I am not trying to explain it. I am just saying that there is a certain logic in the gentleman's eccentric behaviour. For example, in Dr. Barnicot's hall, a sound might wake up the family. So here the bust was taken outside before being broken. In the surgery, where there was less danger of an alarm, it was smashed where it stood. The affair seems absurdly unimportant. However I can't call anything trivial when I reflect that some of my most classic cases have had the least interesting beginnings.

You will remember, Watson, how I first noticed the dreadful business of the Abernetty family. It was because of the depth which the parsley had sunk into the butter upon a hot day. So I'm not going to smile at your three broken busts, Lestrade, and I shall be very much obliged to you if you will let me hear of any news about these remarkable events."

The development for which my friend had asked came more quickly and much more tragically than he could have expected. I was still dressing in my bedroom next morning when there was a knock at the door and Holmes entered. He was holding a message in his hand. He read it aloud:

"Come at once, 131 Pitt Street, Kensington.