The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-23

undertakerS mute. Yet, in spite ol
his shabby and even absurd appear
ance, his voice had a sharp crackle.
and his manner a quick intensity
which commanded attention.
WHO are you, sir, and by what
right do you touch this gentleman
papers?' he asked.
II am private detective, and l am
endeavoring to explain his disappear
ance.''
"Oh, you are, are you? And who
instructed you, eh?''
This gentleman, Mr.. Staunton' s
friend, was referred to me by Scot
land Yard"
who are you, sir?'
81 am Cyril Overton."
Then it is you who sent me tel
egram. My name is Lord Mount
James. l came round as quickly as
the Bayswater bus would bring ne.
So you have instructed a GetectiveY'
Yes, SIR
And are you prepared 70 meet the
cost?"
II have no doubt, sir that my
friend Godfrey, when we find him, viii
be prepared to do that"
But if he is never found, Ell? An
swer me that!''
In that case, no doubt Ills tam
lily
Nothing of the sort, SRI" screamed
the little man. Don't lJ1!S to me for
a penny-not a penny! YOU cndoi
stand that, Mr.. Detective [ am all
the family that this youtg man has
got and l tell you that l dm rot ie-
sponsible. If he has any expectations
1t is due to the fact that | have Eevei
wasted money, and l do not pr 'pUse
to begin to do so now. AS to those
papers with which YOU are making
so free, l may tell you that in case
there should be anything of any value
among them, you will be neil strictly
to account for what you do with
Them
Very good, SIR" said Sherlock
Holmes. May l ask, IN he ,lean-
while, wether you have yourself any
theory to account for this young
mans disappearance"
mo, sir, l have not. He is big
enough and old enough to look after
himself, and if he is so foolish as TO
lose himself, l entirely refuse to ac-
cept the responsibility of hunting for
him.
II quite understand your position
said Holmes, with a mischievous
twinkle In his eye. Perhaps you
don't quite understand mine. Godfrey
Staunton appears to have been a poor
man. If he has been kidnapped, 1t
could not have been for anything
which he himself possessed The fame
OF your wealth has gone abroad, Lord
Mount-James, and it is entirely pos
sible that a gang of thieves have Sc
cured your nephew in order to gain
from him some information as to your
house, your habits, and your treas
ure."
The face of our unpleasant little WIS.,
itor turned as white as his neckcloth
Heavens, sir, what an ideal | never
thought of such villainy! What in
human rogues there are in the world!
But Godfrey is a fine lad-a staunch
lad. Nothing would induce him to
give his old uncle away. I'll have
the plate moved over to the bank this
evening. In the meantime spare no
pains Mr.. Detective! l beg you to
leave no stone unturned to bring him
safely back. AS to money, we'll, so
far as flyer, or even tener goes
you can always look to me-"
Even in his chastened frame of
mind, the noble miser could give us
for he knew little of the private life
of his nephew Our only clue lay in
the truncated telegram, and with
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.
ITS worth trying, watson said
Holmes. "Of course, with a warrant
we could demand to see the counter
foils, but we have not reached that
stage yet. | don't suppose they re-
member faces In so busy place. Let
us venture IT.
II am sorry to trouble you,' said
| he in his blandest manner, to the
young woman behind the grating;
there is one small mistake about
telegram l sent yesterday. / have no
| answer. and 1 very much fear that
| | must have omitted to put my name
at the end. Could you tell me If this
| was sop
The young woman turned over a
sheaf of counterfoils.
what o'clock was it?" she asked.
"A little after six
''Whom was 1t tor
Holmes put his finger to his lips
| and glanced at me. THE last words
| In 1t were for Gods sake he whisp-
cred, confidentially; Il am very anx-
ious at getting no answer
The young woman separated one or
the forms.
This Is It, There is no name" said
| she, smoothing it out upon the
counter.
Then that. of course, accounts for
my getting no answer" said Holmes.
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?" l asked.
1--WE progress. my dear Watson. we
progress. / had seven different schemes
of getting a glimpse of that telegram.
but l could hardly hope to succeed
the very first time
And what have you gained?"
"A starting point for our investiga-
ton" He hailed a cab. Kings Cross
Station" said ne.
I'VE have a journey, them
yes, | think we must run down TO
Cambridge together. All the indica.
tons seem to me to point in that d.
rection.''
Tell me- / asked as we ratified
up Gray's Inn Road. "have you any
suspicion yet as to the cause of the
disappearance? I don't think that
among all our cases have known ono
ui1pra tho r,ntiuas oro