No. 11 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 11 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2 | 3]

" who_are you , sir , and what right do_you touch this gentleman 's papers ? " asked

" I_am private detective , and I_am endeavouring explain his disappearance "

"Oh, you_are , are_you ? and who instructed you , eh ? "

" this gentleman , Mr Staunton 's friend , was referred to_me Scotland yard "

" who_are you , sir ? "

" I_am Cyril Overton "

" then it_is you who sent name lord mount -James I_came round quickly as_the Bayswater ' bus would bring you_have instructed detective ? "

" yes , sir "

" and are_you prepared meet the cost ? "

" I_have no_doubt , sir , that friend Godfrey , when we_find him , will_be prepared do_that "

" but he_is never found , eh ? answer that ! "

" in_that case no_doubt his family ----"

" nothing of_the sort , sir ! " screamed the little man "Don't look to_me for penny -- not penny ! you understand that , Mr detective ! I_am all the family that_this young man has got , and I tell you that I_am not responsible has any expectations it_is due to_the fact that I_have never wasted money , and I_do_not propose to_begin to_do_so now to_those papers with_which you_are making free , I_may tell you that in_case there should_be anything any value among them you_will_be held strictly account for what you_do with_them "

" very_good , sir ," said Sherlock Holmes " may I ask in_the meanwhile whether you_have yourself any theory account for_this young man 's disappearance ? "

" , sir , I_have_not he_is big enough and old enough look after himself , and he_is foolish as_to lose himself I entirely refuse accept the responsibility hunting for him "

"I quite understand your position ," said Holmes, with mischievous twinkle in_his eyes " perhaps you don't quite mine Godfrey Staunton appears to_have_been poor man has_been kidnapped could_not for anything which himself possesses the fame your wealth has gone abroad , lord mount -James, and it_is entirely possible that gang thieves have secured your nephew in_order gain from_him some information as_to your house , your habits, and your treasure "

the face of_our unpleasant little visitor turned white his neckcloth

"Heavens, sir , what idea ! I never thought of_such villainy ! what inhuman rogues there_are in_the_world ! but Godfrey fine lad -- staunch 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 pains, Mr detective ! I beg you leave stone unturned bring him safely back as_to money , well , so_far fiver, even tenner, goes, you_can always look to_me "

even in_his chastened frame mind the noble miser could give_us information which could help_us , for he_knew little of_the private life of_his nephew our only clue lay in_the truncated , and with copy of_this in_his hand Holmes set forth to_find second link for_his chain had shaken off lord mount -James, and Overton had gone consult with_the other members of_his team over the misfortune which had befallen them

there_was telegraph - office short distance from_the hotel halted outside

" 's worth trying, Watson," said Holmes " of_course , with warrant we_could demand to_see the counterfoils, but we_have_not reached that stage yet I don't suppose they remember faces busy place let_us venture "

" I_am sorry trouble you ," said , in_his blandest manner , to_the young woman behind the grating; " there_is some small mistake about I_sent yesterday I_have_had answer , and I very_much fear that I_must_have omitted to_put name at_the end could you tell this_was ? "

the young woman turned over sheaf counterfoils

" what o'clock was_it ? " she asked

"A little after six "

" whom was_it ? "

Holmes put his finger to_his lips and glanced " the last words in_it were ` for god 's sake ,'" whispered , confidentially ; " I_am very anxious getting answer "

the young woman separated one_of_the forms

" this_is there_is name ," said she , smoothing out upon_the counter

" then that , of_course , accounts for_my getting answer ," said Holmes " dear , how very stupid , to_be_sure ! good morning , miss , and many thanks for having relieved mind " chuckled and rubbed his hands when we_found ourselves in_the street once more

" well ? " I asked

" progress , dear Watson, I had seven different schemes for getting glimpse of_that , but I_could hardly hope succeed the very first time "

" and what have_you gained ? "

"A starting- point for_our investigation " hailed cab " king 's cross station ," said

" we_have journey , then ? "

" yes ; i_think we_must run down Cambridge together all the indications seem to_me point in_that direction "

" tell ," I asked , as_we rattled gray 's inn road , " have_you any suspicion yet as_to_the cause of_the disappearance ? I don't think that among all our cases I_have known one where the motives are more obscure surely you don't really imagine that he_may_be kidnapped in_order to_give information against his wealthy uncle ? "

"I confess , dear Watson, that that_does_not appeal to_me very probable explanation struck , however , being the one which_was most likely interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person "

" certainly did that but what_are your alternatives ? "

" I_could mention several you_must admit that_it_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 may , of_course , coincidence , but it_is interesting amateur sport free from betting, but good_deal outside betting goes among_the public , and it_is possible that_it might_be worth someone 's while to_get player as_the ruffians of_the turf get race - horse there_is one explanation second very obvious one that_this young man really is_the heir great property , however modest his means may present , and it_is_not impossible that plot hold him for ransom might_be concocted "

" these theories take account of_the "

" quite true , Watson the still remains the only solid thing with_which we_have deal , and we_must not permit our attention wander away from_it it_is gain light upon_the purpose of_this that we_are now upon our way Cambridge the path of_our investigation present obscure , but I_shall_be very_much surprised before evening we_have_not cleared made considerable advance along "

it_was already dark when reached the old university city Holmes took cab at_the station , and ordered the man drive to_the house Dr Leslie Armstrong few_minutes later had stopped large mansion in_the busiest thoroughfare were shown , and after long wait were last admitted into_the consulting- room , where we_found the doctor seated behind his table

argues the degree in_which I had lost touch with profession that_the name Leslie Armstrong was unknown to_me now I_am aware that he_is_not only one_of_the heads of_the medical school of_the university , but thinker European reputation more than one branch science yet even without knowing his brilliant record one could_not fail to_be impressed mere glance at_the man , the square , massive face , the brooding eyes under the thatched brows, and_the granite moulding of_the inflexible jaw man deep character , man with alert mind , grim , ascetic , self - contained , formidable -- I_read Dr Leslie Armstrong held friend 's card in_his hand , and looked with very pleased expression upon his dour features

" I_have heard your_name , Mr Sherlock Holmes, and I_am aware your profession , one of_which I means approve "

" in_that , doctor , you_will_find yourself agreement with every criminal in_the country ," said friend , quietly

" so_far as_your efforts are directed towards the suppression crime , sir , they_must_have the support every reasonable member of_the community , though I_cannot doubt that_the official machinery amply sufficient for_the_purpose where your calling more open criticism when_you pry into_the secrets private individuals, rake family matters which are better hidden , and incidentally waste the time men who_are more busy than yourself at_the present moment , for example , i_should_be writing treatise instead conversing with_you "

" no_doubt , doctor ; and yet the conversation may prove more important than_the treatise incidentally I_may tell you that we_are doing the reverse what you very justly blame , and_that we_are endeavouring to_prevent anything like public exposure private matters which_must necessarily follow when once the case fairly in_the hands of_the official police you_may look upon simply irregular pioneer who goes front of_the regular forces of_the country I_have come ask_you about Mr Godfrey Staunton "

" what about him ? "

" you_know him , do_you not ? "

" he_is intimate friend of_mine "

" you_are aware that has disappeared ? "

"Ah, indeed ! " there_was change expression in_the rugged features of_the doctor

" left his hotel last night has_not_been heard "

" no_doubt he_will return "

" - morrow is_the 'Varsity football match "

" I_have sympathy with_these childish games the young man 's fate interests deeply , since I_know him and like him the football match does_not come within horizon all "

"I claim your sympathy , then , investigation Mr Staunton 's fate do_you_know where he_is ? "

" certainly not "

" you_have_not seen him since yesterday ? "

" , I_have_not "

" was Mr Staunton healthy man ? "

" absolutely "

" did you ever know him ill ? "

" never "

Holmes popped sheet paper before_the doctor 's eyes " then perhaps you_will explain this receipted bill for thirteen guineas, paid by_Mr Godfrey Staunton last month Dr Leslie Armstrong Cambridge I picked out from among_the papers upon his desk "

the doctor flushed with anger

" I_do_not feel that_there_is any reason why i_should render explanation to_you , Mr Holmes "

Holmes replaced the bill in_his note - book " if_you prefer public explanation must come sooner later ," said " I_have already told you that I_can hush that which others will_be bound to_publish , and you_would really wiser to_take into your complete confidence "

" I_know nothing about_it "

" did you hear from Mr Staunton London ? "

" certainly not "

" dear , dear ; the post - office again ! " Holmes sighed , wearily "A most urgent was dispatched to_you from London Godfrey Staunton six-fifteen yesterday evening -- which_is undoubtedly associated with_his disappearance -- and yet you_have_not had it_is most culpable I_shall certainly down to_the office here and register complaint "

Dr Leslie Armstrong sprang from behind his desk , and_his dark face was crimson with fury

"I'll trouble you walk out of_my house , sir ," said " you_can tell your employer , lord mount -James, that I_do_not wish to_have anything to_do either with_him with_his agents , sir , not another word ! " rang the bell furiously "John, show these gentlemen out ! " pompous butler ushered severely to_the door , and we_found ourselves in_the street Holmes burst out laughing

"Dr Leslie Armstrong certainly man energy and character ," said " I_have_not seen man who , turned his talents that way , was more calculated to_fill the gap left by_the illustrious Moriarty and now , poor Watson, here we_are , stranded and friendless in_this inhospitable town , which we_cannot leave without abandoning our case this little inn just opposite Armstrong's house singularly adapted our needs if_you_would engage front room and purchase the necessaries for_the night , I_may_have time to_make few inquiries "

these few inquiries proved , however , to_be more lengthy proceeding than Holmes had imagined , for he_did_not return to_the inn until nearly nine o'clock he_was pale and dejected , stained with dust , and exhausted with hunger and fatigue cold supper was ready upon_the table , and when his needs were satisfied and_his pipe alight he_was ready to_take that half comic and wholly philosophic view which_was natural him when his affairs were going awry the sound carriage wheels caused him rise and glance out_of_the window brougham and pair greys under the glare gas - lamp stood before_the doctor 's door

" 's been out three hours," said Holmes; " started half - past six, and here it_is back again that gives radius ten twelve miles, and he_does once , sometimes twice , day "

" unusual thing for doctor practice "

" but Armstrong is_not really doctor practice he_is lecturer and consultant , but he_does_not care for general , which distracts him from_his literary work why , then , does make these long journeys, which_must exceedingly irksome him , and who_is that visits ? "

" his coachman ----"

" dear Watson, can_you doubt that_it_was him that I first applied ? I_do_not know whether came from_his own innate depravity from_the promptings of_his master , but he_was rude enough set dog neither dog nor man liked the look of_my stick , however , and_the matter fell through Relations were strained after_that , and further inquiries out_of_the_question all that I_have learned I got from friendly native in_the yard of_our own inn it_was who told of_the doctor 's habits and of_his daily journey at_that instant , to_give point to_his words, the carriage came round to_the door "

" could you not follow ? "

" excellent , Watson ! you_are scintillating this evening the idea did cross mind there_is , as_you_may_have observed , bicycle shop next our inn into_this I rushed, engaged bicycle , and was able to_get started before_the carriage was quite out sight I rapidly overtook , and then , keeping discreet distance hundred yards , I followed its lights until were clear of_the town had got well out on_the country road when somewhat mortifying incident occurred the carriage stopped , the doctor alighted, walked swiftly back where I had also halted , and told excellent sardonic fashion that feared the road was narrow , and_that hoped his did_not impede the passage of_my bicycle nothing could_have_been more admirable than his way putting I once rode past the

Section [1 | 2 | 3]