Lestrade stared

"You don't seriously believe that ? "

Holmes smiled

"Don't I ? Well, perhaps I don't But interest Mr Horace Harker subscribers Central Press Syndicate Now, Watson, that find that long and rather complex day's work glad, Lestrade, make it convenient to meet us at Baker Street at six o'clock this evening Until then like this photograph found dead man's pocket possible that to ask your company and assistance upon small expedition which be undertaken to-night, chain of reasoning should prove correct Until then, good-bye and good luck ! "

Sherlock Holmes and I walked together High Street, where he stopped shop of Harding Brothers, whence the bust purchased young assistant informed us that Mr Harding absent until after noon, himself newcomer no information Holmes's face showed his disappointment and annoyance

"Well, well, 't expect it all our own way, Watson," , at last " come back afternoon if Mr Harding here until then , surmised, endeavouring to trace these busts source, not something peculiar account for their remarkable fate Morse Hudson, Kennington Road, if throw any light problem "

drive of an hour brought us picture-dealer's establishment small, stout man with red face and peppery manner

"Yes, sir On my very counter, sir," said he "What we pay rates and taxes for I don't know, when any ruffian can come in and break one's goods Yes, sir, I who sold Dr Barnicot his two statues Disgraceful, sir ! Nihilist plot, that's what I make it No one but an Anarchist would go about breaking statues Red republicans, that's what I call 'em Who did I get the statues from ? I don't see what that do with it Well, really want , I got them from Gelder and Co , in Church Street, Stepney well-known house trade, and this twenty years had I ? Three -- two and one are three -- two of Dr Barnicot's and one smashed in broad daylight on my own counter Do that photograph ? No, I don't Yes, , though Why, it's Beppo kind of Italian piece-work man, himself useful shop carve bit and gild and frame, and do odd jobs The fellow left me last week, and I've heard nothing of him since No, I don't know where from nor where he went to nothing against him while here gone two days bust was smashed "

"Well, that's all reasonably expect from Morse Hudson," said Holmes, emerged shop " this Beppo as common factor, both in Kennington and in Kensington, is worth ten-mile drive Now, Watson, for Gelder and Co , of Stepney, the source and origin of busts surprised don't get some help down there "

In rapid succession we passed fringe of fashionable London, hotel London, theatrical London, literary London, commercial London, and, finally, maritime London, till we came to riverside city of hundred thousand souls, where the tenement houses swelter and reek outcasts of Europe Here, in broad thoroughfare, once the abode of wealthy City merchants, the sculpture works we searched Outside was considerable yard full of monumental masonry Inside was large room fifty workers were carving or moulding The manager, big blond German, received us civilly, and gave clear answer to all Holmes's questions reference books showed that hundreds of casts taken from marble copy of Devine's head of Napoleon, but three which sent to Morse Hudson year or so before half of batch of six, the other three being sent to Harding Brothers, of Kensington no reason why those six different to any other casts suggest no possible cause why anyone should wish to destroy them -- , he laughed idea Their wholesale price was six shillings, but the retailer would get twelve or more The cast was taken in two moulds from each side face, and then these two profiles of plaster of Paris were joined together to complete bust The work was usually done by Italians room we were in When finished the busts were put on table passage to dry, and afterwards stored That was all tell us

But the production photograph had remarkable effect manager His face flushed with anger, brows knotted over his blue Teutonic eyes

"Ah, the rascal ! " he cried "Yes, indeed, him This has always been respectable establishment, only time that ever had the police in over this very fellow more than year ago now He knifed another Italian street, and then works police heels, and taken here Beppo was his name -- his second name I never knew Serve me right for engaging man face But good workman, "

"What did he get ? "

"The man lived and he got off with year out now; but he dared to show his nose here cousin here, and I dare say tell you where "

"No, no," cried Holmes, "not word cousin -- not word, I beg you The matter is , farther I go with it the more important it seems to grow referred in your ledger sale casts I observed date was June 3rd of last year Could you the date when Beppo was arrested ? "

" tell you roughly pay-list," the manager answered "Yes," he continued, after some turning over of pages, " paid last on May 20th "

" ," said Holmes "I don't think that intrude upon your time and patience any more " With last word of caution that say nothing our researches we turned our faces westward once more

The afternoon was far advanced before we were able to snatch hasty luncheon at restaurant news-bill entrance announced "Kensington Outrage Murder by Madman," contents paper showed that Mr Horace Harker had got his account into print after all Two columns were occupied with highly sensational and flowery rendering whole incident Holmes propped it against the cruet-stand and read it while he ate he chuckled

" all right, Watson," said he "Listen : ` satisfactory that there no difference of opinion upon , since Mr Lestrade, experienced members official force, and Mr Sherlock Holmes, the well-known consulting expert, have each come conclusion grotesque series of incidents, ended in so tragic fashion, arise from lunacy rather than from deliberate crime No explanation save mental aberration can cover the facts ' The Press, Watson, is most valuable institution only know how to use it And now, quite finished, hark back to Kensington what the manager of Harding Brothers has matter "