The Washington herald., 1912-04-14


race and bring the matter to a head"
When we arrived at the residence OF
the European secretary il Was for Lady
Hilda Trelawney Hope that Sherlock
Holmes inquired. We were shown into
the morning-room.
"Mr. Holmes !" said the lady, and her
face was pink with her indignation,
this is surely most unfair and ungen-
erous upon your part i desired, as |
have explained, to keep my visit to you
a secret, lest my husband should think
that ! was intruding into his affairs.
And yet you compromise me by COM
ing here and so showing that there are
business relations between us"
Unfortunately, madam, ! had no pos
slble alternative. have been commits
stoned TO recover this immensely i'm
poTtant paper. ! must therefore ask
you, madam, 10 be kind enough 10 place
1t in my hands"
The lady sprang to her feet, with the
color all dashed in an instant from her
beautiful face. Her eyes glazed-she
tottered-l thought that she would faint
Then with a grand effort she rallied
from the shock, and supreme astonish-
ment and Indignation chased every other
expression from her features.
"You-you insult me, Mr.. Holmes"
Come, come, madam, it is useless.
Give up the letter."
She daTted TO the bell.
The butler shall show you out"
DO not ring, Lady Hilda. II you do,
then all my earnest efforts to avoid
scandal will be frustrated. Give up the
letter and all will be set right. II you
will work with me can arrange every
thing. II you work against me- must
expose you"
She stood grandly defiant, queenly
figure, her eyes fixed upon his as il she
would read his very soul. Her hand
was on the bell, but she had forborne
to ring it.
you are trying to brighten me- 1t
is not very manly thing, Mr.. Holmes,
TO come here and browbeat woman.
You say that you know something.
What is il that you know"
Pray sit down, madam. You will
hurt yourself there il you fall. | will
not speak until you sit down. Thank
you"
Il will give you FIVE minutes, Mr..
Holmes"
"ODe is enough, Lady Hilda. / know
Of your visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your
giving him this document, of your in
genious return 10 the room last night,
and of the manner in which you took
the letter from the hiding place under
the carpet"
She stared at him with an ashen face
and gulped twice before she could speak
you are mad, Mr.. Holmes-you are
madp she cried, at last.
He drew small piece of cardboard
from his pocket II was the face of a
woman cut out of portrait.
Il have carried this because thought
il might be useful" said he. THE po-
hceman has recognized il"
She gave a gasp and her head dropped
back in the chair.
Come. Lady Hilda. You have the
letter. The matter may still be adjusted.
j have no desire to bring trouble TO
you. My duty ends when / have re-
turned the lost letter TO your husband.
Take my advice and be frank with me.
II is your only chance"
Her courage was admirable. Even
now she would not own defeat.
Il tell you again, Mr.. Holmes, that
you are under some absurd Illusion
Holmes rose from his chair,
Il am sorry for you, Lady Elilda. |
have done my best for YOU can see
that it is all in vain"
He rang the bell. The butler en-
tered
rs Mr.. Trelawney Hope at homer"
He will be home, sir, at a quarter TO
one"
Holmes glanced at his watch
Still a quarter of an hour" said he.
Every good, | shall wait"
The butler had hardly closed the door
behind him when Lady Hilda was down
on her knees at Holmes feet, her hands
outstretched, her beautiful face up
turned and wet with her tears.
ooh, spare me, Mr.. Holmes Spare
mep she pleaded, in frenzy Of suppli-
cation. For heavens sake, don't tell
himi love him so ] would not bring
one shadow on his life, and this know
would break his noble heart"
Holmes raised the lady. Il am thank
full, madam, that you have come to your
senses even at this last moment There
is not an instant TO lose. Where is the
letter I"
She darted across 70 A writing desk