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"Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room.

"The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold,

Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my

slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then!

You want to know what became of those geese?"

"Yes, sir."

"Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in

which you were interested-white, with a black bar across the

tail."

Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell

me where it went to?"

"It came here."

"Here?"

"Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that

you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was

dead-the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen.

I have it here in my museum."