Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22

'Ah. l don't know him. Well, here's your
good health, landlord, and prosperity to
your house. Good night"
Now for Mr.. Breckenridge" he continued,
buttoning up his coat. came out into
the frosty air. Remember, Watson that
though we have so homely thing as a
goose al end of this chain have at
the ether who will certainly get
seven years penal servitude unless We can
establish his innocence. 1t is possible that
our inquiry may but confirm his guilt, but,
in any case, we have a line of investigat ton
which has been missed by the police and
which a singular chance has placed in our
hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter
end. Faces to the south, then. and quick
march,
We passed across Holboru, down Endell
street, and so through a ZgZag of slums
to Covent Garden Market. One of the larg-
est stalls bore the name of Breckenridge
upon 1t, and the proprietor, a horSey look
ing man, with a sharp face and trim side
whiskers, was helping a boy to put up the
shutters.
Good evening. It's a cold night" said
Holmes.
The salesman nodded and shot a oues-
toning glance at my companion.
Sold out of geese, l see," continued
Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of
marble.
Let you have 800 tomorrow morning"
That's no good"
Well. there are some the stall with
the gasfiare."
-hit' DHs w al 10 you.
who by?"
The landlord of the Alpha"
on yes. l sent him a couple of dozen -
Fine birds they were. too. Now, where
did you get them from?"
To my surprise the question provoked a
purst OF anger from the salesman.
Now, then mister" said he with his
head cooked and his arms akimbo what
now"
1T is straight enuogh 1 should like to
Know who sold you the geese which you
supplied to the Alpha"
We'll, then, shan't tell you So nowr'
oh, IL is matter of no Importance: but
DON know why you should be SO warm
over such a trifle.''
Warm! You'd be as warm. ma ybe If
you We're as pestered as l 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 to? and What will you take for
the geese?' One would think they were the
only geese in the world. 10 hear the fuss
that is made over them"
We'll, l have no connection with any
other people who have been making in
quiries. said Holmes, carelessly. IF you
won't tell us the bet is off, that is ALL But
I'm always ready to back my opinion on a
matter mat Of fowls and 1 have FLYER on it
that the bird l ate is country BRED
We'll, then, you've lost your FLYER, for it's
town bred" snapped the salesman
It's nothing of the kind"
II don't believe it."
'D'you think you know more about fowls
than l, who have handled them ever since
/ was a nipper? 1 tell you all those birds
that went to the Alpha were town bred"
You'll never persuade me to believe
that"
Will you bet, then?'
It's merely taking your money; for 1
know that l am right. But I'll have SOW
ereign on with you, just to teach you not
to be obstinate.
The salesman chuckled grimly Bring
me the books. Bill said he
The small boy brought round a small thin
volume and a great greasy-backed one lay
Ing them out together beneath the hanging
lamp.
Now. then, Mr. Cocksure." said the
salesman, Il thought that I was out of
geese, but before l finish you'll find that
there is still one left in my shop You see
this little book"
''Weu?'
That's the list of the folk from whom
l buy. Dye see? Well, then, here on this
page are the country folk, and the num-
bers after their names are where their ac-
counts are in the big ledger. Now, then,
You see this other page in red ink? Well,
that is a list of my town suppliers. Now
look at that third name Just read Ii out
to me-
Mrs. oakshott. III. Brlxton roadH24a,"
read Holmes.
Quite So Now, turn that I'D In the
ledger"
Holmes turned to the page Indicated.
Here you are. Mrs. Oakshott. III Brixton
road, egg and poultry supplier.v
Now, then, what's the last entry?'
Dec. %. Twenty-four geese at rs Cd"
Quite SO. There You are. And under
meath
Sold 10 Mr. windigate, of the Alpha,
at 12s''
What have you to say nowg.
Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined
He drew sovereign from his pocket and