13670    'That is most important,' said Holmes.

13671    'Of course it is a possible supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness-'

13672    'An attack of brain fever, for example?' asked the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him.

13673    'I did not say so,' said Holmes, imperturbably.

13674    'And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken up too much of your valuable time, and we shall wish you good day.'

13675    'Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may,' answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out at the door.

13676    'He's a fine fellow,' said Holmes, as we came out into Whitehall.

13677    'But he has a struggle to keep up his position.

13678    He is far from rich, and has many calls.

13679    You noticed, of course, that his boots had been re-soled?

13680    Now, Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer.

13681    I shall do nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to my cab advertisement.

13682    But I should be extremely obliged to you if you would come down with me to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we took to-day.'

13683    I met him accordingly next morning, and we travelled down to Woking together.

13684    He had had no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh light had been thrown upon the case.