The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 7 (2/2)
He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of note-paper It read in this fashi+on:
THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE
IS
DISSOLVED
October 9, 1890
Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so completely overtopped every other consideration that we both burst out into a roar of laughter
”I cannot see that there is anything very funny,” cried our client, flushi+ng up to the roots of his flah athim back into the chair from which he had half risen ”I really wouldn't ly unusual But there is, if you will excusejust a little funny about it
Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the door?”
”I was staggered, sir I did not knohat to do Then I called at the offices round, but none of the about it Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground-floor, and I asked hiue He said that he had never heard of any such body Then I asked him who Mr Duncan Ross was He answered that the naentleman at No 4'
”'What, the red-headed man?'
”'Yes'
”'Oh,' said he, 'his na my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises were ready He moved out yesterday'
”'Where could I find him?'
”'Oh, at his new offices He did tellEdward Street, near St Paul's'
”I started off, Mr Holot to that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr William Morris or Mr Duncan Ross”
”And what did you do then?” asked Hol Square, and I took the advice of my assistant But he could not help me in any way He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post But that was not quite good enough, Mr Holle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk ere in need of it, I caht away to you”
”And you did very wisely,” said Holly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it
Froraver issues hang froh!” said Mr Jabez Wilson ”Why, I have lost four pound a week”
”As far as you are personally concerned,” reainst this extraordinary league On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by soe which you have gained on every subject which co by them”
”No, sir But I want to find out about the this prank--if it was a prank--upon me It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty pounds”
”We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you And, first, one or two questions, Mr Wilson This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertise had he been with you?”
”About a month then”