Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-10

to bed?"
"My wife had gone TO the theatcr. I
waited up for her. II was half past II
before We went to our room."
"Thcn for four hours the dispatch
box had lain unguarded?'
mo one IL ever permitted to enter
that room save the housemaid in the
morning and my valet or my wife's
maid during the rest Of the day. They
are both trusty servants and have been
with us for some time. Besides, neither
Of them could possibly have known
that there was anything more valua.
bic thar the ordinary departmental
papers IN my dispatch box"
"Who did know Of the existence Of
that letter"
mo one IN the house."
"Surely your wife knew"
"No, sir. I had said nothing to my
wife until missed the paper this
morning"
The premier nodded approvlngiy.
II have long known, sir, how high
b Jour sense Of public duty" said he.
yhc European secretary bowed.
"Ycu do me no more than justice,
sir Until this morning have never
breathed one word to my wife upon
this matter"
could she have guessedT
mo, Mr.. Holmes, she could not have
guessed, nor could any one have guess.
ed"
Have you lost any documents be.
fore2"
mo, SIR"
"Who is there IN England who did
know of the existence Of this letter?'
Each member Of the cabinet was in.
formed Of 1t 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 I 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.
Mr.. Holmes, assure YOU"
But abroad"
II believe that no one abroad has
seen 1t save the man who wrote It.
am we'll convinced that his minister's
that the usual official channels have
not been employed"
Holmes considered for some little
time.
"Now, sir, must ask you more par.
ticuarly what this document Is, and
why its disappearance should have
such momentous consequences"
The two statesmen exchanged
quick glance, and the prcmier's shaggy
eyebrows gathered in frown.
mfr. Holmes. the envelope IL a long.
thin one of pale blue color. There IL n
seal of red wax stamped with crouch
ing lion. 1t ia addressed in large, bold
handwriting to-
II fear, SIR" said Holmes, that. in.
teresting and, indeed, essential as these
details are, my inquiries must go more
to the root Of things. What was the
letter"
THAT is state secret Of the utmost
Importance. and fear that cannot
tell you. nor do see that II il neces.
sary. II by the aid OF tho powers
which you are said to possess you can
find such IN envelope as I describe,
with its Enclosure, you will have de-
served we'll Of your country and earned
any reward which 1t lies in our power
to bestow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
"You are two Of the most busy men
In the country" said he, land in my
own small way I have also q good
many calls upon me. I regret exceed
ingly that I 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. II am not accustomed. sir he
began. but mastered his anger and re-
sumed his seat. Then the old states
man shrugged his shoulders.
I'VE must accept your terms, Mr..
Holmes. No doubt you are right. and
II Is unreasonable for us to EXPECT YOU
to act unless we give you our entire
confidence"
~ agree With you," said the younger
statesman.
'Then will tell you relying entirely
upon your honor and that Of your col
league. DR.. Watson. l may appeal to
your patriotism also, for could not
imagine a greater misfortune for the
country than that this affair should
come out"
"You may safely trust u.s."
1.-THE letter, then. ia from certain
foreign potentate who has been ruff
hed by some recent colonial develop
ments OF this country. It has been
written hurriedly and upon his own
responsibility entirely. Inquiries have
shown that his ministers know nothing
Of the matter. At the same time It Ia
c0uched In 40 unfortunate manner
and certain phrases in II are OF 80
provocative character that its pub
lication would undoubtedly lead to a
most dangerous state OF feeling in this |
country. There would be such n fer. |
ment, sir that do not hesitate to say
that within a week Of the publicatio
Of that letter this country would he
involved in great war"
Holmes wrote name upon a slim
Of paper and handed II to the premier |
Exactly. 1t was he. And It 10 this
1stter-this letter which may we'll near
the expenditure Of thousand million, |