"Yes, sir, I have already read the account in the evening
papers. Mr. Horace Harker is a customer of ours. We supplied
him with the bust some months ago. We ordered three busts of
that sort from Gelder and Co., of Stepney. They are all sold now.
To whom? Oh, I dare say by consulting our sales book we could
very easily tell you. Yes, we have the entries here. One to
Mr. Harker, you see, and one to Mr. Josiah Brown, of Laburnum
Lodge, Laburnum Vale, Chiswick, and one to Mr. Sandeford, of
Lower Grove Road, Reading. No, I have never seen this face
which you show me in the photograph. You would hardly forget
it, would you, sir, for I've seldom seen an uglier. Have we any
Italians on the staff? Yes, sir, we have several among our
workpeople and cleaners. I dare say they might get a peep at
that sales book if they wanted to. There is no particular
reason for keeping a watch upon that book. Well, well, it's a
very strange business, and I hope that you'll let me know if
anything comes of your inquiries."
Holmes had taken several notes during Mr. Harding's evidence,
and I could see that he was thoroughly satisfied by the turn
which affairs were taking.
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