Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 59 Return 35
After the publication of "Grange Park", I originally intended to stop writing there and write no more about Mr. Holmes.My friend's reluctance to republish his experiences was the real reason I had the idea.In fact, recording his deeds is good for his detective work.But he was determined to leave London and told me repeatedly to respect his wishes and not to publish his story.I told him that after "The Second Bloodstain" was published, I would end my story, because it was most appropriate to end the book with such an important international case.He agreed, so I can tell the public about this incident.

One Tuesday morning in the fall (forgive me for not being able to give the exact year), two notable guests visited our lodgings.One is Lord Beringer, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice.The other was Trilony Hope, an up-and-coming statesman in England, minister in charge of European affairs.They must come here to ask for something.The Prime Minister looked at me and then at Holmes, with infinite sadness on his haggard face.The Minister of European Affairs, too, was feeling restlessly between his beard and his watch chain.

"Mr. Holmes, it was the Prime Minister who sent me to you. At eight o'clock this morning I found that important papers were missing."

"Did you call the police?"

"Of course there was no reporting to the police. Reporting to the police means releasing the document to the public. We don't want the public to know about it."

"Sir, why is that?"

"Because this document is very important. Once it is made public, it is likely to complicate the situation in Europe. This document will determine war and peace. The recovery of the document must be kept absolutely confidential. He stole the document with the intention of making it public."

"I see. Mr. Trilony Hope, under what circumstances were the documents lost."

"Six days ago we had a letter from a foreign sovereign. It was a matter of great importance, and I took it home every day, and locked it in a paper-box in my bedroom. I opened it last night, and the papers were in good order. But this morning it was gone. My wife Hilda and I were light sleepers and the file box was sitting all night in my bedroom next to the dresser mirror. No one came in during the night but the files were gone Fly."

"When did you have dinner?"

"07:30."

"What did you do before bed?"

"My wife was out at the theatre. I've been sitting in the outhouse waiting for her. We didn't go to bed until 11:30."

"That means the file box was left unattended for four hours."

"Only my servants and my wife's maids are allowed in there in the morning, and no one is allowed to enter the house at other times. These two servants are very loyal. Moreover, neither of them knows that there is such a document in my file box. important stuff."

"Who knows about this letter?"

"No one knows."

"Where's your wife?"

"She doesn't know. I only told her this morning after I lost the letter."

The former prime minister nodded.

He said: "Sir, you have a strong sense of responsibility. I believe that the confidentiality of such an important letter will be more important than the private feelings in the family."

The European Affairs Minister nodded.

"Thank you. My wife hadn't heard a word of the letter before this morning."

"Would she have guessed the situation?"

"She couldn't think of it."

"Have you ever lost a file before?"

"No, sir."

"Who else in China knows that there is such a letter?"

"The cabinet ministers were notified yesterday, and every day the cabinet meeting emphasizes secrecy." He looked depressed.

"However, there are two or three officials outside the cabinet who know about the letter. Other than that, no one in the whole of England knows about it."

"Outside England?"

"No one abroad has read this letter, except of course the writer. I believe that the writer did not pass through his ministers. This matter was done through private channels."

My friend thought about it for a while.

"Sir, I would like to ask, what is the content of this letter, and why would it cause such a major consequence if it was lost?"

The two of them quickly exchanged glances, and the former Prime Minister said: "The envelope is light blue, thin and long, with red sealing paint on it, stamped,..."

Holmes said: "Of course these are all important, but for the convenience of investigation, I must know the content, right?"

"I can't tell you, because it is a state secret. Please find the envelope and letter, and we will reward you."

My friend stood up.

He said: "My little detective is very busy and has to receive many visitors. Sorry, I can't help you with this matter."

The former prime minister stood up immediately, two fierce lights shot out from his eyes.He said, "Talk to me like this..." But, suddenly suppressing his anger, he sat down again.For about a minute or two, all four of us sat in silence.The former Prime Minister said: "Mr. Holmes, you are right. You will only take action if you have complete confidence in you."

The European affairs secretary also said: "I agree."

"I can trust the reputation of you and your colleague Dr. Watson, and I also trust your patriotism, because once the secret is leaked, our country will face a catastrophe."

"You can trust me completely."

"Because of the rapid development of our colonies, a foreign sovereign expresses his indignation by writing a letter expressing his personal opinion, without the knowledge of his ministers. This letter is not properly written, and if it is published, it will annoy England. People. I bet if this letter is published, there will be a war in less than a week."

My friend wrote a name on a slip of paper and gave it to the Prime Minister.

"Yes, it's him."

"Have you notified the writer?"

"The coded telegram has been sent."

"He may have wanted the letter to be made public."

"No, this man has felt that he is too hasty. His own country will lose more than our UK if this letter is made public."

"In that case, who would benefit from the publication of this letter? Why would they steal it and publish it?"

"This has a lot to do with international political relations. The whole of Europe is an armed camp with two opposing military alliances, while our country remains neutral and implements a 'balance of power' policy. If Britain fights with one ally, the other alliance's Countries are bound to have an advantage."

"That is to say, the enemies of the Sovereign intended to obtain and publish this letter, in order to make the Sovereign's country enmity with Great Britain."

"Is such that."

"If some enemy got hold of this letter, who would he give it to?"

"Give it to any high-ranking official in any European country."

The European Secretary groaned in frustration."My dear friend," said the Prime Minister, "you are not reproached. Mr. Holmes, what do you think we should do?"

Holmes shook his head.

"Gentlemen, does no letter mean war?"

"Very likely."

"Well then, gentlemen, prepare for battle."

"However, it is still possible to find it."

"Think about it, the letter was stolen between 07:30 and 11:30 last night, it is very likely that it was just a little after 07:30, and the person who stole the letter knew that the letter was in the box, so he started it very early. If this assumption is true, where is the letter now? He must have given it to the person who needed it as soon as possible. We have no chance to find this letter."

The Prime Minister got up from the couch.

"I thought of that too."

"For the sake of investigation, we assume that the letter was taken by the maid or the manservant..."

"They've been in my family for many years and are very reliable."

"You sleep on the second floor. There is no door directly leading to the outside of the building. If someone outside walks by, you will be found. Then it must be an inside thief, but who did this inside thief give the letter to? To an international spy or They're international agents, and I know them well. Three of them are sort of leaders. If one of them goes missing, we've got a clue."

Mr. Trilloni Hope asked: "Why must he leave? Why won't he give it to the embassies of various countries in London?"

"It's very unlikely. These agents are independent. They are generally at odds with embassies."

The Prime Minister nodded.

"Mr. Holmes, you are right. He will definitely deliver it to the headquarters himself. We have other matters to deal with. We will let you know of any new developments. I hope you will also inform us of the results of the investigation."

The two politicians left.

After the guests left, my friend thought for a while.Opening the morning paper, I read about a murder that had occurred last night.At this moment Holmes rose with a sigh.

He said: "Now we need to find out who took the letter. These people only have money in their eyes, and we have the backing of the British Treasury. If he will sell it, we will buy it, no matter what the asking price is. The person who stole the letter, It must be to see whoever gives the most money to each buyer and sell it to whomever. There are only three people who can take this risk: Oberstein, La José and Aiqiuado Lucas. I want Find them separately."

I glanced at the morning paper in my hand.

"Etjoardo Lucas? The one from Godolphin Street?"

"Yes."

"You won't see him anymore."

"why?"

"He was murdered at home last night."

He snatched the newspaper out of my hand in amazement.Here is the newspaper passage I just read:

Westminster Abbey Murders

No. 16, Godolphin Street, a murder occurred last night.This is a quiet street between the Thames River and Westminster Abbey. Mr. Aiqiuado Lucas lived in the NO.16 building for many years.Mr. Lucas, 34 years old, is still unmarried and has a housekeeper and a valet at home.The housekeeper lived in the attic and went to bed early.The manservant was away visiting relatives and was not at home that night.After ten o'clock in the evening, Mr. Lucas was alone at home. At eleven forty-five, the Barrett police patrolling the street saw that the door of No. 45 was half closed.He knocked on the door, but no one answered.Seeing a light in the house ahead, he went into the passage and knocked on the door again, but there was no sound.So he opened the door and went in, only to see that the room was in a mess, with a chair lying in the middle of the room.Next to the chair was the owner of the house, who was holding the leg of the chair with one hand. He was stabbed in the heart with a knife, and he was already dead at that time.The knife used to kill was an Indian dagger.No valuables were lost in the house.Many friends of Mr. Aciuado Lucas must have mourned his death.

"What do you think of the matter, Watson?"

"Purely coincidental."

"Coincidentally! He was the most suspected of the three I just mentioned, but he died at this moment. Watson, there must be a relationship between these two things. Finding out their relationship is what must be done now."

"The police must know everything by now."

(End of this chapter)