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

return. There is complete confidence
between my husband and me on all
matters save one. That one is politics.
On this his lips are sealed He tells
me nothing. Now, l am aware that
there was a most deporable occur
renee in our house last night. know
that a paper has disappeared. But
because the matter is political my
husband refuses to take me into his
complete confidence. Now it is essen
tial--esSential, l Say-that l should
thoroughly understand it. You are
the only other person. save only these
politicians, VINO knows the true facts.
/ beg you then, Mr. Holmes, to tell
me exactly what has happened and
what it will lead to. Tell me all, Mr..
Holmes. Let no regard for your
clients interests keep you silent, for l
assure you that his interests, if he
would only see it, would be best serv-
ed by taking me into his complete coE-
1idence. 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,
madam. If your husband thinks fiC
to keep you in the dark over this mat
ter, is it. for me, who have only learn
ed the true facts under the pfedge of
professional secrecy, to tell what he
has withheld? It is not fair to ask
it. 1t is him whom you must ask"
Il have asked him. l come to you
as a last resource. But without your
telling me anything definite, Mr..
Holmes, you may do a great service
if you would enlighten me on one
point"
What is it, MADAME"
rs my husbands political career
likely to suffer through this incident?'
well madam, unless it is set right
it may certainly have very unfort-
unate effect"
"Ah!" She drew in her breath
sharply as one whose doubts are re-
solved.
"One more question, Mr.. Holmes.
From an expression which my hus-
band dropped in the first shock of
this disaster | understood that terri
bic public consequences might arise
from the loss of this document"
IF he said so, l certainly can not
deny it..
"Of what nature are they?"
May, madam, there again you ask
me more than L can possibly answer"
Then l will take up no more of
your time. 1 can not blame you, Mr..
more freely, and you on your side will
not l am sure think the worse of me
because l desire, even against his will.
to share my husbands anxieties. Once
more | beg that you will say nothing
of my visit"
She looked back at us from the
door, and | had a last impression of
that beautiful haunted face, the
startled eyes, and the drawn mouth
Then she was gone.
NOW Watson, the fair sex is your
department" said Holmes, with a
smile, when the dwindling frou-frou of
skirts had ended in the slam of the
front door. what was the fair ladys
game? What did she really want?"
Surely her own statement is clear
and her anxiety very natural"
"Huml Think of her appearance.
manner, her suppressed
excitement, her restlessness, her ten
acity in asking questions. Remember
that she comes of a caste who do not
lightly show emotion"
'She was certainly much moved
Remember also the curious earn
with which she assured us
that it was best for her husband that
she should know an. What did she
mean by that? And you must have
observed, Watson, how she ma
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