twenty past three when we reached our terminus, and after hasty luncheon buffet we pushed on at once to Scotland Yard Holmes had already wired to Forbes, and him waiting to receive us--a small, foxy man with sharp but by no means amiable expression decidedly frigid manner , especially when he heard the errand we had come

"I've heard of your methods before now, Mr Holmes," said he, tartly " ready enough to use all the information police can lay at your disposal, and then you try to finish the case yourself and bring discredit on them "

" contrary," said Holmes, "out last fifty-three cases my name has only appeared in four, police all the credit in forty-nine I don't blame you for not knowing this, are young and inexperienced, but on in your new duties work with me and not against me "

"I'd be of hint or two," said the detective, changing his manner "I've certainly had no credit case "

"What steps taken ? "

"Tangey, the commissionnaire, shadowed He left the Guards with good character and find nothing against him His wife is bad lot, though I fancy she knows more than appears "

" shadowed her ? "

" set women on to her Mrs Tangey drinks, woman with her twice when she was well on, but get nothing out of her "

"I understand that had brokers house ? "

"Yes, but they were paid off "

"Where did the money come from ? "

"That was all right His pension was due not shown any sign of being in funds "

"What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr Phelps rang coffee ? "

"She said that he husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him "

"Well, certainly agree being found little later asleep chair nothing against them then but the woman's character Did you ask her why she hurried away that night ? Her haste attracted the attention police constable "

"She was later than usual and wanted home "

"Did you point out to her that you and Mr Phelps, who started twenty minutes after he, got home before her ? "

"She explains that difference between 'bus and hansom "

"Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house, she ran back kitchen ? "

"Because she had the money there off the brokers "

"She has an answer for everything Did you ask her whether in leaving she met or saw loitering about Charles Street ? "

"She saw no one but the constable "

"Well, you seem cross-examined her pretty thoroughly What else done ? "

"The clerk Gorot shadowed all these nine weeks, but without result show nothing against him "

"Anything else ? "

"Well, nothing else upon--no evidence of any kind "

" formed theory about how that bell rang ? "

"Well, confess beats me cool hand, whoever , and give the alarm like that "

"Yes, queer thing Many thanks for what told me If put the man into your hands you shall hear from me Come along, Watson "

"Where are we going to now ? " I asked, left the office

" now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the cabinet minister and future premier of England "

We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst was still chambers in Downing Street, and on Holmes sending card we were instantly shown up The statesman received us old-fashioned courtesy remarkable, and seated us two luxuriant lounges on either side fireplace Standing run , slight, tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair prematurely tinged with grey, to represent that not to common type, nobleman in truth noble

"You name is very familiar , Mr Holmes," said he, smiling "And, , pretend ignorant object of your visit There has only been once occurrence offices which could call for your attention In whose interest acting, may I ask ? "

" of Mr Percy Phelps," answered Holmes

"Ah, my unfortunate nephew ! understand kinship makes it the more impossible to screen him in incident very prejudicial effect upon his career "

"But document if found ? "

"Ah, that, , different "

"I had questions which I wished to , Lord Holdhurst "

" happy any information in my power "

" room that your instructions copying document ? "

" "

"Then hardly overheard ? "

" "

"Did you ever mention to your intention the treaty copied ? "

"Never "

" certain ? "

"Absolutely "

"Well, since you never said so, and Mr Phelps never said so, and nobody else knew anything matter, then the thief's presence room was purely accidental his chance and it "

The statesman smiled "You take me out province there," said he

Holmes considered for moment " another point which to discuss ," said he "You feared, as I understand, that very grave results might follow details treaty becoming known "

shadow passed over the expressive face statesman "Very grave results indeed "

"Any have they occurred ? "

"Not yet "

" treaty had reached, , the French or Russian Foreign Office, expect to hear of it ? "

" ," said Lord Holdhurst, with wry face

"Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and nothing heard, unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty reached them "

Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders

" hardly suppose, Mr Holmes, thief took the treaty to frame it and hang it up "

"Perhaps waiting for better price "

"If he waits little longer get no price at all The treaty will cease secret "

" most important," said Holmes " , possible supposition thief has had sudden illness--"

"An attack of brain-fever, for example ? " asked the statesman, flashing swift glance at him

" so," said Holmes, imperturbably "And now, Lord Holdhurst, already taken up of your valuable time, and wish you good-day "

"Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may," answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out the door

"He's fine fellow," said Holmes, came out into Whitehall "But he has struggle up his position far from rich and has many calls You noticed, , that his boots resoled Now, Watson, I won't detain you from your legitimate work any longer do nothing more to-day, unless an answer to my cab advertisement But extremely obliged come down with me to Woking to-morrow, same train which we took yesterday "

I met him accordingly next morning and we travelled down to Woking together He had had no answer advertisement, , and no fresh light thrown case He had, when he so willed it, the utter immobility of countenance of red Indian, and gather appearance whether satisfied or not position case His conversation, I remember, was Bertillon system of measurements, and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration French savant