"Yes, sir, already read the account evening papers Mr Horace Harker is customer of ours We supplied him bust some We ordered three busts sort from Gelder and Co , of Stepney all sold now ? Oh, I dare say by consulting our sales book very easily tell you Yes, the entries here One to Mr Harker, , and one to Mr Josiah Brown, of Laburnum Lodge, Laburnum Vale, Chiswick, and one to Mr Sandeford, of Lower Grove Road, Reading No, never seen this face which you show me photograph hardly forget it, would you, sir, for I've seldom seen an uglier Have we any Italians staff ? Yes, sir, several among our workpeople and cleaners I dare say get peep sales book wanted to no particular reason for keeping watch upon that book Well, well, it's very strange business, and you'll let me know if anything comes of your inquiries "

Holmes had taken several notes during Mr Harding's evidence, and I that thoroughly satisfied turn which affairs were taking no remark, however, save that, unless we hurried, late appointment with Lestrade Sure enough, when we reached Baker Street the detective was already there, and him pacing up and down in fever of impatience His look of importance showed that his day's work in vain

"Well ? " he asked "What luck, Mr Holmes ? "

" very busy day, and not entirely wasted one," my friend explained " seen both the retailers and also the wholesale manufacturers trace each busts now beginning "

"The busts ! " cried Lestrade "Well, well, your own methods, Mr Sherlock Holmes, and word against them, but better day's work than you identified the dead man "

"You don't say so ? "

"And found cause crime "

"Splendid ! "

" an inspector who makes specialty of Saffron Hill Italian quarter Well, this dead man had some Catholic emblem round his neck, , along colour, made me think South Inspector Hill knew him the moment he caught sight of him His name is Pietro Venucci, from Naples, and greatest cut-throats in London connected Mafia, which, , is secret political society, enforcing its decrees by murder Now how the affair begins to clear up The other fellow is probably an Italian also, and member Mafia He has broken the rules in some fashion Pietro is set upon his track Probably the photograph pocket man himself, not knife the wrong person He dogs the fellow, he sees him enter house, he waits outside for him, and scuffle he receives his own death-wound How , Mr Sherlock Holmes ? "

Holmes clapped his hands approvingly

"Excellent, Lestrade, excellent ! " he cried "But I didn't quite follow your explanation destruction busts "

"The busts ! You never can get those busts out of your head After all, nothing; petty larceny, six months most murder that really investigating, and I tell you that gathering all the threads into my hands "

" next stage ? "

"Is very simple one go down with Hill Italian quarter, find the man whose photograph got, and arrest him charge of murder come ? "

" not I fancy attain our end in simpler way 't say for certain, because it all depends -- well, it all depends upon factor completely outside our control But great hopes -- , the betting is exactly two to one -- that come to-night to to lay him heels "

" Italian quarter ? "

"No; I fancy Chiswick is an address more likely him come with me to Chiswick to-night, Lestrade, I'll promise Italian quarter to-morrow, and no harm delay And now that few hours' sleep would do us all good, for propose to leave before eleven o'clock, and unlikely that back before morning You'll dine , Lestrade, and then welcome sofa until time to start meantime, Watson, glad ring for an express messenger, for letter to send, and important should go at once "

Holmes spent the evening in rummaging files old daily papers lumber-rooms was packed When at last he descended with triumph eyes, but nothing to either of us result researches own part, I had followed step by step the methods he had traced the various windings complex case, and, though yet perceive the goal which reach, I understood clearly that Holmes expected this grotesque criminal an attempt two remaining busts, one , I remembered, was at Chiswick the object journey was to catch him very act, and but admire the cunning my friend had inserted wrong clue evening paper, so as the fellow the idea that continue his scheme with impunity not surprised when Holmes suggested that take my revolver with me He had himself picked up the loaded hunting-crop his favourite weapon

four-wheeler was door at eleven, and we drove to spot other side of Hammersmith Bridge Here the cabman was directed to wait short walk brought us to secluded road fringed with pleasant houses, each standing in its own grounds light of street lamp we read "Laburnum Villa" gate-post of The occupants had evidently retired to rest, for all was dark save for fanlight over the hall door, which shed single blurred circle on garden path The wooden fence which separated the grounds road threw dense black shadow inner side, and here it we crouched

" that you'll have long wait," Holmes whispered " thank our stars not raining I don't think even venture to smoke the time However, it's two to one chance that we get something us trouble "

It proved, however, vigil was not as Holmes had led us to fear, and it ended in very sudden and singular fashion In an instant, without the least sound to warn us coming, the garden gate swung open, and lithe, dark figure, as swift and active as an ape, rushed up the garden path We saw it whisk past the light thrown from over the door and disappear against the black shadow house long pause, during which we held our breath, and then very gentle creaking sound came to our ears The window was being opened The noise ceased, and again long silence The fellow was making his way house We saw the sudden flash of dark lantern inside the room What he sought was evidently not there, for again we saw the flash through another blind, and then through another

" get open window nab him as he climbs out," Lestrade whispered