by Arthur Conan Doyle

We were fairly accustomed to receive weird telegrams at Baker Street, but particular recollection of one which reached us on gloomy February morning some seven or eight and gave Mr Sherlock Holmes puzzled quarter of an hour addressed to him, and ran thus:--

"Please await me Terrible misfortune Right wing three-quarter missing; indispensable to morrow -- Overton "

"Strand post-mark and dispatched ten-thirty-six," said Holmes, reading it over and over " Mr Overton was evidently considerably excited when he sent it, and somewhat incoherent in consequence Well, well, here, I dare say, looked Times, and then know all Even the most insignificant problem welcome stagnant days "

Things had indeed been very slow , and I had learned to dread such periods of inaction, for by experience that my companion's brain was so abnormally active dangerous to leave it without material to work For years I had gradually weaned him drug mania which had threatened once his remarkable career Now that under ordinary conditions he no longer craved artificial stimulus, but well aware fiend was not dead, but sleeping; and known sleep was light one waking near when in periods of idleness the drawn look upon Holmes's ascetic face, brooding deep-set and inscrutable eyes Therefore I blessed this Mr Overton, whoever , since he had come enigmatic message to break that dangerous calm which brought more peril to my friend than all the storms tempestuous life

had expected, the telegram was soon followed by its sender, card of Mr Cyril Overton, of Trinity College, Cambridge, announced the arrival of an enormous young man, sixteen stone of solid bone and muscle, who spanned the doorway broad shoulders and looked from one of us other with comely face haggard with anxiety

" Mr Sherlock Holmes ? "

My companion bowed

"I've been down to Scotland Yard, Mr Holmes Inspector Stanley Hopkins He advised me the case, as he , was more in your line than regular police "

"Pray sit down and tell me the matter "

"It's awful, Mr Holmes, simply awful ! I wonder my hair isn't grey Godfrey Staunton -- you've heard of him, ? He's simply the hinge whole team turns on I'd rather spare two pack Godfrey 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 I ? That's what I , Mr Holmes There's Moorhouse, first reserve, but trained as half, and he always edges right in on scrum instead of keeping out touch-line He's fine place-kick, it's true, but, then, he has no judgement, and 't sprint for nuts Why, Morton or Johnson, the Oxford fliers, could romp round him Stevenson is fast enough, but he couldn't drop twenty-five line, and three-quarter 't either punt or drop isn't worth place for pace alone No, Mr Holmes, done unless help me Godfrey Staunton "

My friend had listened with amused surprise long speech, poured forth with extraordinary vigour and earnestness, every point being driven home slapping of brawny hand speaker's knee When our visitor was silent Holmes stretched out his hand and took down letter "S" commonplace book For once he dug in vain into that mine of varied information

" Arthur H Staunton, the rising young forger," said he, "and Henry Staunton, whom I helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton is new name "

our visitor's turn to look surprised

"Why, Mr Holmes, things," said he "I suppose, then, never heard of Godfrey Staunton you don't know Cyril Overton either ? "

Holmes shook his head good-humouredly

"Great Scot ! " cried the athlete "Why, first reserve for England against Wales, and I've skippered the 'Varsity all this year But that's nothing ! I didn't think soul in England who didn't know Godfrey Staunton, the crack three-quarter, Cambridge, Blackheath, and five Internationals Good Lord ! Mr Holmes, where lived ? "

Holmes laughed young giant's naive astonishment

"You live in different world , Mr Overton, sweeter and healthier one My ramifications stretch out into many sections of society, but never, happy , into amateur sport, the best and soundest thing in England However, your unexpected visit shows me that even world of fresh air and fair play work ; so now, my good sir, I beg you to sit down and me slowly and quietly exactly what it has occurred, and how that "

Young Overton's face assumed the bothered look man more accustomed to using his muscles than his wits; but by degrees, with many repetitions and obscurities which omit narrative, he laid his strange story

"It's , Mr Holmes As said, the skipper Rugger team of Cambridge 'Varsity, and Godfrey Staunton is my best man To-morrow we play Oxford Yesterday we all came up and we settled at Bentley's private hotel At ten o'clock I went round and saw that all the fellows had gone to roost, for I believe in strict training and plenty of sleep team fit I had word or two with Godfrey before he turned in pale and bothered I asked him the matter all right -- just touch of headache I bade him good-night and left him Half an hour later the porter tells me that rough-looking man with beard called with note for Godfrey He gone to bed note was taken room Godfrey read it and fell back in chair he pole-axed The porter was so scared that going to fetch me, but Godfrey stopped him, had drink of water, and pulled himself together Then he went downstairs, said few words man who was waiting hall, two went off together The last porter saw , they were almost running down the street direction Strand Godfrey's room was empty, his bed had never been slept in, things were all just as I had seen them the night before He had gone off at moment's notice stranger, and no word since I don't believe ever come back sportsman, was Godfrey, down marrow, and he wouldn't have stopped his training and let skipper for some cause that was too strong for him No; he were gone for good and never see him again "

Sherlock Holmes listened deepest attention singular narrative

"What did ? " he asked

"I wired to Cambridge to learn if anything heard of him there an answer No one has seen him "

"Could he have got back to Cambridge ? "

"Yes, late train -- quarter-past eleven "

"But ascertain take it ? "

"No, he seen "

"What did next ? "

"I wired to Lord Mount-James "

"Why to Lord Mount-James ? "

"Godfrey is an orphan, and Lord Mount-James is his nearest relative -- his uncle, I believe "

"Indeed This throws new light matter Lord Mount-James is richest men in England "

"So I've heard Godfrey say "

"And your friend was closely related ? "

"Yes, his heir, old boy is nearly eighty -- cram full of gout, too They say chalk his billiard-cue knuckles He never allowed Godfrey shilling life, for an absolute miser, but all come to him right enough "

" heard from Lord Mount-James ? "

"No "

"What motive could your friend have in going to Lord Mount-James ? "

"Well, something was worrying him the night before, and with money possible that make nearest relative who had of it, though from all heard have much chance of getting it Godfrey was not fond old man go if help it "

"Well, soon determine that If your friend was going relative, Lord Mount-James, then to explain the visit rough-looking fellow at so late an hour, agitation that was caused by his coming "

Cyril Overton pressed his hands head " make nothing of it," said he

"Well, well, clear day, and happy to look matter," said Holmes " strongly recommend you your preparations for your match without reference young gentleman It must, say, an overpowering necessity which tore him away fashion, same necessity is likely to hold him away step round together hotel, porter can throw any fresh light matter "