The San Francisco call., 1905-05-28


and the gentle voice had returned. BE
sides the members Of the Cabinet there
are two. or possibly three, departmental
officials who know of the letter. No ono
else in England, Mr.. Holmes, L assure
you
But abroad?"
u believe that no one abroad has seen
it save the man who wrote it. / am
well convinced that his Ministers-that
the usual official channels have not been
employed.
Holmes considered for some little time
Now, sir, l must ask you more par
ticularly what this document is. and why
its disappearance should have such mo-
mentous consequences
The two statesmen exchanged quick
glance and the Premier's- shaggy eye
brows gathered in a frown.
Mr.. Holmes, the envelope is a long.
thin one of pale blue color. There is a
seal of red wax stamped with a crouching
lion 1t is addressed in large. bold hand
writing to-
'I fear, sir" said Holmes. that, in
teresting and indeed essential as these
details are, my inquiries must go more
to the root of things. What was the
letter."
THAT is state secret of the utmost
importance, and 1 fear that 1 cannot
tell you, nor do / see that 1t is necessary
If by the aid of the powers which you are
said TO possess you can find such an en-
velope' as 1 describe with its inclosure,
you will have deserved well of your coun-
try, and earned any reward which il lies
in our power to bestow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
"You are two of the most busy men in
the country" said he, "and in my own
small way / have also good many calls
upon me. / regret exceedingly that l
cannot help you in this matter, and any
continuation of this interview would be
a waste of time
The Premier sprang to his feet with
that quick, fierce CLEAN of his deep-set
eyes before which Cabinet has covered.
"I am not accustomed, SIR he began,
but mastered his anger and resumed his
seat. For a minute or more we all sat
in silence. Then the old statesman
shrugged his shoulders.
We must accept your terms, Mr..
Holmes. No doubt you are right, and 1t
is unreasonable for us to expect you TO
act unless we give you. our entire con-
fidepce."
Il agree with you," said the younger
statesman.
'sThenr / will tell you, relying entirely
upon your honor and that of your col
league. DR.. Watson. l may appeal TO
your patriotism also. for could not
imagine a greater misfortune for the
country than that this affair should come
out"
You may safely trust u.s.
The letter, then, is from certain
foreign potentate who has been rufhed
bv some recent colonial developments of
this country. It has been written hur-
riedly and upon his own responsibility en-
tirely. Inquiries have shown that his
Ministers know nothing of the matter. AT
the same time it is couched in so unfor-
tunate a manner, and certain phrases IN
II are of so provocative a character, that
its publication would undoubtedly lead to
a most dangerous state of feeling in this
country. There would be such a ferment,
sir. that do not hesitate to say that
within a week of the publication of that
letter this country would be involved In
a great war"
Holmes wrote name upon slip OF
paper and handed it to the Premier.
Exactly. 1t was he. And 1t is this
letter-this letter which may well mean
the expenditure of thousand millions
and the lives of 100000 men-which has
become lost in this unaccountable fash
ion.''
s'Have you informed the sender?"
Yes, sir: cipher telegram has been
dispatched
perhaps he desires the publication of
the letter.
mo, sir: we have strong reason to be-
lieve that he already understands that
he has acted in an indiscreet and hot
headed manner. 1t would be greater
blow to him and to his country than to
US If this letter were to come out"
"If this is so. whose interest is 1t that
the letter should come out? Why should
any one desire to steal it or to publish
it?"
There, Mr.. Holmes. you take me into
regions of high international politics.
But If you consider the European situa-
ton you will have no difficulty in pereeiv-
ing the motive The whole of Europe
is an armed camp. There is a double
league which makes a fair balance of
military power. Great Britain holds the
scales. If Britain were driven into war
with one confederacy il would assure the
supremacy Of the other confederacy,
whether they joined in the war or not.
Do you follow?"
Very clearly. 1t is then the interest
of the enemies OF this potentate to secure
and publish this letter, SO as to make
a breach between his country and ours?"
Yes, SIR
"And to whom would this document
be sent IL it fell into the hands OF an
eneny2''
.HTo any Of the great Chancelieries of
Europe It is probably speeding on its
way tilither at the present instant as fast
as steam can take 1T.
Trelawney Hope dropped his head on
his chest and groaned aloud. The Pre-
nier placed his hand kindly upon his
shoulder.
''It is your misfortune, my dear fellow.
No one can blame you. There is no pre-
caution which you have neglected. Now,
Mr.. Holmes, you are in full possession
of the facts. What course do you rec
ommend2"
\ Holmes shook his head mournfully.
You think. sir, that unless this docu-
ment is recovered there will be WARP?
"I think It is very probable
Then, sir, prepare for war"
THAT is a hard saying. Mr.. Holmes. :"
Consider the facts, sir. It is incon-
ceivSble that it was taken after l:s0 at
night, since / understand that Mr. Hope
and his wife were both in the room from
that hour until the loss was found out
1t was taken then yesterday evening be-
tween 1880 and 1870. probably near the
earlier hour, since whoever took 1t evil
IDENTIFY knew that it was there, and
would naturally secure 1t as early as pos
sible. Now. SIR. If a document of this
Importance were taken at that hour,
where can it be now? No one has any
reason to retain it. It has been passed
ranidiv m 70 xv17r