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

4
that there are other besides ourselves VINO
are anxious about the matter. and
should"-
His remarks were suddenly cut short by
loud hubbub which broke out from the
stall which we had Just left. Turning
! round we saw little rat-faced fellow
standing in the center of the circle of
+, yellow light which was thrown by the
swinging lamp, while Breckenridge. tho
salesman, framed in the door of his stall.
was shaking his fists fiereely at the
! cringing figure.
i've had enough of you and your
geese" he shouted. Il wish you were
! all at the devil together. r you come
p~stcrb me any mo-. with your silly
| talk III set the dog at you. You bring
Mrs Oakshott here and I'll answer her.
but what have you to do with it? Did l
buy the geese off you?"
mo; but ole of them was mine, all the
/ same" whined the little man.
We'll, then, asks Mrs Oakshott for
She ted me TO ask yo1
| well. you can ask the King of Proosia,
| for all / care. I've had enough of it. Get
ont of this. lie rushed fiercely forward.
and the inquirer lifted away into the
| 6al'k1 css
| ''lla. this may save rs = visit 10 Trix-
| ton road" whispered Holmes Come with
me, and W. will see what is to be made
| of this fellow" Striding through tire
! scattered .nors of people who lodnged
round the faring stalls my companion
speedily overlook the little man and
! touched him upon the shoulder He sprar 3
round, snd could see in the gaslight that
/ every N.stige of co.'s had been driver
| from his face.
who are you, then? What do you
want?' he asked. in quavering voice.
You will excuse me-" said Holmes,
blandly, but I could not help overhear-
| ing the questions which yJC put to The
salesman Just now / think that I could
| be of assistance TO you =
you? Who are vouo How could you
know ANYTHING OF this rnattnr?"
my name is Sherlock Holmes. 1t is my
| business to know what other people
| don't know"
but you can know nothing of this
Excuse me, | know everything of it,
You are endeavoring to trace some geese
which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott of
| BriXton road. to a salesman named Brock
| inridge, by him in turn to Mr.. Windigate,
| of the Alpha and by him to his club,
! of which Mr.. Henry Baker is member"
! 'Oh, sir. you are the very man whom |
have longed TO mee," cried the little fell
! low, with outstretched hands and CULVER
ing fingers. Il can hardly explain to you
how interested ] am in this matter.
Sherlock Holmes hailed four-wheeler
| which was passing. I'm that case we
had better discuss it in coy room rath-
! er than the windswept market-place, >
| said he. but. pray tell me, before We
| go further who Is that | have the pleas
ure of assisting?''
The man hestated for an instant. MY
name is John Robinson" he answered.
with a sidelong glance
| mo. no; the real NAME" said Holmes,
sweetly. 1T is always awkward doing
| business with an alias.
flush sprang to the white cheeks of
| the stranger.
| well, them" said he, my real name ID
! James RYDER
/ Precisely so. Head attendant at the
| Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into the
] cab, and | shall soon be able to tell you
everything which you would wish to
know
The little man stood glancing from one
| to the other of us with half-frightened,
j., half hopeful eyes, as one who is not
sure whether he is on the verge of a wind
fall of a catastrophe Then he step
| ped into the cab In half an hour We
/ We're back In the sittng-room at Baker
street. Nothing had been said during our
drive. but the hight thin breathing of
our new companion and the clasplngs and
! unclaspngs of his hands spoke of the
Z, Here we arel'' said Holmes, cheeriy,
| as we filed into the room. - ne fire looks
very seasonable in this weather. You look
cold. Mr.. Ryder. Pray take the basket
| chair. | will just put on my slippers be-
fore We settle this little matter of yours.
Now. them You want to know what
became of those geese?'
Yes, SIR
"or, rather, fancy. of that goose. 1t
was one bird l imagine, in which you
were interested-wh with a black bar
across the tail.
Ryder auvered with emotion. "Oh, SIR
he cried, ;can you tell me where 1t went
| to?"
1T came here
"Here?"
Yes; and most remarkable bird it
proved. | don't wonder that you should
| take an interest in it. II laid an egg
| which was dead-the bonnlest, brightest
| little blue egg that ever was seen.
have 1t here in my museum
Our visitor staggered to his feet and
clutched the mantelpeec with his right
hand. Holmes unlocked his strong box
! and held up the blue carbuncle, which
shone out like star, with a cold, brill
| liant, many pointed radiance Ryder
stood glazing with a drawn face, uncer-
tain whether to claim or to disown 1t.
1.-THE games up, Ryder said Holmes,
| quietly Hold up, man, or you'll be into
| the fire! Give him an arm back into his
chair, Watson. He's not got blood
enough to go in for felony with immunity.
Give him dash of brandy. Sol Now
he looks a little more human. what a
shrimp it is, to be suren'
For moment he had staggered and
nearly fallen. but the brandy brought
a tinge of color into his cheeks, and
he sat staring with frightened eyes at
his accuser.
IT have almost every link in my hands
and all the proofs which | could possibly
need, so there is little which you need
tell me. Still, that little may as well
be cleared up to make the case complete.
| You had heard. Ryder, of this blue stone
! of the Countess of Morcar So
| at was Catherine Cusack who told me
/ of it," said he in a cracking voice.
II see-her ladyship's waitingmaid.
/ Well, the temptation of sudden wealth so
| easily acquired was too much for you, as
| 1t has been for better men before you:
but you were not very scrupulous in the
| means you used 1t seems to me, Ryder,
| that there is the making of very pretty
villain In you You knew that this man
/ Horner the plumber, had been concerned
! In some such matter before. and that sus-
picion would rest the more daily upon
| him What did you do then? You made
| some small job in my ladys room-you and
| your confederate Cusack-and you man.
aged that he should be the man sent for.
! Then. when he nad left. you rified the
| jewel case, raised the alarm and had
| this unfortunate man arrested. You
| then
RYDER threw himself down suddenly
| utaI a1r cd ar