The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Part 18 (1/2)
”Yes, it was queer thing to do Many thanks to you for what you have told me If I can put the , Watson”
”Where are we going to now?” I asked, as we left the office
”We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the cabinet land”
We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst was still in his cha in his card ere instantly shown up The statesman received us with that old-fashi+oned courtesy for which he is rees on either side of the fireplace Standing on the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair preray, he seemed to represent that not too common type, a nobleman who is in truth noble
”Your na ”And, of course, I cannot pretend to be ignorant of the object of your visit There has only been one occurrence in these offices which could call for your attention In whose interest are you acting, may I ask?”
”In that of Mr Percy Phelps,” answered Holmes
”Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can understand that our kinshi+p makes it the more impossible for me to screen him in any way I fear that the incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career”
”But if the document is found?”
”Ah, that, of course, would be different”
”I had one or two questions which I wished to ask you, Lord Holdhurst”
”I shall be happy to give you any inforave your instructions as to the copying of the document?”
”It was”
”Then you could hardly have been overheard?”
”It is out of the question”
”Did you ever ive any one the treaty to be copied?”
”Never”
”You are certain of that?”
”Absolutely”
”Well, since you never said so, and Mr Phelps never said so, and nobody else knew anything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental He saw his chance and he took it”
The statesman smiled ”You take me out of my province there,” said he
Holmes considered for a moment ”There is another very important point which I wish to discuss with you,” said he ”You feared, as I understand, that very grave resultsknown”
A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesrave results indeed”
”Any have they occurred?”
”Not yet”
”If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear of it?”
”I should,” said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face
”Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and nothing has been heard, it is not unfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached theed his shoulders
”We can hardly suppose, Mr Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in order to fra for a better price”
”If he waits a little longer he will get no price at all The treaty will cease to be secret in a few months”
”That is most important,” said Holmes ”Of course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness--”
”An attack of brain-fever, for exalance at him
”I did not say so,” said Holmes, imperturbably ”And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken up too ood-day”
”Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may,” answered the nobleman, as he bowed us out the door
”He's a fine fellow,” said Holle to keep up his position He is far from rich and has many calls You noticed, of course, that his boots had been resoled Now, Watson, I won't detain you fro more to-day, unless I have an answer to ed to you if you would co to-morrow, by the saly next ether He had had no answer to his advertiseht had been thrown upon the case He had, when he so willed it, the utter iather from his appearance whether he was satisfied or not with the position of the case His conversation, I remember, was about the Bertillon system of measurements, and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the French savant
We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better than before He rose froreeted us without difficulty e entered
”Any news?” he asked, eagerly
”My report, as I expected, is a negative one,” said Holmes ”I have seen Forbes, and I have seen your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot which ”
”You have not lost heart, then?”
”By nothat!” cried Miss Harrison ”If we keep our courage and our patience the truth must come out”
”We havehi”
”Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which rew very grave as he spoke, and a look of so up in his eyes ”Do you know,” said he, ”that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is aimed at as well as my honor?”