting his visitor easy air of geniality which so readily assume "Pray take this chair fire, Mr Baker cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter Ah, Watson, just come right time your hat, Mr Baker ? "

"Yes, sir, undoubtedly my hat "

large man with rounded shoulders, massive head, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to pointed beard of grizzled brown touch of red in nose and cheeks, with slight tremor extended hand, recalled Holmes's surmise as habits His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, collar turned up, lank wrists protruded sleeves without sign of cuff or shirt He spoke in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of man of learning and letters who had had ill-usage hands of fortune

" retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "because we expected an advertisement giving your address at loss now why advertise "

Our visitor gave rather shamefaced laugh "Shillings so plentiful with me once were," he remarked "I had gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat bird care more money in hopeless attempt at recovering them "

"Very naturally , bird, we were com- pelled to eat it "

"To eat it ! " Our visitor half rose chair excitement

"Yes, it of no use to anyone had we not done so But I presume other goose sideboard, same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally well ? "

"Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr Baker with sigh of relief

" , we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your own bird, so --"

The man burst into hearty laugh " useful as relics adventure," said he, "but beyond that hardly see what use the disjecta membra late acquaintance are going No, sir, that, with your permis- sion, confine my attentions excellent bird which I perceive sideboard "

Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with slight shrug shoulders

" your hat, then, and there your bird," said he " , would it bore you me where you got the other one from ? somewhat of fowl fancier, and seldom seen better grown goose "

"Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained property under his arm " few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum -- found Museum itself during the day, you understand This year our good host, Windigate by name, instituted goose club, , on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to receive bird at Christmas My pence were duly paid, rest is familiar much indebted , sir, for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity " With comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way

" Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the door behind him " quite certain that nothing whatever hungry, Watson ? "

"Not particularly "

"Then I we turn our dinner into supper and follow up this clue while still hot "

"By all means "

bitter night, so we drew ulsters and wrapped cravats about our throats Outside, the stars were shining coldly in cloudless sky, breath passers-by blew out into smoke like pistol shots Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly swung doctors' quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Ox- ford Street In quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury Alpha Inn, small public-house corner of streets which runs down into Holborn Holmes pushed open the door private bar and ordered two glasses of beer ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord

"Your beer excellent as good geese," said he

"My geese ! " The man seemed surprised

"Yes speaking only half an hour ago to Mr Henry Baker, who was member of your goose club "

"Ah ! yes, But , sir, them's not our geese "

"Indeed ! Whose, then ? "

"Well, I got the two dozen from salesman in Covent Garden "

"Indeed ? it ? "

"Breckinridge is his name "

"Ah ! I don't know him Well, here's your good health landlord, and prosperity to your house Good-night

"Now Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat came out frosty air "Remember, Watson that though so homely thing as goose at one end chain, other man certainly get seven years' penal servitude unless establish his inno- cence possible inquiry may but confirm his guilt but, in any case, line of investigation been missed police, and which singular chance has placed hands follow it out bitter end Faces south, then, and quick march ! "

We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market largest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, proprietor horsy-looking man, with sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping boy up the shutters

"Good-evening It's cold night," said Holmes

The salesman nodded and shot questioning glance at my companion

"Sold out of geese, ," continued Holmes, pointing bare slabs of marble

"Let five hundred to-morrow morning "

"That's no good "

"Well, some stall gas-flare "

"Ah, but recommended "

"Who by ? "

"The landlord 'Alpha ' "

"Oh, yes; him couple of dozen "

"Fine birds they were, too Now where did you get them from ? "

To my surprise the question provoked burst of anger salesman

"Now, then, mister," said he, head cocked arms akimbo, " you driving at ? Let's have it straight, now "