The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-23

Heavens. sir, what an idea! l
never thought Of such villainy! What
inhuman rogues there are in the
world, But Godfrey is fine lad-a
staunch lad. Nothing would induce
him to give his old uncle away. I'll
have the plate moved over - the
bank this evening. In the meantime
spare no pains. Mr.. Detective! [ beg
you to leave no stone unturned to
bring him safely back. As to money
we'll so far as a flyer, or even
tenner goes you can always look to
me-
Even in his chastened frame of
mind, the noble niser could give us
no information which would help us
for he knew little or the private nrre
of his nephew. our only clue lay in
the truncated telegram. and with a
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
short distance from the hotel. We
halted outside it.
It's 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. l don't suppose they re-
member faces in SO busy a place. Let
us venture it.
he, in his bandest manner, to the
young woman behind the graf
ing; "there is some small
mistake about a telegram [
sent yesterday. 1 have had no
answer, and / very much fear that L
must have omitted to put my name
at the end. Could you tell me if this
was so?'
The young woman turned over a
sheaf of cOUnterfoilS.
What o'clock was it?" she asked.
"A little after six"
Whom was it to?''
Holmes put his finger to his lips
and glanced at me. THE last words
in it were for Gods sake, he whis-
pered, confidentially; Il am very anxi-
GUS at getting no answer"
The young woman separated one of
the forms.
This is it. There is no name" said
she, smoothing it out upon the coun-
ter.
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 chucllled 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 for getting q glimpse of that
telegram, but / could hardly hoTe
to succeed the very first time"
And what have you gained ?"
ga starting-point for our invest
CATION" He hailed q cab. ''T<inGs
Cross Station" said he.
I'VE have a journey, them"
Yes. l think we must run down
to Cambridge together. All the indi
cations seem to me to point in that
direction"
Tell me, / asked, as we ratified UP
.Gray's Inn Road, "have you any sus-
picion yet as to the cause of the dis
appearance? l don't think thai
among all our cases | have known one
where the motives are more obscure.
Surely you don't really imagine thai
he may be kidnapped in order to give
information against his wealthy
uncle 2"
Il confess, my dear Watson, that
that does not appeal to me as very
probable explanation. 1t struck ne,
however, as 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 II is curious and
suggestive that this incident should
occur on the eve of this important
match, and should involve the only
man whose presence seems essential
to the success of the side. Il may,
of course, be a coincidence, but it is
interesting. Amateur sport is free
from betting, but good deal Of out
aide betting goes on amcng the pub
lie, and it is possible that it might
be worth some ones while to get at a
player as the ruffians of the turf get
at race-horse. There is one expld-
nation a second very obvious one is
Continued on Page Two.)