"I think that this case is very much in your line. We have every
hope of clearing the matter up, but we find a little difficulty
in getting anything to work upon. We have, of course, wired to
the Belfast post-office, but a large number of parcels were
handed in upon that day, and they have no means of identifying
this particular one, or of remembering the sender. The box is a
half-pound box of honeydew tobacco and does not help us in any
way. The medical student theory still appears to me to be the
most feasible, but if you should have a few hours to spare I
should be very happy to see you out here. I shall be either at
the house or in the police-station all day.

"What say you, Watson? Can you rise superior to the heat and run
down to Croydon with me on the off chance of a case for your
annals?"

"I was longing for something to do."

"You shall have it then. Ring for our boots and tell them to
order a cab. I'll be back in a moment when I have changed my
dressing-gown and filled my cigar-case."

A shower of rain fell while we were in the train, and the heat
was far less oppressive in Croydon than in town. Holmes had sent
on a wire, so that Lestrade, as wiry, as dapper, and as ferret-
like as ever, was waiting for us at the station. A walk of five
minutes took us to Cross Street, where Miss Cushing resided.

It was a very long street of two-story brick houses, neat and