صفحة 347 من 657

He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a

broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of

grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight

tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his

habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in

front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded

from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a

slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the

impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had

ill-usage at the hands of fortune.

"We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes,

"because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your

address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise."