The San Francisco call., 1905-05-28

speak until You sit down. Thank you"
s'I give you Eve minutes. Mr.. Holmes
''One is enough. Lady Hilda- / know
of your visit to Eduardo Lucas. OF your
giving him this document, of your in
genious return TO the room last night.
and of the manner in which you took the
letter from the hiding place under the
carpet
She stared at him with an ashen face
and gulped twice before she could speak
You are mad.s Mr. Holmes-you are
mad.'' she cried. at last
He drew a small piece Of cardboard
from his pocket. 1t was the face OF
woman cut out Of a portrait.
''I have carried this because thought
IL might be useful said he The police
man has recognized it,
She gave gasp and her head dropped
back In the chair.
Come, Lady Hflda- You have the
letter The matter may still be adjusted
1 have no desire TO bring trouble to you-
My duty ends when / have returned the
lost letter to your husband Take my
advice and be frank with me- 1t Is your
only chance"
Her courage was admirable Even now
she would not own defeat.
81 tell you again. Mr.. Holmes, that you
are under some absurd Illusion"
Holmes rose from his chair.
have done my best for YOU ] can sec
that 1t Is all in vain
He rang the bell. The butler entered
Us Mr.. Trelawnsy Hope at homer
He viii be home, sir, at a quarter to
one"
Holmes glanced at his watch
still quarter Of an hour, said he.
VERY good, shall watt
The butler had hardly closed the door
behind him when Lady Hilda was down
on her knees at Holmes feet. her hands
outstretched, her beautiful face upturned
and wet with tears.
"Oh, spare me, Mr.. Holmes! Spare me-
she pleaded. In a frenzy OF supplication-
For heavens sake, don't tell him!
1 love him sol I would not bring one
shadow on his life. and this know would
break his noble heart"
Holmes raised the lady. IT am thank
full. madam that you have some senses
even at this last moment There IS not
an instant TO lose. Where IS the letter."
She darted across to writing desk. un-
locked 1t, and drew out long blue
envelope.
Here It is. Mr.. Holmes Would to
heaven I had never seen it.
How can we return it?" Holmes NUT
tered Quick. quick, we must think Of
some way. Where is the dispatch-box?
'.StfIl In his bedroom"
w nat a stroke OF luck! Q4iCAy indo11ils
bring 1t herei''
A moment later she had appeared with
q red fat box in her hand
How did you open It before7 You
have q duplicate key? Yes, OF course you
have Open IT."
From out OF her bosom Lady Hilda had
drawn a small key. The box flew Open
It was stuffed with. papers Holmes
thrust the blue envelope deep into the
heart OF them, between the leaves OF
some other document The box was shut,
locked, and returned TO the bedroom
Now we are ready for him. said
Holmes I'VE have still ten minutes.
am going far to screen you. Lady Hilda-
In return you will spend the time in tell
ing me frankly the real meaning Of this
extraordinary affair
.sMr. Holmes. I will tell you every
thing" cried the lady. "Oh. Mr. Holmes.
1 would cut of my right hand before
gave him moment OF sorrow!
There is no woman in all London
who loves her husband as I do,
and~yet IL he knew how have acted
how / have been compelled to act
he would never forgive me- For his
own honor stands sc high that he could
not forgive or pardon lapse in an
other. Help me, Mr.. Holmes! My hap
piness. his happiness. our very lives
are at stake,"
Quick. madam. the time grows
Short
1T was letter OF mine, Mr.. Holmes,
an indiscreet letter written before my
marriage foolish letter, letter OF
an impulsive, loving girl. I meant no
harm, and yet he would have thought 1t
criminal Had he read that letter his
confidence would have been forever de-
stroyed- It IS years since wrote IT. ]
had thought that the whole matter was
forgotten. Then at last I heard from