The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-08-11
some when you're on duty here all

"Well, what happened them"
She wanted to see where the crime
was done-had read about it in the pa
pers, she said. She was very re-
spectacle, well spoken young woman.
sir. and | saw no harm in letting her
have peep When she saw that mark
on the carpet down she dropped on the
floor and lay as if she were dead. I
ran to the back and got some water.
but | could not bring her to. Then
went round the corner to the Ivy Plant
for some brandy, and by the time had
brought it back the young woman had
recovered and was off-aShamed of
herself, dare say, and dared not face
me-"
"HOw about moving that drugget?"
"Well sir, it was a bit rumpled, GER
tainly, when l came back. You see,
she fell on it. and it lies on polished
floor with nothing to- keep it in place
I Strengthened it out afterward"
Its lesson to you that you can't
deceive me. Constable MACPHERSON"
said Lestrade. with dignity. mo doubt
you thought that your breach of duty
could never be discovered, and yet u
mere glance at that drugget was
enough to convince me that some one
had been admitted to the room. It's
lucky for you, my man, that nothing
is missing. or you would find yourself
in Queer street I'm sorry to have
called You down over such a petty
business, Mr.. Holmes. but | thought
the point of the second stain not cor
responding with the first would inter-
est you"
Certainly, it was most interesting.
Has this woman only been here once,
constable?"
Yes, sir; only once"
"Who was she?"
Don't know the name, sir. Was an
swering an advertisement about type
writing and came to the wrong num-
ber-very pleasant, genteel young wo-
man, sir
1dIl d! l1dnuSOlhe!
Eyes, sir: she was a well grown
young woman. | suppose you might
say she was handsome. Perhaps some
would say she was very handsome. oh,
officer, do let me have Il peep" says
she. She had pretty, coaXing ways, as
you might say, and | thought there was
no harm in letting her Just put her
head through the door"
How was she dressed?"
"Quiet. SRA long mantle down to
her feet
"EXhat time was it,
ut was just growing dusk at the
time. They were lighting the lamps as
came back with the brandy"
Every good said Holmes. Come.
Watson, think that we have more i'm
portant work elsewhere"
As we left the house Lestrade re-
manned in the front room. while the re-
pentant constable opened the door to
let us out. Holmes turned on the step
and held up something in his hand. The
constable stared intently.
"Good Lord. sirr' he cried, with
amazement on his face. Holmes put
his finger on his lips. replaced his hand
in his breast pocket and burst out
laughing as we turned down the street.
Excellent said he. Come Friend
Watson. the curtain rings up for the
last act. You will be relieved to hear
hA
Right Hon. Trelawney Hope will suf-
fer no setback in his brilliant career,
that the indiscreet sovereign will re-
ceive no punishment for his indiscre-
ton. that the prime minister will have
no European complication to deal with
and that with a little tact and manage
ment upon our part nobody will be a
penny the worse for what might have
been very ugly incident"
My mind filled with admiration for
this extraordinary man.
You have solved it?" l cried.
Hardly that, Watson. There are
some points which are as dark as ever.
But we have so much that it will be
our own fault if we cannot get the
rest. We will go straight to White
hall terrace and bring the matter to a
head"
When we arrived at the residence of
the European secretary it was for
Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope that Sher,
lock Holmes inquired. We were shown
into the morning room.
"Mr. Holiness" said the lady, and her
face was pink with her Indignation,
"this is surely most unfair and ungen-
erous upon your part. l desired, as
have explained, to keep my visit to
you secret lest my husband should
think that l was intruding into his af-
fairs, and yet you compromise me by
coming here and so showing that there
are business relations between u.s."
unfortunately, madam, | had nc
possible alternative. | have been com
missioned to recover this immensely
important paper. must therefore
ask you, madam, to be kind enough to
place it in my hands"
The lady sprang to her feet with
the color all dashed in an instant from
her beautiful face Her eyes glazed
She tottered. thought that she would
faint. Then, with grand effort she
rallied from the shock, and a supreme
astonishment and Indignation chased
every other expression from her fea
| lures.
'You-you insult me, Mr.. Holmes"
'.Come, come, madam. 1t is useless
| Give up the letter"