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
โIt was the next morning that I realized that I had only exchanged one trouble for another. My husband's anguish at the loss of his paper went to my heart. I could hardly prevent myself from there and then kneeling down at his feet and telling him what I had done. But that again would mean a confession of the past. I came to you that morning in order to understand the full enormity of my offence. From the instant that I grasped it my whole mind was turned to the one thought of getting back my husband's paper. It must still be where Lucas had placed it, for it was concealed before this dreadful woman entered the room. If it had not been for her coming, I should not have known where his hiding-place was. How was I to get into the room? For two days I watched the place, but the door was never left open. Last night I made a last attempt. What I did and how I succeeded, you have already learned. I brought the paper back with me, and thought of destroying it since I could see no way of returning it, without confessing my guilt to my husband. Heavens, I hear his step upon the stair!โ
The European Secretary burst excitedly into the room.
โAny news, Mr. Holmes, any news?โ he cried.
โI have some hopes.โ
โAh, thank heaven!โ His face became radiant. โThe Prime Minister is lunching with me. May he share your hopes? He has nerves of steel, and yet I know that he has hardly slept since this terrible event. Jacobs, will you ask the Prime Minister to come up? As to you, dear, I fear that this is a matter of politics. We will join you in a few minutes in the dining-room.โ
The Prime Minister's manner was subdued, but I could see by the gleam of his eyes and the twitchings of his bony hands that he shared the excitement of his young colleague.
โI understand that you have something to report, Mr. Holmes?โ
โPurely negative as yet,โ my friend answered. โI have inquired at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended.โ
โBut that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We cannot live for ever on such a volcano. We must have something definite.โ
โI am in hopes of getting it. That is why I am here. The more I think of the matter the more convinced I am that the letter has never left this house.โ
โMr. Holmes!โ
โIf it had it would certainly have been public by now.โ
โBut why should anyone take it in order to keep it in his house?โ
โI am not convinced that anyone did take it.โ
โThen how could it leave the despatch-box?โ
โI am not convinced that it ever did leave the despatch-box.โ
โMr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed. You have my assurance that it left the box.โ
โHave you examined the box since Tuesday morning?โ
โNo; it was not necessary.โ
โYou may conceivably have overlooked it.โ
โImpossible, I say.โ
โBut I am not convinced of it; I have known such things to happen. I presume there are other papers there. Well, it may have got mixed with them.โ
โIt was on the top.โ
โSomeone may have shaken the box and displaced it.โ
โNo, no; I had everything out.โ
โSurely it is easily decided, Hope,โ said the Premier. โLet us have the despatch-box brought in.โ
The Secretary rang the bell.
โJacobs, bring down my despatch-box. This is a farcical waste of time, but still, if nothing else will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Jacobs; put it here. I have always had the key on my watch-chain. Here are the papers, you see. Letter from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy, memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo-German grain taxes, letter from Madrid, note from Lord Flowersโgood heavens! what is this? Lord Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!โ
The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand.
โYes, it is itโand the letter is intact. Hope, I congratulate you.โ
โThank you! Thank you! What a weight from my heart. But this is inconceivableโimpossible. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How did you know it was there?โ
โBecause I knew it was nowhere else.โ
โI cannot believe my eyes!โ He ran wildly to the door. โWhere is my wife? I must tell her that all is well. Hilda! Hilda!โ we heard his voice on the stairs.
The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes.
โCome, sir,โ said he. โThere is more in this than meets the eye. How came the letter back in the box?โ
Holmes turned away smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.
โWe also have our diplomatic secrets,โ said he, and picking up his hat he turned to the door.
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