Evening star., 1925-03-22

Holmes cross-examination was in
terrupted by an imperative knock
ing at the door. No sooner had
our client unlatched it than the
American lawyer burst excitedly into
the room.
Here you are" he cried. waving
a paper over his head. 'I thought I
would be in time to get you. Mr..
Nathan Garrideb, my congratula-
| tions! You are a rich man, sir. Our
business is happily finished and all
is well. AS to you, Mr. Holmes, we
can only say we are sorry If we have
given you any useless trouble"
He handed over the paper to our
client, who stood staring at a
I leaned forward and read it over his
shoulder. This Is how 1t ran:
HOWARD GARRIDEB,
Constructor Of Agricultural
Machinery.
Binders, Reapers, Steam and Hand
Plows, Drills, Harrows, Farmers
Carts, Buckboards, and All Other
Appliances.
Estimates for Artesian Wells.
APPLY GROSvENoR BUILDINGS,
ASTON.
"Gloriousw gasped our host. THAT
makes our third man"
'I had opened up inquiries in Bir-
mingham," said the American, and
| my agent there has sent me this ad-
vertisement from a local paper. We
must hustle and put the thing
| through. I have written to this man
and told him that you will see him in
| his office tomorrow afternoon at 4
o'clock"
you want me to see him?'
what do you say. Mr.. Holmes?
Don't you think it would be wiser?
Here 1 am, q wandering American.
| with wonderful tale. Why should
he believe what I tell him? But you
are a Britisher with solid references
and he is bound to take notice OF
what you say. I would go with you
| If you wished, but I have g. very busy
, day tomorrow. and I could always
| follow you IL you are in any trouble"
We'll, 1 have not made such a jour
| ney for years.
'It Is nothing, Mr.. Garrideb- I
| have figured out your trains. You
| leave at IL and should be there be-
| fore .. Then you can be back the
same night. All you have to do is
| to see this man, explain the matter
and get an affidavit of his existence.
By the Lord" he added hotly, con
| sidering I've come all the way from
4
little enough If you go hundred
miles in order to put this matter
( through"
quite So" said Holmes. "I think
what this gentleman says is very
! true"
Mr.. Nathan Garrideb shrugged hi.
shoulders with a disconsolate air.
We'll, IL you insist, 1 shall CO." sait
he. TT is certainly hard for me te
| refuse you anything, considering th'
glory Of hope that YOU have brough'
into my life
Then that is agreed" said Holmes
| rand no doubt you will let me have
report as soon as you can"
"Tll see to that said the Aureri'
| can. Well" he added. looking at his
| watch, I'll have to get on. I'll cal
| tomorrow, Mr.. Nathan, and see yot
Off to Birmingham. Coming my way
Mr.. Holmes? Well, then. goodbye
and we may have good news for 20,
tomorrow night"
I noticed that my friends fac,
| cleared when the American left th'
| room, and the look of thoughtful
perplexity had vanished.
Il wish I could look over your col
lection, Mr.. Garrideb," said he. III
my profession all sorts OF odd knowl
edge comes useful. and this room o
yours is a storehouse of it,
y X
1nUR client shone with pleasur,
~ and his eyes CLEANED from be
hind his big glasses.
'I had always heard. sir, that yo'
were a very intelligent man." said he
II could take you round now, il vol
Ahaye the TIME