inquiries, said Holmes carelessly. If you won t tell us the bet is
off, that is all. But I m always ready to back my opinion on a matter
of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country
bred.
Well, then, you ve lost your fiver, for it s town bred, snapped the
salesman.
It s nothing of the kind.
I say it is.
I don t believe it.
D you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them
ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the
Alpha were town bred.
You ll never persuade me to believe that.
Will you bet, then?
It s merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I ll
have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate.
The salesman chuckled grimly. Bring me the books, Bill, said he.
The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great
greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp.
Now then, Mr. Cocksure, said the salesman, I thought that I was out
of geese, but before I finish you ll find that there is still one left
in my shop. You see this little book?
Well?
That s the list of the folk from whom I buy. D you see? Well, then,
here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after their
names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then! You
see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a list of my town
161