Red Széll

"'And a singularly consistent investigation you have made, my dear Watson,' said he.

"'I cannot at the moment recall any possible blunder which you have omitted.

"'The total effect of your proceeding has been to give the alarm everywhere "'and yet to discover nothing.'

"'Perhaps you would have done no better,' I answered bitterly.

"'There is no perhaps about it.

I have done better.'

Here is the Honourable Philip Green, who is a fellow lodger with you in this hotel, and we may find him the starting point for a more successful investigation.

A card had come up on a salver and it was followed by the same bearded ruffian who had attacked me in the street.

He started when he saw me.

''What is this, Mr Holmes?''

he asked.

''I had your note and I have come.''

But what is this man to do with the matter?

This is my old friend and associate Dr. Watson who is helping us in this affair.

The stranger held out a huge sunburned hand with a few words of apology.

I hope I didn't harm you.

When you accused me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself.

Indeed, I'm not responsible in these days.

My nerves are like live wires, but this situation is beyond me.

What I want to know in the first place, Mr. Holmes, is how in the world you came to hear of my existence at all.