The evening world. Newspaper, April 22, 1905, Page 12

al Wal 1 ‘the whole team turns on, I'd rathor spare two from id have Godfrey for my three-quarter line. Whether it's passing, or dribbling, there's no one to touch him, and then he’s got the poi ean hold us all together, What am Ito do? That's what I ask j Holmee. . There’s Moorhouse, first reserve, but he is tmined as a ind he always edges right in on to the scrum Instead of keeping out the touchline, He's a fine place-kick, it's true, but then he has no judg- Hen, and be can’t sprint for nuts. Why, Morton or Johnson, the Oxford Pould romp around him, Stevenson |s fast enough, but he coulun't f the twenty-five line, and a three-quarter who can’t elther punt or a n’t worth a place for pace alone. No, Mr, Holmes, we are done yOu can help me to find Godfrey Staunton.” friend had Mstened with amused eurprise to this long speech, which d forth with extraordinary vigor and earnostness, evory point ‘driven home by the slapping of a brawny hand upon the speaker's When our visitor was silent Holmes stretched out his hand and took fetter “S" of his commonplace book. For once he dug in vain into mine of varied information. “There is Arthur H. Staunton, the rising young forger,” said he, “and Was Henry Staunton, whom I helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton ® Rew name to me.” > Tt was our visitor's turn to look surprised “Why, Mr. Holmes, I thought you knew things,’ {€ you have never heard of Godfrey Staunton, ton either?” {Holmes shook his head good-humoreily. 7 “Great Scot!” cried the athlete. “Why, I was first reserve for England Against Wales, and I've skippered the ‘Varsity all this year. But that's 0 ng! I didn’t think there was a soul in England who didn't know a Odfrey Staunton, the crack three-quarter, Cambridge, Blackheath and five | Internationals. Good Lord! Mr, Holmes, where have you lived?" 5 Holmes laughed at the young giant’s naive astonishment “You lve in a different world to me, Mr Overton—a sweeter and “healthier-one, My ramifications stretch out into many sections of society, Dut never, I am happy to say, Into amateur sport, which is the best and | goundest thing in England. However, your unexpected visit this morning shows me that even in that world of fresh air and fain play there may be work for me to do. So now, my good sir, | beg you to sit down and to tell “me, slowly and quietly, exactly what it is that hus occurred and how you ) feaire thet 1 should help you.” Young Overton's face assumed the bothered look of the man who Is q “more accustomed to using his muscles than his wits, but by degrees, with ‘many repetitions and obscurities which I may omit from his narrative, he H jaid his strange story before us. 5 “It’s this way, Mr. Holmes. As | have said, 1 am the skipper of the F Rugger team of Cambridge ‘Varsity, and Godfrey Staunton is my best man ) do-morrow we play Oxford. Yesterday we all camo up, and we octtled at Bentley's private hotel. At 10 o'clock 1 went round and saw that all the fellows had gone to roost, for 1 belleve in strict training and plenty of | nleep to keep a team fit. I had a word cr two with Godfrey before he turned | in, He seemed to me to be pale and bothered. ] asked him what was the matter. He said he was all right—Jjust a touch of headache. 1 bade him ‘good-night and left him. Half an hour later the porter tells me that a fough-looking man with a beard called with a note for Godfrey. He had ) mot gone to bed, and the note was taken to his room. Godfrey read it and fell back in a chair as |f he had been pole-axed, The porter was so scared (that he was going to fetch me, but Godfrey stopped him, had a drink of vewater and pulled himself together. Then he went downstairs, sald a few » words to the man, who was waiting In the hall, and the two of them went "off together. ‘The last that the porter saw of them they were almost rin- ) ming down the street in the direction of the Strand, This morning Godtre > room was emity, his bed had never been slept i, and bis things were all just as I had seen thei the night before. He had gone off at a moment's } notice with this stranger, and no word has come from him sinee, 1 dor believe he will ever come back. He was a sportsman, was Godfrey, a to his marrow, aed he wouldn't have stopped his training and let in his pw@kipper {f it were not for some cause that was too strong for him, No; I ) fee) as if he were gone for good and we should never see him again.” A ‘Sherlovk Holmes listened with the deepst attention to this singular “Marrative. “What did you do?” he asked “1 wired to Cambridge to learn if anything had been heard of him (there. I have had an answer. No one his seen nim,” “Could he have got back to Cambridge?” “Yes, there is a late train—11.15,"" But so far as you can ascertain he did not take it “No; he has not been seen,” “What did you do next?" wired to Lord Mount-Jam “Why to Lord Mount-James “Godfrey is an orphan, and Lord Mount-James is his nearest “his uncle, I believe.” “Indeed. This throws new light upon the matter. ) ia one of the richest men in England.” ; “So I've heard Godfrey say.” “And your friend was closely related?” ; “es, he was his heir, and the oid boy is nearly eighty—cram ful! of )gouf, too. They say he could chalk his billiard cue with his knuck1 He P nefer allowed Godfrey a shilling in his life, for he is an absolute miser, pcbut It will all come to him right enough.” “Have you heard from Lord Mount-James?’ “No,” "What motive could your friend have in going to Lord Mount-James! “Well, something was worrying him the night before, and if it was to | do with money it Is possible that he would make for his nearest relative who had go much of it, though from all I have heard he would not have (much chance of getting it. Godfrey was not He Hwould not go If he could help it.” “Well, we can soon determine that. If your friend was going to his relative, Lord Mount-James, you have then to explaip the visit of this rough- Jovking fellow at so late an hour and the agitation that was caused by his coming.” Cyril Overton pressed his hands to his head of it," said he. “Well, well, I have a clear day, and I shall. be happy to look into the matter,” said Holmes. “I should strongly recommend you to make your preparations for your match without reference to this young gentleman elt must, as you say, have been an overpowering neces } away in such a fashion, and the 4 soy oy Nat id he, “1 suppose, you don't know Cyril of aN relative Lerd Mount-James fond of the old man ‘LT can make nothing ity which tore him ame necessity is likely to hold him away iLet us step round together to the hotel and see if the porter can throw any fresh ght upon the matter,” i: Sherlock Holmes was 1 past-master in the art of putting an humble tness at his ease, and very soon, in the privacy of Godfrey Staunton’s idoned room, he had extracted all that the porter had to tell, The Hyialtor of the night before was not a gentleman, neither was he a working Inian, He was simply what the porter deseriicd as a “medium-lo hap,” a man of fifty, beard grizzled, pale face, quietly dressed T He seemed 4 he porter had observed his hand trembling when Vhimaelf to be agitated. She had held out the note Godfrey Staunton had crammed the note into ig pocket, Staunton had not shaken hands with the man in the hall. They id exohanged a few sentences, of which the porter had only distinguished @ one word “time.” Then they hal hurried off in the manner iserived ‘was just 10.30 by the hall clock Lat mo seo,” suid Holmes, seating himself on Staunton's bed. “You day porter, are you not fea, air; I go off duty at 11." night porter saw nothing, | suppose?” sir. One theatre party came in Jate you on duty all day yesterday?” sir,” syou take any messages to Mr, Stanton?” My pir; one telegram.” interesting. ' \ No one else.” What ee this?” gis Al ti wad de dnd’ al ol Peta ah ct ker Pilhedilteiin ities aa 1 ala ghana THE WORLD; SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 22, 1905. Eo Goblnay Maia WA Gadid of him, otoodme? Ho's. “About 6.” : to account for what you do with them.” wit “Very good, sir,” sald Sherlock Holmes, ‘May I ask, in the meanwhile, “Where was Mr, Staunton when he received it?” “Here in his room,” “Were you present when he opened it?” M sir; T watted to see if there was an answer,” “Well, was there?" “Yes. sirs he wrote an auswer."’ “Did you take it?” “No, he took it himself."’ ‘But he wrote it in your presence?” “Yes, sir. I was standing by the door and he with that table. When he had written it he said: ‘All right this myself. “What did he write it with?” whether you have yourself any theory to account for this young man's dis- appearance?” “No, sir, L have not, He is big enough and old enough to look after himself, and if he is so fcolish ns to lose himself I entirely refuse to accept the responsibility of hunting for him.” “I quite understand your position,” said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. ‘Perhaps you don't quite understand mine. Godfrey Steunton appears to have been a poor man, If he has been kidnapped, it could not have been for anything which he himself possesses. The fame of your wealth has pone abroud, Lord Mount-James, and {t is entirely pos- sible that a gang of thieves have se- cured your nephew in order to gain his back turned at porter, | will take “A pen, sir.” from him some information as to “Was the telegraphic form one of these on the table?” i ent FOUESPNDUB BBG “Yes, sir; it was the top one.” Holmes rose. ‘Taking the forms, he carried them over and carefully examined that which was uppermost «The face of our unpleasant littl: to the window visitor turned as white as his neck- loth “It is a pity he did not write in pencil,” said he, throwing them down — sjigayens, sir, what an idea! 1 again with a shrug of disappointment. “As you have no doubt frequently poyer thought of such villainy! observed, Watson, the impression usually goes through—a fact which has dissolved many a happy marriage. However, I can find no trace here, 1 rejoice, however, to perceive that he wrote with a broad-poiated quill pen, and 1 can hardly doubt that we will find some impression upon this Dlot- What inhuman rogues there are in the world! But Godfrey {is a fine lad -a stanch Ind = Nething would in- duce him to give his old uncle away, ung-pad, Ah, yes, surely this is the very thing!" I'll have the plate moved r to the He tore off a stpip of the blotting-paper and turned toward us the fol- bank this evening, In the mean time spare no pains, Mr. Detective! I beg you to leave no stone unturned to bring Lim safely back. As to money, well, far as a fiv or even a tenner, goes, you can always look to me.” t Even in his chastened frame of mind, the noble miser could give us no information which could help us, for he knew little of the private life ot his nephew. Our only clue lay in the truncated telegram, and with a copy of this in his hand Holmes set forth to find a second link for his chain. We had shaken off Lord Mount-James, and Overton had gone to consult with the other members of his team over the misfortune which had befallen them. There was a telegraph office at a short distance from the hotel. We halted outside it, “It's worth trying, Watson,” said Holmes, “Of course, with a warrant we could demand to see the counter- tolls, but we have not reached that stage yet. I don’t suppose they re- memiber faces in so busy a place. Let us venture ft.” I am sorry to trouble you,” sald ho, in his blandest manner, to the young woman behind the grating; “there is some small mistake about a telegram I sent yesterday. I have had no answer, and I very much fear that I must have omitted to put my name at the end. Could you tell me if this was 80?" The young woman turned over a sheaf of counterfolls. “What o'clock was it?” she asked. A little after 6." Whom was it to’” Holmes put his finger to his lips and glaiced at me. in it were ‘for God's sake,’ he whispered, confidentially; ious at getting no answer.’ The young woman separated one of the forms. “This is it. There is no name,” said she, smoothing it out upon the counter, lowing hieroglyphic so “Hold it to the gla "he cried “Tae paper is thin, and the He turned it over, and we ¥ Cyril Overton was much excited “That 18 .nnecessary,” said Holmes. reverse will give the message, Here It Is. “So that is the tail end of the telegram which Godfrey Staunton des- patched within a few hours of his disappearance. There are at least six words of the message which have escaped us; but what remains—'Stand by us for God's sake!'—proves that this young man saw a formidable danger which approached him and from which some one else could protect him. ‘Us, mark you! Another person was involved. Who should it be but the pale-faced, bearded man, who seemed himself in so nervous a state? What, then, is the connection between Godfrey Staunton and the bearded man? And what is the third source from which each of them sought for help against pressing danger? Our inquiry has already narrowed down to that.” “We have only to find to whom that telegram is addressed," J suggested, “exactly, my Watson, Your reflection, though profound, had already crossed my mind. But T dure say jt may have come to your notice that, if you walk Into a post-office and demand to see the counterfoil of another man’s message, there + be some disinelination on the part of the officials to oblige you. There is so much red tape in these matters, However, I have no doubt that with a little delicacy and finesse the end may be attained, Meanwhile IT should like in your presence, Mr. Overton, to go through these papers which have been left upon the table. There were a number of letters, bills and notebooks, which Holmes turned over and examined with quick, nervous fingers and darting, penetrating eyes, “Nothing here,” he said at last. “By the way, I sup- pose your friend was a_ healthy young fellow—nothing amiss with him?” “Sound as a bell.” “Have you ever known him {11?” ‘Not a day. He has been laid up with a hack, and once he stipped his kneecap, but that was nothing.” “Perhaps he was not so strong as you suppose. I should think he may have had some secret trouble, With your assent, I will put one or two of these papers in my pocket, in case they should bear upon our future in- dear “The last words “Tam very anx- auiry “One moment cried ’ querulous voice, and we looked up 1o find a queer little old man jerking and twitehing in the doorway. tle was dressed in rusty black, with a very broad-brimmed top-hat and a loose white necktie—the whole effect being that of a very rustic parson or of an undertaker's mute, Yet, in spite of his shabby and even absurd appearance, his voice had a sharp crackle and his manner a quick in- tensity which commanded attention, one moment!” Who are you, sir, and by what right do you touch this gentleman's pupers?” he asked, 1 am a private detective, and | endeavoring to explain his dis+ auppearanc “Oh, instructed you “This gentleman, Mr. Staunton’s friend, was referred to me by Scot- land Yard." Who are you, sir?” “Lam Cyril Overton.” ‘Then it is you who sent me a tel- am And who are, are you? eh egram, My name {3 Lord Mount- James. I came round as quickly as the Bayswater ‘bus would bring me, So you have instructed a detective?” Yes, sir. , Bir, i! ; <n you are prepared to meet the “'We looked up to finda queer little old man jerking and twitching in the eoniail doorway.” | have no doubt, sir, that my friend Godfrey, when we find him, will be prepared to do that.” “Then that, of course, accounts for my getting no answer,” sald Holmes, “But if he is never found, eh? Answer me that!” In that case, no doubt, his family’'-—— Nothing of the sort, sir!” sereamed the little man, “Don't look to me for 4 penny -not a penny! You und tand that, Mr. Detective! I am all the family that this young man has got, and | tell you that Iam not respon- sible. If he has any expectations it is due to the fact that I have never wasted money, and I do not propose to begin to do so now, As to those papers with which you are making so free, I may tell you that in case there should be anything of any value among them you will be held strictly “Dear me, how very stupid of me, to be sure! Good morning, miss, and many thanks for having relieved my mind.” He chuckled and rubbed his hands when we found ourselves in the street once more, “Well?” T asked, “We progress, iny dear Watson, we progress, I had seven different schemes for getting a glimpse of that telegram, but I could hardly hope to succeed the very first time,” “And what have you gained?” ‘ ‘A starting point for our investigation.” He hailed, a cab. “King Godfrey Staunton, the Crack Three-Quarter. Orcas Station,” said he. “We have a journey, then?” ‘Yes, | think we must run down to Cambridge together, cations seem to me to point in that direction.” “Tell me,” Tashed, as we rattled up Gray's Inn Road, “have you any sus- picion yel as to the cause of the disappearance? I don’t think that among all our cases I have known one where the motives are more obscure, Surely you don’t really imagine that he may be kidnapped in order to give infor- mation against his wealthy uncle?” “T confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation. It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person,” All the indi- "It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?" 2 “I could mention several. You must admit that ft is curious and suggestive that this incident should oceur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side. It may, of course, be a coincidence, but it is interesting. Amateur sport is free from betting, but a good deal of out- side betting goes on among the pub- He, and it is possible that it might be worth some one’s while to get at a playor as the ruffians of the turf get at a race-horse, There is one ex- planation. A second very obvious one is that this young man really the heir of a great property, hov ever modest his means may at pres- ent be, end it is not impossible that a plot to hold him for ransom might be concocted.” “These theories take no account of the telegram.” “Quite true, Watson gram still remains the thing with which we have to deal and we must not permit our at- tention to wander away from it It is to gain light upon the purpose of this telegram that we are now upon our way to Cambridge. The path of our investigation is at pres- ent obscure, but | shall be very much surprised If before evening we hay not cleared it up, or made a consi erable advance along it.” The only tele- solid It was already dark when we reached the old University City Holmes took a cab at the station and ordered the man to drive to the house of Dr, Leslie Armstrong. \ few minutes later we hid stopped at a large mansion in the busiest thor- oughfare. We were shown in, and after a long wait were at last admitted into the consulting-room, where wy found the doctor seated behind his table. It argues the degree in which I had lost touch with my profession that the nume of Leslie Armstrong was unknown to me, Now I am aware that he is not only one of the heads of the medica! school of the University, but a thinker of European reputation in more than one branch of science. Yet even without knowing his brilliant record one could not fail to be impressed by a mere glance at the man, the square, massive face, the brooding eyes un- der the thatched brows, and the granite moulding of the inflexible Jaw. A man of deep character, a man with an alert mind, grim, ascetic, self-con- tained, forniidable—ao I read Dr. ‘Leslie Armstrong. He held my friend's card in his hand, and he looked up with no very pleased expression upon his dour features. “T have heard your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I am aware of your profession—one of which 1 by no means approve.” “In that, Doetor, you will find yourself in agreement with every criminal in the country,” sald my friend, quietly, “So far as your efforts are directed toward the suppression of crime, sir. they must have the support of every reasonable member of the community, though I cannot doubt that the official machinery is amply sufficient for the burpose. Where your calling is more open to criticism 1s when you pry into the secrets of private individuals, when you rake up family matters which are better hidden, and when you incidentally waste the time of men who are more busy than yourself, At the present moment, for example. I should be writing a (reatise instead of conversing with you,” “No doubt, Doct and yet the conversation may prove more important than the treatise, Incidentally, | may tell you that we are doing the revers of what you very justly blame, and that we are endeavoring to prevent any- thing like public exposure of private matters which Must necessarily follow when once the case is fairly in the hands of the official police, look upon me simply as an irregular pioneer, ular forces of the country, Staunton,” “What about him?” “You know him, do you not?” “He is an intimate friend of mine,” “You are awnre that he has disappeared?" You may who goes in front of the reg- I have come to ask you about Mr, Godfrey “Ah, indeed!" ‘There was no change of expression ofthe dootar In the rugged features “He left his hotel last night—he has not bgen heard of.” “No doubt he will return.” “To-morrow 1a the "Varsity football match.” “IT have no sympathy with these childish games, Interests me deeply, since I know him and like him, does not come within my horizon at all." ‘The young man’s fate The football match “I claim your sympathy, then, in my Investigation of Mr, Do you know where he is?” “Certainly not." “You have not seen him since yesterilay 2” “No, I have not.” “Was Mr, Staunton a healthy man?" “Absolutely.” 4 “toa you ever know him 11?" “Never,” fata, Staunton's Holmes popped a sheet of paper before the doctor's eyes. “Then per- haps you will explain this receipted bill for thirteen guineas, paid by Mr, Godfrey Staunton last montl: to Dr. Leslie Armstrong, of Cambridge. T picked it out from among the papers on his desk,” The doctor flushed with anger. “I do not feel that there Is any reason why I should render an explana- tion to you, Mr. Holmes,” Holmes replaced the bill in hie notebook, “If you prefer a public ex- planation, it must come sooner or later,” said he, “I have already told you that I can hush up that which others will be bound to publish, and you would really be wiser to take me into your complete confidence.” “T know nothing about it.” ‘5 “Did you hear from Mr, Staunton in London?” “Certainly not.” “Dear me, dear me--the post-office again! Holmes sighed, wearily, “A most urgent telegram was despatched te you from London by Godfrey Staunton at 6.15 yesterday evening—a telegram which is undoubtedly usso- elated with his disappearance—and yet you havo not had it. It ts moat oul- pable. I shall certainly go down to the office here and register a BOSD ada » q t .