"What , Holmes ? " I had read the account aloud to him, while he finished his breakfast

"My dear Watson," said he, as he rose table and paced up and down the room, " most long-suffering, but if told you nothing last three days because nothing Even now this report from Paris much "

"Surely final as regards the man's death "

"The man's death is mere incident -- trivial episode -- in comparison real task, to trace this document and save European catastrophe important thing has happened last three days, nothing has happened I get reports almost hourly Government, and certain that nowhere in Europe any sign of trouble Now, letter were loose -- no, it CAN'T be loose -- but isn't loose, where can it be ? Who has it ? Why held back ? That's the question that beats in my brain like hammer , indeed, coincidence that Lucas should meet his death night letter disappeared ? Did the letter ever reach him ? , why not among his papers ? Did this mad wife carry it off with her ? , in her house in Paris ? How could I search without the French police having their suspicions aroused ? case, my dear Watson, where the law is as dangerous criminals are Every man's hand is against us, and yet the interests at stake are colossal Should I bring it to successful conclusion certainly represent the crowning glory career Ah, my latest front ! " He glanced hurriedly note which handed in "Halloa ! Lestrade seems observed something of interest Put hat, Watson, and stroll down together to Westminster "

my first visit scene crime -- high, dingy, narrow-chested house, prim, formal, and solid, like the century which gave it birth Lestrade's bulldog features gazed out at us front window, and he greeted us warmly when big constable had opened the door in The room into which we were shown crime committed, but no trace of it now remained, save an ugly, irregular stain carpet This carpet was small square drugget centre room, surrounded by broad expanse of beautiful, old-fashioned wood-flooring in square blocks highly polished Over the fireplace was magnificent trophy of weapons, one used tragic night window was sumptuous writing-desk, and every detail apartment, the pictures, the rugs, hangings, all pointed to taste luxurious verge of effeminacy

"Seen the Paris news ? " asked Lestrade

Holmes nodded

"Our French friends seem touched the spot it's just say She knocked door -- surprise visit, I guess, for he kept his life in water-tight compartments He let her in -- couldn't keep her street She told him how she had traced him, reproached him, led to another, and then dagger so handy the end soon came It wasn't all done in an instant, though, chairs were all swept over yonder, and he had one hand he had tried to hold her off with it We've got it all clear we had seen it "

Holmes raised his eyebrows

"And yet sent ? "

"Ah, yes, that's another matter -- mere trifle, but the sort of thing you take an interest in -- queer, , and what call freakish It has nothing main fact -- can't have, face of it "

" it, then ? "

"Well, , after crime sort very careful things in their position Nothing moved Officer in charge here day and night , man was buried investigation over -- room is concerned -- we thought tidy up bit This carpet , fastened down; only just laid there We had occasion to raise it ----"

"Yes ? You found ----"

Holmes's face grew tense with anxiety

"Well, I'm sure never guess in hundred years what find that stain carpet ? Well, great deal soaked through, must it not ? "

"Undoubtedly it must "

"Well, surprised to hear no stain white woodwork to correspond "

"No stain ! But there must ----"

"Yes; so say But the fact remains that there isn't "

the corner carpet hand and, turning it over, he showed indeed as

"But the underside is as stained upper It left mark "

Lestrade chuckled with delight at having puzzled the famous expert

"Now I'll show you the explanation second stain, but it correspond other See " As he spoke he turned over another portion carpet, and there, sure enough, was great crimson spill square white facing old-fashioned floor "What make , Mr Holmes ? "

"Why, simple enough The two stains did correspond, but the carpet turned round As square and unfastened easily done "

The official police don't need you, Mr Holmes, them carpet must turned round That's clear enough, stains lie above -- lay it over But what is, who shifted the carpet, and why ? "

I from Holmes's rigid face that vibrating with inward excitement

"Look here, Lestrade," said he, " constable passage been in charge place all the time ? "

"Yes, he has "

"Well, take my advice Examine him carefully Don't We'll wait here You take him back room You'll be more likely confession out of him alone Ask him how he dared to admit people and leave them alone room Don't ask him if he it Take it for granted Tell him someone here Press him Tell him that full confession is his only chance of forgiveness Do exactly what I tell you ! "

"By George, if I'll have it out of him ! " cried Lestrade He darted hall, and later his bullying voice sounded back room

"Now, Watson, now ! " cried Holmes, with frenzied eagerness All the demonical force man masked behind that listless manner burst out in paroxysm of energy He tore the drugget floor, and in an instant was down hands and knees clawing at each squares of wood beneath it One turned sideways as he dug his nails edge of it It hinged back like the lid of box small black cavity opened beneath it Holmes plunged his eager hand , and drew it out with bitter snarl of anger and disappointment empty

"Quick, Watson, quick ! Get it back again ! " The wooden lid was replaced, drugget had only just been drawn straight when Lestrade's voice was heard passage Holmes leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, resigned and patient, endeavouring to conceal his irrepressible yawns