salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists
fiercely at the cringing figure.
I ve had enough of you and your geese, he shouted. I wish you were
all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your
silly talk I ll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshott here and
I ll answer her, but what have you to do with it? Did I buy the geese
off you?
No; but one of them was mine all the same, whined the little man.
Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it.
She told me to ask you.
Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I ve had enough
of it. Get out of this! He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer
flitted away into the darkness.
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?
Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to trace some
163