Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-08
DIR. Leslie armstrong.

Copyright s! II weekly ~
DIR. Leslie armstrong.
modest Ills means may AT present be.
and it is not impossible that plot to
hold him for ransom might be con-
cocted."
These theories take no account OF
the telegram"
"Quite true, Watson. The telegram
still remains the only solid thing with
which we have TO deal. and we must
not permit our 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 Cambridge.
The path of our investigation is at
present obscure but l shall be very
much surprised If before evening we
have not cleared it up or made a con-
siderable advance along it."
1t was already dark when we reached
the old university city. Holmes took
Il cab at the station and ordered the
man to drive to the house OF DR.. Les
lie Armstrong. \ few minutes later
we had stopped at 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 seat
ell behind his table.
1t argues the degree in which l had
lost toEch with my profession that the
name of Leslie Armstrong was I'M
known to me. Now l am aware that
he is not only one OF the heads OF the
medical school Of the university. but n
hon Of "a tuf I'm.
than one branch OF science. Yet even
without knowing. his brilliant record
one could not fan to be impressed by
n mere glance at the mantle square.
massive face, the brooding eyes under
the matched browS and the granite
molding Of the fnflexible jaw. man
OF deep character. Il man with an alert
mind. grim, as etic, self contained, for
midable-sO l read Dr. Leslie Arm.
strong lie held my friends rard in
his hand, and he looked up with no
very pleased expression upon his dour
features.
Il have heard your name. Mr.. Sher-
lock Holmes, and l am aware Of your
prOfession-One of which by no means
approve"
In that, doctor, you will find your
self in agreement with every criminal
in the country" said my friend quietly.
80 fAT as your efforts are directed
toward the suppression of crime. sir,
they must have the support of every
reasonable member OF the community,
though | cannot doubt that the official
machinery il amply sufficient for the
purpose. Where your calling is more
to INF
the secrets of private individuals. when
you rake up family matters which are
better hidden, and when you incidental
~ waste the time OF men who are more
busy than yourself. At the present mo
ment, for example, l should be writing
a treatise instead OF conversing with
you"
NO doubt, doctor. and yet the con-
versation may prove more important
than the treatise. Incidentally l may
tell you that we are doing the re verse
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. You may
lOOh uJOn hit Hllhplg ID al IL ulHA
pioneer, who goes in front of the reg
ular forces of the country. I have
come to ask you about Mr.. Godfrey
StauntOn."
"Whac about him?"
You know him, do you nOt?'
He is an intimate friend OF mine"
you are aware that he has disap-
peared?'
"Ah. indeedr' There was no change
OF expression 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 football
match.
Il have no sympathy with these
childish games. The young mans fate
interests me deeply. since 1 know him
and like him. The football match does
not come within my horizon at all"
Il claim your sympathy, then. in my
investigation OF Mr.. Staunton's fate