It may, of course,
be coincidence, but it is interesting. Amateur sport is free
from betting, but a good deal of outside betting goes on among
the public, and it is possible that it might be worth someone's
while to get at a player as the ruffians of the turf get at a
race-horse. There is one explanation. A second very obvious one
is that this young man really is the heir of a great property,
however modest his means may at present be, and it is not
impossible that a plot to hold him for ransom might be concocted."
"These theories take no account of the telegram."
"Quite true, Watson. The telegram still remains the only
solid thing with which we have to deal, and we must not permit
our attention to wander away from it. It is to gain light upon
the purpose of this telegram that we are now upon our way to
Cambridge. The path of our investigation is at present obscure,
but I shall be very much surprised if before evening we have not
cleared it up or made a considerable advance along it."
It was already dark when we reached the old University city.
Holmes took a cab at the station, and ordered the man to drive to
the house of Dr.
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