Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-16
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.So that is the tail end of the tele. gram which Godfrey Staunton dis patched within a few hours of his dis. appearance. There are at least six words of the message which have es. capped us. but what remains Stand by us for Gods sake"-proves that this young man saw a formidable dan. ger 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 statei 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 in. quiry has already narrowed down to that"
 "We have only to find to whom that telegram is addressed" I suggested. n Exactly. my dear Watson. Your-re-i fection. though profound. had already crossed my mind. But I dare say il may have come to your notice that if you walk into a postoffice and demand to see the counterfeit of another mans message there may be some disinclina. tion on the part of the officials to oblige you. There is so much red tape in these matters. However. have ro doubt that with a little delicacy and finesse the end may be attained. MeaL while, I should like in your presence, Mir. Overton. to go through these pa- pers which have been left upon the ta. ble"
 There were a number of letters. bills and notebooks. which Holmes turned over and examined with quick. nerv- ous fingers and darting. penetrating eyes. Nothing here" he said at last. By the way. I suppose your friend was healthy young fellow-nothing amiss with him:"
 Sound as bell.-
 Have you ever known him illT'
 Not day. He has been laid up with hack, and once he slipped 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- auiry."
 "One moment-one momentr' cried a querulous voice. ard we looked up to find a queer little old man jerking and twitching in the doorway. He was dressed in rusty black. with a very broad brimmed top hat and loose white necktie-the whole effect being that of 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.
 "who are you. sir. and by what right do you touch this gentleman's papersT be asked.
 'I am a private detective. and I am endeavoring to explain his disappear ance-
 .Oh. you are. are you? And who instructed you. ehT
 This gentleman. MT. stauaton's friend. was referred to me by Scot land Yard
 Who are you. sirT'
 T am Cyril overtOn."
 Then 1t is you who sent me a telei gram My name Is Lord Mount James I came round as quickly as the Bayswster bus would bring me. So you have instructed a detectiveT'
 .-Yes. sir
 And are you prepared to meet the eosty-
 II have no doubt sir. that my friend Godfrey. when ve find him. will be prepared to do that
 But if he is never found. chi An <uer me that.
 In that case 10 doubt his family
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