55681 In the present instance I am forced to admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique.'
55682 The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some little pride, and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside pocket of his great-coat.
55683 As he glanced down the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward, and the paper flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man, and endeavoured after the fashion of my companion to read the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance.
55684 I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection.
55685 Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow.
55686 He wore rather baggy grey shepherds' check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as an ornament.
55687 A frayed top-hat, and a faded brown overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him.
55688 Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features.
55689 Sherlock Holmes's quick eye took in my occupation and he shook his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances.
55690 'Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.'
55691 Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion.
55692 'How, in the name of good fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes?' he asked.
55693 'How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour?
55694 It's as true as gospel, and I began as a ship's carpenter.'