Holmes wrote name upon slip of paper and handed it Premier

"Exactly he And it letter -- this letter well mean the expenditure of thousand millions lives of hundred thousand men -- become lost unaccountable fashion "

" informed the sender ? "

"Yes, sir, cipher telegram despatched "

"Perhaps he desires the publication letter "

"No, sir, strong reason that he already understands that he has acted in an indiscreet and hot-headed manner It greater blow to him and country than letter were out "

" so, whose interest letter should come out ? Why should anyone desire to steal it or it ? "

"There, Mr Holmes, you take me into regions of high international politics But consider the European situation no difficulty in perceiving the motive The whole of Europe is an armed camp double league which makes fair balance of military power Great Britain holds the scales If Britain were driven into war with one confederacy, it would assure the supremacy other confederacy, whether they joined war or not follow ? "

"Very clearly then the interest enemies potentate to secure and publish this letter, so as breach between his country and ours ? "

"Yes, sir "

"And would this document be sent fell hands of an enemy ? "

"To any great Chancelleries of Europe probably speeding on its way thither present instant as fast as steam can take it "

Mr Trelawney Hope dropped his head chest and groaned aloud The Premier placed his hand kindly upon his shoulder

" your misfortune, my dear fellow No one can blame you no precaution which neglected Now, Mr Holmes, in full possession facts What course recommend ? "

Holmes shook his head mournfully

" , sir, that unless this document is recovered war ? "

" very probable "

"Then, sir, prepare for war "

" hard saying, Mr Holmes "

"Consider the facts, sir inconceivable taken after eleven-thirty at night, since I understand that Mr Hope wife were both room hour until the loss was found out taken, then, yesterday evening between seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the earlier hour, since whoever took it evidently knew there and would naturally secure it as early as possible Now, sir, if document importance were taken hour, where can it be now ? No one has any reason to retain it passed rapidly on it What chance have we now to overtake or even to trace it ? beyond our reach "

The Prime Minister rose settee

"What you say is perfectly logical, Mr Holmes matter is indeed out hands "

" presume, for argument's sake, document was taken maid or valet ----"

" both old and tried servants "

"I understand you that your room is second floor, no entrance from without, from within no one could go up unobserved It must, then, be somebody house who has taken it would the thief take it ? To one of several international spies and secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar three said the heads profession begin my research by going round and finding if each is at his post If one is missing -- especially if he has disappeared since last night -- some indication where the document has gone "

"Why should he be missing ? " asked the European Secretary " letter to an Embassy in London, as likely as not "

"I fancy not These agents work independently, and their relations Embassies are often strained "

The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence

"I believe right, Mr Holmes take so valuable prize to head-quarters own hands that your course of action is an excellent one Meanwhile, Hope, neglect all our other duties on account of misfortune Should there be any fresh developments during the day communicate , and the results of your own inquiries "

The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely room

When our illustrious visitors had departed Holmes lit his pipe in silence, and sat for lost deepest thought I had opened the morning paper and was immersed in sensational crime which had occurred in London the night before, when my friend gave an exclamation, sprang feet, and laid his pipe down mantelpiece

"Yes," said he, " no better way of approaching it The situation is desperate, but not hopeless Even now, which has taken it, just possible passed out hands After all, question of money fellows, and the British Treasury behind me 's market I'll buy it -- means another penny income-tax conceivable fellow might hold it back what bids come side before he tries his luck other only those three capable of playing so bold game; Oberstein, La Rothiere, and Eduardo Lucas each "

I glanced at my morning paper

" Eduardo Lucas of Godolphin Street ? "

"Yes "

" see him "

" ? "

" murdered house last night "

My friend has so often astonished me course adventures with sense of exultation that I realised how completely I had astonished him He stared in amazement, and then snatched the paper from my hands the paragraph which I engaged in reading when he rose chair:--

"Murder In Westminster

"A crime of mysterious character was committed last night at 16, Godolphin Street, old-fashioned and secluded rows of eighteenth-century houses which lie river Abbey, almost shadow great Tower Houses of Parliament This small but select mansion inhabited Eduardo Lucas, well known in society circles both on account charming personality and because he well-deserved reputation of being amateur tenors country Mr Lucas is an unmarried man, thirty-four , establishment consists of Mrs Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, and of Mitton, his valet The former retires early and sleeps top house The valet was out evening, visiting friend at Hammersmith From ten o'clock onwards Mr Lucas had the house to himself What occurred during transpired, but at quarter to twelve Police-constable Barrett, passing along Godolphin Street, observed door of No 16 was ajar He knocked, but received no answer Perceiving light front room he advanced passage and again knocked, but without reply He then pushed open the door and entered The room was in state of wild disorder, the furniture being all swept to one side, and one chair lying on its back centre Beside this chair, and still grasping one legs, lay the unfortunate tenant house He stabbed heart and died instantly The knife the crime committed was curved Indian dagger, plucked down from trophy of Oriental arms which adorned walls Robbery appear the motive crime, for there no attempt to remove the valuable contents room Mr Eduardo Lucas was known and popular that his violent and mysterious fate will arouse painful interest and intense sympathy in wide-spread circle of friends "

"Well, Watson, what make ? " asked Holmes, after long pause

" an amazing coincidence "

"A coincidence ! three men whom we had named as possible actors drama, and he meets violent death during the very hours when that that drama was being enacted The odds are enormous against its being coincidence No figures could express them No, my dear Watson, the two events are connected -- connected the connection "

"But now the official police must know all "