Seite 313 von 657

"He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that

he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me."

He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my

astonishment, a very large bath-sponge.

"He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.

"Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very

quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable

figure."

"Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't

look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his

key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The

sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep

slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge,

and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the

prisoner's face.

"Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of

Lee, in the county of Kent."