The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-13

u1RdIe DIV name. instituted a oSS'~
by which, on consideration OF some Few
nence every. week we were each to re-
eeive a bird at Christmas. MY pence
were duly paid, and the rest is iamiilaf
to you / am much indebted TO YOU SIR,
for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither 10
my years nor my gravity. Win com
zeal pomposty of manner he po"eo SUI
EMMY to both of us and stfoae OH upon
his way.
so much for Mr.. Henry Baker, said
Holmes when he had closed the door
behind him 1T is quite certain that ne
knows nothing whatever about the mat
ter. Are you hungry, Watsong
Not particularly"
"Then l suggest that we turn our din
ner into a supper, and follow up TINS
clue while 1t Is still hot
by all means
1t was bitter night, so We drew on our
ulsters and wrapped cravats about our
| threats Outside, the stars were shin
ing coldly in a cloudless sky and the
breath of the passers-by blew out into
smoke like so many pistol shots. Our
footballs rang out crisply and loudly as
| we swung through the Doctors quarter,
Wimpole street, Harley street, and SO
through Wigmore street into oxford
street In a quarter of an hour we were
In Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which
| Is small public house at the corner OIL
/ one of the streets which runs down INTO
Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door
of the private bar, and ordered two
| glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced,
white-aproned landlord
your beer should be excellent if 1t Is
as good as your geese" said he.
my geeser' The man seemed sur
prised.
"Yes. was speaking only half an hour
ago to Mr.. Henry Baker, who was a
member of your goose club"
All yes, | see. But, you see, sir,
the's not our geese
"Indeed Whose, then?'
well, | got the two dozen from a
salesman in Convent Garden
Indeed? l know some of them. Which
was it?"
breckenridge is his name.''
"Ah! don't know him. Well, here's
your good health, landlord, and prosper
ity to your house Good night
Now for Mr.. Breckenridge" he con-
tinued. buttoning up his coat, as we came
out into the frosty air. Remember, Wat
son, that though we have so homely a
] thing as a goose at one end of this chain,
we have at the other a man who will GER
| tainly get seven years penal servtude I'M
less we can establish his innocence. 1t
is possible that our inquiry may but con-
!, firm his guilt: but, in any case, we have
missed by the police. and which snsu-
] lar chance has placed in our hands. Let
| us follow 1t out to the bitter end. Faces
to the south, then, and quick march,!
We passed across Holborn. down Endell
street and so through zgzag of clums
| to Covent Garden Market. One of the
largest stalls bore the name of Breckin-
ridge upon 1t, and the proprietor, a
horsey looking man, with sharp face
and trim side whiskers, was helping boy
to put up the shutters.
Good evening It's cold night" said
! Holmes
\ The salesman nodded. and shot aues-
! Noning glance at my companion.
| I.Sod out of geese, | See" continued
/ IIblmes pointing at the bare slabs of
Marble.
'AI.et you have 500 tomorrow morning ;"
| That's no good"
s"Wel, there are some on the stall with
| the Aasfare"
AM but was recommended to YOU"
"WffV by?'
"The landlord of the Alpha"
/, "Oh, Ms; sent him a couple of dozen. :
Zine birds they We're. too. Now, where
| did you Aet them from?'
] To my Nurprise the question provoked
| a burst d anger from the salesman.
Now, then mister" said he. with his
head coclkeG and his arm akimbo, what
are you drifting at? Let's have 1t straight
now"
! ut Is straight enough. I should like to
know who sRld you the geese which you
supplied to the Alpha =
| well thenlI sha'n't tell you. So now!"
"Oh, 1t is d matter of no Importance;
but | don't know why You should be so
warm over such a trihe."
Warm. you'd be as warm may be. If
J you were as pestered as | am. When |
| pay good money for good article there
| should be an end of the business; but
It's, Where are the geese? and Who did
you sell the geese tor and What will
| you take for the geese? One would think
| they We're the only geese In the world.
to hear the fuss that is made over them. :
"WelI, l have no connection with any
| other people who have been making in
quiries," said Holmes, earelessly. IF you
won't tell us the bet is off. that is all.
But I'm always ready to back my opin-
ion on matter of fowls, and l have a
flyer on it that the bird ate is country
bred"
.Wen. then you've lost your flyer, for
it's town Bred shipped the salesman.
TITS nothing of the kind
II say 1t is
~ don't believe 1t.
'Dyou think you know more about
fowls than I. who have handled them
| ever since l was n nip1er? | tell you, all
| those birds that went to the Alpha were
town bred"
you'll never persuade. me to believe
that"
"Wll you bet. then?"
"Its merely taking your money; for
| know that | am right. But I'll have a
sovereign on with YOU, just to teach you
not to be obstinate."
The salesman chucl<1ed grimly. Bring
me the books, isill'' said he.
The small boy brought round a small
thin volume and great greasy-backed
one laying them out together beneath the
| hanging lamp.
Now, then. Mr. Cocksure," said the
salesman ~ Thought that | was out OF
geese. but before ! finish you'll find that
there is still one left IN my shop. You
see this little book"
"Well?"
That's the Its Of the folk from whom
| buy. Dye see? Well then here on this
page are the country folk. and the num-
bers after their names are where their
accounts in the big ledger. Now. thenl
You see this other page In red ink? Well.
that is a list of my town slppliers. Now.
look at that third name. Just read 1t out
| to me-"
Mrs oakshott, III, Brixton road-24s,"
read Holmes.
quite so. Now. turn that up in the
ledger"
Holmes turned to the page indicated.
Here you are. Mrs. oakshott. Ill Brix-
ton road, egg and poultry supplier.
Now, then. what's the last entry?
Dec. % Twenty-fo,tr geese at IS pd.' !"
quite So There YOU are. And under
neathg"