The Columbus journal., 1905-12-27

sure! Good morning. miss. and many
thanks for having relieved my mind
He chcckled and rubbed his hand.
when we found ourselves in the stree
once more.
"Wellf' I asked.
I'VE progress. my dear Watson, "
progress. I had seven differen
schemes for getting u glimpse Of tina
telegram. but l could hardly hope +
succeed the very first time"
And what have you gainel?"
"a starting point for our investi
CATION" He hailed Il cab. King,
Cross station" said he.
I'VE have a journey, then:"
"Yes. l think we must run down t.
tons seem to me to point in that direc
ton"
Tel! me- l asked. as we ratified NJ
Gray's nj road. have you any sus
piciOn yet as to the cause OF the dis
appearance? l don't think that among
all our cases / have known one wiicr,
the motives arc more obscure. Surely
you don't really imagine that he may
be kidnapped in order to give infOrma
ton against his wealthy unc!e?"
Il confess, my dear Watson. thai
that does no: appeal to me US Il very
probable explanation. 1t struck me
however. a being the one which was
most likely to interest that exceedingly
unpleasant old person..
1T certainly did that. but what are
your alternatives"
Il could mention several. You must
admit that it is curious ana suggestive
that this incident should occur ON the
eve Of this important match and
should involve the only man whose
presence SEEM essential to the sue
cess Of the side. 1t may. of course. be
q coincidence, but it is interesting
Amateur sport is free from betting
but a good deal of outside betting goes
on among the public. and it is possible
that it might be worth some ones while
to get ut a player as the rufiians Of the
turf get at Il race horse. There is one
explanation. \ second very obvious
n is that this young man really is
the heir Of a great property. however
modest his means may ut present be,
and it is no. impossible that Il plot to
hold him fcr ransom might be con-
cocted."
these theories take no account of
the telegram"
"Quite true. Watson. The telegram
rAi1 pn,oNsn. tD,n ,nI,. solid {Ef-~ ~v.;H0,
which we have % Gcal. and we must
not permit OUT attention to wander
away from it. II i; II gain light upon
the purpose of TIL; telegram that we
are now upon our Wy II Cambridge.
The Path Of our i've cation is Mt
present obscure. hU; ! hall be very
much surprised if hp-orc evening we
have not cleared it up or made a on
siderable advance along it,"
1t was already dark when we reached
the old university city. Holmes took
q cab at the station and ordered the
man to drive to the house of DIR. Les
lie Armstrong. \ few minutes later
We had stopped at a large mansion in
the busiest thOroughfare. We were
shown in and after a long wait were
ut 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 touch with my profession that tie
name Of Leslie Armstrong was I'M
known to me. Now l am aware that
he Is moi only one Of the heads of the
medical school of the university. but a
thinker Of European reputation in more
than n branch of science. Yet even
without knowing his brilliant record
n could not fail to be impressed by
a mere glance Mt the mantle square.
massive face. the brOoding eyes under
the matched brows and the granite
molding Of the inflexible jaw. 4 man
Of deep character. Il man with an alert
mind. grim. a~scetic, self contained. for
m!Ieble-so I rea1 DIR. Leslie Arm.
strong. He held my friends card 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 ware Of your
pr~OfcssiCn-one of which l by no ean
approve"
In that. GOctCr, You will find your
self in agreement with very criminal
in the country" said my friend quietly.
$50 far as Your efforts are directed
the suppression of crime. sir.
must have the support of every
member of the community.
I eannOt doubt that the official
is amply sufficient for the
purpose. Where your calling is move
open to criticism is when you pry into
the secrets of private individuals. when
You rake up family matters which are