The San Francisco call., 1905-05-14

ity College I don't understand it,
oh, it is clear enough. 1t is from
our friend Overton, and is in answer
TO a question from me. I'll just send
round note to Mr.. Jeremy Dixon,
and then L have no doubt that our
luck will turn. BY the way, is there
any news of the match ?'
Yes, the local evening paper has
an excellent account in its last edi-
Iion. oxford won by a goal and two
lrles. The last sentences of the de-
scrlpton say: The. defeat of the
Llgnt Blues may be entirely attributed
10 the unfortunate absence of the
crack international, Godfrey Staun-
toI whose want was felt at every in
stant OF the game. The lack of COM
plnaton in the three-quarter line and
thelr weakness both in attack and de-
tense more than neutralized the eff
pack. -
Then our friend Overton's forebod-
1ngs have been justified" said Holmes.
personally am in agreement with
.Dr. Armstrong, and football does not
come within my horizon. Early to bed
tonight. Watson, for 1 foresee that to-
morrow may be an eventful day
was Mortified by my first glimpse
OF Holmes next morning, for he sat
by the fire holding his tiny hypo-
dermlc syringe. l associated that in
strument with the single weakness of
his nature, and 1 feared the worst
when l saw 1t glittering in his hand.
ne laugned at my expression of dis
may, and laid it upon the table,
NO, no, my dear fellow, there is no
cause Tor alarm. 1t is not upon this
occasion the instrument of evil but it
Will rather prove to be the key which
VIII unlock our mystery. On this
syringe base all my hopes. 1 have
just returned from a small scouting
expedition. and everything is favor
able. Eat a good breakfast, Watson,
Tor L propose to get upon DR.. Am
strongs trail to-day. and once on it 1
will not stop for rest or food until /
run him to burrow."
In that case" said /. Eve had best
carry our breakfast with us, for he is
making an early start. His carriage is
at the door,
Never mind Let him go. He will
be clever if he can drive where 1 can
not follow him. When you have fin
ished. come downstairs with me, and
| will introduce you to detective who
is very eminent specialist in the work
that lies before u.s."
When we descended / followed
Holmes into the stableyard, where he
opened the door of a loose-box and led
dog, something between a beagle and
a foxhound.
Let me introduce you to Pompey,"
said he. 'Pompey is the pride of the
local draghounds-no very great flier,
as his build will show, but a stanch
hound on a scent. Well, Pompey, you
may not be fast, but / expect you will
be too fast for couple of middle-aged
London gentlemen, so I will take the
liberty of fastening this leather leash
to your collar. Now, boy, come along,
and show what you can do" He led
him across to the doctors door. The
dog shifted round for an instant and
then with shrill whine of excitement
started off down the street, tugging at
his leash in his efforts to go faster.
In half an hour. we were clear of the
town and fastening. down a country
road.
What have you done, Holmes?" 1
asked.
"A threadbare and venerable de-
vice, but useful upon occasion.
walked into the doctors yard this
morning, and shot my syringe full of
aniseed over the hind wheel. A drag
hound will follow aniseed from here to
John o. Groats, and our friend, Arm.
strong, would have to drive through
the Cam before he would shake Pom
pey off his trail. Oh, the Ginning ras-
cal. In1S Is now ne gave me the slip
the. other night"
The dog had suddenly turned out
of the main road into a grass-g grown
lane. Half a mile farther this opened
into another road, and the trail turned
hard to the right in the direction Of
the town. which we had just quilted.
The road took a sweep to the south
of the town, and continued in the OPP
posite direction to that in which we
started.
This detour has been entirely for
our benefit. then?' said Holmes. mo
wonder that my inquiries among those
villages led to nothing. The doctor has
certainly played the game for all it
is worth, and one would like to know
the reason for such elaborate deception
This should be the village of Trump
ington to the right of US. And. by
Jovei here is the brougham coming
round the corner Quick, Watson
quick, or we are done!"
He sprang through a gate into a
field, dragging the reluctant Pompey
after him. We had hardly got under
the shelter of the hedge when the car
riage ratified past. 1 caught a glimpse
of DR. Armstrong within, his shoulders
bowed, his head sunk on his hands, the
very image of distress 1 could tell,
by my companions graver face, that
he also had seen.
81 fear there is some dark ending to
our quest said he. 1T cannot be long
before we know it. Come, Pompey!
All, it is the cottage in the fieldi"
There could be no doubt that we had
reached the end of our journey. Pom
pey ran about and whined eagerly out
side the gate, where the marks of the
brougham's wheels were still to be seen.
A footpath led across to the lonely cot
tage. Holmes tied the dog to the
hedge, and we fastened onward. My
friend knocked at the little rustic door