Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-24

sit down and tell me what you desire, but fear that I cannot make any un- conditional promise.
 She swept across the room and seated herself with her back to the window. It was queenly presence tall, grace full and intensely womanly.
 MT Holmes," she said, and her white gloved hands clasped and un- clasped as she spoke T will speak frankly to you in the hopes that it may induce you to speak frankly in 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 noth ing. Now, am aware that there was most depiorable occurrence in our house last night I know that paper has disappeared. But because the mat ter is political my husband refuses to take me into his complete confidence. Now it is essential-essential, I say that I should thoroughly understand it. You are the only other person, save only these politicians, who knows the true facts. beg you then, Mir. Holmes, to tell exactly what has happened and what it will lead to. Tell me all, Mir. Holmes. Let no regard for your clients interests keep you silent. for 1 assure you that his interests, if he would only see it. would be best served by taking me into his complete con- fidence 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, mad am. If your husband thinks fit to keep you in the dark over this matter, is it for me, who have only learned the true facts under the pledge of profes- sionel secrecy, to tell what he has withheld? It is not fair to ask it. It is him whom you must ask"
 T have asked him. I come to you as 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. madam?'
 ''Is my husbands political career likely to suffer through this incident?"
 Well, madam, unless it is set right 1t Jmay certainly have very unfortu- nate effect"
 "Ah"' She drew in her breath sharp ly, as one whose doubts are resolved. ,,. One, more question. Mr., Holmes. {. From an expression which my husI band dropped in the first shock of this disaster I understood that terrible public consequences might arise from the loss of this document"
 If he said so I certainly cannot deny it."
 of what nature are they?'
 Nay, madam: there again you ask me more than I can possibly answer"
 Then 1 will take up no more of your time. I cannot blame you. Mir. Holmes, for having refused to speak more free ly, and you on your side will not, I am sure, think the worse of me be- cause I desire. even against his will. to share my husbands anxieties. Once more l beg that you will say nothing of my visit"
 She looked back at us from the door. and I had 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 smile, when the dwindling froufrou of skirts had ended in the slam of the front door. What was the fair lady's gamef What did she really want:"
 Surely her own statement is clear and her anxiety very natural"
 Hum. Think of her appearance. Watson-her manner. her suppressed excitement. her restlessness. her tpnac- ity in asking questions. Remember that she comes of caste who do not lightly show emotion
 .'She was certainly much moved
 Remember also the curious earnest ness with which she assured us that H was best for her husband that she should know all What did she mean by thatt And you must have observed. Watson. how she unanswered to have the light at her back She did not wish us to read her expression
 "Yes. she chose the one chair in the room
 And yet the motives of women are so inscrutable. You remember the wo- man at Margate whom I suspected for the same reason No powder on her nose-thst proved to be the correct so- lution. How can you build on such a quicksand; Their most trivial action may mean volumes. or their most ex- tracrdinary conduct may depend upon 6 hairpin or a curling tongs. Good morning Watson
 'You are sfT-
 Yes. will while away the morning st Gcdoiphin street with our friends of the regular establishment. With Ed uarriO L8eas lies the solution of our problem. though I must admit that have not an inkling as to what form 1t may take IL is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts. Do you stay on guard. my good Watson. and receive any fresh visitors. TIT join you at lunch fl am able
 All that day and the next and next Holnes was in mood which his friends would cal rscifuru and others