The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-09-21
II think I, very probable.~
Then, SIR, prepare for war.

II think 4. very probahle.~
Then, SIR, prepare for war.
That is a hard saying. Mr.. Holmes"
Consider the facts. sir. 1t is neon
ceivable that 1T was taken after eleven
thirty at nsghs. since 1 understand that
Mr.. Hope IL his wife We're both in the
room from thai our until the loss was
found out. 1t WAS taken, then. yester-
day evening between SeNen-thirty and
eieven-thirty. probably near the earlier
hour. since whoever took it evidently
knew it was there, and would naturally
secure 1t as carly as possible. Now.
sir. if a document of this Importance
was AXE ut that hour, where can it be
now? No n has any reason to retain it.
1t has been passed rapidly on to those
Who need it. What chance have we
now to overtake or even trace it? 1t is
beyond u reach"
The prime minister arose from the
settee.
What you say is perfectly logical.
Mr. Holmes. / feel that the matter is
indeed out of our hands"
Let us presume. for argumeut's sake.
that the document was taken by the
maid or by the valet-'
They are both old and tried serv-
ants"
II understand YOU to say that your
room is on the second floor, that there
is no entrance from without. and that
from within no could so up unob-
served. 1t must. then. be somebody in
the house who has taken it. To whom
would the thief take it? To one OF sew
eral International spies and secret
agents, whose names are tolerably IA
miliar tic me. There are three who
may be said to be the heads of their
profession. I will begin my research
by going round and finding if each of
them is at his post. If one is missing
especially if he has disappeared since
last might've will have some indica-
gone"
Why should he be missing?" asked
the European secretary. II would
take the letter to an embassy in Lon
don. as likel rs not"
II fancy not. These agents work in
dependently, and their relations with
the embassies are often strained"
The prime minister nodded his ac-
quiescence.
II believe you are right. Mr.. Holmes.
He would take so valuable a prize to
headquarters with his own hands. 1
think that your course of action is an
excellent n Meanwhile, Hope. we
cannot neglect all our other duties on
account of this one misfortune. Should
ing the day we shall communicate with
YOU. n you will no doubt let us know
the results of your own inquiries"
The two statesmen bowed and walked
gravsly from the room.
When IL illustrious visitors had de-
parted Holmes liz his pipe in silence,
and sat for some time lost in the deep
est thought. 1 had opened the morn
ing paper n was immersed in a sem
s%ational crime which had occurred in
London the night before. when my
friend gave an exclamation. sprang to
his feet. and laid his pipe down upon
the mantelpiece.
way of approaching it. The situation
now, if we could be sure Which OF them
has taken it. it is just possible that 1t
has not yet passed out of his hands.
After all. it is a question OF money with
these fellows, and l have he British
treasury behind me If it's on the mar
ket I'll buy tiff it means another
penny on the income tax. 1t is con-
ceivable that the fellow might hold it
back to see what bids come from this
side before he tries his luck on the
other. There are only those three
capable Of playing sc bold a game
there are Oberstein, La Rothiere and
Eduardo Lucas. l will see each of
them"
1 glanced at my morning paper.
us that Eduardo Lucas of G%odolphin
street?"
YES"
You will not see him"
"NVhy not?"
He was murdered in his house last
night
My friend has so often ~astonished
me in h course of our adventures that
it was with a sense of exultation that
I realized how completely l had aston
ished him. He stared in amazement,
and then snatched the paper from my
hands. This was the paragraph which
l had been engaged in reading when he
rose from his chair:
MURDER IN WESTMINSTER.
A crime of mysterious character was
committed last night at 16 G%odolphin
street, one of the old fashioned and Sc
cluded rows of eighteenth century
houses which lie between the river and
the Abbey, almost in the shadow of the
great tower of the houses of parlia-
ment. This small but select mansion
has been Inhabited for some years by
Eduardo Lucas, we'll known in society
circles both on account of his charming
personality n because he has the we'll
deserved reputation of being one of the
best amateur tenor3 in the country.
Mr.. Lucas is an unmarried man, "a
years Of age, and his establishment
consists of Mrs. Pringle, an elderly
housekeeper, and of Milton, his valet.
The former retires early and sleeps at
the top of the house. The valet was
out for the evening, visiting a friend
at Hammersmith. From 10 o'clock on
VAR MIR. Lucas had the house to him.
self.
Continued Next Week.)