Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06

frankly in return. There is complete con-
fidence between my husband and me on all
matters save one. That one Is politics. On
this his lips are sealed. He tells me moth
ing. Now l am aware that there was
most deplorable occurrence in our house
last night. / know that a paper has DIS
appeared. But because the matter Is po-
litical my husband refuses to take me into
tial-essential. I say-that l should thor
oughly understand 1t. You are the only
other person, save only these politicians,
who knows the true facts. 1 beg you then,
happened and what it will lead to. Tell
me all. Mr.. Holmes. Let no regard 1or
your clients interests keep you silent. for
I assure you that his interests IL he would
only see it. would be best served by taking
me into his complete confidence. What was
this paper which was stolen?'
Madam, what you ask me Is really I'M
possible"
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 matter 1t is for me,
who have only learned the true facts under
the pledge of professional secrecy. to tell
what he has withheld? 1t is not fair 20
ask It, 1t is him whom you must ask.
II have asked him. ] come to you as
last recourse. But without your telling me
anything definite, Mr.. Holmes, you may
do great service II you would ehilsh-ei
me on one point"
what is 1t, madam"
us my husbands political career likely
to suffer through this incident?
'Well, madam. unless 1t Is set right II
may certainly have a very unfortunate Ell
feet"
.Ahr' She drew In her breath sharply as
one whose doubts are resolved.
lone more question. MI homes. FROM
an expression which my husband dropped
in the first shock of this disaster l under
stood that terrible public CONSEQUENCES
might arise from the loss or this docu-
ment."
IF he said SO I certainly cannot deny
it,"
''Of what nature are they?'
NAY. madam, there again you ask me
more than l can possibly answer
Then l will take up no more OF your
time I cannot blame you. Mr. Holmes.
for having refused to speak more freei!'
and YOU on your side will not, L am sure
think the worse of me because L DESIRE
even against his will, to share my nus
bands anxieties once more peg thdt you
will say nothing of my visit
She looked back at us from the DOOR ana
T had a last impression of that beautiful
haunted face. the startled eyes ana 'ne
drawn mouth Then she was gone.
s'Now, Watson. the fair sex is your
department" said Holmes, with smile.
when the dwindling frou-frou of skirts had
ended in the slam of the trout door. What
really want?
Surely her own statement is clear and
her anxiety very natural
Hum, Think of her appearance. Wat
son-her manner, her suppressed excite
ment her restlessnes5, her tenacty in ask
ing questions Remember that she comes of
a caste who do not lightly show emotion
"She was certainly much moved"
Remember also the curious earneStness
with which she assured US that it was best
for her husband that she should know all
What did she mean by that? AND you
must have observed. Watson how she ma
neuyered to have the light at her back. She
did not wish US to read her expression"
YES, she chose the one chair in the
ROOM"
"And yet the motives of women are so in
scrutable. You remember the woman at
Margate whom 1 suspected for the same
reason. No powder on her noSe-that
proved to be the correct solution. How can
you build on such quicksand? Their most
trivial action may mean volumes, or their
most extraordinary conduct may depend
upon hairpin or curling tongS. Good
morning, Watson.
you are OFF,
Eyes, 1 will while away the morning at
Godolphin street with our friends at the
regular establishment. With Eduardo Lu-
cas- lies the solution of our problem, though
1 must admit that have not an inkling as
to what form 1t may take. 1t is capital
mistake to theoriZe in advance of the facts.
Do you stay on guard. my good Watson.
and receive any fresh visitors. III join you
at lunch If / am able"
All that day and the next and the next
Holmes was in a mood which his friends
would call taciturn. and others morose. He
ran out and ran in, smoked necessarily
played snatches on his violin. sank into
reveries, deyoured sandwiches at irregular
hours, and hardly answered the casual
questions which I put to him. 1t was eV-
dent to me that things were not going well
with him or his quest He would saw moth
Ing of the case. and 1t was from the papers
that / learned the particulars of the in
quest, and the arrest, with the subsequent
release of John Milton, the valet of the de-
ceased. The coroners jury brought In the
obvious 'Willful Murder" but the parties
remained as unknown as ever. No motive
was suggested The room was full of ar
ticles of value. but none had been taken
The dead mans papers had not been tam
pered with. They were carefully examined
and showed that he was q keen student of
international politics. an interchangeable Cos
sip. a remarkable iinguist and an untiring
letter writer He had been on intimate
terms with the leading politicians of sew