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"Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a

clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen

you."

"My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your

ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder &

Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street."

The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior

partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City

of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the

foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We

waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced

himself to tell his story.