knocked down several books which he was carrying. I remember

that as I picked them up I observed the title of one of them,

"The Origin of Tree Worship," and it struck me that the fellow

must be some poor bibliophile who, either as a trade or as a

hobby, was a collector of obscure volumes. I endeavoured to

apologize for the accident, but it was evident that these books

which I had so unfortunately maltreated were very precious

objects in the eyes of their owner. With a snarl of contempt

he turned upon his heel, and I saw his curved back and white

side-whiskers disappear among the throng.

My observations of No. 427, Park Lane did little to clear up the

problem in which I was interested. The house was separated from

the street by a low wall and railing, the whole not more than

five feet high. It was perfectly easy, therefore, for anyone

to get into the garden, but the window was entirely inaccessible,

since there was no water-pipe or anything which could help the

most active man to climb it. More puzzled than ever I retraced

my steps to Kensington. I had not been in my study five minutes

when the maid entered to say that a person desired to see me.

15.12.2006