"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 take it?"
"No; he took it himself."
"But he wrote it in your presence?"
"Yes, sir. I was standing by the door, and he with his back turned atthat table. When he had written it he said, 'All right, porter, I willtake 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 andcarefully examined that which was uppermost.
"It is a pity he did not write in pencil," said he, throwing them downagain with a shrug of disappointment. "As you have no doubt frequentlyobserved, Watson, the impression usually goes through--a fact which hasdissolved many a happy marriage. However, I can find no trace here. Irejoice, however, to perceive that he wrote with a broad-pointed quillpen, and I can hardly doubt that we will find some impression upon thisblotting-pad. Ah, yes, surely this is the very thing!"
He tore off a strip of the blotting-paper and turned towards us thefollowing hieroglyphic:--
GRAPHIC
Cyril Overton was much excited. "Hold it to the glass!" he cried.
"That is unnecessary," said Holmes. "The paper is thin, and the reversewill give the message. Here it is." He turned it over and we read:--
GRAPHIC
"So that is the tail end of the telegram which Godfrey Stauntondispatched within a few hours of his disappearance. There are at leastsix words of the message which have escaped us; but what remains--'Standby us for God's sake!'--proves that this young man saw a formidabledanger which approached him, and from which someone else could protecthim. 'US,' mark you! Another person was involved. Who should it be butthe pale-faced, bearded man, who seemed himself in so nervous a state?What, then, is the connection between Godfrey Staunton and the beardedman? And what is the third source from which each of them sought forhelp against pressing danger? Our inquiry has already narrowed down tothat."
"We have only to find to whom that telegram is addressed," I suggested.
"Exactly, my dear Watson. Your reflection, though profound, had alreadycrossed my mind. But I dare say it may have come to your notice that ifyou walk into a post-office and demand to see the counterfoil of anotherman's message there may be some disinclination on the part of theofficials to oblige you. There is so much red tape in these matters!However, I have no doubt that with a little delicacy and finesse the endmay be attained. Meanwhile, I should like in your presence, Mr. Overton,to go through these papers which have been left upon the table."
There were a number of letters, bills, and note-books, which Holmesturned over and examined with quick, nervous fingers and darting,penetrating eyes. "Nothing here," he said, at last. "By the way, Isuppose your friend was a healthy young fellow--nothing amiss with him?"
"Sound as a bell."
"Have you ever known him ill?"
"Not a day. He has been laid up with a hack, and once he slipped hisknee-cap, but that was nothing."
"Perhaps he was not so strong as you suppose. I should think he may havehad some secret trouble. With your assent I will put one or two of thesepapers in my pocket, in case they should bear upon our future inquiry."
"One moment! one moment!" cried a querulous voice, and we looked up tofind a queer little old man, jerking and twitching in the doorway. Hewas dressed in rusty black, with a very broad brimmed top-hat and aloose white necktie--the whole effect being that of a very rustic parsonor of an undertaker's mute. Yet, in spite of his shabby and even absurdappearance, his voice had a sharp crackle, and his manner a quickintensity which commanded attention.