"How did he come ? "

"In answer to an advertisement "

"Was he the only applicant ? "

"No, I had dozen "

"Why did you pick him ? "

"Because handy and would come cheap "

"At half-wages, "

"Yes "

" he like, this Vincent Spaulding ? "

"Small, stout-built, very quick ways, no hair face, though he's not short of thirty Has white splash of acid upon his forehead "

Holmes sat up chair in considerable excitement " ," said he " ever observed that his ears are pierced for earrings ? "

"Yes, sir me that gypsy had done it for him when lad "

"Hum ! " said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought " still ? "

"Oh, yes, sir; only just left him "

"And has your business been attended to in your absence ? "

"Nothing to complain of, sir There's never of morning "

" do, Mr Wilson happy an opinion course of To-day is Saturday, and by Monday come to conclusion "

"Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what make of it all ? "

"I make nothing of it," I answered frankly " most mysterious business "

"As rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre thing less mysterious it proves your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as commonplace face most difficult to identify But prompt over "

" you going , then ? " I asked

"To smoke," he answered " quite three pipe problem, and I beg that you won't speak for fifty minutes " He curled himself up chair, thin knees drawn up hawk-like nose, and there he sat eyes closed black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird I had come conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out chair gesture of man who up his mind and put his pipe down mantelpiece

"Sarasate plays St James's Hall this afternoon," he remarked "What , Watson ? Could your patients spare you for few hours ? "

" nothing to-day My practice is never very absorbing "

"Then put hat and come going City first, and some lunch way I observe of German music programme, rather more to my taste than Italian or French introspective, and to introspect Come along ! "

We travelled Underground as far as Aldersgate; and short walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene singular story which we had listened to morning poky, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy two-storied brick houses looked out into small railed-in enclosure, where lawn of weedy grass and few clumps of faded laurel-bushes made hard fight against smoke-laden and uncongenial atmosphere Three gilt balls and brown board with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon corner house, announced the place where our red-headed client carried business Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it head on one side and looked it all over, eyes shining brightly between puckered lids Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down again corner, still looking keenly houses Finally he returned pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pavement stick times, he went door and knocked instantly opened by bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in

" ," said Holmes, "I only wished to how go from here Strand "

"Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, closing the door

"Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes walked away " , in my judgment the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring not sure that he claim third known something of him before "

"Evidently," said I, " Mr Wilson's assistant counts for mystery Red-headed League that you inquired your way merely see him "

"Not him "

"What then ? "

"The knees trousers "

"And what did ? "

"What I expected "

"Why did you beat the pavement ? "

"My dear doctor, time for observation, not for talk spies in an enemy's country something of Saxe-Coburg Square now explore the parts which lie behind it "

The road ourselves turned round the corner retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great contrast front of picture does back main arteries which conveyed the traffic City north and west The roadway was blocked immense stream of commerce flowing in double tide inward and outward, while the footpaths were black hurrying swarm of pedestrians difficult to realize looked line of fine shops and stately business premises really abutted other side faded and stagnant square which we had just quitted

"Let me see," said Holmes, standing corner and glancing along the line, " like just to remember the order houses here hobby an exact knowledge of London Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little newspaper shop, the Coburg branch City and Suburban Bank, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building depot That carries us right on other block And now, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play sandwich and cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums "

My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself very capable perfomer but composer of no ordinary merit All the afternoon he sat stalls wrapped most perfect happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers music, while his gently smiling face languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those of Holmes, the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as possible to conceive singular character the dual nature alternately asserted itself, extreme exactness and astuteness represented, as often thought, the reaction against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally predominated in him The swing nature took him from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as well, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he lounging armchair amid his improvisations black-letter editions Then it the lust chase would suddenly come upon him, his brilliant reasoning power would rise level of intuition, until those who were unacquainted methods would look askance at him as on man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals When him that afternoon so enwrapped music at St James's Hall that an evil time coming upon those whom he had set himself to hunt down

" home, , Doctor," he remarked emerged

"Yes, it "

"And some business which will take some hours This business at Coburg Square is serious "

"Why serious ? "

"A considerable crime is in contemplation every reason that to stop it But to-day being Saturday rather complicates matters want your help to-night "

"At what time ? "

"Ten early enough "

" at Baker Street at ten "

" And, , Doctor, some little danger, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket " He waved his hand, turned heel, and disappeared in an instant crowd