The two missing bottles held the choicest brand in the whole stock.

They were kept far back too--hidden, as it were, behind the other bottles.

Yet they were hauled to the front and carried off, as you say, and by some one who knows a good thing in spirits." "What was in the four bottles found on the kitchen table ?" "Sherry, whiskey, and rum.

Two bottles of rum and one each of sherry and whiskey." "The thief meant to carry them all off, but had not time." "The _gentleman_ thief! No common man such as we are looking for, would make choice of just those bottles.

So there we are again! Contradictions in every direction." "Don't let us bother with the contradictions, but just follow the clew.
Those bottles, full or empty, must be found.