Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-15

that letter."
mo one in the house"
Surely your wife knew"
"NO, sir. had said nothing to nv
wife until l missed the paper this
morning"
The premier nodded epprovingly.
Il have long known, sir, how high
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 upon
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 l 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,
Dir. Holmes, assure you"
But abroad?'
Il believe that no one abroad has
seen it save the man who wrote Il. /
am well convinced that his ministers
that the usual official channels have
not been employed"
Holmes considered for some little
time.
Now, 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 premier's shaggy
eyebrows gathered in frown.
Mr.. Holmes. the envelope is a long,
thin one OF pale blue color There is a
seal OF red wax stamped with a crouch
ing lion. 1t is addressed in large, bold
handwriting to-
Il 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 Il state secret of the utmost
Importance. and | fear that l cannot
tell you. nor do l see that it is neces-
sary. II by the aid of the powers
which you are said to possess you can
find such an envelope as describe,
with its Enclosure, you will have de
served well of your country and earned
any reward which 1t lies in our power
10 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 l have also a good
many calls upOR me. l regret exceed
ingly that 1 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. bur mastered his anger and re-
sumed his seat. Then the old states
man shrugged his shoulders.
We must accept your terms. Mr..
Holmes. No doubt you are right, and
it 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 l will tell you. relying entirely
upon your honor and that of your col
league. Or. Watson. | 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 us
The letter. then. is from a certain
foreign pOtentate who has been ruff
fed 10y some recent colonial develop
ments Of this country. 1t 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 il is
eOuched in so unfortunate a manner
and certain phrases in il are of so
provocative a character that its pub
lication would undoubtedly lead TO a
most dangerous state Of feeling in this
country. There would be such a 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 great war"
Holmes wrote name upon a slip
OF paper and handed it to the premier.
Exactly. 1t was he. And il is this
Ieuter-tniS letter which may well mean
the expenditure OF a thousand millions
and the lives of a hundred thousand
men-whiCh has become lost in this un
accountable fashion
Have you Informed the senderF'
Yes, sir; cipher telegram has been
dispatched"
Perhaps he desires the publication
of the letter"
No, sir; We have strong reason 10
believe that he already understands
that he has acted in an indiscreet and
hot headed manner. II would be u
greater blow to him and TO his coun-