The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-07
Holmes considered for some little


eyebrows gathered in a 1rown.
Mr. Holmes. the envelope is a long
thin one of pale blue colour. There Is
a seal of red wax stamped with n
crouching 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 tho
letter."
That Is a State secret of the utmost
Importance, and / fear that l can not
tell you. nor do 1 see that it is nee
essary. If by the aid of the powers
which you are said to possess you
can find such an envelope as | de-
scribe with its Enclosure, you will have
deserved well of your country, and
earned any reward which lies In our
power to bestow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with smile
You are two of the most busy men
in the country" said he, and in my
own small way 1 have also good
many calls upon me. | regret exceed
ingly that l cannot help you in this
matter, and my 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 IL Cabinet has
covered L am not accustomed, sir,
he began, but mastered his anger and
resumed his seat. For a minute Or
more we all sat in silence. Then the
old statesman shrugged his shoulders.
I'VE 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 en-
tire confidence.
Il agree with you, said the younger
statesman.
Then | will tell you relying en-
tirely upon your honour and that of
your colleague, DR.. Watson. l may
appeal To your patriotism also, for |
could moi imagine a greater misfor-
tune for the country than that this
affair should come out"
You may safely trust us"
'"rhe letter, then, is from certain
foreign potentate who has been ruffled
by some recent Colonial developments
of this country. 1t has been written
hurriedly and upon his own RESPONSE
bility entirely. Inquiries have shown
that his Ministers know nothing of
the matter. At the same time 1t is
couChed in so unfortunate a manner,
and certain phases in it are of so
provocative a Character, that its pub
lieation would undoubtedly lead to
most dangerous state OF ieeilhs III 1his
country, ihere would ne shen Ter
Heht, slr, lhat 40 MOI hesiea'e "
say lhat WITHIN week Oh lhe P'pilea
tion OF enat letter thls country Woulo
be involved IN great war
Hoitnes wrote name upon sup Vi
paper ana handed 1t TO the fieiliie.
Exactly. 1t was ne. Ana II Is tllIS
lettpr-tbis letter which may well
mean the expenditure OF thousahe
nlliilons ana the ilVes ol nuliu ,t
thousand men-which mas become los'
III TINS unaecouhtaple iashloll'
lave you INFORMED the sehaei
res SIT, clpher telesra" H"'
peen dcspatehed.
Iefhaps he desires the pupiiea'ioii
OF the lettef'
NO SIR, we nave strong reasons 10
DeneNe phat ne ALREADY understands
that ne mas acted IN an ihdlseree. anu
hot-heaaea manner "ouio Nc
greater dow 70 nm anu 10 ms county
IMAM TO us II thls letter were ~ eo''e
ollt, ;,
II TINS IS so, whose interest IS IL
That the letter should come out! Nhy
should anyone desire TO steal II OF 10
publish IT.
mere Mr Holmes you taHe inu lilo
regions OIL hlsh international poilucs
but IL you CONSIDER the huIopedn situ-
auon you VIII nave no aiilicultS III
pefcelVlns the motlVe' Inc Whole ol
hurope Is an arlneu camp iheie 70
a double league Which MAKES lalI
balance OF military power, 1teat
Brltalh hoids the scales, II bi'al"
were utlVeh INTO war WIN ohe toi-
leueracY' Woulu assure tue suPiehi-
acy OF the other coiieueracN' whetlier
theN Joined III the war Vi NOT. ~ Sou
lolloW
cry clearly. II is theh ehe interest
Vi the eneiiiles oi ,iis po.ehea'e ~
secure ana paollsh inns le''e.' 81 as
TO make nreach between ms couii-
Try anu ours
I eS, SIT.