我原來打算發表《格蘭其莊園》之後，不再寫我的朋友歇洛剋·福爾摩斯先生的輝煌事
　　 跡了。這並不是因為缺少素材，還有幾百個案例沒有使用過；也不是因為讀者對於這位卓越
　　 人物的優秀品格和獨特方法失掉了興趣。真正的原因是福爾摩斯先生不願意再繼續發表他的
　　 經歷。其實，記錄他的事跡對他的偵緝工作是有好處的，但是他一定要離開倫敦，到蘇塞剋
　　 斯丘陵地帶去研究學問和養蜂，所以很不喜歡繼續發表他的經歷，而且再三叮嚀要我尊重他
　　 的意願。我對他說，我已經嚮讀者表明，《第二塊血跡》發表之後，即將結束我的故事，而
　　 且用這樣一個重要的國際性案件做為全書的結尾，是最恰當不過了。所以，最後我得到他的
　　 同意，小心謹慎地給公衆講一講這個事件。講述這個故事的時候，有些細節可能顯得不很清
　　 楚，請公衆諒解我不能不有所保留的苦衷。
　　 某一年秋天，年代不能講明，請讀者原諒，一個星期二的上午，有兩位馳名歐洲的客人
　　 來到我們貝剋街的簡陋住所。一位是著名的倍棱格勳爵，他曾兩度擔任英國首相。他的鼻梁
　　 高高聳起，兩目炯炯發光，相貌顯得十分威嚴。另一位膚色黝黑，面目清秀，舉止文雅，雖
　　 然不到中年，可是看樣子閱歷很廣。他就是崔洛尼·候普——負責歐洲事務的大臣，英國最
　　 有前途的傢。他們二人並肩坐在堆滿文件的長沙發椅上，從他們憂慮而焦急的神色可以
　　 看出，他們到這裏來，一定是有要事相求。首相那青筋凸起的雙手緊緊握着一把雨傘的象牙
　　 柄，他看看我又看看福爾摩斯，憔悴、冷漠的臉上現出無限的憂愁。那位歐洲事務大臣也心
　　 神不安地時而捻捻鬍須，時而又摸摸表鏈墜。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，今天上午八點鐘我發現有重要文件遺失，趕忙告訴了首相。遵從首相
　　 的意見，我們立即來找你。”
　　 “您通知了嗎？”
　　 首相說起話來迅速而又果斷——衆所周知，他總是這樣講話的：“沒有，我們不能這樣
　　 做。通知就意味着把文件公之於衆，這正是我們所不希望的。”
　　 “先生，這是為什麽呢？”
　　 “因為這個文件非常重要，一旦公之於衆很容易、或者說很可能會引起歐洲形勢復雜
　　 化。甚至說戰爭與和平的問題完全取决於此都不過分。追回文件一事，必須絶對保密，否則
　　 也就毫無必要，因為盜竊文件的目的正是為了公佈文件的內容。”
　　 “我明白了。崔洛尼·候普先生，請您準確地敘述一下文件是在什麽情況下丟失的。”
　　 “好，福爾摩斯先生，幾句話便可以說清楚。我們六天以前收到一封信，是一位外國君
　　 主寄來的。這封信事關重大，因此我不敢放在保險櫃裏，而是每天帶到白廳住宅街我的傢
　　 中，鎖在臥室的文件箱裏。昨天晚上還在那兒，這是千真萬確的。我換衣服吃晚飯的時候，
　　 打開箱子，看見文件還在裏面。今天上午就不見了。文件箱一整夜全放在我臥室梳妝臺鏡子
　　 旁邊。我和我的妻子睡覺都很輕。我們二人都敢肯定夜裏沒有人進到屋裏，可是文件卻不見
　　 了。”
　　 “您什麽時候吃的晚飯？”
　　 “七點半。”
　　 “您睡覺前做了哪些事？”
　　 “我的妻子出去看戲了。我一直坐在外屋等她。到十一點半我們纔進臥室睡覺。”
　　 “也就是說，文件箱放在那兒有四小時沒人看守。”
　　 “除了我自己的僕人和我妻子的女僕早晨可以進屋以外，其他任何時間絶不允許任何人
　　 走進屋內。這兩個僕人是可靠的，在我們這裏工作已經相當久了。此外，他們二人誰也不可
　　 能知道在我的文件箱裏放着比一般公文更重要的東西。”
　　 “誰知道有這封信呢？”
　　 “傢裏沒有一個人知道。”
　　 “您的妻子一定知道了？”
　　 “不，先生。直到今天上午丟了這封信我纔對她說。”
　　 首相贊許地點了點頭。
　　 他說：“先生，我早就知道您的責任感是很強的。我深信這樣一封重要信件的保密問題
　　 會重於家庭中的個人情感。”
　　 這位歐洲事務大臣點了點頭。
　　 “蒙您過奬。今天早晨以前我和我的妻子一個字都沒有提到過這封信。”
　　 “她會猜出來嗎？”
　　 “不，她不會，誰也不會猜出來的。”
　　 “您以前丟過文件嗎？”
　　 “沒有，先生。”
　　 “在英國還有誰知道有這樣一封信呢？”
　　 “昨天通知了各位內閣大臣有這樣一封信，每天內閣會議都強調保密，特別在昨天的會
　　 上首相鄭重地提醒了大傢。天啊，過了幾個小時我自己便丟失了這封信！"他用手揪住自己
　　 的頭髮，神情極為懊喪，就連他那英俊的面容也變得十分難看。我們猛然看出他是個為人熱
　　 忱、感情容易衝動、而且非常敏感的人。隨後他的臉上又恢復了那種高貴的神情，語氣也溫
　　 和起來了。
　　 “除了內閣大臣之外，還有兩名、也可能是三名官員知道這封信。福爾摩斯先生，我可
　　 以保證在英國再沒有別人知道此事了。”
　　 “可是國外呢？”
　　 “我相信除了寫信人以外，國外不會有人看見過這封信。我深信寫信人沒有通過他的大
　　 臣們，這件事不是按照通常的官方渠道辦的。”
　　 福爾摩斯考慮了一會兒。
　　 “先生，我不得不問一下，這封信的中心內容是什麽，為什麽丟失這封信會造成這樣重
　　 大的後果？”
　　 這兩位傢迅速地交換了一下眼色，首相濃眉緊皺。他說：“信封又薄又長，顔色是
　　 淡藍的。信封上面有紅色火漆，漆上蓋有蹲伏的獅子的印記。收信人的姓名寫得大而醒
　　 目……”
　　 福爾摩斯說：“您說的這些情況很重要，值得重視，可是為了調查，我總要追本溯源。
　　 信的內容是什麽？”
　　 “那是最重要的，我不好告訴你，並且我以為這也不必要。如果你能施展你的
　　 能力找到我所說的信封和信，你會受到國傢的奬賞，我們將會給你我們權限所允許的最大報
　　 酬。”
　　 歇洛剋·福爾摩斯面帶微笑，站了起來。
　　 他說：“你們二位是英國最忙的人，可是我這個小小的偵探也很忙，有很多人來訪。我
　　 非常遺憾在這件事情上，我不能幫助你們，繼續談下去是浪費時間的。”
　　 首相立即站了起來，兩衹深陷的眼睛裏射出兇光，一種使全體內閣大臣都望而生畏的目
　　 光。他說：“對我這樣說話……"可是，他忽然壓製住自己的滿腔怒火，又重新坐了下來。
　　 有一兩分鐘，我們都靜坐着，沒有人講話。這位年邁的傢聳了聳肩，說道：“福爾摩斯
　　 先生，我們可以接受你的條件。你是對的，衹有完全信任你，你才能采取行動。”
　　 那位年輕的傢說：“我同意您的意見。”
　　 “我相信你和你的同事華生大夫的聲譽，所以我將要把全部事情告訴你們。我也相信你
　　 們有強烈的愛國心，因為這件事一旦暴露出來，便會給我們國傢帶來不可想象的災難。”
　　 “您可以放心地信任我。”
　　 “一位外國君主，對於我國殖民地發展很快感到憤慨而寫了這封信。信是匆匆忙忙寫成
　　 的，並且完全出於他個人的意見。調查說明他的大臣們並不知道這件事。同時，這封信寫得
　　 也很不合體統，其中有些詞句，還帶着挑釁性質，發表這封信將會激怒英國人。這會引起軒
　　 然大波，我敢說這封信如果發表，一星期之後將會引起戰爭。”
　　 福爾摩斯在一張紙條上寫了一個名字，交給了首相。
　　 “是的，正是他，這封信不知怎麽丟失了，它可能引起幾億英鎊的損耗和幾十萬人的犧
　　 牲。”
　　 “您通知寫這封信的人沒有？”
　　 “通知了，先生，剛纔發了密碼電報。”
　　 “或許寫信的人希望發表這封信。”
　　 “不，我們有理由認為寫信的人已經感到這樣做太不慎重，並且過於急躁了。如果這封
　　 信公之於衆，對他自己國傢的打擊要比對英國的打擊還沉重。”
　　 “如果是這樣的話，公佈這封信符合哪些人的利益呢？為什麽有人要盜竊並且公佈這封
　　 信呢？”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，這就牽涉到緊張的國際關係了。如果你考慮一下目前歐洲的政
　　 局，就不難看出這封信的動機。整個歐洲大陸是個武裝起來的營壘，有兩個勢均力敵的軍事
　　 聯盟，大不列顛保持中立，維持着它們之間的平衡。如果英國和某個聯盟交戰，必然會
　　 使另一聯盟的各國占優勢，不管它們參戰與否。你明白了嗎？”
　　 “您講得很清楚。也就是說，是這位君主的敵人想要得到並且發表這封信，以便使發信
　　 人的國傢和我們的國傢關係破裂。”
　　 “是的。”
　　 “如果這封信落到某個敵人的手中，他要把這封信交給誰呢？”
　　 “交給歐洲任何一個國傢的一位大臣。也許目前持信的人，正乘火車急速前往目的
　　 地。”
　　 崔洛尼·候普先生低下頭去，並且大聲了一下。首相把手放在他肩上安慰他說：
　　 “親愛的朋友，你很不幸，誰也不能責怪你。你沒有疏忽大意。福爾摩斯先生，事情你全了
　　 解了，你認為該怎麽辦呢？”
　　 福爾摩斯無可奈何地搖了搖頭。
　　 “先生們，你們認為找不到這封信，便會發生戰爭嗎？”
　　 “我認為這是有可能的。”
　　 “那麽，先生們，請準備打仗吧。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，可是，很難說信一定找不回來了。”
　　 “請考慮一下這些情況，可以想象，夜裏十一點半以前，文件已經拿走了，因為候普先
　　 生和他的妻子從那時期直到發現信件丟失為止，這段時間全在屋內。那麽信件是在昨天晚上
　　 七點半到十一點半之間被盜走的，很可能是七點半過一點的時候，因為偷信的人知道信在文
　　 件箱內，一定想盡早拿到手。既然如此，那麽現在信在哪兒呢？誰也沒有理由扣壓這封信。
　　 信很快便會傳到需要這封信的人手中。我們還有什麽機會找到信，或是弄清信在哪兒？所以
　　 信是無法弄到了。”
　　 首相從長沙發椅上站了起來。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，你說的完全合乎邏輯，我感到我們確實是無能為力了。”
　　 “為了研究這件事，我們假設信是女僕或是男僕拿走的……”
　　 “他們都是老傭人，並且經受過考驗。”
　　 “我記得您說過，您的臥室是在二樓，並且沒有門直接通到樓外，有外人從樓外去那兒
　　 不會不被人看見。所以一定是您傢裏的人拿走的。那麽這個小偷把信件交給誰了呢？交給了
　　 一個國際間諜，或是國際特務，這些人我是熟悉的。有三個人可以說是他們的領頭人，我首
　　 先要一個一個地調查，看看他們是否還在。如果有一個人失蹤了，尤其是從昨天晚上不見
　　 了，那麽，我們便可以得到一點啓發，知道文件到哪兒去了。”
　　 歐洲事務大臣問：“他為什麽一定要出走呢？他完全可以把信送到各國駐倫敦的大使
　　 館。”
　　 “我想不會的。這些特務是獨立地進行工作，他們和大使館的關係常常是緊張的。”
　　 首相點點頭表示同意。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我相信你說得有道理。他要把這樣寶貴的東西親手送交總部。你要采
　　 取的步驟是可行的。候普，我們不要因為這件不幸的事情而忽略了其他事務。今天如果有新
　　 的進展，我們將會告訴你，並且請你告訴我們關於你調查的結果。”
　　 兩位傢嚮我們告別後，莊嚴地離開了。
　　 客人走了以後，福爾摩斯默默地點上煙斗，坐下來，沉思了好一會兒。我打開晨報，全
　　 神貫註讀着一件昨天夜裏發生的駭人聽聞的兇殺案。正在這時，我的朋友長嘆一聲，站了起
　　 來，並把他的煙斗放在壁爐架上。
　　 他說：“衹能這樣着手解决，沒有更好的辦法了。情況十分嚴重，不過還不是完全絶望
　　 的。現在需要我們弄清誰拿走了這封信，可能信還在他手中沒有交出去。對於這些人說來，
　　 無非是個錢的問題，我們有英國財政部支付，不怕花錢。衹要他肯出賣，我就要買，不管花
　　 多少錢。可以想象到這個偷信的人把持着這封信，看看這一方能付多少錢，再試試另一方。
　　 衹有三個人敢冒這樣大的危險，奧勃爾斯坦，拉若澤和艾秋阿多·盧卡斯。我要分別去找他
　　 們。”
　　 我嚮我手中的晨報瞟了一眼。
　　 “是高道爾芬街的艾秋阿多·盧卡斯嗎？”
　　 “是的。”
　　 “你見不到他了。”
　　 “為什麽？”
　　 “昨天晚上他在傢裏被殺害了。”
　　 在我們破案的過程中，他常常使我吃驚，而這一次我看到我使他吃了一驚，不免心中十
　　 分高興。他驚訝地凝視着報紙，然後從我手中奪過去。下面就是他從椅子上站起來的時候，
　　 我正在讀的一段。
　　 <<威斯敏斯特教堂謀殺案>>
　　 昨晚在高道爾芬街十六號發生了一起神秘的謀殺案。這條街位於泰晤士河與威斯敏斯特
　　 教堂之間，議院樓頂的倒影幾乎可以遮住它，幽靜的街道兩旁全是十八世紀的舊式住宅。十
　　 六號是棟小巧精緻的樓房，倫敦社交界有名的艾秋阿多·盧卡斯先生，在這裏已經居住多年
　　 了。他平易近人，曾享有英國最佳業餘男高音演員的聲譽。盧卡斯先生，現年三十四歲，未
　　 婚，傢中有一名女管傢波林格爾太太和一名男僕米爾頓。女管傢住在閣樓上，很早便就寢
　　 了。男僕當晚不在傢，外出探望住在漢莫爾斯密的一位朋友。晚十點以後，傢中衹有盧卡斯
　　 先生一人，此時發生了什麽事情尚待查清，到了十一點三刻，巴瑞特巡邏經過高道爾芬
　　 街，看到十六號的大門半開着。他敲了敲門，卻沒有人答應。他看見前面的屋子裏有燈光，
　　 便走進過道又繼續敲門，仍然沒有動靜。於是他推門走了進去，衹見屋裏亂得不象樣子，
　　 具幾乎全都翻倒在屋子的一邊，一把椅子倒在屋子正中央。死於非命的房主倒在椅子旁，一
　　 衹手仍然抓着椅子腿，一定是刀子紮進他的心髒後，他當即身亡。殺人的刀子是把彎麯的印
　　 度匕首，是原來挂在墻上作為裝飾品的東方武器。兇殺的動機不象是搶劫，因為屋內的貴重
　　 物品並沒有丟失。艾秋阿多·盧卡斯先生很有名，同時也很受大傢喜愛，所以他的悲慘而神
　　 秘的死亡一定會引其他衆多朋友們的深切關心和同情。
　　 福爾摩斯過了一會兒問：“華生，你認為這是怎麽一回事？”
　　 “這不過是個偶然的巧合。”
　　 “巧合！他就是我們剛纔說過的三個人中最可能登臺表演的人物，正在這場戲上演的時
　　 刻，他慘死了。從情況看來大半不會是巧合，當然還不能說得很準確。親愛的華生，這兩件
　　 事可能是互相關聯的，一定是互相關聯的。我們正是要找出它們互相之間的關係。”
　　 “現在一定全知道了！”
　　 “不。他們衹知道他們在高道爾芬街所看到的。至於在白廳住宅街發生的事，他們肯定
　　 不知道，將來也不會知道。衹有我們兩件事全知道，並且能夠弄清這兩件事之間的關係。不
　　 管怎麽說，有一點使我懷疑盧卡斯，這就是：從威斯敏斯特教堂區的高道爾芬街到白廳住宅
　　 街步行衹需要幾分鐘。可是，我說的其他兩個間諜都住在倫敦西區的盡頭。因此，盧卡斯要
　　 比其他二人容易和歐洲事務大臣的傢人建立聯繫或是得到消息，雖然這件事本身是小事，但
　　 是考慮到作案時間衹發生在幾小時之內，那麽這一點也許就是重要的了。喂！誰來了？”
　　 赫德森太太拿着托盤走進來，盤內有一張婦女的名片。福爾摩斯看了看名片，好象看到
　　 一綫希望，又隨手把名片遞給了我。他對赫德森太太說：“請希爾達·崔洛尼·候普夫人上
　　 樓來。”
　　 在這間簡陋的房間裏，那天早上我們接待了兩位名人之後，一位倫敦最可愛的婦女又光
　　 臨了。我常聽人說起倍爾明斯特公爵的幼女的美貌，但是無論是別人對她的贊美還是她本人
　　 的照片，都不曾使我料到她竟長得這樣纖柔婀娜，容貌是那樣豔麗無比。然而，這樣一位婦
　　 人，在那個秋天的上午給我們的第一個印象，卻不是美麗。她的雙頰雖然十分可愛，但是由
　　 於感情激動而顯得蒼白；雙眼雖然明亮，但是顯得急躁不安；為了盡力控製自己，她那薄薄
　　 的嘴唇也緊緊地閉攏着。當她筆直地站在門邊時，最先映入我們眼簾的不是她的無比美麗而
　　 是她的極度恐懼。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我丈夫來過這裏嗎？”
　　 “不錯，太太，他來過了。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我請求您不要告訴他我來過。”
　　 福爾摩斯冷淡地點了點頭，並且指着椅子請她坐下。
　　 “夫人，您使我很為難。請您坐下講您有什麽要求，不過我恐怕不能無條件地答應一
　　 切。”
　　 她走到屋子另一邊，背對着窗戶坐下來。那風度個皇后，身材苗條，姿態優雅，富
　　 有女性的魅力。
　　 她的兩衹戴着白手套的手時而握在一起，時而鬆開，她說：“福爾摩斯先生，我願意對
　　 您開誠布公，同時希望您對我也能十分坦率。我和我丈夫幾乎在所有的事情上是完全互相信
　　 任的，衹不過有一件事例外，那就是問題。在這方面他總是守口如瓶，什麽也不告訴
　　 我。現在我纔知道我們傢中昨夜發生了很不幸的事。我知道丟失了一個文件。但是因為這是
　　 個問題，我丈夫就沒有對我完全講清楚。事情很重要，非常重要，我應該徹底瞭解這件
　　 事。除了幾位傢之外，您是唯一瞭解情況的人，福爾摩斯先生，我請求您告訴我出了什
　　 麽事，可能導致什麽結果。福爾摩斯先生，請告訴我詳情。請您不要因為怕損害我丈夫的利
　　 益而不肯對我說，因為衹有充分相信我，他的利益才能有所保證，這一點他早晚是會明白
　　 的，請您告訴我究竟丟失的是什麽文件呢？”
　　 “夫人，您所問的是不能說的。”
　　 她嘆了口氣並用雙手遮住了臉。
　　 “夫人，您要明白，我衹能這樣做。您的丈夫認為不應當讓您知道這件事；那麽我，由
　　 於職業的緣故，並且在發誓保守秘密之後，知道了全部事實，難道我能隨便說出他不允許講
　　 的話嗎？您還是應該去問他本人。”
　　 “我問過他。我到您這兒來是萬不得已的。福爾摩斯先生，您既然不肯明確地告訴我，
　　 那麽您能夠給我一點啓發嗎？這樣對我也會很有幫助的。”
　　 “夫人，這一點啓發指的是什麽呢？”
　　 “我丈夫的生涯是否會因為這個意外事件而受到嚴重的影響呢？”
　　 “除非事情得到糾正，否則是會産生嚴重後果的。”
　　 “啊！"她深深地吸了一口氣，好象疑難全解决了似的。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我還有一個問題。從我丈夫對於此事剛一顯出震驚起，我便明白，丟
　　 失這個文件將會在全國引起可怕的後果。”
　　 “如果他這樣說，我當然不會有異議。”
　　 “丟失文件所造成的後果是什麽性質的呢？”
　　 “不，夫人，您所問的，不是我應該回答的。”
　　 “那麽我不再耽誤您的時間了。福爾摩斯先生，我不能責怪您講話過於嚴謹，而我相信
　　 您也不會說我不好，因為我希望分擔他的憂慮，雖然他不願意這樣做。我再一次請求您不要
　　 對他說我來過。”
　　 她走到門口，又回頭看了我們一下，她那美麗而又焦慮的面容又一次留給我深深的印
　　 象，還有她那受驚的目光和緊閉着的嘴。她走出了房門。
　　 起初的裙子摩擦的窸窣聲漸漸聽不見了，接着前門砰然一響，聲音完全消失了。這時，
　　 福爾摩斯微笑着說：“華生，女性屬於你的研究範圍。這位漂亮的夫人在耍什麽把戲呢？她
　　 的真正意圖是什麽呢？”
　　 “當然，意圖她講得很清楚，而她的焦慮也是很自然的。”
　　 “哼！華生，你要想想她的表情、她的態度、她的壓抑着的焦慮不安和她一再提出的問
　　 題。你知道她是出身於一個不肯輕易表露感情的社會階層。”
　　 “的確，她的樣子是很激動的。”
　　 “你還要記住，她一再懇切地對我們說，衹有她瞭解到一切，纔對她丈夫有利。她說這
　　 話是什麽意思呢？而且你一定註意到了，她坐在那兒設法使陽光衹照到她的背部，她不想讓
　　 我們看清她的面部表情。”
　　 “是這樣的，她特別挑了那把背光的椅子坐下。”
　　 “婦女們的心理活動是很難猜測的。正是出於同樣的原因，我懷疑過瑪爾給特的那位婦
　　 女，這你大概還記得，從她鼻子上沒有擦粉而得到啓發，終於解决了問題。你怎能這樣輕信
　　 呢？有時她們一個細小的舉動包含了很大的意義，一個發針或一把捲發火剪就可以顯露出她
　　 們的反常。華生，早安。”
　　 “你要出去？”
　　 “是的，我要去高道爾芬街和我們蘇格蘭場的朋友們一起消磨今天上午。我們的問題和
　　 艾秋阿多·盧卡斯有直接關係，不過，究竟采取什麽方法解决，我現在是毫無辦法。事情還
　　 沒有發生便得出看法，這樣做是極大的錯誤。我的好華生，請你值班接待客人，我盡量回來
　　 和你一起吃午飯。”
　　 從那天算起，三天過去了，福爾摩斯一直很沉默，凡是他的朋友們都知道他在沉思默
　　 想，而外人卻以為他很沮喪。他出出進進，不停地吸煙，拿起小提琴拉兩下又丟開，不時墜
　　 入幻想，不按時吃飯，也不回答我隨時提出的問題。顯然，他的調查進行得很不順利。關於
　　 這個案件，他什麽也不說，我衹是從報紙上知道一些片斷，例如逮捕了死者的僕人約翰·米
　　 爾頓，但是隨後又釋放了。驗屍官提出申訴說這是一件蓄意謀殺案，但是弄不清楚案情以及
　　 當事人。殺人動機不明。屋內有很多貴重物品，都絲毫未動，死者的文件也沒有翻動。詳細
　　 地檢查了死者的文稿書信等，得知他熱衷於研究國際問題，非常健談，是個出色的語言
　　 學家，往來信件很多，他和幾個國傢的主要領導人都很熟悉，但是從他抽屜裏的文件中沒有
　　 發現值得懷疑之處。至於他和女人的關係，很雜亂，但都交往不深。他認識許多女人，但是
　　 女朋友很少，也沒有一個為他所愛。他沒有特殊的生活習慣，他的行為循規蹈矩。他的死亡
　　 是很神秘的，也可能無法解决這個問題。
　　 至於逮捕僕人約翰·米爾頓，那不過是沮喪失望之餘的一點措施，以免人們議論當局無
　　 所行動。這個僕人那天夜裏到漢莫爾斯密去看望朋友，案發時不在現場的證據是充分的。從
　　 他動身回傢的時間推算，他到達威斯敏斯特教堂的時候，還沒有人發現這件兇殺案。但是他
　　 解釋說當晚夜色很好，他步行了一段路程，所以，他是十二點到傢的，到傢後就被這件意外
　　 的慘案嚇得驚惶失措。他和他主人的關係一直很好。在這個僕人的箱子裏發現了一些死者的
　　 物品，引人註目的是一盒颳臉刀，但是他說這是主人送他的，而且女管傢也證實了此事。盧
　　 卡斯雇用米爾頓已有三年，值得註意的是盧卡斯沒有帶米爾頓去過歐洲，有時盧卡斯在巴黎
　　 一住便是三個月，而米爾頓衹是留在高道爾芬街看傢。至於女管傢，出事的夜裏，她什麽也
　　 沒聽到，如果有客人來的話，她說也是主人自己去請進來的。
　　 我從報紙上一連三個上午都沒有看到偵破此案的消息。如果福爾摩斯知道更多的情況的
　　 話，至少他沒有講出來。但是，他告訴我，偵探雷斯垂德把所掌握的情況都告訴了他，我也
　　 相信他能夠迅速瞭解破案的進展情況。直到第四天上午，報上登載了從巴黎拍來的一封很長
　　 的電報，似乎就解决了全部問題。電文如下：
　　 巴黎的已經有所發現〔據《每日電訊報》報道〕，這可以揭示艾秋阿多·盧卡斯
　　 先生慘死之謎。讀者或許還記得，盧卡斯先生是本周星期一夜間在高道爾芬街自己的住室內
　　 被人用匕首行刺致死的。他的男僕曾受到懷疑，後經查證因他不在犯罪現場而釋放。昨日有
　　 幾名僕人嚮巴黎當局報告他們的主人亨利·弗那依太太精神失常。她居住在奧地利街某
　　 處的一棟小房子裏。經有關衛生部門檢查，證實弗那依太太長期以來患有危險的躁狂癥。
　　 調查，弗那依太太本周星期二自倫敦歸來，有證據說明品行蹤與威斯敏斯特教堂兇殺案有
　　 關。經驗證和多方核對照片之後，當局認為Ｍ·亨利·弗那依與艾秋阿多·盧卡斯，事實上
　　 是一個人，死者由於某種原因，分別在巴黎和倫敦輪流居住。弗那依太太是剋裏奧爾人，性
　　 情古怪，很易激動，因忌妒而轉為顛狂，據估計病人可能由於顛狂發作而持匕首行兇，以致
　　 轟動整個倫敦。目前，對於星期一晚間病人的全部活動尚未查清。但是，星期二清晨，在查
　　 林十字街火車站上，有一名容貌酷似她的婦女，由於外貌奇異、舉止狂暴而引僕人們的特別
　　 註意。因此，有關人士認為或者是病人因處於顛狂狀態而殺了人，或者是由於行兇殺人，
　　 使病人顛狂癥復發。目前，她尚不能連貫地敘述她的過去，並且醫生們認為使她恢復理智是
　　 無望的。有人證明，有一位婦女，本周星期一晚上在高道爾芬街曾一連幾個小時地凝視着那
　　 棟房子，她也許就是弗那依太太。
　　 福爾摩斯快吃完早飯的時候，我給他讀了這段報道，並說：“福爾摩斯，你對於這段報
　　 道怎樣看呢？”
　　 他站起來，在屋裏來回踱步，他說：“華生，你真能把話悶在心中不說。過去三天裏我
　　 沒給你講什麽，是因為沒有什麽可說的。現在從巴黎來的這個消息，對我們同樣沒有多大用
　　 處。”
　　 “和盧卡斯之死總還有較大的關係吧？”
　　 “盧卡斯的死衹是個意外的事件，它和我們的真正目標——找到文件並使歐洲避免一場
　　 災難相比，實在是小事一件。過去三天裏唯一重要的事情，是什麽事也沒發生。這兩天我幾
　　 乎每過一小時就收到一次政府方面的報告，可以肯定整個歐洲，不管在哪裏，目前都沒有不
　　 安的跡象。如果這封信丟失了，不，不可能丟失，如果丟失了，信又在哪兒呢？誰拿着這封
　　 信呢？為什麽要扣壓這封信呢？這個問題是一把錘子，日夜敲着我的腦子。盧卡斯的死
　　 和丟失信件，這真是巧合嗎？他收沒收到過信呢？如果收到了，為什麽他的文件裏卻沒有
　　 呢？是不是他的瘋狂的妻子把信拿走了呢？這樣的話，信是不是在她巴黎的傢中呢？我怎樣
　　 才能搜到這封信而不引起巴黎的懷疑呢？親愛的華生，在這個案子上，不但罪犯和我們
　　 為難，連法律也和我們作對。人人都妨礙我們，可是事情又很重大。如果我能順利地解决這
　　 個案子，那將是我平生事業的最大光榮。啊，又有最新的情況！"他匆忙地看了一眼剛剛交
　　 到他手中的來信，說：“好象雷斯垂德已經查出重要的情況，華生，帶上帽子，我們一同走
　　 到威斯敏斯特教堂區去。”
　　 這是我第一次到現場，這棟房子比較高，外表顯得很陳舊，但是佈局嚴謹，美觀大方，
　　 結實耐用，它帶着十八世紀的風格。雷斯垂德正由前面窗戶那兒往外張望，一個高個子
　　 打開門，請我們進去，雷斯垂德走上前來熱情地表示歡迎。我們走進去一看，除了地毯上有
　　 一塊難看的、形狀不規則的血跡以外，什麽痕跡都沒有。一小塊方形地毯，擺在屋子正中
　　 央，四周是由小方木塊拼成的美麗的舊式地板，地板擦得很光滑。壁爐上面的墻上挂滿繳獲
　　 的武器，行兇的武器就是墻上挂着的一把匕首，靠窗戶放着一張貴重的寫字檯，屋裏的一切
　　 擺設如油畫、小地毯、以及墻上的裝飾品，無不顯得精美而豪華。
　　 雷斯垂德問：“看到巴黎的消息了嗎？”
　　 福爾摩斯點了點頭。
　　 “我們的法國朋友這次似乎抓住了要害，他們說得有道理，當時是她敲門。這是意外的
　　 來客，因為盧卡斯很少和外界接觸，因為盧卡斯不能讓她待在街上，所以纔開門讓她進去。
　　 弗那依太太告訴盧卡斯她一直在找他，並且責備了他。事情總是互相聯繫着的，匕首挂在墻
　　 上，所以，用品來很方便。但是並不是一下就刺死了，你看椅子全倒在一邊，而且盧卡斯手
　　 裏還拿着一把椅子，他想用椅子擋開盧卡斯太太。看來事情已經很清楚了，就象發生在眼前
　　 一樣。”
　　 福爾摩斯睜大了眼睛，看着雷斯垂德。
　　 “為什麽還要找我呢？”
　　 “啊，那是另外一回事，這是一件小事，但是你會感興趣的，因為它很奇怪，正象你所
　　 說的是反常的。這和主要事實無關，至少從表面看來無關。”
　　 “那麽，到底是怎麽一回事？”
　　 “你知道，這一類案件發生以後，我們總是小心翼翼地保護現場，派人日夜看守，不準
　　 動任何東西，也確實沒有人動過什麽東西。今天上午我們把這個人埋葬了，調查也進行完
　　 了，所以我們想到屋子也要打掃一下。這塊地毯沒有固定在地板上，衹是擺在那裏。我們碰
　　 巧掀了一下地毯，發現……”
　　 “什麽？你發現……”
　　 福爾摩斯的面部表情由於焦急而顯得有些緊張。
　　 “我敢說一百年你也猜不出我們發現了什麽。你看見地毯上的那塊血跡了嗎？大部分血
　　 跡已經浸透過地毯了吧？”
　　 “應該是這樣。”
　　 “可是白色的地板上相應的地方卻沒有血跡，對這一點你不感到很奇怪嗎？”
　　 “沒有血跡！可是，一定——”
　　 “儘管你說一定應該有，可是，事實上就是沒有。”
　　 他握住地毯的一角，一下子翻了過來，以便證實他所說的。
　　 “不，地毯下面和上面的血跡是同樣的，一定會留有痕跡。”
　　 雷斯垂德弄得這位著名的偵探迷惑不解，因而高興得格格地笑了起來。
　　 “現在我來給你看謎底。是有第二塊血跡，但是和第一塊位置不一樣。你可以看得很清
　　 楚。”
　　 他一面說着一面把地毯的另一角掀開，立刻，這一塊潔白的地板上露出一片紫紅色的血
　　 跡。"福爾摩斯先生，你看這是怎麽一回事呢？”
　　 “很簡單，這兩塊血跡本來是一致的，但是有人轉動了地毯。地毯是方形的，而且沒有
　　 釘住，所以容易移動。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我們不需要你告訴我們地毯一定轉動過了。這是很明顯的，因為
　　 地毯上的血跡是應該正好蓋住地板上的血跡。我要知道的是，誰移動了地毯，為什麽？”
　　 我從福爾摩斯呆滯的神情上看出他內心十分激動。
　　 過了一會兒，他問道：“雷斯垂德，門口的那個是不是一直看守着這個現場呢？”
　　 “是的。”
　　 “請按照我的意見做，你仔細盤問他一下。不過，不要當着我們的面。把他帶到後面的
　　 屋裏，你單獨和他談，他也許會承認。問問他為什麽居然敢讓別人進來，而且還把他單獨留
　　 在屋裏。不要問他是不是讓人進來了，你就說你知道有人進來過，逼問他，告訴他衹有坦白
　　 纔有可能得到諒解。一定要按照我說的去做！”
　　 雷斯垂德走了，福爾摩斯這纔歡喜若狂地對我說：“華生，你瞧吧！"他掩飾不住內心
　　 的激動，精神大振，一反剛纔平靜的神態。他迅捷地拉開地毯，立即匍匐在地板上，並且試
　　 圖抓平地板的每塊方木板。他用指甲不斷地掀着木板，忽然，有一塊木板活動了。它象箱子
　　 蓋一樣，從有活頁的地方向上翻起。下面有一個小黑洞，福爾摩斯急忙把手伸進去，但是，
　　 抽回手時，他又生氣又失望地哼了一聲。洞裏是空的。
　　 “快，華生，快，把地毯放好！"剛剛扣上那塊木板，並把地毯放好，便聽見了雷斯垂
　　 德在過道裏的說話聲音。他看見福爾摩斯懶散地靠着壁爐架，無所事事，顯得很有耐心，一
　　 邊用手遮住嘴，打着呵欠。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，對不起，讓你久等了。恐怕你會不耐煩了吧？他已經承認了。麥剋弗
　　 遜到這兒來，讓這兩位先生聽聽你辦的好事。”
　　 那個高個子，羞得滿臉通紅，一臉後悔的樣子，悄悄溜進屋來。
　　 “先生，我確實是沒想做壞事。一位年輕的婦女，昨天晚上走到大門前，她弄錯了門牌
　　 號碼。我們就談了起來。一個人整天在這兒守着，實在很寂寞。”
　　 “那麽，後來怎樣呢？”
　　 “她想看看在什麽地方發生的兇殺。她說她在報上看到了。她是個很體面又很會說話的
　　 女人。我想讓她看看沒有什麽關係。她一看見地毯上的血跡，立刻就跌倒在地板上，躺在那
　　 兒象死了一樣。我跑到後面弄了點水來，但還是沒能讓她醒過來。我就到拐角的'常春藤商
　　 店'買了一點白蘭地，可是等我拿回白蘭地以後，這位婦女已經醒過來，並且走掉了。我想
　　 她可能是感到不好意思，不願意再見我。”
　　 “那塊地毯怎麽會移動了呢？”
　　 “我回來的時候，地毯是弄得有些不平了。你想，她倒在地毯上，而地毯貼着光滑的地
　　 板又沒有固定住。後來我就把地毯擺好。”
　　 雷斯垂德嚴肅地說：“麥剋弗遜，這是個教訓，你欺騙不了我。你一定認為你玩忽職守
　　 不會被發現，可是我一看到地毯馬上就知道有人到屋裏來過了。沒丟什麽東西，這是你的運
　　 氣，不然的話，你少不了要吃點苦頭的。福爾摩斯先生，為了這樣一件小事，把你請來，真
　　 是對不起。不過，我以為兩塊血跡不在一起或許會使你感興趣。”
　　 “不錯，我很感興趣。，這位婦女衹來過一次嗎？”
　　 “是的，衹來過一次。”
　　 “她是誰？”
　　 “我不知道她的名字。她看了廣告要應聘去打字的，走錯了門，一位很溫柔很和藹的年
　　 輕婦女。”
　　 “個子高嗎？漂亮嗎？”
　　 “一點不錯，她是個長得很好看的年輕婦女，可以說是漂亮的。也許有人要說她很漂
　　 亮。她說：'警官，請讓我看一眼！'她有辦法，會哄人。我本來想讓她衹從窗戶探頭看看，
　　 那是沒有什麽關係的。”
　　 “她打扮得怎麽樣？”
　　 “很素雅，穿着一件拖到腳面的長袍。”
　　 “在什麽時間？”
　　 “天剛剛黑。我買白蘭地回來的時候，人們都在點燈。”
　　 福爾摩斯說：“很好。走吧，華生，我們還要到別處去，有一件很重要的事情。”
　　 我們離開這棟房子的時候，雷斯垂德仍然留在前面的屋子裏，那位悔過的給我們開
　　 了門。福爾摩斯走到臺階上，轉過身來，手裏還拿着一件東西。這位目不轉睛地凝視
　　 着，臉上露出吃驚的樣子，喊道：“天啊！"福爾摩斯把食指貼在嘴唇上，表示不讓說
　　 話，然後又伸手把這件東西放進胸前的口袋裏，得意洋洋地走到街上，這時他放聲笑了。他
　　 說：“妙極了！我的朋友，你瞧吧，最後一場的幕布已經拉開了。你放心，不會有戰爭，崔
　　 洛尼·候普先生的光輝前程不會受到挫折，那位不慎重的君主不會因為這封信受到懲罰，首
　　 相不必擔心歐洲情況會復雜化。衹要我們用一點策略，誰也不會因為這件不幸的大事而有半
　　 點倒黴。”
　　 我心中對於這樣一位特殊人物，感到十分的羨慕。
　　 我不禁喊道：“你把問題解决了？”
　　 “華生，還不能這樣說。還有幾點疑問仍象以前一樣沒有弄清。但是我們瞭解的情況，
　　 已經夠多的了，如果還是弄不清其他的問題，那是我們自己的過失。現在我們直接去白廳住
　　 宅街，把事情結束一下。”
　　 當我們來到歐洲事務大臣官邸的時候，歇洛剋·福爾摩斯要找的卻是希爾達·崔洛
　　 尼·候普夫人。我們走進了上午用的起居室。
　　 這位夫人憤懣地紅着臉說：“福爾摩斯先生！您實在太不公平，不寬厚了。我已經解釋
　　 過了，我希望我到您那兒去的事要保密，免得我丈夫說我干涉他的事情。可是您卻到這裏
　　 來，藉此表示您和我有事務聯繫，有意損害我的名聲。”
　　 “夫人，不幸的是我沒有別的辦法。我既然受托找回這件非常重要的信件，衹能請求您
　　 把信交到我手中。”
　　 這位夫人突然站了起來，她美麗而豐潤的臉驟然變了顔色。她的眼睛凝視着前方，身體
　　 搖晃起來，我以為她要暈倒。她強打精神，竭力使自己保持鎮定，她臉上各種復雜的表情一
　　 時完全被強烈的憤懣和驚異所掩蓋住了。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，您——您侮辱我。”
　　 “夫人，請冷靜一點，這些手法沒有用，您還是交出信來。”
　　 她嚮呼喚僕人的手鈴那兒奔去。
　　 “管傢會請您出去的。”
　　 “希爾達夫人，不必搖鈴。如果您搖鈴，我為了避免流言所做的一切誠懇的努力將會前
　　 功盡弃。您交出信來，一切都會好轉。如果您和我協作，我可以把一切都安排好。如果您與
　　 我為敵，那麽我就要揭發您。”
　　 她無所畏懼地站在那兒，顯得非常威嚴。她的眼睛盯着福爾摩斯的眼睛，好象是要把福
　　 爾摩斯看透似的。她的手放在手鈴上，但是她剋製着自己沒有搖。
　　 “您想要嚇唬我，福爾摩斯先生。您到這裏來威脅一個婦女，這不是大丈夫應該做的
　　 事。您說您瞭解一些情況，您瞭解的是什麽呢？”
　　 “夫人，請您先坐下。您如果摔倒會傷了自己的。您不坐下，我不講話。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我給您五分鐘。”
　　 “希爾達夫人，一分鐘就夠了。我知道您去過艾秋阿多·盧卡斯那兒，您給了他一封
　　 信；我也知道昨天晚上您又巧妙地去過那間屋子；我並且知道您怎樣從地毯下面隱蔽的地方
　　 取出這封信。”
　　 她凝視着福爾摩斯，臉色灰白，有兩次她氣喘籲籲，欲言又止。
　　 過了一會兒，她大聲說：“您瘋了，福爾摩斯先生，您瘋了。”
　　 福爾摩斯從口袋中取出一小塊硬紙片。這是從像片上剪下來的面孔部分。
　　 福爾摩斯說：“我一直帶着這個，因為我想也許有用。那個已經認出這張照片
　　 了。”
　　 她喘了一口氣，回身靠在椅子上。
　　 “希爾達夫人，信在您的手中，事情還來得及糾正。我不想給您找麻煩。我把這封丟失
　　 的信還給您丈夫，我的責任就完成了。希望您接受我的意見，並且對我要講實話。這是您最
　　 後的機會。”
　　 她的勇其實在令人贊嘆。事已至此，她還不想承認失敗。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我再和您說一遍，您簡直是荒謬。”
　　 福爾摩斯從椅子上站起來。
　　 “希爾達夫人，我為您感到遺憾。我為您盡了最大的努力。這一切全白費了。”
　　 福爾摩斯搖了一下鈴。管傢走了進來。
　　 “崔洛尼·候普先生在傢嗎？”
　　 “先生，他十二點三刻回到傢來。”
　　 福爾摩斯看了看他的表，說：“還有一刻鐘。我要等候他。”
　　 管傢剛一走出屋門，希爾達夫人便跪倒在福爾摩斯腳下，她攤開兩手，仰頭看着福爾摩
　　 斯，眼裏滿含淚水。
　　 她苦苦地哀求說：“饒恕我吧，福爾摩斯先生，饒恕我吧！看在上帝的面上，不要告訴
　　 我的丈夫！我多麽愛他啊！我不願意讓他心裏有一點不愉快的事情，可是這件事會傷透他的
　　 心的。”
　　 福爾摩斯扶起這位夫人。"太好了，夫人，您終於明白過來了。時間已經很緊迫了。信
　　 在哪兒？”
　　 她急忙走到一個寫字檯旁，拿出鑰匙開開抽屜，取出一封信，信封很長，顔色是藍的。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，信在這兒，我發誓沒有拆開過。”
　　 福爾摩斯咕噥着說：“怎樣把信放回去呢？快，快，我們一定要想個辦法！文件箱在哪
　　 兒？”
　　 “仍然在他的臥室裏。”
　　 “多麽幸運啊！夫人，快把箱子拿到這兒來！”
　　 過了一會兒，她手裏拿着一個紅色的扁箱子走來。
　　 “您以前怎樣打開的？您有一把復製的鑰匙？是的，您當然有。開開箱子！”
　　 希爾達從懷裏拿出一把小鑰匙。箱子開了，裏面塞滿文件。福爾摩斯把這封信塞到靠下
　　 面的一個文件裏，夾在兩頁之間。關上了箱子，鎖好之後，夫人又把它送回臥室。
　　 福爾摩斯說：“現在一切就緒，衹需要等候你的丈夫了。還有十分鐘。希爾達夫人，我
　　 出了很大的氣力來保護您，您應該用這十分鐘坦率地告訴我，您幹這種不尋常的事的真正目
　　 的是什麽？”
　　 這位夫人大聲地說：“福爾摩斯先生，我把一切全告訴您。我寧願把我的右手切斷，也
　　 不願意讓我丈夫有片刻的煩惱！恐怕整個倫敦再不會有一個女人象我這樣愛自己的丈夫了，
　　 可是如果他知道了我所做的一切，儘管我是的，他也决不會原諒我的。因為他非常重視
　　 他的名望，所以他不會忘記或是原諒別人的過失的，福爾摩斯先生，您一定要搭救我！我的
　　 幸福，他的幸福，以及我們的生命全都受到威脅！”
　　 “夫人，快講，時間很短了！”
　　 “先生，問題出在我的一封信上，我結婚前寫的一封不慎重的信，愚蠢的信，是在我的
　　 感情一時衝動下寫的。我的信沒有惡意，可是我丈夫會認為這是犯罪。他如果讀了這封信，
　　 他便再也不會信任我了。我曾經想把這件事忘掉。可是後來盧卡斯這個傢夥寫信告訴我，信
　　 在他的手中，並且要交給我的丈夫。我懇求他寬大為懷。他說衹要我從文件箱裏把他要的文
　　 件拿給他，他便可以把信還給我。我丈夫的辦公室裏有間諜，告訴了盧卡斯有這樣一封信。
　　 他嚮我保證我丈夫不會因此受到損害。福爾摩斯先生，您設身處地地想一想，我應該怎麽辦
　　 呢？”
　　 “把一切都告訴您丈夫。”
　　 “不行，福爾摩斯先生，不行！一方面是導致幸福的毀滅，另一方面是件非常可怕的
　　 事，去拿我丈夫的文件。可是在問題上我不知道會有什麽後果，而愛情和信任的重要
　　 性，我是十分理解的。福爾摩斯先生，我拿了文件！我取了鑰匙的模子。盧卡斯給了我一把
　　 復製的鑰匙。我打開文件箱，取出文件並且送到高道爾芬街。”
　　 “到那兒的情況怎麽樣？”
　　 “我按照約定的方式敲門，他開了門，我隨他走進屋中，可是大廳的門我沒有關嚴，因
　　 為我怕和這個人單獨在一起。我記得我進去的時候，外面有一個婦女。我們的事情很快辦完
　　 了。我的那封信擺在他的桌子上。我把文件交給了他，他還給了我那封信。正在這時候，房
　　 門那裏有聲音，又聽見門道有腳步聲，盧卡斯趕忙掀平地毯，把文件塞到一個藏東西的地
　　 方，然後又蓋上地毯。
　　 “這以後的事簡直象是個惡夢。我看到一個婦女，黑黝黝的面孔，神色顛狂，還聽到她
　　 講話的聲音，她講的是法語，她說：'我沒有白等，終於讓我發現了你和她在一起！'他二人
　　 很兇狠地搏鬥起來。盧卡斯手裏拿着一把椅子，那個婦女手中有把閃亮的刀子。當時的場面
　　 可怕極了，我立即衝出屋子去，離開了那棟房子。第二天早上我便在報紙上看到了盧卡斯被
　　 殺死的消息。那天晚上我很高興，因為我拿回了我的信。可是我沒有想到這會帶來什麽後
　　 果。
　　 “衹是第二天早上我纔明白，我不過用新的苦惱替代了舊的。我丈夫失去文件後的焦慮
　　 使我心神不安。我當時幾乎就要跪倒在他腳下，嚮他講清是我拿的文件。可是這意味着我要
　　 說出過去的事。我那天早上到您那兒去是想弄清我犯的錯誤的嚴重性。從我拿走文件那一刻
　　 起，我就一直想怎樣把文件弄回來。要不是盧卡斯當時藏起了那封信，我也就不會知道信藏
　　 在什麽地方。我怎樣走進屋子呢？我接連兩天去看了那個地方，可是門總是關着。昨天晚上
　　 我做了最後一次嘗試。我怎麽拿到的，忽已經聽說過了。我把文件帶回來，想要銷毀，因為
　　 我沒有辦法還給我丈夫這個文件而又不必承認錯誤。天啊，我聽到他在樓梯上的腳步聲
　　 了！”
　　 這位歐洲事務大臣激動地衝進屋內。
　　 他說：“有什麽消息，福爾摩斯先生，有什麽消息？”
　　 “有點希望。”
　　 他的臉上露出驚喜的神情。"謝謝上帝！首相正來和我一起吃午飯。他可以來聽聽吧？
　　 他的神經是非常堅強的，可是我知道自從出了這件事以後，他幾乎沒有睡過覺。雅可布，你
　　 把首相請到樓上來。親愛的，我想這是一件上的事情，過幾分鐘我們就到餐廳和你一起
　　 吃午飯。”
　　 首相的舉止是鎮靜的，但是從他激動的目光和不停地顫動着的大手上，我知道他也象他
　　 的年輕同事一樣十分激動。
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，我聽說你有好消息？”
　　 我的朋友回答：“到目前為止，還是沒有弄清。可能失落文件的地方，我全調查過了，
　　 沒有找到，但是我敢肯定不必耽心有危險。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生，那是不行的。我們不能永遠生活在火山頂上。我們一定要把事情弄個
　　 水落石出纔行。”
　　 “有找到文件的希望，所以我纔來到這裏。我越想越覺得文件不會離開您的傢。”
　　 “福爾摩斯先生！”
　　 “如果文件拿出去了，現在一定已經公佈了。”
　　 “會有人拿走文件而衹是為了要藏在他傢裏的嗎？”
　　 “我不相信有人把信拿走了。”
　　 “那麽信怎麽會不在文件箱裏呢？”
　　 “因為我知道信不在別處。”
　　 “我簡直不能相信我的眼睛了！"他急速地走到門旁。"我的妻子在哪兒呢？我要告訴她
　　 事情順利結束了，希爾達！希爾達！"我們聽到他在樓梯上呼喊的聲音。
　　 首相望着福爾摩斯，眼球骨碌碌地轉着。
　　 他說：“先生，這裏面一定有什麽問題。文件怎麽會又回到箱子裏了呢？”
　　 福爾摩斯笑着避開了那一對好奇的眼睛。
　　 “我們也有我們的外交秘密。"他一面說着，一面拿起帽子，轉身嚮屋門走去。

　　I HAD intended "The Adventure of the Abbey Grange" to be the last of those exploits of my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which I should ever communicate to the public. This resolution of mine was not due to any lack of material, since I have notes of many hundreds of cases to which I have never alluded, nor was it caused by any waning interest on the part of my readers in the singular personality and unique methods of this remarkable man. The real reason lay in the reluctance which Mr. Holmes has shown to the continued publication of his experiences. So long as he was in actual professional practice the records of his successes were of some practical value to him; but since he has definitely retired from London and betaken himself to study and bee-farming on the Sussex Downs, notoriety has become hateful to him, and he has peremptorily requested that his wishes in this matter should be strictly observed. It was only upon my representing to him that I had given a promise that "The Adventure of the Second Stain" should be published when the times were ripe, and pointing out to him that it is only appropriate that this long series of episodes should culminate in the most important international case which he has ever been called upon to handle, that I at last succeeded in obtaining his consent that a carefully-guarded account of the incident should at last be laid before the public. If in telling the story I seem to be somewhat vague in certain details the public will readily understand that there is an excellent reason for my reticence.
　　
　　It was, then, in a year, and even in a decade, that shall be nameless, that upon one Tuesday morning in autumn we found two visitors of European fame within the walls of our humble room in Baker Street. The one, austere, high-nosed, eagle-eyed, and dominant, was none other than the illustrious Lord Bellinger, twice Premier of Britain. The other, dark, clear-cut, and elegant, hardly yet of middle age, and endowed with every beauty of body and of mind, was the Right Honourable Trelawney Hope, Secretary for European Affairs, and the most rising statesman in the country. They sat side by side upon our paper-littered settee, and it was easy to see from their worn and anxious faces that it was business of the most pressing importance which had brought them. The Premier's thin, blue-veined hands were clasped tightly over the ivory head of his umbrella, and his gaunt, ascetic face looked gloomily from Holmes to me. The European Secretary pulled nervously at his moustache and fidgeted with the seals of his watch-chain.
　　
　　"When 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."
　　
　　"Have you informed the police?"
　　
　　"No, sir," said the Prime Minister, with the quick, decisive manner for which he was famous. "We 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."
　　
　　"And why, sir?"
　　
　　"Because the document in question is of such immense importance that its publication might very easily -- I might almost say probably -- lead 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."
　　
　　"I understand. Now, Mr. Trelawney Hope, I should be much obliged if you would tell me exactly the circumstances under which this document disappeared."
　　
　　"That can be done in a very few words, Mr. Holmes. The letter -- for it was a letter from a foreign potentate -- was 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."
　　
　　"What time did you dine?"
　　
　　"Half-past seven."
　　
　　"How long was it before you went to bed?"
　　
　　"My wife had gone to the theatre. I waited up for her. It was half-past eleven before we went to our room."
　　
　　"Then for four hours the despatch-box had lain unguarded?"
　　
　　"No 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."
　　
　　"Who did know of the existence of that letter?"
　　
　　"No one in the house."
　　
　　"Surely your wife knew?"
　　
　　"No, sir; I had said nothing to my wife until I missed the paper this morning."
　　
　　The Premier nodded approvingly.
　　
　　"I have long known, sir, how high is your sense of public duty," said he. "I am convinced that in the case of a secret of this importance it would rise superior to the most intimate domestic ties."
　　
　　The European Secretary bowed.
　　
　　"You do me no more than justice, sir. Until this morning I have never breathed one word to my wife upon this matter."
　　
　　"Could she have guessed?"
　　
　　"No, Mr. Holmes, she could not have guessed -- nor could anyone have guessed."
　　
　　"Have you lost any documents before?"
　　
　　"No, sir."
　　
　　"Who is there in England who did know of the existence of this letter?"
　　
　　"Each 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!" 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. "Besides 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."
　　
　　"But abroad?"
　　
　　"I believe that no one abroad has seen it save the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his Ministers -- that the usual official channels have not been employed."
　　
　　Holmes considered for some little time.
　　
　　"Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly what this document is, and why its disappearance should have such momentous consequences?"
　　
　　The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance and the Premier's shaggy eyebrows gathered in a frown.
　　
　　"Mr. 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 to ---"
　　
　　"I fear, sir," said Holmes, "that, interesting and indeed essential as these details are, my inquiries must go more to the root of things. What WAS the letter?"
　　
　　"That 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."
　　
　　Sherlock Holmes rose with a smile.
　　
　　"You are two of the most busy men in the country," said he, "and 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."
　　
　　The Premier sprang to his feet with that quick, fierce gleam of his deep-set eyes before which a Cabinet has cowered. "I am not accustomed, sir ----" 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.
　　
　　"We 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."
　　
　　"I agree with you, sir," said the younger statesman.
　　
　　"Then 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 this affair should come out."
　　
　　"You may safely trust us."
　　
　　"The letter, then, is from a certain foreign potentate who has been ruffled by some recent Colonial developments of this country. It has been written hurriedly and upon his own responsibility entirely. Inquiries have shown that his Ministers know nothing of the matter. At the same time it is couched in so unfortunate a manner, and certain phrases in it are of so provocative a character, that its publication would undoubtedly lead to a most dangerous state of feeling in this country. There would be such a ferment, sir, that I do not hesitate to say that within a week of the publication of that letter this country would be involved in a great war."
　　
　　Holmes wrote a name upon a slip of paper and handed it to the Premier.
　　
　　"Exactly. It was he. And it is this letter -- this letter which may well mean the expenditure of a thousand millions and the lives of a hundred thousand men -- which has become lost in this unaccountable fashion."
　　
　　"Have you informed the sender?"
　　
　　"Yes, sir, a cipher telegram has been despatched."
　　
　　"Perhaps he desires the publication of the letter."
　　
　　"No, sir, we have strong reason to believe that he already understands that he has acted in an indiscreet and hot-headed manner. It would be a greater blow to him and to his country than to us if this letter were to come out."
　　
　　"If this is so, whose interest is it that the letter should come out? Why should anyone desire to steal it or to publish it?"
　　
　　"There, Mr. Holmes, you take me into regions of high international politics. But if you consider the European situation you will have no difficulty in perceiving the motive. The whole of Europe is an armed camp. There is a double league which makes a fair balance of military power. Great Britain holds the scales. If Britain were driven into war with one confederacy, it would assure the supremacy of the other confederacy, whether they joined in the war or not. Do you follow?"
　　
　　"Very clearly. It is then the interest of the enemies of this potentate to secure and publish this letter, so as to make a breach between his country and ours?"
　　
　　"Yes, sir."
　　
　　"And to whom would this document be sent if it fell into the hands of an enemy?"
　　
　　"To any of the great Chancelleries of Europe. It is probably speeding on its way thither at the present instant as fast as steam can take it."
　　
　　Mr. Trelawney Hope dropped his head on his chest and groaned aloud. The Premier placed his hand kindly upon his shoulder.
　　
　　"It is your misfortune, my dear fellow. No one can blame you. There is no precaution which you have neglected. Now, Mr. Holmes, you are in full possession of the facts. What course do you recommend?"
　　
　　Holmes shook his head mournfully.
　　
　　"You think, sir, that unless this document is recovered there will be war?"
　　
　　"I think it is very probable."
　　
　　"Then, sir, prepare for war."
　　
　　"That is a hard saying, Mr. Holmes."
　　
　　"Consider the facts, sir. It is inconceivable that it was taken after eleven-thirty at night, since I understand that Mr. Hope and his wife were both in the room from that hour until the loss was found out. It was taken, then, yesterday evening between seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the earlier hour, since whoever took it evidently knew that it was there and would naturally secure it as early as possible. Now, sir, if a document of this importance were taken at that hour, where can it be now? No one has any reason to retain it. It has been passed rapidly on to those who need it. What chance have we now to overtake or even to trace it? It is beyond our reach."
　　
　　The Prime Minister rose from the settee.
　　
　　"What you say is perfectly logical, Mr. Holmes. I feel that the matter is indeed out of our hands."
　　
　　"Let us presume, for argument's sake, that the document was taken by the maid or by the valet ----"
　　
　　"They are both old and tried servants."
　　
　　"I understand you to say that your room is on the second floor, that there is no entrance from without, and that from within no one could go up unobserved. It must, then, be somebody in the house who has taken it. To whom would the thief take it? To one of several international spies and secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar to me. There are three who may be said to be the heads of their profession. I will begin my research by going round and finding if each of them is at his post. If one is missing -- especially if he has disappeared since last night -- we will have some indication as to where the document has gone."
　　
　　"Why should he be missing?" asked the European Secretary. "He would take the letter to an Embassy in London, as likely as not."
　　
　　"I fancy not. These agents work independently, and their relations with the Embassies are often strained."
　　
　　The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence.
　　
　　"I believe you are right, Mr. Holmes. He would take so valuable a prize to head-quarters with his own hands. I think that your course of action is an excellent one. Meanwhile, Hope, we cannot neglect all our other duties on account of this one misfortune. Should there be any fresh developments during the day we shall communicate with you, and you will no doubt let us know the results of your own inquiries."
　　
　　The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely from the room.
　　
　　When our illustrious visitors had departed Holmes lit his pipe in silence, and sat for some time lost in the deepest thought. I had opened the morning paper and was immersed in a sensational crime which had occurred in London the night before, when my friend gave an exclamation, sprang to his feet, and laid his pipe down upon the mantelpiece.
　　
　　"Yes," said he, "there is no better way of approaching it. The situation is desperate, but not hopeless. Even now, if we could be sure which of them has taken it, it is just possible that it has not yet passed out of his hands. After all, it is a question of money with these fellows, and I have the British Treasury behind me. If it's on the market I'll buy it -- if it means another penny on the income-tax. It is conceivable that the fellow might hold it back to see what bids come from this side before he tries his luck on the other. There are only those three capable of playing so bold a game; there are Oberstein, La Rothiere, and Eduardo Lucas. I will see each of them."
　　
　　I glanced at my morning paper.
　　
　　"Is that Eduardo Lucas of Godolphin Street?"
　　
　　"Yes."
　　
　　"You will not see him."
　　
　　"Why not?"
　　
　　"He was murdered in his house last night."
　　
　　My friend has so often astonished me in the course of our adventures that it was with a sense of exultation that I realized how completely I had astonished him. He stared in amazement, and then snatched the paper from my hands. This was the paragraph which I had been engaged in reading when he rose from his chair:--
　　
　　"MURDER IN WESTMINSTER.
　　
　　"A crime of mysterious character was committed last night at 16, Godolphin Street, one of the old-fashioned and secluded rows of eighteenth-century houses which lie between the river and the Abbey, almost in the shadow of the great Tower of the Houses of Parliament. This small but select mansion has been inhabited for some years by Mr. Eduardo Lucas, well known in society circles both on account of his charming personality and because he has the well-deserved reputation of being one of the best amateur tenors in the country. Mr. Lucas is an unmarried man, thirty-four years of age, and his establishment consists of Mrs. Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, and of Mitton, his valet. The former retires early and sleeps at the top of the house. The valet was out for the evening, visiting a friend at Hammersmith. From ten o'clock onwards Mr. Lucas had the house to himself. What occurred during that time has not yet transpired, but at a quarter to twelve Police-constable Barrett, passing along Godolphin Street, observed that the door of No. 16 was ajar. He knocked, but received no answer. Perceiving a light in the front room he advanced into the passage and again knocked, but without reply. He then pushed open the door and entered. The room was in a state of wild disorder, the furniture being all swept to one side, and one chair lying on its back in the centre. Beside this chair, and still grasping one of its legs, lay the unfortunate tenant of the house. He had been stabbed to the heart and must have died instantly. The knife with which the crime had been committed was a curved Indian dagger, plucked down from a trophy of Oriental arms which adorned one of the walls. Robbery does not appear to have been the motive of the crime, for there had been no attempt to remove the valuable contents of the room. Mr. Eduardo Lucas was so well known and popular that his violent and mysterious fate will arouse painful interest and intense sympathy in a wide-spread circle of friends."
　　
　　"Well, Watson, what do you make of this?" asked Holmes, after a long pause.
　　
　　"It is an amazing coincidence."
　　
　　"A coincidence! Here is one of the three men whom we had named as possible actors in this drama, and he meets a violent death during the very hours when we know that that drama was being enacted. The odds are enormous against its being coincidence. No figures could express them. No, my dear Watson, the two events are connected -- MUST be connected. It is for us to find the connection."
　　
　　"But now the official police must know all."
　　
　　"Not at all. They know all they see at Godolphin Street. They know -- and shall know -- nothing of Whitehall Terrace. Only WE know of both events, and can trace the relation between them. There is one obvious point which would, in any case, have turned my suspicions against Lucas. Godolphin Street, Westminster, is only a few minutes' walk from Whitehall Terrace. The other secret agents whom I have named live in the extreme West-end. It was easier, therefore, for Lucas than for the others to establish a connection or receive a message from the European Secretary's household -- a small thing, and yet where events are compressed into a few hours it may prove essential. Halloa! what have we here?"
　　
　　Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a lady's card upon her salver. Holmes glanced at it, raised his eyebrows, and handed it over to me.
　　
　　"Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if she will be kind enough to step up," said he.
　　
　　A moment later our modest apartment, already so distinguished that morning, was further honoured by the entrance of the most lovely woman in London. I had often heard of the beauty of the youngest daughter of the Duke of Belminster, but no description of it, and no contemplation of colourless photographs, had prepared me for the subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful colouring of that exquisite head. And yet as we saw it that autumn morning, it was not its beauty which would be the first thing to impress the observer. The cheek was lovely, but it was paled with emotion; the eyes were bright, but it was the brightness of fever; the sensitive mouth was tight and drawn in an effort after self-command. Terror -- not beauty -- was what sprang first to the eye as our fair visitor stood framed for an instant in the open door.
　　
　　"Has my husband been here, Mr. Holmes?"
　　
　　"Yes, madam, he has been here."
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes, I implore you not to tell him that I came here." Holmes bowed coldly, and motioned the lady to a chair.
　　
　　"Your ladyship places me in a very delicate position. I beg that you will sit down and tell me what you desire; but I fear that I cannot make any unconditional promise."
　　
　　She swept across the room and seated herself with her back to the window. It was a queenly presence -- tall, graceful, and intensely womanly.
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes," she said, and her white-gloved hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke -- "I will speak frankly to you in the hope that it may induce you to speak frankly in return. There is complete confidence between my husband and me on all matters save one. That one is politics. On this his lips are sealed. He tells me nothing. Now, I am aware that there was a most deplorable occurrence in our house last night. I know that a paper has disappeared. But because the matter is political my husband refuses to take me into his complete confidence. Now it is essential -- essential, I say -- that I should thoroughly understand it. You are the only other person, save only these politicians, who knows the true facts. I beg you, then, Mr. Holmes, to tell me exactly what has happened and what it will lead to. Tell me all, Mr. Holmes. Let no regard for your client's interests keep you silent, for I assure you that his interests, if he would only see it, would be best served by taking me into his complete confidence. What was this paper which was stolen?"
　　
　　"Madam, what you ask me is really impossible."
　　
　　She groaned and sank her face in her hands.
　　
　　"You must see that this is so, madam. If your husband thinks fit to keep you in the dark over this matter, is it for me, who has only learned the true facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, to tell what he has withheld? It is not fair to ask it. It is him whom you must ask."
　　
　　"I have asked him. I come to you as a last resource. But without your telling me anything definite, Mr. Holmes, you may do a great service if you would enlighten me on one point."
　　
　　"What is it, madam?"
　　
　　"Is my husband's political career likely to suffer through this incident?"
　　
　　"Well, madam, unless it is set right it may certainly have a very unfortunate effect."
　　
　　"Ah!" She drew in her breath sharply as one whose doubts are resolved.
　　
　　"One more question, Mr. Holmes. From an expression which my husband dropped in the first shock of this disaster I understood that terrible public consequences might arise from the loss of this document."
　　
　　"If he said so, I certainly cannot deny it."
　　
　　"Of what nature are they?"
　　
　　"Nay, madam, there again you ask me more than I can possibly answer."
　　
　　"Then I will take up no more of your time. I cannot blame you, Mr. Holmes, for having refused to speak more freely, and you on your side will not, I am sure, think the worse of me because I desire, even against his will, to share my husband's anxieties. Once more I beg that you will say nothing of my visit." She looked back at us from the door, and I had a last impression of that beautiful haunted face, the startled eyes, and the drawn mouth. Then she was gone.
　　
　　"Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department," said Holmes, with a smile, when the dwindling frou-frou of skirts had ended in the slam of the front door. "What was the fair lady's game? What did she really want?"
　　
　　"Surely her own statement is clear and her anxiety very natural."
　　
　　"Hum! Think of her appearance, Watson -- her manner, her suppressed excitement, her restlessness, her tenacity in asking questions. Remember that she comes of a caste who do not lightly show emotion."
　　
　　"She was certainly much moved."
　　
　　"Remember also the curious earnestness with which she assured us that it was best for her husband that she should know all. What did she mean by that? And you must have observed, Watson, how she manoeuvred to have the light at her back. She did not wish us to read her expression."
　　
　　"Yes; she chose the one chair in the room."
　　
　　"And yet the motives of women are so inscrutable. You remember the woman at Margate whom I suspected for the same reason. No powder on her nose -- that proved to be the correct solution. How can you build on such a quicksand? Their most trivial action may mean volumes, or their most extraordinary conduct may depend upon a hairpin or a curling-tongs. Good morning, Watson."
　　
　　"You are off?"
　　
　　"Yes; I will wile away the morning at Godolphin Street with our friends of the regular establishment. With Eduardo Lucas lies the solution of our problem, though I must admit that I have not an inkling as to what form it may take. It is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts. Do you stay on guard, my good Watson, and receive any fresh visitors. I'll join you at lunch if I am able."
　　
　　All that day and the next and the next Holmes was in a mood which his friends would call taciturn, and others morose. He ran out and ran in, smoked incessantly, played snatches on his violin, sank into reveries, devoured sandwiches at irregular hours, and hardly answered the casual questions which I put to him. It was evident to me that things were not going well with him or his quest. He would say nothing of the case, and it was from the papers that I learned the particulars of the inquest, and the arrest with the subsequent release of John Mitton, the valet of the deceased. The coroner's jury brought in the obvious "Wilful Murder," but the parties remained as unknown as ever. No motive was suggested. The room was full of articles of value, but none had been taken. The dead man's papers had not been tampered with. They were carefully examined, and showed that he was a keen student of international politics, an indefatigable gossip, a remarkable linguist, and an untiring letter-writer. He had been on intimate terms with the leading politicians of several countries. But nothing sensational was discovered among the documents which filled his drawers. As to his relations with women, they appeared to have been promiscuous but superficial. He had many acquaintances among them, but few friends, and no one whom he loved. His habits were regular, his conduct inoffensive. His death was an absolute mystery, and likely to remain so.
　　
　　As to the arrest of John Mitton, the valet, it was a counsel of despair as an alternative to absolute inaction. But no case could be sustained against him. He had visited friends in Hammersmith that night. The ALIBI was complete. It is true that he started home at an hour which should have brought him to Westminster before the time when the crime was discovered, but his own explanation that he had walked part of the way seemed probable enough in view of the fineness of the night. He had actually arrived at twelve o'clock, and appeared to be overwhelmed by the unexpected tragedy. He had always been on good terms with his master. Several of the dead man's possessions -- notably a small case of razors -- had been found in the valet's boxes, but he explained that they had been presents from the deceased, and the housekeeper was able to corroborate the story. Mitton had been in Lucas's employment for three years. It was noticeable that Lucas did not take Mitton on the Continent with him. Sometimes he visited Paris for three months on end, but Mitton was left in charge of the Godolphin Street house. As to the housekeeper, she had heard nothing on the night of the crime. If her master had a visitor he had himself admitted him.
　　
　　So for three mornings the mystery remained, so far as I could follow it in the papers. If Holmes knew more he kept his own counsel, but, as he told me that Inspector Lestrade had taken him into his confidence in the case, I knew that he was in close touch with every development. Upon the fourth day there appeared a long telegram from Paris which seemed to solve the whole question.
　　
　　"A discovery has just been made by the Parisian police," said the DAILY TELEGRAPH, "which raises the veil which hung round the tragic fate of Mr. Eduardo Lucas, who met his death by violence last Monday night at Godolphin Street, Westminster. Our readers will remember that the deceased gentleman was found stabbed in his room, and that some suspicion attached to his valet, but that the case broke down on an ALIBI. Yesterday a lady, who has been known as Mme. Henri Fournaye, occupying a small villa in the Rue Austerlitz, was reported to the authorities by her servants as being insane. An examination showed that she had indeed developed mania of a dangerous and permanent form. On inquiry the police have discovered that Mme. Henri Fournaye only returned from a journey to London on Tuesday last, and there is evidence to connect her with the crime at Westminster. A comparison of photographs has proved conclusively that M. Henri Fournaye and Eduardo Lucas were really one and the same person, and that the deceased had for some reason lived a double life in London and Paris. Mme. Fournaye, who is of Creole origin, is of an extremely excitable nature, and has suffered in the past from attacks of jealousy which have amounted to frenzy. It is conjectured that it was in one of these that she committed the terrible crime which has caused such a sensation in London. Her movements upon the Monday night have not yet been traced, but it is undoubted that a woman answering to her description attracted much attention at Charing Cross Station on Tuesday morning by the wildness of her appearance and the violence of her gestures. It is probable, therefore, that the crime was either committed when insane, or that its immediate effect was to drive the unhappy woman out of her mind. At present she is unable to give any coherent account of the past, and the doctors hold out no hopes of the re-establishment of her reason. There is evidence that a woman, who might have been Mme. Fournaye, was seen for some hours on Monday night watching the house in Godolphin Street."
　　
　　"What do you think of that, Holmes?" I had read the account aloud to him, while he finished his breakfast.
　　
　　"My dear Watson," said he, as he rose from the table and paced up and down the room, "you are most long-suffering, but if I have told you nothing in the last three days it is because there is nothing to tell. Even now this report from Paris does not help us much."
　　
　　"Surely it is final as regards the man's death."
　　
　　"The man's death is a mere incident -- a trivial episode -- in comparison with our real task, which is to trace this document and save a European catastrophe. Only one important thing has happened in the last three days, and that is that nothing has happened. I get reports almost hourly from the Government, and it is certain that nowhere in Europe is there any sign of trouble. Now, if this letter were loose -- no, it CAN'T be loose -- but if it isn't loose, where can it be? Who has it? Why is it held back? That's the question that beats in my brain like a hammer. Was it, indeed, a coincidence that Lucas should meet his death on the night when the letter disappeared? Did the letter ever reach him? If so, why is it not among his papers? Did this mad wife of his carry it off with her? If so, is it in her house in Paris? How could I search for it without the French police having their suspicions aroused? It is a case, my dear Watson, where the law is as dangerous to us as the criminals are. Every man's hand is against us, and yet the interests at stake are colossal. Should I bring it to a successful conclusion it will certainly represent the crowning glory of my career. Ah, here is my latest from the front!" He glanced hurriedly at the note which had been handed in. "Halloa! Lestrade seems to have observed something of interest. Put on your hat, Watson, and we will stroll down together to Westminster."
　　
　　It was my first visit to the scene of the crime -- a high, dingy, narrow-chested house, prim, formal, and solid, like the century which gave it birth. Lestrade's bulldog features gazed out at us from the front window, and he greeted us warmly when a big constable had opened the door and let us in. The room into which we were shown was that in which the crime had been committed, but no trace of it now remained, save an ugly, irregular stain upon the carpet. This carpet was a small square drugget in the centre of the room, surrounded by a broad expanse of beautiful, old-fashioned wood-flooring in square blocks highly polished. Over the fireplace was a magnificent trophy of weapons, one of which had been used on that tragic night. In the window was a sumptuous writing-desk, and every detail of the apartment, the pictures, the rugs, and the hangings, all pointed to a taste which was luxurious to the verge of effeminacy.
　　
　　"Seen the Paris news?" asked Lestrade.
　　
　　Holmes nodded.
　　
　　"Our French friends seem to have touched the spot this time. No doubt it's just as they say. She knocked at the door -- surprise visit, I guess, for he kept his life in water-tight compartments. He let her in -- couldn't keep her in the street. She told him how she had traced him, reproached him, one thing led to another, and then with that dagger so handy the end soon came. It wasn't all done in an instant, though, for these chairs were all swept over yonder, and he had one in his hand as if he had tried to hold her off with it. We've got it all clear as if we had seen it."
　　
　　Holmes raised his eyebrows.
　　
　　"And yet you have sent for me?"
　　
　　"Ah, yes, that's another matter -- a mere trifle, but the sort of thing you take an interest in -- queer, you know, and what you might call freakish. It has nothing to do with the main fact -- can't have, on the face of it."
　　
　　"What is it, then?"
　　
　　"Well, you know, after a crime of this sort we are very careful to keep things in their position. Nothing has been moved. Officer in charge here day and night. This morning, as the man was buried and the investigation over -- so far as this room is concerned -- we thought we could tidy up a bit. This carpet. You see, it is not fastened down; only just laid there. We had occasion to raise it. We found ----"
　　
　　"Yes? You found ----"
　　
　　Holmes's face grew tense with anxiety.
　　
　　"Well, I'm sure you would never guess in a hundred years what we did find. You see that stain on the carpet? Well, a great deal must have soaked through, must it not?"
　　
　　"Undoubtedly it must."
　　
　　"Well, you will be surprised to hear that there is no stain on the white woodwork to correspond."
　　
　　"No stain! But there must ----"
　　
　　"Yes; so you would say. But the fact remains that there isn't."
　　
　　He took the corner of the carpet in his hand and, turning it over, he showed that it was indeed as he said.
　　
　　"But the underside is as stained as the upper. It must have left a mark."
　　
　　Lestrade chuckled with delight at having puzzled the famous expert.
　　
　　"Now I'll show you the explanation. There IS a second stain, but it does not correspond with the other. See for yourself." As he spoke he turned over another portion of the carpet, and there, sure enough, was a great crimson spill upon the square white facing of the old-fashioned floor. "What do you make of that, Mr. Holmes?"
　　
　　"Why, it is simple enough. The two stains did correspond, but the carpet has been turned round. As it was square and unfastened it was easily done."
　　
　　The official police don't need you, Mr. Holmes, to tell them that the carpet must have been turned round. That's clear enough, for the stains lie above each other -- if you lay it over this way. But what I want to know is, who shifted the carpet, and why?"
　　
　　I could see from Holmes's rigid face that he was vibrating with inward excitement.
　　
　　"Look here, Lestrade," said he, "has that constable in the passage been in charge of the place all the time?"
　　
　　"Yes, he has."
　　
　　"Well, take my advice. Examine him carefully. Don't do it before us. We'll wait here. You take him into the back room. You'll be more likely to get a confession out of him alone. Ask him how he dared to admit people and leave them alone in this room. Don't ask him if he has done it. Take it for granted. Tell him you KNOW someone has been here. Press him. Tell him that a full confession is his only chance of forgiveness. Do exactly what I tell you!"
　　
　　"By George, if he knows I'll have it out of him!" cried Lestrade. He darted into the hall, and a few moments later his bullying voice sounded from the back room.
　　
　　"Now, Watson, now!" cried Holmes, with frenzied eagerness. All the demoniacal force of the man masked behind that listless manner burst out in a paroxysm of energy. He tore the drugget from the floor, and in an instant was down on his hands and knees clawing at each of the squares of wood beneath it. One turned sideways as he dug his nails into the edge of it. It hinged back like the lid of a box. A small black cavity opened beneath it. Holmes plunged his eager hand into it, and drew it out with a bitter snarl of anger and disappointment. It was empty.
　　
　　"Quick, Watson, quick! Get it back again!" The wooden lid was replaced, and the drugget had only just been drawn straight when Lestrade's voice was heard in the passage. He found Holmes leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, resigned and patient, endeavouring to conceal his irrepressible yawns.
　　
　　"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Holmes. I can see that you are bored to death with the whole affair. Well, he has confessed, all right. Come in here, MacPherson. Let these gentlemen hear of your most inexcusable conduct."
　　
　　The big constable, very hot and penitent, sidled into the room.
　　
　　"I meant no harm, sir, I'm sure. The young woman came to the door last evening -- mistook the house, she did. And then we got talking. It's lonesome, when you're on duty here all day."
　　
　　"Well, what happened then?"
　　
　　"She wanted to see where the crime was done -- had read about it in the papers, she said. She was a very respectable, well-spoken young woman, sir, and I saw no harm in letting her have a peep. When she saw that mark on the carpet, down she dropped on the floor, and lay as if she were dead. I ran to the back and got some water, but I could not bring her to. Then I went round the corner to the Ivy Plant for some brandy, and by the time 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, it was a bit rumpled, certainly, when I came back. You see, she fell on it, and it lies on a polished floor with nothing to keep it in place. I straightened it out afterwards."
　　
　　"It's a lesson to you that you can't deceive me, Constable MacPherson," said Lestrade, with dignity. "No doubt you thought that your breach of duty could never be discovered, and yet a mere glance at that drugget was enough to convince me that someone had been admitted to the room. It's lucky for you, my man, that nothing is missing, or you would find yourself in Queer Street. I'm sorry to have called you down over such a petty business, Mr. Holmes, but I thought the point of the second stain not corresponding with the first would interest you."
　　
　　"Certainly, it was most interesting. Has this 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 to the wrong number -- very pleasant, genteel young woman, sir."
　　
　　"Tall? Handsome?"
　　
　　"Yes, sir; she was a well-grown young woman. I suppose you might say she was handsome. Perhaps some would say she was very handsome. `Oh, officer, do let me have a peep!' says she. She had pretty, coaxing ways, as you might say, and I thought there was no harm in letting her just put her head through the door."
　　
　　"How was she dressed?"
　　
　　"Quiet, sir -- a long mantle down to her feet."
　　
　　"What time was it?"
　　
　　"It was just growing dusk at the time. They were lighting the lamps as I came back with the brandy."
　　
　　"Very good," said Holmes. "Come, Watson, I think that we have more important work elsewhere."
　　
　　As we left the house Lestrade remained in the front room, while the repentant constable opened the door to let us out. Holmes turned on the step and held up something in his hand. The constable stared intently.
　　
　　"Good Lord, sir!" he cried, with amazement on his face. Holmes put his finger on his lips, replaced his hand in his breast-pocket, and burst out laughing as we turned down the street. "Excellent!" said he. "Come, friend Watson, the curtain rings up for the last act. You will be relieved to hear that there will be no war, that the Right Honourable Trelawney Hope will suffer no set-back in his brilliant career, that the indiscreet Sovereign will receive no punishment for his indiscretion, that the Prime Minister will have no European complication to deal with, and that with a little tact and management upon our part nobody will be a penny the worse for what might have been a very ugly incident."
　　
　　My mind filled with admiration for this extraordinary man.
　　
　　"You have solved it!" I cried.
　　
　　"Hardly that, Watson. There are some points which are as dark as ever. But we have so much that it will be our own fault if we cannot get the rest. We will go straight to Whitehall Terrace and bring the matter to a head."
　　
　　When we arrived at the residence of the European Secretary it was for Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope that Sherlock Holmes inquired. We were shown into the morning-room.
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes!" said the lady, and her face was pink with her indignation, "this is surely most unfair and ungenerous upon your part. I desired, as I have explained, to keep my visit to you a secret, lest my husband should think that I was intruding into his affairs. And yet you compromise me by coming here and so showing that there are business relations between us."
　　
　　"Unfortunately, madam, I had no possible alternative. I have been commissioned to recover this immensely important paper. I must therefore ask you, madam, to be kind enough to place it in my hands."
　　
　　The lady sprang to her feet, with the colour all dashed in an instant from her beautiful face. Her eyes glazed -- she tottered -- I thought that she would faint. Then with a grand effort she rallied from the shock, and a supreme astonishment and indignation chased every other expression from her features.
　　
　　"You -- you insult me, Mr. Holmes."
　　
　　"Come, come, madam, it is useless. Give up the letter."
　　
　　She darted to the bell.
　　
　　"The butler shall show you out."
　　
　　"Do not ring, Lady Hilda. If you do, then all my earnest efforts to avoid a scandal will be frustrated. Give up the letter and all will be set right. If you will work with me I can arrange everything. If you work against me I must expose you."
　　
　　She stood grandly defiant, a queenly figure, her eyes fixed upon his as if she would read his very soul. Her hand was on the bell, but she had forborne to ring it.
　　
　　"You are trying to frighten me. It is not a very manly thing, Mr. Holmes, to come here and browbeat a woman. You say that you know something. What is it that you know?"
　　
　　"Pray sit down, madam. You will hurt yourself there if you fall. I will not speak until you sit down. Thank you."
　　
　　"I give you five minutes, Mr. Holmes."
　　
　　"One is enough, Lady Hilda. I know of your visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him this document, of your ingenious return to the room last night, and of the manner in which you took the letter from the hiding-place under the carpet."
　　
　　She stared at him with an ashen face and gulped twice before she could speak.
　　
　　"You are mad, Mr. Holmes -- you are mad!" she cried, at last.
　　
　　He drew a small piece of cardboard from his pocket. It was the face of a woman cut out of a portrait.
　　
　　"I have carried this because I thought it might be useful," said he. "The policeman has recognised it."
　　
　　She gave a gasp and her head dropped back in the chair.
　　
　　"Come, Lady Hilda. You have the letter. The matter may still be adjusted. I have no desire to bring trouble to you. My duty ends when I have returned the lost letter to your husband. Take my advice and be frank with me; it is your only chance."
　　
　　Her courage was admirable. Even now she would not own defeat.
　　
　　"I tell you again, Mr. Holmes, that you are under some absurd illusion."
　　
　　Holmes rose from his chair.
　　
　　"I am sorry for you, Lady Hilda. I have done my best for you; I can see that it is all in vain."
　　
　　He rang the bell. The butler entered.
　　
　　"Is Mr. Trelawney Hope at home?"
　　
　　"He will be home, sir, at a quarter to one."
　　
　　Holmes glanced at his watch.
　　
　　"Still a quarter of an hour," said he. "Very good, I shall 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 a frenzy of supplication. "For Heaven's sake, don't tell him! I love him so! I would not bring one shadow on his life, and this I know would break his noble heart."
　　
　　Holmes raised the lady. "I am thankful, madam, that you have come to your senses even at this last moment! There is not an instant to lose. Where is the letter?"
　　
　　She darted across to a writing-desk, unlocked it, and drew out a long blue envelope.
　　
　　"Here it is, Mr. Holmes. Would to Heaven I had never seen it!"
　　
　　"How can we return it?" Holmes muttered. "Quick, quick, we must think of some way! Where is the despatch-box?"
　　
　　"Still in his bedroom."
　　
　　"What a stroke of luck! Quick, madam, bring it here!"
　　
　　A moment later she had appeared with a red flat box in her hand.
　　
　　"How did you open it before? You have a duplicate key? Yes, of course you have. Open it!"
　　
　　From out of her bosom Lady Hilda had drawn a small key. The box flew open. It was stuffed with papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep down into the heart of them, between the leaves of some other document. The box was shut, locked, and returned to the bedroom.
　　
　　"Now we are ready for him," said Holmes; "we have still ten minutes. I am going far to screen you, Lady Hilda. In return you will spend the time in telling me frankly the real meaning of this extraordinary affair."
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes, I will tell you everything," cried the lady. "Oh, Mr. Holmes, I would cut off my right hand before I gave him a moment of sorrow! There is no woman in all London who loves her husband as I do, and yet if he knew how I have acted -- how I have been compelled to act -- he would never forgive me. For his own honour stands so high that he could not forget or pardon a lapse in another. Help me, Mr. Holmes! My happiness, his happiness, our very lives are at stake!"
　　
　　"Quick, madam, the time grows short!"
　　
　　"It was a letter of mine, Mr. Holmes, an indiscreet letter written before my marriage -- a foolish letter, a letter of an impulsive, loving girl. I meant no harm, and yet he would have thought it criminal. Had he read that letter his confidence would have been for ever destroyed. It is years since I wrote it. I had thought that the whole matter was forgotten. Then at last I heard from this man, Lucas, that it had passed into his hands, and that he would lay it before my husband. I implored his mercy. He said that he would return my letter if I would bring him a certain document which he described in my husband's despatch-box. He had some spy in the office who had told him of its existence. He assured me that no harm could come to my husband. Put yourself in my position, Mr. Holmes! What was I to do?"
　　
　　"Take your husband into your confidence."
　　
　　"I could not, Mr. Holmes, I could not! On the one side seemed certain ruin; on the other, terrible as it seemed to take my husband's paper, still in a matter of politics I could not understand the consequences, while in a matter of love and trust they were only too clear to me. I did it, Mr. Holmes! I took an impression of his key; this man Lucas furnished a duplicate. I opened his despatch-box, took the paper, and conveyed it to Godolphin Street."
　　
　　"What happened there, madam?"
　　
　　"I tapped at the door as agreed. Lucas opened it. I followed him into his room, leaving the hall door ajar behind me, for I feared to be alone with the man. I remember that there was a woman outside as I entered. Our business was soon done. He had my letter on his desk; I handed him the document. He gave me the letter. At this instant there was a sound at the door. There were steps in the passage. Lucas quickly turned back the drugget, thrust the document into some hiding-place there, and covered it over.
　　
　　"What happened after that is like some fearful dream. I have a vision of a dark, frantic face, of a woman's voice, which screamed in French, `My waiting is not in vain. At last, at last I have found you with her!' There was a savage struggle. I saw him with a chair in his hand, a knife gleamed in hers. I rushed from the horrible scene, ran from the house, and only next morning in the paper did I learn the dreadful result. That night I was happy, for I had my letter, and I had not seen yet what the future would bring.
　　
　　"It 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!"
　　
　　The European Secretary burst excitedly into the room.
　　
　　"Any news, Mr. Holmes, any news?" he cried.
　　
　　"I have some hopes."
　　
　　"Ah, thank heaven!" His face became radiant. "The 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."
　　
　　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.
　　
　　"I understand that you have something to report, Mr. Holmes?"
　　
　　"Purely negative as yet," my friend answered. "I have inquired at every point where it might be, and I am sure that there is no danger to be apprehended."
　　
　　"But that is not enough, Mr. Holmes. We cannot live for ever on such a volcano. We must have something definite."
　　
　　"I 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."
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes!"
　　
　　"If it had it would certainly have been public by now."
　　
　　"But why should anyone take it in order to keep it in his house?"
　　
　　"I am not convinced that anyone did take it."
　　
　　"Then how could it leave the despatch-box?"
　　
　　"I am not convinced that it ever did leave the despatch-box."
　　
　　"Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed. You have my assurance that it left the box."
　　
　　"Have you examined the box since Tuesday morning?"
　　
　　"No; it was not necessary."
　　
　　"You may conceivably have overlooked it."
　　
　　"Impossible, I say."
　　
　　"But 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."
　　
　　"It was on the top."
　　
　　"Someone may have shaken the box and displaced it."
　　
　　"No, no; I had everything out."
　　
　　"Surely it is easily decided, Hope," said the Premier. "Let us have the despatch-box brought in."
　　
　　The Secretary rang the bell.
　　
　　"Jacobs, 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 Flowers -- good heavens! what is this? Lord Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!"
　　
　　The Premier snatched the blue envelope from his hand.
　　
　　"Yes, it is it -- and the letter is intact. Hope, I congratulate you."
　　
　　"Thank you! Thank you! What a weight from my heart. But this is inconceivable -- impossible. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How did you know it was there?"
　　
　　"Because I knew it was nowhere else."
　　
　　"I cannot believe my eyes!" He ran wildly to the door. "Where is my wife? I must tell her that all is well. Hilda! Hilda!" we heard his voice on the stairs.
　　
　　The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling eyes.
　　
　　"Come, sir," said he. "There is more in this than meets the eye. How came the letter back in the box?"
　　
　　Holmes turned away smiling from the keen scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.
　　
　　"We also have our diplomatic secrets," said he, and picking up his hat he turned to the door.