The Columbus journal., 1905-12-27
so I've LearI Godfrey Say.

so I've LeafI Godfrey say.
"And your friend was closely re
hted?"
"Yes; he was his heir, and the ole
boy is nearly eighty-cram full Of gou,
too. They say he could chalk his bill
lard cue with his knuckles. He never
allowed Godfrey a shilling in his life
for he is IN absolute miser. but it viii
all come to him right enough"
"Have you heard from Lord Mount
James?"
NO"
"What motive could your friend have
in going to Lord MOunt-James:"
"Well. something was worrying him
the night before, and If it was to Dc
with money it is possible that he would
make for his nearest relative, who had
20 much Of it, though from all l have
heard he would not have much chance
Of getting it. Godfrey was not fond OF
the old man. He would not so if he
could help it."
"Wall, We car soon determine that.
II your friend was going to his relative.
Lord MOunt7James. you have then to
explain the visit Of this rough looking
fellow at so late an hour and the agi-
tatiOn that was caused by his coming
Cyril Oyerton pressed his hands to
his head. Il can make nothing Of it."
said he.
"Wel!. well. I have a clear day. anu
I shall be happy to look into the mat
ter" said Holmes. Il should strongly
recommend You to make your prepara-
lions for your match without reference
to this young gentleman. 1t must, as
necessity which tore him away in such
q fashion, and the same necessity is
likely to hold him away. Let us step
round together to the hotel and see if
the porter can throw any fresh light
upon the matter"
Sherlock Holmes was a past master
In the art Of putting Il humble witness
at his ease. and very Jon in the pri-
vacy of Godfrey ~StauntOn.s abandoned
room, he had extracted ali that the por-
before IA not 4 gentleman. neither
was he a wOrkingman. He was simply
what the porter described rs a .medi-
UNI looking chap" 4 man of fifty.
beard griZzlcd. pale face, quietly dress
ed. He seemed himself to be aSitated.
The porter had observed his hand
trembling when he had held out the
note. Godfrey Staunton had crammcd
the note into his pocket. StauntOn had
not shaken hands with the man in the
hall. They had exchanged a few SEN
fences. of which the porter had only
distinguished the n word time
Then they had hurried off in the man.
ner described. 1t vas just Laif-past 10
by the hall clock.
"Let me see" said Holmes. seating
himself OH S:aUnton's bed. You are
the day porter. are you not:"
YES. sir. l go off duty at H."
The night porter saw nothing. l sup
pose:"
mo. sir. One theater party came in
late; no one else"
Were you on duty all day yester-
day."
"Yes, sir"
did you take any messages to Mr..
6taunten:"
Eyes, sir: one telegram"
"Ah. that's interesting. What o'clock
vas this"
"AbOut G."
"Where was Mr.. Staunton when he
received it:'
"Here in his room"
Were you present when he opened
it?"
'Yes, sir: I waited to see if there was
ar answer"
well, was there?'
eyes. sir; he wrote al answer"
did you take it,"
mo; he took it himself"
"But lie wrote it in your presenter"
'Yes, sir. I was standing by the
door and he with his back turned at
that table. When he had written it
he said, All right, porter, I will take
this myself"
what did he write it with?"
"a pen. sir"
Wa the telegraphic form one of
these on the table,"
"Yes. sir: it vas the top one"
Holmes rose. Taking the forms, he
carried them Ove to the window and
carefully examined that which was
1T Is a pity he did not write in pen
GIL" said he. throwing them down
again. with a shruG Of disappointment.
IN you have no doubt frequently OBJ
served. Watson. the impression usually
goes thrOugh-a fact which has dis
solved many a happy marriage. How
ever, ! can find nc trace here. i re-
joice. however, to perceive that ne
wrote with 4 broad pointed quill pen.
and l can hardly doubt that we will
find some impression upon this blotting
pad. All. yes. surely this is the very
He o off a strip of the biotting
paper and turned toward us the fol
hieroglyphic:
~~.. A.A1