"Well then, I shan't tell you So now ! "

"Oh, matter of no importance; but I don't know why so warm over such trifle "

"Warm ! You'd be as warm, maybe, were as pestered as When I pay good money for good article there an end business; but it's 'Where are the geese ? ' and 'Who did you sell the geese to ? ' and ' you take geese ? ' One would think they were the only geese , to hear the fuss made over them "

"Well, no connection with people who making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly " won't tell us the bet is off, all But I'm always ready to back my opinion on matter of fowls, and fiver bird I ate is country bred "

"Well, then, you've lost your fiver, 's town bred," snapped the salesman

"It's nothing kind "

" "

"I don't believe it "

"D' more about fowls than I, handled them nipper ? I tell you, all those birds that went Alpha were town bred "

"You'll never persuade me that "

" bet, then ? "

"It's merely taking your money, for that right But I'll have sovereign on , just to teach you not obstinate "

The salesman chuckled grimly "Bring me the books, Bill," said he

The small boy brought round small thin volume and great greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp

"Now then, Mr Cocksure," said the salesman, " that out of geese, but before I finish you'll find still one left in my shop this little book ? "

"Well ? "

"That's the list folk from whom I buy D' ? Well, then, here page are the country folk, numbers after their names are where their accounts are big ledger Now, then ! this other page in red ink ? Well, list town suppliers Now, look third name Just read it out "

" Mrs Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road -- 249," read Holmes

"Quite so Now turn that up ledger "

Holmes turned page indicated "Here , ' Mrs Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier "

"Now, then, what's the last entry ? "

" 'December 22d Twenty-four geese at 7s 6d ' "

"Quite so There And underneath ? "

" 'Sold to Mr Windigate Alpha, at 12s ' "

"What now ? "

Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined He drew sover- eign pocket and threw it down slab, turning away air of man whose disgust is too deep for words few yards off he stopped under lamp-post and laughed hearty, noiseless fashion peculiar to him

" see man with whiskers cut 'Pink 'un' protruding out pocket, always draw him by bet," said he "I daresay that if I had put lOO pounds down in front of him, that man have given me such complete information as was drawn idea that doing me on wager Well, Watson, , I fancy, nearing the end quest, only point which remains determined is whether go on Mrs Oakshott to-night, or whether reserve it for to-morrow clear from what that surly fellow said others besides ourselves anxious , and --"

His remarks were suddenly cut short by loud hubbub which broke out stall which we had just left Turning round we saw little rat-faced fellow standing centre circle of yellow light thrown swinging lamp, while Breckinridge, the salesman, framed door stall, was shaking his fists fiercely cringing figure

"I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted " you were all devil together come pestering me any more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you You bring Mrs Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what with it ? Did I buy the geese off you ? "

"No; but was mine all the same," whined the little man

"Well, then, ask Mrs Oakshott "

"She told me to "

"Well, King of Proosia, for all I care I've had enough of it Get out ! " He rushed fiercely forward, inquirer flitted away darkness

"Ha ! save us visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes "Come with me, and what made fellow " Striding scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily over- took the little man and touched him shoulder He sprang round, and I gas-light that every vestige of colour driven face

"Who , then ? What ? " he asked in quavering voice

" excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but help overhearing the questions which you put salesman just now that of assistance "

"You ? Who ? How could anything matter ? "

"My name is Sherlock Holmes my business what other people don't know "

"But know nothing ? "

"Excuse me, everything of it endeavouring to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr Windigate, Alpha, and by him club, Mr Henry Baker is member "

"Oh, sir, the very man whom longed to meet," cried the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers " hardly explain how interested "

Sherlock Holmes hailed four-wheeler passing " case we had better discuss it in cosy room rather than wind-swept market-place," said he "But pray tell me, before we go farther, who it the pleasure of assisting "

The man hesitated for an instant "My name is John Robin- son," he answered with sidelong glance

"No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly " always awkward doing business with an alias "

flush sprang white cheeks stranger "Well then," said he, "my real name is James Ryder "

"Precisely so Head attendant Hotel Cosmopolitan Pray step cab, and soon you everything which wish "

The little man stood glancing from one other of us with half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one sure whether verge of windfall or of catastrophe Then he stepped cab, and in half an hour we were back sitting-room at Baker Street Nothing said during our drive, but the high, thin breathing new companion, claspings and unclaspings hands, spoke nervous tension within him

"Here ! " said Holmes cheerily filed room "The fire looks very seasonabe weather You look cold, Mr Ryder Pray basket-chair just put on my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours Now, then ! what became geese ? "

"Yes, sir "

"Or rather, I fancy, goose one bird, I imagine were interested -- white, with black bar across the tail "

Ryder quivered with emotion "Oh, sir," he cried, " tell me where it went to ? "

"It came here "

"Here ? "

"Yes, and most remarkable bird it proved I don't wonder that take an interest It laid an egg after dead -- the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen it here in my museum "

Our visitor staggered feet and clutched the mantelpiece right hand Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the blue carbuncle, which shone out like star, with cold brilliant, many-pointed radiance Ryder stood glaring with drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it