The big constable, very hot and penitent, sidled room

"I meant no harm, sir, I'm sure The young woman came door last evening -- mistook the house, she did And then we got talking It's lonesome, 're on duty here all day "

"Well, what happened then ? "

"She wanted where the crime -- had read papers, she said She was very respectable, well-spoken young woman, sir, and no harm in letting her have peep When she saw that mark carpet, down she dropped floor, and lay she were dead I ran back and got some water, but bring her to Then I went round the corner Ivy Plant for some brandy, and I had brought it back the young woman had recovered and was off -- ashamed of herself, I dare say, and dared not face me "

"How about moving that drugget ? "

"Well, sir, bit rumpled, certainly, when back , she fell , and it lies on polished floor with nothing it in place I straightened it out afterwards "

"It's lesson that 't deceive me, Constable MacPherson," said Lestrade, with dignity " you thought that your breach of duty could never be discovered, and yet mere glance drugget was enough me that someone admitted room It's lucky , my man, that nothing is missing, or find yourself in Queer Street I'm sorry called you down over such petty business, Mr Holmes, but the point second stain not corresponding first would interest you "

"Certainly, most interesting woman only been here once, constable ? "

"Yes, sir, only once "

"Who was she ? "

"Don't know the name, sir Was answering an advertisement about type-writing, and came wrong number -- very pleasant, genteel young woman, sir "

"Tall ? Handsome ? "

"Yes, sir; she was well-grown young woman I suppose say she was handsome Perhaps some would say she was very handsome `Oh, officer, do let me have peep ! ' says she She had pretty, coaxing ways, say, and no harm in letting her just put her head door "

"How was she dressed ? "

"Quiet, sir -- long mantle down to her feet "

"What time ? "

" just growing dusk They were lighting the lamps as back brandy "

" ," said Holmes "Come, Watson, that more important work elsewhere "

left the house Lestrade remained front room, while the repentant constable opened the door to out Holmes turned step and held up something hand The constable stared intently

"Good Lord, sir ! " he cried, with amazement face Holmes put his finger lips, replaced his hand breast-pocket, and burst out laughing turned down the street "Excellent ! " said he "Come, friend Watson, the curtain rings up act relieved to hear that no war, Right Honourable Trelawney Hope will suffer no set-back brilliant career, indiscreet Sovereign will receive no punishment indiscretion, Prime Minister no European complication to deal with, with little tact and management upon our part nobody penny the worse for what very ugly incident "

My mind filled with admiration extraordinary man

" solved it ! " I cried

"Hardly that, Watson some points which are as dark as ever But our own fault get the rest go straight to Whitehall Terrace and bring the matter to head "

When we arrived residence European Secretary for Lady Hilda Trelawney Sherlock Holmes inquired We were shown morning-room

" Mr Holmes ! " said the lady, and her face was pink with her indignation, " surely most unfair and ungenerous upon your part I desired, as explained, my visit secret, lest my husband should think that intruding into his affairs And yet you compromise me by coming here and so showing business relations "

"Unfortunately, madam, I had no possible alternative commissioned to recover this immensely important paper therefore , madam, kind enough it in my hands "

The lady sprang to her feet, colour all dashed in an instant from her beautiful face Her eyes glazed -- she tottered -- that faint Then with grand effort she rallied shock, and supreme astonishment and indignation chased expression from her features

"You -- you insult me, Mr Holmes "

"Come, come, madam, useless Give up the letter "

She darted bell

"The butler shall show you out "

" ring, Lady Hilda , then all my earnest efforts to avoid scandal frustrated Give up the letter and all set right work with me arrange everything work against me expose you "

She stood grandly defiant, queenly figure, her eyes fixed upon his read his very soul Her hand was bell, but she had forborne to ring it

" trying to frighten me very manly thing, Mr Holmes, here and browbeat woman You say that something it that ? "

"Pray sit down, madam hurt yourself there fall speak until you sit down "

"I five minutes, Mr Holmes "

"One is enough, Lady Hilda of your visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him this document, of your ingenious return room last night, and manner took the letter hiding-place under the carpet "

She stared at him with an ashen face and gulped twice before speak

" mad, Mr Holmes -- mad ! " she cried, at last

He drew small piece of cardboard pocket It face of woman cut out of portrait

" carried this because it useful," said he "The policeman has recognised it "

She gave gasp and her head dropped back chair

"Come, Lady Hilda the letter The matter may still be adjusted no desire to bring trouble My duty ends when returned the lost letter to your husband Take my advice and be frank with me; your only chance "

Her courage was admirable Even now not own defeat

"I tell you again, Mr Holmes, that under some absurd illusion "

Holmes rose chair

" sorry , Lady Hilda my best ; all in vain "

He rang the bell The butler entered

"Is Mr Trelawney Hope at home ? "

" home, sir, at quarter to one "

Holmes glanced at his watch

"Still quarter of an hour," said he " , wait "

The butler had hardly closed the door behind him when Lady Hilda was down on her knees at Holmes's feet, her hands out-stretched, her beautiful face upturned and wet with her tears

"Oh, spare me, Mr Holmes ! Spare me ! " she pleaded, in frenzy of supplication "For Heaven's sake, don't tell him ! I love him so ! bring one shadow life, and this would break his noble heart "

Holmes raised the lady " thankful, madam, that come to your senses even last moment ! not an instant to lose Where letter ? "

She darted across to writing-desk, unlocked it, and drew out long blue envelope

"Here , Mr Holmes Would to Heaven I had never seen it ! "

"How can we return it ? " Holmes muttered "Quick, quick, think of some way ! Where despatch-box ? "

"Still bedroom "

"What stroke of luck ! Quick, madam, bring it here ! "

moment later she had appeared with red flat box in her hand