The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-07

race The other secret agents whom
have named live in the extreme West
End. 1t was easier therefore, for
Lucas than for the others to establish
connection or receive message
from the European Seeretary's house
hold-a small thing, and yet where
events are compressed into a few
hours it may prove essential Halloa!
what have we here2
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a
lady's card upon her salver. Holmes
I, glanced at 1t, raised his eyebrows, and
handed II over to me.
Ask Lady IIilda Trelawney Hope if
she will be kind enough to step up
said he.
moment later our modest apart
ment. already so distinguished that
morning, was further honoured by the
entrance of the most lovely woman in
London. ! had often heard of the
beauty of the youngest daughter Of
the Duke of Belminster. but no de-
scription of it. and no contemplation
of eolourless photographs, had pre-
pared me for the subtle, delicate charm
and the beautiful colouring of that ex-
quisite head And yet as we saw 1t
that autumn morning 1t was not its
beauty which would be the first thing
to impress the observer. The cheek
was lovely, but it was paled with emo
ton, the eyes were bright. but it was
the brightness of fever. the sensitive
mouth was tight and drawn in an eff
fort after self-command. Terror-not
beauty-was what sprang first to the
eye as our fair visitor stood framed
for an instant in the open door.
Has my husband been here, Mr..
Eolmes?"
Yes. madam. he has been here"
Mr.. Holmes. l implore you not to
tell him that I came here" Holmes
bowed coldly and motioned the lady to
chair.
Your ladyship places me in a very
delicate position I beg that you will
sit down and tell me what you desire
but 7 fear that I can not make any
unconditional promise"
She swept across the room and
seated herself with her back to the
window. It was a queenly presence
tall, graceful. and intensely womanly
Mr.. Holmes" she said-and her
white-gloved hands clasped and I'M
clasped as she spoke-"1 will speak
frankly to you in the hopes that it
may induce you to speak frankly in
return. There is complete confidence
between my husband and me on all
On this his lips are sealed. He tells
me nothing. Now, ] am aware that
there was most deplorable occur
renee in our house last night. I know
that a paper has disappeared. But be-
cause the matter is political my hus-
band refuses to take me into his COM
plete confidence. Now it is essential
essential, | say-that | should thor
oughly understand 1t. You are the
only other person. save only these pol
iticians. who knows the true facts
beg you then, Mr. Holmes. to tell me
exactly what has happened and what
it will lead to. Tell me ALL Mr..
Holmes. Let no regard for your
clients interest keep you silent for
assure you that his interests. IL he
would only see it, would be best served
by taking me into his complete CON
fidenee. What was this paper which
was stolen?"
impossible"
She groaned and sank her face in
her hands
you must see that this is so,
madam. If your husband thinks fit
to keep you in the dark over this mat
ter, is it for me, who have only learned
the true facts under the pledge of pro-
fessional secrecy, to tell what he has
withheld? 1t is not fair to ask it. 1t
him whom you must ask.
Il have asked him. | come to you.
as a last resource. But without your
telling me anything definite. Mr..
Holmes. you may do a treat service il
you would enlighten me on one point"
What is it, madam"
rs my husbands political career
We'll, madam, unless it is set right
1t may certainly have a very unfor-
tunate effect"
"Ah!' She drew in her breath sharp
ly as one whose doubts are resolved.
"One more question, Mr.. Holmes.
From an expression which my hus-
band dropped in the first shock of this
disaster | understood that terrible pub
lie consequences might arise from the
loss of this document
IF he said so, | certainly can not
deny it."
"Of what nature are they?'
NAY. madam. there again you ask
me more than | can possibly answer"
"rhen ! will take up no more of your
time. l can not blame you, Mr.
Holiness for having refused to speak
more freely. and you on your side will
not. l am sure, think the worse of me
because I desire, even against his will,
to share my husbands anxieties. Once
more | beg that you will say nothing
of my visit"
She looked back at us from the door
and I had last impression of that
beautiful haunted face. the startled
eyes and the drawn mouth. Then she
was gone.
Now Watson. the fair sex is your