" any articles of great value in your collection ? "

"No, sir not rich man good collection, but not very valuable one "

" no fear of burglars ? "

"Not the least "

"How long been rooms ? "

"Nearly five years "

Holmes's cross-examination was interrupted by an imperative knocking door No sooner had our client unlatched it American lawyer burst excitedly room

"Here ! " he cried, waving paper over his head " you Mr Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations ! rich man, sir Our business is happily finished and all is well As , Mr Holmes, only say sorry given you any useless trouble "

He handed over the paper to our client, who stood staring at marked advertisement Holmes and I leaned forward and read it over his shoulder how it ran:

HOWARD GARRIDEB CONSTRUCTOR OF ACRICULTURAL MACHINERY Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harTows, farmer's carts, buckboards, and all other appliances Estimates for Artesian Wells Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston

"Glorious ! " gasped our host "That makes our third man "

"I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham," said the Americn, "and my agent there has sent me this advertisement from local paper hustle and put the thing through written man and told him that him office to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock "

" me him ? "

"What say, Mr Holmes ? Don't it wiser ? Here am I, wandering American with wonderful tale Why should he believe what I tell him ? But Britisher wth solid references, and bound notice of what you say go wished, but very busy day to-morrow, and always follow you in any trouble "

"Well, made such journey for years "

" nothing, Mr Garrideb figured out our connections You leave at twelve and there soon after two Then back the same night All is this man, explain the matter, and get an affidavit existence Lord ! " he added hotly, "considering I've come all the way centre of America, surely little enough go hundred miles through "

"Quite so," said Holmes " what this gentleman says is very true "

Mr Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders with disconsolate air "Well, insist go," said he " certainly hard to refuse you anything, considering the glory of brought into my life "

"Then agreed," said Holmes, "and let me have report "

"I'll see ," said the American "Well," he added looking at his watch, "I'll have on I'll call to-morrow, Mr Nathan, you off to Birmingham Coming my way, Mr Holmes ? Well, then, good-bye, and good news to-morrow night "

I noticed that my friend's face cleared American left the room, look of thoughtful perplexity had vanished

" look over your collection, Mr Garrideb," said he "In my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of yours is storehouse of it "

Our client shone with pleasure eyes gleamed from behind his big glasses

"I had always heard, sir, that you were very intelligent man," said he " take you round now the time "

"Unfortunately, But these specimens are labelled and classified hardly need your personal explanation If able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there no objection to my glancing over them ? "

"None at all most welcome The place will, , be shut up, but Mrs Saunders is basement four o'clock and would let you in with her key "

"Well, I happen clear to-morrow afternoon say word to Mrs Saunders it quite , your house-agent ? "

Our client was amazed sudden question

"Holloway and Steele, Edgware Road But why ? "

" bit of an archaeologist myself when it comes to houses," said Holmes, laughing " wondering if Queen Anne or Georgian "

"Georgian, beyond doubt "

"Really thought little earlier However, easily ascertained Well, good-bye, Mr Garrideb, and may every success in your Birmingham journey "

The house-agent's was close by, but closed day, so our way back to Baker Street not till after dinner that Holmes reverted subject

"Our little problem draws to close," said he " outlined the solution in your own mind "

" make neither head nor tail of it "

"The head is surely clear enough tail we to-morrow Did you notice nothing curious advertisement ? "

" word 'plough' was misspelt "

"Oh, notice that, did you ? Come, Watson, you improve all the time Yes, bad English but good American The printer had set it up as received Then the buckboards American also And artesian wells are commoner than typical American advertisement, but purporting from an English firm What make ? "

" only suppose American lawyer put it in himself What his object was I fail to understand "

"Well, alternative explanations Anyhow, this good old fossil Birmingham very clear told him that clearly going on wild-goose chase, but, on second thoughts, it seemed better to clear the stage by letting him go To-morrow, Watson -- well, to-morrow will speak for itself "

Holmes was up and out early When he returned at lunchtime I noticed that his face was very grave

" more serious matter than I had expected, Watson," said he " fair you so, though only be an additional reason for running your head into danger know my Watson by now But danger, and know it "

"Well, the first shared, Holmes it may not be the last the particular danger ? "

" up against very hard case identified Mr John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law none 'Killer' Evans, of sinister and murderous reputation "

" none the wiser "

"Ah, part of your profession to carry about portable Newgate Calendar in your memory down friend Lestrade Yard an occasional want of imaginative intuition down there, but they lead the world for thoroughness and method I had an idea that get track American friend in their records Sure enough, his chubby face smiling up at me rogues' portrait gallery 'James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans,' inscription below " Holmes drew an envelope pocket "I scribbled down few points dossier: Aged forty-four Native of Chicago Known shot three men States Escaped from penitentiary through political influence Came to London in 1893 Shot man over cards in night-club Waterloo Road in January, 1895 Man died, but shown the aggressor row Dead man was identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and coiner in Chicago Killer Evans released in 1901 under police supervision since, but as known has led an honest life Very dangerous man, usually carries arms prepared to use them our bird, Watson -- sporting bird, admit "

"But his game ? "