The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-07
The RETURN of Sherlock Holmes.

giazed-she tottered-I thought that
she would faint. Then with a grand
effort she rallied from the shock, and
a supreme establishment and indigna-
ton chased every other expression
from her features
''You-you insult me, Mr.. Holmes"
Come, come madam 1t is useless.
Give up the letter.
She darted TO the bell.
"The butler shall show you out,
DO nct ring, Lady Hilda. If you
do, then all my earnest efforts to
avoid scandal will be frustrated.
Give w the letter and all will be set
right If you will work with me I can
arrange everything If you work
against me | must expose you.'
She stood grandly defiant. queenly
figure, her eyes fixed upon his as IL
she would read his very soul. Her
hand was on the bell but she had
forborne to ring 1t.
you are trying to brighten me. 1t
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 know2'
pray sit down, madam. You will
hurt yourself there If you fall. | will
not speak until you sit down. Thank
you"
Il give you five minutes. Mr..
Holmes"
zone is enough. Lady Hilda.
know of your visit to Eduardo Lucas,
OF your giving him this document. OF
your ingenius return to the room last
night. and of the manner in which you
took the letter from the hiding-plac
under the carpet.
She stared at him with an ashen
fUiq
could speak.
you are mad, Mr.. Holmes-you are
mad" she cried. at last.
He drew a small piece of cardboard
from his pocket. 1t was the face of
a woman cut out of a portrait.
Il have carried this because
thought it might be useful" said he. a
"The policeman has recognized II
She gave gasp and her head
dropped back In the chair.
Come, Lady Hilda. You have the
letter. The matter may still be ad-
justed | have no desire to bring
trouble to you My duty ends when
| have returned the lost letter TO your
husband. Take my advice and be
frank with me. 1t Is 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 the chair.
II am sorry for you, Lady Hilda.
have done my best for you. L can see
that 1t is all i'll vain.
He rang the bell. The butler en-
tered.
us Mr. Trelawney Hope at homer
''He will be home, sir. at quarter
to one"
Holmes glanced at his watch.
Still a quarter of an hour" said
he. VERY 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 beau
tifu face upturned and wet with her
tears.
aoh, spare me, Mr.. Holmes Spare
met she pleaded, in a frenzy of sup
plication. "For heavens sake don't
fell him. | love him sol | would not
bring one shadow on his life, and this
| know would break his noble heart
Holmes raised the lady Il 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 II, and drew out long
blue envelope.
Hear 1t is Mr.. Holmes. Would to
heaven had never seen it,
How can we return it?'' Holmes
muttered quick, quick. we must
think ofssome way. Where is the de-
spatch cy2"
''Stil rs alf BEDROOM.
"What aire Z luck Quick.
mads hsius n."
A rs-as ptar she had appeared
with = re W osz in her hand.
.TfsU ~ zen 1t before? You
havs t9a sls ley? Yes, of course
voa rc afa it!'
~ 81 r bosom Lady Hilda
81 aV mall key. The box
= aof Is stuffed with papers.
'Fsies Hrsst The blue envelope dee
n iftb s heart of them n,