The San Francisco call., 1905-04-23
man Of the photograph whom we

the man Of the photograph whom we
had secured.
But 1t was not our prisoner to whom
6olmes was giving his attention.
oqoaIteo on the doorstep he was en-
gagged IN most carefully examining that
winch the man had brought from the
mousse Ii was bust of Napoleon, like
the one which we had seen that morn
ing, and II had been broken into sim
Aaf fragments Carefully Holmes held
each separate shard to the light. but
IN no way did il differ from anv other
shattered piece Of plaster. He had
Just completed his examination when
tne nan lights few up, the door opened.
aho the owner Of the house, a jovial.
rotund figure in shirt and trousers, pre-
sented himself
Josiah Brown. I suppose?" said
Holmes
Yes, sir; and you no doubt are Sher-
lock Holmes2 I had the note which
you sent by the express messenger, and
oi1 exactly what you told me We
locked every door on the inside and
awaited Developments Well. I'm very
glad TO see that you have GOT the ras-
cal hope, gentlemen, that YOU will
come IN and have some refreshment''
however, Iestrade was anxious TO
SCI ms man into safe quarters, so with
III rev minutes our cab had been
summoned and we were all four upon
our captive say, but he glared at us
from the shadow of his matted hair
ana once. when my hand seemed with
IN his reach he snapped at it like a
hungry wolf We stayed long enough
at the police station TO learn that a
search of his clothing revealed nothing
save few shillings and a long sheath
knife, the handle Of which bore copious
traces Of recent blood
That's all right" said Lestrade, as
we parted Hill knows all these gen
Try and he win give a name TO him
on md that my theory of the Malta
VIII work out all right But I'm sure
l am exceedingly Obliged to you, Mr..
Holmes, for the Workmanlike way in
which you laid hands upon him.
DON'T quite understand il all yet"
i fear il is rather too late an hour
Ter explanations" said Holmes BE
sides, there are one or two details which
are not finished Of and it is one of
those cases which are worth working
out 10 the very end If you will come
round Orsce more 10 my rooms at 6
O clock Tomorrow I think 1 shall be
able 20 show you that even now you
have not grasped the entire meaning
OF this business, which presents some
features which make il absolutely orig
inal n the history Of crime. If ever I
permit you TO chronicle any more of
my little problems, Watson. I foresee
account Of the singular adventure OF
the NapOleonic busts."
When we met again next evening
Lestrade was furnished with much in
formation concerning our prisoner. His
name, it appeared, was Beppo, second
name unknown He was a well-known
ne 'er-co-Weu among the Italian colony.
He had once been a skillful sculptor
and had earned an honest living, but he
had taken TO evil courses and had twice
already been in jail-once for a petty
theft and once, as We had already
heard, for stabbing a fellow-country-
man. He could talk English perfectly
well His reasons for destroying the
DuSts were still unknown and he re-
fused 10 answer any questions upon
the subject, but the police had dis
covered that these same busts might
very well have been made by his own
hands, since he was engaged in this
class Of work at the establishment of
Gelder < Co To all this information,
much Of which we already knew,
holmes listened with polite attention,
but /. who knew him so well, could
clearly see that his thoughts were else
where, and I detected a mixture Of
mingled uneasiness and expectation be-
meath that mask which he was wont
to assume AT last he started in his
chair and his eyes frightened. There
had been a ring at the bell. A minute
later We heard steps upon the stairs
and an elderly, red-faced man with
griZzled sideWhiskers was ushered in.
In his right hand he carried an old
fashioned carpet-bag. which he placed
upon the table.
Is Sherlock Holmes here?''
Ny friend bowed and smiled Mr..
Sondeford Of Reading, 1 suppose?'' said
he.
Yes, sir; I fear that I am little
late, but the trains were awkward.
You wrote TO me about a bust that is
in my possession"
Exactly
II have your letter here. You said,
i desire TO possess copy of Ds7ine'S
Napoleon, and am prepared to pay you
SO for the one which is in your pcs
session Is that right?"
Certainly
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