workmanlike way in which you laid hands upon him. I don't quite

understand it all yet."

"I fear it is rather too late an hour for explanations," said

Holmes. "Besides, there are one or two details which are not

finished off, and it is one of those cases which are worth

working out to the very end. If you will come round once more

to my rooms at six o'clock to-morrow I think I shall be able to

show you that even now you have not grasped the entire meaning

of this business, which presents some features which make it

absolutely original in the history of crime. If ever I permit

you to chronicle any more of my little problems, Watson,

I foresee that you will enliven your pages by an account of

the singular adventure of the Napoleonic busts."

When we met again next evening Lestrade was furnished with much

information concerning our prisoner. His name, it appeared, was

Beppo, second name unknown. He was a well-known ne'er-do-well

among the Italian colony. He had once been a skilful sculptor

05.08.2007