"Well, Mr. Holmes, what do you make of these?" he cried. "They told me that you were fond of queer mysteries, and I don't think you can find a queerer one than that. I sent the paper on ahead so that you might have time to study it before I came."

"It is certainly rather a curious production," said Holmes. "At first sight it would appear to be some childish prank23. It consists of a number of absurd little figures dancing across the paper upon which they are drawn24. Why should you attribute any importance to so grotesque25 an object?"