Whyisitheldback？That’sthequestionthatbeatsinmybrainlikeahammer。Wasit，indeed，acoincidencethatLucasshouldmeethisdeathonthenightwhentheletterdisappeared？
Didthelettereverreachhim？Ifso，whyisitnotamonghispapers？Didthismadwifeofhiscarryitoffwithher？Ifso，isitinherhouseinParis？HowcouldIsearchforitwithouttheFrenchpolicehavingtheirsuspicionsaroused？Itisacase，mydearWatson，wherethelawisasdangeroustousasthecriminalsare。Everyman’shandisagainstus，andyettheinterestsatstakearecolossal。ShouldIbringittoasuccessfulconclusionitwillcertainlyrepresentthecrowninggloryofmycareer。Ah，hereismylatestfromthefront！\"
Heglancedhurriedlyatthenotewhichhadbeenhandedin。
\"Halloa！Lestradeseemstohaveobservedsomethingofinterest。
Putonyourhat，Watson，andwewillstrolldowntogethertoWestminster。\"