Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

them sought for help against pressing dam
ger? Our inquiry has already narrowed
down to that"
- We have only to find to whom that teie-
gram is addressed L suggested.
Exactly, my dear Watson Your re-
hection, though profound had already
crossed my mind. But L dare say it may
have come to your notice that If you walk
into post office and demand to see the
counterfoil of another mans message there
may be some Discrimination on the part OF
the officials TO oblige you. There is
much red tape in these matters. However.
| have no doubt that with little delicacy
and finesse the end may be obtained. Mean
while. l should like in your presence, Mr..
Overton. to go through these papers which
have been left upon the table,
There were number of letters, bills and
note books, which Holmes turned over and
examined with quick, nervous fingers and
he said, at last. by the way, l suppose
your friend was healthy young fellow
nothing amiss with him?"
Sound as BELL
Have you ever known him iIl?"
Not day. He has been laid up with a
hack. and once he slipped his knee-cap
but that was nothing"
Perhaps he was not so strong as you
suppose. l should think he may have had
some secret trouble. With your assent,
Will put one or two of these papers in my
pocket. in case they should bear upon our
future inquiry"
querulous voice. and we looked up to find
queer little old man, jerking and witch
ing in the doorway. He was dressed in
rusty black. with very broad brimmed
! whole effect being that of very rustic
parson or of an undertakers mute. Yet, in
spite of his shabby and even absurd ap-
pearance, his voice had a sharp crackle.
ana MS manner a quick intensity which
commanded attention
Who are you. sir. and by what right do
you touch this gentleman's papers?' he
asked.
Il am private detective. and am en-
deayoring TO explain his disappearance"
on you are. are you? And who in
structed you. eh?
This gentleman. Mr.. staunton's friend.
was referred to me by Scotland Yard"
Who are you, sir?"
II am Cyril Overton"
Then 1t Is you who sent me a telegram
MY name Is Lord Mount-James. 1 came
round as quickly as the Bayswater bus
would bring me. So you have instructed a
detective?"
Yes, sir.
And are you prepared to meet the cost?,
nave no doubt, sir. that my friend God
frey, when We find him, will be prepared to
do that"
But If he is never found, eh? Answer
me that"
In that case, no doubt his family"
Nothing of the sort, sir" screamed the
Httle man. Don't look to for a penny
not penny! You understand that, Mr.
Detective! 1 am all the family that this
young man has got, and 1 tell you that l
am not responsible. If he has any expecta-
lions 1t is due to the fact that l have never
wasted money. and do not propose to be-
gin to do SO now. AS to those papers with
which you are making free 1 may tell
you that in case there should be anything
of any value among them you will be held
strictly to account for what you do with
them"
Very pOp1 Ct coiI
May ask. in the meanwhile. whether you
have yourself any theory TO account for this
young mans disappearance"
NO, 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 en-
tirely refuse to accept the responsibility Of
hunting for him."
Il quite understand your position" said
Holmes, with a mschievous twinkle in his
eyes. Perhaps you don't quite understand
mine. Godfrey Staunton appears to have
been poor man. If he has been kidnapped,
1T could not have been for anything which he
himself possesses. The fame of your wealth
has gone abroad, Lord Mount-James, and 1t
Is entirely possible that a gang of thieves
have secured your nephew in order to gain
from him some information as to your
house, your habits and your treasure"
The face of our pleasant little visitor
turned as white as his neckcloth
Heavens, sir. what an idea! I never
thought of such viIlainy! What inhuman
rogues there are in the world! But Godfrey
is fine lad-a stanch 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, well, 50 far as FLYER, or even a
tenner, goes you can always look to me-"
Even in his chaStened frame of mind, the
noble miser could give US no information
which could help 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 4 second link for his chain
We had shaken off Lord Mouut-James, and
OvertoH had gone to consult with the other
members of lis team over the misfortune
which had befdiien them
There was telegraph office at short
distance from the hotel. We halted outside
It's worth trying, Watson" said Holmes.
or course, with warrant We could de-
mand to see the cOunterfoils, but we have
not reached that stage yet. l don't suppose
they remember faces in SO busy place
Let US venture it,
Il am sorry to trouble you" said he. in
his blandest manner to the young woman
behind the grating; there is some
small mistake about telegram
l sent yesterday. l have had no
answer. and I very much fear that I must
have omitted TO put my name at the end
Could you tell me ii this was sop
The young woman turned over a sheaf of
COuHle!lpIiS.
What o'clock was it?' she asked.
"A little after six
Whom was It top
Holmes put his finger to his lips and
glanced at me. The last words in it were
for Gods sake " he whispered, confiden-
TALLY; Il very anxious 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 counter.
Then that, of course, accounts for nv
getting no answer" said Holmes. "a 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?" | asked.
I'VE progress, my dear Watson. we pro-
gress l had seven different schemes for
getting a glimpse of that telegram, but |
could hardly hope to succeed the very first
time"
''And what have you gained?"
"A starting point for investigation"
He hailed a cab. Kings Cross Station"
said he.
we have a journey then?"
IS