登陆注册
5212500000103

第103章 The Adventure of the Second Stain(2)

"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 Ishould 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."

同类推荐
  • 拟两晋南北史乐府

    拟两晋南北史乐府

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 中俄伊犁交涉始末

    中俄伊犁交涉始末

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 易冒

    易冒

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 陪李郎中夜宴

    陪李郎中夜宴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 西方子明堂灸经

    西方子明堂灸经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 魔图

    魔图

    一张神秘的古图,一个将死的灵魂,偶然降临魔界。一个殒命的婴儿,一场逆天的赌局,悄然而生的阴谋。当有一日,你需要踏尽敌骨,走上那条孤独的至尊之路。当有一日,你需要受尽无尽的苦难,走出一条独属自己的路。你是否会有那么一个瞬间,后悔来到这里。魔界,勇士的世界,残暴而嗜血的世界,这里,从来都没有懦弱。
  • 太古玄功

    太古玄功

    还在襁褓里的夏天就被追杀,夺天地造化,弥补先天之缺,灾星做宠物,快意恩仇,随着崛起他发现大陆真正的秘密……
  • 郁迦罗越问菩萨行经

    郁迦罗越问菩萨行经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 琥珀之国

    琥珀之国

    一座传说中黄金玛瑙的城市,一个光怪陆离的大陆,一个浩荡的时代。
  • The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne

    The Parson's Daughter of Oxney Colne

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流
  • Phantastes

    Phantastes

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说善恶因果经

    佛说善恶因果经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 肥妻翻身:凛少,你的羊皮掉了

    肥妻翻身:凛少,你的羊皮掉了

    全球最想睡的男人排行榜NO.1,那棵一向以冰清玉洁示人的万年修成‘大白菜’,近日被曝出被一头‘猪’拱翻天的丑闻。猪:我是无辜的。白菜:……猪:殷先生,你听到我说话了吗?白菜:叫爸爸。猪:……书友群:514032996
  • 玄幻小说体验装置

    玄幻小说体验装置

    这是一本轻松,幽默又不失脑洞的小说。ps:书中内容都是根据作者君穿越到十年后的世界中切身体会的生活经历改编,这次得以重新回归,感慨之余执笔写下了这个故事。因此作者保证所写的东西皆是真人真事,如有造假,作者君愿意下半辈子打游戏再也排不到女性玩家。好吧,我编不下去了彡( ̄_ ̄;)彡,大家笑一笑就好。
  • 叶九灵

    叶九灵

    哼既然重新活了那么害我前身的那些人不整到他们怀疑人生他就不叫叶九灵,无论是谁,一个都别想跑。等等,那个美男你是谁,为什么这么一副要吃了我的表情看着我,我虽然美但是你也不能这么肆无忌惮,某男皱眉..........消失!