The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-07

which adorned one of the walls Rob-
berry does not appear to have been
the motive of the crime, for there had
been no attempt to remove the Valu
able contents of the room. Mr.
Eduardo Lucas was so we'll known and
popular that his violent and mysteri-
Gus fate will arouse painful interest
and intense sympathy in a widespread
circle of friends.
"Well, Watson, what do you make
of this?" asked Holmes, after long
pause.
ut is an amazing coincidence
"A coincidence! Here is one of the
three men whom we had named as
possible actors in this drama, and he
meets a violent death during the very
hours when we know that that drama
was being enacted. The odds are
enormous against it's being coinci-
dence. No figures could express them
No, my dear Watson, the4two events
are connected-muSt be connected. 1t
is for us to find the connection"
But now the official police must
know ALL.
mot at all. They know all they
see at Godolphin Street. They know
and shall know-nothing of White
hall Terrace. Only we know of both
know of both events, and can trace
the relation between them. There is
Cne obvious point which would, in any
case, have turned my suspicious
against Lucas. Godolphin Street, West
minister, is only a few minutes 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 a connection
or receive a message from the Euro
pean Secretary's household small
thing, and yet where events are COM
pressed into a few hours it may prove
essential. Halloa! what have we
here?'
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a
ladys card upon her salver. Holmes
glanced at it, raised his eyebrows, and
handed it over to me.
ASK Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if
she will be kind enough to step. up"
said he.
A moment later our modest apart
ment, aheady so distinguished that
morning, was further honoured 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 de-
scription of it, and no contemplation
of colourless photographs, had pre-
pared me for the subtle delicate
charm and the beautiful colouring of
that exquisite head. And yet as we
saw it that autumn morning, it 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
sensitive mouth was tight and drawn
in an effort after self-command. Ter
ror-not beauty-was what sprang
first to the eye as our fair visitor stood
framed for an instant in the open
door.
HAS my husband been here, Mr..
Holmes 2"
Yes, madam, he has been here"
'Mr. Holmes, / implore you not to
tell him that | came here" Holmes
bowed coldly, and motioned the lady
to a chair.
Your ladyship places me in very
delicate position. l beg that you will
sit down and tell me what you de-
sire. but / fear that l can not make
any unconditional promise"
She swept across the room and
seated herself with her back to the
window. it was a queenly presence
tall, graceful and intensely womanIy.
Mr.. Holiness" she said-and her
hands clasped and un-
clasped as she spoke--'I will speak
frankly OF you in the hope that it
may induce you to speak frankly IN