A Study in Scarlet (Serial Edition Cover) — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A STUDY IN SCARLET. 53 policeman S2id, in an aggrieved voice. “I'll wager he found his way home all right.” “How was he dressed ? ” “A brown overcoat.” “Had he a whip in his hand?” “A whip-—no.” “He must have left it behind,” muttered my com- panion. “You didn’t happen to see or hear a cab after that?” a6 No.” “There’s a half-sovereign for you,” my companion said, standing up and taking his hat. “I am afraid, Rance, that you will never rise in the force. That head of yours should be for use as well as ornament. You might have gained your sergeant’s stripes last night. The man whom you held in your hands is the man who holds the clue of this mystery, and whom we are seek- ing. There is no use of arguing about it now; I tell you that itis so. Come along, doctor.” We started off for the cab together, leaving our in- formant incredulous, but obviously uncomfortable. “The blundering fool!” Holmes said, bitterly, as we drove back to our lodgings. ‘‘ Just to think of his hay- ing such an incomparable bit of good luck, and not tak- ing advantage of it.” “IT am rather in the dark still. It is true that the description of this man tallies with your idea of the second party in this mystery. But why should he come back to the house after leaving it? This is not the way of criminals.” “The ring, man, the ring; that was what he came Gomiilcbdooks