登陆注册
5411700000103

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
热门推荐
  • 一个话题的诞生

    一个话题的诞生

    事实上我不知道他们在说什么,已经坐了快两个小时,我都不知道他们到底在说什么。在座位底下轻轻按了一下,手机就灭了。“晚点给你打电话吧”,这是今天谭勇发给我的第一条短信。我是一早就把短信发出去了。他这个人的最大特色就是不喜欢回短信,也不喜欢接电话,他的电话就像上个世纪的bp机,总是打过去很久,再打过来,如果他心情好的话。联系上这个人的前提是要他心情好。可是影响他心情好的条件实在太多了。谭勇在南市生活,他本来就属于南市,在这里,猜都能猜到,他准能如鱼得水,南市甚至连雾霾都没有,在这里,一个人一整天不接电话,地球还是照样运转。
  • 逆天快穿之腹黑BOSS别黑化

    逆天快穿之腹黑BOSS别黑化

    这天,三界六族的神主,族长,百姓们关紧窗户,锁紧家门。躲在家中瑟瑟发抖只因为......那传说中杀人不眨眼,爱财如命的幽璃战神携带一统子去闯三千世界啦! 【不知怎么了完整的简介通过不了审核(*?????)就这样吧。。。。简介无能,但正文绝对精彩】 【男主始终一人。。1V1】
  • 灵性的成长:灵修大师克里希那穆提的心灵语录

    灵性的成长:灵修大师克里希那穆提的心灵语录

    印度的克里希那穆提是20世纪最伟大的灵修大师,他一生致力引导人们点亮自性之光:认识自我,旨在帮助人类从恐惧和无明中彻底解脱,体悟慈悲与至乐的自由境界。在本书中,我们撷取克里希那穆提思想中的精粹,在其的引导下深入探讨与心灵成长息息相关的问题,为在黑暗中摸索前行的心灵送去一星火种,点亮人类的自性之光。
  • 星泪传奇

    星泪传奇

    腾龙国君瑕玉帝被其弟兆猗逼迫退位后,其妻产下一名男婴后难产而亡,适逢巨变,忠仆徐公公建言诈称生女胎死腹中,却暗中将婴儿带出,最终交予武林隐士仇问,同年,兆猗夺位成功后,私纳青楼女唐娇为妃,后兆猗被推翻,桂王在德仁的拥护下登基,唐娇与腹中子遭逐……前后衔接有Bug也不改了,一段新的传奇正在展开!
  • 军事战争百问百答(青少年科普知识百问百答丛书)

    军事战争百问百答(青少年科普知识百问百答丛书)

    青少年科学技术普及是指采用广大学生易于理解、接受和参与的方式,普及自然科学和社会科学知识,传播科学思想,弘扬科学精神,倡导科学方法,推广科学技术应用的活动。目的是使广大青少年学生了解科学技术的发展,掌握必要的知识、技能,培养他们对科学技术的兴趣和爱好,增强他们的创新精神和实践能力,引导他们树立科学思想、科学态度,帮助他们逐步形成科学的世界观和方法论。
  • 断风魂

    断风魂

    玄灵大陆分为五个区域,每个区域都有个顶尖的势力,中域四海盟,东域豪侠会,西域蜀山派,南域道教,北域绝情谷。五个势力每三十年都会选出自己区域的四个势力参加五域大会。而我们主角雪隐在西域南边的一个名为凌镇的一个小帮会里,因不满宫主的保守,于是决定退出帮会,创建了自己的势力。
  • 师表:回忆谢希德

    师表:回忆谢希德

    谢希德(1921—2000),我国著名物理学家、教育家、社会活动家、第七届上海市政协主席。她为我国现代物理学的研究、发展和人才的培养,倾注了毕生的心血。本书集纳了谢希德同志的学生、同事、家人、朋友所写“三亲”文章,讲述了谢希德的丰富人生、顽强精神、爱国情怀和教书育人的感人故事。
  • 美丽的青春(黑塞作品07)

    美丽的青春(黑塞作品07)

    本书收集了抒情诗人黑塞的中短篇小说中最脍炙人口的五篇名作。《秋之旅》描写一个在流浪和怀念之间徘徊的心灵。《忆童年》刻画缅怀往昔盘旋在脑海的天使、奇迹和童话。《婚事》表现出黑塞写作风格的另一面,描述一个常年在结婚生活港口的遥远处,围绕梭巡的男人为婚姻而奋斗的故事。《大旋风》中,少年多梦的日子尚未逝去,爱的幼苗已开始,思春期的烦恼,难堪难耐。《美丽的青春》是一篇讴歌青春期心灵的作品,勾画了少年向往流浪却又怀念家乡;憧憬浪漫自由生活却又希求安定归宿的美梦。篇篇意境隽永,充满幽默和警世意味,令人回味无穷。
  • 从故事中学会尊老爱幼(教青少年为人处事的故事宝库)

    从故事中学会尊老爱幼(教青少年为人处事的故事宝库)

    《教青少年为人处事的故事宝库:从故事中学会尊老爱幼》是一本青少年励志类读物,从尊老爱幼方面阐述了如何为人处事,有哪些经验和教训,是一本不可多得的优秀图书。
  • 上海男人

    上海男人

    于凯终于明白:儿子竟然比自己还成熟,自己年轻时做事从不在乎别人说三道四的作风,为了自己的目的从不受任何道德规范束缚的心态,儿子已经全盘潜移默化地继承过去了,甚至还发扬光大了一番,那就甭指望能说服他回心转意了。既然如此,那就决定离开这里吧。只是想到自己折腾一生,到头来竟是一无所有,不免很是沮丧。但转念又想到:其实谁不是这样呢?最后把自己逐出这个世界的,还不正是自己的儿子吗?至于夫妻,过去不是有句话说得明明白白吗?“夫妻本是同林鸟,大难到来各东西”。