Morris tribune., 1905-10-21
for us to find the connection"

mot at all. They know all they see
at Godolphin street. They know-and
shall know-nothing Of Whitehall ter
race. Only we know both events and
can trace the relation between them.
There is one obvious point which
would in any case have turned my
suspicious toward Lucas. Godolphin
street, Westminster, is only few min
j utes' walk from Whitehall terrace.
The other secret agents whom have
named live in the extreme west end.
1t was easier, therefore, for Lucas than
for the others to establish connection
or receive message from the Euro
pean secretary's household "a small
thing, and yet it may prove essential.
Hello! What have we here?
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with
lady's card upon her salver. Holmes
glanced at it, raised his eyebrows and
handed it over to me.
! "Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope If
she will be kind enough to step up,"
| 6aid he.
A moment later our modest apart
ment, already so distinguished that
morning, was further honored by the
entrance Of the most lovely woman in
London. l had often heard Of the
beauty of the youngest daughter Of the
Duke of Belminster, but no description
Of it had prepared me for the sub
tie, delicate charm and the beauti-
full coloring of that exquisite head. And
yet as we saw it that autumn morning
it was not it's beauty which would be
the first thing to impress the observer
The cheek was lovely, but it was paled
with emotion; the eyes were bright, but
it was the brightness Of fever; the sen
sitive mouth was tight and drawn in
an effort after self command Terror
not beauty-was what sprang first to
the eye
HAS my husband been here, Mr.,
Holmes?'
eyes, madam, he has been here"
"Mr. Holmes, I implore you not to
tell him that 1 came here" Holmes
bowed and motioned her to a chair.
"Your ladyship places me in very
delicate position. [ beg that you will
sit down and tell me- what you desire,
but fear that l cannot make any un-
conditional promise"
She swept across the room and seated
herself with her back to the window.
1t was queenly presence-tall, grace
full and intensely Womanly.
''Mr Holiness" she said, and her
white gloved hands clasped and IN
clasped as she spoke. Il 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 ali matters
his lips are sealed. He tells me moth
ing. Now, am aware that there was
a most deplorable occurrence in Our
house last night l know that a 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, l say
that should thoroughly understand it.
You are the only other person, save
only these politicians, who knows the
true facts. beg you then, Mr.. Holmes,
to tell exactly what hasebappened and
what it will lead to- Tefl me all, Mr..
Holmes. Let no regard for your
clients interests keep you silent, for
assure you that his interests, if he
would only see it, would be best served
by taking me into his complete con-
fdence. What was this paper which
was stolen?"
Madam, what you ask me is really
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? 1t is not fair to ask 1t. 1t |
Is him whom you must ask"
II have asked him. 1 come to you !
as last resource. But without your !
telling me anything definite, Mr. !
you may do a great service
if you would enlighten me on one I
point"
what is it, MADAME
"Is my husbands political career
likely to suffer through this incident?'
"Well, madam, unless it is set right
It may certainly have very unfortu-
nate effect"
"Ah.' She drew in her breath sharp
y, as one whose doubts are resolved.
Zone more question, Mr.. Holmes.
From an expression which my hus-
band dropped in the first shock Of
his disaster l understood that terrible
public consequences might arise from
he loss Of this document
"lf he said SO certainly cannot deny
t."
"Of what nature are they?"
Nay, madam; there again you ask
ne more than [ can possibly answer"
''Ihen viii take up no more of your
ime. [ cannot blame you, Mr. Holmes,
or having refused to speak more free
y, and you on your side will not, I
I'm sure, think the worse Of me be-