onversation with a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. With an apology for my i

come at a better time, my dea

d that you w

. Very m

wait in th

and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no

gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little que

r Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for

been of the greatest int

lem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations

ich I took the li

very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence your narrative.

f his greatcoat. As he glanced down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a go

-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a w