The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-08-11

Il have long known, sir. how higl
is your sense of public duty" said he.
The European secretary bowed.
You do me no more than justice
sir Until this morning | have never
breathed one word to my wife upol
this matter"
Gould she have guessed?"
No, Mr.. Holmes. she could not have
guessed, nor could any one have guess
ed"
Have you lost any documents be
fore:"
NO. sir"
WHO is there in England who did
know of the existence of this letter."
Each member of the cabinet was in.
formed of it yesterday, but the pledge
Of secrecy which attends every cabinet
meeting was Increased by the solemn
warning which was given by the prime
minister Good heavens, to think that
within a few hours | should myself
have lost it! Besides the members of
the cabinet there are two or possibly
three departmental officials who know
of the letter. No one else in England,
p Mr.. Holmes. l assure you"
But abroad?'
Il believe that no one abroad has
seen it save the man who wrote it.
am well convinced that his ministers
that the usual official channels have
not been employed"
Holmes considered for some little
time.
Nov, sir. must ask you more par
ticularly what this document is, and
why its disappearance should have
such momentous consequences?
( The two statesmen exchanged a
quick glance, and the premiers shaggy
eyebrows gathered in Il frown.
MIR Holmes. the envelope is a long
thin one of pale blue color. There is a
seal of red wax stamped with crouch
ing lion. II is addressed in large. bold
handwriting to-
Il fear. Sir" said Holmes, that in.
tcreSting and. indeed. essential as these
details are. my inquiries must 20 more
TO the root of things What was the
letter.
THAT is a state secret of the utmost
Importance. and | fear that cannot
tell you. nor do see that it is neces-
Sary. Ii 10y the aid of the powers
which You are said to possess you can
find such an envelope as l describe.
with its inclosurc you viii have de
served wen Of yorr country ana earned
any reward which it lies in our power
to bcStow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
You are two of the most busy men
in the country" said lie, "and in my
own small way | have also a good
many calls upon me. | regret exceed
ingly that | cannot help you in this
matter and any continuation of this
interview would be a waste of time"
The premier Sprang to his feet with
that quick, fierce CLEAN of his deep set
eyes before which a cabinet has COW
cred Il am not accustomed. sir he
began, but mastered his anger and re-
sumed his seat Then the old states,
man sill NEAtl Ills SlpUlttIS.
We must accept yOHr terms. Mr.
Holmes. No doubt you are right. and
1t is unreasonable for us to expect You
TO act unless we give you our entire
confidence"
Il agree with YOU" said the younger
statesman.
Then | will tell you, relying entirely
upon your honor and that of your col
league, DR.. Watson. | may appeal to
your patriotism also. for | could not
imagine Il greater misfortune for the
country than that this affair should
come out
You may safely trust us
THE letter. then. is from n certain
foreign potentate who has been ruff
fled 10y some recent colonial develop.
ment of this country 1t has been
written hurriedly and upon his own
responsibility entirely Inquiries have
shown that his minister's know nothing
of the matter At the same time it is
couched in SO unfortunate manner
and certain phrases in it are of so
provocative character that It's pub
LEGATION would undoubtedly lead to a
most dangerous state of feeling in this
country. There would be such fer
ment. sir. that | do not hesitate TO say
that within a week of the publication
Of that letter this country would be
involved in a great war"
Holmes wrote a name upon slip
Of paper and handed it to the premier.
Exactly. 1t was he. And it is this
letter-th letter which may well mean
the expenditure of a thousand millions
and the lives of hundred thousand
men-which has become lost in this UNI
accountable fashion"
Have you informed the sender?"
Eyes. sir: a cipher telegram has been
dispatched"
Perhaps he desires the publication
of the letter"
mo, sir; we have strong reason to
believe that he already understands
that he has acted in an indiscreet and
hot headed manner. 1t would be
greater blow to him and to his coun-
try than TO us if this letter were to
come out"
IF this is so, whose interest is 1t
that the letter should come out? Why
should any one desire to steal it or to
publish it?"
There, Mr.. Holmes, you take me
into regions of high international pol
itics. But II you consider the Euro
oft ~