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"Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes.

"Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this

fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who

lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook

the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang

round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of

colour had been driven from his face.

"Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering

voice.

"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help

overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now.

I think that I could be of assistance to you."

"You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?"

"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other

people don't know."

"But you can know nothing of this?"