frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up,
and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff
or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with
care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and
letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune.
We have retained these things for some days, said Holmes, because we
expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at
a loss to know now why you did not advertise.
Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. Shillings have not been so
plentiful with me as they once were, he remarked. I had no doubt that
the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the
bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at
recovering them.
Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat
it.
To eat it! Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement.
Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I
presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the
same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally
well?
Oh, certainly, certainly, answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief.
Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your
own bird, so if you wish
The man burst into a hearty laugh. They might be useful to me as
relics of my adventure, said he, but beyond that I can hardly see
what use the _disjecta membra_ of my late acquaintance are going to be
to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I will confine my
attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard.
Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his
shoulders.
157