The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (booksvooks txt) ๐
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- Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Read book online ยซThe Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (booksvooks txt) ๐ยป. Author - Arthur Conan Doyle
โWhen I discovered my loss, Mr. Holmes, which was at eight o'clock this morning, I at once informed the Prime Minister. It was at his suggestion that we have both come to you.โ
โHave you informed the police?โ
โNo, sir,โ said the Prime Minister, with the quick, decisive manner for which he was famous. โWe have not done so, nor is it possible that we should do so. To inform the police must, in the long run, mean to inform the public. This is what we particularly desire to avoid.โ
โAnd why, sir?โ
โBecause the document in question is of such immense importance that its publication might very easilyโI might almost say probablyโlead to European complications of the utmost moment. It is not too much to say that peace or war may hang upon the issue. Unless its recovery can be attended with the utmost secrecy, then it may as well not be recovered at all, for all that is aimed at by those who have taken it is that its contents should be generally known.โ
โI understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared.โ
โThat can be done in a very few words, Mr. Holmes. The letterโfor it was a letter from a foreign potentateโwas received six days ago. It was of such importance that I have never left it in my safe, but I have taken it across each evening to my house in Whitehall Terrace, and kept it in my bedroom in a locked despatch-box. It was there last night. Of that I am certain. I actually opened the box while I was dressing for dinner, and saw the document inside. This morning it was gone. The despatch-box had stood beside the glass upon my dressing-table all night. I am a light sleeper, and so is my wife. We are both prepared to swear that no one could have entered the room during the night. And yet I repeat that the paper is gone.โ
โWhat time did you dine?โ
โHalf-past seven.โ
โHow long was it before you went to bed?โ
โMy wife had gone to the theatre. I waited up for her. It was half-past eleven before we went to our room.โ
โThen for four hours the despatch-box had lain unguarded?โ
โNo one is ever permitted to enter that room save the housemaid in the morning, and my valet, or my wife's maid, during the rest of the day. They are both trusty servants who have been with us for some time. Besides, neither of them could possibly have known that there was anything more valuable than the ordinary departmental papers in my despatch-box.โ
โWho did know of the existence of that letter?โ
โNo one in the house.โ
โSurely your wife knew?โ
โNo, sir; I had said nothing to my wife until I missed the paper this morning.โ
The Premier nodded approvingly.
โI have long known, sir, how high is your sense of public duty,โ said he. โI am convinced that in the case of a secret of this importance it would rise superior to the most intimate domestic ties.โ
The European Secretary bowed.
โYou do me no more than justice, sir. Until this morning I have never breathed one word to my wife upon this matter.โ
โCould she have guessed?โ
โNo, Mr. Holmes, she could not have guessedโnor could anyone have guessed.โ
โHave you lost any documents before?โ
โNo, sir.โ
โWho is there in England who did know of the existence of this letter?โ
โEach member of the Cabinet was informed of it yesterday; but the pledge of secrecy which attends every Cabinet meeting was increased by the solemn warning which was given by the Prime Minister. Good heavens, to think that within a few hours I should myself have lost it!โ His handsome face was distorted with a spasm of despair, and his hands tore at his hair. For a moment we caught a glimpse of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensitive. The next the aristocratic mask was replaced, and the gentle voice had returned. โBesides the members of the Cabinet there are two, or possibly three, departmental officials who know of the letter. No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, I assure you.โ
โBut abroad?โ
โI believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his Ministersโthat the usual official channels have not been employed.โ
Holmes considered for some little time.
โNow, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is, and why its disappearance should have such momentous consequences?โ
The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance and the Premier's shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown.
โMr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one of pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax stamped with a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold handwriting toโโ
โI fear, sir,โ said Holmes, โthat, interesting and indeed essential as these details are, my inquiries must go more to the root of things. What WAS the letter?โ
โThat is a State secret of the utmost importance, and I fear that I cannot tell you, nor do I see that it is necessary. If by the aid of the powers which you are said to possess you can find such an envelope as I describe with its enclosure, you will have deserved well of your country, and earned any reward which it lies in our power to bestow.โ
Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
โYou are two of the most busy men in the country,โ said he, โand in my own small way I have also a good many calls upon me. I regret exceedingly that I cannot help you in this matter, and any continuation of this interview would be a waste of time.โ
The Premier sprang to his feet with that quick, fierce gleam of his deep-set eyes before which a Cabinet has cowered. โI am not accustomed, sirโโโ he began, but mastered his anger and resumed his seat. For a minute or more we all sat in silence. Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders.
โWe must accept your terms, Mr. Holmes. No doubt you are right, and it is unreasonable for us to expect you to act unless we give you our entire confidence.โ
โI agree with you, sir,โ said the younger statesman.
โThen I will tell you, relying entirely upon your honour and that of your colleague, Dr. Watson. I may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not imagine a greater misfortune for the country than that
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