flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked nervously fringe of her jacket "I met him first gasfitters' ball," she said "They used to send father tickets when alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sent them to mother Mr Windibank wish us He never did wish us anywhere get quite mad if join Sunday-school treat But set on going, and go; for what right had he ? the folk fit , when all father's friends were there And that I had nothing fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never as taken drawer At last, when nothing else would do, he went off to France business firm, but we went, mother and I, with Mr Hardy, who used our foreman, and there I met Mr Hosmer Angel "

"I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr Windibank came back from France very annoyed at your having gone ball "

"Oh, well, He laughed, I remember, and shrugged his shoulders, and said no use denying anything to woman, for she her way "

" Then gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, gentleman called Mr Hosmer Angel "

"Yes, sir I met him that night, and to ask had got home all safe, and we met him-- , Mr Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but father came back again, and Mr Hosmer Angel come house any more "

"No ? "

"Well, father didn't like anything sort He wouldn't have any visitors if help it, and he used that woman happy in her own family circle But then, as I used to mother, woman wants her own circle with, and I got mine yet "

"But how about Mr Hosmer Angel ? Did he make no attempt you ? "

"Well, father was going off to France again in week, and Hosmer wrote and said safer and better not until he had gone write meantime, and he used to write every day the letters in morning, so no need for father "

"Were you engaged gentleman ? "

"Oh, yes, Mr Holmes We were engaged first walk that we took Hosmer-- Mr Angel--was cashier in an office in Leadenhall Street--and--"

"What office ? "

"That's the worst of it, Mr Holmes, I don't know "

"Where did he live, then ? "

"He slept premises "

"And you don't know his address ? "

"No--except Leadenhall Street "

"Where did you address your letters, then ? "

" Leadenhall Street Post-Office, left till called for that were sent office chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from lady, so I offered to typewrite them, like his, but he wouldn't have that, for that when them they seemed from me, but were typewritten he always felt machine had come just show you how fond of me, Mr Holmes, little things that think of "

" most suggestive," said Holmes "It has long been an axiom little things are infinitely the most important remember little things about Mr Hosmer Angel ? "

" very shy man, Mr Holmes rather walk with me evening than daylight, for that he hated conspicuous Very retiring and gentlemanly Even his voice was gentle He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when young, me, and it had left him with weak throat, and hesitating, whispering fashion of speech always well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare "

"Well, and what happened when Mr Windibank, your stepfather, returned to France ? "

" Mr Hosmer Angel came house again and proposed that marry before father came back in dreadful earnest and made me swear, with my hands Testament, that whatever happened always be true to him Mother said quite right me swear, and sign passion Mother was all favor first and was even fonder of him than Then, talked of marrying week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to mind about father, but just him afterwards, and mother said make it all right I didn't quite like that, Mr Holmes It seemed funny that ask his leave, as only few years older than me; but I didn't want anything sly, so to father at Bordeaux, where the company has its French offices, but the letter came back very morning wedding "

"It missed him, then ? "

"Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived "

"Ha ! that was unfortunate Your wedding was arranged, then, Friday in church ? "

"Yes, sir, but very quietly at St Saviour's, near King's Cross, and we were breakfast afterwards St Pancras Hotel Hosmer came in hansom, but as there were two of us he put us both and stepped himself into four-wheeler, which happened the only other cab street We got church first, and four-wheeler drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and cabman got down box and looked no one there ! The cabman said that imagine what had become of him, for he had seen him get in own eyes That was last Friday, Mr Holmes, and never seen or heard anything since then to throw any light upon what became of him "

"It seems that very shamefully treated," said Holmes

"Oh, no, sir ! too good and kind to leave me so Why, all the morning saying that, whatever happened, true; even if something quite unforeseen occurred to separate us, always to remember that pledged to him, claim his pledge sooner or later It seemed strange talk for wedding-morning, but what has happened since gives meaning "

"Most certainly it does Your own opinion is, then, that some unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him ? "

"Yes, sir I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else have talked so And then that what he foresaw happened "

"But no notion what it ? "

"None "

"One more question How did your mother matter ? "

"She was angry, and said that never matter again "

"And your father ? Did you tell him ? "

"Yes; and , with me, that something had happened, hear of Hosmer again As , what interest could anyone have in bringing me doors church, and then leaving me ? Now, if he had borrowed my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about money and never would look at shilling And yet, what happened ? And why could he not write ? Oh, it drives me half-mad of it, and 't sleep wink at night " She pulled little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob heavily

" glance case ," said Holmes, rising, "and that reach some definite result Let the weight matter rest upon me now, and let your mind dwell upon it further Above all, try to let Mr Hosmer Angel vanish from your memory, as he from your life "

"Then you don't think I'll see him again ? "

" not "

"Then what has happened to him ? "

" leave that question in my hands like an accurate description of him and any letters spare "

"I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she " slip and here are four letters "

" And your address ? "

"No 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell "

" Mr Angel's address you never had, I understand Where is your father's place of business ? "

"He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of Fenchurch Street "

" You your statement very clearly leave the papers here, and remember the advice which you Let the whole incident be sealed book, and allow it to affect your life "

" very kind, Mr Holmes, but true to Hosmer He shall find me ready when he comes back "

For all the preposterous hat vacuous face, something noble simple faith visitor which compelled our respect She laid her little bundle of papers table and went her way, with promise again whenever she summoned