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


1T 10 a. amasing coincidence"
"A coincidence! Here Is one Of the
three men whom we had named AZ
possible actors in this drama, and he
meets q violent death during the very
hours when we know that that drama
was being enacted. The odds are
enormous against its being coincidence.
No figures could express them. No.
my dear Watson, the two events were
connected be connected. It Is
for us to find the connection"
But now the oficial police must
know ALL"
mot at all. They know all they see
at Godolphin street. They know-and
shall know--nothins Of Whitehall ter.
race. Only We know both events and
can trace the relation between them.
There 10 one obvious point which
would IN any case have turned my
suspicious toward Lucas. Godolphin
street, Westminster. II only few min
utes' walk from Whitehall terrace.
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 connect
or receive a message from the Euro.
pean secretary's household - q small
thing. and yet It may prove essential.
Hello! What have we here?"
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a
lady's card upon her salver. Holmes
glanced at II, raised his eyebrows and
handed II over to me.
ASK Lady Hildn Trela Hope II
she will he kind enough to step up,"
said he.
A moment later Our modest apart.
ment. already 50 distinguished that
morning, was further honored 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 description
Of 1t had prepared me for the sub
tie, delicate charm AMI the bcauti.
full coloring Of that exquisite 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 emotion: the eyes were bright, but
It was the brightness Of fever: the sen.
sitive mouth was tight and drawn in
an effort after self command. Terror
mot beauty--was what sprang first to
the eye
'IIas my husband been here, Mr..
Holiness"
"Yes, madam, he has been here"
"Mr. Holmes, implore you not IN
tell him that I came here" Holmes
bowed and motioned her to n chair.
Your ladyship places me in 4 yer,
delicate position. beg that you will
sit down and tell me what you desire,
but fear that l cannot make any un-
conditional promise"
She swept across the room and seated
herself with her back to the window.
1t was a queenly presence-tall, grace
full and intensely womanly.
mfr Holiness" she said, and her
white gloved hands clasped and I'm.
clasped as she spoke. II 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 OIL all matters
save one. That one is politics. On this
his lips are scaled. He tells me moth
ing. Now, I am aware that there was
a most deplorable occurrence in our
house last night. know that paper
has disappeared. But because the mat.
ter is political my husband refuses to
take Inc into his complete confidence
Now 1t ia essential-essential. I say
that should thoroughly understand It.
You are the only other person, save
only these politicians. who knows the
true facts. beg you then, MIR. Holmes,
to tell exactly what has happened and
what 1t will lead to. Tell me all. Mr..
Holmes. Let no regard for your
clients interests keep you silent. for
assure you that his interests. II he
would only see 1t, would he best served
by taking me into his complete con-
fidence. What was this paper which
was stolen:"
Madam. what you ask me Is really
impossible"
She groaned and sank her face in her
hands.
you must see that this is so, mal-
am. II your husband thinks fit t.
keep you in the dark over this matter,
is it for me. who have only learned the
true facts under the pledge OF profess
sionel secrecy, to tell what he has
withheld? 1t is not fair to ask 1t. 1t
Is him whom you must ask"
II have asked him. I come to you
as q last resource. But without your
telling me anything definite. Mr..
Holmes. you may do a great service
II you would enlighten me ON one
point"
what Ia II, madam
us my husbands political career
likely to suffer through this incident?"
We'll. madam. unless 1t il set right
It may certainly have very unfortu.
nate effect"
"Ah!" She drew in her breath sharp.
~. rs 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
public consequences might arise from
the loss OF this document"
III he said 80 ! certainly cannot deny
IT,"
"Of what nature are they?"
NAY. madam; there again you ask
me more than I eau possibly answer"
"Then will take up no more Of your
A.