صفحة 362 من 657

"Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room.

"The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold,

Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my

slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then!

You want to know what became of those geese?"

"Yes, sir."

"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in

which you were interested-white, with a black bar across the

tail."

Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell

me where it went to?"

"It came here."

"Here?"

"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that

you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was

dead-the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen.

I have it here in my museum."