The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-09-28
xli.-THE ADVENTURE OF THE
SECOND STAlN.-Continucd.

SECOND STAlN.-Continucd.
What occurred during that time
has not vet t~ranspired. but ut a quartz,
to IL Police-Constable Barrett, passing
along Godolphin streeI, observed that
the door OF No. 16 was agar. He
Knocked, but received no answer. Per
ceiving a light in the front room, he
advanced into the passage and again
knocked, but without reply. He then
pushed open the o and entered The
room was in n state of Wild disorder,
the furniture being all swept to one
side, and one chair lying on its back
in the center. Beside this chair, and
still gr; ping one of its legs. lay the
unfortunate tenant of the house. He
had been stabbed to the heart and must
have died instantly. The knife with
which the crime rae been committed
was q curved Indian dagger, plucked
down from a, trophy of oriental arms
which adorned one of the walls. Rob
berry does not appear to have been the
motive of the crime, for the , had
been no attempt to remove the valuable
contents of the room. Mr.. Eduardo Lu-
cas- vas so well NOW and popular
that his violent and mysterious fate
will arouse painful interest and in
tense sympathy in a. widespread circle
of friends
well, Watson. what do you make of
this?" asked Holmes, after a long
pause.
1T is an amazing coincidence"
"a coincidence! Here is one of the
three men whom we had named as pos
sible actors in this drama. and he
meets a violent death during the very
hours when we n that hat drama
was being enacted. The odds are enor-
nous against it's being coincidence. No
figures could express them. No, my
dear Watson, the two events are con-
nected-must be connected. 1t is for US
to find the connection"
But now the Official police must
know ALL"
Not at all. They know all they see
at Godolphin street. They know-and
shall know-nothing of Whitehall Ter
race. Only we know of both events,
and can trace the relation between
them. There is one obvious point
which would, in any case, ave turned
my suspicious against Lucas. Godol-
phia street, Westminster, is only a few
minutes walk from Whitehall Terrace.
other secret agents whom I have
named live in the extreme west end.
It was easier. therefore. for Lucas tina
the others to establish a onnec
ton or receive a message from the
s~ecretary's household
thing, and yet where events are
compressed into a few hours it may
grove essential. Halloa! what have we
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a
tady's card upon her salver. Holmes
glanced at it, raised his eyebrows, and
it over to me.
ASK Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if
she will be kind enough to step up"
said he.
A monen later our modest apart
ment, already SO distinguished that
morning. was further honored by the
entrance of the most lovely woman in
London. i had often heard of the
beauty of the youngest daughter of
the duke of Relminster, but no descrip-
ton of it. and no contemplation of col
orless Photographs. had prepared me
for the subtle, delicate charm n the
beautiful coloring of that exquisite
head. And yet as we saw it that
morning, it was not it's beauty
which would be the first thing to i'm
press the observer. The cheek was
lovely but it was paled with emotion.
the eyes were bright, but it was the
brightness OF fever. the sensitive
was tight and drawn in an eff
Tort after self command. Terror-not
eye as our fair visitor stood framed
Tor an instant in the open door.
Has my husband been here, Mr..
Yes, madam. he has been here"
Dir. Holmes, I implore you not to
tell him that I came here" Holmes
bowed coldly, and motioned the lady to
q chair.
Your ladyship places me in a. very
delicate position. l beg that you will
sit down n tell me what you desire,
hut 1 fear that I can not make any un-
conditional promise"
She sweep across the room and seat
ed herself with her back to the win
dow. 1t was a queenly presence-tall,
graceful. and intensely womanly.
mi. Holiness" she said-and her
whfte-gloved hands clasped and un-
clasped as she spoke-"I will speak
frankly TO you in hopes hat it may
Induce o to speak frankly in return.
There is complete confidence between
save one. That. one is politics. On
this his lips are sealed He tells me
nothing. 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 matter Is political my husband re-
fuses to take me into his complete CON
fdence. Now it is essential-essential.
I say-that l should thoroughly UNDER
stand 1t. You are the only other per-
son. saw only these politicians, who
knows the true facts. I beg you then,
Mr.. Holmes, to tell me exactly what
las happened and what it will lead to.
TELL me all, Mr.. Holmes. Let no regard
for your clients interests keep you
silent, for I assure you that his in
t%erests, II he would only see it, would
be best served by taking me into his
complete confidence. 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. II you husband thinks fit to
keep you in the dark over this mat
ter, is 1t for me, who have only learn
ed the true facts under the pledge of
professional secrecy, to tell what he
has withheld? 1t is not fair to ask
1t. It is him whom you must ask"
Il have asked him. I come 10 you
rs a last resource. But without your
telling me anything definite, Mr..
Holmes, you may do a great service lie
you would enlighten me on one point
What is it, madame"
rs my husbands political career
likely to suffer through this incident?'
We'll, madam, unless it is set right
DIT ma certainly have q very unfor-
tunate effect"
.Ah!" She drew in her breath sharp
lv no Ono uh0So doubts = rorolyod