Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-09-09
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NwSNT@N recollection of one which
HES%lzSNeA reached us on a gloomy
February morning, some
seven or eight years ago, and gave Mr..
Sherlock Holmes puzzled quarter of
an hour 1t was addressed to him and
ran thus:
Please await me. Terrible misfortune.
Right wing three-quarter missing, indis-
pensable tomorrow. OVERTON.
Strand postmark and dispatched
1886 said Holmes, reading it over
and over. MIR. Overton was evidently
considerably excited when he sent it
and somewhat inc6herent in conse-
quence. Well, well, he will be here, l
dare say, by the time 1 have looked
through the Times, and then we shall
know all about it. Even the most insig
nificant problem would be welcome in
these stagnant days"
Things had indeed been very slow
with us, and I had learned to dread
such periods of inaction, for 1 knew
by experience that my companions
brain was so abnormally active that it
was dangerous to leave it without ma
teriaI upon which to work. For years
/ had gradually weaned him from
that drug mania which had threatened
once to check his remarkable career.
Now | knew that under ordinary con-
ditions he no longer craved for this
artificial stimulus, but | was we'll
aware that the iend was not dead,
but sleeping, and | have known that
the sleep was a light one and the wax
ing near when in periods of idleness
/ have seen the drawn look upon
Holmes ascetic face and the brooding
OF his deep set and inscrutable eyes.
Therefore l blessed this Mr.. Overton,
whoever he might be, since he had
come with his enigmatic message to
break that dangerous calm which
brought more peril to my friend than
all the storms of his tempestuous life.
AS we had expected, the telegram
was soon followed by it's sender, and
the card of Mr. Cyril Overton, Trinity
college, Cambridge, announced the ar
rival of an enormous young man, six
teen stone of solid bone and muscle,
who spanned the doorway with his
broad shoulders and looked from one
OF us to the other with comely face
which was haggard with anxiety.
<'Mr. Sherlock Holmesw
My companion bowed.
1--WE been down to Scotland Yard,
Mr.. Holmes. saw Inspector Stanley
Hopkins He advised me to come to
you. He said the case, so far as he
could see, was more in your line than
In that Of the regular police"
'sPray sit down and tell me what is
the matter"
'Its awful, Mr.. Holmes. Simply
awful! I wonder my hair isn't gray.
Godfrey Staunton-you've heard Of
him. Of course? He's simply the hinge
that the whole team turns on. I'd
rather spare two from the pack and
have Godfrey for my three-quarter
line. Whether it's passing or tackling
or dribbling there's no one to touch
him. and, then, he's got the head and
can hold us all together. What am
DO do? That's what I ask you, Mr..
Holmes. There's Moorhouse, first re-
serve. but he is trained as half, and
10 always edges right in on to the
serum instead Of keeping out on the
touch line He's fine place kick it's
true, but then he has no judgment, and
he can't sprint for nuts. Why, Nor
ton or Johnson, the Oxford fiers,
could romp round him. Stevenson is
fast enough, but he couldn't drop from
the twenty five line, and three
quarter who can't either punt or drop
isn't worth place for pace alone.
no. Mr.. Holmes, we are done unless
you can help me to find Godfrey
Stanton
My friend had listened with amused
surprise to this long speech, which |
was poured forth with extraordinary
yigor and earnestness, every point be-
Ing driven home by the slapping of a
brawny hand upon the speakers knee.
When our visitor was silent Holmes |
stretched out his hand and took down |
-Aetter IS" Of his commonplace book
For once he dug in vain into that mine
Of varied information.
There is Arthur FL. Staunton, the (
rising young forger," said he, land
Ehere was Henry Stanton, whom
helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton
Is new name to me-"
1t was our visitors turn to look sur
,prised. u
why, Mr. Holmes, thought you
knew things" said he 81 suppose,
then, If you have never heard Of God
Trey Staunton. you don't know Cyril
Overton either?"
Holmes shook his head good humor-
Ddiy.
Great Scottr' cried the athlete.
Why. | was first reserve for Eng
land against Wales. and I've skippered