finding of this American’s antecedents. Some people would have waited until

their advertisements were answered, or until parties came forward and

volunteered information. That is not Tobias Gregson’s way of going to work. You

remember the hat beside the dead man?”

 

“Yes,” said Holmes; “by John Underwood and Sons, 129, Camberwell Road.”

 

Gregson looked quite crest-fallen.

 

“I had no idea that you noticed that,” he said. “Have you been there?”

 

“No.”

 

“Ha!” cried Gregson, in a relieved voice; “you should never neglect a chance,

however small it may seem.”

 

“To a great mind, nothing is little,” remarked Holmes, sententiously.

 

“Well, I went to Underwood, and asked him if he had sold a hat of that size and

description. He looked over his books, and came on it at once.

 

He had sent the hat to a Mr. Drebber, residing at Charpentier’s Boarding

Establishment, Torquay Terrace. Thus I got at his address.”

 

“Smart—very smart!” murmured Sherlock Holmes.