55913    'Grave enough!' said Mr. Jabez Wilson.

55914    'Why, I have lost four pounds a week.'

55915    'As far as you are personally concerned, remarked Holmes, 'I do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league.

55916    On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some thirty pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A.

55917    You have lost nothing by them.'

55918    'No, sir.

55919    But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what their object was in playing this prank - if it was a prank - upon me.

55920    It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two-and-thirty pounds.'

55921    'We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you.

55922    And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson.

55923    This assistant of yours who first called your attention to the advertisement - how long had he been with you?'

55924    'About a month then.'

55925    'How did he come?'

55926    'In answer to an advertisement.'

55927    'Was he the only applicant?'