Page 58 (1/1)

At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell, an authoritative voice in the hall, and, to my surprise, no less a person than Mr Athelney Jones was shown up to me Very different was he, however, from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood His expression was downcast, and his bearing ood-day," said he "Mr Sherlock Holmes is out, I understand"

"Yes, and I cannot be sure when he will be back But perhaps you would care to wait Take that chair and try one of these cigars"

"Thank you; I don'this face with a red bandanna handkerchief

"And a whiskey-and-soda?"

"Well, half a glass It is very hot for the tiood deal to worry and try me You know my theory about this Norwood case?"

"I reed to reconsider it I had htly round Mr Sholto, sir, when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken From the tiht of some one or other So it could not be he who clih trap-doors It's a very dark case, and lad of a little assistance"

"We all need help sometimes," said I

"Your friend Mr Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man, sir," said he, in a husky and confidential voice "He's a o into a good many cases, but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light upon He is irregular in hisat theories, but, on the whole, I think he would haveofficer, and I don't care who knows it I have had a wire froot soe"

He took the telegram out of his pocket, and handed it to me It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock "Go to Baker Street at once," it said "If I have not returned, wait forYou can coht if you want to be in at the finish"