Mr Tristram Acridotheres

…Miss Isolde Acridotheres, “when we dwelt in the menagerie of the ornithologist, we lived under the protection of Mr Tristram Acridotheres. I learnt to think of him as my Papa, until Mama told me that you were.”

…whereupon it revealed itself to be of an avian creature of, as the Mayor recognised, the species of Acridotheres, upon which cognisance Mr Hawksmoor Perroquet took himself to be looking upon the countenance of Mr Tristram of that ilk, under whose protection his spouse and child had dwelt during that Babylonish time of their separation from himself.

…not the least diminishment in his considerable stock of sanguinity, “but no matter. Allow me to introduce myself. Tristram Acridotheres at your service.”

“I’m sure I do not know what you mean,” answered Mr Tristram Acridotheres with unwavering geniality, “for you speak in riddles. Nevertheless, I can see that you are troubled. And with that I can sympathise, inasmuch as I am myself by no means a stranger to tribulation.”

Upon his return to his lodgings at the Mynah’s Arms, Mr Tristram Acridotheres did not tarry in the public bar of that establishment, but betook himself straight to his room, where the chambermaid had prepared for him a most comfortable nest. In so doing, he passed without the exchange of pleasantries straight by the very same table at which sat the very same collection of rogues as on that previous…

“Thereby hangs a tale,” replied Mr Tristram Acridotheres very gravely, “upon which by your leave I should very much like to expand.”