" contrary," said Holmes quietly; " every reason that succeed in discovering Mr Hosmer Angel "

Mr Windibank gave violent start and dropped his gloves " delighted to hear it,"

" curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that typewriter has really quite individuality as man's handwriting Unless quite new, no two write exactly alike Some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one side Now, you remark note of yours, Mr Windibank, that in every case some little slurring over 'e', and slight defect tail 'r' fourteen other characteristics, but those are the more obvious "

" all our correspondence machine office, and little worn," our visitor answered, glancing keenly at Holmes bright little eyes

"And now show you really very interesting study, Mr Windibank," Holmes continued " of writing another little monograph days typewriter and its relation to crime subject devoted some little attention here four letters which purport missing man all typewritten In , are the 'e's' slurred 'r's' tailless, but observe, care to use my magnifying lens, fourteen other characteristics alluded are there "

Mr Windibank sprang out chair and picked up his hat " waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr Holmes," " catch the man, catch him, and let me know it "

"Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key door "I let , then, that caught him ! "

"What ! Where ? " shouted Mr Windibank, turning white lips and glancing about him like rat in trap

"Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely " no possible getting out of it, Mr Windibank quite too transparent, and very bad compliment said impossible to solve so simple question That's right ! Sit down talk it over "

Our visitor collapsed into chair, with ghastly face and glitter of moisture brow "It--it's not actionable," he stammered

" afraid not But between ourselves, Windibank, as cruel and selfish and heartless trick in petty way as ever came before me Now, let me just run over the course of events, and contradict me if I go wrong "

The man sat huddled up chair, head sunk upon his breast, like one utterly crushed Holmes stuck his feet up corner mantelpiece and, leaning back hands pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, than

"The man married woman older than himself for her money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use money daughter as long as she lived considerable sum, for people in their position, loss of it made serious difference worth an effort to preserve it The daughter was of good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and warm-hearted in her ways, so evident that with her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she allowed to remain single long Now her marriage would mean, , the loss of hundred year, so what does her stepfather do it ? He takes the obvious course of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of people of her own age But soon that not answer forever She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and finally announced her positive intention of going to certain ball What does her clever stepfather do then ? He conceives an idea more creditable head than heart connivance and assistance wife he disguised himself, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with moustache and pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account girl's short sight, he appears as Mr Hosmer Angel, and keeps off other lovers by making love himself "

" only joke at first," groaned our visitor "We never thought that she so carried away "

"Very likely not However , the young lady was very decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never for an instant entered her mind She was flattered gentleman's attentions, effect was increased loudly expressed admiration of her mother Then Mr Angel began , for obvious matter pushed as far as it would go if real effect were produced There were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else But the deception kept up forever These pretended journeys to France were rather cumbrous The thing was clearly to bring the business to an end dramatic manner would leave permanent impression young lady's mind and prevent her from looking upon suitor for Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon Testament, and hence also the allusions to possibility of something happening very morning wedding James Windibank wished Miss Sutherland so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as fate, that for ten years , at any rate, not listen to another man As far church door he brought her, and then, as go no farther, he conveniently vanished away old trick of stepping in at one door of four-wheeler and out other that chain of events, Mr Windibank ! "

Our visitor had recovered something assurance while Holmes talking, and he rose chair now with cold sneer upon his pale face

"It so, or it may not Mr Holmes," said he, "but so very sharp you sharp enough you breaking the law now, and not me nothing actionable first, but as long keep that door locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal constraint "

"The law cannot, say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and throwing open the door, "yet there never was man who deserved punishment more young lady has brother or friend, he ought to lay whip across your shoulders By Jove ! " he continued, flushing up sight bitter sneer man's face, " part duties to my client, but here's hunting crop handy, and just treat myself to--" two swift steps whip, but before grasp it wild clatter of steps stairs, the heavy hall door banged, and window we Mr James Windibank running top speed down the road

"There's cold-blooded scoundrel ! " said Holmes, laughing, as he threw himself down into his chair once more "That fellow will rise from crime to crime until something very bad, and ends on gallows The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of interest "

" now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I remarked

"Well, obvious first Mr Hosmer Angel some strong object curious conduct, and equally clear only man who really profited incident, as far , stepfather Then the fact two men were never together, but one always appeared other was away, was suggestive So were the tinted spectacles curious voice, which both hinted at disguise, as did the bushy whiskers My suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in typewriting his signature, which, , inferred that his handwriting was so familiar to her that recognize even the smallest sample of it all these isolated facts, together with many minor ones, all pointed same direction "

"And how did you verify them ? "

"Having once spotted my man, easy corroboration the firm this man worked Having taken the printed description I eliminated everything which the result of disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and it firm, with request that inform me whether it answered description of any travellers I had already noticed the peculiarities typewriter, and man himself at his business address asking him if come here As I expected, his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but characteristic defects The same post brought me letter from Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, description tallied in every respect employee, James Windibank Voila tout ! "

"And Miss Sutherland ? "

"If I tell her she will not believe me remember the old Persian saying, ' danger for him who taketh the tiger cub, and danger also for whoso snatches delusion from woman ' sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and knowledge world "