"Good old Dr Starr ! " said our visitor "His name is still honoured Well, Mr Holmes, I suppose all do is to report and let how we progress I reckon hear within " assurance our American bowed and departed

Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for with curious smile upon his face

"Well ? " I asked at last

" wondering, Watson -- just wondering ! "

"At what ? "

Holmes took his pipe lips

" wondering, Watson, what on earth the object man in telling us such rigmarole of lies I nearly asked him so -- for times when brutal frontal attack best policy -- but I judged it better to let him think he had fooled us man with an English coat frayed elbow and trousers bagged knee with year's wear, and yet document and by his own account provincial American lately landed in London been no advertisements agony columns that I miss nothing there my favourite covert for putting up bird, and never have overlooked such cock pheasant I never knew Dr Lysander Starr, of Topeka Touch him where false the fellow is really an American, but he has worn his accent smooth with years of London his game, then, and what motive lies behind this preposterous search for Garridebs ? It's worth our attention, for, granting man is rascal, certainly complex and ingenious one now find out if our other correspondent is fraud also Just ring him up, Watson "

so, and heard thin, quavering voice other end line

"Yes, yes, Mr Nathan Garrideb Is Mr Holmes there ? like word with Mr Holmes "

My friend took the instrument and I heard the usual syncopated dialogue

"Yes, he here I understand that you don't know him . . How long ? . Only two days ! . Yes, yes, , most captivating prospect be at home this evening ? I suppose your namesake there ? . , come then, for rather have chat without him . . Dr Watson will come with me . . I understand from your note that go out often . . Well, round about six not mention it American lawyer . . Good-bye ! "

twilight of lovely spring evening, and even Little Ryder Street, smaller offshoots Edgware Road, within stone-cast of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden and wonderful slanting rays setting sun The particular house we were directed was large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian edifice, with flat brick face broken only by two deep bay windows ground floor ground floor client lived, and, indeed, the low windows proved the front huge room he spent his waking hours Holmes pointed passed small brass plate which bore the curious name

"Up , Watson," he remarked, indicating its discoloured surface "It's his real name, anyhow, is something to note "

The house had common stair, and there were number of names painted hall, some indicating offices and some private chambers not collection of residential flats, but rather the abode of Bohemian bachelors Our client opened the door himself and apologized by saying woman in charge left at four o'clock Mr Nathan Garrideb proved very tall, loosejointed, round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-odd He had cadaverous face, dull dead skin of man exercise was unknown Large round spectacles and small projecting goat's beard combined stooping attitude him an expression of peering curiosity The general effect, however, was amiable, though eccentric

The room was as curious as its occupant It looked like small museum both broad and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round, crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each side entrance large table centre was littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall brass tube of powerful microscope bristled up among them As I glanced round surprised universality man's interests Here was case of ancient coins cabinet of flint instruments Behind his central table was large cupboard of fossil bones Above was line of plaster skulls names as "Neanderthal," "Heidelberg," "Cro-Magnon" printed beneath them clear that student of many subjects As he stood in front of us now, he held piece of chamois leather right hand polishing coin

"Syracusan -- best period," he explained, holding it up "They degenerated greatly towards the end At their best I hold them supreme, though some prefer the Alexandrian school chair here, Mr Holmes Pray allow me to clear these bones And you, sir -- ah, yes, Dr Watson -- the goodness the Japanese vase to one side round me my little interests in life My doctor lectures me about never going out, but why should I go out when to hold me here ? assure you adequate cataloguing of one cabinets would take me three good months "

Holmes looked round him with curiosity

"But tell me that you never go out ? "

"Now and again I drive down to Sotheby's or Christie's Otherwise I very seldom leave my room not too strong, and my researches are very absorbing But imagine, Mr Holmes, what terrific shock -- pleasant but terrific -- when I heard unparalleled good fortune It only needs one more Garrideb to complete the matter, and surely find one I had brother, but dead, and female relatives are disqualified But there must surely be others I had heard that you handled strange cases, was why , this American gentleman is quite right, and taken his advice first, but I acted best "

" you acted very wisely indeed," said Holmes "But really anxious to acquire an estate in America ? "

"Certainly not, sir Nothing would induce me to leave my collection But this gentleman has assured me that buy me out established our claim Five million dollars sum named dozen specimens market present moment which fill gaps in my collection, and which unable to purchase for want of few hundred pounds Just think what do with five million dollars Why, the nucleus of national collection the Hans Sloane age "

His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles very clear that no pains spared Nathan Garrideb in finding namesake

"I merely called your acquaintance, and no reason why interrupt your studies," said Holmes "I prefer to establish personal touch with those business few questions ask, for your very clear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up the blanks American gentleman called I understand that up week you were unaware existence "

" so last Tuesday "

"Did he tell you interview to-day ? "

"Yes, straight back He very angry "

"Why should he be angry ? "

" some reflection honour But quite cheerful again when he returned "

"Did he suggest any course of action ? "

"No, sir, "

"Has he had, or asked for, any money ? "

"No, sir, never ! "

" no possible object he has in view ? "

"None, except what he states "

"Did you tell him telephone appointment ? "

"Yes, sir, "

Holmes was lost in thought I that puzzled