Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

remains the only solid thing with which we
| have to deal, and we must not permit OuI
attention to wander away from it. 1t is to
| gain light upon the purpose of this telegram
that we are now upon our way to Cam
bridge. The path of our investigation is at
present obscure, but l shall be very much
surprised If before evening we have not
cleared 1t up, or made a considerable ad-
vance along it"
1t 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. A
few minutes later had stopped at d
large mansion in the busiest thoroughfare.
We were shown in, and after a long wait
were at last admitted into the consulting
room, where we found the doctor seated
behind his table.
1t argues the degree In which l had
lost touch with my profession that the name
OF Leslie Armstrong unknown to me.
Now l am aware that he is not only one
of the heads of the medical school of the
university, but a thinker of European repu-
tatlon in more than one branch of science.
Yet even without knowing his brilliant rec
ord one could not fail TO be impressed by a
mere glance at the man, the square, mas
sive face, the brooding eyes under the
matched brows, and the granite molding of
the intleXible jaw. A man OF deep char
acter, man with an alert mind. grim, as
celtic, seIf-cOntained formidaole-so 1 read
DR.. Leslie Armstrong. He he'd my friend 5
card in his hand, and he looked up with no
lures.
Il have heard your name, Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes, and l am aware of your profession
one of which L by no means approve"
In that doctor, you Will find yourself in
agreement with every criminal in the coun-
try" said my friend quietly.
so far as your efforts are directed to-
ward the suppression of crime, sir, they
must have the support of every reasonable
member of the community, though l can
not doubt that the official machinery is
amply sufficient for the purpose. Where
your calling is more open to criticism is
when you pry into the secrets of private
individuals, when you rake up family mat
ters which are better hidden, and when you
incidentally waste the time of men who
are more busy than yourself. At the pres
ent moment for example, 1 should be writ
ing a treatise instead of conversing with
you"
mo doubt doctor; and yet the converse
ton may prove more important than the
treatise. incidentally, | may tell you that
we are doing the reverse of what you very
justly blame, and that we are endeaVoring
to prevent anything like public exposure Of
private matters which must necessarily fol-
low when once the case is fairly in the
hands of the official police. You may look
upon me simply as an irregular pioneer,
who goes in front of the regular forces Of
the country, l have come 10 ask you about
Mr.. Godfrey Stanton"
What about him?'
you know him. do you not?"
lie Is an lntlndte IflenO oil mime.
You are aware that he has disappeared?'
'Ah, indeed" There no change OF
eXpr ession in the rugged features of the
doctor.
He left his hotel last night-he has not
been heard Of
NO doubt he will return
Tomorrow is the varsity foot ball
match
Il have no sympathy with these childish
games. The young mans fate interests me
deeply since | know him and like him.
The foot ball match does not come within
my horizon at all
'.I claim your sympathy, then, In my in
vestigation of Mr. Staunton's fate Do
you know where he is?'
certainly not"
I, You have not seen him since yesterday"
"No, ] have not"
"Was Mr.. Staunton healthy MANI"
Absolutely"
Did you ever know him ill?"
Never"
the doctors eyes ''Then perhaps you will
explain this receipted bill for thirteen
guineas. paid by Mr.. Godfrey Staunton last
month to DR. Leslie Armstrong of Cam
bridge. l picked 1t out from among the
papers upon his desk.
The doctor flushed with anger
II do not feel that there is any reason
why l should render an explanation to you,
Mr.. Holmes"
Holmes replaced the bill in his notebook
IF you prefer public explanation. it must
come sooner or later" said he Il have
already told you that / can hush up that
which others will be bound to publish, and
you would really be wiser to take me into
your complete confidence.
Il know nothing about 1t"
did you hear from Mr.. Staunton in Lon
DOM"
Certainly not"
Dear me, udear me-the post Office
againr' Holmes sighed YEARLY "A most
urgent telegram was dispatched to you from
London by Godfrey Staunton at 6:15 yes
terday evening" telegram which is I'M
doubtedly associated with his disappearance
and yet you have not had it. 1t is most
culpable / shall certainly go down to the
Office here and register complaint"
DR.. Leslie Armstrong sprang up from be-
hind his desk. and his dark face was GRIM
son with fury.
TN trouble you to walk out OF my house,
SIR" said he. You can tell your employer,
Lord Mount-James. that do not>wish to
have anything to do either with him or
with his agents. No. sir-not another
world" He rang the bell furiously. John.
show these gentlemen out" pompous
butler ushered us severely to the door. and
we found ourselves IN the street. Holmes
4affraf launching