We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through azigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largeststalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietora horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers washelping a boy to put up the shutters.
"Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes.
The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at mycompanion.
"Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at thebare slabs of marble.
"Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning."
"That's no good."
"Well, there are some on the stall with
the gas-flare."
"Ah, but I was recommended to you."
"Who by?"
"The landlord of the Alpha."
"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen."
"Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?"
To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from thesalesman.
"Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his armsakimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now."
"It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you thegeese which you supplied to the Alpha."
"Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!"
"Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why youshould be so warm over such a trifle."
"Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am.When I pay good money for a good article there should be an endof the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did yousell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' Onewould think they were the only geese in the world, to hear thefuss that is made over them."
"Well, I have no connection with any other people who have beenmaking inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell usthe bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back myopinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that thebird I ate is country bred."
"Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snappedthe salesman.
"It's nothing of the kind."
"I say it is."
"I don't believe it."
"D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handledthem ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds thatwent to the Alpha were town bred."
"You'll never persuade me to believe that."
"Will you bet, then?"
"It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. ButI'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to beobstinate."
The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," saidhe.
The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a greatgreasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanginglamp.