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

ask you madam, to be kind enough Il
place Il In my hands"
The Indy sprang to her feet, viii
the color ali dashed in an instant from
her beautiful face. Her eyes giased
She tottered. I thought that she would
faint. Then, with grand effort, she
rallied from the shock, and q supreme
assonishment and indignation chased
every other expression from her fea.
lures.
"You--you insult me, Mr.. Holiness"
"Come, come, madam. 1t 10 useless
Give up the letter."
She dseted to the bell.
1.-THE butler shall show you out"
"Do not ring. Lady Hilda. n you
do. then all ny earnest s9ests to avoid
q scandal wlk b frustrated. Give up
the letter and a.taWall b ssts right. II
you win work WIN, ne I can arrange
everything. II you work against me I
must expose ysu."
she stood grandly denant, a qussnly
figure. her eyes fixed upon his as II
she would read his very soul. He,
hand was on the bell, but she had for
borne to ring II. 4.
"You are trying to brighten me. II
Is not very manly thing, Mr.. Holmes,
to come here and browbeat a woman,
You say that you know something.
What Is it that you know?"
Pray sit down. madam. You will
hurt yourself there II you fall. will
not speak until you sit down. Thank
you"
Il give you Ave minutes, Mr..
Holmes"
zone is enough, Lady Hildn. know
Of your visit to Eduardo Lucas, Of
your giving him this document, Of youi
Ingenious 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. Mr. Holmes-you are
mad" she cried at last.
He drew . small piece Of cardboar I'd
from his pocket. 1t was the face of a
woman cut out Of a portrait
Il have carried this because !
thought II might be useful" said he
THE policeman has recognized it,"
She gave a gasp. and her head drop.
ped bnck in the chair.
Come. Lady Hilda. You have the
letter. The matter may still he ad
Juated. have no desire to bring trou.
BILE to you. My duty ends when I have
returned the lost letter to your hus.
band. Take my advice and be frank
with me. II rs your only chance"
Her courage was admirable. Even
now she would not own defeat.
Il tell you again. Mr.. Holmes, that
you are under some absurd Illusion"
Holmes rose from his chair.
Il am sorry for you, Lady TIilda. I
have done my best for you. l can see
that 1t Ia all In vain"
He rang the bell. The butler entered.
"Is Mr.. Trelawney Hope Mt homer"
"He will be home, sir, at quarter
to L."
Holmes glanced Mt his watch.
"Still a quarter Of an hour" said he
Every good; ! shall wait"
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 her tears.
"Oh. spare me, Mr.. Holmes! Spare
me-" she pleaded in Q frenzy Of sup.
plication. For heavens sake, don't
tell him! I love him SO! l would not
bring one shadow on his life, and this
know would break his noble heart"
Holmes raised the lady. II am
thankful. madam. that you have come
to your senses even at this last mo-
ment! There is not an instant to lose.
Where is the letter.
She darted across to a writing desk.
unlocked 1t and drew out q long blue
envelope.
Here it is, Mr.. Holmes. Would to
heaven l had never seen i'll"
How can We return IT." Holmes
muttered. Quick. quick, we must
think Of some way! Where is the
dispatch boxy
Still in his bedroom
What a stroke OF luck. Quick,
bring it here!'
A moment later she had appeared
with Il red. flat box in her hand.
How did you open it before? You
have a duplicate key? Yes, OF course
you have. Open it!'
From out Of her bosom Lady Hilda
had drawn a small key. The box dew
open. 1t was stuffed with papers.
Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep
down 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 stiA ten minutes.
am going far to screen you, Lady
Hilda. In return you will spend the
time in telling me frankly the real
Of this extraordinary affair"
Mr.. Holmes, will tell you every.
thing" cried the lady. "Oh, MFR.
Holmes. would cut off my right hand
before ! gave him moment Of sor-
row! There is no woman In all Lon |
don who loves her husband as I do, |
and yet II he knew how l have acted
how have been compelled to act-he |
would never forgive me- for his own
honor stands 70 high that he could not
forget or pardon . lapse in another. |
Help me- Mr. HOlmeai NV hanninoss