Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-01

had known him TO fail, IN the case OF the
king OF Bohemia and Of the Irene Adler
photograph: but when I looked back TO
the weird business OF the Sign Of the -Four,
and tho extraordinary circumstances con-
nected with the Study in Scarlet, ! felt
that II would be a strange tangle indeed
which he could not unravel.
left him then, still putting at his black
clay pipe, with the conviction that when
came again on the next evening would
find that he held in his hands all the clues
which would lead up to the identity Of the
disappearing bridegroom OF Miss Mary
Sutherland.
A professional case of great gravity was
engaging my own attention at the time,
and the whole Of next day was busy at
the bedside Of the sufferer. It was not until
close upon 8 O'Clock that found myself
free, and was able to spring into a hanson
and drive to Baker street. half afraid that
I might be too late to assist at the denoue-
mert Of the little mystery. found Sher-
lock Holmes alone, however, half asleep,
with his long, thin form curled up in the
recesses of his armchair. A formidable
array Of bottles and test tubes, with the
pungent clearly smell Of hydrochloric acid,
told me that he had spent his day in the
chemical work which was so dear to him.
We'll, have you solved it," asked, as /
entered.
Yes. It was the blsulphate of baryta."
mo, no, the mystery" I cried.
"Oh, thatl l thought of the salt that 1
have been working upon. There was never
any mystery In the matter, though, l
said yesterday some of the details are of
interest. The only drawback is that there
is no law, fear. that can touch the scoun-
drel"
who was he, then, and what was his
object IN deserving Miss Sutherland"
The question was hardly out Of my mouth,
and Holmes had not yet opened his lips to
reply when we heard heavy football in
the passage and a tap at the door.
This is the girls stepfather, Mr.. James
Windibank," said Holmes. He has written
to me to say that he would be here at six.
Come ini'
The man who entered was sturdy
middle-szed fellow, some 80 years OF age
clean shaven, and skinned, with a
bland, insinuating manner. and a pair Of
wonderfully sharp and penetrating gray
eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each
of us, placed his shiny top hat upon the
slde-board, and then with a slight bow
sided down into the nearest chair.
Good evening, Mr.. James Windibank -
Edlu Holmes. L Inlnk IndL InlS IyDe-WflI-
ten letter is from you, in which you made
an appointment with me for o'clock"
Eyes, sir. I am afraid that 1 am a little
late, but 1 am not quite my own master,
you know. 1 am sorry that Miss Sutherland
has troubled you about this little matter,
for think it is far better not TO wash linen
of the sort in public. 1t was quite against
my wishes that she came, but she is a
very excitable, impulsive girl, as you may
have noticed, and she is not easily con-
trolled when she had made up her mind on
a point. OF course, 1 did not mind you so
much, as you are not connected with the
official police. but It is not pleasant to have
a family misfortune like this noised abroad.
Besides, it is a useless expense, for how
could you possibly find this Hosmer
Angel?"
ION the contrary" said Holmes, quietly;
IT have every reason to believe that l will
succeed in discovering Mr.. Hosmer Angel"
Mr.. Windibank gave violent start, and
dropped his gloves. 81 am delighted 10
hear it," he said.
at is a curious thing" remarked Holmes,
that a typewriter has really quite as much
individuality as a mans handwriting. I'm
less they quite new, no two of them
write exactly alike. Some letters get more
one side. Now, you remark in this note
OF yours, Mr.. windibank. that in every
case there is some little slurring over of
the e. and a slight defect in the tail OF
the r. There are fourteen other charac-
teristics, but those are the more obvious ."
I'VE do all our correspondence with this
machine at the office, and no doubt it is
a little worn" our visitor answered,
glancing keenly at Holmes with his bright
little eyes.
"And now I will show you what is really
a very interesting study. Mr.. Windibank,"
Holmes continued IT think of writing an
other little monograph some of these days
on the typewriter and its relation to crime.
It is a subject to which have devoted
some little attention. I have here four
letters which purport TO come from the
missing man. They are all typewritten.
In each case, not only are the 'es' slurred
and the rs tailless, but you will observe
II you care to use my magnifying tense
that the fourteen other characteristics "a
which have alluded are there as WE'LL
Mr.. Windibank sprang out OF his chair
and picked up his hat. IT cannot waste
time over this sort OF fantastic talk, Mr.
Holmes" he said. 'Tf you can catch the
man, catch him, and let me know when
you have done It."
Certainly" said Holmes, stepping over
and turning the key in the door, "I let
you know, then, that have caught him.
"what where?" shouted Mr.. windi-
bank, turning white to his lips, and CLAN
cling about him like a rat in a trap.
"Oh, 1t won't do-really 1t won't" said
Holmes susvely. "There is no possible get
ting out OF II. Mr.. Windibank. 1t is quite