Mrs Hudson had appeared with lady's card upon her salver Holmes glanced at it, raised his eyebrows, and handed it over

"Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if she kind enough to step up," said he

moment later our modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honoured entrance most lovely woman in London I had often heard beauty youngest daughter Duke of Belminster, but no description of it, and no contemplation of colourless photographs, had prepared me subtle, delicate charm beautiful colouring exquisite head And yet saw it that autumn morning, not its beauty which the first thing to impress the observer The cheek was lovely, but paled with emotion; the eyes were bright, but it brightness of fever; the sensitive mouth was tight and drawn in an effort after self-command Terror -- not beauty -- was what sprang first eye as our fair visitor stood framed for an instant open door

"Has my husband been here, Mr Holmes ? "

"Yes, madam, he here "

" Mr Holmes, I implore you not him that here " Holmes bowed coldly, and motioned the lady to chair

"Your ladyship places me in very delicate position I beg that sit down and tell me what ; but that make any unconditional promise "

She swept across the room and seated herself with her back window queenly presence -- tall, graceful, and intensely womanly

" Mr Holmes," she said, and her white-gloved hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke -- " speak frankly it may induce you frankly in return complete confidence between my husband and me on all matters save one That one is politics his lips are sealed He tells me nothing Now, aware that most deplorable occurrence house last night that paper has disappeared But because the matter is political my husband refuses me into his complete confidence Now essential -- essential, -- that thoroughly understand it the only other person, save only these politicians, who knows the true facts I beg you, then, Mr Holmes, me exactly what has happened and what lead to Tell me all, Mr Holmes Let no regard for your client's interests keep you silent, for I assure you that his interests, if only see it, best served by taking me into his complete confidence What paper stolen ? "

"Madam, what you ask me is really impossible "

She groaned and sank her face in her hands

" see so, madam If your husband thinks fit you dark over , , who has only learned the true facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, what he has withheld ? fair to ask it him whom ask "

" asked him I come as last resource But without your telling me anything definite, Mr Holmes, do great service enlighten me on one point "

" it, madam ? "

"Is my husband's political career likely to suffer incident ? "

"Well, madam, unless set right it may certainly have very unfortunate effect "

"Ah ! " She drew in her breath sharply as one whose doubts are resolved

"One more question, Mr Holmes From an expression which my husband dropped first shock disaster I understood that terrible public consequences might arise loss document "

"If so, I certainly cannot deny it "

"Of what nature are they ? "

"Nay, madam, there again you ask me more than possibly answer "

"Then take up no more of your time blame you, Mr Holmes, for having refused more freely, and you side will not, , think the worse of me because , even against his will, to share my husband's anxieties Once more I beg that say nothing visit " She looked back at us door, and I had last impression beautiful haunted face, the startled eyes, drawn mouth Then she was gone

"Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department," said Holmes, with smile, dwindling frou-frou of skirts had ended slam front door " the fair lady's game ? What did she really want ? "

"Surely her own statement is clear and her anxiety very natural "

"Hum ! Think of her appearance, Watson -- her manner, her suppressed excitement, her restlessness, her tenacity in asking questions Remember that she comes of caste lightly show emotion "

"She was certainly much moved "

"Remember also the curious earnestness she assured us best for her husband that she should know all What did she mean ? And observed, Watson, how she manoeuvred the light at her back She wish us to read her expression "

"Yes; she chose the one chair room "

"And yet the motives of women are so inscrutable You remember the woman at Margate whom I suspected same reason No powder on her nose -- that proved the correct solution How build quicksand ? Their most trivial action may mean volumes, or their most extraordinary conduct may depend upon hairpin or curling-tongs Good morning, Watson "

" off ? "

"Yes; wile away the morning at Godolphin Street friends regular establishment With Eduardo Lucas lies the solution problem, though admit that an inkling what form it may take capital mistake to theorise in advance facts stay on guard, my good Watson, and receive any fresh visitors I'll join you at lunch if able "

All that day next next Holmes was in mood which his friends would call taciturn, and others morose He ran out and ran in, smoked incessantly, played snatches violin, sank into reveries, devoured sandwiches at irregular hours, and hardly answered the casual questions which I put to him evident that things going well or his quest say nothing case, and papers that I learned the particulars inquest, arrest subsequent release of John Mitton, the valet deceased The coroner's jury brought obvious "Wilful Murder," but the parties remained as unknown as ever No motive was suggested The room was full of articles of value, but none taken The dead man's papers tampered with They were carefully examined, and showed that keen student of international politics, an indefatigable gossip, remarkable linguist, and an untiring letter-writer He on intimate terms leading politicians of several countries But nothing sensational was discovered documents which filled his drawers As relations with women, they appeared promiscuous but superficial He had many acquaintances among them, but few friends, and no one whom he loved His habits were regular, his conduct inoffensive His death was an absolute mystery, and likely to remain so

arrest of John Mitton, the valet, counsel of despair as an alternative to absolute inaction But no case sustained against him He had visited friends in Hammersmith that night The ALIBI was complete true that he started home at an hour which brought him to Westminster time crime was discovered, but his own explanation that he had walked part way seemed probable enough in view fineness night He had actually arrived at twelve o'clock, and appeared overwhelmed unexpected tragedy He had always been on good terms master Several dead man's possessions -- notably small case of razors -- found valet's boxes, but he explained presents deceased, housekeeper was able to corroborate the story Mitton in Lucas's employment for three years noticeable that Lucas take Mitton Continent Sometimes he visited Paris for three months on end, but Mitton was left in charge Godolphin Street house housekeeper, she had heard nothing night crime If her master had visitor he had himself admitted him

So for three mornings the mystery remained, as follow it papers If Holmes knew more he kept his own counsel, but, as me that Inspector Lestrade had taken him into his confidence case, that in close touch with every development fourth day there appeared long telegram from Paris which seemed to solve the whole question