He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer.

With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was a perfect sample of the class.
"I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass above the fireplace.

"I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, but I fear that it won't do.

I may be on the trail in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I shall soon know which it is.

I hope that I may be back in a few hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition.
I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand.