Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06


entered Our business was soon done. He
had my letter on his desk. 1 handed ham
the document He gave me the letter. Az
this Instant there was sound at the door.
There were steps in the passage. Lucas
quickly turned back the drugget. thrust the
document into some hiding place there. and
covered il over.
what happened after that is like some
fearful dream. 1 have vision of q dark
frantic face, of womaus voice. which
screamed in French. My waiting IS not in
vain. At last, at last I have found you
with hert There was a savage struggle
I saw him with chair in his hand knife
CLEANED in hers. l rushed from the horri-
BILE scene. ran from the house and only
next morning in the paper did L learn the
dreadful result. That night l was happy.
for had my letter. and had not seen yet
what TIE future would bring.
ut was the next morning that I realized
that | had only exchanged one trouble tor
another. My husbands anguish at the loss
Of his paper went to my heart. l could
hardly prevent myself from there and then
kneesing down at his feet and telling him
what / had done. But that again would
mean confession Of the past. l came to
you that morning in order to understand
the full euormity of my offense. From the
Instant that l grasped it my whole mind
was turned to the one thought of getting
back my husbands paper. 1t must still be
where Lucas had placed it. for it was con-
Cealed before this dreadful woman entered
the room. If it had not been for her COM
Ing. ! should not have known where his hid
ing pace was. How was l to get into the
room? For two days I watched the place
but the door was never LETT open.
Lust night I made a last attempt
What | did and how succeeded<
you have already learned.
brought the paper back with me. and
thought of destroying it. since 1 could see
no way OF returning it without confessing
my guilt to my husband Heavens 1 hear
his step upon the Stair
The European secretary burst excitediy
into the room.
Amy news, Mr.. Holmes, any news?" he
cried
II have some hopes"
All thank heaven.' His face became
radiant. The prime minister is lunching
with me, May he share your hopes? He
has nerves of, steel and yet l know that
he has hardly slept since this terrible
event Jacobs. will you ask the prime
miniSter to come up? AS to you. dear.
fear that this is a matter Of politics. We
win join you in a few minutes in the dim
ing room
The prime minister's manner was sub
ducd. hut | could see by the gleam of his
eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands
that he shared the excitement of his
young colleague.
Il understand that you have something
to report, Mr.. Holiness"
Purely negative as yet" my friend an
swered Il have inquired at every point
where it might be. and l am sure that
there is no danger to be Appreciated.
But that is not enough. Mr.. Holmes
We cannot dive forever on such volcano.
We must have something definite"
Il am in hopes of getting it. That Is
why l am here. The more L think of
the matter the more convinced I am that
the letter has never left this house"
MIR Holiness
IF it had it would certainly have been
public by now
But why should any one take It In
order to keep it in this house2"
Il am not convinced that any one did
take 1T
Then how could it leave the dispatch
box?'
Il am not convinced that 1t ever did
leave the dispatch box"
Mr.. Holmes, this Joking is very FL
timed. You have my assurance that it left
the box"
Have you examined the box since Tues
day morning."
mo. 1t not necessary"
You may conceivably have overlooked
Impossible. 1 say"
But I not convinced OF 1t. have
known such things to happen. I presume
there are other papers there. Well, it may
have got mixed with them"
1T was on the top"
Someone may have shaken the box and
displaced it"
No. no. had everything out"
Surely 1t is easily decided. Hope" said
the premier Let US have the dispatch
box brought in
The secretary rang the bell.
Jacobs bring down my dispatch box
This Is farccal waste Of time, but STILL
If nothing else will satisfy you. it shall
be done. Thank you. Jacobs. put it here
have always had the key on my watch
chain. Here are the papers. you see. Let
ter from Lord Morrow. report from Sir
Charles Hardy memorandum from Bel
grade. note on the Russo German grain
taxes letter from Madrid, note from Lord
Flowers Good heavens what is this?
Lord Bellinger Lord Bellnger,''
The premier snatched the blue envelope
from his hand.
Yes. 1t is it-and the letter is intact.
Hope. | congratulate you"
Thank you. Thank you. What weight
from my heart. But this is inconceivable-
impossible. Mr. Holmes. you are wizard
sorcerer! How did you know 1t was
there-"
Because I knew It was nowhere else
Il cannot believe my eyes!' He ran
wildly to the door. Where Is my wife?
1 must tell her that all is We'll Hilda,
Hilda" we heard his voice on the stairs.
The premier looked at Holmes with
twinkling eyes.
Come, sir" said he. There is more
in this than meets the eye. How came
the letter back in The box?'
Holmes turned away smiling from the
keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.
We also have our diplomatic secrets,
said he. and. picking up his hat, he turned
to the door.
THE END.