o
another one, where he found fat little Olaf Yensen, the first
coachman, currying one of the noble steeds.

"Hello, there, What's-your-name," Holmes called out, addressing Olaf.
"My name is Dick Henderson. I just came around to ask you what you
know about some of the Earl of Puddingham's eight fine horses here
being entered in the coming races at Epsom. If you can give me any
information about the horses, so I can bet on them with a good chance
to win, why I'll make it worth your while, you know."

And he winked at the coachman, who stood open-mouthed in admiration of
the false Dick Henderson's noisy clothes.

"You bane a pretty sporty feller, Mister Henderson, but Ay really
haven't heard that das Earl is going to have any of dese horses run in
das races," replied Olaf, as he scratched his round little head; "but
Ay tink if he does, this horse here will run, because he is das best
in das Puddingham stables. Yust look at vat a elegant pair of legs he
has,--er, I mean two pair of legs! Oh, my! he can run like das vind,
Ay bet you!"

"Well, that's good. What's this wonderful horse's name?" said Holmes,
as he took out a notebook and pencil.

"His name bane Ajax II, und Ay take care of him myself. My assistant,
Carol Linescu, bane no good, und Ay vouldn't trust him. He bane asleep
up in the hayloft now. My name bane Olaf Yensen."

And the coachman went ahead currying the sleek-looking Ajax II, who
whinnied with pleasure as the currycomb slid over his glossy brown
coat.

"All right, Olaf. Much obliged to you. Here, have a drink of this,"
said Holmes, with a grin, as he took from his hip-pocket a small
bottle of whiskey, which he had thoughtfully provided for just such
occasions as this, and offered it to Olaf.

"Thanks, Mr. Henderson. _Gesundheit!_" returned Olaf, taking a swig of
the stuff.

"I heard down at the village this morning," Holmes continued, "as I
came through, that the Earl had eleven very valuable diamond
cuff-buttons stolen, and that the celebrated detective from London,
Mr. Hemlock Holmes, is here now investigating the case. I wonder who
swiped the shiners, anyhow."

"Oh, my! Oh, my!" and Olaf nearly choked on the whiskey as he
spluttered in reply. "Ay know vere one of das cuff-buttons is, all
right! Und Ay bet you das long-legged old fake Hemlock Holmes never
finds it, either! He is a big bluffer. He doesn't do a single thing
but stand around und talk sassy to us fellers at the castle, und sinc