'Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?' he asked

My friend bowed and smiled. 'And you are Mr. Sandeford, of Reading, I suppose?' he said.

Yes, sir, I fear that I am a little late; but there was some difficulty with the trains. You wrote to me about a bust that is in my possession. I have your letter here. You said, 'I desire to possess a copy of Devine's Napoleon, and am prepared to pay you ten pounds for the one which is in your possession.' I was very much surprised by your letter, because I could not imagine how you know that I own such a thing.

'Of course you must have been surprised, but the explanation is very simple. Mr. Harding, of Harding Brothers, said that they had sold you their last bust, and he gave me your address.'

'Well, I am an honest man, though not a very rich one. I only paid fifteen shillings for the bust, and I think you ought to know that before I take ten pounds from you.

'Your honesty shows that you are an honourable man, Mr. Sandeford. But I have said ten pounds, so I intend to stick to it.'