Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-19
know of the existence Of this letter.

minister. Good heavens, to think that
within few hours l should myself
have lost 1t! Besides the members of
the cabinet there are two OF possibly
three departmental officials who know
Of the letter. No one else i'll England,
Mr.. Holmes, assure you"
But abroad?'
Il believe that no one abroad has
seen it save the man who wrote it. l
am we'll convinced that his minister's
that the usual official channels have
not been employed"
Holmes considered for some little
time.
"Now, sir, must ask you more par
t1cularly what this document is, and
why its disappearance should have
such momentous consequences?'
The two statesmen exchanged a
quick glance, and the premiers shaggy
eyebrows gathered in frown.
"Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long,
thin one of pale blue color. There is a
seal of red wax stamped with crouch
ing lion. 1t is addressed in large, bold
handwriting to-
II 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 fear that cannot
tell you, nor do see that it is neces-
sary. If by the aid Of the powers
which you are said to possess you can
find such an envelope as I describe,
with its Enclosure, you will have de-
served well Of your country and earned
any reward which it lies in our power
to bestow."
Sherlock Holmes rose with smile.
"You are two of the most busy men
in the country" said he, "and In my
own small way have also a good
many calls upon me. I regret exceed
fngly that I cannot help you in this
matter, and any continuation Of this
interview would be waste Of ume."
The premier sprang to his feet with
that quick, fierce CLEAN Of hts deep ret
eyes before which cabinet has cow
cred. 81 am not accustomed, SIR he
began, but mastered his anger and re.
sumed his seat. Then the old states
man shrugged his Shoulders.
1--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
confidence"
II agree with you" said the younger
statesman.
"Then will tell you, relying entirely
upon your honor and that Of your COL
league, DR.. Watson. may appeal to
your patriotism also, for could not
imagine greater misfortune for the
country than that this affair should
come out"
"You may safely trust U.S."
1.-THE letter, then, Is from certain
foreign potentate who has been ruff
fed by some recent colonial develop
ments of this country. It has been
written hurriedly and upon his own
responsibility entirely. Inquiries have
shown that his ministers know nothing
Of the matter. At the same time 1t is
couched in so unfortunate a manner
and certain phrases in it are of so
provocative character that Its pub
lication would undoubtedly lead to q
most dangerous state of feeling In this
country. There would be such fer
ment, sir, that do not hesitate to say
that within week of the publication
of that letter this country would be
involved in great war"
Holmes wrote a name upon a slip
of paper and handed it to the premier.
Exactly. 1t was he. And it is this
letter-this letter which may we'll mean
the expenditure of thousand millions
and the lives Of hundred thousand
men-which has become lost in this I'M
accountable fashion"
Have you informed the sender?"
eyes. sir; cipher telegram has been
dispatched"
Perhaps he desires the publication
Of the letter."
mo, sir; we have strong reason to
believe that he already understands
that he has acted in an indiscreet and
hot headed manner. It would be q
greater blow to him and to his coun-
try than to us If this letter were to
come out"
IF this is SO, whose interest is II
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 pol
itics. But If you consider the Euro.
pean situation you will have no diff.
Guilty in perceiving the motive. The
whole Of Europe is an armed camp
There is double league which makes
fair balance Of military power
Great Britain holds the scales. II
Britain were driven into war with one
confederacy it would assure the su
premacy Of the other confederacy
whether they Joined In the war or not
Do you followT
VERY clearly. It Is then the interest
Of the enemies Of this potentate to Sc.
cure and publish this letter, so as to
make breach between his country
and oursr"
eyes, sir.''
"And to whom would this document
be sent IL it fell into the hands Of an
enemy?"
ITO any Of the great chancelleries OF
Europe. It is probably speeding on Its
way thither at the present instant as
fast as steam can take It. Now, Mr.