Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-08-17
BY A. CONAN DOYLE
Copyright. 1905.
by Mcclure. Phillips a Co.

Did you take any messages to Mr.,
St~aunton?"
Yes, sir, one telegram"
"Ah! that's interesting. What O'Clock
was this?"
About six"
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
an answer"
'Well, was there?"
Yes, sir, he wrote an answer"
Did you TAX it?"
"No, he took it himself"
But he wrote it in your presenter
Eyes, sir. / was standing by the
door, and he with his back turned at
that table. When he had written it,
he said: All right, porter, l will take
this myself"
What did he write it with?"
"A pen sir"
WAS the telegraphic form one of
these on the table?"
Yes, sir, it was the top one"
Holmes rose. Taking the forms, he
carried them over to the window and
carefully examined that which was up
permost.
1T is a pity he did not write in pen
Gill;" said he, throwing them down
again with a shrug of disappointment.
LAS 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 no trace here. 1 re-
joice, however, to perceive nat he
wrote with abroad pointed quill pen,
and I can hardly doubt that we will
find some impression on this plotting
pad. All, yes, surely this is the very
thing!"
He tore off a strip of the plotting
paper and turned towards us the fol-
lowing hieroglyphic:
Cyril Overton was much excited.
Hold it to the glass!' he cried.
That is unnecessary said Holmes.
1.-The paper is thin, and the reverse will
give the message. Here it is" He
turned it over and read:
80 that is the tail end Of the telegram
which Godfrey taunton dispatched with
in a few hours of his disappearance. There
are at least six words of the message
which have escaped us; but what remains
Stand by us for Gods ~sake"-proves
that this young man saw a formidable
danger which approached him, and from
which someone else could protect him.
Us mark you! Another person was in
volvcd. Who should it be but the pale
faced, bearded man, who seemed him
self in so nervous a state? What, then,
is the connection between Godfrey Staun-
ton and the bearded man? And what is
the third source from which each Of them
sought for help against pressing danger?
Our inquiry has already narrowed down
to that"
I'VE have only to find to whom that
telegram is addressed" l suggested.
Exactly. my dear Watson. Your re-
Election, though profound, had already
crossed my mind. But | dare say it may
have come to o notice that, If you
walk into a postofdce and demand to see
the toll Of another mans message,
there may be some disinclination on the
part Of the officials to ob.ige you. There
is so much red tape in these matters. How
ever. ] nave 10 doubt that with a little
d~clicaCy and fncsse the end may be at
tanned. Meanwhile. ! should like in your
presence, Mr. OvertCH. to 20 through these
papers which have been left upon the
table"
There were a rumber Of letters. bills,
and Notebooks. which Holacs turned over
and examined with quick, nervous fingers
and darling, penetrating eyes. Nothing
here" he said, az last. BY the way, /
suppose your friend was a healthy young
.feilow-nothing amiss with him?'
Sound as a bell
Have Won ever known him HIP"