The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 28 (2/2)

”Certainly, sir,” said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained property under his arm ”There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museu the day, you understand This year our good host, Windigate by naoose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence every week, ere each to receive a bird at Christmas My pence were duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to ravity” With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way

”So much for Mr Henry Baker,” said Holmes when he had closed the door behind hi whatever about the ry, Watson?”

”Not particularly”

”Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up this clue while it is still hot”

”By all ht, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats about our throats Outside, the stars were shi+ning coldly in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into s out crisply and loudly as ung through the doctors' quarter, Wimore Street into Oxford Street In a quarter of an hour ere in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Holborn Hollasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord

”Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese,”

said he

”My geese!” Theonly half an hour ago to Mr Henry Baker, as a oose club”

”Ah! yes, I see But you see, sir, theeese”

”Indeed! Whose, then?”

”Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden”

”Indeed? I know soe is his naood health landlord, and prosperity to your house Good-night”

”Now for Mr Breckinridge,” he continued, buttoning up his coat as we cah we have so hooose at one end of this chain, we have at the other a et seven years' penal servitude unless we can establish his innocence It is possible that our inquiry uilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation which has been ular 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 Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of sluest stalls bore the nae upon it, and the proprietor a horsey-lookinga boy to put up the shutters

”Good-evening It's a cold night,” said Hollance at eese, I see,” continued Hol at the bare slabs of ”

”That's no good”

”Well, there are soas-flare”

”Ah, but I was recommended to you”

”Who by?”

”The landlord of the Alpha”